Pioneer Electric’s Annual Meeting is just around the corner and with it comes the opportunity for members’ voices to be heard. Pioneer Electric’s members are entitled to vote for each matter listed on their ballot, including the selection of their representation on the Pioneer Electric Board of Trustees. Districts up for election in 2024 are District 3, District 4 and District 8.

Marking Your Ballot

Casting a mail-in ballot is a convenient voting method available to all Pioneer Electric members, but is not required. An in-person ballot will be provided to members who wish to vote in person at the annual meeting.

Members unable to attend the meeting or who would prefer to vote before the event, can mark and return their ballot using the two-envelope system.

The annual meeting notice and mail-in ballot will be mailed to members in August. Members can then mark their ballot and tear along the perforated lines. Note: Be sure to make a selection for each district and follow the included instructions.

Seal and Return Your Ballot

Once the ballot has been marked, place it into the envelope marked Ballot Privacy Envelope and seal. Place the ballot privacy envelope into the return mail envelope, seal and return to Pioneer Electric’s headquarters by mail or drop off no later than Aug. 29, 2024. Remember:

Mail-in ballots must be sealed within both envelopes to be considered valid.

Return envelopes MUST include the member’s name, address and account number. A space is provided on the back of the envelope. Envelopes lacking an account number will not be counted.

Do not include bill payments with your mail-in ballot.

Questions?

Members with questions regarding mail-in balloting are encouraged to contact our office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) by calling 620-356-1211 or stop by 1850 W. Oklahoma Avenue in Ulysses.

A wholesale power cost adjustment will be included in the Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA) calculation for members’ bills received in July, August, and September. Applying the wholesale power cost adjustment to Pioneer Electric’s power cost will result in a decrease in the ECA charge in members’ bills. Please note that while the wholesale power cost adjustment reduces Pioneer’s power cost and is being passed on to members, it may not result in a credit ECA on your bill. This is a direct benefit of Pioneer Electric and Sunflower Electric Power Corporation’s efforts to ensure our members receive power at the lowest possible rate.

Why is Pioneer Electric applying this credit to the ECA?

Pioneer Electric and Sunflower Electric, its generation and transmission (G&T) company, are not-for-profit cooperatives. Sunflower budgets annually for the load capacity it expects will be needed. Like all budgets, this can fluctuate. As the result of Sunflower’s power cost being less than budgeted, Sunflower is giving a wholesale power cost credit to Pioneer Electric. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Pioneer Electric will pass on this credit to its members.

What determines the ECA?

Pioneer Electric’s Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA) is determined by the cost of purchasing power from Sunflower Electric. Factors such as weather conditions, energy demand, and market conditions can affect the cost of purchased power.

When will this be reflected on my bill?

The wholesale power cost adjustment will be included in the ECA calculation for bills received in July, August and September.