Webster Electric Cooperative

We are being notified by our members that scammers are back at it again and they are calling and threatening to shut off power if they are not paid immediately. We would never just pick up the phone and call demanding immediate payment. Please be aware that we are currently not disconnecting anyone due to extreme cold temperatures. Webster Electric Cooperative obeys the "Cold Weather Rules" as set forth by the State of Missouri. In the unfortunate event a member is having a hard time maintaining their account there would be several steps taken before that account was disconnected. Our phones are answered by a person 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you ever have a question please pick up the phone immediately and give us a call.

We would like to end the week by thanking everyone for their assistance through the recent record cold spell. Without your direct involvement and willingness to practice conservation measures along with the rest of the 53 distribution cooperative members across Missouri, Southern Iowa and Eastern Oklahoma Associated Electric Cooperative would have had to resort to rolling black outs. On Monday morning our system load reached a peak of 112 megawatts with a temperature of -3 d...egrees. We reached out to our members then to ask your assistance in reducing the load. You all responded and on Tuesday morning our load was reduced to 104 megawatts with a temperature of -10 degrees. Without conservation measures our load was predicted to go to 117 megawatts. This response was seen system wide across all the distribution systems. We have all seen the pictures on Facebook of lineman fighting horrible weather conditions to ensure your power is on. Some of that did take place over the last week to ensure you stayed comfortable and to those folks we give our thanks. A larger number of power plant workers, controllers and dispatchers at Associated Electric Cooperative and their strategic partners did much of the heavy lifting. They battled the elements and made crucial strategic decisions on the fly to ensure the power continued to flow. To those men and women we are extremely grateful and although we may never get a chance to meet face to face as you live in places like Thomas Hill, St. Francis, Nodaway, Holden, Essex, Dell, Chouteau, and New Madrid we want your to know your are greatly appreciated. The call for conservation ends tomorrow morning, however please remember that every measure you take will directly benefit you in the form of lower usage on your electric bill. Thank you once again for your assistance and patronage. Electric cooperative members continue to demonstrate what it means to be equal partners in ensuring that we have reliable, safe and affordable power available to us al

Please be safe out there! Car accidents are a leading cause of power outages for many rural electric cooperatives and downed lines are dangerous for all involved including linemen and first responders. If you have an accident involving a power pole, stay in the car until first responders tell you it's safe to exit. If you MUST leave (for instance, if your car is on fire), hop with your feet together away from the car, being careful not to touch any metal.

When the weather turns extremely cold, it takes more energy to keep your home warm. While your rates won't change, your system will use more energy, causing your electricity costs to be higher after an extremely cold spell. Please plan for these increased costs and contact us in advance if you have questions about managing your account. To save energy, you can cover drafty doors and windows, seal leaking windows, and dress in layers.

Good Wednesday morning. Thankfully the weather continues to warm and our system loads continue to decrease. Once again a large part of this reduction would not have been accomplished without you the members working together to conserve along with the hard work of those responsible for the Generation and Transmission networks (Associated Electric and Sho-Me Power). At this time we have been notified that there are no plans for any rolling black outs in the near term. Howeve...r, we still need to go ahead and practice our conservation practices. The power plants have been running at full bore for several days. Imagine the effect it would have on your engine if you went out and drove your car four days straight with your accelerator pressed to the floor the entire time. The plants are still performing admirably with just some minor issues that will be repaired as soon as the loads reduce back to normal operating levels. Thank you once again for your patience and understanding. You all have definitely demonstrated the "cooperative spirit" and have proven why Co-op members are the best. If the situation were to change in the future we will notify you as soon as we have actionable information. Have a great day.

In the time it takes to read this, 45,000+ phishing emails were sent to inboxes around the world. It's easy to learn how to avoid being hooked. If you see any suspicious emails from us, please let us know! #BeCyberSmart during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Learn more at https://StaySafeOnline.org/.

Calling all Missouri FFA Association members! The GROWMARK, Inc. essay contest is now open. Visit https://MissouriFFA.org/2020/09/calling-all-innovators/ for more details and how to submit electronically by the deadline on November 6, 2020.

Electric fireplaces use only about 1,500 watts of electricity. Operational costs range between 0.003 to 3 cents per hour when you use them strictly for decorative purposes -- that is, the flames are activated but no heat is produced. If they are set so the heater powers on and off -- the 50 percent usage setting -- they use about 9 cents an hour in electricity. If you really want to keep the room warm and set the heat at the maximum level, however, the cost doubles to 18 cent...s an hour. Considering a combination of these settings, it costs between $50 and $80 a year to use an electric fireplace, considerably less than the annual cost for a gas fireplace, with costs ranging between $200 and $500 annually. Costs fluctuate by geographic region and variations in electric utility costs. Also: no chimneys allowing all the warm air in your house to escape! https://www.Hunker.com//how-much-electricity-do-electric-f via Hunker

Don't let your outlets look like a creature from a cheap horror film. Overloaded plugs can be dangerous; consider contacting an electrician to install additional outlets in your home. #SafetyFirst

Did you know Webster Electric Cooperative was built locally in 1946? We’re led by local members of our community not outside investors. That’s the beauty of being homegrown! #PowerOn #CoopMonth

Did you know that LED bulbs are made with epoxy instead of glass, making them cooler to the touch and much stronger than incandescent bulbs?

CREW HEADS HOME: After helping to restore power to Beauregard Electric Cooperative’s members who were hit by the regions 2nd hurricane, our crew has been released and is headed home. They spent the night in Little Rock last night after leaving the Louisiana coast and are expected in today.

You could make a difference! Don't forget to check out the Missouri voting center at https://www.SOS.MO.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/. #CoopsVote #Election20

Webster Electric Cooperative sent 4 of your linemen to the twice hurricane hit, Beauregard Electric Cooperative on the gulfcoast. Restoration is slowed by flood waters along with the devastation the storm left in its path. Over 500 out of state lineman are working on that Cooperative alone, a large percentage of which came from the great state of Missouri. Keep them in your thoughts.

If you find yourself on a ladder this season cleaning gutters, windows or changing lightbulbs check to see if power lines are located overhead or nearby! #SafetyFirst #LookUpAndLive

Who's daydreaming about diving into a pile of crisp leaves? Just us? What's your favorite fall tradition?

Seal from the inside. Air sealing is an inexpensive way to lower energy costs and improve comfort. Seal gaps and holes in walls, floors and ceilings with caulk or foam sealant. Look for cracks around windows and where wires and pipes pass through.

If you are costuming up this Halloween, stay safe with these tips from Healthy Children. https://www.HealthyChildren.org//Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx