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GooglePresident and CEO Rob Boaz addressed the members by reporting on activities during the past year. "We have had a tremendous response from members about the restoration efforts made during the recent ice storm. I just can't say enough about our people -- I could not be more proud." Permanent repairs are expected to take another two to three years to complete.
Boaz complimented the board for their wisdom in constructing a new office and community room in Huntsville. "Not only is the community room a great addition to Madison County, restoration efforts during the ice storm would be hard to imagine without the new warehouse and office space."
Boaz announced the results of the director election during the meeting. Cooperative members re-elected Kristy Noble of Berryville, to represent District 4 members on the Cooperative's board of directors. Ms. Noble ran without opposition, receiving 9,026 votes. She is the president of St. John's Hospital -- Berryville.
Pending legislation is the biggest challenge facing the Cooperative. A version of the Waxman-Markey bill has been passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. If it becomes law, the price of electricity will be tied directly to a new market that trades carbon dioxide allowances. It is expected the price of electricity will double with a "cap and trade" system.
"The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas made significant investments years ago into three hydroelectric facilities. Now, the powers that be, say we can't count hydro as a renewable resource." Boaz went on to explain other forms of renewable energy are not fully developed or dependable as a firm source of power.
Boaz did not address the Cooperative's use of herbicides. According to Nancy Plagge, Director of Corporate Communications, "Our spraying program fits perfectly with our mission to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power. We have been reviewed by various state and federal entities and been found in compliance with our use and application. However, we understand the sensitive nature of using herbicides and will be reviewing the new information presented today by concerned members of the Cooperative." Plagge pointed out the condition of the Cooperative's easements have never been better.
"While keeping them this way is technically possible without utilizing herbicides, the cost to members would be two to three times higher. Cost is definitely the number one concern we hear."
Following the member meeting, the board of directors heard concerns directly from Shawn Porter, who represented members opposed to the use of herbicides. According to Board Chairman, Charles Burdine, "The board listened carefully to their concerns. We are taking everything in before a final decision is made. Commitments are already in place for 2009 contracts preventing significant changes this year. However, the concerns over the notification letter have been noted for months and will be incorporated into the next mailing. We understand our responsibility to all 68,000 members of the Cooperative and will do our best to fulfill it."
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Carroll Electric did not note in their press release the unusually large number
of people who came to the meeting to ask that CE end its use of herbicides. There were 125 - 150 people present; many more than typically attend an annual meeting for Carroll Electric. The mention of simply "a group" in the press release diverted attention from the huge turnout asking for an end to the use of herbicides for ROW maintenance.
Many were surprised when the meeting was abruptly adjourned and the board exited the room for its closed door session. CE needs to realize that hosting a membership meeting where members are not allowed to speak or ask questions, fails to meet any definition of a democratic cooperative. CE should take appropriate action during the coming year to address this problem. Perhaps next year, this portion of the meeting can take place before the meeting is adjourned while the board is still present to listen to its members.
CE claims "the cost to members [of using manual and mechanical methods]
would be two to three times higher", but after over a year of asking,
members have yet to be given an accurate and objective accounting of the
costs for ROW maintenance using manual / mechanical, and, herbicides.
While the numbers would be interesting, such accounting is not likely to show the hidden costs to people and the environment from the adverse effects of the herbicides.
CE's statement that "Cost is definitely the number one concern we hear." leads us to wonder exactly what they do hear, and who they hear it from. With well over 100 people presenting a number of concerns, cost was not mentioned once. People are clearly more concerned about protecting our water, health, gardens, bees, animals, children, and environment, than they are about seeing an extra dollar or two added to their monthly bills.
I don't think Mr.Boaz does no his responsibility. He is, what has become a typical head of a utility that does not listen. Hopefully someone can point out and correct his narrow minded points of view. Everyone was told DDT was safe to humans and the environment and we all know how that turned out! No chemical is safe to humans, animals, or nature. In the end, chemicals win. In time, will we find this is another DDT?