August 2023
POWER COST RECOVERY FACTOR DECREASE 
Effective, August 1, 2023, WCEC is adjusting the Power Cost Recover Factor (PCRF) from .06500 down .05800. This means all usage billed after that date will be calculated using the new rate. 
 
How It Works 
WCEC members have fixed rates. A base power cost is built into all of our rates to help us recover the cost of power. As wholesale costs rise above the base power cost, the PCRF is used to recover those costs, and if it goes below there is a credit. The main advantage of a responsive PCRF is that as fuel prices rise and fall, it can be adjusted upward or downward. 
 
How It Will Affect Bills 
The PCRF is multiplied by the number of kWh’s a meter uses per billing cycle. The new PCRF change will equate to a $7.00 decrease per 1,000 kWh. 
 
In Summary 
This PCRF change is driven by what it cost to buy the fuel to generate the electricity and is passed through to the members. A decline in natural gas prices has enabled this. As a non-profit electric cooperative, WCEC does not markup power costs or make a profit from these costs. 
MY WCEC APP IS GETTING AN UPDATE
Quick Outage Reporting and Fast Billpay
WCEC’s free secure app used for bill pay, account information and reporting outages, is getting a necessary update. When the new version is available in early August, current app users will receive a prompt that connects them to the app store to download it. Current user’s login information won’t change.

The app experience will be more efficient, while resolving bugs and compatibility issues, including:
  1. A fresh look with new useful features and the same functionality as WCEC’s portal.
  2. A home screen with buttons usable before login for WCEC’s contact and location information, an outage map link, help for forgotten passwords, and setup and settings info.
  3. Users will also be able to call or email WCEC directly from the app and get a pin for WCEC’s location on their phone.
  4. The ability for users to register themselves straight from the app.
  5. Face or Touch ID if the user’s device version accommodates.

Once logged in, the name on the account, active status, account balance, and bill due date will display. Users will have the ability to query historical kWh use patterns with custom date ranges.

To get the app, new users should search for “Wood County Electric Cooperative” in the Apple Store or in the Android Market and download it. Once you have the app just log in using the same user/password as you do in the portal, or set up an account right from the app.
WCEC Delegates Attend Inspiring Trip
Two youth delegates sponsored by WCEC recently attended the 2023 Government-in-Action Youth Tour, and the experience is surely one they will never forget. The weeklong trip took Addison Marcee, and Noelani Holly on a whirlwind adventure from Austin to Washington, D.C.
 
Addison is the 16-year-old daughter of members Andy and Heather Marcee. She attends Quitman High School and will be entering her senior year. Noelani is the daughter of of members Davion and Michelle Holly. She attends Van High School and will also be entering her senior year. 

Addison and Noelani joined more than 150 peers from all over the state for a guided, all-expenses-paid tour that even a seasoned tourist would envy. They explored monuments and museums, including Mount Vernon; the Smithsonian Institution; the Holocaust Memorial Museum; and the Lincoln, Jefferson and Vietnam Veterans memorials, among others. They also took a cruise on the Potomac River and joined more than 1,900 other teens from across the country for a day of inspiring speakers and learning about the role of electric cooperatives.

The Texas delegates spent time at Arlington National Cemetery and attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They even had the opportunity to meet their elected representatives on Capitol Hill.

Trey Teaff, GM and CEO of WCEC said, “The experiences they gained during their trip will undoubtedly shape and inspire them for a lifetime. As a co-op dedicated to empowering our youth and fostering community bonds, we take immense pride in the impact such educational adventures have on our delegates. Witnessing their growth and understanding reinforces our commitment to investing in the bright future of our youth.”
Step into the enchanting world of Valle della Pace Vineyards and Winery, where passion for winemaking meets a heartwarming family legacy. Don Clark, of Garden Valley, embarked on a journey from the boardrooms of biotechnology to the lush vineyards of East Texas. Read the story behind 'Blondie,' the wine that has captured hearts and gold medals alike. Learn about Valle della Pace, where wine, family, and tradition intertwine, in the August edition of the Texas Co-op Power magazine here.
Van Community Ministries, a past recipient of an Operation Round Up grant, provides assistance to low-income residents and families in need residing within Van Independent School District. They distribute supplemental food, twice monthly, to approximately 400 households. Their services are made possible through grants, fundraisers, and donations of money, food, and volunteer hours from the greater Van community. In times of need, they are a helping hand. To read about Van Community Ministries and opportunities to volunteer, donate, or receive, visit their website:VanCM.org To learn more about Operation Round Up click here.
Reduce Demand on Your Home’s Highest Energy Users
Did you know large appliances—refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes dryers and washing machines—account for the largest percentage of electricity use in the average U.S. home?

You can take small steps to save energy when using these appliances.
Refrigerator
Give the back of your fridge room to breathe. Keep the door closed and the fridge full. And don’t put hot food in the refrigerator; let it cool down a bit first. Even small containers of hot food raise the temperature inside the refrigerator.

Dishwasher
Only run full loads in the dishwasher and be sure to load dishes properly to allow water circulation. There’s no need to rinse first, but thoroughly scrape food from dishes before loading. Turn off the heated dry setting and air-dry dishes instead to save even more.
Washer & Dryer
Wash clothing in cold water to save on the energy used to heat water. Dry towels and heavier cottons separately from lighter-weight fabrics, and clean the dryer lint screen after every use. When doing multiple loads, switch loads while the dryer is still warm. This will allow you to use the remaining heat inside the dryer for the next cycle. Use dryer balls to help separate your clothes and aerate them, cutting drying time. Air-dry clothes when possible.
Safety Tip of the Month
Safeguarding Water Activities: Ensuring Safety around Electricity
As August brings the heat, nothing beats the refreshing feeling of water. Whether it's a shower, pool, sprinkler, or even a garden hose, water can provide a much-needed respite. However, water and electricity can be a dangerous combination. Here are five essential tips to keep your family safe from electricity related accidents:
  1. Keep electrical devices far from water: Keep any toys, appliances, grills, or energized items far away from water sources such as pools, bathtubs, sprinkler systems, sinks, and hoses.
  2.  Stay away from submerged electric devices and equipment: If an energized toy or appliance accidentally falls into water, don’t touch it. Turn off the power at the source. It's essential to teach your children the same. Electricity travels swiftly through water, so any contact with a wet electrical object can result in a shock or even electrocution.
  3. Regularly inspect outdoor water sources: It's wise to have an electrician inspect the electrical connections of your pools, hot tubs, fountains, and other outdoor water sources. Grounding these installations is essential to minimize the risk of electrical hazards.
  4. Avoid using extension cords in wet areas: Don’t use extension cords to connect fans, air conditioners, or other appliances in wet spaces. Instead, these appliances should be plugged directly into grounded outlets. Using extension cords in wet areas increases the chances of electrical accidents.
  5. Educate your household on circuit breakers: Teach everyone about the location of the home's circuit breakers and how to switch them off during emergencies. Understanding how to safely control the power supply can prevent further injury or accidents in critical situations.
By following these precautions, you can ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and your home when enjoying water-related activities. Remember, staying safe around water and electricity is a responsibility we should all take seriously.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
Did you know ceiling fans can make a room feel 4 degrees cooler? To save energy through ceiling fan use, remember to raise your thermostat a few degrees while fans are turned on. Ceiling fans can help improve comfort year-round. In the summer, operate ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction. Reverse the direction to clockwise during winter months and set fans on a low speed so warm air can circulate from the ceiling to the lower levels of the room. 
 
Remember, ceiling fans cool people, not spaces. Be sure to turn them off when you leave the room.