2002 Year In Review

January

• DEMCO sets a peak demand record of 427,589 KW as cold winter weather descends on southeast Louisiana. The previous high demand occurred in August 2000 when demand reached 386,000 KW

February

• Local public officials, members of the DEMCO board of directors, and consumers joined in the grand opening festivities as the East Feliciana Parish service center was formally dedicated. The facility is located about one mile west of Clinton.

March

• Right-of-way crews discover a record setting cherry bark red oak tree in West Feliciana Parish. The tree measured 128 feet with an average crown spread of 33 feet.

April

• Baton Rouge Mayor-President Bobby Simpson and DEMCO CEO and General Manager Henry Locklar join with Wal Mart Manager Phil Teer at the grand opening of Super Center #3288 in Central. The new store is located less than one mile from DEMCO's headquarters facility.

May

• The Livingston Economic Development Council (LEDC) selects John D. Ware as its new executive director. As the new leader of the LEDC, Ware also serves as executive director of the Dixie Business Center.

June

• Santana Chewe, Erin McDermott, Amy Mitchell and Jeff Morrow represent DEMCO at the Rural Electric Youth Tour held annually in Washington, D.C.

July

• DEMCO personnel responded to request from the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson and helped in the raising of the American flag in time for their July 4th celebration.

August

• Phase two of the Cajun Electric refund was delivered to the membership in the form of billing credits. The credits averaged about $50 for the typically residential user. Phase three of the refund will be implemented in August 2004.

September

• Tropical Storm Isidore brought gusty wind conditions and drenching rains to south Louisiana. Many low-lying areas were at flood condition causing service interruptions for some consumers.

October

• DEMCO submitted a rate adjustment proposal to the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) for their review and consideration. The Commission is expected to act on the request this summer.
• Hurricane Lili hit the Louisiana coast just south of New Iberia causing major property damage and massive power outages. DEMCO's service territory experienced moderate damage as a result of the storm and consumers were spared long service interruptions.

November

• Louisiana voters approve "The Stelly Plan," a tax-swap proposal that eliminated state sales taxes on food and energy while increasing income taxes for some wage earners. Sales taxes for electricity were lowered by 1.9 percent in January 2003. The remaining two percent sales tax will be eliminated from electric bills in July 2003.

December

• StrikeSafe paid nearly $28,000 in claims to 107 consumers who experienced damage to home appliances due to lighting damage or other power surges. An additional 477 homes in the area experienced surges that were subverted by StrikeSafe equipment.