As we head into June, summer is upon us and many of our families are celebrating graduations and the bright futures that lie ahead for our young people. At Clay Electric Cooperative, we believe in investing in the next generation. This month we are especially proud to congratulate one of our own, Haven Cash, for being selected as a recipient of a $3,000 Thomas H. Moore Illinois Electric Cooperatives Memorial Scholarship.
Each year the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) awards 16 Thomas H. Moore scholarships along with the LaVern and Nola McEntire Memorial Lineworker’s Scholarship. Haven’s award recognizes outstanding academic achievement, community involvement, and a thoughtful understanding of the vital role electric cooperatives play in rural America. These scholarships help deserving students from cooperative families pursue full-time studies at colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools. We are thrilled to see Haven’s hard work rewarded and look forward to watching the positive impact she will make in the years ahead.
Our commitment to a strong energy future was also reinforced recently when members of Clay Electric’s management team toured the Prairie State Energy Campus. Southern Illinois Power Cooperative, our power supplier, is a part owner of this important facility. The tour included both the adjacent underground coal mine and the power plant. This gave us a firsthand look at the engineering, safety protocols, and operational excellence that make dispatchable, baseload generation possible.
In a state that continues to push aggressive renewable targets while retiring reliable generating plants, facilities like Prairie State remind us why steady, on-demand power from Illinois coal remains essential. With growing electricity demand from electric vehicles, home electrification, data centers, and everyday rural and agricultural needs, we must continue to look at both reliable baseload generation along with renewable energy working together. Supporting policies that value a dependable mixture of generation assets is more important than ever.
We encourage our members to stay informed and make their voices heard by visiting voicesforcooperativepower.com. This site offers a platform for cooperative members across the state to share their perspectives with legislators and decision-makers while staying informed on important upcoming legislation.
In service to our members, our forestry crew continues its important work clearing right-of-ways to improve reliability and public safety. They will continue to be active in areas connected to the Iola substation this month. Their work area is highlighted on the map included in this section.
Don’t forget to search for your member number in the center section of this magazine. Three lucky numbers are hidden each month in Clay Electric News. If yours is there and you call us, you’ll earn a $5 credit on your next bill.
We are grateful for the continued trust you place in your cooperative and remain committed to delivering safe, affordable, and reliable electric service you can count on, today and for generations to come.