SEPTEMBER 2014 22 ARKANSAS VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

editionarkansas valley electric cooperative

From the Manager’s DeskBILL PETERS, CEO

Six hundred pages, plus another 1,000 of supporting documents – that’s the length of the latest proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It would amend the Clean Air Act (only 465 pages) to limit carbon dioxide emissions from the power plants on which we rely today.

Besides the actual rule, a lot has been written about its legality, feasibility and complexity. But lost in the shuffle of these thousands of pages is the impact on people. How much will electric bills increase? Will manufacturers relocate? How many jobs will be lost? Which power plants will be forced to shut down?

These are difficult questions. But they’re important questions. At Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative, we work hard to keep your electricity affordable and reliable. That’s why we’re asking the EPA for answers to these and many other questions.

We don’t want you to get lost in the shuffle. We put you – our members – first. We advocate for you. We see you every month paying your bill at the office. We work with you. We know when times are tough. We often live next door.

After all, you govern us. Our board members and community leaders are one and the same. We’re as local as any organization, and we like it that way.

That’s why we keep reminding the policymakers in Washington, D.C., that the rules they write have an impact in the real world – where we live. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to take 30 seconds to sign up at www.tellEPA.com and tell the EPA we cannot afford these regulations.

Please raise your voice. Don’t get lost in the shuffle. Together, we can tell the EPA that support for the

environment and a true all-of-the-above energy policy are not mutually exclusive.

Together we’ll remind regulators and lawmakers that the impact new rules and laws have on people should be their first thought, not their last.

With more than 900 electric cooperatives in the country backing us up, our voice can be heard. We have a great and positive story to tell. We can tell the story together. And it won’t even take 1,600 pages. Please take a moment to visit www.tellEPA.com or write to:

Environmental Protection AgencyEPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mailcode 28221TAttention Docket ID No. OAR-2013-06021200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.Washington, DC 20460

Don’t get lost in the shuffle

23ARKANSAS VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Holiday Card Design Contest rules:

1. All students from K through fifth grade are eligible to participate.

2. Any medium or combination of media may be used, including line drawing, crayons, watercolor, oil, acrylic paint, pastel, chalk, etc.

3. Submissions should be 8 ½” x 11” in size.

4. One entry per student. A signed entry form is required.

5. Artwork must be an original creation.

6. Submissions can be in color or in black and white.

7. Greetings may also be included with cover designs, but AVECC maintains the right to select the final greeting.

8. Each entry must clearly indicate the student’s name, age, grade, teacher and school.

9. The winning student’s name will appear on the card.

10. Deadline for entries is Oct. 31, 2014.

Send entry forms and artwork to: Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Holiday Greeting Card P.O. Box 47Ozark, AR 72949

NEW EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTThis month’s new employee spotlight features Nathan Foster. Nathan

was hired as a dispatcher in 2013, and started working as an apprentice lineman in June 2014.

Nathan has an associate’s degree in business administration, and he is currently enrolled in the MPUA Apprentice Lineman program.

Nathan’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, barbecuing and being outdoors. He enjoys spending time with his fiancé, Amanda, and their three children, Kelsee (8), Hayden (7), and Tripp (16 months).

When asked about his job, Nathan responded: “I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a great company that cares so much about their members. I like the feeling of accomplishment when the job gets done.”

Welcome to the Arkansas Valley Electric family, Nathan Foster.

Arkansas Valley Electric holiday greeting card contest!Arkansas Valley Electric (AVECC) is looking for

elementary school students (K through fifth grade) to submit a holiday card design.

The winning design will be used for the Official 2014 Arkansas Valley Holiday card! These cards are mailed to friends of AVECC, legislators and businesses across the country.

In addition to having his/her artwork featured on this

year’s Arkansas Valley Electric holiday card, the winning artist will receive a certificate commemorating his/her achievement, as well as a $50 gift card.

The winning design will also be featured on our website and in Arkansas Living magazine.

Get your entry form at our website (avecc.com) or pick one up at any of our offices. Hurry! The deadline to enter is Oct. 31, 2014.