Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly popular tool for many industries and our daily lives. AI is a hot topic — sometimes exciting, sometimes a little scary. It has the potential to bring many opportunities and a few challenges to the electric utility sector. But machine learning takes time, and we’re still in the process of determining how AI can be utilized.

What makes Noble REMC members more than just customers? Their commitment to community. That’s why we’re so grateful to those who give back through our Operation Round Up grant program.

We are reliability. That was the message of this year’s Annual Meeting broadcast from Noble REMC. The video was released on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram on June 12, after members voted on our board of directors by mail.

Cooperative, community and camp came together in early June, when Noble REMC was fortunate to sponsor two area middle school students to attend Camp Kilowatt in Brookston: Nolan Allen and Hunter Carnahan.

The day may have started overcast, but the sun came out just in time to host almost 1,100 of our members during our annual Member Appreciation Event on May 29.

As July rolls in with longer days and rising temperatures, there is also an increased potential for severe weather. Summer storms can arrive quickly and hit hard, sometimes causing significant damage to essential electric equipment throughout our community.

It was not Abbie Herr’s first Indianapolis 500, but it still felt historic to her. “It was the first time Alex Palou ever won on an oval track, and having a sold-out crowd — just to be part of that history was so amazing,” Herr said.

Youth engagement is both a fun part of our work at Noble REMC as well as our most important outreach. It’s our mission to teach the youth of today to help create our local leaders for tomorrow.

Noble REMC members’ contributions through our Operation Round Up grant program continue to make huge improvements and strides in our communities. The latest disbursement awarded more than $12,000 and impacted nine organizations and projects.

This year’s scholarship recipients show how successful our students are across our service territory. Noble REMC is proud to be able to invest in the future of these three students who have worked hard to earn this award and others like it for their secondary education.

Her career may be in its beginning stages, but Cassidy Oliver is already working hard to make her dreams a reality.

A two-hour flight, reaching 83,000 feet, brought an out-of-town weather balloon right to our doorstep — or at least, really high up in a tree.

All Noble REMC members will receive a ballot in the mail in mid-May. You can mark your vote, approve your 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes, tear off the ballot on the perforation and send it back in the prepaid return envelope. Ballots must be postmarked by June 4 to be counted in this year’s election.

In the weeks after our December disbursement of capital credits, Noble REMC starts receiving returned checks for wrong addresses and finds there are members who have not cashed their check from the previous two years.

Journeyman Lineman Rob Coil claims he’s not a people person, but with 25 years at the co-op, he’s seen a lot of changes and has plenty of stories. But the one he’s a little hesitant to reveal is his own. Luckily, we got him to sit down and spill a bit about his time at Noble REMC and what he does when he’s away from the co-op.

It’s a common sight, especially during the spring and summer growing season — crews cutting away tree limbs and foliage that have gotten too close to nearby power lines.

As I depart Noble REMC and enter the new phase of retired life on May 1, I would like to take a moment to reflect and give my thanks to all who have made my 24 years the most rewarding and deepest honor of my life.

One of Noble REMC’s youngest and newest employees, Lane Norris, won’t hit his one-year mark on the right-of-way crew until September. But he’s not one to shy away from a challenge.

Noble REMC’s Operation Round Up grant program kicked the year off with a bang, awarding more than $10,500 to eight deserving projects in our community.

Stay connected by keeping your contact information up to date. Current contact information benefits you in multiple ways.

Electric cooperatives stand out from other types of businesses because we are built and led by the communities we serve. As independent, not-for-profit electric utilities, we are owned and governed by our local members–– not by outside shareholders or investors. That is a powerful difference.

He’s been a part of the Noble REMC team for less than a year, but Journeyman Lineman Eli Stangland is already one of the guys. Stangland grew up in the Wolf Lake area before heading a bit south to learn the electric industry at Columbia City Municipal Utilities. But when he had an opportunity to come back closer to his roots, he took the chance and began his tenure at the co-op last April.

What are your kids up to this summer? Noble REMC sponsors multiple opportunities for a variety of youth. All they need to do is find what appeals to them and apply!

A few months away from rounding out his second year at Noble REMC, Sawyer Yoder is enjoying his time on the right-of-way crew. Maintaining our lines by trimming trees and spraying vegetation may be his day-to-day, but his favorite part is his interactions with members and their appreciation for the often-thankless work that keeps their power flowing.

The electric industry, including Noble REMC, will be facing challenges in the years to come to ensure we continue providing reliable and affordable electricity to our members. Do you want to be part of the leadership that charts our path to success in that venture?

It looks like it’s time to update the Noble REMC employee directory with some new titles. Congratulations to three of our linemen who recently completed courses to advance their knowledge in the industry!

Is your organization improving the air quality of our area? Are you trying to create or restore habitat for wildlife? Do you encourage recycling or educate the public on local environmental issues? Perfect! Now’s the time to apply for our EnviroWatts grant program!

Noble REMC’s directors are community-minded individuals with a variety of skill sets. Our board of directors is made up of farmers, business owners, bus drivers and more. We rely on their many talents to help us make informed decisions on long-term priorities and investments. Our directors live right here in our service area, and we consider them the eyes and ears of the community because they provide their perspective on important local issues.

In 12 years at Noble REMC, Zane Gray has earned his way from apprentice lineman to journeyman lineman and, a few years ago, to staking engineer. Making the decision for his family and a new change of pace, he enjoys the freedom of setting his schedule to meet with members starting new services or building new businesses and homes. Our members are his mission.

It wasn’t the job per se that drew Lane Norris to apply for our right-of-way crew member position — it was the idea of joining a cooperative that sparked his interest.

Scammers will threaten you with everything from shutting off power to your home to legal action. Don’t fall victim to these types of scams.

The holiday season brings a spirit of generosity and compassion. It’s a time to reflect on our many blessings and uplift those in need. While this is certainly a special time of year, cooperatives like Noble REMC are deeply rooted in giving back to their local communities year-round.

Noble REMC’s goal in giving back to the community is to impact organizations across our service territory for a multitude of worthy causes. Our Operation Round Up program is a large contributor to this mission through distributing grants each quarter to local nonprofits working hard to improve our quality of life.

It didn’t take Cole Knox long to move from a right-of-way crew member to right-of-way foreman — only about a year, in fact — but it was a moment of being in the right place at the right time. Knox is always looking for ways to be more impactful and help people. It’s his personal mission to continue to grow — this leadership role allows him to do just that. Noble REMC is lucky to have such a focused and driven employee leading our right-of-way crew.