Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections September 2014

SEPTEMBER 2014

VOL. 15 NO. 5

Co-op

News

South Dakota Youth Partake In Rural Electric Youth Tour The Pierre, SD – It’s not every day that Taylor participants in Lee gets to fly more than 1,400 miles and the 2014 Youth experience the trip of a lifetime while Tour will now learning about the nation’s Capitol and join thousands meeting people from every corner of the of alumni who United States. June 12 was different though. have ascended to On June 12, 35 high school students left South various leadership Dakota for a week-long excursion to Washington, D.C., roles on the as part of the Rural Electric Youth Tour. Representing Bon community, state Homme Yankton Electric, this student experienced firsthand and national all the marvels of the capitol city. This levels. Many year, the Rural Electric Youth Tour alumni often give celebrated its 50th year of being credit to the Youth an opportunity for more Tour for playing than 1,600 teens across the an integral role country to visit the nation’s Bon Homme Yankton Electric representative in shaping them Taylor Lee visits the Marine Corps War Capitol, with South Dakota at that point in sending their first delegates Memorial their life. Each in 1963. community makes this possible through their support of their The Rural Electric Youth local co-op’s sponsorship for area students. Tour was designed so that students would receive the chance to see the sights that the Capitol has to offer, as well as giving a brief foray into politics and the political process. Along with that, Youth Day, which occurs during the week, is a chance for the teens to learn more about Dear Bon Homme Yankton Electric, their own local co-op and the role rural electricity plays, as Thank you for letting me have that awesome experience to well as recognize their own potential in helping assist with go to Washington D.C. I had an amazing time meeting new community needs by applying to receive a grant to directly friends from not only South Dakota, but from around the impact a local organization. This grant, given in conjunction whole United States. with GenerationOn, will be awarded to one student from each Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to be a part state that has put together an application detailing a specific of the Youth Tour of 2014. community project they would like to undertake. Sincerely, This year’s tour consisted of in-depth touring of national Taylor Lee treasures such as Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, the presidential memorials, VIP seating at the USMC Sunset Parade, the Holocaust Museum, multiple Smithsonian museums and many others. The participants also had a full day devoted to Capitol Hill, where they were able to shadow Sens. Tim Johnson and John Thune, listen in on committee hearings and tour the United States Capitol building. Students also had the opportunity to meet with Rep. Kristi Noem. The South Dakota Delegation visits with Senators Tim Johnson and John Thune.

Thank You Note

2 September 2014 • Cooperative Connections

Board

Report

Loan Application Signed (USPS No. 018-973)

Bon Homme Yankton Electric Assn, Inc. PO Box 158 134 S Lidice Tabor, SD 57063 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm

To Report an Outage or For Internet Tech Support, Call: Local From Tabor, Tyndall and Yankton 605-463-2507 or Toll Free in South Dakota 1-800-925-2929 NOTICE: Electric bills must be paid by 10:00am on the 20th of each month to avoid a $10 late fee. Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is published monthly by Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc., PO Box 158, 134 S. Lidice St., Tabor, SD 57063-0158 for its members. Families subscribe to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections as part of their electric cooperative membership. Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connection’s purpose is to provide reliable, helpful information to electric cooperative members on matters pertaining to rural electrification and better rural living. Subscription information: Electric cooperative members devote $6.00 from their electric payments annually for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions are available for $12 annually. Periodicals Postage Paid at Tabor, SD 57063 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections, Bon Homme Yankton Electric, PO Box 158, Tabor, S.D. 57063 TELEPHONE (605)463-2507: FAX (605) 463-2419. Design assistance by TDG Communications, Deadwood, S.D.

The Board of Directors reviewed the mountain of paperwork that would become the loan application to obtain construction loan funds from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for new services, upgrades and the operations center building. The loan application includes a Long Range Financial Forecast which gives an indication of the strength of the cooperative over the next ten years as well as an estimate of future rate increases. The board passed several resolutions in support of the application including the Basin Load Forecast, the Construction Work Plan, the Long Range Financial Forecast and the request for a Guaranteed FFB loan. These funds will be drawn down

as needed for reimbursement after construction projects are completed, inspected by our engineering firm and approved by RUS. Policy Review The policies in need of updating due to the union contract were tabled until the August meeting. Delegates Matt Stone was selected as the delegate to the NRECA Region VI meeting with Paul Voigt as alternate. Annual Meeting Planning continued for the annual meeting. East River Electric Attorney and former Public Utility Commissioner Bob Sahr will be the guest speaker.

Welcome New Members Avon Tolsma, Misty Scotland Auch, Natasha Springfield Motacek, Adam & Jenny Tabor Kloucek, Nathan Tyndall Kozak, Brian Yankton Blackburn, Scott Brester, Jason & Amy Charles, David Duncan, Donna L Gullickson, John & Ashley Holmes, Lee Hunhoff, Brian & Roxann Kaiser, Diane Kleinschmit, Gary Lockwood, Laurie Mertens, Kenneth Moon, Mark C & Allison D Nesje, Blake Preston, Donna F Richman, Kim & Linda Smith, Bradley D St John, Rebecca Stotz Family Property Walton, Danielle Whitetail Run RV Park

Cooperative Connections • September 2014 3

SafetyTips

Back-to-School Safety Tips You can protect your children from the most frequent kinds of school-related injuries by following these practical, proven tips. • Plan a walking route to school or the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossings and, if possible, with intersections that have crossing guards. • Walk the route with your child beforehand. Tell him or her to stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields and other places where there aren’t many people around. • Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers • Be sure your child walks to and from school with a sibling, friend or neighbor. • Teach your kids – whether walking, biking or riding the bus to school – to obey all traffic signals, signs and traffic officers. • When driving kids, deliver and pick them up as close to the school as possible. Don’t leave until they are in the schoolyard or building • If your child bikes to school, make sure he wears a helmet that meets one of the safety. Research indicates that a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent. • If your child rides a scooter to school, make sure she wears sturdy shoes, a helmet, kneepads and elbow pads. • Teach children to arrive at the bus stop early, stay out of the street, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching the street, watch for cars and avoid the driver’s blind spot. • Remind your children to stay seated at all times and keep their heads and arms inside the bus while riding. When exiting the bus, children should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, exit from the front using the handrail to avoid falls and cross the street at least 10 feet (or 10 giant steps) in front of the bus. • Tell your child not to bend down in front of the bus to tie shoes or pick up objects, as the driver may not see him before starting to move. • Be sure that your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call 911 for emergencies. Source: cpsc.gov

4 Sep t em ber 2014

•

COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS

Kids’ Corner Safety Poster “Never use electrical tools in the rain!“

Liberty Wendinger, 9 years old Liberty is the daughter of Gene and Katie Wendinger, Hendricks, Minn. They are members of Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, Tyler, Minn. Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, you’ll receive a prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.

MAKE YOUR

VOICE HEARD

Can you afford to

pay more

for your electricity bill?

THE

EPA THINKS YOU CAN.

>>>> ACTION.COOP <<<<

Reader Recipes

Garden Delights Chicken Zucchini Casserole 1 (6 oz.) pkg. stuffing mix 3/4 cup melted butter 3 cups diced zucchini 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 medium carrot, shredded

1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup sour cream 2 cups cooked, cubed chicken breast

In a large bowl, combine stuffing mix and butter, setting aside 1/2 cup for topping. Add remaining ingredients to stuffing mixture. Transfer to greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining stuffing mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F. for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Deloris Bachman, Rapid City

1/2 tsp. salt 4 medium cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced 3 green onions, sliced thin (use green part also)

In a large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients; mix well. Add cucumbers and onions. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Mary Jessen, Holabird

New Potatoes and Peas

1 lb. whole tiny new potatoes 1-1/2 cups shelled peas or loose-pack frozen peas 1/4 cup chopped onion 2 T. butter

1 (15 oz.) jar Aunt Nellie’s Whole Holland-Style Onions 1 T. olive or vegetable oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup white wine, chicken broth or vegetable broth

1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers or sweet piquante peppers Chopped fresh herbs (such as basil, thyme, oregano, chives)

Drain onions; discard liquid. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat until hot. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add onions and wine; cook 2-3 minutes or until most of liquid has evaporated. Stir in tomatoes and peppers; heat through. Stir in herbs, as desired. Note: To serve, toss sauce with cooked pasta. Or, serve over grilled or sauteed chicken breast or fish, such as cod, tilapia or halibut. Servings: 4 (1/2-cup) servings Nutritional information per serving: 100 calories; less than 1 g protein; 9 g carbohydrate; 4 g fat; 260 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 1 g dietary fiber; 0.62 mg iron; 1539.78 IU vitamin A; 11.10 mg vitamin C.

Cucumbers Deluxe 1 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip 1/4 cup sugar 4 tsp. white vinegar 1/2 tsp. fresh dill weed, chopped

Aunt Nellie’s Whole Onion and Fresh Tomato Sauce

2 T. all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt Dash of pepper 2 cups milk

Scrub potatoes; cut any large potatoes in half. If desired, remove a narrow strip of peel from around the center of each potato. In a medium saucepan, cook potatoes in a small amount of boiling salted water for 10 minutes. Add peas and cook an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until tender. Drain. In a medium saucepan, sauté onion in butter until tender but not brown. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Stir in potatoes and peas; heat through. Season to taste. Serves 4.

Pictured, Cooperative Connections

Frito Corn Salad

2 cans whole kernel corn, drained 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped 1/4 onion, chopped 1 cup chopped celery

1 cup Miracle Whip 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1 (5 oz.) pkg. Fritos honey BBQ twists or chili corn chips

Combine all ingredients except chips. Add chips just before serving. Pam Hofer, Carpenter

Creamy Broccoli Cabbage`

4 cups shredded cabbage 1/2 lb. fresh broccoli florets 2 T. butter

4 oz. cream cheese, cubed Salt to taste

Place cabbage and broccoli in a saucepan; add 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes or until crisp tender. Meanwhile, in another saucepan, melt butter. Stir in cream cheese until melted. Drain vegetables; top with cream sauce. Add salt and toss to coat.

Please send your favorite pasta and wild game recipes to your local electric cooperative (address found on page 3). Each recipe printed will be entered into a drawing for a prize in December 2014. All entries must include your name, mailing address, telephone number and cooperative name.

Stephanie Fossum, Hudson

Lola Nelson, Henry

COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS

• S e p t e m b e r 2014

5

Energy Cents

Ideas

When Do Upgrades Make Sense? Dear Jim: I wonder if I should buy new appliances (kitchen, laundry, TV, etc.)? Other than just comparing EnergyGuide labels, how can I determine the savings? How can I calculate the cost to use an appliance? – Megan H. Dear Megan: For major appliances, comparing the EnergyGuide label is the best Jim Dulley method to determine the cost www.dulley.com to use each new one. Based upon the purchase price, you can then calculate which appliance provides the best return. The most efficient appliance is not always the best buy from a payback standpoint. However, there are other factors to consider. Some people are very concerned about the environmental impact of using appliances, so they are willing to spend extra for the most efficient models. Selecting an Energy Star®-qualified model is a good choice. Visit TogetherWeSave.com and take the “Home Tour” to learn about potential energy savings on Energy Star appliances. To do a proper payback analysis of the decision to replace your existing appliances, you have to determine the cost to operate your existing appliance. You may have kept the old EnergyGuide label with your paperwork from the old appliance or you may be able to do an Internet search to find it. Keep in mind that even if you have the EnergyGuide labels showing annual operating costs, these figures are only averages. If you already are energy conscious, your current operating costs are likely on the low side and your savings from installing a new appliance will be lower than the average annual cost figures indicate. There are a couple of ways to calculate the cost to use an electric appliance. The simplest and quickest way is to download the “Save Energy, Save Money” app from TogetherWeSave.com (http://www.togetherwesave.com/power-of-usingenergy-wisely/saving-at-home). This easy-to-use app provides several calculators for appliances found throughout your home. Another way to calculate the cost of appliance use is to use an actual formula. First, find the wattage rating on the nameplate. Divide this by 1,000 and multiply the result by your $/kwh electric rate to get the operating cost per hour. If the nameplate lists amperage, multiply it by 120 to get watts. For appliances with a thermostat, reduce the operating cost by about 50 percent. The rate of efficiency improvements and meaningful new features in major appliances is slowing, so there is no need to wait if you really need a new one. One exception is televisions 6 September 2014 • Cooperative Connections

because their prices are constantly dropping and features and quality improving. In general though, it makes economic sense to keep your older, major appliances about 10 years or until they need expensive repairs. If you make a concerted effort to use your older appliances as seldom and as efficiently as possible, they will not cost a lot more to use than a newer one. Even for the refrigerator, which has to keep cool continuously, usage habits can really influence the electricity consumption. If you have a large family and do much laundry, the cost to use the clothes washer also includes the cost of the water and the cost to heat the water. Upgrading your water heater, to perhaps a heat pump water heater, will also reduce your dishwashing and bathing costs in addition to laundry costs. New front-loading clothes washers are typically more energy efficient than top-loading ones because front-loaders require less heated water. The actual electricity use by the motor is about the same for both types. Also, since a front-loader washer uses less water, less detergent needs to be used. A secondary, but significant, savings with a front-loader is their faster spin cycle. The horizontal axis tub design can spin very fast. By spinning faster, more water is extracted from the rinsed clothes. This greatly reduces the drying time, so the dryer needs to run less and uses less electricity. When selecting a new dishwasher, make sure it has a builtin water preheater. This allows you to set your water heater temperature lower without sacrificing the cleaning effectiveness of hotter water. Spend a little extra and select a model with many cycles. With more cycles, you can more accurately target the cycle length to the requirements of each load. Just like a house, a smaller refrigerator has less interior space to keep cool and uses less electricity. Also, with a smaller model, there is less insulated outside surface area to absorb heat, which the compressor must remove to stay cold inside. Don’t go to extremes on the small size though. Adequate space inside the refrigerator for convenient access to items is important. If you have to keep the door open while you move things around to find what you want, more energy will be wasted than the amount you saved with a small one. Modern refrigerators, such as Energy Star models, use about half of the energy that a 10-year-old model uses. The “Save Energy, Save Money” app includes a calculator to help you compare the cost of different sizes, styles and ages of refrigerators and freezers. There is not a major difference in the energy efficiency of the various types of new ranges. Convection ovens bake faster, so they use less electricity for some foods. Induction elements lose less heat to the room air, so overall electricity use is somewhat less. The best way to save when cooking is to use the microwave or other smaller countertop appliances whenever possible. Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to: James Dulley, Cooperative Connections, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

News

Briefs

Trio To Enter Cooperative Hall of Fame Three men who have dedicated much of their adult lives to cooperatives will be inducted into the South Dakota Cooperative Hall of Fame Sept. 10 at the Crossroads Hotel in Huron, S.D. Induction into the cooperative hall of fame recognizes co-op leaders who have contributed in significant ways to the enhancement of the cooperative idea. Harvey Wollman of Sioux Falls, S.D., has long been recognized as “Mr. AMPI,” having spent 43 years working for the dairy farmer-owners of a leading milk-marketing cooperative in the state before retiring in 2006. He grew up on a dairy farm near Bridgewater, S.D., and began his dairy co-op career in 1962 as a can milk and bulk milk hauler and later as a field representative for Farmers Dairy and Produce Association in Freeman, S.D. The co-op merged with AMPI in 1969 and continued on with AMPI, spending more than 40 years in the industry. John Van Beek of Glenham, S.D., has been a director for Selby, S.D.-based Cam Wal Electric Cooperative since 1976. During his nearly 40 years on the board, he has spent much of his time representing Cam Wal on the Rushmore Electric Power Cooperative board of directors. John Van Beek He in turn has represented the Rapid City, S.D.-based Rushmore Electric on the statewide South Dakota Rural Electric Association board of directors since 1995. Gene Kroell of Pierre spent 50 years in the telecommunications industry, including 33 at Sanborn Telephone Cooperative in Woonsocket, S.D. During his tenure at the co-op, he saw it expand its service area, expand into television cable and form a subsidiary to address business telephone system needs. For more information about the S.D. Cooperative Hall of Fame or for tickets to the induction banquet, contact the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives at 605-945-2548 or by e-mail at office@sdac.coop.

S.D. Attorney General Joins Lawsuit Against EPA South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is one of 12 state attorneys general to file a lawsuit Aug. 1 against the Environmental Protection Agency over the agency’s proposed rules on coalbased power plants. Other states involved in the suit, which was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia include Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming. Marty Jackley The suit claims that the EPA entered into a settlement agreement with environmental groups and allied states to regulate existing coal-fired power plants under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. The plaintiffs argue that the settlement and subsequent regulations are illegal because they regulated under a different part of the Clean Air Act.

Slack Receives $1,000 National Scholarship Lexi Slack, a student at South Dakota State University in Brookings, and originally from Viborg, has received a $1,000 Glenn English National Cooperative Leadership Foundation scholarship. The Foundation, a 501c3 charitable organization, was formed in 2013 to commemorate the many years of public service of NRECA’s former CEO Glenn English, a tireless advocate for the consumer and for the cooperative business model. The awards go to students who have shown a commitment to one or more of the seven cooperative principles. Lexi Slack In order to be considered, applicants had to meet the following criteria: they participated in NRECA’s Youth Tour and had completed at least one semester at an accredited institution. Full eligibility details are available on NRECA.coop. NRECA evaluated applicants on their GPA, internships, extra-curricular activities, leadership and involvement in the cooperative program. Cooperatives around the world operate according to a core set of principles. The following seven principles, along with the cooperative purpose of improving quality of life for their members, make electric cooperatives different from other electric utilities: Voluntary and open membership; Democratic member control; Members’ economic participation; Autonomy and independence; Education, training and information; Cooperation among cooperatives; and Concern for community The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states. Cooperative Connections • September 2014 7

Thermostats Get Smart, Can Program Themselves T

echnological innovations are creating new

By Les O’Dell and Industr y Press Releases

energy-saving opportunities for some electric cooperative members. The same equipment and software that co-ops use to monitor their electrical system can also generate detailed energy-use reports that homeowners can monitor to trim electric consumption. A programmable thermostat is one of the easiest energy savers you can buy. Unfortunately most people don’t program their thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature when the home is empty or full. The problem may have been solved by one of the coolest, albeit relatively expensive, new home energy gadgets. Nest Labs has created the Nest Learning Thermostat™. This thermostat is “smart” and learns from your behaviors, preferences and surroundings to create a custom heating and cool-

8 September 2014 • Cooperative Connections

ing schedule, keeping you comfortable when you’re home and conserving energy when you’re away. “It was unacceptable to me that the device controlling 10 percent of all energy consumed in the U.S. hadn’t kept up with advancements in technology and design,” said Tony Fadell, co-founder and CEO of Nest Labs. “Together with the team, CoFounder Matt Rogers and I set out to reinvent the thermostat using advanced technologies, high-quality manufacturing processes and the thoughtful design elements the iPhone generation expects. We hope it will not only save money and energy, but that it will teach and inspire people to think more about how they can reduce home-energy consumption.” According to the U.S. Department of Energy and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, the annual energy bill for a typical single-family home is ap-

proximately $2,200, with heating and cooling (HVAC) accounting for approximately half of the bill. The programmable thermostat, developed in the 1970s, promised to help people conserve energy, but 89 percent of owners rarely or never set a program. The Nest Learning Thermostat addresses the programming problem through a combination of sensors, algorithms, machine learning and cloud computing. The Nest thermostat programs itself based on the temperatures you set. It then learns your personal schedule in a week and starts automatically turning down heating or cooling when you’re away to save energy. You can even connect the Nest thermostat to your home’s Wi-Fi network to control it from your laptop, smartphone or tablet. Change the temperature, adjust your schedule and check your energy usage. For more information visit www.nest.com. Other smart thermostats are also on the market and offering consumers choices. In April, ecobee announced it has received OpenADR 2.0b certification from the OpenADR Alliance, a nonprofit corporation created to foster the development, adoption, and compliance of the OpenADR smart grid standard. ecobee is the first company to have a 2.0b certified thermostat which provides standard-based communication between utilities and its customers to help improve energy savings and ease of participation in demand response (DR) programs. The market for smart thermostats is experiencing widespread adoption. According to Navigant Research, nearly 32 million smart thermostats will be installed worldwide by the year 2020. As dramatic growth occurs, standardization is crucial to simplify DR programs and increase participation so homeowners and businesses can easily save energy during high peak times. “ecobee’s mission is to empower homeowners to achieve meaningful energy savings without sacrificing

comfort,” said Stuart Lombard, CEO, ecobee. “OpenADR provides standards to simplify communication between the utility and the customer delivering peak load reduction for utilities, savings and reliability for homeowners, and sustainability for the community.” Designed for more sophisticated devices, OpenADR 2.0b supports most DR services and markets including commercial, industrial and residential environments which enables broad-based and completely automated participation in DR events. It includes flexible reporting capabilities for past, current and future data reports. “There is growing demand among utilities for OpenADR certified thermostats to support automated demand response programs for both residential and commercial customers,” said Barry Haaser, managing director, OpenADR Alliance. “It is exciting to see the innovative smart thermostat from ecobee enable new utility programs and a better customer experience through open standards.” ecobee delivers intelligent energy management solutions to homeowners, commercial, HVAC, and Utility markets. With hundreds of thousands of installs across North America, ecobee’s award-winning smart thermostats and Open Energy Management Platform are the easiest way for customers to understand, manage, and reduce their energy consumption. ecobee’s pioneering work with Open APIs is accelerating the adoption of the Internet of Things and leading to a more connected home. ecobee’s line of Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostats, online web portals and mobile apps are the products of choice for ease of use, energy efficiency and demand response programs. www.ecobee.com Cooperative Connections • September 2014 9

Co-op

News

Coal Mine Highlights ND Trip Teens representing fifteen South Dakota electric cooperatives gathered from across the state to participate in the annual Youth Excursion to tour Basin Electric’s power plants in Beulah, N.D., July 22-24. Representing Bon Homme Yankton Electric were Brian Roth, son of Tom and Sara Roth of Mission Hill and Brandon Hakl, son of Brian and Tamara Hakl of Yankton. Throughout the trip, the group of 57 youth witnessed how electricity is made available to their homes and farms through guided tours of Coteau Properties Freedom Mine, Antelope Valley Station power plant, Great Plains

Synfuels plant and the Wilton Wind Energy Center. Two charter buses ventured through the state and made stops at various coops to pick up youth and chaperones while heading north towards Bismarck. When the group was not out touring the various energy production plants, they enjoyed good meals, game show activities with prizes that featured the various co-ops, a dance, swimming and meeting new friends. Bon Homme Yankton Electric trusts Brian Roth (l) and Brandon Hakl (r) stand in that these young people gained a greater front of the Antelope Valley power plant in appreciation for the generation of North Dakota. electricity and will become advocates of affordable electricity into the future. Bon Homme Yankton Electric, Thank you so much for the awesome trip to North Dakota. I really enjoyed the whole trip. My favorite part was going to the coal mine. Thanks again, Brian Roth

Gross KWH Taxes Paid to Schools Taxes By Provider South Dakota law requires that rural electric cooperatives pay a tax based on the number of KWHs sold in each local school district. This tax replaces the former 2% Gross Revenue Tax. School districts in our service area have received $264,095 in gross KWH tax as a result of electric sales to members of Bon Homme Yankton Electric in 2013. The table breaks down the gross KWH taxes paid by Bon Homme Yankton Electric, East River Electric on our purchases of electricity and Basin Electric’s tax based on KWH sales to East River on behalf of our members.

Bon Homme Yankton Elec. $135,565 East River Electric 70,880 Basin Electric 57,650

Total

$264,095

Taxes By School Avon Bon Homme Scotland Menno Tripp-Delmont Viborg Irene Yankton

4-1 4-2 4-3 33-2 33-4 60-5 63-2 63-3

Total

1 0 September 2014 • Cooperative Connections

$14,010 64,293 19,821 10,510 2,906 1,075 17,594 133,886

$264,095

Classifieds

October Issue Deadline: September 1, 2014. Email your classified ad to: by@ byelectric.com. Members can post one free ad per year. Repeats or longer ads are $1/column inch. FOR RENT: 1 bedroom apartment. Tabor Manor. Contact John at 605-463-2478 or Gary at 605-463-2209.r FOR RENT: Tabor HRC, 2-bedroom townhome w/ single attached car garage, 1100 plus square feet, handicap Facility/ Accessible, washer and dryer hookups, dishwasher, lawn/snow maintenance provided. All one level living convenience. Please contact Jen Carda 605-463-2575.r Thinking about building a home? Don’t pick a floor plan or a builder until you’ve talked with the area’s ONLY Certified Aging-in-Place specialist, Certified Green Professional Builder and ENERGY STAR Partner Builder. Call 4 Life Homes today. 605-661-4488.r Beseda Hall, Tabor, SD for rent for any special occasion such as weddings, anniversaries, graduation or birthdays! For more information contact Linda Bares at 605-661-6220 or snlbares@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Baldwin 222 Organ, approximately 25 years old, two full keyboards, full set of foot pedals, auto rhythm, full set instrument tabs, percussion etc. Like new. Call Ann Kronaizl 402-3345377. FOR SALE: Chevy/GMC Class C vinyl windshield cover. $25. Call 605-260-5114.

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Like homes and other businesses, farms of all types can lower their electricity bills by turning off or lowering lights and small equipment in outbuildings. Timers and sensors can help, too. Regular cleaning, maintenance, and seasonal tuneups help keep larger equipment running at top efficiency.

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Warm Air, Air to Air, Geothermal Heat Pumps WE DO EMERGENCY HOME REPAIRS Cooperative Connections • September 2014 1 1

Cooperative Careers

There’s a place for you in the electric co-op network

T

he men and women who don hard hats and

By Magen Howard

climb poles to work on power lines might be the most visible employees of electric utilities, but it takes a host of other professions to keep power flowing. From accounting to communications, engineering to human resources, customer/member service to line work, the job opportunities at electric cooperatives are numerous and will become more so as Baby Boomers retire in waves. By 2017, 55 percent of electric co-op CEOs will be eligible for retirement, and the number jumps to 75 percent in 10 years. That’s just the top job

12 September 2014 • Cooperative Connections

bracket – other categories of workers are on the way out, too, in the next five years: • 37 percent, senior managers • 31 percent, supervisors • 26 percent, system operations employees • 24 percent, engineers • 16 percent, “skilled trades,” which includes line workers equipment operators • 14 percent, information technology This means lots of new positions are opening up at co-ops near you. Cooperatives are generally considered to be great places to work, no matter the type of cooperative, because people are put over

profits. Electric co-ops, specifically, are not-for-profit businesses, which means they have to generate money in order to operate and meet financial lending requirements, but any extra revenue over and above operating expenses are returned to their member-owners in the form of patronage capital credits. Martin Lowery has worked with electric cooperatives for more than 30 years, a length of time that’s common in the industry because of its stability and generous benefits offerings. He’s executive vice president for member and association relations at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the trade group that provides support and services for about 900 electric cooperatives across the country. But Lowery’s service hasn’t been limited to NRECA. In fact, he was recently inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame for his dedication to co-ops worldwide. “Cooperative employees enjoy a benefit that many other workers do not,” Lowery said. “They have a great deal of autonomy in their jobs; we call it ‘wearing many hats.’ They have a real opportunity to build relationships within the cooperative and within the cooperative network – relationships that often last a lifetime. They have the opportunity to do what they do best everyday.”

Preparing for the tide to turn Retirements have already begun in earnest, and electric cooperatives are in the thick of planning to ensure new employees are equipped to offer top-notch service. Decades of institutional knowledge can’t be replaced, but training can provide a solid foundation. Electric cooperatives aren’t just any old electric utility and wouldn’t exist if not for their members, so co-op employees understand that the members come first. That means cooperatives won’t hire just anybody. Employees need to understand the cooperative business model and the philosophy behind it. To that end, training programs for linemen sponsored by or partnered with electric co-ops have popped up all across the country. Locally, aspiring linemen can attend line worker programs in South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota or programs in other states, too. Programs like these are wins for the co-op, the worker and the local economy. South Dakota’s electric cooperatives have a partnership with the power line Bath, S.D.,-based Northern Electric Cooperative general manager Jim Moore, right, and Lake Andes, S.D.-based Charles Mix Electric Association general manager Mark Mengenhauser both began their co-op careers as linemen. Both are retiring this year after decades of service between them. Their careers have taken them from the top of poles with prairie views to the halls of Congress where they advocate for their co-op members.

maintenance and construction program at Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell, S.D. Training provided at the technical schools allow workers to be properly trained and start their new careers on the right foot. Co-ops get employees with a head start. And it’s one more venue for technical job training. Some co-ops even recruit from colleges and universities; it’s not uncommon to see new employees who spent at least one summer as an intern at their local electric cooperatives. As co-op veterans step away from 30- and 40-year co-op careers, newer, younger employees are added, often times bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas.

Electric co-ops by the numbers The unique aspect about electric cooperatives in the U.S. is that each one is an independent business, but they’re all connected in a vast network that serves 42 million people across 47 states. They serve 19 million businesses, homes, schools, churches, farms and other establishments in 2,500 of America’s 3,141 counties. To accomplish that feat, about 900 electric co-ops nationwide employ nearly 70,000 workers, and it’s no wonder. Much more goes on at each one of these cooperatives than keeping the system running. Member services employees take care of phone calls, bill payments and offer programs and services, such as home energy audits and scholarships for high school graduates. Staking technicians and engineers plot where new lines will be built, while purchasing employees maintain an inventory of equipment and negotiate contracts. And IT professionals are increasingly part of the operations landscape, in addition to traditional IT work, as more and more digital technologies are integrated into the day-in and day-out of running an electric system. “Anyone from recent a college grad to a more seasoned professional looking for a great career can find a place at an electric co-op,” [statewide official] says. How to find co-op jobs Interested in joining the co-op family? National electric cooperative career opportunities are available at TouchstoneEnergy.jobs, the Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives’ career center, where applicants can search for openings and submit resumes. Sources: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Magen Howard writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service organization for the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. Cooperative Connections • September 2014 13

Powerful Apps Electric co-ops tap new technology to boost member service, reliability l By Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC

earn first aid. Get the latest news, then relax by catapulting birds. Stream music, share pictures, and pay your electric bill. Whatever your fast-paced life may need, odds are there’s an ‘app’ for that. Apps – a nickname for software applications downloaded onto mobile devices to perform specific tasks – have and grown and evolved along with smartphones and tablet devices. In fact, since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010, apps have emerged as a way to enlighten, entertain, and – for electric cooperatives – connect to members on the go.

Apps to Save Energy, Money Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives, the branding program of the nation’s electric cooperatives, offers mobile apps complementing the national Together We Save.com energy efficiency campaign and the Co-op Connections® Card program. About 300 consumers download and update Touchstone Energy-branded apps every week. The TogetherWeSave.com – Save Energy, Save Money app lets members see how much they can save monthly by switching from traditional incan-

Several co-ops are using SmartHub, above, which allows co-op members to pay bills, review energy use and other services. Lyon-Lincoln Electric has worked with GridFirst to develop an app dedicated to its cooperative. 14 September 2014 • Cooperative Connections

descent lightbulbs to compact fluorescent lamps or light-emitting diodes. Another calculator focused on appliances helps users evaluate energy guzzlers at home – for example, what does it cost to run a dishwasher for an hour? By entering a local ZIP code, members see personalized kilowatt-hour rates. Serving as a direct connection between members and power providers, the app shares alerts from a user’s local Touchstone Energy Cooperative based on three settings: Urgent, News and Other. “Expect handy updates with outage and restoration information, peak alerts when members can work together to cut energy costs, annual meeting details, and more,” explains Jim Bausell, former chief operating officer for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and now head of the Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s communications division. The app also delivers pop-up “Tip of the Day” reminders with ways to make a home more energy efficient. Almost 3,000 electric co-op members across the country have downloaded and updated the app to date from the iTunes store and Google Play. The Co-op Connections Card, provided by dozens of the cooperatives in South Dakota and western Minnesota, connects members to savings on prescriptions, restaurants, hotels, groceries and other services from national and local retailers. The free Co-op Connections Card app uses GPS technology to help members quickly locate nearby stores and businesses offering discounts and share favorite deals. More than 7,000 co-op members have downloaded and updated the app to date; Android and iOS smartphone and tablet versions of the app are available at www.Connections.Coop. Electric cooperatives with billing and operation systems powered by the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) offer the SmartHub app. NISC, the Lake Saint Louis, Mo.-based information technology cooperative that develops and supports advanced software

applications primarily for electric cooperatives and rural telecommunications carriers, developed a mobile app allowing members of participating utilities to pay bills, review recent energy use, report problems, get outage updates, and manage multiple accounts. “Our native app incorporates a lot of your phone’s features like swipe technology, GPS and the camera,” notes Nate Boettcher, NISC product line manager. “If a user sees a problem like a tree on the line, they can report it through the app. By using GPS coordinates in the phone, the utility quickly finds – and can fix! – the problem.” SmartHub helps members communicate with a co-op through instant messaging, and co-ops can potentially use the dynamic app for surveys, newsletter content, load control alerts and more. Several co-ops in South Dakota and western Minnesota offer the SmartHub app or will be deploying it in the future. More than 400 utilities are supported by NISC; Android and iOS smartphones and tablet versions of the app are available at www.SmartHubApp.Coop as well as through the Apple Store and Google Play. Additionally, Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative in Tyler, Minn., offers its members the Lyon-Lincoln Electric Mobile App which allows its members to monitor their energy usage via their mobile phone, iPads or tablets. It can be download from the AppStore or Android Marketplace by searching for LyonLincoln.

Tapped In Want to know about more cooperative apps and other benefits of co-op membership? Contact your local cooperative. Their information is on Page 3 of this magazine.

Mobile Trends More than 84 million consumers connect with mobile devices driven by either Android or Apple’s iOS platform in 2012 (up from 38 million in 2011). The Pew Internet and American Life Project found 32 percent of U.S. adults have downloaded apps to a smartphone, but only a quarter of adults use the software. With more than a million apps to choose from – Mobilewalla estimates an average of 15,000 apps debut every week – the typical mobile device holds 41 apps. Crowd favorites are Facebook, YouTube, Andriod Market, Google Search, and Gmail, according to Nielsen. How do electric co-ops fit into this changing landscape? Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives, the branding program of the nation’s electric cooperatives, conducts research to gauge member needs. Its 2011 National Survey on the Cooperative Difference discovered almost half of co-op members were very interested in apps that provide power restoration updates after a storm. Another two areas of member interest were apps offering discounts at local businesses and tips on managing electricity consumption. “More of our members—especially younger members—are embracing smartphones,” notes Jim Bausell, former chief operating officer for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and now head of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s communications programs. The study found 27 percent of co-op members use smartphones—not as high as the national average of 46 percent, but a rising trend. As the number of wired members mounts, electric cooperatives are producing powerful solutions to meet member needs.

Cooperative Connections • September 2014 15

Regional Dateline

Events of Special Note

August 28-September 1 South Dakota State Fair Huron, SD, 605-353-7340 www.sdstatefair.com

September 6-7 Quilt Show and Sale Hill City, SD, 605-574-2368 www.hillcitysd.com September 10 South Dakota Cooperative Hall of Fame Induction Banquet 6 p.m. Social, 6:30 p.m. Dinner, Crossroads Hotel Huron, SD, 605-945-2548 September 12 Foothills Bud Light Bull Bash Wessington Springs, SD 605-539-0014 September 12-13 Deadwood Jam Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876 September 13 Car Show, Menno, SD 605-387-2427 September 13-14 Kuchen Festival, Delmont, SD 605-779-2211 www.delmontsd.org September 13-14 Twin Rivers Old Iron Harvest Festival Delmont, SD, 605-779-5291 www.twinriversoldiron.org

October 4 Fourth Annual Fall Fair 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Community Center Springfield, SD 57063 Contact Carol Draughon at 605-369-2581 for more info

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT HOWARD

August 30 Rockin’ RibFest Yankton, SD, 605-665-2263

August 22-24 52nd Annual Steam Threshing Jamboree Madison, SD, 800-693-3644

To have your event listed on this page, send complete information, including date, event, place and contact to your local electric cooperative. Include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Information must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to your event. Please call ahead to confirm date, time and location of event.

September 14 Fire & Rescue 4th Annual Car Show, Irene, SD 605-660-4857 September 19-21 North Country Fiber Fair Watertown, SD 605-254-8434 www.northcountryfiberfair.org

September 20 27th Annual National Pedal Pull, Mitchell, SD 605-995-8430 www.cornpalace.com September 20-21 Pioneer Power Show Menno, SD, 605-387-5161 www.pioneeracres.com

September 19-21 Schmeckfest Eureka, SD, 605-284-2370 www.eurekasd.com/Unique/ schmeckfest.htm

September 20-21 Northeast South Dakota Celtic Faire & Games, Aberdeen, SD 605-216-3403 www.nesdcelticfaire.com

September 19-21 42nd South Dakota Fiddle Contest, 4-H Grounds Yankton, SD, 605-880-0436 fiddlersofsouthdakota.com

September 25-28 South Dakota Film Festival Aberdeen, SD, 605-226-3481 www.southdakotafilmfest.org

September 20 Outkasts Cruise-in and Car Show, Mitchell, SD 605-996-7203

September 26 Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, Custer, SD 605-255-4515 www.gfp.sd.gov

September 26-27 Badger Clark Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering Hot Springs, SD, 605-745-4140 September 27 South Dakota Women’s Expo Huron, SD, 605-353-7340 www.sdwomensexpo.com September 27 Living History Fall Festival Groton, SD, 605-626-7117 www.granaryfinearts.org September 27 Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival, Rapid City, SD 605-716-7979 September 27-28 Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival Custer, SD, 605-255-4515 www.gfp.sd.gov October 3-4 Oktoberfest, Deadwood, SD 800-344-8826