| |
Mississippi was early leader
in nation’s rural electrification
By Michael Callahan
Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Executive Vice President/CEO
In the midst of the Great Depression, rural Mississippians achieved a remarkable feat. Having been refused electric service by existing electric utilities, these rural folks—most of them poor subsistence farmers—began building and operating their own electric cooperatives.
Investor-owned utilities, whose primary obligation is generating profits for stockholders, viewed rural electrification as a hugely expensive venture with poor prospects for a return on investment.
But with the creation of the Rural Electricification Administration (REA) in 1935, rural people gained access to loans and expertise that enabled them to organize their own electric cooperatives to obtain affordable electric service.
The push for rural electrification was nationwide, but Mississippi quickly emerged as an early leader. In 1934, Alcorn County Electric Power Association, in Corinth, became the first rural electric cooperative in the nation. And in 1935, Monroe County Electric Power Association, in Amory, became the first electric cooperative in the nation to secure an REA loan and begin operations.
Today, 26 electric power associations serve some 1.7 million Mississippians, or about 85 percent of the land mass in the state.
Each electric power association is an independent cooperative owned and controlled by the members it serves. Each cooperative also is a member of a statewide network of electric power associations that work together in part to restore power during emergencies, monitor legislation affecting their members’ cost of power and publish Today in Mississippi.
As a member of your electric power association, you are a part-owner—and you have a vote at the annual meeting of members. I encourage you to attend your cooperative’s annual meeting to learn more about its operation, achievements and goals.
PAST
EDITORIALS
- July
2003
- PSC responds to consumer complaints
-
August 2003
-
Get to know your electric co-op
- September
2003 - Blackout spurs look
at power grid
- October
2003 - Co-ops unite for
emergency response
- November
2003 - Express yourself:
Vote Nov. 4
- December
2003
- Co-ops'
value to community? Priceless
- January
2004 - Our
legislative efforts protect consumers
- February
2004
- Electric co-op vital signs are strong
-
March
2004 - Dependable service results from diligence
- April
2004 -
Leaders inspire youth at co-op workshop
- May
2004
- Control power costs through wise
use
- June
2004 - Utility poles are not for
posting
- July 2004 - What do 4th of July and co-ops have in common?
- August 2004 - Work zone speeders face stiffer penalties
- September 2004 - Co-op linemen help Florida storm victims
- October 2004 - Co-ops clean up after Hurricane Ivan
- November 2004 - War veterans deserve our gratitude
- December 2004 - Santa, I have some special requests
- January 2005 - Resolve to be a more informed citizen
- February 2005 - Weather winter power outages safely
- March 2005 - High power bill? This may be why
- April 2005 - Workshop prepares young leaders
- May 2005 - Electric cooperatives committed to promoting electrical safety
- June 2005 - Preparation key to outage recovery when disaster strikes
- July 2005 - 4-H museum to honor heritage, showcase development programs
- August 2005 - Youth Tour theme reflects co-op tradition of local commitment
- September 2005 - Your voice has been heard!
- October 2005 - Co-ops join forces to restore power to rural Mississippi
- November 2005 - How the cooperative difference affects your cost of electricity
- December 2005 - Donors fuel emergency relief for Mississippi hurricane victims
- January 2006 - Reflections on ending a 37-year career serving electric co-ops
- February 2006 - Building on the tradition of service to electric co-ops
- March 2006 - Energy conservation is back in style
- April 2006 - Youth Leadership program provides opportunities for youth
- May 2006 - No relief in sight for energy prices; it’s up to us to reduce energy use
- June 2006 - State’s electric co-op leaders lobby Congress on your behalf
- July 2006 - Linemen uphold standard of service—despite the heat
- August 2006 - Meter tampering: Electricity at too high a price
- September 2006 - Katrina tested our emergency response, but cooperation got the job done
- October 2006 - Not-for-profit electric cooperatives deeply rooted in rural Mississippi
- November 2006 - Your electric co-op works hard to bring more jobs to Mississippi
- December 2006 - Our special interest? The quality of your electric service
- January 2007 - Transfer of power: Use emergency generator safely
- February 2007 - Working together, electric cooperatives restore power to Missouri storm victims
- March 2007 - Current power bills reflect electricity used during winter's cold-weather peak
- April 2007 - Members vote their choice at locally owned electric co-ops
- May 2007 - Fatherhood opened my eyes to sacrifices of motherhood
- June 2007 - Squeezed by energy costs? Get relief by reducing use
- July 2007 - Independence Day inspires appreciation of freedoms
- August 2007 - Our Youth Leadership Program identifies, nutures future leaders
- September 2007 - Electricity generation will expand with rise in electricity demand
|
|
