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Egyptian Electric discussing new headquarters

Posted July 27, 2016 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

The Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association could be moving its headquarters from Steeleville, depending on how construction bids come back next month.

Brooke Guthman, communications coordinator with EEAC, told the newspaper that no final decisions have been made.

"This is just presented as a replacement for the Murphysboro office," she said. "Until we get the bids back in August, we're not sure what we're going to do.

"Moving forward, we aren't sure what we're going to do with the Steeleville office."

Guthman said EEAC has acquired ground near the intersection of state routes 127 and 4 north of Murphysboro.

Its current Murphysboro district office, which was built in 1969 and added on to in 1996, is located at the site of a former chicken factory on Old Route 13 east of the Big Muddy River.

"It's just not big enough and it needs a lot of improvements," Guthman said. "It's not situated in the best spot traffic-wise."

Guthman said that EEAC is expecting to receive bids in mid-to-late August.

"We'll know more next month for sure," she said.

During the EEAC's annual meeting at the Steeleville American Legion on July 21, Board President Randall Campbell told a crowd of reportedly more than 900 members in attendance that if bids came back favorable on the new facility, that construction could start in late summer or early fall.

According to a news release, Campbell also noted that the board of directors is "taking the process very seriously" and "looking for ways to least impact member's rates."

During the meeting, EEAC General Manager Jim Riddle noted that a service study is being conducted to determine the adequacy and accuracy of the co-op's rates.

"I do anticipate a rate increase this year or next," he said in the news release. "In 2015, we had the fourth overall lowest rates of Illinois electric co-ops and our job is to take as few of your dollars as possible and remain a viable and reliable entity."

Riddle noted that the greatest concerns for the co-op continued to be environmental legislation, regulation and fuel costs.

"We look for ways to reduce cost and diversify risk," he said in the release. "We strive for balance of the need for energy at a fair price being mindful of the environment.

"EECA makes voluntary contributions to the Illinois Renewable Trust Fund so members can access dollars for renewable projects such as the solar and wind installations on our system."

Guthman said half of EEAC's workforce, around 20 people, is based in Steeleville. The co-op was officially formed on August 25, 1938 - three years after the Rural Electrification Administration was established - and its 16-room office and warehouse headquarters was completed in 1949 at a cost of $135,000.

"I had heard rumors before that this was going on," said Steeleville Mayor Bob Sutton. "It's going to effect Steeleville in the terms of what's going to happen to the building.

"I'm concerned how it's going to effect New Athens and Kaskaskia Island."

Sutton also had questions about outages and how service time to area residents would be affected.

"If they move everything, what's the farthest drive time?" he asked. "Is it going to affect outages and customers up here?"

EEAC serves members in portions of 10 counties, including Randolph, Perry, Jackson, Monroe and St. Clair.

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