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The Southwestern

the-southwestern.jpg

The Southwestern is your source for news and information about Southwestern Electric Cooperative and the communities we serve. Our award-winning monthly publication includes articles on energy efficiency, health and safety, co-op features, and local events. You can read our latest issues by clicking on the cards below.

January

January 2021 Winter Wonderland

FROZEN MOMENTS

Snowfall stills the woods and quiets the world beyond the bluff, transforming Effingham County’s Rock Cave Nature Preserve into a winter wonderland.

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2020

December

December 2020 Cover

THE TREE’S KNEES

The knobby knees of cypress trees rise above the water line while needles add a splash of color to the winter sky at Patriot’s Park in Greenville.

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November

November 2020 Cover

Autumn Leaves

The waning days and crisp nights of autumn bring color to trees along the Great River Road. For more on the change in seasons, see the editor’s letter on page 3.

Read the issue...

 

 

October

October 2020 Cover Image

Southwestern Scholars

Isabelle Marsala and Faith Liljegren pause for a photo during Southwestern Electric’s 2020 scholarship celebration. On May 30, co-op directors and employees caravanned across four counties to congratulate Power For Progress scholarship recipients. See our stories on pages 3 and 8.

Read the issue...

September

September 2020 issue cover image: Maple Grove Substation Construction

Standing Steel

Construction crews install the steel superstructure at Southwestern Electric’s Maple Grove Substation, north of Troy.

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August

August 2020 Magazine Cover

On the Cover

Southwestern Electric Cooperative's 82nd Annual Meeting of Members will be held at the Bond County Community Fairgrounds in Greenville, Illinois, on Saturday, September 12, 2020. The business meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

Read the issue...

July

EV charger illustration

RECHARGE IN TROY

Southwestern’s new EV charging stations in Troy will play an important role in promoting widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Billboards encouraging EV drivers to recharge in Troy appear on I-55 at Livingston and I-70 at Vandalia. Our story begins on page 8.

Read the issue...

June

June issue cover

Making The Grade

Crews combine earth-moving machinery with GPS precision to prepare the site for Southwestern’s Maple Grove Substation. Located near the I-55/I-270 interchange in Madison County, Maple Grove will ensure power quality and reliability for thousands of members.

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May

May issue cover

On The Cover

Altamont Reservoir is bathed in color by a spring sunset.

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April

April Issue Cover

On the Cover

Lineman Tyler Meseke makes infrastructure improvements outside St. Peter in Fayette County. Tools, training and technology equip Southwestern employees to operate safely and efficiently in the field. In March, the co-op reviewed CDC hygiene and habit recommendations with its workforce. You can read about Southwestern’s response to the coronavirus on pages 4 and 5. For the latest information, go to sweci.com.

Read the issue...

March

March 2020 Cover

On the Cover



Crews clear right of way in Fayette County south of Herrick. Southwestern’s right of way maintenance program ensures system integrity and power reliability. Read more about the co-op’s maintenance work on page 8.

Read the issue...

February

February 2020 Cover

On the Cover



Crews move a 25-ton transformer into place at Southwestern’s new Vandalia Substation. See our story on page 10.

Read the issue...

January

January 2020 cover

On the Cover



Two-year-old Maggie McNelly, daughter of Kate and Zach McNelly of Edwardsville, patiently poses for a silly Southwestern photographer at Edwardsville Township Community Park’s Sixth Annual Touch-A-Truck event. See our story on page 8.

Read the issue...

2019

December

December 2019 cover

On the Cover



Winged victory stands atop the Lovejoy Monument at Alton City Cemetery. On December 14, more than 500 veteran graves in adjoining Alton National Cemetery will be decorated with balsam wreaths (backdrop photo) for the holiday season. See the Wreaths Across America entry on page 25 of our event listings.

Read the issue.

November

November 2019 cover

On the Cover



More than 150 years after his death, Abraham Lincoln is still larger than life. You can view this 37,000-pound, 31-foot art installation outside the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, in Springfield, Ill., through September 2020. For more information, see our story on page 18.

Read the issue.

October

October 2019 Cover

On the Cover



Adam Simmonds, journeyman lineman, resets a fuse during a live line safety demonstration at Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s 81st Annual Meeting of Members. Kyle Hails, maintenance foreman, Leo Dublo, construction foreman, and Simmonds worked as a team to demonstrate the dangers of electricity at one of the meeting’s most popular activities. Our annual meeting story begins on page 6.

Read the issue.

September

September 2019 Cover

On the Cover



The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower in Hartford, Ill., offers sweeping views of the Mississippi River bottoms from platforms stationed at 50, 100 and 150 feet. For more on the tower, see page 18.

Read the issue.

August

August 2019 cover

On the Cover



Southwestern’s 81st Annual Meeting of Members is just days away! Join us for breakfast then spend the morning learning about your electric cooperative. The 81st Annual Meeting of Southwestern Electric Cooperative members will be held at Bond County Community Unit #2 Junior High School in Greenville, Illinois, on Saturday, September 7, 2019. The business meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

Read the issue.

July

July 2019 Cover

On the Cover



Sunlight pierces the canopy above a shaded path near an ancient tree at Lincoln Memorial Garden in Springfield, Ill. Perched on the southeast shore of Lake Springfield, the Garden offers six miles of trail traversing 100 acres of woodland and prairie. See our story on page 18.

Read the issue.

June

June 2019 Cover

On the Cover



Rob Nesbit, construction foreman, tests his skills during a Hurtman Rescue simulation in May. The exercise requires linemen to strap into their climbing gear, scale a 35-foot pole, and safely lower a 150-pound mannequin to the ground—all while racing the clock. Simulations and training exercises like this ensure that our crews are equipped to act safely and swiftly in emergency situations and as they perform their duties day to day.

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May

May cover

On the Cover



Chris Schmid, apprentice lineman, and Adam Simmons, journeyman lineman (back cover), sharpened their safety skills as they practiced power restoration tactics during a drill held at Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s Greenville office in October. While National Electrical Safety Month is observed by various industries in May, safety is the top priority of Southwestern employees every day of the year. For electrical safety tips you can implement at home, see page 16.

Read the issue.

April

April Cover

On the Cover



The forecast calls for plenty of sun. Last year at this time, 60-some members owned solar arrays. Today, 85 of you produce power with interconnected cogeneration projects. If you plan to go solar, contact Southwestern. Julie Lowe, energy manager for Southwestern Electric, oversees the cooperative’s cogeneration interconnection process. She’ll help you sort out the responsibilities and opportunities that come with connecting a cogen project to the co-op’s distribution system. As Lowe says in this month’s cover story, “It’s never too early to call.”  You can read more about cogeneration on page 12.

Read the issue.

March

March 2019 Cover

On the Cover



Gary Bloemker, assistant chief of Hamel Volunteer Fire Department, displays the district’s battery-powered spreader. Battery-operated extrication equipment helps first responders free accident victims swiftly and effectively. The department is applying a $1,000-Operation Round Up grant toward the purchase of a ram that will round out its kit of portable lifesaving tools. See the story on page 12.

Read the issue.

February

February 2019 Cover

February



Crews position an A-frame structure at Southwestern’s new Vandalia Substation. Located north of Vandalia, the substation is scheduled to be energized this spring. See our story on page 6.

Read the issue.

January

January 2019 Cover

On the Cover



We shot this scenic of snow geese near Southwestern’s new Vandalia Substation, now under construction. If you’ve caught yourself making a mental inventory of eagles, geese, and other birds in our area, consider putting your sharp eye to good use during the Great Backyard Bird Count. For details, see page 18.

Read the issue.

Back to Top

ABOUT US

Based in Greenville, Ill., Southwestern Electric is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative serving 23,000 residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial members in 11 counties along the I-70 corridor between St. Louis, Mo., and Effingham, Ill.

Southwestern Careers
Southwestern Newsroom

Southwestern Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

RESOURCES

Southwestern Electric is a member-focused, not-for-profit utility. Our bylaws guide our business and daily operations. As your accountable energy partner, our mission is to improve the lives of the people and communities we serve.

Southwestern Bylaws
Southwestern Rates
Our Annual Report
 

CONTACT US

You can reach us at (800) 637-8667. We respond to outage calls around the clock. Our office hours are Mon - Fri., 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Our lobbies are temporarily closed. You're welcome to visit our offices at:

525 US Route 40
Greenville, IL 62246

10031 Ellis Road
St. Jacob, IL 62281

 

©2021 Southwestern Electric Cooperative. Your Accountable Energy Partner.

  • Home
  • Your Service
    • Apply For Service
    • Paying Your Bill
    • Payment Programs
    • Electric Rates
    • Forms Library
    • Member Guide
    • Capital Credits
    • Outdoor Lighting
  • Energy Information
    • Energy Assistance
    • EV Charger Rebates
    • EV Charging Codes
    • Technology Rebates
    • ERC Loans
    • Energy Monitors
    • Solar Energy
  • Community
    • Operation Round Up
    • Scholarships
    • Economic Development
    • Recycling With Southwestern
  • News & Information
    • Outage Information
      • If You Lose Power
      • Outage Map
      • Outage Safety
      • How We Restore Your Power
    • News Releases
    • The Southwestern
    • Board Meeting Minutes
  • Safety
    • Indoor Electrical Safety
    • Outdoor Electrical Safety
    • Generator Safety
    • Storm Safety
    • Cyber Security
  • About Us
    • Mission & Management
    • Financial Information
    • Careers
    • Service Area
    • Contact Us