CEO’s Message: Rebuilding Better
I’m always thankful to be part of a cooperative family. I’m grateful that I get to enjoy the same safe and reliable electricity that all of our consumermembers share. I love that if the money we bring in for that power is more than what we need to keep the system running, we return it to you in the form of capital credits. And I’m proud that each of you has a voice in how our cooperative runs when you cast a vote for the trustees who represent you.
All of these strengths make a cooperative fundamentally different from other utilities in our industry. But we can’t do everything on our own. When storms strike our system, we rely on cooperative partners to help us respond. And when those storms cause historic amounts of damage, like Hurricane Idalia did in 2023, and the May North Florida Tornadoes, Hurricane Debby, and Hurricane Helene did in 2024, we require the help of organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency to rebuild.
Unfortunately, that process can be lengthy and challenging. Two years after Idalia, SVEC is still awaiting FEMA funds, while additional expenses, like interest, continue to impact our consumer-members.
That’s why the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act, a bipartisan bill that is currently working its way through the U.S. House of Representatives, is so important. It addresses many of those problems and helps expedite the process of securing emergency funds so cooperatives like SVEC can get back on their feet faster.
You can read more about that important legislation in this month’s newsletter, as well as what steps you can take to make sure your representatives know it is important to you. I hope you will take a few minutes to learn about how this bill impacts our system and consider reaching out to your lawmakers to make your voice heard. You can also find more information about how to register any medical needs you may have with the health department in your area and see some photos from SVEC’s participation in the Suwannee County Christmas Parade. Joining the celebrations is one of our favorite holiday traditions, and it was a blast to see everyone who came out to share the Christmas cheer.
Finally, as we look forward to the new year, I would like to wish all of you a very happy and healthy 2026. Last year came with its fair share of challenges, but I’m very proud of the progress we made as both your electric co-op and with Rapid Fiber Internet. I look forward to all that we can accomplish together in the year to come. And, as always, you can count on us to be your hometown power provider.
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