HUNTINGDON - Three incumbent members of the Valley Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Directors were re-elected at the cooperative's April 15 annual meeting at Huntingdon Area High School.
Re-elected to three-year terms were Mervin Brumbaugh of Williamsburg, District 1; Kevin States of Hesston, District 3; and Robert Holmes of Huntingdon, District 5.
There were about 1,000 people at the meeting, which focused on current energy industry issues.
"Regardless of our minimal sales growth in recent years, our rates have remained extremely competitive," co-op President and CEO Wayne Miller said. "You might also be interested to know that the average residential Penelec customer is now paying 23 percent more on his monthly electric bill than a Valley Rural Electric member."
He noted that although rate caps expired for all of Pennsylvania's private power companies as of Dec. 31, Valley Rural did not have rate caps as a self-regulated, not-for-profit utility.
Board Chairman James Stauffer said the co-op also helps to improve the quality of life for the people it serves.
"In 2010, we were able to offer nearly $11,000 in energy assistance to co-op folks who had fallen on hard times," he said. "We were also able to launch a new program that gives up to 25 $1,000 scholarships each year to deserving students who apply."
Valley Rural Electric is a member-owned cooperative providing electric service to consumers in eight counties, including Bedford, Blair, Centre and Huntingdon.
