I recently came across the 1952 Annual Report for Bandera Electric Cooperative, and I think there are some salient topics that we can learn from for our current situation. The report shows comparative prices of materials and equipment from 1941-1951. During this period, post WWII the prices more than doubled for electrical equipment. Copper wire went from 18.81 cents to 43.39 cents, a 5 KVA transformer went from $101 to over $155, and a new pick-up truck went from $762 to $1,689. The reason for these increases was the demand for electricity.
During this same period, we saw electric usage jump by almost a factor of 10. Annual use of BEC went from 1,500 MWh in 1943 to 14,000 MWh in 1952. This was the electrification period of America.
Over the past few years, we have seen similar escalations regarding materials and equipment. The explanation given is supply chain, which is synonymous with escalation of demand for electricity.
A BEC member, whose father worked at BEC during that period, stopped by to discuss the importance of Bandera Electric Cooperative. During the 1950s Bandera saw the worst drought (roughly 1949-1957) in state history, causing severe water shortages, crop failures, livestock deaths, and dust storms that led to massive migration and economic hardship, forcing thousands of Texans to rely on federal aid and fundamentally transforming the state from rural to urban as reservoirs dried and farms collapsed.
During this period the population of Bandera County dropped by 12% as many of the ranches and farms went into default. He explained that Bandera Electric Cooperative hired many of these farmers and ranchers to work, which was a lifeline not just for the farmers and ranchers, but the community itself.
Today we are facing a second electrification boom with AI, data centers, and cryptocurrency. We are also seeing another drought, though hopefully this one won’t last, Bandera Electric Cooperative is meeting the challenge providing stability in the time of uncertainty and volatility not just for the farmers and ranchers but all the communities it serves.
We are proud of our heritage, now 87 years in the making. We know that Bandera Electric Cooperative plays a critical role in providing the safe, affordable electric services that will support our members and communities as the next electrification boom expands.
I want to thank the inspiration for this article, long time BEC member George H., and every member who has grown alongside BEC since 1938.