LCEC – Lee County Electric Cooperative

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2011 Equity Distribution: LCEC returns millions to customers

Earlier this year, the LCEC Board of Trustees approved an $8 million general equity distribution. This was in addition to the decision to not raise base rates for the third year in a row and a final equity return of $6.1 million to accounts that have been closed since 2003. Last year, LCEC returned more than $13 million to active and inactive members. Over the years, LCEC has returned more than $178 million in equity to its customers.

Electricity is often taken for granted but if you were a resident of North Fort Myers 71 years ago, chances are you didn’t have electricity. At that time, no power company was willing to pay the expense for extending power lines to remote areas of Southwest Florida. There was; however, an orange grove owner who had built his own generating station to run his business. In 1940, he sold it to a group of his neighbors who shared the cost, borrowed money from the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) and formed an electric cooperative – LCEC. Each customer of the cooperative was a member, just as today.

LCEC’s mission remains the same as it was back then — to provide efficient electricity at the lowest possible cost.

Cooperatives do not exist to generate profit. However, LCEC does generate “margins,” from excess revenue. Margins are allocated to customers in the form of equity. Each customer receives a portion of equity, based on how much revenue they put into the organization.  LCEC retains a portion of margins each year as a source of financing infrastructure and increasing the efficiency and reliability of the system.

Annually, LCEC management and the Board of Trustees review net margins and strategically calculates what portion should be returned to customers, what portion will be utilized for investment in the cooperative and the amount needed to meet financial requirements from lenders.

Equity equals financial strength for LCEC and its customers. It allows for improvements in delivery of power and service through capital projects without taking out costly loans.  LCEC is proud of the financial strength that has allowed equity to be returned to customers again in 2011. It’s one of the benefits of belonging to a financially stable electric cooperative. Not all of the 900 electric cooperatives in the United States are able to return equity to customers.

Established in 1940, Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LCEC) is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Marco Island, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Pine Island, Everglades City, Immokalee, Ave Maria, and parts of Lehigh Acres.  LCEC is a major contributor to the local economy as one of the largest employers in Lee County with more than 400 employees and by its support of many local agencies through charitable giving and volunteerism programs, including the United Way, American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement and local school districts. People. Power. Possibilities. Delivering the Power that Energizes our Community. Learn more about LCEC online at www.lcec.net

Plug Into Safety with Practical Pointers from LCEC

May is National Electrical Safety Month and LCEC is helping to raise awareness about potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety.  LCEC challenges customers to evaluate the electrical safety of their own homes.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the average home today has three televisions, two DVD or DVR players, at least one digital camera, one desktop computer or laptop, and two cell phones. “Modern homes run on electricity, but if you don’t properly maintain your electrical equipment they can create hazards,” warns Public Relations Manager Karen Ryan. “The good news is that eliminating electrical hazards from your home doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.”

Many homes and their electrical systems were built before most modern-day home electronics and appliances were invented. Today’s increased demand for energy can overburden an older home’s electrical system. LCEC offers the following tips to help identify and eliminate electrical hazards to protect yourself, your family, and your home:

  • Make sure entertainment centers and computer equipment have plenty of space around them for ventilation.
  • Use extension cords as a temporary solution, and never as a permanent power supply.
  • Do not place extension cords in high traffic areas, under carpets, or across walkways, where they pose a potential tripping hazard.
  • Use a surge protector to protect your computer and other electronic equipment from damage caused by voltage fluctuations resulting for motors or weather.
  • Heavy reliance on power strips is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed by a qualified, licensed electrician.
  • Keep liquids, including drinks, away from electrical items such as televisions and computers.

Electrical safety awareness and education among consumers, families, employees, and communities will prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities. Visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International’s Virtual Home at http://virtualhome.esfi.org to learn more about home electrical safety.

Established in 1940, LCEC is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Marco Island, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Pine Island, Everglades City, Immokalee, Ave Maria, and parts of Lehigh Acres. LCEC is committed to providing efficient, reliable, cost-competitive electric and emerging energy solutions and excellent service to our customers.  LCEC is also a major contributor to the local economy as one of the largest employers in Lee County with nearly 400 employees and by its support of many local agencies through charitable giving and volunteerism programs, including the United Way, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement and local school districts.

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