Members of the Tri-County Electric Cooperative were told at its annual meeting Saturday there were more questions than answers about electric prices and adequate supply.
General Manager Luke Johnson says with the shutdown of the Illinois coal plants, the state no longer has an adequate supply of electricity.
“When you start talking about having to attach maybe to Kentucky, Indiana, or Missour,i or someone who has a lot of power and we don’t, that is a concern of mine. Not so much on the rolling blackout side, because that could come, but more on the cost of electricity.”
And Johnson says the cost of power has been rising dramatically in the past few years.
“Market prices continue to go up. They used to run $30-50 a megawatt hour, we are seeing those prices shoot up from $200 to $1200 depending on how hot or cold it is.”
Johnson says the electric co-ops are looking at a Peak Power Rewards program to reward those who conserve energy at peak usage times. The Southern Illinois co-operatives will meet on Thursday for more planning on supply and cost issues.
Earlier in the meeting, Tri-County Board President Sam Phillips says the rapid development of artificial intelligence is also impacting the situation.
“We are faced with a dilemma with all the energy AI is gonna need. Is that going to rob some of the power that we all need to run our hair and clothes dryers? I’m not trying to scare you, just letting you know these are the types of things we discuss in our board meetings each month and how to combat it.”
Phillips notes 51 percent of a member’s bill is to ensure the co-op system is big enough to meet the electric needs.
In other updates, Johnson says a recent safety audit found the co-operative in good shape operationally, which Johnson credits the employees. He notes the co-op has 70,000 poles, which are checked for condition, with 200 rejects replaced last year. Johnson also reported the new transmission line between the Patoka and Kinmundy substations is now 75 percent complete. He says there will be a big increase in reliability when that project is completed.
Johnson noted that an agreement with Ameren has now been worked out, allowing Tri-County to provide electric service and financially benefit when the solar and wind systems are drawing power from the electric system instead of producing electricity.
Secretary-Treasurer Kathy Withers reported that Tri-County purchases 393 million kilowatt hours of electricity to deliver to its members. The system had a net positive operation of $3,972,000, with $1,272,000 being set aside for future capital credits on member bills. Tri-County added 114 new services, bringing the number of customers to 18,665. The co-op currently operates 3,418 miles of electric line, including 80 miles of transmission line.
Retiring Washington County Board representative Phil Carson was honored for 27 years of service to the co-op as well as serving on the Illinois Co-Operative Board and as President of the National Organization. The board honored Director of Operations Kevin Cummings, who retired after 35 years of service, and Lineman Brad Hail, who is retiring after 30 years.
Keith Doring was elected as a new representative for Washington County, replacing Carson, while Tom Byers was re-elected from Marion County and Kathy Withers from Jefferson County. There were no opposition candidates.
