72nd Annual Membership Meeting Meets Challenges Posed by Economy, Federal Regulations

       Last year, congress tabled a plan to create a cap-and-trade system that independent analysts agreed would cause the cost of electrical power to rise.

       But Pointe Coupee Electric Board President Jimmy Ewing said he isn’t resting easy.

       Speaking at the electric cooperative’s 72nd Annual Meeting at the Scott Civic Center in January, Ewing said that while congress may have turned its attention away from climate change legislation, the federal Environmental Protection Agency is moving ahead with plans to impose more restrictions on emissions from power plants.

       “It seems like the price of everything is going up, and I’ll never feel safe with the EPA being able to mandate restrictions,” Ewing said, citing a Supreme Court ruling that gives EPA authority over regulating power plant emissions. “The board is paying close attention to this issue. Our balance sheet is stressed and we’ve accomplished a lot, but it’s going to be hard to manage mandates coming from EPA.”

       On a more positive note, Ewing said the cooperative, along with other businesses and local employers in the area, is looking forward to the completion of the John James Audubon Bridge and an expected surge in economic growth.

       Also reporting good news to the membership was County Agent Miles Brashier, who proclaimed that agriculture throughout the state and across PCEMC’s tri-parish service area “is flourishing tremendously.”

       He noted that largely due to a sharp increase in demand by Chinese food companies, the price of hand-picked pecans peaked at $1.30 per pound in 2010 and the crop jumped from a total of $1.7 million in 2007 to $8 million last year. Agricultural activity in Pointe Coupee Parish also climbed from $103 million in 2008 to $176 million in 2010.

       “Toss in all of the agriculture activity with beef and aquaculture and the total in 2010 was $188 million. The previous high was $134 million,” he said, adding that prices for sugar cane, soybean and other crops were also up in 2010. “And we expect this year to be as good or better.”

       On the issue of environmental conservation and utility regulation, Doug Pedigo, recently named president of PCEMC’s power supplier Louisiana Generating, said the company is paying close attention to congress and the EPA. He said that power generation companies would have no choice but to pass on to the consumer the cost of any mandates.

       “As a general rule, anytime government imposes additional regulations on and industry, it’s going to be felt by the end consumer,” Pedigo said. “We are committed to operating as environmentally safe as possible. The good news is that right now the sweeping laws such as cap-and-trade are off the table for congress. But the EPA is looking to re-write the rules and control emissions from our power plants. We don’t expect any changes in the near term, but we’re in a wait-and-see situation.”

       Pedigo, noting that his family was a member of a local cooperative near Lafayette when he was a child, said the company was proud to provide payrolls for 350 employees and to serve wholesale power to Pointe Coupee Electric.

       Clyde Holloway, representing District 4 on the Louisiana Public Service Commission, praised the board, management and employees of PCEMC for their low rates and quality service.

       “You own Pointe Coupee Electric,” he reminded the members. “Every dollar they take in is yours and it comes back to you either through low rates or better service. Locally-owned cooperatives play an important role in the state of Louisiana. Your co-op is run very well and it’s important that the organization stays viable. I know they’re doing a great job.”

       New Roads Mayor Robert Meyer spoke      briefly and thanked the cooperative for its support of the community, for holding its annual meeting in the town and for providing employment for 43 workers.

       PCEMC General Manager J.H. “Jodie” Cotten expressed appreciation to the employees for their outstanding safety record in winning the Statewide Safety Trophy from the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives in Baton Rouge. Safety Coordinator Joe Langlois accepted a plaque on behalf of the employees for working the previous 12 months without a lost time accident.

       Cotten also recognized members of the media who help disseminate news about the cooperative to the community.

       In the annual random drawing for scholarships, this year’s winners were: Katie Lively, Iberville Parish; Michaela Jones, West Baton Rouge Parish; and Patrick Juge, Jr., Pointe Coupee Parish.

       Cotten also noted that District 3 Director George LaCour Jr. and District 5 Director Pete Rumfolla were both re-elected to the board without opposition. Rumfolla received a plaque recognizing his 20 years of service to the cooperative and its members.

       Washington Youth Tour winners from 2010 were also recognized: Howarneshia Bates, Phillip Romano, Emily Myers and McKeba Green.

       The invocation was delivered by the Rev. Marvin Dixon.

            Pointe Coupee Electric is connecting people…impacting lives!

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