PAGE 2Stay Safe this

Holiday Seasoon

PAGE 3Seasonal Energy

Savings

PAGE 4NFEC’s Award-

Winning Communications

PAGE 5Energy Efficiency Tips

PAGE 6Co-ops Ready

to Work with Elected Officials

PAGE 7Holidays’ Sweetest

Gifts

PAGE 8 Co-op Family

Christmas Helps Neighbors

Co-op Seeks Students for

Leadership Summit

Northfork

Sparks & Flashes

CONTENTS

Supplement to Oklahoma Living

December

16 Electric Rates to Increase in March 2017

On March 1, 2017, Northfork Electric Coopera-tive will implement a rate increase for all member-consumers — for the first time in more than seven years.

Why is the increase necessary?The board and management team continuously

monitor the financial stability of the cooperative to determine if or when a rate increase is necessary. For the last seven years, the booming oil and gas industry had helped the cooperative to avoid a rate increase. This financial prosperity grew and ben-efited all areas of the economy.

Now that the industry has slowed down, not only here in Oklahoma, but across the nation, the reduction in revenue has wreaked havoc on state budgets, our schools, community hospitals, local businesses and ultimately our co-op and its mem-bers.

Rate design is a balancing act between meet-ing our revenue needs while minimizing the overall financial impact to our members. NFEC works dili-gently to keep costs down, but the recent downturn in the oil and gas industry has forced the cooperative to require the rate increase.

Who will it affect?The changes will affect all groups of member-

consumers — residential, commercial, industrial, irrigation and water pumping. The information to follow only addresses the residential rate adjust-ment. Those receiving electric service under one of the other rate schedules will receive other communi-cation explaining how the increase will affect them.

How much will my bill increase?Although the effect of the rate adjustment will

vary depending upon the type of account and extent of usage, the typical residential consumer who uses an average of 1,500 kiloWatt hours (kWh) a month will see an increase of less than $6 on their bill.

Security light charges will also be modified under the new rate schedule. Members can expect a $1.10 to $2.30 increase in the overall monthly cost based on the size of security light installed.

What is the effective date of the new rates and when will I see this reflected on my bill?

The new rates will be effective March 1, 2017; therefore, you will notice the increase on the billing statement you receive in April 2017. Copies of the new rate schedule will be available both online and at the headquarters

What can I do to reduce my electric costs and can NFEC provide any assistance in this area?

We understand times are difficult, but we will do everything we can to help minimize the impact of this rate increase on our membership.

Northfork Electric offers several options to help members manage their electric costs. Members can find helpful information about conserving energy and saving money on the co-op’s website at www.nfecoop.com under the ‘Energy Efficiency’ tab. Oth-er services include free home and business energy audits, commercial lighting and rebate programs, as well as flexible payment options such as budget bill-ing and auto-bank draft.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the implementation of this rate adjustment, I encour-age you to call our offices at 580-928-3366. We’re here to help, and we’re committed to providing you with safe, reliable and affordable electric service. Look for more information about the rate adjustment in future editions of the co-op’s newsletter, Sparks & Flashes.

By Scott Copeland NFEC General Manager

Northfork ElectricCooperative, Inc.

Operating inBeckham, Roger Mills, Washita,

Greer, Custer, Harmon, and Dewey

SCOTT COPELANDGENERAL MANAGER

BOARD OF TRUSTEESJimmy Taylor-Pres ....................Elk CityCharles Hickey-V. Pres ..............ReydonRansom Snowden-Sec-Treas ........ ErickChris Mackey ................................SayreLarry Smith ............................CheyenneLloyd Joe Patton ..........................Sayre Brent Meador .............................Elk CityBrendon Atkinson......................Attorney

SAYRE OFFICEKenny Waugh .................Mgr. of MarketingLisa Dailey...............Mgr. of Office ServicesJeff Mohr ................Mgr. of Acct. & FinanceKay Brown ..........................Adm. AssistantRichard Bowdre ................Operations Mgr.

REYDON OFFICEBarbara Swope ................655-4557

FOR OUTAGES AFTER 5 P.M. CALL

1-800-NO-VOLTS(1-800-668-6587)

or(580) 928-3366

OFFICE HOURS8 AM TO 5 PM

MONDAY-FRIDAY

ADDRESSP.O. Box 400

SAYRE, OK 7366218920 E. 1170 Rd.

This institution is an equal oppor-tunity provider and employer.

Tips for Staying Safe This Holiday Season

Gathering with family and friends during the holidays often means making great memories, reliving traditions, and sharing the spirit of the season. However, amid all the festivities, don’t forget about safety. Safe Electricity shares tips to help ensure your holiday season—whether decorating, feasting, or traveling — remains a safe one.

“The holidays are one of the most festive, yet also one of the most dangerous, times of the year,” says NFEC Safety Director Heath Martin. “Make a point to take care of yourself and those you love by taking all the necessary steps for safety to ensure your holidays are both merry and bright.”

Keep safety in mind when decorating the home. Ensure that your tree is placed at least 3 feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces or radiators, and on a stable platform. Before hanging holiday lights, check for worn spots, fraying, and excessive kinking. Damaged strands of lights should not be used. Consider investing in LED light strands. Although they are more expensive than traditional incandescent bulbs,

LED lights last much longer and are also more efficient and durable.

Don’t get burned in the kitchen. Clean your stovetop and oven often, especially before the large amount of baking and cooking that takes place for family gatherings. Doing so will help prevent fires in the kitchen, should a malfunction or accident in the kitchen take place. Do not

leave combustible items, such as towels or pot holders, near the stove top. Keep all appliance cords away from heat. Never use appliances near the kitchen sink. Plug ap-pliances into ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. Unplug your appliances when they are not in use.

Whether you are leaving the home for a few hours or for a few weeks, turn off all lights when they are not in use. Your neighbors can still enjoy your exterior Christmas lights while you are away if you put them on an automatic timer. This will remove the extra worry of an electrical accident while also reducing energy costs. If you will be gone for an extended holiday trip, you can reduce the risk of a power surge damaging equipment by unplugging unneeded electrical devices before leaving.

For more home electrical safety tips, visit SafeElecticity.org. or feel free to con-tact me at 580-928-3366.

by Heath MartinNFEC Safety Director

While saving money through greater energy efficiency may be a year-round objective for many consumers, the way to achieve this goal will vary by season. There are a number of factors that impact en-ergy efficiency, including weather, the age and condition of the home, and desired comfort levels. During fall and winter months, when the outdoor temperature is chilly, con-sumers desire a warm home and seek to keep the cold air out. Con-versely, in the spring and summer, the focus is on keeping the hot air from infiltrating cool abodes.

Fall and winter: keeping in the heat

To maintain a warm indoor environment in chillier weather, there are simple steps you can take to increase energy efficiency. Fall is a great time to examine seals on doors and windows to check for air leaks. Caulk and weatherstrip as needed to seal in warm air and energy savings. Similarly, examine outlets for air leaks, and where necessary, install gaskets around the outlet to prevent drafts. During the day, open curtains or drapes on south-facing windows to enable sunlight to heat your home natu-rally. Close curtains or drapes at

night for an added layer of window insulation.

As the temperature drops lower with the onset of winter, schedule a service appointment for your heat-ing system to ensure it is operating at an optimal level. Low-cost or no-cost steps for energy savings include taping or affixing heavy, clear plastic to the inside of your window frames to create an ad-ditional barrier against cold air. Ensure that the plastic is tightly sealed to the frame to help reduce infiltration. Use a programmable thermostat to set the temperature as low as is comfortable when you are home (ideally around 68 degrees). When you are asleep or away, turn the temperature down 10-15 degrees for eight hours. According to the Department of Energy, this small adjustment can help you save approximately 10 percent a year on heating and cooling costs.

Spring and summer: keeping your cool

During warmer months, en-ergy savings and efficiency will require different measures, many of which are inexpensive. If you live in a climate that is cool, open your windows in the evening and turn off your cooling system while sleeping. In the morning, shut the widows and blinds to hold in the cool air. Where practical, plant

trees and shrubs that provide shade in warm months and sunlight in winter. In addition to the aesthetic value, well placed trees can take heat gain from the sun and provide needed shade by creating a canopy for the house.

In extremely hot weather, your cooling system works harder to close the gap between the high outdoor temperature and the cool indoor thermostat setting. To lessen the difference in tempera-ture between the two, and to lower cooling costs, set the thermostat as high as you can while maintain-ing your comfort level. Moreover, using a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioning can al-low you to increase the thermostat setting to approximately four de-grees with no reduction in comfort levels.

During the hottest months, it’s all the more critical to replace any remaining incandescent bulbs with LEDs. The waste heat from the old bulbs impacts energy use and creates wasteful and unwanted heat. Employ a programmable thermostat to adjust the settings a few degrees higher when no one is home or your family is sleeping.

To learn more about additional energy-saving tips and programs, call me at 580-928-3366.

Energy Savings for Every Season

by Kenny WaughNFEC Manager of Marketing & Power Use Advisor

Award Winning!

Northfork Electric’s commu-nications program was recognized recently with awards of excellence and merit at an awards dinner hosted by Oklahoma Living, and the Oklahoma Association of Elec-tric Cooperatives.

The awards include:Award of Excellence - Best

Annual Report (Small Co-op), and Best Creative Communications Piece

Award of Merit - Best Overall Content

Honorable Mention - Best Use of Digital Media

The competition is held annual-ly and focuses not only on monthly newsletters, but websites, social and digital media, and creative communication pieces.

This year there were 106 en-tries from 16 Oklahoma coopera-tives.

NFEC Communications and Community Relations Specialist Matthew Swint and General Manager Scott Copeland, display awards the co-op won recently in the communications competition. The annual competition is open to all Oklahoma electric cooperatives, and is sponsored by Okla-homa Living magazine and the Oklahoma Association of Electric Coop-eratives.

Hidden Account Number

If you see your account number in this newsletter, call our office, identify yourself and the number. We will credit your electric bill $25. The number may be located anywhere in the newsletter and is chosen at random.

If you don’t know your account number, call our office or look on your bill. To get the credit, you must call before the next month’s newsletter is mailed.

NFEC offices will close at Noon on

Friday, Dec. 23, and be closed Monday, Jan. 2 for the Christmas and New Year Holidays.

Please call 1-800-668-6587

or 580-928-3366 to report an outage.

What are the biggest mistakes homeowners make when it comes to energy use? According to Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories:

1. Buy big. Many homes have fur-naces and air conditioners that are way too big. HVAC sales reps often try to sell big units because they cost more. But an oversized unit wastes energy and will cost you more, in the long

run, on heating and cooling bills, than a smaller one that is properly sized for your home and your family’s lifestyle.

2. Overlook leaks. When you replace your heating and air condition-ing system, get your ducts checked for leaks. Even the most efficient, most-expensive system won’t perform at peak if heated or air-conditioned air is escaping through the ducts.

3. Under-insulate. Heat rises, so it makes sense to insulate your home’s attic. But it’s equally important to in-sulate floors over a basement or crawl space, and walls and windows. Con-

ditioned air can leak out of your home from almost any uninsulated space.

4. Skip fans. Ceiling fans and portable fans can help circulate heated or air-conditioned air, which gives your home’s HVAC system a break—and allows you to turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in the sum-mer. Fans use little electricity, but can make a big difference in how comfort-able you feel in the room where one is running.

Ways to Waste Energy this Winter4

As the nation prepares to welcome a new Congress and Administration, America’s electric cooperatives are ready to welcome back old friends and introduce ourselves to newcomers.

The co-ops’ message to elected officials, both old and new, Republi-can and Democrat, will be the same: we all need to work together to protect consumer access to safe, reliable and affordable electric service.

We have reason to believe this message will be well-received. After all, co-ops speak for more than 42 million electric consumers nation-wide, a sizeable constituency by any measure.

Moreover, whatever you thought of the 2016 campaign, one message came through loud and clear: many, many people don’t believe their concerns are being heard. For mem-ber-owned cooperatives, listening to people is at the heart of our business model. And we carry our members’ concerns to public officials every day.

As co-ops reach out to engage with elected officials, they will build on the strength of Co-ops Vote, the grassroots initiative to reverse declin-ing voter turnout in rural areas.

Co-ops Vote did more than regis-ter voters. This initiative sent a strong message to the country’s elected officials that rural electric consumers matter.

And co-ops will be reinforcing this message with a request that poli-cymakers keep the needs of consum-ers front and center. Needs such as funding for infrastructure––especially transmission lines and access to natu-ral gas. Increasing the efficiency of the electric system. Determining the

future of hydropower and nuclear en-ergy. Elected officials will be making decisions affecting every aspect of the electric system.

Advocating for these issues is nothing new. In fact, we’ve been do-ing it for years. And we’re ready to continue the fight on your behalf.

The time is now to reach out to all elected officials, new and returning.

At Northfork Electric, we will work with our statewide organization, the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, to reach out to local, state and federal officials. In initial conversations with newly elected officials, we will be explaining the unique member-owned, not-for-profit co-op business model. And we will be reminding long-time politicians of our co-op’s commitment to its members.

In Washington, D.C., our national trade association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association,

Electric Cooperatives are Ready to Work with Elected Officials

will be conducting similar introduc-tions, speaking with key agencies and departments within the new Admin-istration. It is likely many of these new policymakers will know little or nothing of the co-op model.

Forging an energy future that serves rural consumers, and protecting access to safe, reliable and affordable electric power will be a bipartisan ef-fort. Electric co-ops are optimistic. As we work with our elected leaders, we hope to renew a spirit of cooperation in the nation’s Capital and in state-houses across the country.

After all, cooperation is what co-ops do best!

2 cups brown sugar 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream6 Tbsp. butter1/2 tsp. vanilla1/4 tsp. salt1 cup powdered sugar 16 oz. melting chocolate for dipping

ButterscotchSquares

German Chocolate Fudge

16 Tbsp. (2 sticks) butter cut into 8 pieces

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips2 cups milk chocolate chips4½ cups sugar1 (12-oz.) can evaporated milk2 tsp. vanilla extract

German Chocolate Icing1½ cups heavy whipping cream1½ cups sugar5 egg yolks6 Tbsp. butter2 cups sweetened angel hair coco-

nut1 cup toasted, chopped pecans

Candy CaneOreo Truffles

36 Oreos (Can use mint filled Oreos instead of the original>)

8 oz. cream cheese, softened16 oz. white chocolate chips¼ cup crushed candy canes or pep-

permint candies, for decorating

Place the 16 tablespoons of butter and chocolate chips in a large bowl.

In a medium saucepan, bring sugar and evaporated milk to a boil. Stir constantly for 10 minutes.

Pour sugar mixture over the butter and chocolate chips.

Use an electric mixer to beat the mixture for 3 minutes. Mix in vanilla extract.

Spread mixture evenly into a greased 9X13-inch pan. Refrigerate at

Place Oreo cookies in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely ground.

Add cream cheese and pulse until the mixture is well combined and smooth.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Scoop the mixture into balls about 1-inch in diameter. (Can use cookie scoop.)

Place the cookie balls in the freez-er until well chilled, at least 1 hour.

Remove truffles from freezer and dip in melted chocolate.

Return to baking sheet, immedi-ately sprinkle tops with crushed candy canes then allow chocolate to set.

Store the truffles in an airtight con-tainer in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Line a 9x9” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.

Place brown sugar, cream, and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until melted. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low and place a candy thermometer in the pot.

least 1 hour before adding icing.To make icing, stir together heavy

cream, sugar, egg yolks, and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook over me-dium heat until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, stirring frequently.

Add coconut and pecans and mix well. Let icing cool 15-20 minutes before pouring on fudge.

Homemade Candy

Stir occasionally and simmer until the mixture reaches 236º, about 7-8 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in vanil-la and salt. Whisk in powdered sugar. Pour into prepared pan and allow to set at room temperature (a few hours, but this can be done the day ahead).

When ready to cut, remove from pan. Use a large kitchen knife and cut the square into quarters. From here, use small cuts to cut them into small squares.

Be sure to use small but swift cuts. The candy is fragile and is prone to flaking and breaking, so a quick cut will make the candy stay together.

Melt chocolate according to pack-age directions and dip each square, tapping off excess. Place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and chill to set.

Holiday’s Sweetest Gift

Northfork Electric is seeking students to partici-pate in the 2017 Touchstone Energy® Leadership Sum-mit to be held Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower in Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District. This annual event is designed to excite and motivate high school students to become leaders of their communi-ties.

Two students cur-rently in the 10th, 11th or 12th grade will be selected from NFEC’s service area to attend the Leadership Sum-mit. In addition, NFEC will provide both students with a $250 scholarship.

Thirty students representing Touch-stone Energy® electric cooperatives around Oklahoma will be attending the event. Almost 400 Oklahoma high school students have been recognized for their leadership abilities by having the opportu-nity to attend one of the previous Touch-stone Energy® Leadership Summits.

The January 14 program will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature ener-

getic and motivating leadership expert, Rhett Laubach, owner of Edmond-based YourNextSpeaker!

“The Leadership Summit program is unique in its design and truly provides an unforgettable experience for each student who attends,” said NFEC Communication Specialist Matthew Swint.

“NFEC and the other Oklahoma electric cooperatives are proud to provide students from across the state the opportu-nity to expand their leadership abilities by taking part in this fun and exciting leader-ship program.”

Students selected to attend the Lead-

ership Summit, their parents, and their co-op sponsors will attend the Oklahoma City Blue basketball game at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City that eve-ning. The students will be presented their scholarships at a quarter break during the game!

For more informa-tion about the Touchstone Energy® Leadership Summit or to receive an application form, please contact Matthew Swint at 580-928-3366. Ap-

plications must be submitted to Northfork Electric on or before December 12, 2016.

Touchstone Energy® is a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives committed to providing high standards of service to customers large and small. More than 600 Touchstone Energy® cooperatives in 44 states deliver energy and energy solutions to more than 17 million customers every day. Touch-stone Energy® cooperatives serve their members with integrity, accountability, in-novation and a longstanding commitment to communities.

Northfork Electric Seeks Students For Touchstone Energy® Leadership Summit

“The Co-op Family Christmas was born when a group of employees saw a need within our membership and wanted to help,” explains NFEC General Manager Scott Copeland when discussing NFEC’s Co-op Family Christmas program. North-fork has been sponsoring the program for more than 10 years.

Copeland goes on to explain each year recipients are selected by a committee of employees who are personally familiar with the circumstances faced by each family. Those selected have been identified as facing more than their share of challenges in the past year related to health, loss of family members, or loss/damage of personal property. The program has helped families through bill assistance and gift baskets, in addition to providing specific help such as annual Life Alert service plans, or lending assistance after a family suffered a

catastrophic event such as the loss of a home due to fire. “This is truly an employee-motivated program,” explains

Copeland. “The employees are sincere in their desire and com-mitment to help where they know help is needed. I am proud of them for caring so deeply about their neighbors, and I am humbled to work with such a selfless group,” he says.

“The number of families that will be helped through this program will be contingent on the amount of donations we receive,” Copeland says.

If you would like to nominate a cooperative member fam-ily who could use a helping hand, or if you 7584-003 would like to make a donation, please call 580-928-3366 or drop us a note at: P.O. Box 400, Sayre, OK 73662. (Donations are not tax deductible.)

Co-op Family Christmas Helps Neighbors During the Holidays