JANUARY 2015
VOL. 15 NO. 9
Manager’s
Column
Thank You For Your EPA Comments I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who took the time to send comments to the EPA regarding the proposed rules on carbon emissions. The rules as proposed give us much concern when it comes to the future costs and the ability to meet such rules. This is not anything that we take lightly and there will be more articles in Merlin Goehring this publication in the coming General Manager Bon Homme Yankton Electric months just as we have tried to keep you informed since these rules were first proposed. With your help and support we certainly hope to keep everything in perspective and work toward solutions that do not cause additional harm financially for you or your cooperative. Working together and letting the government agencies in Washington, D.C. know that we have a voice in what goes on with our power supply and we will do what we need to in order to preserve a reliable and affordable electric energy supply. Speaking of keeping your electric bill affordable, we have been working on the 2015 Budget and have provided the board with our projections for sales and expenses for the year. While we will not see our cost of power increasing from our power suppliers Basin Electric, Western Area Power Assocation (WAPA) and East River Electric we will have some normal increases in costs that comes from the continued effort to maintain the electrical system. We have submitted our work plans for the next 4 years and have also had our loan approved by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). At the time of this writing we are waiting the return from RUS on our loan documents and the mortgage filings that have been completed. Once we get the final approval by RUS we will then be able to draw down on funds to replace the capital that we have used for
2 Januar y 2015 • Cooperative Connections
the new building project along with the cash used for system improvements. When these loan funds become available and are drawn as reimbursement for previous work, they become part of our total debt service to our lenders RUS, CFC and CoBank. These lenders provide us with very affordable financing costs and are very much needed in making improvements to the system and general plant items. With those costs projected in the budget for next year we should be able to maintain our current rate structure for 2015 unless there is some unforeseen event that would cause us to draw more funds than what we have
From all of the employees and directors here at Bon Homme Yankton Electric, we wish you the best this Holiday Season. projected in the budget. We will also be looking at a capital credit retirement in 2015 since we delayed this payment due to our need for the cash with our other projects this year. Another item we continue to work on is the conversion from our current software vendor to our new provider, National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC). NISC is a cooperative that serves electric and telephone cooperatives nationwide by providing software to run the accounting and billing processes of member cooperatives. The new online program, SmartHub, will be available in mid-January to make payments online. More information will be enclosed with the invoices sent out the first of January. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to give us a call. In closing, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and hope that you have a Happy New Year as well. From all of the employees and directors here at Bon Homme Yankton Electric, we wish you the best this Holiday Season.
Board
Report
2015 Budget Reviewed (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 approved the purchase of capital items for 2015 and then reviewed and discussed the 2015 operating budget. The number of accounts have increased including several new grain bin sites, irrigation services and new homes. This is one of the reasons our expected kwh purchases will increase in the upcoming year but major swings in the weather might have an even bigger impact on sales as well as power costs. As expected, some costs do seem to rise over time, but since we participate in the Margin Stabilization Plan, we do not plan on making any rate changes in 2015. Members that increase the size of their service may be moved to another rate schedule, but the actual rates will remain the same. Obsolete Items Retired The board approved removing the cost of the old Member Service building from plant. The indoor generator was declared surplus and will be put up for silent bids at a later date. Policy Changes Policy 50-20 Station Service Power
was approved. Policy 50-05 Irrigation rate was modified to include additional verbiage regarding the irrigation season to clarify procedures for the billing department. Policy 80-28 Insurance and Benefits included some corrections to properly match the union contract. The NRECA R&S/401k Adoption Agreement and resolution in support of the agreement were signed with the changes made to comply with the union contract. Other Business The board agreed to have the accounting firm of Eide Bailly complete the annual audit and file the 990 and 990T tax returns. Delegates were appointed to the SDREA and the NRECA Annual Meetings.
Welcome New Members Tabor Dollar, Todd Tyndall Vanwinkle, Tyler Utica Hacecky, Kristy Stokes, Nancy Yankton Barrett, April Becker, Alex Carpenter, Stephanie Castro, Juanita Christensen, Katie Dunklau, Shari Humpal, Ryan Kellen III, Nick & Dorene King, Doug Logan, Marlin Ruff, Duane Sudbeck, Jason Wold, Steve & Marcella
2015 Calendar Insert
We hope you enjoy your gift from Bon Homme Yankton Electric. The billing dates have been marked in your calendar for easy reference. Cooperative Connections • Januar y 2015 3
SafetyTips
Podcasts Offer Energy Efficiency Tips When compared to years past, building science hasn’t changed all that much. Fifty years ago, a properly constructed and insulated home could provide comfort and affordable electric bills – this is still true today. Although building science remains the same, energy efficiency technology has changed with the improvement of construction framing methods, insulation, windows, doors and air sealants. The introduction of infrared thermal imaging cameras now allows us to see the behavior of heat transfer, insulation performance (or lack thereof ), moisture and air infiltration within a dwelling. The cost and value of a kilowatt-hour is just as important today as it was in 1964. Nationwide, electric cooperatives have stayed the course for decades by providing their members with helpful energy efficiency resources for new home and retrofit construction. You can rest assured we’ll be doing so for decades to come. This month, we invite you to check out another free educational resource for your energy efficiency toolkit – the Smart Energy Tips podcast. Many of you already know about podcasts. For those who don’t, a podcast is an audio format available on the Internet. A podcast can be listened to on your computer or a portable media device, such as an iPod or smartphone. Once you subscribe to our podcast feed, new episodes are automatically downloaded to your device as soon as they are available, and you can listen to them at your convenience. The Smart Energy Tips podcast provides fact-based building science information in a fun format that’s easy for the listener to understand. The content helps you take charge of your utility bills without sacrificing comfort and conveniences. Episodes address how construction practices, appliances, heating and cooling equipment, moisture, weather, politics, regulations, consumer habits and much more impact your electric bill. We help you identify your energy and comfort problems and find the solutions. For audio device or smartphone listeners who are currently subscribed to iTunes: • Simply access your account. • Click on the “Podcast” tab. • Enter “Smart Energy Tips” in the search window. • Then click on the Smart Energy Tips window to subscribe. For those without an iTunes account: • Visit the Apple Store at: http://store.apple.com/us to subscribe for a free account. • Click on the “Download iTunes” button and follow the instructions. • Once your account is activated, just follow the steps in the previous paragraph. For computer listeners, visit the www.smartenergytips.org website and click on the podcast tab to access the episode files.
Bret Curry is the residential energy manager for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation and is the developer of the Podcast. He welcomes listeners to contact him with energy efficiency or comfortrelated challenges that can be addressed in a future podcasts or any energy efficiency related questions at: smartenergytips@aecc.com. 4 Januar y 2015
•
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
Winter Driving Tips Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather and recommends the following tips for long-distance winter trips: • Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival. • Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times. • Pack a cellular telephone with your local AAA’s telephone number, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle. • If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost. • Don’t over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow. • Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you. • Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running. • Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps. • If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline. Source: exchange.aaa.com
Kids’ Corner Safety Poster
“Don’t leave until the Christmas lights are off.” Gianna Gretta Hans, 9 years old Gianna is the daughter of Dominic and Zita Hans, Mission Hill, S.D. They are members of Clay Union Electric Corporation, Vermillion, S.D. 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.
Reader Recipes
Satisfying Soups Beer Cheese Soup
New England Clam Chowder
1/2 cup butter or margarine 1/2 cup diced onion 1/2 cup diced carrots 1/2 cup diced celery 1 cup flour
6 cups chicken broth 1-1/2 lbs. Velveeta, sliced 1 jar diced pimento 12 oz. beer
Melt butter in a large soup pot. Add vegetables and cook until tender, but before onion begins to brown. Add flour and stir until fully absorbed. Slowly add chicken broth (about 1/2 cup at a time), stirring after each addition. Bring to a boil; simmer for 20 minutes. Add Velveeta and stir until completely melted. Add pimento and beer. Stir continuously until heated throughout. Serve with saltines. Julia Rombough, Keystone
Meatball Soup 1 lb. ground beef 1 egg 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 1/4 cup bread crumbs 1 tsp. oil
1/2 onion, chopped 1 fresh tomato, chopped 4 cups water 1/4 cup tomato sauce 2 medium potatoes, diced 1 carrot, sliced
Mix ground beef, egg, salt, pepper and bread crumbs; form into balls. Saute onion and tomato in oil until tender. Add water and tomato sauce; bring to a rolling boil. Drop meatballs into boiling water one at a time. Add potatoes and carrots. Slow boil approximately 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Elsie Heutinck, Olivia, Minn.
Zucchini Soup 8 cups chopped zucchini (do not peel) 1 large onion, chopped 3 cups water 3 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. or more pepper as desired 1/2 cup real bacon bits
Combine first 6 ingredients; boil for 25 minutes or until tender. Cool for 30 minutes, then put in blender and puree slightly. Mixture will be hot in the blender, so put a cloth over the top and fill only about 2/3 of the blender. Add bacon bits. Diane Buckhouse, Sioux Falls
4 slices bacon, chopped 1 lb.(about 3 medium) potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks 1/4 cup chopped carrot 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup finely chopped celery 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 (12 oz. each) cans NestlĂŠ Carnation Evaporated Milk 2 (6.5 oz. each) cans chopped or minced clams, undrained 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
Cook bacon in medium saucepan until crisp; drain. Reserve 2 T. bacon fat. Return reserved bacon fat to saucepan. Add potatoes, carrot, onion and celery. Cook, stirring frequently, for 6 to 7 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Combine flour and evaporated milk in small bowl until blended; add to potato mixture. Stir in clams with juice, salt, bacon, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring frequently, for 15 to 20 minutes or until creamy and slightly thick. Makes 4 servings. Nutritional information per serving: 270 calories; 110 calories from fat; 12g total fat; 7g saturated fat; 50mg cholesterol; 720mg sodium; 26g carbohydrate; 1g fiber; 11g sugars; 14g protein; 15% Vitamin A; 20% Vitamin C; 30% Calcium. Pictured, Cooperative Connections
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup 1 whole chicken 1 to 2 cans chicken broth 1 (12 oz.) can condensed carnation milk
5 eggs 2 tsp. salt 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
Boil chicken and remove bones. Add 1 or 2 cans chicken broth for more flavor. For noodles, mix eggs, condensed carnation milk, salt and flour to make a stiff dough. Knead on counter top; keep adding flour until it rolls out nicely without sticking. Using a rolling pin, roll as thin as you can. Cut into strips with a pizza cutter. Let dry for 1 hour; add to boiling chicken. Cook for 20 minutes or until done. Darlene Price, Prairie City
Beefy Nacho Potato Soup 4 to 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 can whole kernal corn, undrained 1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup water 2 cups milk 2 cups Cheddar cheese 1 lb. browned ground beef 1 small jar salsa
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker; cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
Please send your favorite soup, bread, breakfast and seafood recipes to your local electric cooperative (address found on page 3). Each recipe printed will be entered into a drawing for a prize in June 2015. All entries must include your name, mailing address, telephone number and cooperative name.
Stephanie Fossum, Hudson
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
• J a nua r y 2015
5
Energy Cents
Ideas
Methods to Zone Heat and Cool Your Home
Jim Dulley www.dulley.com
Dear Jim: Some rooms in our house are too hot or too cold and someone is always complaining. What can we do to even out the room temperatures to keep everyone happy? Will doing this lower our utility bills? – Sean H.
Dear Sean: It’s likely there’s not a single home in the entire country that has even temperatures throughout all the rooms. There are many factors, such as the length of ductwork, bends, orientation to the sun and the number of windows and exterior walls that impact the room air temperature. The items that you keep in a room also affect the air temperature. For example, if you have a large TV in a small room, it can raise the temperature. Actually, it is not desirable to have all the rooms at the same temperature. Depending upon the activity level in various rooms, a range of temperatures may be more comfortable for you and your family. Also, some people simply prefer to have it warmer or cooler. Many homes contain a single furnace or heat pump. If you set the thermostat to keep the chilliest room warm, this results in many of the other rooms becoming too warm. A warmer house loses more heat, forcing the heating system to work harder. According to the Department of Energy, for each degree the thermostat is set lower for an eight-hour period, heating bills can be reduced by up to 1 percent. Installing an automatic zone control system is the best and most energy-efficient method to control individual room temperatures. A zone control system adjusts special duct dampers based upon the actual room temperatures and the desired temperatures. Many homes have access to only main ducts, which later branch out to the individual rooms. In this case, the zone control system will control the temperatures in each room grouping, such as all the bedrooms, kitchen/dining areas and the living room. Although it
is optimum to control each room independently, having just three or four zones is adequate for comfort and energy savings. A programmable thermostat is mounted in each room or zone grouping to control the motorized duct damper leading to it. If the room is too warm during winter, the damper in the duct leading to that room partially closes. For example, a zone thermostat may continuously readjust the damper position as the intensity of the sun shining through a window changes throughout the day. The majority of the energy savings with an automatic zoning system is realized because each room temperature can be varied throughout the day. There is no need to keep the bedrooms toasty warm during the daytime or the living room warm overnight. The programmable thermostats are designed to bring room temperatures back up without having the backup resistance elements come on.
Although it is optimum to control each room independently, having just three or four zones is adequate for comfort and energy savings. There are various designs of zoning dampers from just a simple flat damper to bladders, which inflate with air to close off the ducts. They all function equally well. With the many new thermostats and use-control electronics, adding a zoning system requires professional installation. Talk to a qualified technician, and design a system that works best for your home. The following companies offer zoning systems: Aprilaire, 800-334-6011, www.aprilaire.com; Arzel Zoning Technology, 800-611-8312, www.arzel. com; Durodyne, 800-899-3876, www.durodyne. com; EWC Controls, 800-446-3110, www.ewccontrols.com; and Zonex Systems, 800-228-2966, www.zonexsystems.com.
Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to: James Dulley, Cooperative Connections, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. 6 January 2015 • Cooperative Connections
News
Briefs
Co-ops, REED Fund Award $1 million Loan to GROW South Dakota East River Electric Power Cooperative’s Rural Electric Economic Development (REED) Fund has announced a $1 million loan to GROW South Dakota. The loan was officially closed Nov. 19 and will provide supplemental funding to the organization’s housing loan programs which provide affordable housing options to low-income families. “East River Electric, its member cooperatives and the REED Fund work to grow our rural communities and make a positive impact in South Dakota and we’ve always been appreciative of the work GROW South Dakota has done to assist people in rural areas of the state,” said REED Fund manager Linda Salmonson. “We’re pleased to be able to partner with GROW South Dakota to provide housing options to people in rural South Dakota.” GROW South Dakota is an umbrella organization under which many different services are provided. The organization provides funding for programs and initiatives dealing with community, housing and economic development. “GROW South Dakota would like to thank the REED Fund for their partnership. We are excited to continue to build our housing loan fund to meet unique loan needs in South Dakota,” said GROW South Dakota CEO Marcia Erickson. The REED Fund was established by the electric cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota in 1996 to enhance economic development in the region. East River Electric is a wholesale electric power supply cooperative serving 24 rural electric cooperatives and one municipally-owned electric system, which in turn serve more than 92,000 homes and businesses and about 250,000 consumers. Our 40,000 square mile service area covers the rural areas of 41 counties in eastern South Dakota and 22 counties in western Minnesota. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. GROW South Dakota is a statewide nonprofit organization serving rural communities to improve the quality of life through housing, community and economic development. For more information about the housing loan programs, visit www.growsd.org or call 605-6987654. GROW South Dakota is an equal opportunity lender, provider and employer.
NRECA: 1.1 Million-plus Comments Sent to EPA National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jo Ann Emerson said more than 1.1 million comments from electric cooperative advocates were sent to the Environmental Protection Agency outlining concerns about proposed carbon dioxide limits for existing and new power plants by the agency’s Dec. 1 deadline. “At the heart of this, we oppose the EPA’s regulations because they will raise electric rates, threaten reliability and are illegal under the Clean Air Act,” Emerson said in a teleconference. “This is why NRECA joins with co-op advocates all across the country who submitted more than 1.1 million grassroots comments asking for the withdrawal of the proposals on new and existing power plants.” In comments to EPA, NRECA said its analysis shows that electric co-op members can expect to see rates increase by more than 10 percent on average in 2020 and by more than 17 percent in 2025. “And that’s just the averages,” said Emerson. “Some members will see hikes as high as 33 percent in 2020 and a whopping 46 percent in 2025.” The proposed rule is expected to be finalized by June 2015, with emission reduction deadlines beginning in 2020. NRECA also said that the pending EPA rule stands to hamper grid reliability, a concern of the country’s largest regional transmission organizations. For co-op members, the hurt is double, Emerson said. “Reducing reliability and increasing costs has this proposal unfairly affecting co-op members the hardest,” she said, adding that 93 percent of the country’s “persistent poverty counties” are served by electric co-ops. As not-for-profit utilities, co-ops that opt to close existing coal plants in favor of building new natural gas-based generation or renewables to meet the EPA rule will pass those expenses on to members, she said. “We urge EPA to withdraw this proposal and work with electric cooperatives and others in the industry to create a policy promoting an ‘all of the above approach’ which is environmentally and economically responsible within the appropriate and lawful regulatory scheme.” Joining Emerson on the call were co-op CEOs Kerry Kelton of MidSouth Synergy in Navasota, Texas; Dwayne Cartwright of Berkeley Electric in Moncks Corner, S.C.; and Lisa Johnson of Seminole Electric in Tampa, Fla. In Texas, Kelton said the rule as proposed will force five power plants owned by co-ops to close. The billions of dollars spent on new transmission in the state will not overcome the reliability risks from the lost generation, he said. Cartwright said the EPA rule fails to recognize the significant measures coops have taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. “We’re being punished for being so proactive,” he said. The rule will send Seminole’s coal plant into early retirement and leave nearly 300 employees without a job, said Johnson. In addition, the G&T and its co-ops must still pay for investments made in environmental controls at the plant and buy replacement power. “Limiting fuel options for power generation will lead to increased costs and will hinder reliability, especially given EPA’s unrealistic time frame,” Johnson said. NRECA is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-forprofit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states. Cooperative Connections • January 2015 7
Winter Predictions: What Does the
The Almanac Say? I
By Brenda Kleinjan
n the Land of Infinite Variety and the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Mother Nature can be fickle. There’s an old adage in South Dakota and western Minnesota: if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute. Predicting that weather can be a tricky thing. Predictions for the 2014-2015 winter were somewhat varied when The Farmers Almanac and Old Farmers Almanac came out last summer. Both publications promised a cold winter. One foretold of a dry winter, the other promised plenty of flakes. “Another teeth-chatteringly cold winter is on its way! With its traditionally 80 percent – accurate weather forecasts, The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts that this winter will be another arctic blast with above-normal snowfall throughout much of the nation. The extreme weather will continue into Summer 2015, which is expected to be predominantly hot and dry,” editors of The Old Farmer’s Almanac said when the publication was released last summer. “Winter will bring a frosty bite and next summer will be its mirror opposite, so get ready for a onetwo punch,” says Janice Stillman, editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. “Be prepared – there’s plenty in the forecast to cause all sorts of mayhem: blizzards, droughts and hurricanes!” A competing publication, The Farmer’s Almanac, published out of Lewiston, Maine, said its forecast for the 2014-15 winter was not for the faint-of-heart. According to the 198th edition of The Farmers’ Almanac, “The winter of 2014-2015 will see belownormal temperatures for about three-quarters of the nation, with the most frigid areas occurring in and around the Northern Plains into the Great Lakes.”
The Almanac, which has been predicting the weather for nearly 200 years, suggests that there will be a very cold outbreak during the final week of January into the beginning of February, going as far as to state that temperatures could drop to 40 below over the Northern Plains. Yes, “more shivery and shovelry” conditions are on tap for the winter ahead. Local meteorologists also vary on their predictions. “This winter has been one of the most difficult to forecast in a long time,” said Mike Modrick, chief meteorologist at KOTA Territory News in Rapid City, S.D., in early December. “There are finally signs that an El Nino-like weather pattern is developing, but an El Nino has never developed this late in the year in the past 60 years of records. In part, that pattern means a southern branch of the jet stream bringing much-needed rain to California. And December is looking warmer and drier than normal for us in the Northern Plains. If El Nino actually develops, warmer and drier-than-normal is likely to define our winter. Even so, around 50 percent of our warmer and drier El Nino winters can bring a cold February. So keep the warm socks handy!” Despite the predictions, it’s easy to assume that at some point in the winter, it’s going to get cold. Really cold. And whether the prediction is for dire cold or a relative balmy winter, local electric cooperatives are equipped with information and tips for helping their members make their homes more energy efficient and help to cut monthly energy bills. The savings don’t stop when the cold weather goes away; improving a home’s energy efficiency can yield benefits year-round.
8 January 2015 • Cooperative Connections
© 2014 —maps, AccuWeather, Inc. –maps, AccuWeather, Inc.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Weather Map for Winter 2014–15
This illustration is available to download for publication at Almanac.com/Press. Turn this over to see the U.S. SUMMER Weather Map. Read the details of this forecast in the 2015 Almanac on pages 97 and 196 through 213.
Seal it up! A tried and true method for improving a home’s energy efficiency? Cut down on air leaks. An inexpensive tube of caulk and a batt of insulation can be a good start when chasing down cracks, crevices and other areas where heated inside air is seeping into the wide, cold open outdoors. Faulty seals, cracks, penetrations, holes and more can all contribute toward infiltration, increasing our energy bills. Cable lines, telephone wires and dryer vents are just a few of the many penetrations a home can have. At each instance it is important to make the openings airtight to keep warm air from getting inside in the summer and conditioned air from escaping. 1) Weather-strip your doors: Cold air can enter into the house through open cracks and gaps from doors, windows and floors. Simple, weather stripping and caulk will reduce cold drafts and keep your home warmer. 2) Seal baseboards and caulk windows: Feel your hand around the bottom of your baseboards to detect where cold air might be getting into the living space. 3) Wrap the water heater and ducts, insulate the pipes and change the filters: Making your HVAC perform at maximum efficiency
will save on the bottom line. Check for leaks in the ducts. Leaks in the duct work can increase cost by up to 30 percent and reduce comfort. 4) Add a door sweep to rooms that you use less frequently: Significant air flow can occur through the space between the bottom of the door and the floor. 5) Replace your old thermostat: Programmable and Smart thermostats can reduce heating costs by monitoring your system to run only when you need it. (According to the energy savings calculator at togetherwesave. com, sealing cracks around vents, pipes and other openings into your home can cut $212 off your annual energy bill.)
Keep it clean! Check your heating and cooling system’s filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool – wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system – leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure. (Again, according to the calculator at togetherwesave.com, changing your HVAC’s filter each month can save up to $82 a year in heating costs.) Let the sunshine in! Opening your home’s window coverings during the day to let warm sunlight in and remembering to close them at night and during the summer months can save an additional $35 a year. Stack it up! Increasing your attic’s insulation to at least 15 inches thick can put an additional $241 a year back in your pocket due to energy savings. (It is recommended that attic insulation in the Dakotas and western Minnesota be at R-49.) Did we mention seal it up? Sealing your home’s heating and cooling ducts can save an
additional $177 a year. Ducts that move air to and from a forced-air furnace, central air conditioner or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent – and sometimes much more. Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house.
Bundle up. Put on a sweater and bump your thermostat down a couple of degrees. Turning the temperature from 75 down to 72 can save about $90 a year; dropping it to 68 degrees in the winter can bring the savings up even more. Out with the old, in with the new... If it’s time to upgrade your home’s heating and cooling system, look at an efficient geothermal heat pump. An ENERGY STAR® system with a SEER of 18 can add nearly $500 a year in savings, as compared to a 10 SEER standard system. It all adds up Combined, the savings add up. Using the calculator on togetherwesave.com, the savings noted above could save a homeowner more than $1,370 a year. However, it’s important to note that the calculator uses a variety of assumptions in estimating cost savings. Because each home is unique and each family’s habits are different, actual energy savings will vary. The estimates above used an assumption for the cost of electricity of $0.114/kWh, which is the national average cost of electricity (as calculated by the Energy Information Administration) in all calculations. The calculator also based its model home as a three bedroom, two bath home with partially conditioned basement located in Lebanon, Kansas. The home has a total heated and cooled area of 2,262 square feet with a 1,479-square foot main living area. The house’s long axis runs North-South. There is no exterior shading. The model and room layout is based on a demo file provided by Wrightsoft. (Users of the program enter their own ZIP code, which alters the model slightly.) Contact your local electric cooperative for more tips and suggestions to save this winter. Cooperative Connections • January 2015 9
Co-op
news
Fight the winter chills Another colder-than-normal winter is predicted for much of the country this year. Frigid temperatures can cause heating systems to work over time, and since heating and cooling can make up nearly half of your electric bill, you may experience sticker shock when you open that bill. Instead of waiting until after a potentially high bill is in your mailbox, be proactive. There are things you can do now to help ensure you are managing your energy use and spending less. These simple steps can help you manage your use: •Wrap exposed pipes and water heaters that are in unconditioned spaces.
•Make sure to change your air filter once a month. •Keep drapes closed at night and keep those that don’t get direct sunlight closed during the day, too. •Keep the fireplace damper closed when it is not in use. Keeping it open can bring cold air into the room. •Caulk around the fireplace hearth, and caulk or weather strip around doors and windows. •If we’ve had a few days of frigid temperatures, see how you can try to save on days that are milder. •Dress for the weather, even if you are inside. Wearing proper clothing like long sleeves and pants, or wrapping up in a cozy blanket will help combat the temptation of bumping up the thermostat. So, when temperatures fall this winter and you hear your weatherman talking about bringing in pets and plants, take the steps above to help manage your use. Using the tips above can certainly help you manage your energy use, but your bill may still be higher than normal
celebrate the season holiday closing The Bon Homme Yankton Electric Office will be closed for: •Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 •Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 •New Years Day, Thursday, January 1 Outage crews will remain on call 24/7
1 0 Januar y 2015 • Cooperative ConneCtions
in winter months. Why? •The weather makes a big impact on electric bills, accounting for nearly half of your bill. •Even those with the most efficient HVAC systems will see more use in extreme weather. •When extreme cold temperatures hit, our heaters work overtime. •For example, even if you set your thermostat to our recommended 68 degrees in the winter, when it is 19 degrees outside, your system has to work hard to make up that 49-degree difference. •Your heater works harder and cycles on and off more often, making your use much higher. That means your bill will be much higher. •Remember, there is value in comfort. For us to be comfortable in our homes, our heaters are going to work harder, but it may be worth the additional cost to you.
Classifieds February Issue Deadline: January 1, 2015. 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.
Haase Heating & Cooling
Dan Haase
Heating, Cooling, Heat Pumps We sell the best and service the rest
GT Repair & Autobody Glenn Tycz Tyndall, SD 57066
605-589-3018
If only the future was predictable. Farming is always a gamble. You never know when bad weather or other problems will strike. The only thing you can be sure of—you need quality insurance protection. Call our office today for a competitive quote.
Scotland, SD 57059 605-583-4490
Bohemian Farmers Mutual
R. Martin Koch, Secretary PO Box 206 Tabor, SD 57063 605-463-2558 1-800-868-1756
We Repair and Install Windshields
Don Wynia’s Shop
Koranda Well Company LLC Tabor, SD 57063 605 - 463- 2244
Dixon ZTR Mowers - Kohler Tecumseh Briggs & Stratton Major Overhaul Repair - All Makes of Mowers Small Engine - Skid Loader - Snow Blower Welding & Pick Up Service Call Don, 2 miles south of Tyndall 41566 306th St Tyndall, SD 57066
Well drilling, repairing and cleaning Water Systems – Artesian Wells Sales and Installation Earth-Coupled Heat Pump
Emergency Service Free Estimates
605-589-3713 or 605-661-1960
Art & Antique Gallery Custom Matting & Framing Original Art/Gifts/Cards Handmade Glass Beads & Jewelry
1610 Main St
Tyndall, SD
605-589-4050
Open Wednesday through Saturday
Construction And Painting New Construction Remodel - Roofing Flooring
Jason Finck
605-660-3204
• Ramps • Grab Bars www.4lifehomes.net • Stair Lifts • Walk-in Showers • Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels
605-665-9679
Preplanning will give you peace of mind and may save money
CALL TODAY to learn more.
Brad Cameron Tyndall, SD 57066
605-589-4176
An Authorized Independent Agent For
605-463-2786
FREE HOME DAMAGE ASSESSMENT following a storm
INSURANCE CLAIM SPECIALIST GENERAL CONTRACTOR • Roofing • Gutters • Siding • Painting • Windows • Doors
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ©2012 Wellmark, Inc. SD-20-P-12
HEATING & COOLING 920 Broadway Yankton, SD 57078
60 5 -6 6 5 -9 4 6 1
800-491-9461
605- 589-3228 1- 800-894-3228
Handicap and Accessible Home Modifications
Yankton, Tabor, Tyndall, Menno
Cameron Insurance
300 W 17th Tyndall, SD 57066
Furnaces, Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Free Estimates
Tabor, SD 57063
Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home
Wellmark Has You Covered, No Matter What Your Stage of Life.
Sanders Heating & Cooling
HOME REPAIR HOTLINE
They’re out of sight, but don’t forget about your air ducts. Taking care of them can save money and energy. Check ducts for air leaks. Take care of minor sealing jobs with heat-approved tape, especially in attics and in vented crawl spaces. Call the pros for major ductwork repairs. Source: U.S. Department of Energy
605-661-4488
Warm Air, Air to Air, Geothermal Heat Pumps WE DO EMERGENCY HOME REPAIRS Cooperative Connections • Januar y 2015 1 1
Building Block No. 4
Consumer Energy Efficiency T By Brenda Kleinjan
he Environmental Protection Agency’s fourth building block of its proposed Section 111(d) rule puts some of the burden of meeting its carbon reduction proposed limits directly into the laps of individuals. The block calls for improving energy efficiency by consumers reduces the need for power generation. EPA’s CO² reduction goals envision all states increasing energy efficiency programs to result in the avoidance of 1.5 percent of energy demand per year. Co-ops have an established track record of encouraging their members to use energy wisely. In
12 January 2015 • Cooperative Connections
fact, the country’s Touchstone Energy Cooperative members participate in the only national utilitysponsored campaign to promote energy efficiency: TogetherWeSave.com. Additionally, 70 percent of cooperatives nationwide offer financial incentives to promote greater efficiency and 96 percent of cooperatives have an efficiency program in place. But, to meet the EPA’s efficiency goals – which include an evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) plan component to verify the efforts – could prove costly. The National Rural Electric
EPA’s “Building Blocks” Cooperative Association estimates that to meet the efficiency goals, co-ops and consumer members would have to spend $58 billion on energy efficiency. That level of investment, NRECA argues, may go beyond the abilities of consumer-owners and co-ops to afford, given co-op demographics. (Nationally, America’s electric cooperative serve 42 million Americans in some of the more remote parts of the country.) The practicality of the building block is a concern to others as well. “They are expensive programs to run; typically you would need a broader base to be cost-effective to run,” said Kim Pederson, Manager of Market Planning for Otter Tail Power Company, an investor-owned utility based in Minnesota that serves towns in northeastern South Dakota. Pederson was a panelist addressing the fourth building block during a South Dakota Public Utilities Commission conference on 111(d) held in July. “In a state without a lot of metro and clusters of population, it gets a lot tougher....South Dakota is so spread out,” said Pederson. She said Otter Tail estimates it would cost nearly $1.2 million to achieve the 1.5 percent goal for its South Dakota customers by 2024. (OtterTail based their assumptions on actual costs incurred with meeting a state-mandated rule in Minnesota that was implemented in 2007. She noted in her comments that the state has yet to meet the 1.5 percent goal, despite the significant investments being made.) NRECA also contends that studies demonstrate that urban experiences in energy efficiency achievements cannot be achieved in rural areas. An additional concern with the building block – and perhaps a fundamental concern – is that the building block exceeds EPA’s legal authority under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. Electric co-ops support energy efficiency programs designed to save consumers money and conserve energy resources. However, co-ops – through NRECA – argue that EPA does not have the authority to set national energy policy, let alone mandate energy conservation. NRECA maintains that the proposed EPA rules are complex with unintended consequences and that the EPA is overreaching its legal authority. For co-op members, the additional costs hit member-owners hardest. The not-for-profit co-op business model forces any costs from upgrades or shuttered power plants to be borne directly by co-op members. According to the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, the EPA’s proposed rule – encompassing its four building blocks – could force the retirement of 30,000 megawatts to 80,000 megawatts of coal-based generation and could cause more than 200,000 jobs to be lost in 2020. The projected global climate benefits are a less than 1 percent reduction in CO2 concentrations, a reduction in global average temperature of 0.016 degree and a reduction in sea level rise of 1/100th of an inch. The public comment period on the EPA’s proposed rule closed on Dec. 1. The EPA intends to issue a final rule in June of 2015 and states will then have one year to develop implementation plans or if they collaborate on multi-state or regional plans, they are allowed two years to develop their plan. Case by case, states can seek a one-year extension from the EPA. Therefore, in some states it may take until June of 2018 to fully understand what compliance with this proposal will mean. Editor’s Note: This is the fourth of a five-part series that will explore each of the EPA’s Building Blocks. The four building blocks are: (1) making coal plants more efficient; (2) displacing existing coal with existing natural gas plants; (3) increasing the use of nuclear and renewable energy; and (4) decreasing electricity consumption by increasing end-user energy efficiency.
Coal Plant Efficiency Make physical and operational changes at existing coal-based power plants to improve heat-rate efficiency by 6 percent, which reduces the amount of coal needed per MWh of generation, thereby reducing CO² emissions.
+
Natural Gas Existing natural gas combined-cycle plants are used more or less frequently, depending upon a variety of factors. EPA’s CO² reduction goals are based on dispatching those natural gas plants more frequently (up to 70 percent capacity factor) while closing or curtailing existing coal-based generation sources.
+
Renewable and Nuclear Power Nuclear power and renewable resources like hydro, wind and solar power do not have direct CO² emissions. EPA’s goals are based on keeping some existing nuclear power plants (that are at risk of closing) operating, ensuring that new nuclear plants under construction get finalized, and that more sources of renewable energy are developed.
+
Consumer Energy Efficiency Improving energy efficiency by consumers reduces the need for power generation. EPA’s CO² reduction goals envision all states increasing energy efficiency programs to result in the avoidance of 1.5 percent of energy demand per year.
=
State Carbon Intensity Goal State
2012 Final Emissions Goal Final Rate (lbs/ (2030 & Reduction MWh) After)
Final Percent Reduction
Iowa
1,552
1,301
-251
-16.2%
Minnesota
1,470
873
-597
-40.6%
Montana
2,246
1,771
-475
-21.1%
Nebraska
2,009
1,479
-530
-26.4%
N. Dakota
1,994
1,783
-211
-10.6%
S. Dakota
1,135
741
-394
-34.7%
Wyoming
2,115
1,714
-401
-19.0%
Cooperative Connections • January 2015 13
Supplying the Wind Industry South Dakota Businesses Play a Role in Wind Economy
A
s giant wind towers have gone up across the
By Brenda Kleinjan
landscapes of South Dakota and western Minnesota businesses that supply the industry have opened up shop in the region. On the north end of Aberdeen, Molded Fiber Glass Companies, which is based in Ohio, opened a plant dedicated to manufacturing wind turbine blades in 2008. Now, the wind turbine blade plant in Aberdeen, S.D., is on the “cutting edge� of repairing the massive devices. In early 2014, the MFG Energy Services facility in the Hub City joined its sister site in Gainesville, Fla., as one of the few places in the United States
14 January 2015 • Cooperative Connections
where damaged turbine blades can be repaired in a clean, climate controlled facility where resins used to repair the blades can cure properly. In addition, quality control engineers are on site to ensure the repaired blades meet original equipment manufacturer standards before being returned to operation. The science of repairing wind turbine blades in the field has seen significant advances during the last five years as a result of improvements in diagnostic tools, materials, equipment and technician training, according to MFG ES. The company adds that the in-field repair model however still has intrinsic limitations because blades
are frequently injured beyond the ability of field repair crews to economically or safely restore them to optimum working condition. “In the factory it’s possible to restore even seriously damaged blades to “like new” condition faster than even the most talented field repair team,” according to Gary Kanaby, director of marketing and sales for MFG ES. MFG Energy Services, performs repair and maintenance services of composite wind turbine components to wind farms in North America. Damaged blades are shipped to a repair factory and carefully inspected upon arrival. Skilled technicians perform the restoration work, after which the blades are transported back to the operator’s site. In instances where a repetitive problem is diagnosed, the factory engineering team has the resources to perform forensic analysis, recommend and often perform advanced restoration. The blades return to the operators’ wind farm or inventory facility with full documentation. Unlike work performed in the field, factory repairs are executed in a clean, controlled environment at a regulated temperature, ensuring that resins and materials cure properly. Also of high importance, engineering and quality assurance professionals proficient in OEM standards are on-premise to guide the repair work. When it’s possible for blades to be repaired in situ, factory service is generally not the optimum solution. However, repairs that involve opening up major sections of the blade – exposing it to contamination from precipitation or wind born debris, are a natural for factory work. Whenever safety risk is high (e.g., dangerous weather conditions) or the nature of the repairs requires crane removal anyway, weighing the tradeoffs is worthwhile. A thorough cost analysis of transportation from site to factory against the expense of mobilizing a technician team, the risks and limitations of field work, and the projected life extension of the blades often supports an economic case for factory repair. Kanaby explains that factory repair service has not been widely available from O&M service companies because few are affiliated with new blade manufacturing. As part of MFG Wind, MFG ES provisions their factory repairs through MFG’s state-of-the-art blade factories in Gainesville, Texas and Aberdeen.
Towering Above In 2013, a Canadian-based, family-owned business, Marmen, opened Marmen Energy, a plant dedicated to the fabrication of wind towers, located in the city of Brandon, near Sioux Falls, S.D.
“The choice of South Dakota was strategic. This ideal location brings us closer to our clients. In addition, Brandon and Sioux Falls offer a pro-business climate with engaged political, academic and corporate leaders. Lastly, the entire community is facilitating our integration. We believe that the area has one of the best workforces in the country,” said Patrick Pellerin, President of Marmen, in announcing the selection of the Brandon location in May 2013. Marmen is recognized as one of North America’s largest manufacturers of wind towers and is proud to have contributed to the growth and development of the wind industry. The company’s Canadian wind tower manufacturing facilities serve markets in central and eastern Canada, the northeastern United States and part of the midwest, while Marmen Energy enables the company to expand its services to the markets in the south-central, north-central and midwestern United States. Marmen can produce wind turbines of all sizes. The facilities in Matane and Trois-Rivières can, for their part, also meet the needs of the offshore production market. Upon completion of additional production space, the U.S. facility will total 200,000 square feet. The company plans to employ approximately 250 people when the facility became fully operational. Marmen’s originality and strength lie in the fact that it offers personalized services, the promise of a family-run firm, and that it is equipped with the latest technology and exceptionally large facilities, most often a characteristic of larger companies. Its bold character keeps it open to new and complex projects. (See more at: http://www.marmeninc. com/en/marmen/who-are-we/#sthash.8BZ7aWM7. dpuf )
Getting It There And, a long-established South Dakota business is also playing a role in the region’s wind economy. Trail King Industries, based in Mitchell, S.D., creates specialized trailers that can haul the components of the wind towers. Its 19-axle mechanical detachable gooseneck trailer can haul a 192,000-pound nacelle. The trailer, when extended reaches more than 180 feet. For slightly smaller components, the company’s 13axle trailers can haul items up to 170,000 pounds. Specialized tower dollies can haul tower sections while the company’s extendable blade hauler can haul two blades at one time. (You can check out a video of the trailer in action at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=2CaYc0bwX2M) Cooperative Connections • January 2015 15
Regional Dateline
Events of Special Note
January 3 Annual Pigeon Show Watertown, SD, 605-520-1053
January 6-8 Dakota Farm Show DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD 507-437-7969 January 8-10 Ice Fishing Tournament Mobridge, SD, 605-845-2387 www.mobridgeoutdoors.com January 10 Health and Safety Fair Watertown, SD, 605-882-1734 January 10 Frosty Frolics – Family Snowshoeing 101 Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-4414 maryjowegnerarboretum.com January 17, February 21 and March 21 James Valley Model Railroad Open House, Aberdeen, SD 605-226-2139 January 21 Annual Ranchers Workshop 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. CT Community Events Center White River, SD 605-259-3252 ext. 3 January 23-24 Winter Show, Sisseton, SD 605-698-7261
PHOTO COURTESY OF S.D. DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
January 4, 11, 18, 25 Foreign Film Festival Spearfish, SD, 605-642-7973 www.matthewsopera.com
January 6 Minnesota’s 89th Legislative Session opens January 7 Nebraska’s 104th Legislative Session opens January 13 South Dakota 90th Legislative Session opens 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.
January 24 Winter Games Winter Fest Finale, Watertown, SD 605-882-6269 January 24 Glacial Lakes Beer Fest Watertown, SD, 605-886-6127 watertowneventcenter.com January 25 Public Opinion Prom and Bridal Show, Watertown, SD 605-886-6901 January 25 Eureka Hymns Annual Concert Eureka, SD, 605-284-2136
January 30-February 8 Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo Rapid City, SD 605-355-3861 January 31 Living History Fair Watertown, SD, 605-881-1758
February 14-15 Winter Big Boy Toy Show Aberdeen, SD, 605-229-3632 www.hubcityradio.com
February 7-8 Dakota Territory Gun Collector’s Association Show Aberdeen, SD, 701-851-0129
February 16 Farm and Home Show Wessington Springs, SD 605-539-1929
February 10-14 Farm Show, Watertown, SD 605-886-5814
February 24-26 Ag Expo, Aberdeen, SD 605-725-5551 www.aberdeenagexpo.com
January 30-31 ISOC SnoCross Shootout Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876
February 13 Heart to Heart Chocolate Auction Brookings, SD, 605-688-5423 southdakotaartmuseum.com
January 30-31 Day County Farm, Home and Sport Show, Webster, SD 605-345-4668 www.webstersd.com
February 14 Valentine’s Lover’s Leap Snowshoe Hike, Custer, SD 605-255-4515 www.gfp.sd.gov
February 15 It’s Your Party Bridal Show Watertown, SD, 605-886-4127
February 28-March 1 Home Builders Show Watertown, SD, 605-886-5814 watertownhomebuilders.com March 3 Nickelback, Sioux Falls, SD 605-367-7288