UnpluggedRoulet Report

December 7, 2012

I know a lot of employees believe WFEC goes through a significant process for project approvals, authorizations for spending money, and generally more complexity in every day business. There is no question that is true. Those things happen for a number of reasons though.

First of all, WFEC is a federal borrower and the recipient of a Federal Power Allocation of Energy through the Southwestern Power Administration. The regulations of both entities are different. Neither set of regulations are simple or easy. Each process is spelled out in the Federal Register and allows little deviance.

WFEC generates revenue over $500 million and has a value well in excess of a billion dollars. WFEC is a large, not a small business. WFEC owners, external auditors, lenders, ratings agencies, and others we do business with require extraordinary oversight and transparency in the way we do business. NERC, FERC, SPP, ERCOT, and the States of Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas

and New Mexico have many legal requirements that need to be met to continue in business.

There are many justification, approval, and authorization requirements, which are meant to protect employees.

With Enron, Dodd-Frank, Sarbanes Oxley, 9-11, and a host of other events that have occurred over the past 15 years, the world is clearly more complex and, whether good or bad, has much more outside regulatory oversight and involvement than ever existed in the past.

My guess is this complicated structure will continue to get harder instead of easier as we move further into this decade.

Video Challenge to Focus on Geothermal Technology

Scholarship dollars and educational grants are up for grabs for high school juniors and seniors through the Go Go Geo Scholarship Video Challenge that will officially be launched to schools on Jan. 7, 2013. Through the use of video and social media, students have this unique opportunity to showcase creativity and compete for close to $60,000 in scholarship dollars, as well as educational grants for their respective school.

Even though the official launch is in January 2013, students can get a jump start on their ideas, with information available on Dec. 1 via the contest website – http://www.GoGoGeoChallenge.com/.

The Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives are the title sponsor for this event, with geothermal manufacturers, including ClimateMaster, Bosch and WaterFurnace, as co-sponsors.

Eligible students will be challenged to use their creativity in the production of a one to three minute video. Information on the contest website will offer participants a general understanding of what is involved for the video competition.

NOTE: A major difference between this contest and others developed by WFEC – sons and daughters/other relatives of WFEC employees ARE eligible and encouraged to participate. The contest is being judged by outside sources, as well as through online views.

The Challenge will consist of a Regional Competition, which will divide contestants into five regions, based on zip code. The top winner from each region will advance to the Final Competition to compete for even more scholarship dollars. At the regional level, scholarship amounts (in each region) include: first place - $3,000; second place – $2,000 and third place - $1,000. In addition, the respective school of each of the first place winners will be awarded a $2,500 educational grant.

As for the final level of competition, the five winners will meet with judges in Oklahoma City for the final scoring and winner announcement. At this level, 10257 scholarship amounts include: first place - $7,000; second place - $3,500 and third place - $2,000. Again, the school of the first place winner will be awarded a $2,500 educational grant.

Any high school junior or senior residing in Oklahoma or within the service territory of the four New Mexico cooperatives served by Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is eligible to participate. A list of eligible zip codes will be posted on the contest website.

Energy Efficiency Tip

During the winter months, turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. For

every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range,

you’ll save up to 5 percent on heating costs. Set the thermostat back to 55

degrees or off at night or when leaving home for an extended time, saving

5-20 percent of your heating costs. (Note, if you use a heat pump, check

with your HVAC service professional about setting back the temperature.

Some older thermostats should only be set back 2 degrees to prevent

unneeded use of backup strip heating).

Quintin Rogers wishes everyone a MERRY CHICK-MAS!

CECU Can Help You This Holiday Season...

Christmas Loan Special

$2,000 Maximum12 months

9.0%, as low as 5%*Starting November 26, 2012Ending December 31, 2012

*Use CECU Debit Card for loan proceeds and get an extra 1% off the stated rate.

For additional information, call or come byCooperative Employees Credit Union

A total of all unsecured loans can notbe over $6,000 to any one member.

Unsecured loans consist of:Signature, Christmas & Student

Members who have less than 30% debt-to-income ratio, no collections

and no late payments within the past 2 years; no bankruptcy;

and no judgements qualify for a 3% less than stated rate.

First payment must be made on or before January 4, 2013

AT&T is offering WFEC’s employees who use their wireless services a 12% discount from their current

rates. This applies to both existing AT&T customers and those starting a new service. To determine if you

are currently getting the discount, check the foundation account, which appears on your next bill. If this

number is FAN 2418436 you are already getting the discount. If it is not, you are eligible for an additional

12% off your bill each month. Contact Howard Fleshman at extension 4379 for more details.

AT&T Offers Discountsfor WFEC Employees

It’s the Most Financial Time of the Year

December is here, and that means the holiday season is in full swing. While shopping, travelling and cooking may be at the top of the list for most people, personal finances are working behind the scenes through it all. True, you cannot put a price on spending time with loved ones, yet, you can put a price on the gifts, food and travel expenses. Here are a few ideas to help minimize the financial stress this holiday season.

Don’t let money rule. It’s wonderful to want to have the perfect gift for everyone on your list, but don’t let the spirit of giving get you into financial trouble. There are plenty of ways to save during the holidays, so make sure money doesn’t hinder your holiday merriment.

Take time for you. Although it is the time of giving, it is important to set aside some time for yourself during the holidays, even if it’s just a few minutes a day to sit and unwind with your favorite book or walk around the block. Spending time with those you love is one of the main focuses of the holidays, and you won’t be able to spend the quality time you want if you run yourself ragged with stress.

Know what matters. Prioritization is an important piece of any budget, and it’s also essential to remember around the holidays. Often people get so swept up in the stress of having the right gift, creating the perfect meal and making it to every party that they forget to enjoy the true nature of the season. As a reminder for yourself, make a list of the things that make you happiest and matter most to you this time of year--maybe it’s getting to see family and friends that you only see a few times a year, or watching 08096 the snow fall while wrapped up in a blanket with a mug of hot cocoa. Hang it somewhere you see it often as a reminder of all the things that kindle the holiday cheer in your heart.

Source: feedthepig.org

A crew from WFEC and Northwest Crane met

Wednesday to move a transformer out of the

Anadarko Switch yard adjacent to the plant.

The transformer was lifted onto a WFEC truck

and moved to the OU Switch where upgrade

work is under way. Lead Heavy Equipment

Operator Ica Bost, Light Equipment Operator

Kris Bradford, Heavy Equipment Operator

George Stafford and Lead Station Technician

Benny Smith were the WFEC team on

location taking part in the job.

Moving On!

Remember to use your service days and floating holiday by December 31, 2012. You can check your balance by signing in to People Soft Human Resources > self

service > payroll and compensation > view paycheck > click on the hyperlink of your last paycheck and scroll down to the bottom left, where you will see your leave balances.

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Upcoming Brown Bag Lunch Schedule

Monday, Dec. 10 - Anadarko Plant - 11:30 a.m. - BreakroomWednesday, Dec. 12 - Mooreland - 11:30 a.m. - Breakroom

Friday, Dec. 14 - Headquarters - 11:30 a.m. - Employee Meeting Room

Develop a habit of thankfulness at Christmas time.

Developing a habit of thankfulness is not an easy task for a lot of people. Christmas

can be a time of stress and distress. Spending time with relatives and family should be

like the picture postcards, but the reality can sometimes be something quite different.

This little exercise may be helpful to do every day before the festivities kick off and then

make it into a habit as you go into the New Year.

1. Write down three things that you are grateful for.

2. Write down why are you grateful for these things.

Do this for 10 weeks and it will have a measured reduction in your stress levels and

improve your mood. Source: Top Tips for Relieving Christmas Stress

Happy Birthday wishes go out to all WFEC employees enjoying a birthday.

Have a wonderful day!

Paula Parker 12/07 Mitch Williams 12/07 Ty Carlson 12/07 Tanner Williams 12/07 Tom Martin 12/08 Tina Adams 12/08 Charles Hackney 12/10 Larry Arthur 12/11 David Salyer 12/11 Dave Sonntag 12/11 Ben Wetherill 12/12 Jeramy Hollowell 12/12 J.J. Lange 12/14 Dustin Oswald 12/15 Kyle Power 12/16 Robert Elrod 12/17 Rusty Weaver 12/17 Jayson Morgan 12/17 Gary Blackburn 12/19

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” ~Charles Dickens

Hidden Employee Numbers

Congratulations to Gina Johnson for finding her employee number. Sorry, Jessica Perry did not find her number in the last issue.

You could be the next winner of a $10 Logo Room credit.

If you find your employee number in this edition, call Brittany Hicks at Ext. 4335. Please use your credit

before the next payday if possible.