More than 500 Tri-County Electric Cooperative members attending the annual meeting over the weekend were given good news on rates but bad news on preparations for the potential of rolling blackouts.
The meeting was the first time for new General Manager Luke Johnson to address the membership. He was also able to report the co-op was in good financial shape.
Johnson says decisions by the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative board, of which Tri-County is a member, has led to the good financial condition.
“With that savings they are providing we are able to stave off any rate increases and provide rate stability through 2022 and barring no unexpected surprises, through 2023. Last year we were fighting together as co-ops to keep Prairie State and SIPC’s 123 open. With your support the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives and many other co-ops across the state along with municipal agencies, we achieved that goal.”
Johnson also shared the potential for rolling electric blackouts due to the lack of an adequate electric supply across the Midwest.
“We are meeting with Ameren since they own the transmission lines in our area, to develop a plan in the event there is a call to load share. In some cases, we may have little to no warning, or the ability to control that load. On a positive note, if it is done correctly, you would experience similar to a severe storm situation or a car knocking down a power pole in your area. We will do our best to keep you informed as soon as we are aware of any movement.”
Johnson says it’s not possible to continue to cut the electric supply base by closing power plants at the same time the need for electricity is growing. He also shared that the current shortage of supply was not new as it was the subject of an article in one of the cooperative’s membership magazine in 1975.
Johnson also reported the Tri-County Electric system is very well maintained as work continues to replace rotted poles, trim back trees, and other required maintenance.
Secretary-Treasurer Sam Phillips reported the cooperative added 143 new services in the past year and now has 18,500 total services. He noted the cooperative had 80 miles of transmission line and 3400 miles of line to maintain. Phillips says Tri-County members paid $48.5-million for electricity in the past year. After paying for power and other expenses, the cooperative finished with a $3-million margin. Since the co-op is a non-profit excess margin will be returned to members as patronage checks which this year went to those on the system in 1998 and 99.
The three incumbent members of the board were re-elected without opposition. They were Tom Beyers from Marion County, Kathy Withers from Jefferson County, and Phil Carson from Washington County.
Tri-County Electric Board Secretary-Treasurer Sam Phillips gives his annual report to the membership meeting as the rest of the board looks on. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
