Cooperative News

Fergus Electric Cooperative’s District 1 Trustee Resigns.  Steve Balster, Fergus Electric Trustee since 2007, is resigning from the Board due to health reasons.  The goal of the Board is to interview candidates for the Trustee position of District 1 in December and appoint a new trustee by December 31, 2011.

District 1 includes the following service areas:

• Ruby Gulch
• Carter’s Pond
• Heath Substation

Fergus Electric’s rates remain unchanged.  Fergus Electric’s power supplier, Southern Montana Electric G&T Cooperative, rescinded an earlier action to increase rates to its members by 20 percent.  In consideration of this latest information, during the November 29 General Board Meeting, the Board acted to keep Fergus Electric’s electric rates unchanged.  Fergus Electric’s members will benefit from the Board’s decision to keep rates stable.

Southern Montana Electric has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.  Fergus Electric Cooperative has hired John Paul, Great Falls bankruptcy attorney, to represent the co-op during the Southern bankruptcy legal case. 

Dan McKay of Great Falls, an attorney for the United States Trustee Program has appointed Lee A. Freeman, Jr., a Livingston attorney, as Trustee of Southern during the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization proceedings.

Keeping members informed.  Please stay tuned.  Fergus Electric Co-op plans to provide weekly updates to its website, as there are developments.