In 2023, UEC completed a 3-day Service of Excellence training by Touchstone Energy. The training focused on member service, working together as a team, and building a strong, professional culture. UEC is now one of only 15 cooperatives in the United States to earn recognition as a 4-Star Service Excellence Cooperative.
In July, several hundred UEC members were surveyed as part of the 2023 National Survey on the Cooperative Difference. The survey provides UEC staff with information on how to better serve our membership and allows us to gauge member satisfaction, known as the ACSI score. UEC’s score rose to 86 in 2023, significantly above the national average of 74.
In October, new rates took effect to cover the costs of serving members, with residential rates rising to 7.56 cents per kilowatt hour. Overall, after the 3.9% adjustment, UEC’s rates remain 20% lower than Oregon’s average and 35% lower than the U.S. average.
With assistance from UEC’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), the City of Stanfield moved forward with replacing irrigation pivots ahead of the spring and summer irrigation season. Since its inception, UEC’s RLF has supported nearly 20 local organizations. The Revolving Loan Fund receives its seed capital through USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program (REDLG).
Energy sales for the 2023 year were 20% higher than sales for 2022. Over the past 3 years, we have seen an average of 20% increase in energy sales year over year. The steady increase is due primarily to our Industrial and Irrigation rate classes.
Through the careful financial management of our cooperative, we were able to return over 14 million dollars to our membership in the form of Capital Credits in 2023. UEC has distributed Capital Credits to its members every year since the program began in 1960.
In April of 2023, UEC’s Business Resource Center conducted a Woman in Business Showcase, an event highlighting successful businesswomen in the area and promoting local, women-owned businesses.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) awarded UEC with the 2023 Certificate of Safety Achievement in December. This accolade is bestowed upon cooperatives that have demonstrated a commitment to investing in employee and public safety, regulatory compliance, and loss control practices.
UEC announced in August the purchase of an administrative office building located on Main Street in Hermiston. The building will serve as temporary office stations during the rebuild of UEC Hermiston Headquarters.