Reliable electricity isn’t about one big project or one good year. It’s about making the right decisions, over and over again, and sticking with them long enough to see real results. That’s exactly what we have been doing — and what we’re doubling down on next.

Over the past several years, we have made deliberate changes to how we maintain and inspect our system. Not flashy changes. Practical ones. The kind that doesn’t always make headlines but quietly make life easier for our members.

Those decisions are paying off. Power outages caused by trees are down significantly. Equipment failures are being caught and corrected earlier. Reliability continues to trend in the right direction. And just as important, we’ve done it while controlling costs and avoiding unnecessary rate pressure.

Now, we’re entering the next phase: Reliability 2.0.

WHAT COMES NEXT AND WHY IT MATTERS

The board has approved the first year of a four-year construction workplan focused on strengthening the system where it matters most. This phase isn’t about reacting to problems after the fact. It’s about designing a system that limits outages in the first place and restores power faster when issues do occur.

In practical terms, that means:

• Rebuilding parts of the electric system so power can be rerouted instead of going completely out

• Upgrading and relocating fuses so fewer members are affected by a single issue

• Adding smart grid technology that helps crews pinpoint problems faster and respond more efficiently

• Continuing to replace aging equipment before it fails

These improvements reduce downtime, limit disruption, and lower long-term costs. It’s the kind of work that quietly pays dividends year after year.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MEMBERS

We never lose sight of why this matters.

It means fewer interruptions when you’re trying to enjoy a quiet evening at home.

It means dependable power for remote work, online learning, and small businesses.

It means refrigerators running, medical equipment powered, and homes staying comfortable when it counts.

Most importantly, it means confidence — confidence that your electric cooperative is investing your dollars wisely and planning for the long haul, not just the next storm.

At the end of the day, our goal hasn’t changed: reliable, affordable, friendly service you can count on. Reliability 2.0 is about taking what we’ve learned, applying it smarter, and continuing to earn your trust.

And if you have questions, concerns, or simply don’t feel this reflects your experience, I want to hear from you. Call me. Stop by. Ask the hard questions. Accountability only works when conversations are real, and we welcome them.

Progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when members expect more — and when we’re willing to listen and deliver.