Ohio Cooperative Living Magazine

  • Linemen fixing power lines
    November 1, 2026
    As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us are looking forward to gathering around the table with family and friends, enjoying traditions and spending time with the people who matter most. At cooperatives, our work is more than a job — it’s a responsibility that touches lives in very real ways. We’re always ready to respond when outages occur, no matter the hour or the circumstances.
  • November 1, 2026
    URE is democratically governed by the members it serves. The strength of the cooperative lies in having a qualified and committed board of trustees. Trustees serve as elected representatives and are accountable to our members. Three board seats are up for election in 2027: District 1 (Washington, Jackson and York townships), District 4 (Liberty and Taylor townships), and District 5 (Leesburg and Dover townships). If you live in either District 1, 4, or 5 and are in good standing with the cooperative — you are eligible to run for the board of trustees.
  • Anthony Smith, CEO/President
    November 1, 2026
    Thankful to pass along a legacy This Thanksgiving season feels a little different for Julie and me. Nearly a year ago, our first grandchild was born. As proud grandparents, we think he’s absolutely perfect. But I suppose I may be a little biased!
  • October 1, 2026
    For years, most of us were taught the same password rules: Use a capital letter, add a number, throw in a symbol, and change your password regularly.
  • October 1, 2026
    As the leaves begin to change and we settle into the routines of fall, it’s a good time to take stock of a few things around the house — preparing for cooler weather, checking our heating systems and getting ready for the months ahead. It’s also a good time to refresh our cybersecurity habits.
  • Anthony Smith, CEO/President
    October 1, 2026
    Local Decisions, Lasting Impact When I meet someone new, I’m often asked what I do for work. That usually leads to a conversation about URE and what makes an electric cooperative different from other utilities.
  • Anthony Smith, CEO/President
    September 1, 2026
    READY FOR WHATEVER Preparedness is a year-round commitment for URE and the members we serve
  • Make Time For Safety This Harvest Season
    September 1, 2026
    Harvest season often means putting in long hours, which can make it difficult to stay alert and on the lookout for potential hazards.
  • Supporting our Local Youth at the Union County Fair
    September 1, 2026
    In July, URE proudly supported local 4-H and FFA youth at the Union County Fair, held July 26 to August 1. From livestock shows to project displays, the week was a showcase of hard work, dedication, and community spirit.
  • Proud of our feature
    August 3, 2026

    URE proudly supports and encourages 4-H and FFA members who are showcasing livestock and special interest projects at our local…

  • Operations Manager Martin Nicol
    August 3, 2026

    After 36 years of dedicated service to URE, Operations Manager Martin Nicol is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of leadership,…

  • Anthony Smith, CEO/President
    August 3, 2026

    Summer is one of our favorite times of year. Kids are out of school, families spend more time together and…

  • Banner
    July 1, 2026

    Why Unauthorized Items On Utility Poles Create Serious Safety Concerns Utility poles are a familiar part of our everyday lives,…

  • July 1, 2026
    As we settle into the heat of July, our homes naturally use more electricity. Air conditioners run longer, refrigerators work harder and daily routines — from cooking dinner to doing laundry — often overlap during the warmest parts of the day. That’s also when the demand for electricity across our community is at its highest.
  • Anthony Smith, CEO/President
    July 1, 2026
    Rate reductions & Member Savings Ahead
  • Anthony Smith, CEO/President
    June 2, 2026
    As we are preparing to welcome you to the Annual Meeting on June 6, I think it’s appropriate to recall that for the last 90 years, URE has been guided by a strong sense of purpose, powered by our members.
  • June 2, 2026
    URE is celebrating the retirement of Dave Speicher, CFO/VP of finance and accounting, after 31 years of dedicated service. His leadership and contributions have helped shape URE into the cooperative it is today.
  • June 2, 2026
    Congratulations to Anne Twaddle on earning an additional $1,900 scholarship for her honorable mention at the Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Children of Members Scholarship competition, held April 7.
  • The future is bright
    May 1, 2026
    Congratulations CLASS OF 2026
  • The Road Ahead
    May 1, 2026

    TRUSTEE ELECTION TIMELINE TRUSTEE ELECTION TIMELINE MAY 2026 MAY 2026 Official meeting notice inMay OCL magazineMay 15: Latest ballots can…

  • Anthony Smith, CEO/President
    May 1, 2026
    THE COOPERATIVE Advantage
  • CEO's Message
    April 1, 2026
    Every day, homes, farms and businesses across Union County rely on the steady hum of electricity.
  • Powering our community
    April 1, 2026
    Spring is a season of renewal — and a great time to refresh your energy habits, too.
  • Recent review of EPA
    April 1, 2026
    Thank a Lineworker
  • March 3, 2026
    Tornadoes can strike with little warning, leaving behind downed power lines, damaged electrical equipment, and dangerous debris.
  • March 3, 2026
    Union Rural Electric Cooperative (URE) is celebrating 2 employees — Member Services Manager Barb Burns and Crew Leader Sam Bevis — who recently graduated from a statewide leadership development program designed to strengthen the skills of the cooperative workforce.
  • Recent review of EPA
    March 3, 2026
    Bring on Spring & Cash Back!
  • February 1, 2026
    Demand for electricity in the U.S. is booming.
  • February 1, 2026
    Union Rural Electric Cooperative (URE) is attempting to locate former members who have unclaimed funds remaining from the 2021 general retirement refund, which included member credits, also referred to as capital credits, from service years 2001 and 2020.
  • Recent review of EPA
    February 1, 2026
    From Mailboxes to Inboxes: Staying Connected With Your Cooperative
  • December 29, 2025
    URE is attempting to locate former members who have unclaimed funds remaining from the 2021 general retirement refund, which included member credits, also referred to as capital credits, from service years 2001 and 2020.
  • December 29, 2025
    While we talk frequently about investing in infrastructure and technology to ensure reliable delivery of electricity, our co-op makes additional investments that are crucial for our future: youth programs that help to develop our members and leaders of tomorrow.
  • Recent review of EPA
    December 29, 2025
    The Cooperative Advantage: Celebrating 90 years
  • December 2, 2025
    Your online security matters — especially when it comes to managing your electric account. That’s why SmartHub now includes Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), an added layer of protection that helps keep your information safe.
  • December 2, 2025
    Use our space heater calculator to find out how much they add to your electric bill!
  • Recent review of EPA
    December 2, 2025
    Reflecting on Progress, Planning for the Future
  • November 1, 2025
    Looking for some simple, low-cost or no-cost ways to save on your energy bills this winter? Look no further!
  • November 1, 2025
    Union Rural Electric (URE) is democratically governed by the members it serves.
  • Recent review of EPA
    November 1, 2025
    Thankful for the Team That Powers Union Rural Electric (URE)
  • October 1, 2025
    October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
  • Recent review of EPA
    October 1, 2025
    Celebrating the Cooperative Difference
  • September 1, 2025
    Sometimes, severe weather events are forecasted, but sometimes they strike with little to no warning.
  • September 1, 2025
    Have you ever watched a video or TV show where a person is cooking a meal, then suddenly, they snap their fingers, and the meal is plated and ready to eat? That’s called a jump cut.
  • Recent review of EPA
    September 1, 2025
    Back to School: The Power of Lifelong Learning
  • Powering our community
    August 1, 2025
    2025 Annual Meeting Recap
  • Recent review of EPA
    August 1, 2025
    At URE, we work hard to operate as efficiently as possible to reduce rate impacts.
  • August 1, 2025
    The Summer Surge: What’s Behind the Power You Use
  • Recent review of EPA
    July 7, 2025
    Electric cooperatives are applauding a recent series of actions announced by the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • July 7, 2025
    1 electric cooperative doesn’t have much influence on federal policy.
  • July 7, 2025
    URE Rate Update