Above and beyond - Marlboro Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Co-opConnection
®
Above and beyond
Electric co-op membership offers value
far beyond affordable, reliable electricity
®
Marlboro Electric Cooperative, we
work hard to deliver safe, affordable, and
reliable electricity to our 6,500 customers
every day. But we don’t stop there.
Because we’re a cooperative, we
strive to do much more, to find
ways of providing real value to you
and the communities we serve.
So what exactly does real
value mean? Well, in some ways
it’s basic, like connecting with a
real, local person when you call
our office, rather than just a recording. It
could be finding a copy of South Carolina
Living in your mailbox every month, which
keeps you informed about co-op business
and happenings in the Palmetto State. Or
it’s getting the lights back on more quickly
after a major weather event that has
occurred, thanks to mutual-aid agreements
that bring line crews in from other co-ops
to help us restore power.
Using your Co-op Connections Card to
HERE AT
254 Hwy 15-401 Bypass East
P.O. Box 1057
Bennettsville, SC 29512
General Information
(843) 479-3855
(800) 922-9174
www.marlboroelectric.coop
Office Hours
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Monday–Friday
President/CEO
William L. Fleming
Chairman of the Board
Sam P. “Bo” McInnis, Jr.
Board of Trustees
Eddie Gordon, District 1
Raymond Woodle, District 2
Charles R. ‘Ricky’ Smith, District 3
Melvin Carabo, District 4
John M. Alford, District 5
Sam P. “Bo” McInnis, Jr., District 6
Chairman
Jeff Quick, District 7
Secretary/Treasurer
W. Ronald Quick, District 8
Janelle Sauls, District 9
Vice-Chairman
Attorney
Doug Jennings
Co-op News Editor
Christy J. Overstreet
email: cjoverstreet@
marlboroelectric.coop
Mission Statement
The focus of Marlboro Electric
Cooperative, Inc. is to make
electric energy available to its
members at the lowest cost
consistent with sound economic
principle and management.
Sam P. “Bo” McInnis Jr.
Chairman
A hot job
Marlboro Electric crews constructed a pair of
special new power poles to replace two existing
poles that cross under a Duke-Progress Energy
transmission line outside Bennettsville in August.
Here, MEC’s Leroy Anderson attaches hardware to
one of the new double-poled structures, working
below three-phase lines that were “hot”—energized
lines. Most triple three-phase lines are supported
by single poles with double cross-arms. The new
structures allowed MEC to lower the lines about
8 feet by placing all nine three-phase power lines,
plus a neutral line, on a single cross-arm while
keeping a safe distance below the high-voltage
transmission lines seen in the background. MEC’s
lines are still high enough to allow farmers’
combines to pass safely underneath. When the
three circuits were transferred, wires were deenergized for safety reasons. However, MEC crews
built the pole structure while lines were “hot” so
service to hundreds of co-op members was not
interrupted.
SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | october 2013 | scliving.coop
WALTER ALLREAD
4
receive discounts at local businesses and
national retailers is a tangible benefit of
being a Marlboro Electric member.
October marks National Cooperative
Month, when we take time to celebrate
co-ops and talk about why our not-forprofit, consumer-owned business model
is special. Offering our members real
value—and working to improve the quality
of life in the communities we serve—is
just one way we set ourselves apart. To
learn more about your cooperatives, visit
marlboroelectric.coop.
Marlboro News
‘Hidden’ co-ops help our
co-op serve you better
SOUTH CAROLINA’S 20
1 Aiken Electric
Cooperative
2 Berkeley Electric
Cooperative
3 Black River Electric
Cooperative
4 Blue Ridge Electric
Cooperative
5 Broad River Electric
Cooperative
6 Coastal Electric
Cooperative
7 Edisto Electric
Cooperative
8 Fairfield Electric
Cooperative
9 Horry Electric
Cooperative
10 Laurens Electric
Cooperative
11 Little River Electric
Cooperative
12 Lynches River
Electric
Cooperative
13 Marlboro Electric
Cooperative
14 Mid-Carolina
Electric
Cooperative
and CEO.
ECSC (Electric
Cooperatives of South
Carolina, Inc.), located
in Cayce, is the statewide
service and trade
association for S.C. electric
cooperatives. ECSC provides
member cooperatives with
communications and legal
services, personnel training,
safety programs, and public
and government relations.
Serving on the ECSC
Board of Trustees is Janelle
Sauls, vice-chairman of
15 Newberry
Electric
Cooperative
16 Palmetto Electric
Cooperative
17 Pee Dee Electric
Cooperative
18 Santee Electric
Cooperative
19 Tri-County Electric
Cooperative
20 York Electric Cooperative
MEC’s Board of Trustees,
along with Bill Fleming,
MEC’s president & CEO,
who also serves as an
executive committee member.
SEDC (Southeastern
Data Cooperative) helps
MEC streamline and integrate
its software systems for billing,
accounting, engineering and
operations. Based in Atlanta
with 40 years of experience
and serving more than 200
utilities, SEDC helps co-ops
and utilities gain efficiencies
and save money.
Homeless is ‘Ruff, Ruff!’
CHRISTY OVERSTREET
independent, locally owned
electric distribution co-ops,
including Marlboro Electric
Cooperative (MEC),
work together in good
times—employees training
together—and in bad times—
helping one another, if
needed, when major storms
strike. Behind the scenes,
the Cooperative Principle of
Cooperation among Co-ops
is evident with other
cooperative organizations
having our backs, too.
The 20 electric
cooperatives have the largest
electric system in South
Carolina, supplying power
through 542 substations and
more than 5,000 miles of
power lines to more than
625,000 customers—reaching
every county in the state.
Electric cooperatives provide
industry incentive rates,
loan and grant programs to
encourage job creation and
energy-related services to
ensure the highest power
quality.
Central Electric Power
Cooperative, Inc., located
in Columbia, provides total
wholesale electric service
to South Carolina’s 20 retail
electric cooperatives serving
more than 700,000 accounts
since 1948.
Central-affiliated co-ops
also work together with
the chief power source,
state-owned utility Santee
Cooper, through an
economic development
alliance, the South Carolina
Power Team. Celebrating
its 25th year in August, the
S.C. Power Team has been
involved with more than
600 industrial location or
expansion projects in South
Carolina.
Representing MEC and
serving on the Central
Electric Board of Trustees
is Charles R. “Ricky” Smith,
an MEC Board of Trustees
member, and MEC’s
President & CEO William
L. “Bill” Fleming, who also
serves as secretary/treasurer
of the Central Electric Board.
CEE-US (Cooperative
Electric Energy Utility
Supply) is a supply
cooperative jointly owned
by S.C. electric co-ops.
Based in West Columbia,
CEE-US supplies low-cost
materials so cooperatives
can provide economical,
dependable electric service
to their customers. An
affiliated company, Line
Equipment Sales Company,
maintains an inventory
of lineman’s tools and
equipment, conductors,
transformers, meters,
insulators and more. Line
Equipment includes a
rubber-goods testing facility,
certified by the National
Association of Independent
Laboratories (NAIL), that
tests items such as rubber
gloves that MEC uses.
Serving on the CEE-US
Board of Trustees is Eddie
Gordon, an MEC Board of
Trustees member, and Bill
Fleming, MEC’s president
South Carolina’s 20
electric cooperatives
Featured on pages 16B-C are our furry friends “Bubba” along with other
tail-wagging and drooling models receiving “The Star Treatment.”
scliving.coop | october 2013 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING
5
Marlboro County salutes industries
®
and the community celebrated
Industry Appreciation Day, the largest yet, on September 12. Industries, sponsors and
major employers were recognized for their contributions by participating in a series of
events: golf tournament, fishing, dove shoot, canoe trip, lunch and dinner. We salute the
economic leaders in the community that help provide thousands of jobs to ensure success
for a high quality of life in Marlboro County.
Marlboro County Economic Development Partnership
News Extra
TOM JACKSON
Bobby Hinson, a
Marlboro Electric
Co-op member,
attempts the
hole-in-one
competition at
Marlboro Country
Club for a chance
to win a vehicle.
Canoe participants prepare to paddle and drift down the Pee Dee River.
CHRISTY OVERSTREET
CHRISTY OVERSTREET
CHRISTY OVERSTREET
Marlboro Extra
Orlah King
Getting hooked on Industry Appreciation Day events, this group went
fishing at Red Bluff. Left to right: Jessica Sheppard, Kaye Quiestli,
Johnathan Locklear, Elisabeth Kovac, Cody Hunt, Krystal Harris, Scott
Anderson, Ray Williams and Matthew Bullard.
Tom Jackson
Co-op WIRE member Corina
Esaw of Wallace Family
Life Center enjoys her
first canoe trip along
with Janice Rozier.
the lights came on’
Electric cooperatives across the country
are celebrating their 75th anniversary. Aiken
Electric Cooperative, formed in 1938, this
year became the first of South Carolina’s 20
distribution co-ops to reach that milestone.
Marlboro Electric Cooperative was organized in December
1939, and our system was energized September 3, 1940. We will
mark our 75th anniversary in 2014. Leading up to the celebration,
we’re interviewing co-op members and former employees who
recall “when the lights came on.”
Please let us know if you, or someone you know, might have
bright memories of those days. And tell us if you have vintage
appliances, electrical items, memorabilia or photographs from
the early days of rural electrification. Contact Christy Overstreet
at (843) 454-2872 or email cjoverstreet@marlboroelectric.coop.
scliving.coop | october 2013 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING
16A
CHRISTY OVERSTREET
William L. “Bill”
Fleming, president
& CEO of Marlboro
Electric, was presented
an award for his
years of service
on the Marlboro
County Economic
Development
Hunters enjoy lunch at Marlboro Country Club until the dove shoot
Partnership board by
begins at Co-op member Billy Hinson’s cabin.
Ron King, executive
director, and
Charles Paul
Midgley, Jr.,
MCEDP board
Remembering ‘when
chairman.
Many volunteers assist with the Industry Appreciation Day events.
Left to right: Willa Johnson, Joan Johnakin and Phyllis Hagan
registered guests for the Industry Appreciation dinner held at the
Bennettsville Community Center.
The Star
Treatment
“Work with me, doggie!” Milton
Morris photographs Bubba, one
of the pound pups at the Humane
Society shelter.
walter allread
S.C. Living contributor
lends his time, talents
to aid local pet shelter
Milton Morris
often photographs typically
don’t scratch themselves
or drool, let alone work for
kibble. But they aren’t half
as much fun either—they
seldom wag their tails.
Morris, a regular
contributor to South
Carolina Living, recently
donated his time and talents
to benefit the Humane
Society of Marlboro County,
photographing 11 dogs
at the animal shelter on
Wallace Road. Their “glamour
shots,” some shown at right,
will also be published in the
Marlboro Herald-Advocate
THE MODELS
and on the society’s Facebook
page. Most importantly,
they are being posted at
PetFinder.com, says Kenny
Hinson, Humane Society
secretary. “It’s an incredible
resource for organizations
like ours,” says Hinson, an
MEC member.
The dogs won’t appear
on their photographer’s
website, MiltonMorris.com,
although lovers of fine
portraiture should check
it out. S.C. Living readers
know his work from several
cover stories as well as a
commemorative Honor
Flight book, on sale at MEC,
that features his portraits of
100 World War II veterans.
Morris took the pooches’
portraits as a favor to MEC
members Stephanie and
Shawn Jones, who volunteer
at the shelter along with
their sister-in-law Renee
Jones. Renee has a co-op
connection, too: She works
at neighboring Pee Dee
Electric Cooperative. “They
are three of our most
dedicated volunteers,”
Hinson notes.
Morris says he was glad
to help his shelter friends.
And his subjects? “Dogs are
great. They always know
when we need a laugh!”
Gina
Milton Morris’ poochie portraits, including this one of Gina, are being posted
at PetFinders.com, which Humane Society secretary Kenny Hinson says has
found many a dog a home. “Strangely enough, we don’t have many adoptions
in Marlboro County,” says Hinson, an MEC member. “In the past year, we’ve
taken in 487 animals and 250 of those have gone to rescue organizations up
north; 128 were adopted—and probably only 10 were to local residents.”
Wouldn’t you
like to make
a friend like
Phoenix? Join
the Shelter
Buddies! The
program pairs
long-term
shelter dogs
with volunteers
who spend
quality time
with their furry
friends, giving
them TLC that
is instantly
repaid in wags
and woofs.
Phoenix
Stephanie (left), Renee and
Shawn Jones helped Morris pose,
and dress, his “models.”
Bubba
CHRISTY OVERSTREET
16B
Hansel
The Humane
Society of
Marlboro
County, which
took over
operations at
the county pet
shelter a year
ago, relies on
volunteers to
help animals
like Buster.
There are plenty
of tasks, from
working in
the cat room,
washing food
and water bowls
or walking dogs.
Rambo
Buster
Volunteer Renee
Jones notes
how, on a recent
Sunday, all of the
shelter’s dogs—
including Rambo
here—enjoyed a
long walk. “They
were worn out!
That’s the quietest
the shelter’s ever
been. They loved
it!” Jones says.
It’s also good for
volunteers, notes
Jennifer Hyduke,
Humane Society
vice president. A
few years ago, she
lost 75–80 pounds
over a few months
by walking dogs
twice a day. “I
can recommend
it!” she says.
Volunteers can
walk larger dogs
to Lake Wallace
and back, about
a three-mile trip,
or just take them
on a half-mile
course close to the
shelter, which is
great for smaller
dogs—and for
folks just starting
an exercise
regimen, she says.
Patience and other shelter pets have a
special friend in long-time volunteer
Peggy Bishop (not pictured) who “comes
faithfully every morning,” according to
fellow Humane Society officer, Kenny
Hinson. While few could match
Bishop, who also serves as the society’s
treasurer, anyone can help. “You can just
come for an hour,” says Hinson, adding,
“Bring a friend!”
rs
y
Bruce
Pets like Bruce spend a lot of time “behind bars” in the former
county jail. “This building was not set up for this at all,” volunteer
Shawn Jones says. Fortunately, the community is stepping up, he
notes, with local businesses and individuals offering help. “One
person has offered to donate some land. A concrete company
offered to pour some concrete for us.”
MILTON MORRIS
Boy
To learn more ways you can help the
Humane Society with pets like Boy,
access HumaneSocietyOfMarlboro.org,
visit the shelter at 901 Wallace Road,
Bennettsville, call (843) 479-3330, or email
humanesocietyofmarlborocounty@yahoo.com.
Patience
Camilla
scliving.coop | october 2013 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING
16C
Nissan Leaf sparks curiosity
around MEC’s area
CHRISTY OVERSTREET
BY CHRISTY J. OVERSTREET
to
a different beat in today’s
world of cars with “cool”
technology and rocking
sound systems–“It’s electric.”
Electric cars are popular,
even with Marlboro Electric
who borrowed a Nissan
Leaf from Central Electric
Power Cooperative, the
wholesale electric provider
to South Carolina’s electric
cooperatives. The Leaf is
one of 13 electric vehicle
models currently on the
market with more on the way.
Aerodynamically
designed, electric cars bring
back memories of the movie
“Back to the Future” or
the cartoon “The Jetsons.”
With the touch of a button,
the car is ready, like a reallife, science fiction movie
“Star Trek.” Touchscreens,
navigation, back-up monitor,
Bluetooth, and other
state-of-the-art functions
bring the future to the
present. Community folks
are interested and curious
about the Leaf: What’s so
‘cool’ about an electric car?
How does it work? What’s
the cost? Does it go fast?
Can you plug it in at home?
We dance, sing and ride
Marlboro Electric’s Network
Administrator Ed Salley starts the
Nissan Leaf with the simple touch of
a button.
in fuel savings with
advantages including no oil
changes, no tail pipe, and
no transmission, therefore
no emissions. Electric cars
can reduce dependence on
foreign oil vs. gas vehicles,
helping automakers meet
new fuel economy and
emission standards for a
cleaner environment.
“Plugging-up” an electric
car at home versus “filling
up” at a gas station is
another plus. The plug-in
handle is similar to a gas
pump hose and nozzle, but
without the long spout. No
more gas on your hands,
smelling like gas or paying
at the pump.
Studies indicate the
average American’s daily
commute is less than 30
miles. The Leaf can travel
more than 70 miles a charge
and can reach up to 90 mph
quickly in speed.
Advantages of electric
The Leaf is a 100 percent
electric battery car with
$8,500-per-year average
16D
SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | october 2013 | scliving.coop
Bennettsville Police
Chief Larry McNeil was
impressed with the Leaf.
“I’m surprised at how quiet
and smooth it runs, and
the fact that it’s electric and
reaches high speeds quickly.
Some police departments
in South Carolina already
have electric vehicles, and
I intend to mention it
at a future City Council
meeting,” McNeil
commented.
Innovation
The Leaf’s costly 24 kwh
lithium ion battery has
an 8 year, 100,000-mile
warranty and battery
costs are decreasing. For
emergencies, there is a
three-year complimentary
roadside assistance plan.
A mini solar panel charges
the Leaf’s electronics and a
dashboard indicator shows
the miles remaining and
battery level, similar to gas
tank gauges.
Brake pads last longer in
electric vehicles because the
regenerative brake system
converts energy during speed
reduction into power stored
in the car’s battery.
In June, the Department
of Energy introduced
‘eGallon’ which compares
driving costs of an electric
car traveling the same
distance to an average
car’s gallon of gasoline.
The average gasoline price
in S.C. is $3.45 per gallon;
eGallon is $1.24, equaling a
savings of $2.21 per mile or
$35 for a tank of gas.
The Nissan Leaf,
a 100 percent
electric car, is
aerodynamically
designed with new
technology.
Getting a charge
South Carolina electric
cooperatives coordinated
with Plug-In Carolina to help
motorists locate electric
charging stations. More than
8,000 charging stations are
available throughout the
United States, including the
Level 2 advanced charger in
Marlboro Electric’s parking lot.
By 2014, approximately 15,000
public charging stations will be
available along major routes.
Electric cars charged at
home takes about 4 to 7 hours,
so if it is charged overnight, it
will be ready in the morning.
Apps for electric cars
like GreenCharge, an iOS
application available for iPhone,
iPad and iPods provides realtime charging information
and driving data by syncing
directly with a compatible
electric vehicle. A charging
timer can be remotely set from
a mobile device, computer
or smartphone with the
CARWINGS app. Again, it’s
‘Back-to-the-future’, but in real
time.
Global events contribute
to high gasoline prices,
burdening Americans with
uncertainty, especially
Marlboro and Dillon counties
with high unemployment
rates. However, electric costs
have been more stable the last
10 years than fluctuating
gas prices.
An electric car cost
ranges from $25,000 to more
than $100,000. The Energy
Department and federal
government are working
to make electric vehicles as
affordable as gas-powered
vehicles by offering tax
credits and other incentives
for new qualified, plug-in
hybrid vehicles.
As American innovators
develop the next generation
of cars, cruise-in car shows
will have a new addition to
the antique car line-up—It’s
“electric.”