Joint purchasing items include utility poles, transformers, wire, cross-arms, cutouts, meters, arrestors, streetlights, hardware, insulators and other items used in the normal operation and maintenance of the electric distribution system. There are also non-electric items available for joint purchasing.


Industrial and Educational Development Rate
The Industrial and Educational Development Rate (IEDR) was established in 1990 to provide assistance to cities in their industrial development efforts by giving a graduated discount on demand costs based on minimum load levels. In 1994, the discounted rate was extended to public and private schools. The primary purpose of the IEDR program is to promote economic development, which creates new employment opportunities.


Distribution Planning Engineer
OMPA provides limited engineering services to members in the areas of distribution planning and technical assistance for improvements to the distribution system. This also includes evaluations of the distribution system and recommendations for improvement. For more information please contact Larry Unnerstall, Distribution Planning Engineer.


Newsletters
OMPA prepares two monthly newsletters, the Outlet and Transmission, as well as a quarterly Energy Services Program newsletter.

The Outlet contains information on changes in the electric municipal industry, OMPA and member cities events and activities, updates on policies and regulations at the state and federal level and more. OMPA sends this newsletter to city staff and elected and appointed officials.

The Transmission is sent to representatives and senators in the Oklahoma Legislature to discuss issues affecting municipals and reaffirm the importance of cities owning their distribution systems.

The Energy Services Program newsletter is mailed quarterly to members of the Energy Services committee and other key staff in all cities. It provides information on upcoming meetings, training, presentations and other events. It also includes updates on the Competitive Utility Program (CUP).

Outlet Newsletter
Transmission Newsletter
Energy Services Program Newsletter
Energy Services Training Calendar/Resource Guide


Rebate Program
The objective of OMPA’s energy service’s rebate program is to assist participating member cities in encouraging residential customers and subdivision homebuilders to purchase and install energy-efficient air conditioners and electric heat pumps.

The higher-efficiency units are beneficial for both the utility and the customer. The utility benefits from the reduction in summer peaks and overall improvement in load factor. Electric heat pumps also provide additional off-peak winter load. Customers heating with heat pumps could have heating bills lower in cost than other alternatives for most (or all) of the winter, with appropriate electric rate structures. During the summer, higher-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps help reduce customers’ air-conditioning costs.

The minimum requirements for rebates in this program are set above the minimum standards required by the EPA’s Energy Star program, which are higher than the minimum equipment standards set by the US Department of Energy.

Rebate Summary
Individual Rebate Request Form
Monthly Rebate Request Summary
Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Installation Check List
Contractor Agreement Form for Air Conditioners/Heat Pumps
Your Dual-Fuel Heat Pump


WISE Loan Program
The WISE Loan program offers low-interest financing to qualified customers for approved energy-saving measures. Some of the approved measures include heat pumps, electric water heaters, insulation, programmable thermostats, weather-stripping and more. Both secured (home equity) and unsecured loans are available.

WISE Loan Information and Application Procedure


Matched Advertising Program
The Matched Advertising program assists our members with 50/50 matching funds (OMPA/City) for the promotion of the electric utility, public power benefits and services available to their customers.


Competitive Utility Program
The Competitive Utility Program (CUP), started in 1995, is a voluntary program that provides our members with a way to evaluate and improve the operation of their electric utilities, and make them better able to compete in the electric utility industry. It is not a competitive program between cities, but a program of individual recognition. The program provides two types of rewards- recognition in the form of certification and financial awards.

Applications for certification are submitted to OMPA for evaluation by a peer review committee, composed of personnel who are elected/appointed officials and/or member city staff. Upon successful review, the committee recommends that formal certification be awarded by the OMPA Board of Directors.


Mutual Aid Agreement
The Mutual Aid program was established to provide a method for electric utilities that sustain physical damage from natural disasters, to obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment and materials from other electric utilities. The purpose of the mutual aid agreement is to formally document such a program.