A new year is upon us. Change seems more welcome than in most years.
As we look forward to 2021, we hope for a lessening impact of COVID and a return to “more normal” social interactions. We will take away from 2020 lessons learned on remote and virtual events that provide us with new tools for business and life. The new presidential administration potentially signals a transition in the rules and regulations governing the energy sector, but regardless of the change that may bring, Ohio’s 24 electric cooperatives are poised to respond in the best interests of you, our members.
However 2021 unfolds, your electric cooperative has plans for continued improvements in its operations to be safer, more reliable, and more cost-competitive, all with reduced environmental impact. We will continue to emphasize and demonstrate concern for the communities we serve through continuation of long-standing programs like Operation Round Up, as well as via the growth of newer programs.
One of our brightest initiatives shines a light on our youngest members. This past year, several Ohio electric cooperatives began a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — the not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to bolster childhood literacy by distributing millions of free books to children from birth to age 5. Here in Ohio, the Governor’s Imagination Library program partners with local affiliates like Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Midwest Electric, North Central Electric Cooperative, Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, and Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives in Allen, Mercer, Seneca, Van Wert, and Highland counties; to date, we have enrolled nearly 4,000 children. Learn more about it by checking out the story in this month's issue.
Thank you for your continued patronage and support of your local electric cooperative. Wishing each of you a happy and blessed new year!