MURPHYSBORO – Consumer-members of Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) held their annual meeting on July 14 at EECA headquarters in Murphysboro. Members received a $20 bill credit, were treated to live music by Bill Harper, live line demonstrations and dinner, drive-thru style. They also had the choice to either listen to the meeting via radio broadcast or attend in open air seating.
EECA Board Treasurer Kevin Liefer explained how the co-op ended 2021 with strong finances, higher revenue than in 2020 and lower total operating expenses.
Shane Hermetz, EECA general manager, addressed the crowd to discuss industry supply chain and inflation challenges and the effect it has on the electric industry. He also talked about how the customers of investor-owned utilities are seeing increased rates this summer but reminded members of decreases they have received since 2020.
“In 2020, the residential rate for electricity was lowered by 1.9 percent and then again in April 2021 resulting in a 3.4 percent overall rate decrease,” Hermetz said. “While we are contending with increasing costs and supply chain concerns, we are confident that we can maintain stable rates.”
Board President Paul Pyatt welcomed members and reported that EECA ended 2021 on a strong note.
“Finances remained strong throughout 2021 and keeping to our cooperative principles this year, we are refunding $1,001,755 in capital credits to current and former members,” Pyatt said. He also said members will begin to see the co-op’s first public electric vehicle charging stations.
Attendees exhibited the cooperative principle of democratic member control by voting for board of directors. Three men were re-elected – Kevin Bame of Murphysboro, Ken Jarrett of Jacob and Kevin Liefer of Red Bud. All will serve new three-year terms on the EECA board.
At the close of the meeting, the names of 10 students were drawn to receive $1,000 scholarships to college or college-bound students who are EECA members or dependents of members. Scholarship winners are:
- Mollie Biggs, 2022 Agape Christian High School Graduate, attending SIU Carbondale
- Benjamin Hyink, 2021 Carbondale Homeschool Graduate, attending Bob Jones University
- Aren Abell, 2020 Graduate of Murphysboro High School, attending SIU Carbondale
- Harris Ehlers, 2022 Trico High School Graduate, attending Arkansas Elite Welding Academy
- Lilli Robinson, 2020 Murphysboro High School Graduate, attending SIU Carbondale
- Kory Benhken, 2020 Trico High School Graduate, attending University of Illinois
- Kody Benhken, 2022 Trico High School Graduate, attending John A. Logan Community College
- Madison Falkenburry, 2022 Murphysboro High School Graduate, attending John A. Logan Community College
- Corbin Guthman, 2019 Murphysboro High School Graduate, attending Southeast Missouri State University
- Mitchel Gale, 2022 Trico High School Graduate, attending Southeast Missouri State University
Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) is a member of Touchstone Energy — a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to members large and small. More than 700 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 46 states are delivering energy and energy solutions to more than 30 million members every day. EECA is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The co-op serves more than 15,000 meters over 2,000 miles of line in Jackson, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington and Williamson counties, and parts of Franklin, Johnson, Monroe and Union counties. For more information visit www.eeca.coop.