Keeping the lights on isn’t just what we do — it’s who we are! At Community Electric Cooperative (CEC), reliability is our superpower, and we take it seriously. Rain, shine, or even the occasional squirrel, we’re here to keep your power flowing. Sure, storms and surprises may test us, but our team’s dedication never wavers. Because at the end of the day, reliability isn’t just a goal — it’s a promise we keep to you.
Reliability by the Numbers
In 2024, we faced a year of challenges but stayed focused on our mission to deliver reliable service:
- Our Average System Availability Index (ASAI) — a key metric for reliability — stood strong at 0.9721, even with all outages factored in.
- The causes of outages broke down as follows:
- 44% from weather-related events
- 20% from trees and vegetation
- 10% from equipment failures
- 8% from animals
- 10% from undetermined causes
- 8% from other minor factors
While these challenges tested us, we’re proud of our team’s dedication to restoring power quickly and efficiently.
The Role of Vegetation Management in Reliability
Trees and vegetation are a major factor in reliability. In fact, they accounted for 20% of all outages last year. That’s why our Vegetation Management Program is so critical. Through tree trimming, mowing, and the selective use of herbicides, we proactively maintain our rights-of-way to prevent outages before they happen.
Our team follows industry best practices, adhering to ANSI A300 Pruning Standards and working with experts like Xylem to keep our system clear and reliable. These efforts not only reduce the risk of outages but also ensure our response times are faster when storms or other events strike.
Weather Challenges and Supplier Outages
Last year, 44% of outages were caused by weather events, including abnormal storms during the summer months. Additionally, we experienced four significant outages due to issues with our power supplier. While these events were beyond our direct control, they remind us of the importance of preparing for the unexpected and maintaining our lofty reliability goals.
Investing in Improvement
At CEC, we’re not content to rest on our accomplishments. We’ve set ambitious reliability goals for 2024 and are committed to:
- Enhancing our infrastructure to reduce equipment-related outages.
- Strengthening our vegetation management efforts to minimize tree-related disruptions.
- Working closely with our power supplier to address upstream issues and improve system-wide reliability.
Our Pledge to You
Reliability isn’t just a goal — it’s our promise. We know how important electricity is to your daily life, and we’re constantly working to ensure that when you flip the switch, the pow
er is there. Whether it’s clearing vegetation, repairing equipment, or responding to outages, our team is always on call, working hard for you.
A Community Effort
As we continue to improve, we invite you to join us in supporting reliability. Plant trees wisely, report potential hazards near power lines, and stay informed about outages and restoration efforts. Together, we can make our system even stronger.
Stay tuned for more DID YOU KNOW? highlights, and see how CEC is powering our community with dedication and reliability!
