Rural Electric Association / Straight Talk by Martha Stevens

Martha Stevens is livestock farmer who lives and farms near Hatfield, Missouri. This article is part of an ongoing series by Martha Stevens - Straight Talk - commenting on the life and politics of farming in Missouri and the U.S. as a whole.

I support our Rural Electric Association. I am, by nature, a member of the push-button society. I would have made a lousy pioneer.

Several years ago, vacation pans with friends became a camping trip. I assure you, it took a lot of sweet-talkin' to convince TWO women of the push- button society to “rough it” – with four kids yet! My idea of roughing it is using a hand operated can opener! I insisted that we camp in the immediate vicinity of electrical outlets (for my electric skillet and coffee pot!) And in close proximity to showers and bathrooms. The other female concurred.

We spent one night in the tents, suffering through a three-inch rain that left everything -- including us -- soaked, and the following day in the Laundromat drying out. The rest of the vacation was spent under a roof, complete with DRY BEDS, numerous electrical outlets and our own bathroom! God bless electricity!

I also recall emerging triumphantly form the dark recesses of my attic one day with a beautiful old oil lamp in hand. After a good deal of soap and water, I proudly placed the lamp on the table and informed my kids that this was the provider of light for households “in the old days.” I demonstrated by lighting it and turning off all other lights in the house. The kids were amazed that people actually READ by this feeble light.

For years, rural America was kept in the dark – literally – while their city cousins enjoyed the comforts and convenience of electricity. Someone with real vision sought to provide rural residents with that same convenience, and for that I am eternally grateful. But I do have questions. (There’s always a BUT, it seems!)

At the risk of bringing the wrath of all REA co-ops on my head, I do have a problem with the recent dramatic rate increase we have all suffered. I find it ironic that at a time when farmers are struggling to keep their farms on an event keel, our REA has seen fit to add to the problem by imposing an unrealistic cost-of -service – availability increase of 300 percent plus cost of electricity. Perhaps someone out there can convince me this hefty increase was truly necessary, but I doubt it.

I read the entire two-page letter of explanation, including the part explaining that residential lines were losing money. If such were true, why then are these same companies on a buying spree of private businesses that has nothing to do with providing electricity? Why did my REA purchase a local service station that provided gas, tire repair, tires, automobile inspection and services, farm gas and propane to loyal customers, only to close the business, leaving another empty store front in a rural community? Why does the large sign in the window of this now unused building proclaim only that we should call a number in Princeton, 60 miles away, to request a fill-up of propane?

And how can it be that this electric co-op, claiming financial losses, was able to purchase an appliance store? Will this building, too, be emptied of its merchandise, leaving another storefront to stare vacantly at its once bustling business community? What is the justification? Such practice only encourages further decay and destruction of our rural communities.

One further question: Can someone explain to me the mathematics used to reason that phase one (residential) lines are losing money while phase two and three lines like those used by mega hog and/ or poultry operations and enjoying a lower rate, are implied to be paying their way?

FYI: According to text under the letterhead of NW Electric Power Co-op, Inc. (And in conjunction with other NQ MO electric co-ops) and reportedly distributed to attendees at a National Pork Producers Congress meeting in 1995, offers a 2.9 cent electricity, information regarding state financial programs, incentive programs, enterprise zones, and financial assistance offering 0% interest would be “made available to people who would like to do more business in NW MO and specifically those considering locating in support of Premium Standard Farms and Continental Grain. “

It appears to me that any effort by this co-op, built by and for the rural communities, to provide special rates to special interests, be it continental, PSF, or HyVee would be subject to question, at best. And does the qualification regarding “supporters of PSF or Continental” intimate at a little bit of discrimination against those who WON’T support them?

Does it make any sense whatsoever that those paying the MOST would be losing money for the supplier while those paying the LEAST do not? GIVE ME A BREAK!

Today’s quote: “Why do you suppose the price of propane has doubled in the past weeks? Must have had a drought in the propane growing regions. “ – Lewis Bumgartner