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January 13, 2025

How would you like a personalized comfort zone within your home? One where the temperature is customized to your liking and may be different than the temperature in the shared living areas or other rooms in the house. This flexibility and customization are precisely why mini-split systems, also known as ductless air-source heat pumps, and their energy efficiency aspects are so popular. Let’s unpack some mini-split basics and explore whether this type of system is a good choice for your home heating and cooling needs. A mini-split system is a type of HVAC equipment used for heating and cooling, allowing...

January 13, 2025

Last month, I highlighted the importance of being ready for the unexpected, specifically regarding grid reliability and the possibility of rolling blackouts during extreme weather. While that remains critical, it’s potentially even more essential to prepare for the unique challenges winter storms, particularly ice storms, could bring us this season. When rain transitions, in freezing temperatures, to ice, it can significantly damage your cooperative’s electrical system. Ice buildup can overload power lines, break poles, and cause trees that were not previously a concern to sag, lean, or snap onto wires. Longtime members of Pioneer may recall the ice storm we...

January 13, 2025

Voting for the Code of Regulations changes will take place on the ballot received in mid-February. Results will be announced at Pioneer’s Annual Meeting on March 22, 2025. *Changes to the Code of Regulations are highlighted in red on these pages. ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF TRUSTEES SECTION 4. Nominations. T̶h̶e̶ ̶B̶o̶a̶r̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶T̶r̶u̶s̶t̶e̶e̶s̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶e̶a̶c̶h̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶M̶i̶a̶m̶i̶ ̶R̶u̶r̶a̶l̶ ̶E̶l̶e̶c̶t̶r̶i̶c̶ ̶C̶o̶o̶p̶e̶r̶a̶t̶i̶v̶e̶,̶ ̶S̶h̶e̶l̶b̶y̶ ̶R̶u̶r̶a̶l̶ ̶E̶l̶e̶c̶t̶r̶i̶c̶ ̶C̶o̶o̶p̶e̶r̶a̶t̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶C̶h̶a̶m̶p̶a̶i̶g̶n̶ ̶R̶u̶r̶a̶l̶ ̶E̶l̶e̶c̶t̶r̶i̶c̶ ̶C̶o̶o̶p̶e̶r̶a̶t̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶s̶h̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶s̶t̶i̶t̶u̶t̶e̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶o̶m̶m̶i̶t̶t̶e̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶n̶o̶m̶i̶n̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶s̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶e̶a̶c̶h̶ ̶r̶e̶s̶p̶e̶c̶t̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶d̶i̶s̶t̶r̶i̶c̶t̶.̶ ̶A̶t̶ ̶l̶e̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶r̶t̶y̶ ̶(̶3̶0̶)̶ ̶d̶a̶y̶s̶ ̶b̶e̶f̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶n̶u̶a̶l̶ ̶m̶e̶e̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶m̶b̶e̶r̶s̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶C̶o̶o̶p̶e̶r̶a̶t̶i̶v̶e̶,̶ ̶e̶a̶c̶h̶ ̶c̶o̶m̶m̶i̶t̶t̶e̶e̶ ̶s̶h̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶n̶o̶m̶i̶n̶a̶t̶e̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶...

January 1, 2025

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we believe in giving credit where credit is due––to the members who make up our cooperative. We’ve had this mantra since Pioneer was established as a cooperative in 1935. One of the ways we do this is through capital credits. Because Pioneer Electric, like other electric co-ops around the state, operates at cost, we give money back to our members rather than outside investors or shareholders. Here’s how capital credits work: Pioneer members use the electricity we provide and pay their monthly bills, and we track their business with the co-op over time. Pioneer pays...

December 13, 2024

When disaster strikes, the principle of “Cooperation Among Cooperatives” stands at the forefront, bringing mutual aid to affected areas and embracing the spirit of resilience and support. After hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread power outages and infrastructure damage, electric cooperatives across Ohio came together to help restore power and support recovery efforts in impacted communities. Pioneer Electric Cooperative was quick to respond to the call for assistance. As part of the mutual aid efforts, Pioneer sent teams of lineworkers to three electric utilities, two cooperatives in the Carolinas and one investor-owned utility in Ohio. These crews took on challenging...

December 13, 2024

A message from our CEO Tom Musick: Winter is approaching, and we’re ready for the typical seasonal challenges: cold temperatures, snow, and ice. As always, Pioneer encourages members to be prepared as well, with extended outage plans and extra supplies. However, this year — like last year — there’s an added concern beyond the usual winter risks. Electric consumers, regardless of their electric provider, could face the possibility of outages due to shortfalls in electricity supply caused by extremely cold temperatures. During Winter Storm Elliott around Christmas 2022, extreme cold and high electricity demand in our regional grid exceeded available...