Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative (NELPCO)

The Board of Directors meeting covered several key items. Discussions included ongoing vegetation management efforts required for maintaining clear right of ways to ensure reliable power supply and safety. The Board reviewed updates on the Gentry litigation depositions, damage assessments to the Oak Grove office building from ice damming during Winter Storm Uri, and the total loss declaration for truck 15 following an accident. A safety report noting the accident involving employee Hunter Martin was presented. Financial discussions involved the February 2021 board report, rate comparisons, fuel charge information, and the 2020 Operation Round Up disbursement. Updates were given on the 1803 process, including declining an unsolicited offer from CLECO Cajun and executing PSAs. Management changes included a resignation as a VOLT manager and a review of overall accountability for the General Manager, which resulted in a directive to fill the Operations Superintendent position. The Board also approved the payment of capital credits for deceased members and accepted forty new members into the cooperative. Furthermore, the Board voted to publish meeting minutes and director contact information in the PowerLines publication.

During the Annual Meeting segment, the Board conducted an election of officers, resulting in the confirmation of the President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Key operational discussions included a report on accidents for September, review of the manager's report and income statement, and review of the 1803 Electric wholesale power invoice. The Board accepted the Federated Insurance quote for 2025-2026 and received an update on Gentry litigation. Discussions also covered potential industrial loads in the Holly Ridge area and an operational update for Volt Broadband, LLC. A resolution was adopted authorizing the payment of capital credits totaling $20,427.25 on behalf of deceased members. Additionally, the Board accepted 51 new member applicants.

The Board meeting included discussions and updates on several operational and financial matters. Key topics involved the timeline for members to receive a refund over six months beginning November 1, 2025, following an LPSC amendment. The Board reviewed the 1803 Electric wholesale power invoice and discussed activity related to 1803 Electric Cooperative, Inc. A residential rate comparison was reviewed. Following a presentation, the Board unanimously approved offering Air Evac life flight coverage as an employee benefit and for membership promotion. Decisions were made regarding the 2025 annual meeting location and a $20 credit for attending members, noting that the Nominating Committee nominated all current directors for another term. The Board also adopted a resolution authorizing the payment of capital credits totaling $13,008.86 on behalf of deceased members, and accepted 63 applicants as new members.

The Board meeting involved the selection of seven NELPCO scholarship winners, with two alternates, including special awards from Altec Industries and Altec Capital. Discussions covered an update on an employee recovering from an accident, a review of the manager's report and income statement, and presentation of the 1803 Electric wholesale power invoice and rate comparison. Management also provided updates on activity at 1803 Electric Cooperative, Inc. and the ongoing rate case, including finalizing the refund mechanism. Other topics included promoting paperless billing, discussions regarding the statewide association of Louisiana Cooperative managers, meetings with potential developers in the Holly Ridge area, and a legal update. The Board authorized the General Manager to sign the Entergy Reimbursement Agreement after legal review. Operational updates for Volt Broadband, LLC were provided, a property parcel was reviewed, and a resolution was adopted to pay capital credits totaling $15,283.75 for deceased members. Additionally, sixty-one applicants were accepted as new members. The Board was informed of three new litigations.

The Board meeting included several key discussions and actions. The General Manager provided updates on an individual member and presented the July manager's report and income statement. The Directors received an update regarding the expected amendment to the LPSC order at the September B&E Meeting concerning a potential refund. Other agenda items included reviewing the 1803 Electric wholesale power invoice, discussing activity at 1803 Electric Cooperative, Inc., reviewing the residential rate comparison, and updating the Board on potential new load discussions in the Holly Ridge area. A legal update was provided, as well as an operational update for Volt Broadband, LLC. The Board adopted a resolution to pay capital credits totaling $16,369.04 on behalf of deceased members and accepted 57 applicants as new members.