Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections March 2015

MARCH 2015

VOL. 15 NO. 11

Co-op

News

Sign Up For SmartHub Notifications When you sign up for SmartHub Online Services, you are automatically set up to receive email notices of billing activity. You will receive an email when your bill has been calculated and a reminder email if you forget to make your payment by the 20th. The exciting news is that now you can sign up for text notifications. After you log into the SmartHub website or app, you can add your cell phone as a new contact device. You can select specific accounts and notifications to send to your phone via a text message. Add Text Notifications The following example is for the Web version of SmartHub • Log into the SmartHub Website • Select Manage Contacts from the Notifications Pull Down Menu • Click on Add Text Message Contact • Enter your mobile phone number and click on Send Verification Code • Enter the Verification Code that was sent as a text message • Select Manage Notifications on the left menu • Select the Options behind the notification that you wish to modify • Drag your account from the left box to the box on the right under the new contact phone number to add it to the notification list • Click the Save and Close button You are now finished and will receive a notification for that particular event. Repeat the manage notification process for each specific notification you would like to receive via text.

Bon Homme Yankton Electric is sponsoring one sophomore or junior to attend the 2015 Youth Tour June 11-18, 2015. Applications are available at the main office, our home page: www.byelectric.coop or at your school’s guidance office. Sign up soon--application deadline is Friday, March 13, 2015. Applicants must be a dependant of a current electric member. 2 March 2015 • Cooperative Connections

A full list of documentation and videos regarding the SmartHub web site as well as the Android and iOS versions are available at:

www.byelectric.coop and www.facebook.com/ BonHommeYanktonElectric

Board

Report

2015 Contracts Signed (USPS No. 018-973)

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

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

The board's agenda in January included contracts for plowing, boring and tree trimming for 2015. They also updated Policy 20-04 Director Fees. The preliminary December financial report was presented. The full report along with a 2014 summary will be reviewed at the February meeting. Nicole Einrem, Office Manager, gave an update on the migration to the new computer system. General Manager M.J. Goehring and Operations Manager Robert Ulmer gave a report on the state of the new Operations Center. The building is mostly complete. The line crew and member service employees will begin moving in shortly. The new building will house the big trucks, line material, the dispatch center and office space. The north building will contain smaller trucks and the material used in the consumer wiring department. Planning Session Held The day before the regular board meeting, the board met to discuss the past, present and future of the cooperative. The day started with an overview of our Key Ratio Trend Analysis (KRTA) Summary which is a list of 145 financial ratios that are used to compare the cooperative with other cooperatives in the state, the whole country, the same power supplier and coops that are of a similar size. The KRTA report is generated by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) and was presented by CFC Regional Vice President Teri Wallis. Wallis presented eleven significant ratios and then reviewed the ratios that the cooperative was flagged as being lower or higher than the median. Some of these ratios are understandable due to our small size and the limited number of members but the majority of them were outside the norm for good reasons.

Operations Manager Robert Ulmer joined the session to participate in the discussion regarding the aging distribution plant. Some of our poles, lines and equipment have been serving us well for more years than expected. Ulmer along with the engineers are developing a plan for replacement of some of the oldest plant starting with the next construction work plan. The next topic of discussion was the rates. We use a cost of service model to help determine if the rates are fair to all members and if all members are covering their share of the costs. The board agreed that we need to continue to update the cost of service study and add a rate study to the next update. Goehring shared the labor force status in regards to retirements and new hires. The general consensus is that we can't afford to cut back on the number of employees and that replacements will be hired as needed. This led into a discussion of the wiring department in light of upcoming personnel changes. The future of the Member Service department will be addressed again in the near future. Capital credit retirements were discussed. We will be performing a refund this year to catch up on the 20 year rotation. The board agreed that a full strategic planning session should be held in early 2016 to generate more specific goals for the cooperative.

Welcome New Members

Avon Brandt, Dustin Mission Hill Kellen, Tedd Moysis, Bo Scotland Evenson, Carl & Amber Springfield Souhrada, Matthew Yankton Dewberry, Antoinette Gilmore, Tonja

Cooperative Connections • March 2015 3

SafetyTips

There’s An App For That... If you’re one of the millions of Americans with a smart phone or a tablet device, you are probably quite familiar with the phrase “there’s an app for that.” Here’s a quick look at some useful apps in the co-op world:

Politically Speaking The NRECA Advocacy app by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Cooperative Action Network brings national issues to your finger tips and provides a quick way to contact your elected officials in Washington, D.C. Published by South Dakota’s electric cooperatives, the South Dakota Legislative Roster, app provides information about the South Dakota legislature and other statewide elected officials along with committee information and how to contact your leaders in Pierre. The app also provides information on the state’s electric cooperatives. And for tablets only, check out the South Dakota Legislature’s bill tracking app. Before you Dig Planning some outdoor projects involving digging? Check out the South Dakota 811 or Gopher State One Call. Rain or Shine Need road conditions? Yep, there’s an app for that, too. Check out South Dakota 511 and 511 Minnesota. And the Weather Connection app by Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a handy weather tool. Energy Efficiency Want to save money on your energy bill? Checkout the TogetherWeSave.com app also from America’s Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives. In an Emergency The First Aid by American Red Cross app is a good choice, giving you a portable first aid guide for a variety of emergencies. (Pet First Aid by American Red Cross is available for a small fee and is handy for helping out for your four-legged friends.” Other American Red Cross apps help you schedule blood donations, prepare for hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires and find shelters after disasters.) Looking for news about electric cooperatives across the nation? Check out NRECA’s Co-op Nation app. Being a Member Pays Several co-ops offer the Smart Hub or a similar app to manage your electric bill. And, don’t forget savings from the Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives Co-op Connections Card app. 4 Marc h 2015

•

COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS

March is Eye Safety Month With so many people using computers at work and at home, complaints of eye strain, difficulty focusing and discomfort have become commonplace in doctors’ offices. One of the main reasons for this is although offices have marched into the age of technology, not much else has. People are still using the same lighting, furniture and desk configurations they had when using typewriters. To mark March as Workplace Eye Safety Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has put together some tips to help us alleviate some of the eye problems modern technology has given birth to. They are: • First and most important – get an eye exam by your ophthalmologist, who can rule out the possibility of eye disease as the cause of your symptoms. You could simply need glasses when working at a computer or your prescription might need updating; • Screen distance – you should sit approximately 20 inches from the computer monitor, a little further than you would for reading distance, with the top of the screen at or below eye level. • Equipment – choose a monitor that tilts or swivels and has both contrast and brightness controls; • Furniture – an adjustable chair is best; • Reference materials – keep reference materials on a document holder so you don’t have to keep looking back and forth, frequently refocusing your eyes and turning your neck and head; • Lighting – modify your lighting to eliminate reflections or glare. A hood or micromesh filter for your screen might help limit reflections and glare; and • Rest breaks – take periodic rest breaks, and try to blink often to keep your eyes from drying out. Another thing to remember is that the forced-air heating systems in big office buildings can increase problems with dry eyes during the winter months. The usual symptoms of dry eye are stinging or burning eyes, scratchiness, a feeling that there’s something in the eye, excessive tearing or difficulty wearing contact lenses. Over-the-counter eye drops, called artificial tears, usually help, but if dry eye persists, see your eye doctor for an evaluation. Source: wellnessjunction.com

Kids’ Corner Safety Poster

“Never cut down trees by power lines.” Norah Fadness, 10 years old Norah is the daughter of Jon and Lisa Fadness, Minneota, Minn. They are members of Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, Tyler, Minn. Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, you’ll receive a prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.

Reader Recipes

Satisfying Seafood Country Catfish 2/3 cup cornmeal 1/4 tsp. salt Few drops Tobasco sauce

Catfish fillets 2 eggs, beaten lightly

Combine cornmeal and salt in small bowl; stir well. Dip fish in eggs seasoned with Tobasco sauce, then in cornmeal. Place fish on cookie sheet lined with foil and coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425°F. for 8 to 10 minutes until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Mary Jessen, Holabird

Crab Linguine

8 oz. linguine noodles, cooked and drained 1 cup chopped celery 2 cups mock crab, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 (10 oz.) cans cream of shrimp soup 1/4 cup onion flakes 2 T. parsley flakes

Cook celery in a small amount of water until tender; drain. Mix together all ingredients; simmer until bubbly. Barbara Angerhofer, Hendricks, MN

1 T. olive oil 1/2 cup chopped shallots or onion 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 cup ivory quinoa, rinsed 1 cup water 1 tsp. MAGGI Instant Chicken Flavor Bouillon Ground black pepper Sliced green onions (optional)

Whisk 2 T. Juicy Juice, soy sauce, honey, 1-1/2 tsp. ginger, vinegar and sesame oil. Reserve half of mixture for serving. Pour remaining mixture into shallow pie plate. Add salmon and turn to coat. Cover; marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 450° F. Line baking sheet with foil. Heat olive oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes or until fragrant. Stir in quinoa; cook, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in water, remaining 1 cup Juicy Juice, bouillon and remaining 1 tsp. ginger. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover; cook for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with fork; cover to keep warm. Place salmon on prepared baking sheet; sprinkle with pepper. Discard marinade. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Drizzle reserved marinade over salmon; serve with apple-ginger quinoa. Makes 4 servings

Pictured, Cooperative Connections

2 T. minced onion 1/4 cup salad oil 2 T. vinegar 1-1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper

Combine macaroni, vegetables and seafood in a large bowl. Mix remaining ingredients; pour over macaroni/cabbage mixture and toss lightly. Chill 30 minutes. Add 2/3 cup salad dressing for a more creamy salad. Shirley Dreher, Clark

Crab Salad 8 oz. crab sticks, cut into small pieces 16 oz. ranch dressing 2 carrots, diced 2 ribs celery, diced

1 cup plus 2 T. Apple NESTLÉ® JUICY JUICE® 100% Juice, divided 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 T. honey 2-1/2 tsp. peeled, grated fresh ginger, divided 1 tsp. rice wine vinegar 1/2 tsp. sesame oil 4 (about 6 oz. each) salmon fillets

Nutritional information per serving: 510 calories; 17g total fat; 2.5g saturated fat; 95mg cholesterol; 41g protein; 46g carbohydrates; 3g fiber; 990mg sodium; 12g sugars

Seafood Slaw 6 oz. macaroni, cooked and drained 3 cups finely shredded cabbage 1 green pepper, chopped 1-1/2 cups cooked or canned salmon, tuna or shrimp

Baked Salmon Over Apple-Ginger Quinoa

1 can water chestnuts, drained and diced 1 pkg. chicken-flavored ramen noodles and seasoning

Break noodles. Add dressing and let set for 10 minutes. Add seasoning packet and remaining ingredients. Chill.

Shrimp Lover Squares

1 (8 oz.) tube refrigerated crescent rolls 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup sour cream 1/2 tsp. dill weed 1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup seafood sauce 24 cooked, medium shrimp 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 1/3 cup chopped onion 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

In a greased 9x13 pan, unroll the crescent dough; seal seams. Bake at 375°F. for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream, dill weed and salt until smooth. Spread over crust. Top with sauce, shrimp, green pepper, onion and cheese. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Cut into squares. Becki Hauser, Tripp

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

Donna Glanzer, Carpenter

COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS

• M a rc h 2015

5

Energy Cents

Ideas

Improve Comfort In Your Home By Increasing Thermal Mass Dear Jim: We are planning to remodel our older home and I’ve read that increasing thermal mass can improve energy efficiency. What exactly does this mean and how do we incorporate it into our home? – Sharon T.

Jim Dulley www.dulley.com

Dear Sharon: Increasing the thermal mass means increasing the ability of materials to retain heat energy. This can be done anytime, but it is ideal when remodeling. Increasing the thermal mass does not require a “Fred Flintstonesque” decor with a pile of rocks in the center of every room. Actually, most of these improvements are quite attractive. The concept of increasing thermal mass means having the house structure and interior objects absorb and hold as much heat energy as possible. The heavier the items in your home, the more mass it has to better absorb heat. As the outdoor temperature changes, thermal mass helps moderate indoor temperature swings to improve comfort and efficiency. It is comparable to the way a heavy, high “physical” mass automobile provides a smoother ride by absorbing the energy from bumps. Old-fashioned solid log and heavy timber-framed houses used this thermal mass concept. Even though a log house has a small amount of actual insulation R-value when compared to a typical framed house, its utility bills are often not significantly higher, particularly during the summer. There are several ways thermal mass can save energy in your home. By reducing the indoor temperature swings during winter months, less heat is lost through the walls and windows. This is particularly true in rooms where heat is generated, such as the kitchen or bathroom, or rooms with large south-facing windows. During summer months, the mass will help keep rooms cooler and delay the use of air conditioning. In winter months, during the day, heat produced by the HVAC system is absorbed by the home’s thermal mass. At night, heat is released to warm the home.

The greater the mass, the more it will keep the home comfortable. During the summer, high thermal mass delays the need for the air conditioner to kick on in the morning and throughout the daytime. Unless high humidity is an issue, opening windows at night and running a whole-house or window fan allows the thermal mass to lose the heat stored from the daytime. Close the windows in the morning and the cooled thermal mass absorbs heat coming in without causing the room temperature to rise as fast. The thermal mass of air is extremely low, so the cold outdoor air quickly absorbs heat from the indoor thermal mass. Increase the thermal mass in your house by selecting proper high mass, or heavier, materials. They should be located throughout the home, but concentrate on rooms that generate heat or tend to overheat during the summer. When building a house or adding rooms, use heavy foam insulating sheathing on the outside of the wall framing. This allows the framing lumber to become part of the interior thermal mass. The thermal mass of various materials is rated by heat capacity properties. Water has a high relative heat capacity of 62.4 per cubic foot compared to drywall at only 1.3 per cubic foot. Wet soil rates about 55, concrete is about 31, brick is about 27 and stone/ tile ranges from 18 to 36 depending upon type. Their natural thermal properties, in addition to their densities, determine the above relative numbers. Installing a dark, ceramic-tile flooring near a door or window is an excellent source of thermal mass. Decorative walls using solid bricks work well in a room with a fireplace or large windows. Heavy granite or slate countertops in a kitchen are effective. Wooden floors can also be a good source for thermal mass. Remember, the idea is to replace lighter materials with heavier materials. The damp soil in large potted plants can store much heat and the plants naturally purify the indoor air. For emergencies, storing old milk jugs full of water under cabinets and near your heating system increase thermal mass.

Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to: James Dulley, Cooperative Connections, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. 6 March 2015 • Cooperative Connections

News

Briefs

ALWAYS

CALL BEFORE YOU

DIG

One free, easy call gets your utility lines marked AND helps protect you from injury and expense. Know what’s below. Always call 811 before you dig. Visit call811.com for more information.

Speech Contests Offers Scholarship Opportunitites Contestants in the 2015 State Finals of the Resource Conservation Speech contest will be eligible to win a total of $2,300 in college scholarships. All South Dakota students in grades 9-12 are eligible to compete for $2,300 in higher education scholarships which are provided by the East River Electric Power Cooperative, Rushmore Electric Power Cooperative and the South Dakota Rural Electric Association. Scholarships are awarded to the top three finalists: first place is $1,100; second place is $750; and third place is $450. The theme for the 2015 contest is “Technology: Bridging the Conservation Generation Gap.” Contests are coordinated by local conservation districts and are held prior to March 28. Local winners advance to area contests held in seven locations prior to

April 11. The top area speakers compete at the state finals in Pierre on Saturday, April 25, 2015. The contest is sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA), in cooperation with Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives of South Dakota, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts. For more information on the Resource Conservation Speech Contest, contact the Fall River-Custer County conservation district office at 745-5716, or call Cec Johnson, natural resource specialist for SDDA, at 605-773-3623. An entry form and complete list of rules can be found online at: http://sdda. sd.gov/legacydocs/Forestry/educationalinformation/PDF/2015Speech-BrochureTouchstone.pdf

Educators Sought for Lignite Energy Council Teacher Seminar Educators can walk away with graduate credits and lesson plans ... for free INSERT CALL CENTER LOGO HERE

On June 15-18, 2015, the Lignite Energy Council will conduct an education seminar for approximately 130 elementary and secondary teachers from Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. The seminar was totally revamped in 2009 and made into a two-credit class which lasts for four days. Participants can receive credit from the University of North Dakota (economics), North Dakota State University (education), or Minot State University (science). This means that teachers who took the class when it was a one-credit course can take it again if they need a refresher as there is lots of new information. The seminar, which will be held at Bismarck State College, Bismarck, N.D., will provide teachers with the information and educational materials they need to teach their students about how lignite is mined and used to produce electricity for homes, farms and businesses in the Upper Midwest. In addition, the seminar covers lignite’s economic impact on the region, as well as important environmental issues affecting the

lignite industry. Since 1986, more than 3,000 teachers have attended the Lignite Energy Council’s teacher education seminar. The teacher education seminar is sponsored by the Lignite Energy Council, in cooperation with Bismarck State College, The Center for Economic Education at the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University and Minot State University. During the seminar, teachers hear presentations by educators, researchers and lignite industry representatives. One day is devoted to touring mining operations, reclamation sites and coal conversion facilities. Question and answer sessions in the classroom and on the tour give teachers the opportunity to find out what they need to know for their individual classroom needs. Two graduate credits are available through the Center for Economic Education at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.; North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D. or Minot State

University, Minot, N.D., To receive the credits, teachers must attend all portions of the seminar and prepare lesson plans demonstrating how they will use the seminar information and materials in their classrooms. Teachers attending the seminar will receive lecture outlines on each presentation, examples of lesson plans, classroom exercises, coal and ash samples, audiovisual materials and information on the facilities they tour. In addition, they also receive resource guides listing publications and audiovisual materials available for energy education. Free lodging is provided in a Bismarck State College dormitory (two people per room). Meals will be provided. Also, transportation will be provided by the Lignite Energy Council for the tour of a mine, power plant and the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. Applications are due prior April 10. Apply online at https://www.lignite.com/becomea-member/our-programs/teachers-seminar/ out_ofstate_teachers/ Cooperative Connections • March 2015 7

Fighting Childhood Cancers

One Shave at a Time S

cores of electric cooperative employees in the

By Brenda Kleinjan From Basin Electric Press Releases

region will be facing the clippers in March as they raise money to fight childhood cancer as part of Basin Electric’s 2015 Brave the Shave events. The annual event brings area organizations, schools, citizens and kids together to go bald as part of Basin Electric’s “Brave the Shave” campaign to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. The Brave the Shave campaign has evolved from a single event in Bismarck/Mandan, N.D., to a multi-state campaign, featuring several head-shaving events throughout the community and beyond. Since 2008, nearly 1,500 volunteers have shaved their heads in solidarity of children with cancer and more than $1.5 million has been raised for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

8 March 2015 • Cooperative Connections

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteerdriven charity dedicated to raising money for lifesaving childhood cancer research and funds more in childhood cancer grants than any organization except for the U.S. government. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005, St. Baldrick’s has funded more than $222 million to support the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world. A bulk of co-op employee involvement takes place at Basin Electric’s flagship event, the Official Brave the Shave 2015 event on March 13 at the Missouri Valley Family YMCA, Bismarck, N.D. Doors open at 1 p.m. for silent auction, kids’ activities and other fun, including a Brave the Shave merchandise store.

All photos courtesy Basin Electric

Basin Electric’s Gerry Henricksen posed for before (above left) and after (left) photos at the 2014 event in Brookings. Above right: Kevin Crose from the Deer Creek team, Lynn Warnke of Dakotaland Federal Credit Union’s team and Kyle Crose of the Deer Creek team livened up the event with dyed locks. Right: Warnke went on to become the Brookings event’s first female shavee. Bottom right: Prize drawings are part of the festivities. Opposite Page: Participants at the main 2014 Brave the Shave event in Bismarck, N.D., pose for a photo. Cover: Brave the Shave Honoree, Dash Ohlsen, shaves his dad’s head.

In South Dakota, employees of Basin Electric’s Deer Creek Station located on the Minnesota/South Dakota border east of Brookings lead the charge, teaming up with the Brookings Fire Department and South Dakota State Universitys Sigma Lambda Chi to host a Brave the Shave on March 16 at 4:30 p.m. at the fire department’s East Station at 607 20th Ave in Brookings, S.D. The 2014 event in Brookings brought 33 participants together, including three from Deer Creek Station. Basin Electric employees in western North Dakota and Wyoming will ring in St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with Brave the Shave events. At 10 a.m. MST, the hair clippers will be buzzing at the Dry Fork Station at Gillette, Wyo., and not long after, employees at Antelope Valley Station near Beulah, N.D., will be getting a trim for a cause. “It’s been humbling to watch this campaign grow from a modest goal to raise $10,000 to a multi-state campaign that ranks among the top 10 St. Bal-

drick’s campaigns in the world,” says Mike Eggl, Basin Electric senior vice president of communications and administration, and annual shavee. “The reason why we do this is simple: the kids. We’ve met heroes, survivors, fighters and angels. For as hard as they fight, we’ll continue to do our part to help.” Jennifer Holen, Basin Electric event planner/charitable giving coordinator, has been working closely with honoree families. “It’s been an honor to get to know our honorees and their families. They motivate us and inspire us with their kindness, fighting spirit and perseverance,” Holen says. Individuals and families who have someone they’d like honored can contact Holen at 701-557-5624. The public is welcome to attend any of the Brave the Shave events. Silent auction items are welcome for the March 13 event. To participate, volunteer, donate or for more information go, to bravetheshave.coop or contact Holen. Cooperative Connections • March 2015 9

Co-op

News

New Ways to Pay In order to improve customer service we have implemented several new ways to pay your bill. Where and how to pay? • In person at the Main Office in Tabor. Office hours are 7:30am to 4:30pm. • Drop Boxes: TJ's Convenience Store and Pump N Stuff on Highway 52 by Lewis and Clark Lake and in the front of the Main Office in Tabor. • By mail: make sure your coupon is enclosed for proper credit. • By phone: You may still call in your credit/debit card or pay by electronic check during office hours only. • Automatically: You can sign up for recurring automatic payments from checking/ savings account or credit card. • Online: Go to the SmartHub website or download the SmartHub app for Droid or iOS

Devices. • Online Pay Now: If you don't have an email address, are paying on another member's account or just want to quickly make a payment, you can use the Pay Now button from the home page to make a payment without signing up for or logging into SmartHub. • Electronic Bill Payment Service: Many members use their bank or another entity to pay their bills online. We call this service Bill Pay. If you use a bill payment service, please update your online accounts with our name and the account number shown on your new invoice.

WWW.BYELECTRIC.COOP

Tax Information As members get ready to prepare their 2014 tax returns, they have been calling our office asking if there is anything to report. It is not required that capital credit allocations be reported to the IRS at the time it is allocated. When the capital credits are refunded, the refund is only considered taxable income in relation to the same portion of the electric bill that was claimed as a business or farm expense in the year that it was originally allocated. Most members either report the allocation or the refund as taxable income for their farm, but you should not report both--just be consistent. Since we will not be sending out the

allocation notices until April, you may want to save this notice for your 2015 taxes. If you report your refund check, you can stop looking for your stub as there were no refunds sent out in 2014. We hope to catch up to our 20 year rotation with a refund later this spring starting with the year 1993. For more information, members should contact their tax preparer.

1 0 March 2015 • Cooperative Connections

What about wiring department invoices or medical monitoring? Unfortunately, online payments and bill pay services are not available for invoices from the wiring department or medical monitoring. You would need to call or stop by to pay these with a credit/debit card. If you are an active electric member, you can ask for your store bill balance to be transferred to your electric account and then you can pay online. As always, if you have any questions regarding your bill or energy use, please contact our office. Our Energy Experts are here to help!

Classifieds April Issue Deadline: March 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 605-661-2568.2 FOR SALE: Professional billiard slate pool table. Made by the National Billiard Mfg Co. Asking $450. Call 504-327-5455.

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Cooperative Connections • March 2015 1 1

Diving In To the Southwest Power Pool

A By Andrea Blowers

Editor’s Note: This story is reprinted from the September/October 2014 issue of Basin Today.

fter more than two years of study and consideration, Basin Electric Power Cooperative and its member systems are jumping in to the Southwest Power Pool. The process actually started a decade ago with initial meetings and discussions about joining a regional transmission organzation. The decision to join an RTO has been anything but quick and straightforward, especially for an organization as complex as Basin Electric, a generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative that provides electricity for other cooperatives – G&Ts and distribution co-ops that ultimately serve the end consumer. In addition, Basin Electric has worked in partnership with the Western Area Power Administration and Heartland Consumers Power District over decades to build a robust transmission

12 March 2015 • Cooperative Connections

infrastructure, the Integrated System (IS). In its own way, the IS has been like a mini transmission organization. However, with the creation of surrounding RTOs, the IS became somewhat of an island, excluded from access to neighboring RTO’s market power. The boundaries of the region and limited access to markets caused constraints in times of surplus generation or when the members required more power. “Ultimately, we had to balance the needs of our membership,” says Mike Risan, Basin Electric senior vice president of transmission. “Basin Electric is charged with providing power for our members at the lowest possible cost. From cost, benefits, transmission, market access, philosophical and geographic standpoints, joining SPP

(Southwest Power Pool) became our best option.” membership.” Basin Electric’s board of directors agreed with Rutter says every day Basin Electric will put in its staff ’s recommendation and, at their July meeting, offers for all of its generation on how the cooperathe directors authorized Basin Electric to join SPP, tive wants the units to run, for how long and other the RTO to the south. parameters. “We have control, in large part, as to The course to this decision has been somewhat how each of our units will operate in SPP. It’s a uncharted and though it may seem that reaching balancing act. Our goal is to have the baseload units the decision to join was the ultimate goal, it was baseloaded.” really only half the journey. Rutter acknowledges the process will not be sucFor Basin Electric, its membership and the IS cessful without good communication between the partners, the tasks yet to be addressed and fully marketing group and the folks at the plants. vetted will take several months. Full membership in “At this stage of development, this is one of the SPP will not happen until Oct. 1, 2015. most important tasks,” Rutter says. “We want to From here, Basin Electric staff and members will ensure the employees at the plant sites have a good charge ahead tackling the tasks and outlining the understanding of how the SPP market functions details of integration for each and how we’ll be working Arkansas of the eight defined areas of within that market and we concentration: operations, need to have a good underKansas transmission planning/ standing of how each of the engineering, information plants operate.” Louisiana technology, regulatory, comRutter has been making pliance, markets, settlements trips with John Jacobs, vice Mississippi and training. president of plant operations, Part of those integration to each of the facilities to talk Missouri efforts reside in understandwith the plant operators and ing how the SPP marketplace staff. The overall message Nebraska functions. Marketing and during these trips is that Asset Management Vice PresBasin Electric is going to New Mexico ident Ken Rutter says in an make every effort to replicate RTO there are two markets how the cooperative operates Oklahoma – a day-ahead market and a today, but still take advantage realtime market. of the fact that it will have Texas “The day-ahead market access to a broader marketis a kind of setup for what place. and how people think the real The footprint of the Southwest Power Pool will 13 “There’s a lot of training expand in October 2015 when Basin Electric time is going to operate,” he for everyone involved,” RutPower Cooperative joins the RTO. says. ter says. “For example, one of “At 11 a.m., the day bethe other elements in an RTO fore, we offer our generation units into the marketmarket is market monitors. These monitors ensure place. We find out at 4 p.m. if they clear and what there’s no gaming in the market. They have rules in price they cleared for. Then, later that evening, right terms of how you can offer units, so an organization before real time, SPP begins running their real time can’t manipulate the market. The market monitors models, which essentially gives the five-minute price test each organization’s offers every day and if they signals to the marketplace. These should pretty believe you’re violating rules, you’ll be penalized.” closely replicate the day-ahead market,” Rutter says. Rutter says ensuring his staff is properly trained “The reason we have a different market for real and advised on these nuances of SPP membership time is because weather changes, loads can vary, are vital to successful operation within an RTO. units trip, the wind can pick up and different things In addition to training, other tasks on the marhappen where more or less generation is needed. So, keting group’s to do list include determining the every five minutes then the real time market gives a software for tagging and scheduling in the marnew price signal and a new dispatch signal from the ket, ensuring they have a full staff, defining their marketplace, which will be the real signal in terms strategy for moving power west to east and east to of how the unit will operate.” west across the DC ties, congestion modeling and a That doesn’t necessarily mean the cooperative’s number of other tasks. baseload units are going to be ramped up and down “There’s a lot to do from all areas of the cooperaat five minute intervals. “We can fully control how tive,” Rutter says. “Communication is going to be we operate our units in the marketplace,” Rutter says. key to all our integration efforts. This has certainly “It’s critical that we understand our unit dispatch been a journey and we’re learning every day, but as costs and structure our generation offers in the they say, it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about marketplace in order to maximize the value of the your destination.”

Members in 9 states

“This has certainly been a journey and we’re learning every day.” ~ Ken Rutter

Cooperative Connections • March 2015 13

The State of Generation E

nsuring that cooperative members have

By Brenda Kleinjan

enough electricity to power their lives is a responsibility taken seriously by the region’s electric cooperatives. Discussions about power needs both today and even 10, 20 and 50 years down the road are discussed at many levels within cooperatives which receive their power from two main resources: federal hydropower allocations and from a generation and transmission cooperative built more than five decades ago to provide power to member cooperatives. Hydro generation from the state’s four mainstem dams continue to be an important part of the energy mix delivered to electric cooperative members. Roughly one-fifth of the electricity used by electric cooperatives in South Dakota and western Minnesota comes from hydro allocations. (The amount varies among cooperatives. Hydro electric-

14 March 2015 • Cooperative Connections

ity is a major source of power generated within the state of South Dakota.) The bulk of electricity used by cooperative members in the region comes from Basin Electric Power Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative located in Bismarck, N.D., which serves – and in turn is owned by – 135 electric cooperatives in nine states. “Basin Electric is also continuing to evaluate and develop interim and long-term power supply plans to meet our expected power supply obligations beyond the next five years,” said Dave Raatz, Vice President of Cooperative Planning at Basin Electric’s 2014 annual meeting. “As we develop these plans, Basin Electric is not discounting any options that will help keep member rates low. Wind generation is one of those options. In 2013, we entered into contracts to purchase 376

Left: Hydropower produced at federal dams located in South Dakota and western Minnesota accounts for about one-fifth of the electricity used by cooperative members. Bottom left: Antelope Valley Station is among Basin Electric’s coal generation resources. megawatts of additional wind generation and this year we’re in final negotiations to add another 300 megawatts of wind generation to our resource portfolio. About 250 megawatts of this wind is contingent upon the extension of production tax credits beyond 2015. If wind production tax credits are extended into 2016, Basin Electric will have almost 1,400 megawatts of wind generation in our resource portfolio by the end of 2016,” Raatz went on to tell the cooperative leaders gathered at the November annual meeting. To meet the need for additional generation, Basin Electric has constructed additional power plants outside North Dakota to free up generation capacity within the state: Basin Electric is installing distributed generation closer to the Bakken load to quickly support the voltage on the system. Built in two phases, the Pioneer Generation Station, a 135-MW natural gas-fired power plant, sits northwest of Williston, N.D. It is equipped with

a synchronous clutch that allows the turbine to uncouple from the generator, allowing the generator to provide fastacting reactive power on the transmission system. Construction was complete in 2014. Lonesome Creek Station, a 135-MW natural gas-fired power plant, is located west of Watford City, N.D. The first phase is commercial; construction on the second phase began in spring 2014. Basin Electric also has a contingency plan to bring in additional generation from outside the area via transmission paths, either from generation stations in Wyoming or through purchases from power markets, if loads develop faster than anticipated. Basin Electric and its membership support a clean environment and recognize the need to use energy more efficiently to hold down the cost of producing additional energy and to conserve our natural resources.

Basin Electric Generation Portfolio

Basin Electric Signs Contracts for Wind Generation Basin Electric Power Cooperative of Bismarck, N.D., has signed two power purchase agreements associated with the development of two new wind projects in North Dakota. The combined capacity is 300 megawatts (MW). The developers are a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC Juno Beach, FL, and Tradewind Energy, Lenexa, KS. NextEra Energy Resources will be developing the Dickinson Wind Energy Center, a 150-MW wind farm near Richardton, ND, and Tradewind will be developing the Lindahl Wind Project, a 150MW wind farm near Tioga, ND. Paul Sukut, Basin Electric CEO and general manager, said these new wind resources will increase the renewable portion of Basin Electric’s generating portfolio, which includes waste heat, to more than 1,400 MW when combined with additional wind generation commitments made in 2013. “As we develop plans to meet our members’ energy needs, we have not discounted any options that will help keep our member rates low,” Sukut said. “These additional wind purchase opportunities fit nicely into our existing generation portfolio.” The wind project near Richardton being developed by NextEra Energy Resources is expected to be complete by the end of 2015. Mike O’Sullivan, senior vice president of development for NextEra Energy Resources said, “We are pleased to expand our partnership with Basin Electric through our Dickinson Wind Energy Center to bring more renewable energy to Basin’s members.” The wind project near Tioga, N.D., being developed by Tradewind is expected to be complete by the end of 2016. “We are tremendously excited to be in North Dakota where the wind energy industry is only beginning to capitalize on the region’s enormous potential,” said Sanjay Bhasin, Tradewind’s senior vice president for business development. “Lindahl will meet the incredible demand in the region with low-cost energy for Basin Electric members, and we are thrilled to make this project happen.” Cooperative Connections • March 2015 15

Regional Dateline February 21 and March 21 James Valley Model Railroad Open House, Aberdeen, SD 605-226-2139

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 dennysanfordpremiercenter.com March 6 Clint Black, Deadwood, SD 605-559-0386 deadwoodmountaingrand.com 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

February 26 18th Annual Liberty Ball Game, 7 p.m., Riggs High School Gym, Pierre, SD 605-341-4311

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRENDA KLEINJAN

February 22 Hub City Radio’s Bridal Showcase, Aberdeen, SD 605-229-3632 www.hubcityradio.com

Events of Special Note

March 7-10 Summit League Basketball Tournament, Sioux Falls, SD www.sfarena.com 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.

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 March 19-21 Southern Hills Community Theatre Spring Play Hot Springs, SD, 605-745-4140

March 21-22 Curt Carter Gun Show Watertown, SD, 605-793-2347 www.koneskorner.com March 28 WineFest Renaissance 2015 Aberdeen, SD, 605-225-8714 www.bgcaberdeen.com April 4-5 Lions Club Ice Show Watertown, SD, 605-886-8588

April 18 LATI Auto Club Car Show Watertown, SD, 605-882-5284 May 1 Special Olympics Spring Games, Watertown, SD 605-237-3933 May 1 Mellette House Opens Watertown, SD, 605-886-4730 May 2 S.D. Coin and Stamp Club Show, Watertown, SD 605-886-4609

March 21 South Dakota Taxidermy Competition, Watertown, SD 605-886-6127

April 6 Shrine Circus, Huron, SD 605-225-4841 www.yelduzshrine.org

March 21-22 Farm Toy and Collectibles Show, Aberdeen, SD 605-225-4841

April 9-11 Shrine Circus, Aberdeen, SD 605-225-4841

May 2 Spring Market and Boats Jets and Pets, Rapid City, SD 605-716-7979

April 11 Spring Fling Home & Garden Show, Hot Springs, SD 605-745-4140 www.hotsprings-sd.com

May 2 Springtime in the Country Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-4414 maryjowegnerarboretum.com

March 21-22 Spring Craft Show Watertown, SD, 605-882-1734