[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 76 (Friday, May 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2016

  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 70th anniversary of 
the Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC).
   MEC is a locally-based, member-owned, not-for-profit electric 
distribution cooperative that provides electricity to several 
communities in rural Arizona. When MEC was originally incorporated in 
1946 it served just five miles of line and 90 meter locations. Today, 
under the watchful eye of its Chief Executive Officer, Tyler Carlson, 
it serves over 1,500 miles of line and more than 39,000 electric meters 
in the communities of Mohave Valley, Hackberry, Fort Mohave, Peach 
Springs, and Wickieup, Arizona.
   MEC was established using a loan from the Rural Electrification 
Administration. These loans were made available to create energy 
distribution systems for isolated communities that for-profit power 
companies considered un-profitable. This program brought electricity to 
communities across the country that may not have received it 
otherwise--including communities in rural Arizona. In this manner, MEC 
has brought modern amenities to rural Arizona at affordable rates. It 
is a true accomplishment and an infrastructure milestone.
   Because MEC is a member-owned not-for-profit their rates reflect 
their expenses--they are not increased to achieve profitability. This 
has allowed MEC to establish a history of providing excellent service 
at competitive rates. I am very grateful for their efforts to supply 
reliable and affordable electricity to my constituents. I look forward 
to seeing their continued success over the next 70 years.

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