Members of Central Texas Electric Co-op, Board District 6 (San Saba County), met Monday, June 6th, in the Cherokee High School cafeteria. The members were welcomed by CTEC Chief Executive Officer, Robert A. Loth, III. Mr. Loth opened the meeting with The Pledge of Allegiance and introduction of James Low, member of the Board of Directors from San Saba County,
CTEC presents member meetings each June in all six board districts. Even though a board district may not have a board seat up for election, these meetings allow co-op members to meet staff and board members in person, and hear an update from the CEO regarding their co-op.
CEO Loth introduced a video which gave an overview of infrastructure projects, the co-op’s SmartHub app, and recent rate reductions and comparisons. The video also addressed CTEC’s safety accomplishments.
In the video, CEO Loth shared that 2022 marks CTEC’s 75th anniversary. Addressing the changes and growth that has occurred in the area over that time, Loth then turned to the ongoing and completed operations projects CTEC has taken on over the last year. These projects included the construction of a Mountain Home Substation, replacement of a failed transformer in the Bluffton Substation, voltage conversion and upgrade of the Pittsburg Substation, and Cave Creek area voltage conversion. Loth also gave an update on the deployment of new meters across the CTEC service territory and explained the benefits of this advanced metering technology to both the co-op and the member.
Loth then brought attention to the co-op’s SmartHub app, calling it a powerful two-way communication tool for members. “We encourage our members to utilize this app as it is the easiest way to relay your outage information to the co-op and monitor the status of an outage. It can also be used to pay your monthly electric bill and monitor your usage.” CEO Loth continued, “SmartHub is one of the tools we use to directly communicate with our members. Once signed up, members can choose to receive emails, text messages and push notifications regarding planned power outages and any type of on-demand messages. If you want to maximize communication with your co-op, I strongly encourage you to sign up today.”
He also remarked on the goal the board of directors made last year to reduce rates. “In our annual meeting report last year, we informed members of the likelihood of a rate reduction in October, and the possibility of another rate reduction in the early part of 2022. I am proud to say that we accomplished both of those goals.” He explained, “Since leaving LCRA in 2012, we have learned a lot about the wholesale power industry. Through our experience, we have learned to negotiate and finalize contracts with preferred terms and conditions for our members.” CEO Loth compared CTEC’s rates, as well as the number of meters per mile, to neighboring cooperatives and area municipalities. “CTEC is now among the lowest cost power providers anywhere.” Loth continued, “CTEC has less meters per mile, which should be a competitive disadvantage; however, as you can see, we measure up quite well.”
Loth then concluded the video by recognizing the safety record of CTEC’s employees. “As proud as I am with the accomplishments on the rates, the thing that I am the most proud of is the way my co-workers are able to do the job they do as safely as they do. We have recently completed over two and a half years without a lost-time accident. That equates to 650,000 hours worked.” He continued, “These hours were not all put in on beautiful sunny days. Many hours are worked during thunderstorms, severe heat, and the winter storm we all want to forget. These employees that work to serve you are truly amazing, and it is my pleasure and honor to lead them.”
The meeting then had a question-and-answer session with CEO Loth and concluded with a drawing for door prizes.
CTEC’s Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., in the Fredericksburg High School Auditorium in Fredericksburg. Members that cannot attend this meeting in person are encouraged to mail in their proxy, which will be included in the August edition of Texas Co-op Power magazine.