Newsletter

Flag Day is June 14. This lesser-known and lesser-celebrated holiday, established by Congress in 1949, pays tribute to a great and meaningful symbol.

Most of us know that the 13 red and white stripes and the field of 50 stars represent the original 13 colonies and the current 50 states. But there’s much more
to learn about Old Glory.

Recognizing that a new nation needed a new flag, Congress passed the country’s first flag law on June 14, 1777: “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be 13
stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

As a member-owner, you have a share in the margins of your not-for-profit electric cooperative. JNEC’s rates are set to bring in enough money to pay operating costs, make payments on any loans and provide an emergency reserve. Revenues in excess of the cost of doing business are eventually returned to JNEC’s members as “patronage capital.”

At the end of each calendar year, independent auditors perform an audit of our financial statements in accordance with Government Auditing Standards that confirms our financial position. Our “margin” is calculated by subtracting operating expenses from the total amount of money collected during the year.

As GM of Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative, I have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for
our members. In April, we take time to pause and recognize the brave men and women who make that possible every single day—our
lineworkers.
What makes lineworkers especially remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system—they’re restoring power to their own
communities. They live here. They raise their families here. They understand that electricity is more than a convenience; it’s essential to
daily life, to local businesses, to schools, farms and emergency services. Powering the places we call home is personal to lineworkers.

From trimming trees to maintaining equipment to updating the grid—utilities work hard to reduce the likelihood of a power outage. But when severe weather strikes, power outages can disrupt daily life in an instant. That’s when a powerful network of cooperation known as mutual aid springs into action—helping communities recover faster.

It’s not unusual to see utility trucks from a dozen different states lined up in a parking lot in the aftermath of a major storm. These lineworkers leave their families and travel long distances to help strangers, working in tough conditions to restore power, safety and a sense of normalcy.

For residents, knowing that help is coming—from near and far—can be a source of comfort during difficult moments.

As of 2026, the demand for electricity is experiencing its most significant surge in decades. After nearly twenty years of relatively flat growth in the U.S., several powerful economic and technological forces have converged to create a "new age of electricity."

Want to cut costs and make your home more comfortable? A DIY home energy audit can uncover hidden energy drains, like leaky
windows, drafty ducts and inefficient appliances. Identifying trouble spots now can set you up for savings and comfort year-round.

Your step-by-step efficiency guide

Before you dive in, grab a few basic tools: flashlight, dust mask, tape measure and something to take notes (your phone works great!).
We’ll start with simple, no-cost changes you can do right away, then move on to tasks that take a little more effort.

A HOME’S HUNGRIEST energy consumers are the appliances left running all day or for days at a time. Take a look at the top five electricity eaters and some tips on how to stave off their appetites.

As hunting season approaches, excitement builds for time outdoors.  But before you head into the woods, make sure electrical safety is part of your preparation checklist.

Electricity Load Shedding and What It Could Mean to JNEC Members

Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative’s (“JNEC”) service territory is located within two different Regional Transmission Operators(“RTO”), Midcontinent Independent System Operator (“MISO”) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”). MISO and ERCOT are responsible for ensuring that the supply of electricity is sufficient to meet customer demand for electricity to service territory or distribution system. 

We all love to relax on the couch and watch a good movie, but hours of gaming, streaming video binges, and Facebook chatting
can add up. Plus, vampire appliances continue to drain energy even when they’re not in use.

How much electricity are you wasting in your living room? Take this quiz to find out. Many of the answers may surprise you.

School buses are among the safest vehicles on the road — but the greatest risk comes when children are getting on or off the bus. Whether you’re a driver, parent, or student, knowing these safety tips will help keep everyone safe.

As July rolls in with longer days and rising temperatures, it also brings the increased potential for severe weather. Summer storms can arrivequickly and hit hard, sometimes causing significant damage to essential electric equipment throughout our community.

Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative is always prepared to respond swiftly to outages and restore power safely, but it is also important for homeowners to understand which parts of the electric system are their responsibility and which are maintained by us at the co-op.Understanding these key differences can help speed up repairs and ensure everyone stays safe when the weather turns rough.

Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative is responsible for maintaining and repairing the equipment and lines that run to your home, includingutility poles, distribution power lines, electric meters and padmounted transformers.