Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections January 2016

Calendar Inside

JANUARY 2016

VOL. 16 NO. 9

Youth Tour:

Inspiring Teens Since 1963

P8-9

Manager’s

Column

EPA-Clean Power Plan: Increased Cost for Electricity? About the time you are receiving this edition of our newsletter we should know if the new EPA rule or Clean Power Plan is going to be in force or if the court system is going to give utilities a stay until the arguments are all heard prior to a final decision. We have been dealing with this issue now for a couple of years and Merlin Goehring in its final version the new rules General Manager Bon Homme Yankton Electric will have an effect on the cost of your electric bill along with affecting costs of just about all other goods that are purchased. Any processing done with energy will have some type of increased costs due to power cost increases if the EPA rule is allowed to stand as written. As electric utilities, our power suppliers will have to figure out ways to continue with reliability of service along with keeping electric power affordable to the consumer. In the cooperative world that means our member-owners. Our power suppliers have just recently joined the Southwest Power Pool transmission organization as a way to increase their reliability of power delivery. This is also a way to market excess power and deliver electricity to areas where there is a high demand for electricity at the time of power peaks. The new rules came about due to federal regulations under several different agencies and we are doing what we hope is in the best interest of all of our members. As a member-owned non-profit utility, our focus is on keeping rates affordable to our members. While our power supply has a good share of hydro power and wind power, the new rules do not giving much credit for what has been done so far in the upper Great Plains for renewables and clean power. In our area, the states with the highest reduction requirements are South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Minnesota. Many other states with high reduction levels of CO2 are also plains states. When one looks at the supporters of the EPA rules you can definitely see the political lines that have been drawn over this issue not just in our state but across the whole country. Does 2 Januar y 2016 • Cooperative Connections

this mean cooperatives are not good stewards of our land and resources? Definitely not! Both of our Senators in Washington, DC along with other Senators are challenging this EPA rule and they are looking at ways to stop the agency from putting this plan into place as written. While the cooperatives own and operate some of the cleanest power plants in the United States some people think you can just snap your fingers and change from one fuel source being used to make electricity to another; this just is not the case. As we all work towards keeping electric energy reliable and affordable in our country, we also have to look at the economic conditions that are taking place. If our manufacturing jobs decrease because we are not competitive, what happens when those people are no longer employed or have to move to other parts of the country to find work? Recently it was announced that several companies are moving their business to a foreign country because the federal taxes they pay are too high and they cannot be competitive with their product produced here. This could very well happen to other industries if their

With your continued support on these and other issues we hope to keep your electric power costs reliable and affordable well into the future. power costs get increased to the point where they are not competitive. We will continue to monitor the events on these new rules and keep you informed through this publication. We also want to thank those members who sent messages or signed petitions in regard to stopping these rules. With your continued support on these and other issues we hope to keep your electric power costs reliable and affordable well into the future. On behalf of all the employees and the Board of Directors, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you will spend time with family and friends and remember the reason for the season! We look forward to your continued support in the coming year.

Board

Report

2016 Budget Presented (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 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.

The board approved the 2016 capital budget and reviewed the proposed operating budget. There will be an increase in power costs of $350,000 just for the changes in the rates of our wholesale power provided by East River Electric Power Cooperative. In order to meet the financial ratios required by our lenders, we anticipate that we will need to perform a revenue increase in the amount of about $225,000 which is 2.6% of projected revenues. We will perform a cost of service study after the year end data is collected and determine how the rates will be adjusted. This adjustment will most likely begin in May. The board heard reports from the various meetings attended by the manager and directors and appointed delegates for the upcoming SDREA annual meeting, NRECA annual meeting and legislative rally.

Welcome New Members

Menno Joan R Cook Mission Hill Lacee Feltman Scotland Joe Cuka Robert Jerke Tabor David P Vlasak Yankton Mike Owen Roda Deng Dylan Hart Chet L Lohr Lois Pausch Gary Sevening Michael Sanow Mark Albenesius Barton W Bickley Mychal Bierwagen

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.

Statement of Non-Discrimination This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Cooperative Connections • Januar y 2016 3

Current

Issues

Safety

Tips

Speaking Out Electric Blanket Safety Tips Can Save Your Life The start of the new year brings many state legislatures back to their respective capitol cities to tend to the business of the people. The Nebraska Legislature convenes Jan. 6 and South Dakota lawmakers start work back in Pierre on Jan. 12. Minnesota’s Legislature reconvenes at noon on March 8. While lawmakers are in the capitol, there are several ways to reach them:

South Dakota: Write to local legislators in care of the Legislative Research Council, Capitol Building, 3rd Floor – 500 East Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501-5070 South Dakota Senators can be reached at 605-773-3821 while Representatives can be reached at 605-7733251. During session, faxes can be sent to legislators at 605-773-6806 To e-mail legislators, go to: http://legis.sd.gov/Contact/LegislatorEmail.aspx and select the legislator’s name from the drop-down box. Minnesota: To reach Minnesota Senators, write to: Honorable (Full Name), Minnesota State Senate, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 551551606 To reach Minnesota Representatives, write to: Honorable (Full Name), Minnesota House of Representatives, (Room #) State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 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. For more information on contacting Minnesota legislators, go to http://www. leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc?id=47

During the cold of winter, an electric blanket may provide extra warmth in your home. Please consider several important safety tips to assure your electric blanket does not start a fire. • Make certain your blanket is approved by a nationally recognized testing agency. • When not in use, turn your blanket off. Most models have no internal temperature control that turns the heat off when the blanket temperature gets too hot. • Place your blanket on top of you, not below you. Sitting or lying on an electric blanket may damage the internal coils of the blanket, exposing the heating element to a combustible material (the blanket). • Never place items such as books, pillows or stuffed animals on top of the blanket. These items can trap the heat, leading to elevated temperatures and serve as a source of ignition.

• Keep the blanket flat, not crumpled or in a ball. If left on, a crumpled blanket allows for excessive heat buildup within the blanket. Always turn the blanket off when leaving the room. • Do not wash an electric blanket. The twisting, tugging and turning action of the washing machine will most certainly damage the internal coils. • Unplug your blanket if you see or smell smoke coming from it. Discoloration of the blanket may indicate the heating elements are burning internally. If you have any doubt about the safety of your blanket, discontinue using it. Electric blankets are usually a safe way to add a little warmth and are widely used throughout the country. However, this is only true if blankets are well maintained and properly used. Source: seattle.gov

Kids’ Corner Safety Poster

Nebraska: Find contact information for Nebraska Senators at http://nebraskalegislature. gov/senators/senator_list.php 4 Januar y 2016 • Cooperative Connections

“Play safe around cords.” Allison Bruns, 10 years old

She is the daughter of Matt and Kim Bruns, Madison, 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

Super Soups Creamy Lasagna Soup 1 (23 oz.) can low-sodium, low fat tomato soup 3 cups hot water (equivalent of using 1 empty soup can) 3 cups low fat milk (equivalent of using 1 empty soup can) 3 T. Tone’s Italian seasoning

1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained 10 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces 8 oz. low fat cream cheese 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Combine first 5 ingredients until near boiling on medium high heat. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water until soft; drain. Add to soup mixture. When heated through, add cream cheese, stirring thoroughly. Serve with mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top. Makes 12 servings. Julie Thonvold, Erwin

Crockpot Potato Soup 1 (32 oz.) bag diced hash browns 1 can cream of chicken soup 32 oz. chicken broth 3 oz. real bacon bits 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

8 oz. cream cheese (do not use light) Salt and pepper to taste (may add onion powder and celery salt if desired)

Place all ingredients in crockpot except cream cheese. Cook on low, covered, for 8 hours. Add cream cheese that has been cut into small chunks during last hour of cooking, stirring often. Top with additional Cheddar cheese if desired. Diana Spence, Utica

Crockpot Harvest Soup 1 lb. ground beef 1 (29 oz.) can Veg-All 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce 1 (28 oz.) can green beans

1 (15 oz.) can corn 1 (7 oz.) can green chilies 2 T. jalapenos, if desired 2 tsp. chili powder 6 beef bouillon cubes

Brown and drain ground beef. Place in crockpot; add remaining ingredients. Do not drain any can. Cook on low for 3 hours. Jane Ham, Rapid City

Easy Broccoli-Potato-Cheese Soup 4 cans cream of potato soup 4 soup cans milk 1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cut into small chunks

1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets Black pepper, to taste

Chunky Chicken, Vegetable and Rosemary Stew 2 T. canola oil, divided 12 ounces boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 medium onion, cut in 8 wedges 3 medium carrots, quartered lengthwise and cut into thirds 1 medium celery stalk, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 cups water

2 dried bay leaves 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 1 (15 oz.) can reduced-sodium navy beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 1 T. chopped fresh rosemary 3/4 tsp. salt

In Dutch oven, heat 1 T. canola oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook about 3 minutes per side or until it begins to brown (center will still be slightly pink). Remove from oven and set aside. Add remaining canola oil, onion, carrot and celery. Sauté, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until vegetables just begin to lightly brown on edges. Add water, bay leaves and pepper flakes. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer covered for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in chicken, beans, tomatoes, Italian parsley, rosemary and salt. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until tomatoes are tender and chicken is cooked. Serve immediately or let stew stand 30 minutes to develop flavors and texture. Yields 6 1-cup servings. Nutritional analysis per serving: 220 calories; 7 g total fat (1 g saturated fat); 50 mg cholesterol; 17 g carbohydrates; 6 g fiber; 3 g sugars; 22 g protein; 380 mg sodium; 532 mg potassium Pictured, Cooperative Connections

Chicken Taco Soup 1 cup chicken broth 1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 (16 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 (16 oz.) can corn, drained or 1 can cream-style corn 1 cup diced tomatoes

1 can Rotel tomatoes and chilies 1/2 cup diced green pepper 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 lb. cooked chicken, shredded 1/2 cup chopped celery 1 pkg. taco seasoning

Place all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. Can be garnished with sour cream and/or cheese once scooped into a bowl. Colleen Noecker, Yankton

White Chicken Chili 5 to 6 (15 oz.) cans Northern beans, drained 3 (13 oz.) cans chunk chicken with juice, shredded 8 oz. can green chilies 1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cheese soup (Fiesta or Cheddar) or 4 cups shredded cheese 16 oz. sour cream 1 pkg. white chicken chili seasoning

Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Cook on low for 4 hours.

Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Cook until heated thru.

Lois Odien-Page, Hermosa

Jeanine Greenwood, Sioux Falls

Please send your favorite bread/ breakfast and seafood recipes to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). Each recipe printed will be entered into a drawing for a prize in June 2016. All entries must include your name, mailing address, telephone number and cooperative name.

Cooperative Connections • Januar y 2016 5

Energy Efficiency

Notes

Exploring Inner Space

How to Use Space Heaters Efficiently Dear Pat: It’s cold this winter! Instead of turning up my central heat, I’m considering purchasing a space heater to help warm my living room. I saw one in the store that is 100 percent efficient! What should I consider when choosing a space heater? – Arthur C. Dear Arthur: It can be more cost-effective to run a space heater than to turn up your central heating, but if you’re not careful you may increase your electric bill. Generally, it is best to run a space heater when you need to heat just one or two rooms, or if you need temporary heat in a normally unheated area like a garage or shed. If you have a particularly cold-sensitive person in the home, it can be more efficient to use a space heater in the room they most often occupy rather than overheating the whole house. However, be mindful of the costs that these little heaters can add to your electric bill. Nick Rusnell, an energy advisor with HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Portland, Michigan, shared, “During an energy audit, I found three 1,500-watt heaters in the house of a co-op consumer with a high bill complaint. I did a cost analysis for him and he was shocked.” Do your own calculations for how much running one, two or three in your home would cost. And beware the efficiency hype around space heaters: electric space heaters are all 100 percent efficient at turning electricity into heat, but an ENERGY STAR® air-source heat pump can be 300 percent efficient! If a space heater is right for you, remember a few things to save energy and money: • If you’re using a space heater to heat the one or two rooms you use most, turn down your central heating so you don’t heat

Calculate Your Space Heater Cost

Wattage

Hours Used per Month

Co-op’s kWh rate/1000

up rooms you aren’t using. • Close doors to rooms that are being heated to avoid heat loss. • Turn off the heater when not in use or get a space heater with a timer feature. • Purchase a heater with thermostat settings and use the lowest setting that you are comfortable with. • Select a space heater that is the right size for the space you need to heat; most will have a sizing table on the box. • Due to safety and air-quality concerns, portable propane and kerosene space heaters are not recommended for use in a home or other unventilated area. Even when installed properly, these types of heaters can emit low levels of carbon monoxide. Instead, look for an electric space heater; there are two main types: Infrared heaters: Radiates heat to the objects and people directly in front of it, rather than the air in the room. If you are often sitting in one place, such as at a desk, this can be a good option. Note that the surface of these heaters can get very hot. Convection heaters: Uses convection to warm and cycle the air in a room. These heaters are relatively quiet and can be warm to the touch, but not so hot as to burn you. Some models use fans to push the air over warm coils; these heaters can warm a room faster, but are usually noisier. If you need a space heater to keep your home comfortable, this may be a sign that your home needs insulation or air sealing, both of which can be great investments and significantly reduce your energy bills. You can consider simple short-term measures, such as: • Putting in weather stripping around drafty doors and windows. • Hanging thermal curtains or blankets or installing window film. • Using rugs to cover uncarpeted floors. In the longer-term, increasing your home’s insulation or switching to a more efficient heating system, such as a ductless heat pump, can be a more cost-effective solution. A good energy auditor can help you figure out the best measures to take to keep your home comfortable. If your co-op offers free or discounted Monthly Cost home audits, take them up on it!

Most space heaters are 1500 watts. If you’re operating a space heater 8 hours a day and your rate is $0.12 per kWh = (1500 watts X 240 hours/month X $0.12/kWh) / 1000 = $43.20/month

6 January 2016 • Cooperative Connections

Patrick Keegan writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, notfor-profit electric cooperatives.

News

Briefs

Computer Scam Warning Issued Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning South Dakota consumers about a scam that continues to resurface in South Dakota that targets computer users. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has received multiple reports of consumers receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be from the support center of Microsoft Windows wanting to gain access to the consumer’s computer in order to make repairs. The call begins with the scammer telling the consumer that their computer has an urgent problem or virus that must be fixed immediately. The caller says “Microsoft” can connect to the computer remotely and repair it for the customer. Once the scammer is connected to the computer, they either obtain the consumer’s financial information through a fraudulent “pay” website or install malicious software that combs the computer for personal information, such as usernames, passwords, bank and credit card numbers, tax documents and more. Microsoft has issued warnings on its website about this scam, saying neither the company nor any of its partners make unsolicited calls to computer users. Here are a few tips to avoid being victim in this repair scam: • Obtain as much information about the caller as you possibly can. Note their name, phone number, time they called and what was said. • Never give remote access to your computer to any unsolicited caller for any reason. • If you have caller ID and receive a call from a number you don’t recognize, don’t answer the phone. • If you do answer one of these calls and have concerns about your computer’s security features, call the manufacturer or take it to a reputable retailer or repair shop to be examined for viruses, malicious software, or corrupted files. If you are a victim of allowing “Microsoft support” access to your computer, please call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-300-1986. After Open Enrollment ends on Jan. 31, 2016, health insurance can only be obtained if a consumer has a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period. These life events include marriage, birth of child, loss of coverage, release from prison or a move to another state. Members of federally recognized Indian tribes can enroll in a Marketplace plan at any time during the year. A qualifying consumer can apply for Medicaid at any time during the year.

Basin Electric Tops 2015 Co-op 100 List in Electric Area Basin Electric was listed as the top electric cooperative, with 2014 revenues of about $2.2 billion. Basin Electric is again at the top of the list when it comes to electric cooperatives in the United States. The National Cooperative Bank (NCB) Co-op 100 lists the nation’s top revenue-earning cooperative businesses. The report, released Nov. 2, recognizes and celebrates cooperatives’ successes. Basin Electric was listed as the top electric cooperative, with 2014 revenues of about $2.2 billion. Across all industries, the cooperative ranked No. 18, up from 21 last year, according to the report. Despite low oil prices, Basin Electric continues to experience tremendous growth in the Williston Basin in Northwest North Dakota and Eastern Montana, along with a strong agricultural sector along the more eastern corridor of Basin Electric’s service territory. The cooperative’s member-owners are vital to making these industries thrive. “We’re excited to see the Basin Electric family represented among so many impressive cooperatives across the country,” said Paul Sukut, Basin Electric CEO and general manager. “The strength of the cooperative model cannot be understated. Basin Electric is made up of 138 electric cooperatives who in turn serve 2.9 million consumers across the heartland. Our members have entrusted us with their assets, and I can’t think of a better cause for which to work: powering rural America, for the people and by the people.” The NCB Co-op 100 debuted in 1991 and is the only annual report of its kind to track the profits and success of cooperative businesses throughout the United States.

YOUR ELECTRICITY ISN’T SOMETHING WE TAKE LIGHTLY. We put up the poles, connect miles of wire and flip a few switches of our own. All to make sure your life is always powered. Learn more about the power of your co-op membership at TogetherWeSave.com. Cooperative Connections • January 2016 7

Electric Youth Tour Inspiring Future Leaders for 50-plus Years

P

By Brenda Kleinjan and Magen Howard

ositive. Influential. Life-changing. All three words hold a host of meaning for students who have participated in the annual Rural Electric Youth Tour. Since 1963, more than 1,200 South Dakota teens have made the trek to Washington, D.C., to learn about cooperatives, the nation’s political process and about their peers from across the country. “The trip that we took was extremely positive. It was a great influence for leadership,” said Shanna (Hilderman) Stueve of Wheaton, Minn., who, as a teenager in 1996 represented West Central Electric

8 January 2016 • Cooperative Connections

Cooperative in Murdo, S.D., on the trip. “Basically the experience allowed me to see things that I wouldn’t have necessarily been able to participate in. It showed me different leadership styles, not to mention all of the historical and incredibly interesting monuments that we are able to participate in,” Stueve said. “I was incredibly interested in politics. However, I did not end up following that career path,” said Stueve who, along with her husband, has an insurance and seed business in western Minnesota where they are members of Traverse Electric Cooperative.

Left: Participants from the 1965 or 1966 Youth Tour walk with Sen. George McGovern, second from right, near the Capitol. Photo courtesy Steve Smeenk, Butte Electric Cooperative. Opposite Page: The 2015 South Dakota Rural Electric Youth Tour delegation consisted of 44 teens.

“As a junior in high school, having the opportunity meet the politicians that represented me was very important to me. I feel like this is a trip of a lifetime!” she said. “Not only did I have the chance to see the different aspects of government, but I also had the opportunity to see the different socioeconomic backgrounds based on region from across the country. I feel like it’s a valuable exposure to culture.”

Rooted in politics Youth Tour was born from a speech at the 1957 NRECA annual meeting by then-Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson. He was a longtime advocate of electric co-ops, having lobbied for the creation of Pedernales Electric Cooperative in 1937 as a young politician in Texas. “If one thing comes out of this meeting, it will be sending youngsters to the national capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents,” the future president said. With that encouragement, Texas electric co-ops began sending summer interns to work in the senator’s Washington, D.C., office. In 1958, an electric co-op in Iowa sponsored the first group of 34 young people on a weeklong study tour of the nation’s capital. Later that same year, another busload came to Washington from Illinois. The idea grew, and other states sent busloads of students throughout the summer. By 1959, the Youth Tour had grown to 130 participants. South Dakota sent its first delegation of 31 students representing 18 cooperatives in 1963. The following year, NRECA began to coordinate joint activities among the state delegations and suggested that co-op representatives from each state arrange to be in Washington, D.C., during Youth Tour week. The first year of the coordinated tour included about 400 teens from 12 states. As word spread, the program grew – and grew and grew. Youth Day, generally on the Monday of Youth Tour, is when all the state contingents converge to learn about grassroots politics and hear from inspirational speakers. The students share their state pins, often vying to get the most pins or those that are rare, like those from Hawaii’s small group. In 2015, South Dakota electric cooperatives sent 44 teens on the trip. It tied with the state’s 1965 delegation as the largest to represent the state. More than 1,700 students participated in the 2015 Youth Tour and the 2016 tour, scheduled for June 10-16, promises to be even bigger. Inspiring our youth For the past decade, students have heard the inspiring story of Paralympian Mike Schlappi, a star athlete who was paralyzed as a teen. State coordinators lobby for Schlappi to return year after year because, they say, the students never fail to take his story to heart. Schlappi was their age when his whole life changed from an accidental gunshot. Today he makes the annual Youth Tour presentation a priority because he loves the kids “They’re so young and trying to figure out their lives. They’ve heard enough speakers and read enough books, sometimes they’ll roll their eyes,” Schlappi said. “But they’re away from parents and excited about their future and maybe got their eyes on the cute kid across the room. They’re willing to make positive changes. Back home, they get labels, and they have to live up to that. [At Youth Tour], they can make new impressions on new friends.”

Were you there? Did you or a family member go on Youth Tour? Let us know! More than 1,200 South Dakota teens have participated in Youth Tour since 1963 and there are even more Minnesota and Nebraska teens who have gone through. Sadly, in the past five decades, we’ve lost track of some of them. We’d love to hear from you and how the Youth Tour experience benefited you. Contact your local electric cooperative or find us on Facebook.

Are you ready? Do you know of an outstanding teen that would benefit from the Youth Tour experience? Cooperatives participating in the 2016 Youth Tour are taking applications for the program. To find out more about your cooperative’s participation and selection criteria, contact them. You’ll find their address in this magazine.

Cooperative Connections • January 2016 9

Co-op

news

4-H Thank You Note

Thank you for your generous gift and supporting our 4-H program. Thank you for all you do for 4-H. Kaycee D Walter (Outstanding Senior)

Policy Change Reminder Starting in January 2016, it will be the member's responsibility to contact the office if a payment extension is requested past the disconnect date printed on the late notice. The cooperative will no longer be calling members to remind them to pay their bill and will not be delivering a notice to the premise unless the account is in immediate danger of being disconnected.

January 1 Bills Delay

Due to the New Year's holiday, the bills for December usage will be mailed out a few days later than normal. Payments are still due by 10am on January 20th to avoid a $10 late fee. Bills will be available for online viewing as soon as they are processed. Want an electronic reminder? Sign up for notifications in SmartHub. Just for signing up, you will get an email when your new bill is calculated. You can also sign up for text notifications by going to Manage Notifications under the Notifications Menu in SmartHub. Notifications are also available through the mobile app. The SmartHub mobile app is available on iTunes and Google Play Store for your phone or other mobile device.

2016 Calendar Insert

We hope you enjoy your gift from Bon Homme Yankton Electric. The billing dates have been marked in your calendar for easy reference. Classifieds

WWW.BYELECTRIC.COOP

celebrate the season holiday closing The Bon Homme Yankton Electric Office will be closed for: •Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 •Christmas Day, Friday, December 25 •New Years Day, Friday, January 1 Outage crews will remain on call 24/7

1 0 Januar y 2016 • Cooperative ConneCtions

February Issue Deadline: January 1, 2016. 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 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.r FOR RENT: Tabor Self Storage. Call 605660-0247 or 605-660-3497.r FOR SALE: 3 wheel scooter with swivel seat. Great for handicap people. Indoor/ Outdoor use. Completely disassemble for easy transport. $1500. Call 605-661-4613 (Tabor). BON HOMME HIGH SCHOOL CLASS of 1986: Please submit your email or mailing address to classof1986pokerrun@gmail. com. Time to plan our 30th class reunion!

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HEATING & COOLING 920 Broadway Yankton, SD 57078

60 5 -6 6 5 -9 4 6 1

800-491-9461

HOME REPAIR HOTLINE

605-661-4488

Warm Air, Air to Air, Geothermal Heat Pumps WE DO EMERGENCY HOME REPAIRS Cooperative Connections • Januar y 2016 1 1

Teens’ Big Ideas

Take Shape Young Entrepreneurs Plan for Success

T

eens armed with business plans and dreams

By Brenda Kleinjan

descended on Aberdeen in early December to showcase their concepts and compete in the ninth annual BIG Idea Final Competition. The Bent Perspective plan for an Origami intensive store brought top honors to Pierre student Haley Ketteler. Ketteler outlined how her company would provide customers with an all paper experience, allowing clients to design paper arrangements for special events, take classes to learn Origami, purchase paper creations, kits and supplies and order custom creations. As part of the experience, she had to identify marketing opportunities, define her competition and outline management and opera-

12 January 2016 • Cooperative Connections

tions for the business. Eight high school finalists were selected from the 263 applications submitted from 37 different schools. First round judges included 114 volunteers from the region along with 132 college entrepreneurship and business students. Marketing designs were also submitted by 110 teams which included a logo and ad for their idea. Ellen Schlechter of Faulkton High School was recognized for her Calving Book App which was the The Marketing Design competition winner. The eight finalists included Ketteler, secondplace finishers George Bernard and Mark Wesolick of St. Thomas More High School in Rapid City, S.D., third-place finisher MaKayla Price of Wess-

First Place: Bent Perspective

ington Springs High School; Dalton Larson, Jared Miller and Tyndall Petterson of West Central High School in Hartford, S.D.; Eli Gerry of Madison Central High School; Tony Baumann of Redfield High School; and two teams from St. Thomas More: Cierra Veldhuizen, Jenny Rooks and Olivia Facenda; and Brianna McGinnis, Maria Wilson and Sophie Wittenberg. The competition encourages students to consider new ideas and opportunities for creating a business in their own region. “We’re trying to get them to start thinking about starting a business, not necessarily starting the business, but what it would take to start and run a business,” said event organizer Kelly Weaver, regional director with the South Dakota Small Business Development Center in Aberdeen, S.D. Participants were able to take part in panel discussions with the business owners, Weaver said.The competition is coordinated by the Small Business Development Center and funded by Sanford Health, East River Electric Power Cooperative, REED Fund, Dacotah Bank, Student Loan Finance Corporation, Aberdeen Development Corporation, Northwestern Energy, McQuillen Creative Group, The Tom and Danielle Aman Foundation, and Midcontinent Communications. Scholarships are provided by Northern State University and Presentation College. The competition is a result of the input and collaboration of these organizations along with: Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Downtown Association, Aberdeen Catholic School System – Roncalli High School, Aberdeen School District – Central High School and Dacotah Bank. In addition to the schools listed above, students from the following high schools also participated: Aberdeen Central High School, Bridgewater-Emery High School, Bowdle High School, Canistota High School, Canton High School, Durpree High School, Edmund Central High School, Ethan High School, Eureka High School, Faith High School, Groton High School, Hitchcock Tulare High School, Hoven High School, Ipswich High School, Iroquois High School, Lead-Deadwood High School, Leola High School, Milbank High School, Mitchell High School, Montrose High School, Northwestern, Sioux Valley High School, Sioux Fall Christian, Swift Home School, Vermillion High School, Wagner High School, Warner High School, Watertown High School, Wilmot High School, and Yankton High School. A total of 414 students participated in a submission. For her winnng plan, Ketteler won $1,000, while Bernard and Wesolick’s Caveman Custom Iron plan earned $500 for second place and Price’s plan for KP Photography received $250 for third place. Scholarships to both Northern State University and Presentation College were also awarded. Schlechter received $500 for her marketing design plan. Go to BIGIdeaSD.com for more information about the competition. BIG Idea Finalists were, front row, from left: Cierra Veldhuizen, Maria Wilson, Haley Ketteler, Jenny Rooks, Brianna McGinnis and Sophie Wittenberg. Standing from left were: Olivia Facenda, George Bernard, Tony Baumann, Mark Wesolick, Eli Gerry, Tyndall Petterson, Dalton Larson, MaKayla Price, and Jared Miller. Photo by Dawn Sahli Photography

Bent Perspective is an Origami intensive store focused on teaching the customers how to make origami artwork. It will also offer services such as event decoration, custom origami artwork, pre-made origami artwork and kits. This business will provide the community with a unique and fun activity for all ages. It will help eliminate boredom in the community through a relaxing and fulfilling activity that all individuals can enjoy and appreciate. Haley Ketteler, Pierre Riggs High School

Second Place: Caveman Custom Iron Caveman Custom Iron will produce hand-crafted steel goods and distribute these goods to people who want unique pieces of functional art to decorate their home, garden, or place of business. Caveman Custom Iron will also produce tools such as knives or garden tools. Potential customers are those who look for pieces of iron work to decorate their home and people looking for quality, specialized tools for tasks such as woodworking and gardening. George Bernard and Mark Wesolick, St. Thomas More High School

Third Place: KP Photography KP Photography provides the talent of photography to the Wessington Springs area community. Photographers can take senior pictures, wedding pictures, engagement pictures, family pictures and more. It is very convenient for the community by being close and for a low cost. MaKayla Price, Wessington Springs High School

Finalists: The Cooler Backpack Company – Cierra Veldhuizen, Jenny Rooks, Olivia Facenda, St. Thomas More High School The Spink County Outdoorsmen – Tony Baumann, Redfield High School All Seasons Lighting – Brianna McGinnis, Maria Wilson, Sophie Wittenberg, St. Thomas More High School Gerry’s Pumpkins & Produce – Eli Gerry, Madison Central High School SoDak Custom Hay Co. – Dalton Larson, Jared Miller, Tyndall Petterson, West Central High School Cooperative Connections • January 2016 13

Double Threat

The Right Strip Can Protect Devices, Cut Energy Bills

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By Tom Tate

here is little, if anything, you can buy today that does not have some electronic component. Even clothing as wearable electronics are starting to take hold. Not to mention a device (http://www. makeymakey.com) that allows you to make a keyboard from bananas. So, it’s time to take a look at making sure your electronics last as long as possible. I’m not talking about replacement plans or extended warranties. Today we’re talking about protecting your products from electrical surges. The first order of business is to define a surge. Here’s one from Computer Hope (http://www.computerhope.com/ jargon/s/surge.htm) on the ‘Net. “Alternatively known as a line surge, a surge is an unexpected increase in voltage in an electrical current that causes damage to electrical equipment. For example, the standard United States voltage is 120V. If an electrical current above this rating was to come through a power outlet for more than three nanoseconds, this would be considered a surge, anything less is considered a spike. A surge is usually created by lightning and can damage unprotected computers and sometimes even protected computers.” Many people think a blink from their electric cooperative or utility provider’s system is a surge, but these are generally caused by something like a tree contacting a line. In such cases, the system’s protective devices work, causing an interruption to protect the wires and other components. These are not surges, but more like turning a light on and off. True surges will enter a home through any number of avenues. The most obvious is through the power lines. Less obvious is through the telephone lines, cable/satellite connections, water lines and any other metallic system that connects to your home. So, to protect against surges, you need to take a three-pronged approach. Perhaps the most important thing to do is to be

14 January 2016 • Cooperative Connections

sure all the grounds in your home are good and that they are bonded together. Over the years, grounds can deteriorate, new services can be added with inadequate grounding and so forth. A faulty ground will allow surges into the home rather than bleeding them off into the earth. Get a qualified electrician to test and correct your grounding system. Next, protect your electrical service entrance with a surge device. The easiest to install are those mounted behind the meter. They can also be mounted at the main electric panel. When a surge travels down the electric lines, these devices will act to “clamp” the surge and reduce its power. These are sacrificial devices that allow themselves to be destroyed rather than allowing the surge to pass through. Noble devices indeed! The third prong is to protect expensive devices at their point of use. Computers and entertainment equipment are prime examples. Remember that surges can enter the home via avenues other than the power lines. Computers and entertainment equipment are frequently connected to cable and phone lines. Those devices need to have protection at the point of use that covers all possible avenues. These are generally in the form of a power strip or wall device most of us are familiar with. Use a quality product from a manufacturer such as Monster, Belkin, Tripp Lite, or APC, to name a few. Look for one with a joule rating of at least 1,000, a connected equipment warranty and compatibility with digital signals from cable and satellite. While you are at it, look for a “smart” strip that turns off all but one connected device when not in use. Save money on your electric bill while protecting your equipment. It’s a definite win-win. Tom Tate writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

ADVANCED POWER STRIPS

Which one is right for me? I want to stop WASTING ENERGY in my…

ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

HOME OFFICE

I always turn off my electronics when done

Why don’t I turn them off?

I fall asleep

NO

YES

Is the computer a laptop or tablet?

Do I put it to sleep, or shut down?

Do I want manual or automated power control?

I forget

Timer Power Strip

I’ll do it myself

Automatic

Sleep

NO

Shut down

YES

Does it stay docked or is it frequently moved?

Always docked

Moved often

Activity Monitor Power Strip

Remote Switch Power Strip

Master-Controlled Power Strip

Masterless Power Strip

Power strip looks for signs of activity in the room, and

Power strip can be turned

When a primary device (such as a computer or TV)

When all of the controlled

power strip automatically

power to those outlets completely, eliminating all of the vampire loads.

COST Power strip automatically

FEATURES

pre-set schedule.

detected.

switch.

outlets where the peripheral devices (such as the printer or game console) are plugged in.

POSSIBLE DRAWBACKS WHAT TO LOOK FOR

You have to set up the timer and stick to your schedule for maximum energy savings.

Motion sensors don't always work perfectly.

Digital or dial timer.

Motion sensor or an infrared "eye" that detects remote control use around the TV or stereo.

To save any energy, you have to remember to turn time.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401 303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

A tethered switch or a remote switch.

It can be tricky to select which appliance should be your "master" device. One outlet is labeled as the "master."

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

powered appliance could strip. No "master" outlet. Description may include "automatic switching" or "power detection."

Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 10% post consumer waste. NREL/PO-5500-60461 • October 2013

Cooperative Connections • January 2016 15

regional Dateline

November 24-December 26 Christmas at the Capitol 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Pierre, SD 605-773-3178 December 5-26 Deck Your Halls Holiday Art Show and Sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Spearfish, SD 605-642-7973 December 15-March 31 South Dakota snowmobile trails season, Lead, SD 605-584-3896 December 17-19 Strawbale Winery Twilight Flights 2015, 5 to 10 p.m. Renner, SD, 605-543-5071 December 20 Christmas Caroling at The Abbey, 2 to 4 p.m., Marvin, SD 605-398-9200 January 7-9 15th Annual Ice Fishing Tournament, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Mobridge, SD 605-845-2500 January 10, 17, 24, 31 Foreign Film Festival Spearfish, SD, 605-642-7973 www.matthewsopera.com January 12 37th Annual Ranchers Workshop, Antelope Multi-purpose Building 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. CST Mission, SD, 605-259-3252 ext. 3

Events of Special Note January 5-7 Dakota Farm Show, Dakota Dome, Vermillion, SD 507-437-7969

Photo by miKe KjoSe, Clay-union eleCtRiC CoRPoRation

November 20-January 10 Winter Wonderland, Falls Park Sioux Falls, SD, 605-275-6060

February 5-7 Winterfest of Wheels Indoor Car Show, Convention Center Sioux Falls, SD, 605-231-3100 www.winterfestofwheels.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.

January 16 Bark Beetle Blues Crawl 4:30 to 9 p.m., Custer, SD 605-440-1405

January 29-February 7 Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo, Rapid City, SD 605-355-3861 January 31 Eureka Hymns Annual Concert, Eureka, SD jalvarez@mmgyglobal.com

February 24-28 SD State Dart Tournament Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Rapid City, SD, 605-394-4115

February 5-6 Living History Fair Watertown, SD, 605-886-7335 February 7 South Dakota’s Largest Tailgate Party, Deadwood, SD 605-578-1876

March 12-13 2016 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

January 29-30 Mardi Gras Weekend Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876

February 9-13 Winter Farm Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Watertown, SD 605-886-5814

March 18-20 South Dakota Taxidermy Competition and Convention Watertown, SD, 712-540-5868

January 29-30 35th Annual Farm, Home and Sport Show, Armory Webster, SD, 605-345-4468 www.webstersd.com

February 12 Strawbale Winery Valentine Twilight Flights 2016 6 to 10 p.m., Renner, SD 605-543-5071

March 19-20 Curt Carter Memorial Gun Show, Watertown, SD 605-793-2347

January 21-24 Snowmobile Rally Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876 January 22-23 ISOC SnoCross Shootout, 12:45 to 8:30 p.m., Deadwood, SD 605-578-1876 January 23-24 Broadway Play Series Dirty Dancing, Fine Arts Theatre Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Rapid City, SD 1-800-468-6463

March 5 Trade Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Custer, SD 605-673-2244