Your cooperative continues to upgrade technology; universal controls for voltage regulators with end of line monitors will allow us better control of the electricity we need and use.

Some may ask why we need all this fancy stuff. Your co-op is growing!

Each year about 100 new electric services are built. Last year over 80 consumers converted to electric heat, over 100 the year before! This additional load requires larger lines, larger transformers, larger everything.

Our electric system was originally built in 1940 with yearly upgrades.Existing equipment was not built for modern electric loads and everything is now computerized.

Electric demand generates modern technology. We are continuing to reclear the rights of way. Currently this is the last year of a six year progression to reclear the entire system. The area left to clear is Bigfork, Effie, and west to the Wildwood area.

As a follow up on Will Rogers quote; electric co-ops were formed as “neighbors helping neighbors” to provide electric service to rural areas. With all our upgrades and technology we do not want to lose sight of whom we work for.

Hope to see you at the annual meeting.