BEC e-CONNECTS

January 2023

MEETINGS & EVENTS

Bylaws Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 4

2:00 p.m.

Board of Trustees Meeting

Thursday, January 5

Noon | ZOOM & In-person

Risk Management Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 17

2:00 p.m. | ZOOM

Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Noon | ZOOM & In-person

Join a committee in 2023.

Give us a shout out at bec@beartoothelectric.com and we'll get you signed up!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Board and Staff at BEC wish you the best year yet.

May you achieve all you wish with ever-present happiness!

COOPERATIVE FINANCIALS

The 2023 Budget Narrative

The annual budget provides the opportunity to present the financial picture for the year and tell the story of the numbers. This Narrative Summary is the story. The 2023 Budget and Financial Forecasts will be available on the BEC website under My BEC, Cooperative Financials, following the board's approval at the January 5, 2023, board meeting.

Beartooth Electric Cooperative Mission

"To provide our Member-owners with reliable, reasonably priced electricity and related services delivered in a safe and efficient manner." Beartooth Electric Cooperative's (BEC) 2023 Budget reflects this Mission Statement and its importance to our Member-owners. In light of these inflationary times, the 2023 Budget does not include a general rate increase for its Member-owners.

2023 Budget Overview

BEC weathered several operating years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and record growth. Once again, 2022 operations were severely impacted by the June 500-year flood. BEC's electric system in the three river/creek drainages and a Yellowstone River crossing impacted our member-owners' service. Staff responded to these events with extreme patience and perseverance to get service restored to our Member-owners. The last part of 2022 was spent working with FEMA to recover 75% of flood restoration costs. Many of these reimbursements will flow into 2023. Supply chain shortages have significantly impacted our industry. Once again, BEC staff has planned and managed these shortages not to impact service to our Member-owners.

BEC experienced a growth in energy sales of 12.3% from 2018 through 2022. In the five previous years, the growth in energy sales was only 6.5%. Through November 2022, we added 148 new Member-owners. In 2023 we have budgeted for another 175 new Member-owners. Our service territory continues to be a desired location to live, work, and play.

Read the 2023 Budget Summary in its entirety. Click the image below to pick up the rest of the story on page two,. Resume reading at the final paragraph under the 2023 Budget Overview heading.

-QUICK VIDEO BREAK-

3 Easy Ways to SAVE ENERGY

2023 ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING

Trustee Nominations are now OPEN!

The 2023 Board Trustee positions to be elected at the next Annual Meeting are:

District 1 Joliet, Mont. South to Clark, Wyo.
District 3 Red Lodge & Roberts areas East of Hwy 212
District 7 Big Timber, Columbus, Greycliff, Molt, Rapelje & Reed Point areas

BEC Members whose primary residence is in the District to represent, please announce your interest by email to bec@beartoothelectric.com. An electronic petition, to be signed by at least 15 BEC Members, will be created for your nomination, or download a form from the website.

Nomination petitions are being accepted through 5 p.m. on March 31, 2023.

What District Am I In?

Your District is noted on the monthly electric bill below your name and address, but you may always give us a call with any questions that you may have 406-446-2310.

Trustee Nomination Form

YOUTH PROGRAMS

2023 BEC Leadership Scholarship

BEC has increased the individual Leadership Scholarship funding to $2,500 for service area high school seniors planning to continue their education at 2-year or 4-year colleges and universities. One scholarship will be awarded to a 2023 graduate of each of the 11 service area high schools and one home school graduate.

Applicants, to get you started on your personal statement essay, we've posted samples on our website at Scholarships – Beartooth Electric Cooperative.

Eligibility Rules:

The applicants or parent/guardian MUST be a Montana resident and BEC member.
The applicant must be a graduating high school senior entering the first year in college or a vocational-technical training institution.

In addition, the top essay winner will receive an additional $2,500 award and be named BEC's representative to the Montana Electric Cooperatives' Association (MECA) Memorial Scholarship competition.

All applications must be received by February 10, 2023. Get all the details on the BEC website Scholarships – Beartooth Electric Cooperative.

NEW RESOURCES

Expanded 2023 Beartooth Electric Heat Pump^TM Rebate Program

The 2023 Beartooth Electric Heat Pump^TM Rebate Program offers primary residences, mobile/modular homes, and low-income opportunities.

2023 Beartooth Heat Pump Rebate Form

2023 Beartooth Heat Pump Brochure

NEW RESOURCES

Unclaimed Capital Credit Grant Program (UCCGRANT)

Funding for BEC service area schools and non-profit organization education programs

Beartooth Electric Cooperative (BEC) announces the launch of its Unclaimed Capital Credit (UCC) Grant program. The UCC Grant program allows BEC service area schools and non-profit organizations to apply for education program funding.

BEC's UCC Grant Program is the third program funded through BEC Member Unclaimed Capital Credits. BEC Leadership Scholarships and the annual Washington D.C. Youth Tour are longstanding programs funded through Unclaimed Capital Credits.

"The BEC Board of Trustees is proud to expand the BEC UCC Grant Program to our service area schools and non-profit organizations," said Board President Jim Neu. "Our Members, schools, and local non-profit organizations often know best where funding can most effectively be provided to benefit the BEC service area." Neu concluded, "To all of our UCC Grant Program participants now and in the future, thank you for making a difference in our service area and allowing BEC to be your partner in these efforts."

The use of Unclaimed Capital Credits is defined in Montana Code Annotated 35-18-316 (8). A cooperative shall, upon the action of the Board of trustees, retain retirements of patronage capital allocated to its members that remain unclaimed for five years after the end of the year in which the retirement is made. Unclaimed retirements retained by the cooperative must be used for educational purposes. BEC's UCC Grant Program annual funding will be based on the available unclaimed capital credit balance.

Get your education program grant application in today! The online application is available on our website UCC Grant Program – Beartooth Electric Cooperative, or download the pdf form below.