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Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) has responded to recent calls from Gov. Katie Hobbs for Arizona utilities to present heat mitigation plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Friday, July 21, the governor issued a press release and a letter to SSVEC and all utilities in the state requesting information on action plans with information on service disconnections, security, emergency response, and community service efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her letter, Gov. Hobbs invited representatives of the utilities to attend a roundtable meeting to discuss how Arizona can better prepare for future heat waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jason Bowling, Chief Executive Officer at SSVEC, said he welcomed the governor\u2019s concerns expressed on behalf of Arizonans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe certainly understand and respect the intentions of Gov. Hobbs to ensure Arizona utilities are working to reduce the risk for heat-related illnesses and injuries,\u201d Bowling said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responding to the governor\u2019s call, Bowling outlined policies and procedures for SSVEC members and employees that are specific for extreme weather conditions, including the current heat wave. In a July 27 letter, the CEO said the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approved policies that prohibit SSVEC from disconnecting electrical service when the National Weather Service issues a heat warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSSVEC is currently operating according to Commission-approved policies crafted to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the cooperatives\u2019 member-owners,\u201d Bowling said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding grid security, Bowling said efforts to limit power outages and provide members consistent, reliable service is a year-round responsibility, with additional mitigation efforts during heat waves and monsoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome of these measures include monsoon and heat load planning beginning in February and March of each year,\u201d Bowling said. \u201cTogether with ongoing inspections of our substations, positioning of mobile units for backup, stand-by crews, and a hybrid, 24-hour alerting and monitoring system, we\u2019ve been able to achieve a 99.96 percent reliability of service.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing the governor\u2019s concern for members who fall in arrears during a heat wave, Bowling
said SSVEC again follows ACC-approved service conditions and provides contact information for
various energy assistance agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSSVEC works with each member in arrears to make accommodations for payments, and nonpayment
disconnection of service is always the last resort,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bowling also highlighted a decision by the elected SSVEC board of directors to return more than
$8 million in margins to members in an effort to offset high fuel costs during 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBoard members took this action specifically to reduce the financial impact on members during
an unprecedented increase in the cost of generating electricity due to the high price of fuel,\u201d he
said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CEO said SSVEC has been aggressive in its efforts to protect employees during the recent
heat wave with safety messaging, adjusting work hours, providing water, sunscreen and other
items to ensure protection for line workers exposed to high temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSSVEC is happy to take these measures to protect our employees, not just because our
members count on them to respond to emergency outages but also because we care deeply
about them, and we know they, their families, and our communities expect nothing less of us.,\u201d
Bowling said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For More Information contact:
Eric Petermann
epetermann@ssvec.com
520.507.2693<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n