February 2026
When storms strike or accidents happen, the lights can go out in an instant. For decades, that meant waiting — sometimes for hours — while crews located the problem and restored power. But what if power could be restored with the touch of a button? Thanks to cutting-edge Distribution Automation technology, that’s no longer a dream — it's happening now on our system.
At Paulding Putnam, one of our guiding principles is Concern for Community, and that commitment starts with the next generation. Our Bright Futures youth programs offer a wide range of educational, leadership, and community opportunities for students of all ages — helping young people learn about energy, leadership, careers, and civic engagement while forming lifelong friendships and memories.
Youth Tour
As a cooperative member, you get a bill from [selected_context:field_cooperative:entity:short_name] every month because we act as your electric distribution provider. But you may not realize that the co-op directly controls only a small portion of the cost of your power. Outside factors, like wholesale suppliers, investor-owned utilities that provide power transmission, and even you have a say in what your total cost for electricity looks like.
I want to personally address upcoming changes in our rate structure. Price adjustments are decisions your cooperative leadership never takes lightly. We understand the burden any increase places on our members, especially right now when costs for nearly everything continue to rise.
Unfortunately, electric cooperatives are not immune to these same pressures. Inflation and rising costs across the electric industry are primary drivers behind the need for
this adjustment.
As your local power provider, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative has always had a simple mission: keep the lights on and support the communities we serve. But behind every switch, every warm home, and every business that opens its doors is a complex system that requires constant care. Reliable electricity requires ongoing investment in our local grid through system repairs, maintenance, upgrades, and the integration of new technologies that help us operate smarter and more efficiently.
When people consider renewable energy sources, many people tend to look up. Solar power, after all, is a common choice for someone looking to go green or potentially save money on electricity.
“People choose geothermal for the environmental benefits and to save money,” says Tim Litton, director of marketing for WaterFurnace, an Indiana-based geothermal system manufacturer. “Geothermal is twice as efficient as any traditional heat pump, which means people can save more money on heating and cooling.
Ted Welser, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Ohio University, focuses his academic research on “the intersection of digital social systems, organizations, and social change.”
“Climbing combines physical activity — a sportlike activity — with a meaningful cultural experience,” he says. “It’s a reason to travel and experience new places. I’ve spent hundreds of days climbing in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Alabama, traveling to places that are remote. I’ve enjoyed meeting people there who are climbers and not climbers.”
Shortly after he earned his PhD in sociology from the University of Washington, he and his wife, Laura Black, moved to Athens with their two kids to be professors at OU.
