this edition's message from SSVEC's Ceo, JAson bowling
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Monsoon Season and Staying Connected
Summer in Southern Arizona brings many things we look forward to, and a few we prepare for. Monsoon season is one of them.
Did you know that most outages on the SSVEC system occur during monsoon season? High winds, lightning, and heavy rain can take a toll on power lines and equipment in a short amount of time. While we plan and build our system to withstand these conditions, severe weather can still create challenges.
The good news is that outages remain rare. SSVEC maintains a system uptime of about 99.98 percent. When outages do occur, they are typically short in duration, often less than three hours. That level of reliability is a direct result of the work our crews do year-round to maintain and strengthen the system.
During monsoon storms, that work becomes even more visible. Our lineworkers head out in difficult conditions, often at night and in severe weather, to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. It takes skill, focus, and a strong commitment to service. I am consistently proud of how our team responds when our members need them most.
There are also a few simple steps you can take to stay safe and informed during storm season.
If you see a downed power line, always assume it is energized. Stay far away and keep others clear of the area. Contact SSVEC or call 911 immediately so the situation can be addressed safely.
You can also stay connected by using the tools we have in place. Our online outage map provides real-time information about active outages and restoration progress. It is one of the fastest ways to understand what is happening in your area.
We also encourage members to make sure their contact information is up to date, especially cell phone numbers. This allows us to send text notifications with outage updates and restoration information. A quick check now can make a difference when a storm rolls through.
Monsoon season is part of life in our region. With preparation, communication, and a strong team in the field, we are ready for it. Thank you for the trust you place in SSVEC to keep your power on and your communities connected.
JAson's Message in the Mar-APril Issue:
Safe, reliable, and affordable: spring work with purpose
Spring in Southern Arizona comes with a familiar mix of sunshine, wind, and the start of higher wildfire risk. It is also one of the most productive windows we have to get important work done before summer demand and monsoon weather arrive. At SSVEC, we stay focused on our mission: keeping service safe, reliable, and affordable.
Safe comes first. This season is prime time for digging, fencing, irrigation work, and home projects. Please call 811 before you dig, even for smaller jobs. Striking a buried line can cause serious injury and extended outages. If you see a downed power line, stay far away and call 911 and SSVEC right away.
For ongoing updates and practical safety reminders, follow SSVEC on social media. You will see regular tips from our safety manager, “Safety Matt,” plus timely notices when weather or field work creates hazards.
Reliable service is built in the off-season. This is when our crews tackle maintenance that prevents problems later. You may see us working on protective equipment out on the lines, the devices that automatically isolate trouble spots and help keep outages smaller when something goes wrong. We are also continuing targeted inspections and system upgrades across our territory, along with vegetation management in key areas to help reduce outages and lower fire risk.
Affordability takes discipline and planning. Rates changed for usage beginning in January, the first base rate adjustment in about ten years. We know any increase matters, and we do not take it lightly. Looking ahead, we expect SSVEC to move toward a more regular cadence of smaller adjustments over time. That approach helps avoid long gaps followed by larger, more disruptive changes.
There is also some good news on costs we do not control. Your board approved setting our Purchased Power and Fuel Cost Adjuster, a pass-through line item tied to power supply and fuel costs, to zero. That reduces what members pay through that specific adjustment at this time.
Finally, SSVEC was recently awarded a state grant to support wildfire mitigation projects. That funding helps us strengthen the system and reduce risk while easing the financial burden on members.
Thank you for the trust you place in our team. You will see more SSVEC crews and contractors in the field this spring. Please slow down in work zones and give them room. The work is happening with your safety, reliability, and affordability in mind.
Jason's Message for the January- February Issue:
A Bright Start to 2026: New Year, New Goals, Same Commitment to You
As we turn the page to a brand-new year, many of us are dusting off our New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you’re aiming to spend more time outdoors, pick up a new hobby, or finally tackle that project you’ve been putting off. At Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC), we’re right there with you, energized, optimistic, and ready to make 2026 our best year yet, as highlighted in our CEO Journal.
But unlike that treadmill so many of us optimistically buy in January, our commitment never gathers dust. Your co-op begins this year the same way we begin every year: focused on providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy to the communities we proudly serve.
A Fresh Start (with Some Familiar Values)
Every new year brings an opportunity to reaffirm what matters most. For SSVEC, that’s always been our members. Whether the calendar reads January 1 or July 31, our mission doesn’t change. And in 2026, we’re doubling down on reliability, strengthening our systems, supporting our workforce, and continuing to invest in a resilient electric grid that meets the needs of today and tomorrow, as you can read in our community updates.
That might not sound as glamorous as learning to salsa dance or climb a mountain, but trust us, it takes stamina too.
Wrapping Up a Big Milestone
This past year, we also reached a major conclusion: our rate case is complete, and new rates are now in effect. Rate cases aren’t exactly the most exciting topic at the dinner, but they’re critically important for ensuring we can continue delivering the reliable service our communities count on.
We approached this process with the same principles we bring to everything we do: fairness, transparency, and a deep respect for the members we serve. The new rates help ensure that SSVEC can keep pace with rising costs, maintain essential infrastructure, and prepare for the growing energy needs of our region.
Most importantly, they help us uphold our longstanding commitment to affordability. We remain one of the lowest-cost electric providers in Arizona, a point of pride we carry into 2026.
Looking Ahead: A Year Full of Promise
If you’re a resolution-maker, we’re cheering you on. And if you’re not, that’s fine too; you’re already part of a cooperative that’s working every day to make life a little easier, a little brighter, and a lot more reliable.
This year, you’ll see SSVEC continuing to:
- Strengthen electric reliability across our system
- Support local schools, nonprofits, and community programs
- Invest in technology and infrastructure that keeps power flowing
- Put members first, no matter what challenges come our way
We may not be able to help you drink more water or finally organize the garage, but we can promise that your co-op will continue working hard to serve you and to make 2026 a shining year for all the communities we call home.
From all of us at SSVEC: Happy New Year! Here’s to fresh starts, renewed energy, and another great year of powering the places where life happens, as we share in our SSVEC Currents.
Jason's Message for the November - December Issue:
Member equity: your share in SSVEC
Most utility customers pay a bill and that is the end of it. However, SSVEC members own the cooperative, which adds real value through member equity. In our latest CEO Journal, we are updating the term 'capital credits' to 'member equity' for clearer understanding. Member equity represents your share of the cooperative’s margins. Each year, when revenues exceed expenses, your portion is allocated to your account. This equity is vital for building and maintaining lines, substations, and technology that ensure power remains reliable and affordable. When financial conditions allow, our board retires a portion of prior years and returns it to members. For ongoing community updates, stay tuned to SSVEC Currents.
Why this change now?
Our recent surveys indicate that only one in three members recognize they are member-owners, while others view themselves as customers or are uncertain. This concept of ownership, which we discuss in our CEO Journal and community updates, should not feel abstract. Member equity makes the relationship clear, linking your bill, our system investments, and the checks or bill credits you receive over time, as highlighted in SSVEC Currents.
What does not change:
The program itself continues to operate under our established financial policies, including allocations and retirements. You will still receive year-end communications, such as those featured in the CEO Journal, which explain retirements and how to ensure delivery, especially if you have moved. Additionally, in our community updates, we will remind you that if you have unclaimed funds from prior years, our team can help you reconnect those dollars with the right member, as highlighted in SSVEC Currents.
What does change:
How simply and consistently we talk about it. You will begin seeing “member equity (formerly capital credits)” in print, on our website, and on your bill inserts, as highlighted in our CEO Journal and community updates. Over time, we will shorten it to “member equity” once everyone is comfortable with the updated term, ensuring that information is also shared in SSVEC Currents.
Timing is also important
As of this writing, the board has not yet met in October to evaluate options for handling member equity. Once that meeting concludes, you will receive community updates from SSVEC through our usual channels, including insights in the CEO Journal, explaining the board’s decisions and what they mean for you.
What member equity says about us:
SSVEC operates at cost, focused on service to our community. Unlike traditional companies that send profits to distant shareholders, SSVEC invests in this system and the community, returning value to the people who use the power. This commitment is highlighted in our CEO Journal and shared in our community updates, showcasing the cooperative difference that SSVEC Currents brings to our members.
How you can engage:
Join us for our annual meeting to vote in board elections and consider serving when a seat opens. Stay informed with our community updates and the CEO Journal, and make sure your contact information is up to date. Encourage your neighbors to activate their SmartHub account so they never miss a retirement notice, as highlighted in SSVEC Currents.
Member equity tells the story of ownership in two words. It represents your share in SSVEC, and it grows stronger when members are informed and involved through community updates and insights shared in the CEO Journal, including features like SSVEC Currents.