 | 6/11/2010 | 4-County elects new directors |
Members of 4-County Electric Power Association elected two directors and heard reports from the board of directors and management at the Association''s Annual Membership Meeting Thursday at East Mississippi Community College''s Mayhew campus.
"As you know from the media, the electric utility industry continues to face many challenges and much uncertainty about the future," Allegra Brigham, 4-County CEO, told meeting attendees. But, she stressed, the cooperative will emerge as an even stronger organization when the economic situation turns upward. "We have historically been successful in both difficult times as well as good times because we''ve focused on tending to our core business."
About 450 people participated in annual meeting activities.
Brigham highlighted a number of challenges that electric utilities are currently facing including:
Projections of the nation's electricity supply falling short of demand
Pressure to invest in massive new technology systems including smart metering and demand response
An increasing demand for electric services to meet the needs of a growing population and a growing demand to power our increasing digital economy
Reliability expectations which have increased along with our connected economy
Environmental issues - particularly the ongoing attention being given to climate change, issues related to fossil fuels and carbon tax
A shift in culture leading down a pathway of conservation and sustainability which will likely continue - despite the tremendous investment that will be required
Our state''s inability to embrace major alternative energy projects in the areas of wind, solar and hydro
And, if all of that was not enough, the recession has tremendously impacted electric cooperatives which, as already noted, operate on small margins
The CEO acknowledged, however, that the current state of the economy is the most pressing challenge for cooperatives today. "Businesses have closed and unemployment is high in our region," she said.
However, despite these challenges, Brigham said the cooperative had accomplished much in 2009:
Scored 97 out of a possible 100 points on the Rural Electric Safety Accreditation Program application and site inspection
Named, along with Entergy and Mississippi Power, one of the top three utilities in Mississippi for 2009 in a survey by Southern Business and Development magazine
Deployed some 15,750 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters to better serve our members
Added 453 houses, 10 government-owned duplex units and a handful of other accounts from the Columbus Air Force Base after signing a contract to begin providing electricity to the privatized housing at the base.
Became the first electric cooperative in Mississippi to be certified as a Tree Line USA member by the Arbor Day Foundation
Added more than 500 new members
In his comments, Board President John Scarbrough applauded the cooperative way of life. "We, as board members, are 4-County customers and members just as you. We work for you, our fellow members," Scarbrough said.
Scarbrough said 42 million Americans get electricity through co-ops. In the state of Mississippi, he explained, 50 percent of electric meters are served by rural electric cooperatives. "Electricity makes so many things possible that we take for granted, not just lights."
The board president highlighted four points discussed in a recent 4-County strategic planning session:
Continual development of a culture of safety - "Just as it is with your family, nothing is more important than our employee''s safety. Nothing," Scarbrough said.
Member emphasis - "In every decision we make, the members'' have to be considered first. We may not be able to control the price the Tennessee Valley Authority charges for electricity, but we can control our portion of the costs that is passed to you, our members," he added.
Economic development - "Helping assure a future for our children and grandchildren also means that we need to work toward getting new jobs in our area," Scarbrough outlined.
Fiscal responsibility - "We have to assure that 4-County operates within its means, i.e., we cannot afford to build debt that limits this organization''s ability to serve your future needs," the board president said.
Employee emphasis - "If member emphasis is a key, then the only way to pass along that emphasis is mirror that emphasis to our employees," Scarbrough said.
Board Secretary-Treasurer Jay Gilliland of Mathiston reviewed the co-op''s finances. Gilliland said that 4-County''s total assets were valued at $174.1 million in 2009. Members'' equity, or ownership, in the system was valued at $80.1 million.
In her concluding remarks, Brigham told the crowd that 4-County''s vision is to emerge as an even stronger organization as the economic situation turns upward. "We''ve been forced to think about work differently, learn new skills, eliminate non-essential duties, and maximize the use of technology. This was all accomplished by caring employees without a cost of living or wage increase. Their commitment and dedication is inspiring," she added.
In other business, incumbents Scarbrough of Columbus (District 1, Lowndes County), and Marty Crowder of Ackerman (District 5, Choctaw and Winston Counties) were re-elected to three-year terms on the board of directors.
National award-winning country music artists Nash Street, originally from Starkville, provided entertainment.
Prior to the meeting, a health fair was held for consumers. More than 275 people participated in the health care screenings.
4-County services nearly 45,400 members in eight counties: Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee, Oktibbeha and Webster. The cooperative''s mission is to provide quality, cost-effective electricity and related services to all its members.
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