Frequently asked questions for TCEC members are below. Please contact us if you have additional questions or need more information.

What area does TCEC provide service in?

  • TCEC serves the Oklahoma Panhandle and parts of surrounding states including Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas. See a map of our service area and the towns we serve.

How does TCEC get its power?

  • As a distribution electric cooperative, TCEC purchases 100 percent of its power from Golden Spread Electric Cooperative. TCEC also has an agreement with Enel Green Power North America to purchase 83.6 megawatts of wind energy out of its Diamond Vista project. TCEC sells this power to Southwest Power Pool (SPP). This renewable energy helps offset potential increases in the cost of power purchased from Golden Spread Electric Cooperative.

How is the cooperative governed and regulated?

  • National, regional and state agencies as well as the federal government and Board of Trustees regulate the cooperative. We are governed by a member-elected, nine-member Board of Trustees through the member-adopted Bylaws. Trustees determine the Rules and Regulations of Service and Tariffs. While the membership of TCEC has opted to give the authority over rates to the local Board of Trustees, all other regulatory rules refer to the corporation commission of the state service is provided in. TCEC adopts the rules most favorable to the member into its Rules and Regulations.

Does TCEC pay taxes?

  • TCEC, while registered as a nontaxable entity, is still subject to certain taxes depending on the state where service is provided. As with any business, those taxes are collected from the consumer and returned to the appropriate governmental agencies.
  • For example, in Oklahoma, TCEC pays an annual tax which is equal to two percent (2%) of its gross receipts derived from the sale and distribution of electric energy during the calendar year. Payment of this tax on its gross receipts is “in full and in lieu of any and all other taxes imposed by the state, counties, cities, towns, townships, school district and other municipalities or political subdivisions of the state on the property of each such cooperative.”
    [See OKLA. STAT. title 68, § 1803 (2011)]

Where is your annual report located?

  • The Publications page has links to our annual reports, which typically publishes as a bill insert in summer of the following year. For example, the 2019 Annual Report published in June 2020.

Where is the cooperative's Form 990 located? 

The 2018 Form 990 can be found at www.tcec.coop/990.

Do you return capital credits to members on an annual basis? If so, how much did you return last year?

  • The board decides annually whether the co-op can afford to retire capital credits based on the financial performance of the cooperative. It is a goal to retire capital credits every year. TCEC’s trustees approved to return about $1 million to members in 2019.

How do I contact my board member?

How can I vote in the trustee elections?

  • Members can attend a district meeting in person to elect a representative for their district every three years. See our Bylaws for more information about voting.

How can your co-op's members learn about board meeting dates and locations?

  • Board meeting information is published in the monthly member newsletter and at https://www.tcec.coop/board-trustees.
  • Meetings are typically the fourth Friday of every month at 10 a.m. in the board room at TCEC’s office in Hooker. When conflicting with holidays or other events, they are sometimes moved.    

Where can I find your board meeting minutes?

How do I run for the board?

  • Confirm your district by looking at the top right corner of page two of your electric bill or contact TCEC at 580.652.2418 or info@tcec.coop.
  • Once you know which district you are in and have reviewed the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Bylaws, the nomination form must be completed in person and notarized by the candidate at the TCEC office in Hooker, 995 Mile 46 Road.

Does your co-op have a nominating committee? How is it appointed or elected?

  • No, we do not have a nominating committee. The process is self-nomination as long as the candidate qualifies according to the Bylaws.

How many signatures are needed to petition to put your name on the ballot?

  • No petition needed.

What are the qualifications to serve as a trustee?

  • Qualifications are outlined in the TCEC Bylaws found at www.tcec.coop. They are as follows.
    • No person shall be eligible to become or remain a trustee or to hold any position of trust in the Cooperative unless that person:
      • Is a member of the Cooperative;
      • Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;
      • Has been a member at his/her primary residence for a period of not less than one year prior to the filing date for the trustee position;
      • Has been an actual resident and member of the district from which the trustee is to be elected for at least one (1) year prior to filing for trustee position.
    • Is not, in any way, employed by or financially interested in a business, company or enterprise that is:
      • Competing with the Cooperative;
      • Selling electric energy or supplies to the Cooperative;
      • Primarily engaged in selling electric appliances, fixtures or supplies to the members of the Cooperative.
    • Is not an employee or former employee of the Cooperative; and
    • Is not a close relative of an employee of the Cooperative or a trustee who will remain on the Board of Trustees.
    • No person shall be eligible to become or remain a trustee who:
      • Has pled guilty or no contest to, or has been convicted of a felony;
      • Has pled guilty or no contest to, or has been convicted of any charge relating to any of the following:
      • Defrauding a utility;
      • Altering, tampering with or injuring or allowing the altering, tampering with or injuring any pipeline, line, wire, conduit, conductor, meter, meter seal, transformer or other equipment used by a utility to deliver or register service;
      • Preventing any installed metering device from correctly registering the quantity of service passing through such metering device; or
      • Using electricity in any way without the consent of a utility.

When was the last time an incumbent member was challenged? When was the last time an incumbent member was defeated?

  • August 2018 – District 9 meeting. Richard Radcliff challenged incumbent Larry Hodges and won.

In the last 5 years, how many new trustees have joined your board?

  • Six – Randy Schreiner, Gayla James, Kyle Hawkins, Richard Radcliff, Beau Rapp and Marvin Headrick

What is your board's per diem?

  • $250 per day plus mileage.

What are your policies as to per diem? Does the amount paid vary based upon the type of meeting/conference attended? If so, describe.

  • No, it does not vary.

Does the co-op offer paid health insurance to its current or retired board members or their families?

  • As of January 1, 2020, TCEC does not pay for health insurance for board members or their families.

What was the member turnout, as a percentage of membership, from the most recent annual meeting?

  • 794 members registered for the 2018 Annual Meeting. At that time, we had 12,059 members, which is 6.6% of the membership.