Saturday, Lincoln Electric Coop held their annual meeting as a drive-in meeting at Lincoln County High School.
As with last year’s meeting, it was drive-in, with attendees tuning their radios to listen in. Unlike last year’s smoke, this year’s meeting was cold, wet, and windy.
At 9 am when the meeting started, there were 97 members registered. With last meeting‘s bylaw change, a quorum only required 2% of coop members, so the meeting was able to continue.
To say the meeting was uneventful might actually be an understatement. Members did vote by mail -over 200 of them, in fact- but it made little difference since there were no more people running than open seats. In fact, each incumbent was reappointed.
Capital credit checks were mailed, we heard a few California jokes, and a bit about the state legislature.
What’s the difference between California and the Titanic? The Titanic had its lights on when it sank.
(I’m paraphrasing the joke, but it was something along those lines)
The discussion on legislation was informative; We learned about House Bill 475 which proposes to classify hydroelectric power as a renewable resource. The representative of the Montana Electric Coop Association was optimistic that the bill will be signed.
As renewable energy sources become increasingly required, having a reliable energy source that qualifies (such as hydroelectric) becomes important in avoiding blackouts and brownouts.
Other news: Rural Propane Services had a rough year but “is on the rebound”, expect to see a rate adjustment (but most residential members won’t see much of a change)
The meeting closed in under 45 minutes.
Trego's Mountain Ear 