Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections February 2015

FEBRUARY 2015

VOL. 15 NO. 10

Co-op

News

Scholarships Available for Dependants of Members Basin Electric Power Cooperative is again offering college scholarships to more than 160 students in the eightstate region served by its members. The scholarships are for the 2015-2016 school year. Each of the 127 member cooperatives of Basin Electric, including Bon Homme Yankton Electric, will award scholarships to dependents of consumers. In addition, 20 scholarships will be awarded to dependents of member-system employees and 20 will go to dependents of employees of Basin Electric and its subsidiaries. Bon Homme Yankton Electric will be giving out two $500 scholarships to dependents of Bon Homme Yankton Electric members. The scholarship program recognizes and encourages the academic achievements of students in its region. It also serves as an investment in the

economic future of rural areas. Applicants for the scholarships must be US citizens and the dependents of member-system employees or consumers, or of active, full-time employees of Basin Electric or its subsidiaries. Applicants also must be students enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate or graduate course of study at an accredited, twoyear or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school. Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on a combination of SAT/ACT scores and overall grade-point average, work experience, participation in school and community activities, a personal statement of career goals and a written recommendation by a third party. Applications for the 2015-2016 school year will be accepted until February 13, 2015 and winners will be announced by April 1. Each member

cooperative will select the scholarship winners from its consumers’ children applicant pool. A Basin Electric selection committee will decide the 40 scholarship winners from the member system employee group and the Basin Electric and subsidiary employee group. For more information and for a scholarship application form, contact Bon Homme Yankton Electric, your school’s guidance counselor or visit our website: www.byelectric.coop. Applications must be returned to Bon Homme Yankton Electric, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063 by 4:30pm, February 13, 2015.

PAY ONLINE @ WWW.BYELECTRIC.COOP 2 Februar y 2015 • Cooperative Connections

Board

Report

2015 Budget Approved (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 2015 operating budget was approved as presented at the previous board meeting. The board approved the write-off of a short list of uncollectable accounts. The amount written off is the lowest in recent years. The board commended the collection employees on the work they have done to keep the uncollectable amounts under control. After hearing a report on the number, types of jobs and the time spent on each wiring or store job, the board moved to change the hourly rate to $70 per hour with a one hour minimum.

4-H Thank You Notes

Welcome New Members

Thank you for your support of our program. Stockton Walter Thank you for sponsoring the Top Record Book award and the Visual Arts award. Kaycee D Walter Thank you for sponsoring the Senior Swine Showmanship. I greatly appreciate it. Kade Hellmann Thank you for sponsoring my Junior Swine Showmanship award. Riley Hellmann Thank You Lincoln Thury

The planning session agenda was discussed. The planning session is scheduled as a special meeting on January 21. Teri Wallace from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Finance Corporation will be on hand to present the Key Ratio Trends Analysis and to preside over the planning session. The board approved the City of Tyndall 2015 contract. The cooperative agrees to perform work for the City of Tyndall on an as needed basis. Policy 50-20 Station Service Power was revised in regards to the rate per kwh to be charged.

Lesterville Wiener, Anthony Mission Hill Hauger, Robert Scotland Herrboldt, Jack Springfield Keith, Rachel Maggs, Mark & Blair Tabor Pechous, Kyle Wilking, Darrell & Karen Tripp IES Commercial Inc Tyndall Scieszinski Cattle Inc Utica Patton, David M Yankton Atem, Abraham Deng Blumke, Adam Caskey, Kevin & Norma Donner, Michelle Hagemann, Dustin Kittelson, Charlene Jean Krajewski, Michael Lesher, Christine Mueller, Steve Shape, Mary Jane Snodgrass, Edward & Angela Solis-Lopez, Isaura Vanmatre, Dan Zimmerer, Doug

Cooperative Connections • Februar y 2015 3

SafetyTips

Stay Informed, Stay Involved As state lawmakers across the region head back to their respective capitols, it’s important for citizens to stay involved in the political process. Lawmakers often say they want to hear from their constituents on issues that matter at home. With that in mind, here are ways to contact your elected officials:

Minnesota According to the Minnesota State Legislature website, you can call, email or write a letter to your legislator’s office in St. Paul. Email is most effective if it is not a blanket mailing to all members. When sending an email, remember to include your name, postal address and phone number. To find specific contact information for your senator, go to http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/ index.php?ls=#header. To find contact information for your representative, go to http://www.house.leg.state. mn.us/members/hmem.asp. Nebraska Contacting members of Nebraska’s unicameral legislature in Lincoln is most easily achieved via the Legislature’s website at http://www.nebraskalegislature. gov/. From there, access the Contact page (http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_list.php) to find the Nebraska senator representing your area. South Dakota South Dakotans can contact their senators and representatives in Pierre through the Legislative Research Council by visiting http://legis.sd.gov Contact information for specific legislators can be found at http://legis.sd.gov/Legislators/Who_Are_ My_Legislators/default.aspx Phone messages can be left for senators at 605773-3821 while messages for representatives can be left at 605-773-3851. Good To Know If you’re calling about a specific piece of legislation, it is best to find out the House or Senate file number (bill number) and status before you contact your legislator. Legislators consider hundreds of pieces of legislation each session.

4 Febr uar y 2015

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COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS

National Burn Awareness Week is Feb. 1-7 The smell of cookies baking in the oven or tasty sauces simmering on the stovetop is hard to resist for adults and children alike. However, before you dip your finger into the pot to taste that delicious soup, know that scalds from cooking liquids, grease and food, as well as tap water and steam were responsible for 46 percent of all burns in 2012. Of these, 53 percent of the victims were children under five and most of these burns occurred in the home – usually in the kitchen or bathroom. While thousands of scald burns occur annually, increased awareness of the dangers can prevent injuries. Following a few simple precautions will help keep you and your little chef safe from potential burns: • Cool a burn under cold running water for 10-15 minutes and call 9-1-1 for serious burns. • Always supervise children in the kitchen and dining areas. • Create a “No Child Zone” while preparing and serving hot foods and beverages. • Don’t carry or hold a child while cooking on the stove. Instead, place the child into a high chair or other safe area while cooking. • Children love to reach, so to prevent hot food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from its edge; also, keep hot foods away from the edge of your counters. • Keep clothing from coming in contact with flames or heating elements. • A small adjustment to your water heater can give you one less thing to worry about. To prevent accidental scalding, set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the manufacturer’s recommended setting. • Make a habit of placing matches, gasoline and lighters in a safe place out of children’s reach and avoid novelty lighters as they may look like toys in a child’s eyes. • When filling the bathtub, turn on cold water first then mix in warmer water carefully. Source: mass.gov

Kids’ Corner Safety Poster “Don’t put a rug over extension cords.” Emily Ohlrogge, 10 years old Emily is the daughter of Keith and Leslie Ohlrogge, Woonsocket, S.D. They are members of Central Electric Cooperative, Mitchell, 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

Bountiful Brunch Daisy Baked Hash Browns

Hearty Oatmeal

1 pint sour cream 2 lb. bag hash browns, thawed Chopped onion 1 can cream of chicken soup

1-3/4 cup lowfat or fat free milk 1 cup old fashioned or quick cooking oats (not instant) 1 tsp. brown sugar

2 cups shredded cheese 2 cups corn flakes 1/2 cup melted butter

Combine sour cream, hash browns, chopped onion and soup. Place in 9x13-inch pan. Add shredded cheese. Sprinkle corn flakes on top and drizzle melted butter over corn flakes. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F. for 1 hour. Darlene Price, Prairie City

Green Chile Egg Bake 12 eggs, beaten until fluffy 8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 8 oz. Pepper Jack cheese, shredded 1/2 tsp. salt

2 (4 oz.) cans diced green chiles, undrained 1 cup cottage cheese 4 oz. (1 stick) butter, melted 1 T. baking powder 1/8 tsp. pepper

Combine all ingredients and pour into a 9x13-inch pan (glass works best.) Bake, uncovered, at 350°F. until set. Serve with salsa and sour cream. Nancy Stenson, Fort Pierre

White Tail Ridge Orange French Toast 1 lb. day-old bread, unsliced 3 eggs 3 egg whites 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 tsp. salt Grated zest of 1 orange 1 tsp. almond extract

1-1/2 cups orange juice 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted 1 cup water 1 cup light brown sugar 6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate

Cut bread in 16 slices about 1/2-inch thick. In a shallow dish, whisk eggs, whites, sugar, salt, zest and almond extract. Stir in orange juice. Dip bread slices into juice mixture until thoroughly soaked. Transfer slices to a baking sheet as you work. Drizzle any remaining liquid over slices. Cook slices on a large, hot griddle until golden. Transfer to a clean baking sheet. Place in oven and bake at 375°F. for 10 minutes. While toast is baking, make syrup. Mix water and brown sugar in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 1 minute. Add orange juice concentrate; cook until hot, about 1 minute, while stirring. Sprinkle toast with almonds and serve with syrup. Darcy Bracken-Marxen, Hermosa

1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 cup sliced strawberries 1/4 cup dried cherries 3 T. toasted sliced almonds (3/4 oz.)

Combine milk, oatmeal, brown sugar and cinnamon in saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir often to prevent boiling over. Cook until thickened. Divide between two serving bowls and top with strawberries, cherries and almonds. Serve immediately. Makes: 2 servings Nutritional information per serving: 510 calories; 8 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 10 mg cholesterol; 25 g protein; 87 g carbohydrates; 8 g fiber; 0 mg sodium; 600 mg calcium (60% of daily value). Nutrition figures based on using fat free milk. Pictured, Cooperative Connections

Hash Brown, Sausage & Bacon Frittata 1/2 pkg. of shredded hash browns 1/2 cup melted butter 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

6 sausage links, diced 8 slices bacon, diced 1 cup milk 9 eggs Salt and pepper to taste

Place hash browns into lightly sprayed 9x11-inch pan, press down evenly to form a crust. Drizzle butter evenly over crust and bake at 425°F. for 25 minutes. Place cheeses, sausage and bacon over hash brown crust. Blend milk and eggs together; pour over all. Reduce heat to 350°F. and bake an additional 30 minutes. Mary Metz-Carda, Hurley

Bacon Cheese Puff 5 green onions, chopped tops and all 3/4 cup chopped red, green or yellow peppers 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled or Canadian bacon, cut into pieces

12 slices white bread, quartered 8 oz. Swiss cheese, shredded 8 eggs 4 cups milk 1-1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper

Please send your favorite seafood, appetizers, beverages and casserole 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.

Cook onions and peppers until soft in bacon grease, if available. Arrange 1/2 bread slices in single layer in bottom of greased 9x13-inc pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 bacon, onions, peppers and cheese. Repeat layers again with bread, onion, peppers, bacon and cheese. Pour beaten eggs, milk, salt and pepper over top layer in pan. Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350°F. 50 minutes or until eggs are set and top is puffed and golden. Caroline Bochman, Tyndall

COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS

• Fe b r ua r y 2015

5

Co-op

News

New Software Brings A Few Changes To Billing The first thing to note is that while the office has been in training and testing for months, the new computer software will still take a little getting used to. We appreciate your patience as we get more comfortable on the new system and are able to find your information more quickly as time goes on. New Format Your next bill will be somewhat different and will include a window envelope if you are not signed up for automatic payments. When you send your payment, please make sure the coupon is placed correctly in the window for prompt delivery to our office. "How to Read Your Bill" Insert A bill stuffer included in the first new bill will help explain the information included on the new format. Multiple Accounts If you have more than one account, there will be a summary page with the totals for all your accounts added together. You may use this summary page's coupon to send in your payment. If there are accounts that you do not want to be grouped together, please let us know. Check Bills Carefully Please contact us immediately if you see any issues or errors in your bill. It is of utmost importance to make sure the new programs and data are working correctly. SmartHub New Online App SmartHub is the name of the program replacing the eBiz website. You will need to sign up for the new site as a new user. In addition to accessing your account with a computer, you can download the SmartHub app to your Droid or i Device. When setting up the app, make sure and choose Bon Homme Yankton Electric as your electric

provider. Automatic Payments If you are already signed up for automatic payments from checking account, savings account or credit/debit card, your billing will not change. You will, however, be able to sign up for paperless billing in SmartHub with the option of receiving a text or email when your new bill has been calculated. If you are not signed up for automatic payments, you can sign up in the SmartHub app or fill out the form on the reverse side of the payment coupon at the bottom of the bill. We still give a one time $5 credit for anyone signing up for ACH for the first time. Bill Pay Many members use their bank or another entity to pay their bills online. We call this service Bill Pay. Typically, those banks would mail us a check to process. With the new system we have signed up as a vendor so that you can select Bon Homme Yankton Electric when paying using a Bill Pay service. These payments would then be automatically posted to your account on the date chosen by you. If you use Bill Pay, please update your online accounts with our name and the account number shown on your new invoice. New Account Numbers Account numbers have been shortened. The account numbers that started with 10000 were too long so we have removed one of the zeros. Internet Combined If you are an electric and Internet customer, you will receive only one bill for both services. As always, if you have any questions regarding your bill or energy use, please contact our office. Our Energy Experts are here to help!

6 Februar y 2015 • Cooperative Connections

News

Briefs

Thune Urges EPA to Withdraw Proprosed Power Plant Regulations U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) has sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy calling on the EPA to withdraw its proposed regulations on existing power plants, citing the significant financial burdens it will impose on South Dakota consumers, as well as technical infeasibilities that will drive up energy costs and threaten grid reliability. “The Obama administration’s proposed power plant regulation is yet another example of presidential executive action that Americans clearly rejected in November as it will hurt jobs and increase costs,” said Thune. “The president’s proposed regulation is a national, backdoor energy tax that will slam South Dakota rate payers – especially low-income families and seniors living on fixed incomes. Affordable and reliable energy provides essential comforts for families across the country this winter and powers American industries to build a stronger economy. Yet the EPA’s proposal will make electricity rates skyrocket and stifle economic growth. I continue to urge Administrator McCarthy to reconsider.” On June 2, 2014, the EPA proposed the Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, or Clean Power Plan, requiring a 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants by 2030. Under the proposed rule, South Dakota power plants must reduce carbon dioxide emission rates 35 percent by 2030 based on emission levels from 2012. This reduction mandate is more stringent than the national average for the EPA’s proposed reductions. According to testimony provided to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission in July of 2014, South Dakota consumers could see their electricity bills increase by as much as 90 percent on account of this regulation, a release by Thune said.

South Dakota PUC: EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan Wrong for South Dakota The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed plan to regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants will have harmful results on the reliability and affordability of electricity in South Dakota if implemented as it is currently written, warned the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The PUC responded to the EPA’s call for comments to its Clean Power Plan by thoroughly analyzing the proposal, discussing effects with South Dakota stakeholders and submitting extensive written comments to the federal agency this month. Those comments can be read on the PUC’s website at www.PUC. SD.gov/energy/111dcomments.aspx In mid-June of last year, the EPA rolled out its proposed rule to regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants under the Clean Air Act §111(d). The agency initially opened a comment period until mid-October for the myriad parties that would be affected by the complex rule to share their concerns. The EPA extended the comment period to Dec. 1, after receiving feedback from numerous parties about the compressed timeline. The EPA expects to finalize the rule by June 1, 2015. States will be required to submit their plans on how to comply with the rule by June 30, 2016. The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be responsible for compiling and filing the state plan with the EPA. In its proposed rule, the EPA specifies carbon reduction goals for the state that are based on national or regional averages with no consideration for the production and dispatch of energy in South Dakota that crosses state boundaries. The existing power plants in South Dakota targeted by the EPA’s proposal are the Big Stone Plant, a coal-fired plant near Milbank jointly operated by Otter Tail Power Co., NorthWestern Energy and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.;

and Deer Creek Station, a natural gas combined-cycle plant near Elkton owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative. The EPA’s proposal does not give credit for carbon-free electricity generated by hydropower plants located along the Missouri River in South Dakota. Among the concerns of PUC commissioners Gary Hanson, Chris Nelson and Kristie Fiegen are the proposal’s use of flawed assumptions and suggestions of carbon emission reductions that are not technically feasible, resulting in dramatic increases in the cost of electricity to consumers and a reckless disregard for electric reliability. The PUC’s written comments focus on four primary elements: educating the EPA about the state’s electric industry; identifying concerns with EPA’s short compliance timeline; identifying technical issues with the building blocks EPA has specified for states to use to comply with the Clean Power Plan; and providing economic impacts forecasted for South Dakota. “The EPA’s proposal will be destructive to our economy,” said PUC Chairman Hanson. “Environmental prudence should be part of national energy policy. I also firmly believe that energy must be affordable and reliable. I am frustrated that the EPA’s plan obviously bypasses essential facts about South Dakota’s reality. If the plan is unchanged, our state’s consumers will pay dearly,” he concluded. “This plan concerns me to the core and the PUC will continue to do all that we can to moderate its impact to South Dakota consumers, farmers and business people,” said PUC Vice Chairman Nelson. “It is important that South Dakota energy consumers know that the PUC will continue to dig our heels in and advocate for rational and reasonable solutions on their behalf,” said Commissioner Fiegen. Cooperative Connections • February 2015 7

Dakota Rising Helps Communities

Connect the Dots B

e the change you want to see in your community.

That take on Mahatma Ghandi’s famous quote about changing the world is a driving force for the communities and individuals engaged in the various programs of Dakota Resources. “One of the things we learned early on is that capital is not the only resource needed for successful By economic and community development – or developBrenda Kleinjan ment of a successful organization,” said Beth Davis, president of Dakota Resources Economic and Leadership Development headquartered in Renner, S.D. “We have been able to accomplish what we have through connecting the dots, with resource organizations and the communities and entrepreneurs we serve,” Davis said.

8 February 2015 • Cooperative Connections

Since 2008, communities across South Dakota have worked with Dakota Resources to assess, energize and facilitate community change. Dakota Resources is a state-wide nonprofit focusing on helping rural communities realize their community and economic goals. While the efforts vary depending on each community’s specific needs, the one of the elements that makes change possible is effective and engaged community coaching. In 2014, Southern Charles Mix Dakota Rising was added as a new Community Site for the entrepreneur development program, Dakota Rising. As a Dakota Rising Community Site, Southern Charles Mix Dakota Rising will participate in a

statewide learning community working together to share best practices around entrepreneurship development and retention and expansion strategies. Other communities participating in the program include Southern Hills on the Rise (Fall River and Custer counties), Dakota Rising Aberdeen (Brown County), Faulkton Area Dakota Rising (Faulk County) and Dakota Rising Lawrence County. “What this program has allowed us to do is bring together all the different energies in our community together under one roof,” said Joel Price, Faulkton Area Development Corporation, in a video about the community’s involvement with Dakota Rising. The Dakota Rising Community Sites often work in conjunction with Dakota Resource’s other programs – Home Address and the Capital Investment Fund. Dakota Rising is a three-year Dakota Resources program that helps rural entrepreneurs discover new ways to grow their business. Dakota Rising mentors entrepreneurs who have passion, drive and a will to take their companies to the next level. The program’s goal is to help businesses all over rural South Dakota become more successful, put more people in their community to work and help entrepreneurs better manage their businesses. Dakota Rising strategically partners with local communities to help entrepreneurs and business people grow their businesses. “Dakota Rising is not just about making your business itself better, it’s about making your business better for your community,” said Kelly Melius, Common Sense Mfg. in Faulkton. The Dakota Rising program was launched in 2008 by Dakota Resources and a Design Team made up of a variety of stakeholders in rural development. Since then, dozens of entrepreneurs have accelerated their business growth and have taken advantage of the insight, ideas and experience of other Fellows. The Dakota Rising community meets three

times a year for three-day conferences in addition to online meetings. The sharing among Fellows grows companies and grows a Fellow’s business confidence. Becoming a Fellow adds a level of accountability that encourages action. Fellows receive assistance from their closest Dakota Rising community site, as well as from Dakota Resources. The South Dakota economy relies on the growth of rural businesses and Dakota Rising can help those small business entrepreneurs accelerate that growth. “Sometimes it just gives you the confidence to keep following your dream and work through the problem,” said Chad Homan of Homan Welding in Faulkton. A Dakota Rising Fellow is a person who has taken a startup business to a viable, profit-earning stage and is poised for the next level of growth. After successfully completing the application process and being chosen, Fellows are connected to a community of statewide resources, mentors and financial experts. Personal and business growth strategies are developed while working in a small cohort where Fellows help one another despite vastly different industries and experiences. After one year in the program, each Fellow is awarded a $10,000 grant to support professional growth and business expansion. Participants in the programs agree that the Dakota Rising programs help improve their communities. “If they can employ two or three or more people, that’s more pay checks in town, said Dwight Hossell of Dacotah Bank. “If even 50 percent of those pay checks are spent in town on rent or groceries or recreation, that just helps impact everybody so everybody’s life is a little better.” Melius sums up the experience with this: “It’s about making our town better.”

Cooperative Connections • February 2015 9

Co-op

News

Local Scholar Touchstone Energy Cooperative Bon Homme Yankton Electric along with KSFY are pleased to announce that Devin Tolsma of Avon was selected as a Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week. Devin's segment aired on KSFY the week of December 14-20. Devin, son of Julie and Mark Tolsma, has a 3.975 grade point average and is involved in many different activities including: football, basketball, Student Body President, science fair, church youth group and A-Club. Devin was nominated by Avon High School Principal Matt Yost. Yost stated, “Devin is a natural leader and utilizes those qualities to better those around him. Academically, Devin models an intrinsic motivation to challenge himself to be successful by putting forth maximum effort. He has chosen a challenging course of study during his high school experience in order to better prepare him for his post-secondary education. Devin will graduate with academic honors.” Touchstone Energy Cooperatives along with KSFY Television have joined together to recognize the achievements of high school seniors throughout the region. “Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week” has been celebrating the achievements of high school seniors since 2002. Recipients are highly motivated high school seniors who excel in the

Jim Karolevitz Retires Jim Karolevitz began his long career at Bon Homme Yankton Electric in 1977 when he was hired on as summer help. He worked part-time until May 1978, then was hired as a fulltime apprentice lineman in June of 1979. He achieved journeyman status in 1982 and has been a crew foreman for several years. Jim plans on keeping busy with hunting, fishing and helping his brother farm. He is looking forward to being able to stay inside when the weather turns cold. Jim and his wife, Lori, reside in Tabor. Congratulations to Jim on his retirement! The cooperative will miss his experience and work ethic.

1 0 Februar y 2015 • Cooperative Connections

L-R: AHS Principal Matt Yost, Devin Tolsma, Bon Homme Yankton Electric General Manager MJ Goehring.

classroom and community. This program was founded on the four pillars of Touchstone Energy: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation and a Commitment to Community. What does it take to be a Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week? It’s not just about grades or athletic ability. It takes a well-rounded individual that excels in the classroom and the community. Devin received $100 from Bon Homme Yankton Electric in recognition Classifieds of his many accomplishments. March Issue Deadline: February 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. FOR RENT: Outdoor parking available for boats, campers and vehicles at CS Storage in Tabor, SD Call 605-661-2568.3

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Building Block No. 3

Renewable and Nuclear Power A

By Brenda Kleinjan

mong the Environmental Protection Agency’s building blocks that comprise the agency’s proposed greenhouse gas rule for existing power plants under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act is the block calling for increased renewable and nuclear power. The block would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by closing or curtailing coal plants and substituting that generation with power from existing and new zero-CO2-emitting nuclear and renewable power sources. The block would allow existing nuclear power plants that are at risk of shutting down to remain open and additional renewable power generation sources could be added nearly nationwide. Many – including the nation’s electric cooperative association and the governor, public utilities commission and attorney general of South Dakota – claim that the building block exceeds the EPA’s legal authority under 111(d). But, beyond that basic, fundamental objection, other concerns emerge. In his comments to the EPA about the proposed

While hydroelectricity accounted for more than 50 percent of South Dakota’s electric generation in 2012, the way the renewable power source was – and wasn’t – calculated in the EPA’s proposed building block caused concern for many. 12 February 2015 • Cooperative Connections

rule, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard pointed out that approximately 74 percent of South Dakota’s electric production in the 2012 base year was renewable energy. Further, he pointed out that only three states emitted less carbon than South Dakota. Among the concerns about Building Block 3 expressed by the governor was how the state’s renewable energy goal was calculated and how hydropower – which accounted for nearly half of the state’s megawatt-hour generation in 2012 – was calculated. In its filing on the rule, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission writes, “the proposed rule does not allow existing hydropower to count toward complying with a state’s goal...Annual production, however, is dependent on river management rather than demand for electricity. Therefore, a large portion of the state’s generation is outside anyone’s control. “Yet because hydropower is used in calculating the required amount of renewables, the state is effectively penalized as a result of its carbon free source of power,” the PUC comments continued.

The PUC also expressed concerns with how the EPA calculated the renewable goal. Beyond the issues with how hydropower is or is not included in the goal, there is an issue with how wind power and other renewables are counted. The PUC noted that in calculating the state’s renewable goal, it included all generation used in the state. However, the EPA noted that complying with the goal will involve the ownership of renewable energy certificates (RECs). [RECs were developed to facilitate the tracking of renewable energy, allowing purchasers of renewable energy to claim attributes and benefits of that specific renewable resource.] The PUC noted that wind generation was approximately 24 percent of generation produced in South Dakota in 2012 (the EPA’s baseline year). However, a majority of the RECs associated with that wind generation was contracted to out-of-state utilities for compliance within their own states. In his comments, Gov. Daugaard pointed out that five of nine states in the region that EPA included South Dakota in cannot meet their respective renewable standards without using renewable energy that is produced in another state. The PUC noted that if the EPA’s final rules call for the RECs to follow purchase contracts, then the majority of South Dakota-generated RECs would flow out of the state. This would require that additional wind generation be built in the state to meet the renewables goal established by the building block. The PUC calculated that this would cost South Dakota consumers more than $870 million. Costs for wind integration and major transmission and intermediate generation investments would also be needed and would greatly add to the costs. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association notes that electric cooperatives have worked diligently to diversify their energy resource portfolio. In fact, in 2012, South Dakota had 784 megawatts of installed wind generation; more than 300 megawatts of that generation were electric cooperative projects. NRECA also notes that co-ops have doubled their renewable energy capacity since 2009. 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. For more on the comments filed by South Dakota go to http://www. puc.sd.gov/energy/111dcomments.aspx Editor’s Note: This is the fifth of a five-part series that explored 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.

EPA’s “Building Blocks” 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 • February 2015 13

Bridgeway to the Bakken Bakken Oil Boom Benefits Neighbor to the South

n

By Brenda Kleinjan

orth Dakota’s oil boom in the Bakken has undoubtedly impacted that state’s economy. Revenues have soared, communities have seen growth that has strained resources as populations have exploded. In South Dakota, highways appear busier with large loads trekking northward. But, what may surprise many is some of those loads are originating in South Dakota as they bring goods and services to northwestern North Dakota’s Bakken region. The South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development touts the state as “a prime location for companies in the oil and gas industry.” It notes that the oil-rich Bakken Shale is less than

14 February 2015 • Cooperative Connections

100 miles away. The Williston Basin extends into the northwestern portion of South Dakota, making it an easy drive from the state’s major cities. The state’s economic leaders have been working to promote South Dakota’s productive agricultural and manufacturing bases provide solid ground for ancillary oil businesses. With a number of suppliers transporting goods to the Bakken daily, South Dakota has proven to be a great location for businesses in the oil and gas industry, the GOED says. Check out the listing on Page 15 of South Dakota businesses affiliated with the oil and gas industry.

South Dakota Oil and Gas Companies as listed at http://sdreadytowork.com/Key-Industries/Oil-Gas.aspx

Company Adams ISC

Location Description Rapid City Pipe and vessel, build and repair, hydraulics and large pump repairs American Engineering Geotechnical, environmental, Testing, Inc. Rapid City materials and forensics consulting and testing services Bentonite Performance Belle Materials, LLC Fourche Bentonite products Black Hills Grid Sturgis Powder coatings, sandblasting, fabrication, design Black Hills Manufacturing Sturgis Design for manufacturing, Services, Inc. prototyping, job shop, process consulting, cold spray repair, controls design, consulting Broadwind Energy Howard Gearbox, motor and transmission repair Builder’s Choice Vermillion Modular building/housing Caber Engineering, Inc. Rapid City Multi-disciplinary engineering firm providing comprehensive engineer ing, project management, & field services Chenega Logistics Sioux Falls Custom innovations in IT Enterprise, cyber engineering, software development, intelligence and integrated solutions Custom Touch Homes Madison Manufactured housing D.T.S. Tea Custom steel and aluminum enclosures, sub-base tanks and trailers for the commercial generator market Dakota Bodies Watertown Custom truck beds Dakota Kustom Coatings Sturgis Custom design, fabrication, & assembly of aluminum extruded structures, racks, workbenches, and machine safety guards Dakota Security Systems Sioux Falls, Safety, security, and Rapid City communication systems Dakota Trailer Yankton Heavy trailer manufacturing Deadwood Biofuels Rapid City Wood pellet manufacturing used in hydraulic fracturing and drilling for solids control Design Tanks Sioux Falls Fiberglass tanks Furgro Horizons Rapid City Remote sensing, mapping and GIS services; aerial acquisition services GCC-Rapid City Rapid City Cement manufacturing Gen-Pro Power Systems, Inc. Rapid City Solar-powered water pumping, LED lighting, water purification systems, solar thermal heating systems, solar modules, grid tie and off-grid systems Global Polymer Brookings Plastic composite sleeve for rig drilling High Performance Sioux Falls Product design, injection molded Engineering parts or machined prototypes for manufacturing; contract mfg, assembly

Company Location Description Horizontal Machining and Huron Fabrication, machining, measuring, Manufacturing welding, and fixturing services Integra Plastics Madison Fabrication and conversion of polyethylene and polypropylene Iron Outfitter Piedmont Metal fabrication and manufacturing Larson Manufacturing Co. Brookings Storm doors M&M Manufacturing Co., Inc. Viborg Hot water pressure washers Malloy Electric Sioux Falls Power transmission parts, electrical supplies, motor repair and machine shop services Mammoth Homes Hot Springs Manufactured housing Mark’s Welding Elk Point Metal skid plates Molded Fiber Glass Aberdeen Fiberglass brine tanks Morris, Inc. Pierre Metal jig fabrication Permian Tank & Belle Steel tank manufacturing offering Manufacturing, Inc. Fourche custom engineered and design tanks Pipeline Plastics Belle High density Fourche polyethylene pipe (HDPE) Rancher’s Welding Gregory Oil tanks Rosebud Cabinetry Madison Custom cabinetry solutions Shamrock Energy Rapid City Back office payroll, accounting Management and other business activities; business consulting Sioux Corporation Beresford Custom pressure washing systems; electric and fossil fuel water heaters Sioux Steel Sioux Falls Fluid storage South Bakken Steel Belle Welding, pipe badger, other and Fabrication Fourche well equipment Specialized Machine, Inc. Sioux Falls CNC machining and prototyping and design Superior Homes Watertown Manufactured housing Terex Utilities Huron Overhead and utility equipment including auger trucks and bits Trail King Industries Mitchell Truck trailers for construction, commercial & specialized markets Tru-Catch Traps/Manufact- Belle Machining clamps and other uring Systems, Inc. Fourche metal fabrication needs TrueNorth Steel Rapid City, Steel tanks, corrugated Huron pipe, and industrial plate work Twin City Fan& Blower Brookings Industrial and commercial fan and blower manufacturing W.L. Plastics Rapid City High-density polyethylene pipe for mining, industrial, oil, gas, irrigation, potable water and sewer systems Western Mine Service, Inc. Hermosa Custom welding, machining, and mechanical fabrication on large equipment; fabricated large custom containers Wheeler Tanks Sioux Falls Tanks, pressure vessels, and fabricated metal products Woodland Cabinetry Sisseton Custom cabinetry solutions Cooperative Connections • February 2015 15

Regional Dateline

Events of Special Note

January 21 36th Annual Ranchers Workshop 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. CT Community Events Center White River, SD 605-259-3252 ext.3

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 & Bridal Show, Watertown, SD 605-886-6901 January 25 Foreign Film Festival Spearfish, SD, 605-642-7973 www.matthewsopera.com January 30-31 ISOC SnoCross Shootout Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876 www.deadwood.org January 30-31 Day County Farm, Home and Sport Show, Webster, SD 605-345-4668 www.webstersd.com January 30-February 8 Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo Rapid City, SD 605-355-3861

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHARON HELBIG

January 23-24 Winter Show, Sisseton, SD 605-698-7261

February 7 Eagles and Bagels Walk in the Park, Fort Pierre, SD 605-223-7722, www.gfp.sd.gov March 21 South Dakota Taxidermy Competition Watertown, SD, 605-886-6127 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 31 Living History Fair Watertown, SD, 605-881-1758 February 3 Touchstone Energy® Safety Events, 8:30 and 10 a.m. Barnett Arena, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Rapid City, SD, 605-224-8823 February 7-8 Dakota Territory Gun Collector’s Association Show Aberdeen, SD, 701-851-0129 February 10-14 Farm Show, Watertown, SD 605-886-5814 February 14-15 Winter Big Boy Toy Show Aberdeen, SD, 605-229-3632 www.hubcityradio.com February 15 It’s Your Party Bridal Show Watertown, SD, 605-886-4127

February 16 Farm and Home Show Wessington Springs, SD 605-539-1929 February 21 and March 21 James Valley Model Railroad Open House, Aberdeen, SD 605-226-2139 February 22 Hub City Radio’s Bridal Showcase, Aberdeen, SD 605-229-3632 February 24-26 Ag Expo, Aberdeen, SD 605-725-5551 www.aberdeenagexpo.com February 28-March 1 Home Builders Show Watertown, SD, 605-886-5814 watertownhomebuilders.com March 3 Nickelback, Sioux Falls, SD 605-367-7288

March 6 Clint Black, Deadwood, SD 605-559-0386 March 7-8 Big Boy Toy Show Watertown, SD, 605-884-3548 March 7-8 Home Builders 14th Annual Home Show, Aberdeen, SD 605-225-2055 www.aberdeenhba.com March 13-14 Advantage RV Spring Camper Show, Watertown, SD 605-753-5022 March 14-15 2015 Gun Show American Legion Hall Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST Philip, SD, 605-859-2635 605-859-2280, 605-859-2892 or 605-859-2219