News Briefs

Slam the door on scammers by being a cautious consumer

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Mississippians shine when it comes to charitable giving

    Mississippians dig deeper in their pockets when it comes to giving. We always rank high in national surveys…

Of memories and thanksgiving

We are always reminded to “live in the moment” and “make the most of each day.” And, that is certainly…

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Current Issue

1/1/2016

You get more than electricity from your electric cooperative

    Affordable electric service has been the goal of your electric power association since its beginning.
    But just what do we mean by affordable? That can imply different things, depending on whom you ask. I’d like to explain a few things to help you better understand just what a bargain your electric service is.
    Your electric power association is a locally owned cooperative that was created to provide your area with a service that no one else would. Investor-owned utilities, whose goal is to make profits for their investors, believed extending electric service into rural Mississippi was too much of a financial risk; they doubted whether farmers would use enough electricity to justify the expense of power line construction. They preferred to serve more densely populated towns and cities.
    So, the farmers themselves formed their own not-for-profit electric cooperative for the sole purpose of obtaining reliable electricity for their farms at the lowest cost possible. This rural electrification movement began in Mississippi in the mid-1930s; today, 26 electric power associations, including a generation and transmission cooperative, operate under this same guiding principle—just as their founders intended.
    Electrification transformed not only rural Mississippi but all of rural America. Affordable electric service made it possible for farmers to boost production, households to modernize, new businesses to open and schools to upgrade. Who could put a price tag on all that progress?
    Although each electric power association is a locally owned and locally controlled cooperative, all electric power associations work together to work more efficiently. For example, employee training sessions are conducted on a group basis to share their costs. Emergency power restoration is tackled collectively to speed the process and control its costs. Who knows how much those two items alone save our members each year?
    Behind the scenes, we are always working to attract new employers to our communities and to help existing companies plan expansions. We work with business people, state officials, community development agencies, local governments and others to encourage the creation of jobs here at home. These efforts are extremely valuable to a community.
    Then there’s our role as member advocates. Whether discussing a commercial vehicle proposal with a state legislator or climate-change issues with a Congressman, we work to protect our members’ service. We want to make sure lawmakers understand the impact of potential legislation on our members’ pocketbooks, livelihoods and lifestyles. What is that worth to you?
    I hope you see that the value of your electric power association cannot be overestimated. Fortunately, today we have the luxury of taking electricity for granted; we flip a switch to turn on lights, wash clothes, heat or cool the house, and refrigerate groceries.
    Memories of life before electricity grow dimmer with each generation. Today’s young people can’t imagine life without smartphones, much less electricity. I just hope they realize what a bargain electricity really is and appreciate the impact their local electric power association has on their lives.

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    Our new, updated Mississippi legislative app is now available! The Mississippi 2016 Legislative Roster lists all Mississippi state and federal elected officials, plus their biographies and addresses. An interactive map allows you to find those who represent the area you select, and other features including a legislative calendar are included. Download the free app at the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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