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Trico Retires $4.25 Million in Capital Credits

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Member Benefits.

Trico Retires $4.25 Million in Capital Credits

December 8, 2022

Trico is a non-profit, electric cooperative, and one of the ways we serve our Members is returning Capital Credits. This year the Board of Directors approved the retirement of $4.25 million in Capital Credits. We are proud that this is Trico’s 13th straight year retiring Capital Credits. 

What are Capital Credits? When Trico’s revenues exceed its cost of operations, a profit (margin) is created. Trico allocates its profits to its Members in the form of Capital Credits. Annually, when the Cooperative’s financial condition permits, Trico pays, or retires, a portion of the allocated Capital Credits.

This month, Trico will retire Capital Credits totaling $4.25 million, consisting of $4.1 million from Trico and $150,000 from the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative. Members will see their Capital Credit Retirement on their December bill. Active accounts will see a Capital Credit Retirement posted as a credit on their bill. Inactive accounts will receive a check for a refund over $10. If a Member moves or no longer has service, Trico must have their current address to send capital credit notices and retirements in the future.

We work hard to provide service in a cost-effective manner so we can return Capital Credits to our Members. Since 2010, Trico has returned more than $32 MILLION to its Members. That’s money that stays in our local communities.

The bottom line, Capital Credits are just one of the many benefits of being a Member of Trico! We hope this brightens your holidays.

Learn more about capital credits at www.trico.coop/capital-credits. If you have additional questions about your Capital Credits, contact us at 520-744-2944, ext. 1510, or by email at capitalcredits@trico.coop.

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Power Cost Adjustor Increase Beginning October 2022

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Rates.

Power Cost Adjustor Increase Beginning October 2022

October 10, 2022

Over the last year we have all seen the effect of inflation on food, consumer products, and gasoline. There have also been increases in the cost of natural gas and even coal, during that same time-period. In addition to our growing renewable generation resources, Trico purchases power that is fueled by coal and natural gas. These increased fuel costs have increased the price of power needed to serve Trico’s Members’ load.

Built into Trico’s rates is a Wholesale Power Cost Adjustor (PCA), which allows for increases or decreases in power costs to be “flowed” into Trico’s rates.  When power prices are low, Trico can offer a credit to its Members. When power prices rise, sometimes it becomes necessary to add a charge.  Since 2017, low fuel prices have allowed Trico to approve almost $22 million in credits to be returned to its Members through the PCA.

As a result of the increased fuel costs experienced throughout the industry, Trico is now instituting a charge. Each month the Management and Board will review fuel cost projections, consider the impacts on Trico’s finances, and determine how to best adjust the PCA. 

As a non-profit cooperative, our mission is providing cost-effective energy solutions, and with that in mind Trico has identified three principles to guide this process:

  1. Minimize cost impacts on Members​
  2. Avoid large PCA variations month-to-month​
  3. Treat residential and commercial Members equitably​

We also continue to take active steps to minimize fuel costs and keep prices low. For example, we “hedge” (purchase gas ahead of time at predictable prices) our natural gas purchases to control the cost and risk, and we sell excess power to produce revenue that reduces the amount we charge our Members.

We do expect that a PCA charge will be necessary for the remainder of 2022 and into 2023, but this will be reexamined each month with the above principles in mind. You can see the PCA on your monthly bill under the sections titled “Current Service Detail.” If you have questions, please contact us.

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Trico Member Finds a Piece of Our History

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Members.

Trico Member Finds a Piece of Our History

October 8, 2022

Trico Member Lisa Trott was cleaning out her garage and found a stake and a sign that says it was the first stake driven by Trico for a power pole in section 36 on January 23, 1948. The stake is signed by five men, including Trico employee Harold Roberts, who was Lisa’s uncle.

Harold started as a Staking Engineer at Trico in 1947, just two years after Trico was incorporated. He first helped take the power lines into Pinal County covering 115 miles and serving 77 Members. The first lines were then energized on July 8, 1948.

In 1950, Harold began working with a small crew on providing power to Mt. Lemmon. It took them two years to finish staking the path up the mountain due to the winter season.

“Of all the things that happened in my years with Trico, building that Mt. Lemmon line was the most memorable thing. It was a test of endurance and of the will to persevere. Anyone looking up those slopes from the valley has to realize what a super-human feat it was,” explained Harold.

By 1953, Harold, along with a crew, had taken power lines from Marana, up to the Pinal County line, and over, up the mountain, down Avra Valley, to Sells and Sasabe.

Harold retired from Trico in 1977 after close to 30 years of service. Nearly every line on Trico’s system at that time was staked by Harold and his crews.

Today, Trico’s service territory encompasses 2,346 square miles with 3,999 miles of energized line and over 46,000 Members.

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Trico Linemen Help Motorist

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Community, Lineworkers.

Trico Linemen Help Motorist

August 26, 2022

Trico is dedicated to making a difference in the communities we serve. Trico journeyman lineman Bryan English and apprentice Anthony Anaya exemplified the cooperative’s concern for community when they stopped to help a woman change a flat tire while driving down Avra Valley Road.

They parked behind her and put out cones, and then came over to help her.

“They told me to put my tools down and that they would handle it for me,” Lillee Soriano posted on the Avra Valley Community Facebook page. “They got the car up and lug nuts off, but my rim was stuck on the rotor. Luckily, they had a pry bar and were able to get it off. They put the donut on. I thanked them multiple times for taking the time out of their day to help me. It almost brought me to tears. I have never experienced something like that in my life. Just pure kindness.”

Caption: Trico apprentice lineman Anthony Anaya changes a flat tire for a member of the community.

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10 Ways to Save on Your Next Energy Bill

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Energy Efficiency.

10 Ways to Save on Your Next Energy Bill

August 26, 2022

Want to lower your home energy bills and be more environmentally friendly? Here are 10 simple ways to reduce energy waste, at home and at work:

1. Make the switch to LED. LEDs last at least 25 times longer and consume up to 90 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs. By switching five of your home’s most frequently used bulbs with ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs, it’s possible to save $75 on energy costs annually.

2. Seal those leaks. On average, heating and cooling account for almost half of a home’s energy consumption. Take simple steps like caulking windows, sealing leaks and sliding draft guards under your doors to save up to 20% on heating costs.

3. Heat and cool efficiently. Don’t waste money heating or cooling an empty home. Install a programmable thermostat and in colder weather schedule your home’s heat to lower when you are away or asleep, and increase when you are returning home or waking-up. In warm weather, schedule the thermostat to raise the temperature when you are away or asleep, and lower it at other times.

4. Maintain your HVAC system. Make sure to clean or change your filters regularly. A dirty filter will slow down air flow, making the system work harder and costing you more money. Consider getting a tune-up.

5. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STAR® windows can cut heating and cooling costs by as much as 30% compared to single-pane windows, while increasing indoor comfort and lessening fading of home furnishings.

6. Turn the electronics off. That sounds easy, but too often we forget and leave electronics plugged in that are not in use. A power strip can help turn off multiple items at once.

7.Winter tip: Invite the sun in. Open curtains/shades on your west-and south‑facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and save 2%–12%.

8. Summer tip: Close blinds and shades. Excess sunlight will make it harder to keep your home cool and comfortable. During the day, keep your blinds and shades closed to prevent warm air from building up in your home.

9. Clean your clothing efficiently. A washing machine spends 90% of its energy to heat water. Consider using cold water instead. In addition, try to run full loads as much as possible, because the machine uses roughly the same amount of energy regardless of the load size.

10. Clean up your dishes efficiently. Avoid the “rinse hold” cycle and skip heated drying – simply open the door at the end of the washing cycle and let the dishes air dry!

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Local Teacher Gains Knowledge with Trico Externship

Written by mlitwicki on . Posted in Community.

Local Teacher Gains Knowledge with Trico Internship

August 4, 2022

For two weeks over the summer, Ron Roseman – who teaches computer programming at Canyon del Oro (CDO) High School and sponsors the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club – went to Trico for an externship.

He worked alongside IT, Technical Services, Design & Engineering, Human Resources and Accounting. He also met with CEO & General Manager Brian Heithoff.

The Teacher Externship program is sponsored by Pima JTED (Joint Technical Education District). The purpose of the program is to allow teachers to keep abreast of changes in the field and use that knowledge in the classroom.

“We’re in our bubble in the classroom,” Ron said. “We don’t have an outside perspective. It opens my world so I can open up my students’ world.”

Last year, Ron did a summer externship at the University of Arizona. He said he chose Trico this year because as a member of the cooperative, “I’ve been impressed with Trico.”

“I came from Texas where utilities are nice to you because they want your business,” he said. “You (Trico) are nice because you want to be, not because you have to.”

Ron said he is thankful to Trico’s employees for their hospitality.

“I appreciate learning what I have,” he said. “I hope to bring that knowledge to my students, so they have a better understanding of what jobs are available and what is expected of them.”

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