Welcome to Farmers' Electric Cooperative of Chillicothe, Missouri!

This page updated Thursday, July 08, 2010.

Regular office hours at Farmers' Electric Cooperative are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.


Click for storm updates when applicable and related outage information.

201 West Business 36, P.O. Box 680, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601
Phone: 660-646-4281 ~ Fax: 660-646-3569
Toll Free: 1-800-279-0496
FEC's 24-hour Outage Reporting System: 1-800-927-5334

PRESS RELEASES (for complete details, visit our Rural Missouri page to download this month's issue)

News Archives 2005-06-07...

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CURRENT NEWS & EVENTS

Be sure to check our monthly safety articles too!

FEC is a CFL Disposal Site for Co-op Members
If you have a burned out compact fluorescent light (CFL) or one that has been broken, you can drop them off at the FEC office in Chillicothe, and we will dispose of the CFL. We have purchased CFL disposal containers and we are making them available to FEC members.

DNR Has Cash Rebates For Specific Appliances
May, 2010 Watts Up

If you haven't spent your tax refund yet, think about investing it in energy-efficient appliances this spring - and get money back in the process. Farmers' Electric does offer rebates on specific appliances and now the Missouri Department of Natural Re-sources (DNR) has $5.6 million in federal stimulus funds to spend on an Energy Star appliance rebate program.

You may download a fact sheet about the rebates. But, in short, here are the appliances and their rebates:

  • Gas furnaces - $125

  • Air-source heat pumps - $250

  • Central air conditioning - $100

  • Water heaters - gas storage - $100

  • Water heaters - gas tankless - $100

  • Water heaters - solar (with gas backup) - $500

  • Water heaters - electric heat pump - $150

  • Water heaters - solar (with electric back-up) - $500

  • Clothes washers - $75

  • Dishwashers - $75

Federal tax credits also are available for qualifying non-solar water heaters, air-source heat pumps and central air conditioning units. They cover 30 percent of the cost up to$1,500 and expire Dec. 31, 2010.

You can contact state Department of Natural Resources two different ways if you have questions pertaining to the appliance rebate. Go to their website or call toll free 877-541-4848 between the hours of 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Maintenance Work for 2010 Will Include Replacing 14 Miles of Line, Over 700 Poles
April 2010 Watts Up

Farmers' Electric crews and private contractor will be very busy this year, replacing at least 14 miles of power lines and over 700poles.FEC currently has 3,772 miles of energized power lines and over 80,000 poles on its distribution system that covers all or parts of nine counties. The largest power line replacement project will be an eight-mile stretch coming out of the Kidder substation. Another 2.5 miles of power lines will be replaced out of the same substation about three miles east of Hamilton. The remaining 3.5 miles of line to be replaced will be east of Hale.

"Most of the lines being replaced are the original power lines that were installed many decades ago," said Troy Hermanson, Operations Manager for Farmers’ Electric. All of the power lines being replaced are three-phase distribution lines. Plans also include replacing over 700 power poles in the extreme northwestern part of FEC’s service territory around Coffey. Tests on the poles showed they had decayed to a point to where they were no longer reliable, said Hermanson. "This will take longer than normal to replace these poles because most of them are right on state highways," Hermanson said. "This requires the use of additional personnel for safety reasons, including flagging traffic."

Hermanson said the crews would have to use two trucks to replace the old poles. One truck would be used to pull the energized line away from the old pole. The other truck would remove the old pole and install the new one. Hermanson said power would not be turned off while the change-out took place and there shouldn’t be any interruption of service.

FEC Pays Nearly Half a Million Dollars in Taxes
January 2010 Watts Up

Farmers' Electric Cooperative paid nearly half a million dollars in personal property and real estate taxes to nine north Missouri counties in 2009.Overall, FEC paid $495,325.37 as a result of the transformers, substations, poles and property owned in its service territory. The taxes paid by county are as follows: Caldwell, $72,638.45; Carroll, $53,092.52;Chariton, $25,050.39; Clinton, $1,026.74;Daviess, $125,626.98; DeKalb, $1,178.79;Linn, $33,182.48; Livingston, $118,258.86;Ray, $65,827.46.

Capital Credit Checks to Arrive Soon; No Rate Increase Planned for 2010
Mike Sanders, CEO, December, 2009

Last month we announced in the Rural Missouri that your Board of Directors had voted to retire $397,539 of capital credit allocations. These checks will be sent out in December.

This month, we have some more good news for you - there will not be a rate increase in 2010. Our power supplier has recently informed us that we will not have an increase from them next year; therefore our rates will remain the same in 2010.

While this is great news in the short term, we still need your help in trying to stabilize electric rates in the future. The Senate is still debating on the cap-and-trade legislation, and if this passes in its current form, it will result in a drastic increase in your electric bill. If you haven't done so already, please join Farmers' Electric and all of the electric cooperatives across the nation in the "Our Energy, Our Future" campaign. Please contact your two Missouri Senators and ask them to work with the electric cooperatives and fight for a bill that is fair, affordable, and achievable.

As we close out this year, all of us here at Farmers' Electric want to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Automated Attendant Answering FEC’s Telephones (effective October 1, 2009)
The telephone lines at the cooperative office in Chillicothe are answered by an automated attendant. When you call either the 646-4281 or 1-800-279-0496 number you will hear the following: “Thank you for calling Farmers’ Electric Cooperative. To make a payment, press 9. If you know your party's extension, you may dial it now. Otherwise, dial Zero (0) or remain on the line to speak to the operator.”

PHONE EXTENSIONS

  • Payment 9
  • Capital Credits 10
  • Member Services 11
  • Billing 12
  • Connect/Disconnect 16
  • Tree Replacement 26
  • New Construction 39

To report a power outage, please call 1-800-927-5334. This toll free telephone number is manned 24-hours-a-day. You may also pay your bill any time of day by credit card, debit card or e-check at this number.

In conjunction with the PAMS program, FEC opened a 24-hour payment telephone line. Members wishing to use the telephone payment option, may call 1-800-927-5334 and use a debit or a credit card to make their payment.

A Home Energy Audit Can Save You Money
Cash incentive will pay up to $500 on your energy efficiency projects
Farmers' Electric Cooperative is offering a service to its members that will result in lower energy usage at the residence if FEC recommendations are followed. Home energy audits, which are a thorough examination of a residence that reveals where energy efficiency weaknesses exist, will be offered to FEC members at a discounted price.

FEC members may also take advantage of the cooperative's new Incentive Plus Program and receive 50% off of the cost of their energy efficiency efforts up to $500.

"There are two ways in which members can lower their monthly energy usage," explained Steve Shoot, FEC Manager of Member Services."Members can make changes in their lifestyle, such as lowering thermostats in the winter, or they can spend a little money to make their home more energy efficient. It’s best to do both." 

Adding insulation, caulking around doors and windows, replacing older heating and cooling systems, replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, and replacing old inefficient appliances with Energy Star appliances are just a few ways in which members can become more efficient in managing the energy usage in their home.

It is important to note that FEC already offers rebates to its members on specific heating and cooling systems, as well as several Energy Star appliances and water heaters. The Incentive Plus Program is not designed to provide further assistance in purchasing these Energy Star appliances. The program is designed to assist in the purchase and installation of, for example, insulation in attic and wall areas. Plus, FEC already offers its members free CFL bulbs through its Light Bulb Swap Program.

The Blower Door energy audit is an excellent tool in which you can determine where the energy robbing leaks are in your home. Plus, our employees will also perform a 75-pointwalk-through examination of your house. Following the home energy audit, a specific list of recommendations will be provided to you. So give use a call. We can save you money every day.

FEC Members Can Now Pay Bill Online, Acquire Additional Information
Farmers' Electric member-owners now have another means in which they can use the internet to take advantage of new services being offered by their cooperative. Effective April 1, 2009, FEC members may use the new online services to make a payment with a debit or credit card or E-check, check out their capital credit allocations over the years, look at their billing records for the previous 12 months, and more.

Members received an application with their April 1 bill to enroll in the e-Business program. The update / enrollment application is also available here. Download and print the application, then just follow the directions / fill in the blanks, and mail or fax it back to the office in Chillicothe.

Members will need to create a password and use their account number (or member number) to gain access to their personal records. Members may also be able to store their credit card information with only the last four numbers of the card being visible so they don't have to look up the number every time they use the e-Business program. The e-Business Member Login is protected by SSL technology, verified by Geotrust.

Contact FEC If You Are On a Life Support System
We are asking Farmers' Electric members who are on life support systems to contact us so we may have an updated listing. Please call the office at 660-646-4281 or 1-800-279-0496 and ask for Gina.

Insulation is One of the Best Energy Investments You Can Make
If you want to reduce your overall energy use and make your home more comfortable, insulation is one of the best energy investments you can make. Insulation’s thermal resistance (R-value) is usually measured per inch of material. In January of 2006 the Department of Energy (DOE) changed its insulation recommendations for attics in north Missouri from R-38 to R-49. It takes about 18-21 inches of insulation to reach the recommended R-49 value.

There are basically five different forms of thermal insulation. They are:

  • Batts and Blankets are flexible, bound insulation made from glass or cotton fibers. They come in rolls or strips in standard widths, usually to fit between farming on 16-or 24-inch centers. The thickness of batts and blankets varies depending on the desired R-value. They are available with or without vapor retarder facings. Blankets are available in continuous rolls, whereas batts are precut.

  • Loose-Fill Insulation consists of fibers or granules made from cellulose, fiberglass, rock wool, cotton or other materials. This loose insulation conforms to the space in which it is installed. Loose-fill insulation comes in bags and is usually blown into cavities or attics with special equipment. Sometimes loose-fill fibers are co-sprayed with an adhesive or water in order to cover irregularly shaped and hard-to-reach areas or to install in walls before drywalling. The is usually called wet cellulose insulation. The insulation dries within a few days and is resistant to settling.

  • Rigid Insulation is made from fibrous materials or plastic foams and is pressed or extruded into board-like forms. It is commonly used on exterior walls (under siding) and foundations. It is very useful in cramped areas such as cathedral or vaulted ceilings.

  • Foam in Place materials require special equipment to meter, mix, spray or extrude into place. They provide air sealing as well as insulation. These foams can be sprayed into open wall cavities, where they expand to fill the space.

  • Radiant barriers stop heat from moving through the attic by radiation rather than slowing heat conduction. They reduce attic temperatures in warm climates.

Governor Blunt Inks Right-of-Way Legislation
New right-of-way legislation, approved by the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate, has been signed into law by Governor Matt Blunt. The new legislation allows electric cooperatives the ability to maintain their respective right-of ways. The legislation will allow FEC to control the vegetation in rural areas regardless of existing easements and with-out prior permission. The right-of-way distances are 30-feet from the center line, for a total of 60 feet. There may also be instances where tall trees out-side that area, with prior notification of the landowner may fall under this legislation. The right-of-way bill was signed by Governor Blunt on July 10 and and went into effect August 28.

Spray Crews Will be at These Substations
Northeast Rural Services, a private contractor employed by Farmers' Electric Cooperative, is currently spraying FEC right-of-ways in the Chillicothe, Hale and Indian Grove substations. They will also be spraying the right-of-way areas for the Avalon, Stet and Polo substations before the end of the year.

Watts Up! Your Farmers’ Electric News Adds Page and More
by Mike Sanders, FEC CEO August, 2008
A few months ago the decision was made to expand the number of Farmers’ Electric news pages in the Rural Missouri magazine. At the same time, the decision was also made to move our FEC pages inside the magazine. There are so many important issues in the world right now that have an impact on your monthly bill. We need the extra space to provide you with more detailed information as to how these issues will or could make a difference in your life. Plus, there is a ton of additional information to pass along to you, including energy efficiency tips, safety, rebates, and much more. This information needs to be presented to you on a monthly basis. As a result, the decision was made to change to a four-page "mini-newsletter" located in the center of the Rural Missouri magazine.

In recent months we have started a number of new programs at FEC that can make a difference in the quality of your life and in the lives of other members of Farmers’ Electric. These include the FEC Co-op Connections Card, a discount card for FEC members only; Operation Round Up, a major new program that involves your cooperative’s charity and a change in an existing program that will assist you financially in specific appliance purchases. The program provides FEC members with the “Power” of cooperative member participation to provide revenues that will be used to assist area families who have children that have been ill or injured in which the parents do not have enough money or health insurance to cover the medical costs. All of the money raised through Operation Round Up will be placed in your cooperative’s charity, the Area Youth Benefit Fund. To date, nearly $400,000 has been donated to area families in need throughout our nine-county service territory. The additional revenues received through the Operation Round Up program will allow higher dollar donations to be made for payment of expensive medical bills. Our rebate programs now include a rebate on several Energy Star appliances, plus significant increases in rebates for dual fuel systems and geothermal, or ground source heat pumps. There are more announcements to be made in the near future so I encourage you to keep track of what your electric cooperative is doing each month in Watts Up. There will be articles every month that will save you money if you take advantage of the material we provide you. For example, energy efficiency expert Doug Rye will make regular appearances in Watts Up, plus our member services department will also be providing information that will make a difference in your monthly payment to us. Watts Up with Farmers’ Electric? Check us out each month in your Rural Missouri magazine. P.S. You also need to check out our safety articles at www.fec-co.com/safetyarticles.htm.

Check Out the Efficiency of Heat Pump Systems
In the dog days of summer, heating your home for winter is hardly a priority. But in fact, this is a good time of year to plan how to reduce your largest energy expense: heating your home. 30525If your heating system is more than 15 years old, it may be time to bump up to a more efficient system, particularly as energy costs continue to rise. The reason heat pumps are so efficient: they move heat from one source to another instead of creating heat. If you heat with electricity, a heat pump can trim the amount of electricity you use by 30 percent to 40 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Air-to-air heat pumps have efficiencies of around 250 percent. Ground-source heat pumps, which use the earth's more constant below-ground temperature, have 350 percent to 400 percent efficiency - a 3.5 times greater return on your dollar. According to a survey conducted by Associated Electric Cooperative, about 30 per-cent of Missouri co-op members already use heat pumps. If you’re building a new home or upgrading your existing heating and cooling system, call FEC and talk to the guys in members services about the different rebates they offer on specific heat pump systems. Buying and installing a new heating system is a big-ticket purchase. But given that heating your home in winter is probably your greatest use of electricity, a new system could be the best use of your energy dollars.

The Cheapest Energy Around
Ron Cornett President

Last year my message to you was "Be Wise...Economize." It is still very important for us to “be wise in 2008.” All energy costs are up and it appears that energy prices will continue upward. Gasoline may hit $4 a gallon by mid-summer, which makes fuel companies billions of dollars in profits.

Electricity is up at the cooperative, but profits are down. We dislike telling you rates have to increase, but we have no choice. Associated Electric Cooperative had to raise their rates to us and us to you.

Even with the increased cost of electricity it is still a bargain compared with all other energy costs. We all need to become more efficient in how we manage our use of energy. It’s better for you and it’s better for your cooperative if you take advantage of the energy saving opportunities that are now available to you. Keep reading your Rural Missouri magazine each month for energy saving ideas and tips.

The decision to abandon the Norborne power plant project was a surprise to us at FEC and the N.W. area, especially in light of the need for additional base load generation in the near future. The current trend in base load generation for the cooperatives is not positive. If these trends continue we will run out of power in the next decade. Come to your June 10 Annual Meeting to see when we expect this to happen.

Our Energy
We, as electric co-op members and constituents, must call on elected officials to provide this leadership. That's why I want to encourage you to contact your elected officials. Now. You don't need to be an energy expert to ask questions. Asking questions helps find the answers to solve the problem of balancing climate change goals with keeping your lights on and your electric bills affordable. Right now, members of Congress as well as state elected officials are hearing from lots of different interest groups who have ideas about how to address climate change. No one is talking to consumers, however. We need a plan people can live with today while we deal with the climate change problem of tomorrow.

To make things easy, we have a Web site that will send an email for you. Go to www.ourenergy.coop and plug in your address. There you'll be able to ask a series of questions to your representatives in Washington. We're kicking this effort off with a basic but critical question: "What are they doing to make sure we'll have the power we need in the future?"

Weather Radios are Still Available at FEC Office
It’s the time of year when severe weather can happen at any time. The only way to receive quick notification when severe weather or potentially severe weather is expected in your area is with a weather alert radio. As FEC members you can purchase a Midland Weather Alert AM/FM Radio for just $59.95plus tax, for a total of $62.48. FEC can also ship your radio directly to your home or business for an additional $5.

Late Payment Fees Change April 1
Effective with the April 1 bill, late payment fees will be changing for FEC members. If payment is not received by the15th of each month, the late payment fee will be $5 or five percent(5%) of the bill, whichever amount is greater. Visit our Administrative Services page for additional details.

The Energy Challenge
by Mike Sanders, FEC CEO, Rural Missouri, April, 2008

We have an energy challenge. The surplus generating capacity that has been available to us for many years has just about run out. And it's been predicted that in the next 10 to 15 years we need to increase generating capacity by 50% just to meet our projected growth. The increased material costs and the proposed climate change legislation have made it more difficult to build new power plants, so we must look for other ways to try to meet this demand.

One way to reduce the growth in demand and delay the need for new generation is to use electricity wisely. There are many ways to spend a little money now and have that investment save you several times that much on future electric bills. You will still enjoy the same quality of life, but your usage will be less because of some of the energy efficiency measures that you've adopted.

Some of the things you can do to reduce your usage, and help delay the need for a new power plant, are to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), increase the amount of insulation in your attic, caulk around doors and windows, and replace older appliances with Energy Star appliances. Other energy saving ideas can be found at www.touchstoneenergysavers.com.

Later this year, Farmers' Electric plans to introduce several new energy efficiency programs that will be available to our members. We hope that you will take advantage of these programs to help reduce your usage. Please look for details on these programs in upcoming issues of Rural Missouri.

So Far Weather Predictions Have Missed This Winter’s Forecast
March, 2008

Last fall, weather prognosticators predicted the winter of 2007-2008 would be warmer than average. According to weather data compiled by FEC, the 2007-2008 winter to date is turning out to be colder than average. FEC personnel record the daily high and low temperatures. A system called heating degree days and cooling degrees days is used to show a temperature pattern. FEC comparisons are on an 11-year average.

Based on the heating degree numbers, which are used to track winter temperatures, the month of November was very close to its usual average temperature mark with 663 heating degree days. November’s 11-year average for heating degree days is 672.

December and January, however, have proven to be colder than average, as a result of several extended Arctic cold spells that lingered in north Missouri. Heating degree numbers for December show a total of 1,116 heating degree days. FEC’s historical records shows the average for December is 1,059 heating degree days. January’s average was off by a higher margin than December’s average temperatures. The January 2008 numbers show 1,217 heating degree days when compared to the average of 1,059 heating degree days. Colder than average temperatures will have a financial impact on any type of energy used to heat your residence or business during the winter months. Heating appliances obviously use the most energy in the home during this season.

Figuring degree days... Here is how to figure heating degree days. Add the high and low temperature of the day and divide by two. Subtract this number from 65 and you have the heating degree days for that specific day.

Collection Charges Changing March 1, 2008
March, 2008

Collection charges and re-connecting charges will be changing effective March 1. Each charge will be changing from $25 to $35. Collection charge is when an employee gets dispatched on a non-paid account. Re-connect charge applies if the account is disconnected.

Find Your Equity Number and Win!
March, 2008

Did you ever wonder what the five or six-digit numbers were that are scattered across your cooperative’s news pages? The equity numbers of five members are chosen each month and placed on the Back Page. If you spot your equity number, contact the office immediately, because you have won a prize! You must contact the office before the next issue of Rural Missouri magazine arrives. Good Luck!

Going Underground
by Mike Sanders, FEC CEO, February, 2008

As you may remember, we had a major ice storm in mid-December that severely affected parts of our system. At its peak, we had nearly3,800 members out of service, although most of these members had their service restored in less than 24 hours. As bad as this was, our system was not hit as hard as others in the northwest part of the state. During outages, we are often asked why we don't put the lines underground where they would be protected from the ice storms and tornadoes. Until fairly recently, underground cable was not as reliable as overhead, and it did not last as long as overhead conductor. Underground cable is also more expensive to put in than overhead.

As our system grows, we determine whether it is best to install underground or overhead conductor. We use underground in many of the new areas that we serve, and will sometimes replace existing overhead lines with underground lines. However, it is not feasible to replace all of our overhead lines with underground. We currently have over 3,600 miles of overhead lines on our system.

The going rate for underground installation is $11.88/foot, which means that it would cost our members over $225,000,000 to fully convert our system to underground. This cost does not include the cost to retire the poles and wires of the overhead system. We would have to borrow money from RUS (formerly REA) for this project. The monthly payment for a 35-year loan for $225,000,000 at 5.5% interest is $1,208,286. We currently serve 13,000 meters, so dividing that $1,208,286 by 13,000 would mean that each of you would have to pay an additional $92.94 per month on your electric bill.

So what can be done to help reduce future outages? It would be very helpful to us if you would allow us to trim or remove any trees that are close to our overhead lines. This will help prevent broken limbs, or the tree itself from falling into the lines and causing an outage. If we remove one of your trees, we will give you a new tree, which will be planted by a professional from a local nursery at no cost to you. More information on our Tree Replacement Program can be found on this web site.

I'm proud of the way that all of our employees worked during the December ice storm. Many of them worked long hours in cold and wet conditions. We will continue to do our best to keep your lights on, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during those times that you are without service.

Please Contact Our Office If You Have a Back-up Generation System at Your Home

The ice storm in December of last year inconvenienced many of you in the northwest part of our distribution system. The resulting outages also made us more aware that a number of you have a back-up generator in case an extended outage does occur.

If you currently have a back-up generation system, please contact our office in the next few weeks.  We will provide for you, free of charge, an inspection of your system to determine if it has been correctly installed. If a unit is not installed correctly, the power you are placing throughout your residence may accidentally back-feed onto our power lines and create a dangerous and potentially fatal situation for our linemen and contractors. If the unit is not installed correctly you may create a situation that could be hazardous for your safety and the safety of your family, as well.

Please call us at 646-4281 or 1-800-279-0496 and let us inspect your back-up generation system.

Compare Power Usage Before You Buy Any Appliances
New audio-visual appliances make home entertainment more enjoyable, however it is important to note they also use more energy. HDTV’s have larger screens requiring more energy, videogame consoles and personal computers have more powerful processors, plus consumers have more cordless telephones in their homes. Consumer electronics now account for about 11 percent of the overall residential use. “Phantom”energy users include DVDs, instant-on tv’s, computers, monitors, satellite receivers and more. Some 65-inch televisions use 76 watts of electricity when they are turned off. That is the equivalent of having a 75-watt light bulb on constantly. Take advantage of Energy Star ratings on any appliances you may purchase. Energy Star rated appliances will save you money over the period of time that you own the appliance.

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HOLIDAY CALENDAR

Farmers’ Electric Cooperative’s business office will be closed the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Friday January 1, 2010
  • President’s Day Monday February 15, 2010
  • Memorial Day Monday May 31, 2010
  • Independence Day Monday July 5, 2010
  • Labor Day Monday September 6, 2010
  • Veterans’ Day Thursday November 11, 2010
  • Thanksgiving Thursday November 25, 2010
  • Join us for cookies, coffee and cider in December - An FEC holiday tradition will continue the first full week of December, when members can drop by the office in Chillicothe and enjoy coffee, hot cider and cookies. The annual tradition will kick off at 7:20 a.m. Monday, December 6, and run through 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 10. So remember to stop by and see us in December.
  • Christmas Day Friday December 24, 2010
  • New Year's Friday December 31, 2010

Regular office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Regular office hours at Farmers' Electric Cooperative are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

201 West Business 36
Chillicothe, Missouri 64601
Phone: 660-646-4281
Fax: 660-646-3569
Toll Free: 1-800-279-0496
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