Focused on You

Electric cooperatives were created to serve their members. Because we’re a co-op, we’re able to adapt to our community’s unique needs. That’s the power of co-op membership. 

Fall is a busy time, and October is a particularly eventful month with school, community and sports activities in full swing. It’s also when all cooperatives celebrate National Co-op Month. 

When I say OEC celebrates Co-op Month, it really means we are celebrating you! After all, our co-op wouldn’t exist without you, our members. 

Our core business purpose is to serve as your electricity provider, but the larger mission of the co-op is to help make our corner of the world a better place. “Concern for community” is one of seven guiding principles that all co-ops share.

Similar to how our wires run through our service territory, our concern for community flows through all of our decisions––because being a co-op means being a responsible partner and good neighbor. 

OEC works to help our community thrive through initiatives led by our employees and local board that’s comprised of neighbors who live right here in our community. Because we’re local, we understand our community’s unique needs and strive to help meet them. 

We’re proud to support local youth through Youth Tour and scholarship programs. With your help, we offer Operation Round Up to provide assistance to our community’s most vulnerable. We partner with and support area foodbanks and other charitable organizations such as United Way of Norman and Transition House. 

The word “cooperative” is close to “cooperation,” meaning people working together towards a common goal—mutually benefitting one another and the larger community. That’s the essence of the cooperative spirit. Our employees and member-elected board members are invested in the community in which live and serve. 

Above all, as a co-op we put our members’ priorities first. As your trusted energy partner, we know that saving energy and money is important to you. That’s why we have numerous programs in place to help, including home energy audits and a variety of rates to fit your needs.

We want to empower you to manage energy use at home. If you haven’t already, I encourage you take a moment and download our app, MyOEC. Through the app, you can conveniently monitor and manage your energy use. And we’re of course here to help, so give us a call if you have questions about your energy bills.

OEC is continuously examining ways to operate more efficiently while continuing to provide the highest level of friendly, reliable service you expect and deserve. After all, we’re your local co-op. We were built by the members we serve.

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Capital Credits

OEC board of trustees approves $2 million in capital credits to be paid to members from 2009, 2010

OEC’s board of trustees has authorized the distribution of over $2 million in capital credits to members of the cooperative who purchased electricity during parts of 2009 and 2010.

“The issuing of capital credits each year truly highlights what a cooperative is,” said CEO Patrick Grace. “We’ve been working together since 1937 to provide an affordable, reliable service — capital credits signify what it truly means to come together for a common cause. Plus, we would much rather return dividends to the members we serve rather than far-off investors.”

Over 26,000 current and former members received a check in September.

What are capital credits?

Capital credits can be compared to dividends paid to the shareholders of investor-owned utilities, except a cooperative’s “shareholders” are the members or consumers it serves, and the “dividends” are the capital credits. This practice of returning profits to consumers sets OEC and other cooperatives apart from other types of businesses. This proven business model has thrived for hundreds of years.

What qualifies members to receive capital credits?

We attempt to retire capital credits on at least a 15-year cycle, when the board of trustees determines that the financial condition of the cooperative will not be impaired, and that satisfactory progress is being made toward OEC’s equity management goals.

What if those owed money are no longer members?

Some who were members in 2009 and/or 2010 might no longer be members but are still owed capital credits. Please visit www.okcoop.org/capitalcredits, and if you see a name you recognize on the list who could’ve been an OEC member during 2009 and/or 2010, please have that person submit the online form and any accompanying documents. All address updates must be received in writing.

If you see the name of a family member who is deceased and you are the rightful heir, you can download the form from www.okcoop.org/capitalcredits and return it along with the appropriate paperwork to transfer all remaining capital credits into your name. 

I was a member in 2009 and/or 2010 but didn’t receive a check

Checks were not issued for less than $25 unless a member has no further credits due for future years. Credits of less than $25 are retained until and added to the next distribution.

A full list of names – both individuals and businesses owed money – can be found at www.okcoop.org/capitalcredits along with appropriate forms. Mail paperwork and supporting documents to OEC, P.O. Box 1208, Norman, OK, 73070.

Share this article

Right Tree, Right Place | OEC News

Learn how planting the right tree in the right place can save up to 20% on energy costs for homeowners. OEC is committed to safe and reliable energy and provides tips on proper vegetation management practices.

Read More »

Engaging Education | OEC News

OEC and OEC Fiber sponsored a STEM Maker Night featuring hands-on making and STEM activities focused on electricity, attracting over 100 attendees. Engage Learning’s project-based learning approach provides students with real-world problem-solving skills, inspiring a new generation of innovators.

Read More »

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Recent data shows that OEC members experienced an average outage time of 65.1 minutes for the entire year, exactly half of what it was in 2016, while investor-owned utility customers were without power 175 percent longer. OEC’s score of 58.1 places us in the top 20 percent of most reliable electric co-ops in the nation. Learn about our efforts to provide safe, reliable, and reasonably priced electric service, innovative energy programs, and exceptional member service.

Read More »

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Winter Storm Uri left a trail of destruction in the United States, especially in the utility industry. Find out how fuel costs, demand charges, and other factors affect your electricity rates and what Oklahoma Electric Cooperative is doing to ensure reliable access to power at an affordable cost.

Read More »
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