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Independence Day Interrupted

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Independence Day Interrupted as extreme winds damaged dozens of poles and miles of electric and fiber

Fourth of July celebrations came to an abrupt halt as powerful storms and extreme winds swept through Central Oklahoma, damaging dozens of poles and miles of electric and fiber lines.

While communities changed their holiday plans, OEC and OEC Fiber crews immediately mobilized to begin the difficult work of restoring essential services.

More than 17,000 electric and fiber services affected

“The storms initially knocked out power to over 10,000 OEC electric members and 7,000 OEC Fiber subscribers on Saturday night, July 4,” said Brianna Wall, OEC manager of marketing and member relations. “Crews worked diligently the following 2-3 days to rebuild 48 poles and six miles of electric and fiber lines that were blown over by winds that exceeded 90 miles per hour.”

While uprooted trees and debris slowed progress, OEC, OEC Fiber and contractor crews continued working until service was restored for all members and subscribers.

“That storm packed an unexpected punch,” said Vice President of Operations Clint Mobley. “I’m proud of our crews who worked as quickly and safely as possible, spending days and nights away from their families, until all of our members had power restored.”

Electric and fiber crews work side by side

OEC Fiber crews worked alongside OEC crews to ensure internet, phone and TV services were restored for subscribers as soon as possible.

“Thanks to the ability to work in tandem with the electric lineworkers, OEC Fiber techs were able to quickly begin the long process of re-running lines and splicing so we could get our subscribers restored as quickly as possible,” said OEC Fiber President David Goodspeed.

Storm impacts OEC headquarters

In addition to the visible damage across Norman and Cleveland County, OEC’s headquarters in Norman took a direct hit, temporarily suspending all data and technical operations until repairs could be made.

This required additional effort from the network operations and information technology teams to restore communication to our system.

“We thank all of our members and subscribers for their patience as we worked to restore power and internet service,” Wall said. “The lineworkers and techs working in 100-plus degree heat appreciated the encouragement and kind words.”

OEC Youth Tour 2027 Contest Open to Juniors

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Time to Shine with a chance to earn an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Washington, D.C.

OEC’s 2027 Youth Tour contest is now open to high school juniors. Applicants will submit an essay or written speech by Nov. 1 for a chance to advance in the contest and ultimately earn an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Washington, D.C.

The 2027 Youth Tour topic

More than 80 years ago, America’s farmers and rural citizens joined together to bring electricity to communities that for-profit companies refused to serve. As a result, they improved the quality of life for rural Americans by satisfying an unmet need.

The 2027 prompt is:

Energizing Every Moment: Explain how co-ops are providing communities with more than just power, including energy, broadband, opportunities, community and youth empowerment.

Submit your essay or speech by Nov. 1

Put your thoughts into words in either essay or speech format. Entries should be 750-900 words and double-spaced.

Submit your entry through the online application form. Be prepared to include information about honors and awards, positions or offices held, community involvement and special interests.

Apply for OEC Youth Tour

What happens next?

Eight applicants will be selected as finalists to progress in the contest.

The eight finalists are required to attend a half-day speech workshop Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026. There, they will learn techniques to hone their speech craft and visual presentation skills as well as cooperative information.

Finalists will then present their speeches live before three judges at a banquet held at OEC’s headquarters. Judges look for each applicant’s power of persuasion, first in writing and then in oration.

Four winners will be selected following the live presentations Jan. 28.

About Youth Tour

Youth Tour offers high school juniors a weeklong, all-expenses-paid educational trip to Washington, D.C., in June each year.

Four students travel with the Oklahoma delegation of more than 70 students to the nation’s capital, where they tour historic sites and national landmarks, meet Oklahoma’s congressional delegation and more.

The 2027 Youth Tour trip is currently scheduled for June 18-23. Dates are estimated based on past years and are subject to change. OEC will follow guidance from the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to determine the final schedule and trip details.

Questions? Contact Community Outreach Associate Carrie Koesler at (405) 217-6726 or carrie.koesler@okcoop.org

OEC Annual Meeting 2026: Official Business and Financials

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Official business at the OEC Annual Meeting

Review voting information and OEC’s 2025 financial overview before the Oct. 2 Drive-Thru Annual Meeting.

Those attending the Drive-Thru Annual Meeting on Oct. 2 will have the opportunity to take an active part in their cooperative by conducting official business.

Members will be asked if they approve minutes from the 2025 OEC Annual Meeting, as well as the 2025 financial statements. If a quorum of 5% of OEC’s members register at the Drive-Thru Annual Meeting, votes will be tallied and reflected in the meeting minutes.

Register at the Drive-Thru Annual Meeting

Members may arrive and register at the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot at any point between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.

Please bring the ballot you receive in the official invitation mailer. You will hand your completed ballot to an OEC employee when you arrive at the registration tent.

Beginning at 7:15 p.m. on OEC’s YouTube page, there will be a brief business meeting and the drawing of four $500 grand prizes.

This will conclude this year’s Annual Meeting. Members can also provide feedback through a survey link included in the program distributed at the event.

Find complete event information at OEC Annual Meeting.

View Annual Meeting Minutes

2025 financial overview

Consolidated balance sheet

20252024
Net Utility Plant$492,020,157$483,668,578
Other Property & Investments$80,020,553$76,745,469
Current Assets$29,799,421$29,359,830
Other Assets$11,039,932$11,434,396
Total Assets$612,880,063$601,208,273
Total Margins and Equities$191,628,401$179,259,701
Total Long Term Debt$363,055,297$367,729,032
Noncurrent Liabilities$605,122$3,260,735
Current and Accrued Liabilities$51,842,930$47,446,517
Deferred Credits$5,748,313$3,512,288
Total Liabilities and Equities$612,880,063$601,208,273

Consolidated operating statement

20252024
Operating Revenue$231,423,762$217,338,601
Total Operating Expenses$204,113,536$188,663,614
Total Cost of Electric and Fiber Service$220,460,812$204,368,034
Operating Margins$27,310,226$28,674,987
Generation/Transmission & Other Capital Credits$4,146,795$5,910,187
Patronage Capital or Margins$14,023,390$20,753,518
Taxable Margins$8,606,121$12,308,368

From the Top – September 2026 | OEC News

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CEO Patrick Grace explains how capital credits put OEC’s cooperative business model into practice

One of the questions I’m asked from time to time is, “What really makes a cooperative different?”

There are plenty of answers. We’re locally governed. We’re focused on serving our members instead of outside investors. Every decision we make is guided by what’s best for the communities we serve.

But one of the most tangible examples is something many members see every year: capital credits.

How capital credits work

When you receive electric service from Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, you’re doing more than paying a monthly bill. You’re building equity in the cooperative you own.

Each year, if OEC brings in more than it needs to operate and maintain the electric system, those remaining margins are assigned to members based on how much electricity they used. They’re tracked as capital credits until the cooperative is in a financial position to return them to members, with each retirement approved by the board of trustees.

That’s why capital credits represent more than money returned to members. They’re a reminder of how the cooperative business model works. Every member helps build OEC’s success, and when the cooperative is financially strong, our members share in that success.

A new way to receive capital credits

This year’s capital credit retirement also changes how eligible current members will receive those funds. Instead of mailing paper checks to eligible current members, capital credit retirements will be applied directly to September electric bills.

We believe this is a simpler, more convenient way to return those funds. Members on prepaid service will receive their credit as their accounts are processed, while eligible former members will still receive a check because they no longer have an active OEC account.

The way members receive capital credits is changing, but the reason for them remains the same. They are one of the clearest examples of what it means to be part of a cooperative. It’s your ownership in action.

Thank you for being an OEC member.

Operation Round Up awards $62,450 to local organizations, families

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Change Makes Change through small, voluntary contributions from OEC members.

In June 2026, the OEC Foundation board of directors approved $62,450 in grants to support local organizations and individuals. Funded by thousands of OEC members who voluntarily round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar, these grants are part of Operation Round Up (ORU), a program focused on improving lives through direct community investment.

June beneficiaries

ORU grants aim to foster a positive impact by enhancing community well-being through various programs and services. This round of grants supported youth services, disaster response, oral health outreach and other community needs.

Individual assistance

The board awarded individual grants for eye exams, glasses and mobility devices.

Organizations

  • The Sparrow Project: Adaptive equipment for overall health of adults with intellectual disabilities
  • Ninnekah Public Schools: Rubber mulch and benches for playground
  • United Way of Norman: School supplies for the backpack program
  • Meals on Wheels of Norman: Senior free meal program
  • Oklahoma City Community College: HISET exam fee voucher
  • Veterans Corner: Replacement of outdated technology for veterans
  • Oklahoma Project Woman Inc.: Breast preventive care for the underserved

How Operation Round Up works

Roughly 80% of OEC members participate in ORU, each contributing an average of $6 per year. Because of you, these small, voluntary donations add up to meaningful support for programs related to health, safety, education and quality of life. This incredible impact is a testament to the generosity and community spirit of our members.

Every application is reviewed by a nine-member board of the OEC Foundation to ensure funds are allocated to efforts that have a lasting impact. Since the program began 33 years ago, ORU has distributed more than $7 million in support of food, shelter, medical care, education and more.

Next grant cycle

The next deadline to apply for ORU grants is Nov. 20, with decisions to be made at the Dec. 3 board meeting.

For more information or to apply, visit OEC Operation Round Up, contact Carrie Koesler at ORU@okcoop.org or call (405) 217-6726.

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