MAY 2017
VOL. 18 NO. 1
Avoid a
Moving Violation Page 8-9
Manager’s
Column
Cooperative Participation In March, our office accounting team finished working with auditors from Eide Bailly, member services had an informational meeting for our irrigators, and our line department was finishing up line patrol and gearing up for the summer projects. We also celebrated our valued maintenance-custodian’s, Willie stephanie Horst Cap, retirement. His fun-loving, General Manager Bon Homme Yankton Electric hard-working energy definitely will be missed. Every employee here at Bon Homme Yankton Electric has an important role and works hard for the overall success of our cooperative. Our unaudited numbers are good with increased sales, some growth, and good margins even with increasing power costs. The details of the numbers will be presented at your annual meeting on August 22. This year Director Districts 1, 6, and 4 are up for election currently being served by Paul Voigt, Richard Koupal, and Darrell Beran respectively. If you are interested in serving on the board and are member resident in one of these districts, pick up a petition at the Bon Homme Yankton Electric office and return it by June 22. All properly petitioned eligible candidates will be placed on the ballot and voted on at the annual meeting on August 22. I urge all of our members to mark this date on your calendar and attend your annual meeting. Voting in your directors, meeting the employees, and understanding your cooperative’s financial position are important, but your attendance is also important. You are not just a customer; you are a member-owner which means you should have interest in the continued success and direction of Bon Homme Yankton Electric not just for you, but for future generations.
2 May 2017 • Cooperative ConneCtions
Another way to learn more about your electric cooperative is to go on the Basin Power Supply Bus Tour August 1-3. We join Union and Clay Union electric cooperative members to visit East River Electric in Madison, tour Basin’s generating facilities in North Dakota, visit SDREA, our statewide organization in Pierre, and stop at Central Electric Cooperative near Mitchell to see their solar demonstration. After this trip you will have a good understanding how your electricity is made and brought to you. But that’s not all….There also is an educational Youth Excursion bus tour to North Dakota for high school students to sign up for on page 7. Even if your high school student is apprehensive, encourage them to sign up. This fun trip is geared towards them and they won’t regret going.
You are not just a customer; you are a member-owner which means you should have interest in the continued success and direction of Bon Homme Yankton Electric not just for you, but for future generations. Along with our summer events, keep in mind to be safe. Watch for overhead power lines and call 811 to locate underground utilities before you dig. Severe weather like what happened in a heavily wooded area near Oakland Lake Park, Texas on March 29 can happen here along with the tragedy of two brothers, 11 and 12, being electrocuted when they ran across a downed power line from the storm. Keep in mind and remind others that just because you don’t see arcing and sparking from a downed power line that it is safe to be around. Please stay away and report any downed power line by calling our office at 605-463-2507 day or night.
Co-op
news
Celebrate Electrical Safety Month in May (USPS No. 018-973)
Bon Homme Yankton Electric Assn, Inc. PO Box 158 134 S Lidice St 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. 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.
May is Electrical Safety Month, and Bon Homme Yankton Electric will be sharing safety tips and reminders throughout the month to help raise awareness about the dangers of electricity. Like our Facebook page to receive these tips at www.facebook.com/ BonHommeYanktonElectric or visit www.byelectric.coop. We all depend on electricity to power our lives, but accidents can happen when electricity is improperly used. Our responsibility to you Bon Homme Yankton Electric’s concern for safety extends beyond our employees. We care deeply about the safety of our members, and this month, we encourage you to plug into safety. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, thousands of people in the U.S. are critically injured and electrocuted as a result of electrical fires, accidents and electrocution in their own homes. To promote safety education in our local communities, we offer the Hot Line Trailer and the Neon Leon and Lightning Liz safety demonstrations to all age groups. We frequently provide electrical safety content in the Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections and we encourage the public to contact us if they see a downed power line or any other type of dangerous electrical situation. We strive to provide our communities with safe, reliable and affordable electricity and to serve as your trusted energy advisor, now and well into the future. Our responsibility to employees It is no accident that safety is a top priority at Bon Homme Yankton Electric. We are committed to a culture of safety that is integral to our daily operations. In fact, Bon Homme
Yankton Electric is part of the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP) that follows specific guidelines and protocols for electrical safety that are considered leading practices. Our lineworkers are required to wear personal protective equipment at all times when on the job. This includes special fire-resistant clothing that will selfextinguish, limiting potential injuries from burns and sparks. Insulated and rubber gloves are worn in tandem to protect from electrical shock. Our safety team regularly discusses important safety issues pertaining to work within the building as well as out in the field. It is our duty and responsibility to raise awareness about the importance of electrical safety. Take a moment to plug into safety. Please visit www.byelectric. coop, our Facebook page or www.esfi.org for tips about how to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Welcome new Members Avon Jay Kriz Scotland Gilbert & Rita Mendoza Jon Bauder Springfield Brian J & Kaitlin A Cihak Utica Ashley Frazier Yankton Michael Portillo Paul Mcdonald & Dannie Schlattmann Christopher C Frick Sandy Wiedenfeld Andrew Adam Stephanie Davis Anne Burch Justin & Rebecca Eskens
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 • May 2017 3
Safety
Tips
Keep Your Family Safe During a Flood Heavy rains often cause flooding in lowland areas, homes and basements. Safe Electricity reminds everyone to be alert to electrical equipment that could be energized and in contact with water, along with other potential hazards that create a serious danger of electrocution. Cleaning up and using water-damaged appliances also carry safety risks. As part of the “Teach Learn Care” TLC Campaign, Safe Electricity urges parents and other caregivers to make sure children are aware of these hazards as well. “The prospect of an electrical accident is probably not top of mind when you’re dealing with a flooded basement, room or even outdoors,” said Molly Hall, executive director of Safe Electricity. “But it’s the first thing you should think of before you step foot in the water.”
Safety measures to keep in mind include: • Never drive into flooded waters. • Never step into a flooded basement or other room if water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances or cords. • Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter. • Never use electric appliances or touch electric wires, switches or fuses when you’re wet or when you’re standing in water. • Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from wet surfaces. Do not use electric yard tools if it’s raining or the ground is wet. • If an electrical appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it out before it is used. It may need to be repaired or replaced. “A good safety measure is to have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) professionally installed on outlets,” Hall said. “These safety devices can cut off power instantly if there’s a problem.” GFCIs are recommended for outdoor outlets and outlets near wet areas of the home such as kitchen, bath and laundry room. Source: www.safeelectricity.org 4 May 2017 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids. Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged. Do not overload electrical outlets. Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture.
Kids’ Corner Safety Poster “Don’t put electronics near water.”
Ryder Vrchota, 9 years old Ryder is the son of Stacy and Judy Vrchota, Aberdeen, S.D. He attended Ipswich, S.D., based-FEM Electric Association’s annual meeting last June. 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
Comforting Casseroles Cheesy Mexican Cornbread Casserole
Ham and Pasta 1 (16 oz.) pkg. elbow macaroni 4 cups fresh broccoli florets 1/2 cup finely chopped onions 1/2 cup butter, cubed 1/2 cup flour 1 tsp. ground mustard 1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper 6 cups milk 1 (15 oz.) jar processed cheese sauce 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese, divided 4 cups cubed, fully cooked ham
Cook macaroni according to directions, adding broccoli during the last 3 to 4 minutes; drain. In a large Dutch oven, sauté onion in butter 2 minutes. Stir in flour, mustard, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese sauce and 1 cup Cheddar cheese until blended; remove from heat. Stir in ham, macaroni and broccoli. Divide between a greased 9x13-inch pan and 8-inch square baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake one and freeze the other. Cover and bake at 350°F. for 50 to 60 minutes or until bubbly. To use frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
Green Bean Casserole 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 cup sour cream or light cream 3 cans cut green beans, drained 8 oz. grated Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup crushed corn flakes
Combine 2 T. butter with flour; mix over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat; add seasonings and cream. Fold in beans. Place in greased 8x10-inch baking pan. Top with grated cheese. Mix remaining butter with corn flakes; sprinkle on top. Bake at 350°F. for 30 to 45 minutes. Belle Kvale, Lemmon
Quick Casserole 1 lb. ground beef Onion
1/2 tsp. McCormick® Chipotle Chili Pepper 1/2 tsp. salt 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided 1 can (14-1/2oz) petite diced tomatoes, drained 1 can (8-2/4 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained 1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chiles
Place cornbread in 9x13-inch baking dish sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Set aside. Beat eggs in large bowl with wire whisk. Add milk, sour cream and seasonings; mix well. Stir in 1-1/2 cups cheese, tomatoes, corn and chiles. Gently pour over cornbread. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 350°F. for 45 to 55 minutes or until center is set and edges are golden browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional sour cream, if desired. Makes 12 servings. Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 275, Total Fat 15g, Sodium 653mg, Cholesterol 141mg, Carbohydrates 23g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 12g Pictured, Cooperative Connections
Jalapeno Popper Casserole
Joane Beringer, Gettysburg
3 T. melted butter 2 T. flour 1 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. grated onion or 1/3 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. salt
1 lb. prepared cornbread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 6 eggs 1-1/2 cups milk 1 cup sour cream 1 T. McCormick® Chili Powder 2 tsp. McCormick® Oregano Leaves 1/2 tsp. McCormick® Garlic Powder
1 can vegetable soup 1 can SpaghettiOs
2 lbs. tater tots 2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese 1 cup sour cream 2 cups Mexican shredded cheese
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled 6 green onions, thinly sliced 6 jalapeno peppers, deseeded and diced
Place tater tots in a 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 425°F. for 15 minutes. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, 1-1/2 cups cheese, bacon, onions and jalapenos; spread over tater tots. Top with the remaining cheese. Sprinkle bacon and onions over top, if desired. Bake for 20 minutes. Note: Prepackaged bacon pieces may also be used. Kim Jost, Agar
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole 4 oz. spaghetti, broken into pieces 1 chicken, cooked and cut up 1 can cream of chicken soup 1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup pimento 1/4 cup minced green pepper 1 T. minced green onion 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Brown ground beef with onion; drain. Combine all ingredients. Bake at 350°F. for 45 to 60 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Cook spaghetti as directed on package. Combine with remaining ingredients. Place in greased casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheese, if desired. Bake at 350°F. for 35 minutes.
Shirley Dreher, Clark
Mary Truman, Kimball
Please send your favorite dairy, dessert or salad 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 2017. All entries must include your name, mailing address, telephone number and cooperative name.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2017 5
Co-op
news
Capital Credit Allocation Notices Q&A In order to share more detailed information regarding the members’ capital credit accounts, full page allocation notices will be sent out again this year instead of postcards. This notice indicates your share of the margins from previous years of electric energy sales. What are capital credits? Bon Homme Yankton Electric is a non-profit, member owned cooperative. This doesn’t mean there are no profits earned, but that any profits or margins that are generated are split amongst the members based on how much they spent on electricity for the year that is being allocated. i have several accounts, why do i only receive one notice? Even if you pay a bill for several locations, you have just one membership with the cooperative and will just receive one official allocation notice. If you would like more detailed information, contact our office. When do you issue refunds? In the past, capital credit refunds have been issued approximately every other year using a first in first out method. The 2016 refund included allocations from 1995, 1996 and 1997. Depending on the financial condition of the cooperative, the next refund will start with the remainder of 1997 but has not been scheduled at this time. What happens if a member moves? Members cannot claim the balance of their account when they leave our system. As long as we have their current address, we will continue to send them
Keep in touch Contact Bon Homme Yankton Electric If: • You have a new mailing address • You have a new name • You have a joint membership and you have gotten divorced • A member has passed away • Your business or organization is no longer in existence 6 May 2017 • Cooperative ConneCtions
their refund checks on our regular refund schedule. Several checks go unclaimed because we are unable to locate previous members. The Affidavit of Address form as well as a list of members with outstanding or unclaimed checks are available at www. byelectric.coop. What if a member passes away? Upon the death of a member, the bylaws allow the capital credit account to be refunded at a discounted amount up to the date of death. 30 days need to pass after the date of death and an application has to be made, reviewed by our attorney and approved by the board. Do members have to pay taxes on their capital credit allocation? 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. If you always report the allocation but have already filed your taxes, you may save this notice for your 2017 taxes. For more information, members should contact their tax preparer. Contact the office if you have any questions regarding capital credits. The actual notice will differ than the sample below because the new notices have not been printed as of the publishing deadline. You will not get a notice unless you purchased electricity between 2013 and 2016.
Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc. PO Box 158 Tabor, SD 57063-0158 605-463-2507 www.byelectric.com by@byelectric.com
Notice Date: Current Allocation:
57063-
CAPITAL CREDIT ALLOCATION NOTICE YEAR
KWH Usage
Patronage
0
$0.00
$65.93
$0.00
$65.93
1994
0
$0.00
$73.08
$0.00
$73.08
1995
0
$0.00
$67.46
$0.00
$67.46
1996
0
$0.00
$75.99
$0.00
$75.99
1997
0
$1,448.77
$55.72
$0.00
$55.72
1998
0
$1,385.29
$34.00
$0.00
$34.00
1999
0
$1,472.32
$36.67
$0.00
$36.67
2000
23,600
$1,505.66
$222.57
$0.00
$222.57
2001
24,200
$1,603.21
$216.42
$0.00
$216.42
2002
26,300
$1,660.57
$156.04
$0.00
$156.04
2003
23,800
$1,581.05
$112.59
$0.00
$112.59
2004
23,491
$1,618.58
$136.95
$0.00
$136.95
2005
25,358
$1,705.60
$141.96
$0.00
$141.96
2006
25,363
$1,690.82
$181.60
$0.00
$181.60
2007
24,696
$1,629.17
$101.68
$0.00
$101.68
2008
55,334
$3,004.93
$441.71
$0.00
$441.71
* You have a joint membership and you have gotten divorced
2009
94,969
$5,266.02
$703.52
$0.00
$703.52
* A member has passed away
2010
62,584
$4,098.43
$404.09
$0.00
$404.09
2011
50,712
$3,704.24
$20.36
$321.04
$341.40
* Your business or organization is no longer in existence
2012
36,895
$3,208.30
$0.00
$38.42
$38.42
$3,248.34
Current Allocation
$359.46
Total Allocation
You are part owner of Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc. and one way your ownership is reflected is through capital credits or patronage capital--your share of what's left over after the cooperative pays all its expenses. This capital is held for a time and then refunded using a first-in-first-out method.
1993
Total Capital Credit Allocation
Previous Allocation
9999999
$359.46
This is NOT a bill. Do NOT pay. Do NOT deduct this amount from any energy payments.
DOE, JOHN PO BOX TABOR SD
3/26/2014
Account Number:
$3,607.80
The allocation of the current year margins are delayed due to the margin stabilization plan. This means that margins for the balance of 2012 and all of 2013 have yet to be added to your account. For any questions about tax issues in regards to capital credit allocations or refunds, contact your tax preparer.
Contact our office if: * You have a new mailing address * You have a new name
* You have any other questions regarding this notice or anything else about your cooperative Remember: We can't send out your future refund checks if we don't know your current mailing address!
* KWH and Patronage were not available for all years. * Capital credits have been refunded up through 1992. Amounts are held until a check is at least $5.00 for active accounts and $10.00 for inactive accounts. * Patronage figures do not include sales tax or penalties. * The figures from multiple accounts are added together as a total for the membership.
See the May issue of the Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections for more information about capital credits!
SAVE THIS NOTICE FOR YOUR RECORDS
Co-op
news
Bill Cap Retires Bill "Willie" Cap's last day of work was March 31, 2017. Bill retired after 24 years of dedicated service to the cooperative. He began work in 1993 as maintenance man/ custodian and kept the facilities in tip top shape. He would sacrifice his days off and come in early to scoop snow so employees could arrive safely to work and outage crews would be able to respond to outages in a timely manner. Bill was instrumental in organizing the move to the new Operations Center. Bill will be taking it easy spending more time hunting, fishing and taking care of things around the house. Bill and his wife, Donna, will definitely be spending more time visiting their children and grandchildren and attending their events. Bill was presented with a wall clock made by Countryside Manufacturing in appreciation of his years of service. Bill's smile and "can do" attitude will be greatly missed. Congratulations to Bill on his retirement!
There’s Still Time to Send Your Kids to Registration Deadline: May 5, 2017 North Dakota! Join teens from around the state for a three-day, expensepaid excursion to North Dakota on July 24-27, 2017. The students ride in a deluxe bus, stay on a college campus, eat healthy meals, enjoy social activities and tour the huge power generation facilities that provide electricity to Bon Homme Yankton Electric members. This is a chance to meet new people and learn how your power arrives through coal mining, electricity production and energy marketing. The students will also experience the Missouri River on the Lewis & Clark Riverboat! Each participant will also receive a free T-shirt commemorating the fun event. This trip is great for kids interested in science, the future of wind energy, jobs in the utility industry and making new friends from around the state. The Youth Excursion is available to current sophomores and juniors who are dependents of Bon Homme Yankton Electric members. Fill out the form and send it to: Bon Homme Yankton Electric, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063 by May 5, 2017. Three people will be randomly drawn to attend the 2017 Youth Excursion.
2 0 1 7 Yo u t h E x c u r s i o n Registration
Name: _______________________ Address: _____________________ _____________________________ E-mail Address: _______________ Parents/Guardian: ____________ _____________________________ Phone Number: _______________ School: ______________________ Circle: Sophomore Junior Circle: Male Female T-Shirt Size: ___ Cooperative ConneCtions • May 2017 7
Planning, Communication Help to Avoid a
Moving Violation E Brenda Kleinjan
ncountering a large, oversized load on the highway can make one wonder what the load is and where it is going – and how long you may be following it as it winds its way to its destination. But for your local electric cooperative, these loads can create some challenges, especially really tall loads. “We see a lot of oversized loads any more,” said Brett Fosheim, operations manager at Butte Electric Cooperative in Newell, S.D., which lies on the northern edge of the Black Hills. U.S. Highway 85 runs north to south through the co-op, connecting Interstate 90 to the oil patch in western North Dakota. Additionally, U.S. Highway 212 cuts an east-west path through the cooperative. “We didn’t really see a decrease in those moves
8 May 2017 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
when things slowed down up north,” Fosheim said. Fosheim noted that most of the oversized loads were large industrial equipment. “Almost all of it is tanks moving up 85 from 212,” he said. “Most of them we’ve been working with are doing a really good job of contacting us about their routes,” said Fosheim of the companies entrusted with transporting the large cargo. That can be crucial as the often power lines need to be moved by utility crews as the load moves toward its destination. “We probably have a better group of movers than we ever had in the past,” Fosheim said. Before the larger industrial loads became more commonplace for Fosheim and his crews, the co-op
The types of large, oversized loads moving down the region’s highways can be quite varied. Here, Murdo, S.D.-based West Central Electric crews lift a line for a historic train depot that returned to Fort Pierre after spending several decades ason a ranch in western South Dakota. Opposite page: Large structure and equipment moves can often take multiple utility crews to safely lift lines.
would see “a fair amount” of house moves annually, “but those have really slowed down for us. Now it’s just equipment moving up to the oil patch.” And with the change in type of oversized load comes increased frequency. “Now, we’re averaging two or three large loads amonth. I can’t remember the last time we had a house move,” Fosheim said. Coordinating the moves can create challenges. “Our territories are intermingled out here, especially in the Northern Hills,” Fosheim said, referring to how electric cooperative areas and investorowned utilities areas can intertwine. Adding to the complexity is that multiple types of utilities may also have infrastructure affected by the moves. “We have communications carriers attached to our facilities,” Fosheim said. “We advise the movers of all the carriers we know that are in the area. Moving lines for the large loads can be very time-consuming, Fosheim said, especially with really, really large loads. “Some of these tanks are really big with a lot of axles underneath them. We’ve seen them with two pusher trucks in addition to the pull trucker. There have been some big monstrosities coming through,” Fosheim said. While the sheer size of the load makes for interesting conversation, it also creates logisitical challenges. “We run out of right-of-way to lift the line, so our crews may wind up to bottom of the ditch, another 10 feet lower than the roadway,” Fosheim said. And, once they lift the line, the size of the load may make it impossible for the crew to get around the load to the next crossing. This means that the co-op must plan for a multiple crews to assist with the move. “It can be quite time-consuming and very hard to plan around,” Fosheim said, pointing that often the load can encounter delays before it gets to the
co-op’s area, pushing project from a morning timeline to afternoon. “It just takes more personnel to move these bigger loads,” he said. “We get just as many moves in winter as we do in spring or summer,” Fosheim said. Problems can arise, however, when those moving large loads fail to contact the utilities about lines. In the past, co-ops have found evidence of damage – sometimes downed lines – from someone simply ignoring basic safeyy. “The ones that are contacting us are quite good,” said Fosheim, noting that state efforts in monitoring big moves and making sure utilities are notified has helped. “There are some that get by that we don’t see.”
Hire a professional for the moving and contact your electric cooperative. “We haven’t had any mover damage for several years,” Fosheim said. In northeast South Dakota, Webster-based Lake Region Electric Association has also seen a decrease in damage caused by large loads. Operations Manager Jim Grimes notes that the large industrial loads have decreased in recent years and they see an occasional house move coming into the area. At Lake Region Electric, they took steps to adjust their major highway crossings to accommodate most higher loads. Grimes’ advice? “Hire a professional for the moving and contact your electric cooperative. That’s what they are geared up for and set up for,” Grimes said. “The guys doing it on their own are the ones that tend to get into trouble.” COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2017 9
Co-op
news
Scholarship Winners Kristen Rezac and Carly Sternhagen were each selected to receive $1,000 scholarships sponsored by Basin Electric and Bon Homme Yankton Electric. The scholarship program is designed to encourage and recognize the achievements of the children of our cooperative members. Kristen will graduate this spring from Yankton High School. She has achieved a 4.3 GPA and is ranked first in her class. Kristen will attend the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota this fall. She is the daughter of Joe and Barb Rezac of rural Tabor, SD. Carly is currently attending the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. She will be a junior this fall and is working towards her double major of Secondary Education and Math Education. Carly is the daughter of Dean and Teresa Sternhagen of Tabor, SD. Congratulations to these outstanding Scholarship Winner Kristen Rezac students on their awards.
Director Petition Deadline June 22 Bon Homme Yankton Electric is making plans for its annual meeting. The meeting will be held August 22, 2017 in the Beseda Hall in Tabor. The director positions with three year terms expiring this year are districts one, four and six. Darrell Beran of district four has announced that he will not be running for reelection this year. This district serves the townships of Tabor and North Ziskov including the Town of Tabor. Any person wishing to run for a directorship of Bon Homme Yankton Electric will need to file a nominating
petition. The petition must have at least 15 signatures of the candidate's district's members of Bon Homme Yankton Electric. Petitioners must reside in the district and have an active membership in the cooperative. Petitions are available at the main office and must be filed at the Bon Homme Yankton Electric office by 4:30 p.m. on June 22, 2017. Contact General Manager Stephanie Horst for more information regarding the responsibilities and qualifications for being a cooperative director.
Scholarship Winner Carly Sternhagen
Classifieds June Issue Deadline: May 1, 2017. 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 605660-0274 or 605-660-3497.r
Save the Date!!
The Power Supply Bus Tour to North Dakota has been scheduled for August 1-3, 2017. Registration forms will be in the June issue of the Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections. 1 0 May 2017 • Cooperative ConneCtions
haase heaTinG & CoolinG
Dan Haase
Heating, Cooling, Heat Pumps We sell the best and service the rest
Scotland, SD 57059 605-583-4490
GT RepaiR & auTobody Glenn Tycz Tyndall, SD 57066
605-589-3018
Marine Boat Repair Aluminum & Fiberglass We Repair and Install Windshields Adventures of a Lifetime Travel and Cruise
Suzanne Stemper
605-661-9319 www.AdventuresOfALifetimeTravels.com AdventuresTravelAndCruise@gmail.com
Art & Antique GAllery Custom Matting & Framing Original Art/Gifts/Cards Handmade Glass Beads & Jewelry
1610 Main St Tyndall, SD
605-589-4050 Open Wednesday through Saturday
ConsTRuCTion and painTinG New Construction Remodel - Roofing Flooring
Jason Finck
605-660-3204
An Authorized Independent Agent For This is a solicitation of Insurance. Wellmark Medicare supplement insurance plans are not affiliated with any government agency. To be eligible, you must reside in the service area of the plan. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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Tabor, SD 57063
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R. Martin Koch, Secretary PO Box 206 Tabor, SD 57063 605-463-2558 1-800-868-1756
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Warm Air, Air to Air, Geothermal Heat Pumps WE DO EMERGENCY HOME REPAIRS Cooperative ConneCtions • May 2017 1 1
Update on the CPP B
asin
electric ceo and general Manager
Paul Sukut issued the following statement on President Trump’s executive order on the Clean Power Plan (CPP): “President Trump’s announcement is a positive step forward in our efforts to seek time and flexibility when it comes to developing a carbon management plan, hopefully, in the context of a national energy policy. “EPA’s Clean Power Plan would have significant impacts on Basin Electric and our membership. Of the 13 states hit the hardest by this rule, eight are in Basin Electric’s service territory. Financially, Basin Electric would have to spend billions of dollars to comply. These dollars would simply cover adding new generation and potentially impact the operations of our existing facilities. This does not even include the expense of additional electric, gas or transmission infrastructure to support the new generation required to meet the proposed mandates of the CPP. These costs would be
unfairly borne by our membership. “Over the last decade, Basin Electric and our membership have taken a leadership role in the development of renewable generation. We’ve added more than 1,500 megawatts of wind generation to our system (which represents approximately 23 percent of our generation capacity), invested more than $1 billion in natural gas generation resources and have invested more than $1.6 billion in emissions control technology to make our already clean generation fleet even cleaner. Even more, our Dakota Gasification Company’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant is home to North America’s largest carbon capture and sequestration project – capturing more than 30 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Our most recent project to add urea production to the Synfuels Plant continues that tradition by capturing CO2 to make urea and for sale as a food grade product. It’s important to note that the CPP, as proposed,
FAQ REGARDING THE CLEAN POWER PLAN (CPP) What is the current status of the Clean Power Plan? The rule hasn’t been implemented and is still in legal limbo. The Clean Power Plan (CPP) rule didn’t go into effect because the Supreme Court issued a “stay” of the rule in February 2016. The full D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on the merits of the case against CPP. That was an unusual circumstance. Typically only a three-judge panel of the Circuit Court would hear a case, but because of the gravity of the CPP, the court decided to hear the case “en banc” which means all of the available judges heard the case. The D.C. Circuit Court ruling could come sometime this spring. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would start the process of rolling back the Clean Power Plan. The Department of Justice will ask the D.C. Circuit to hold the case until the EPA can analyze the Clean Power Plan. They will have to go through a full rulemaking process to undo the rule or propose a new, more friendly rule.
through a full rulemaking process which includes notice in the Federal Register, time for public comment, a response to public comment, etc. The EPA could propose a “no action” rule or propose a scaled back version of 111(d) that is much more favorable to power plants and utilities. But they would still have to go through the rulemaking process.
What can the administration do? The Trump administration has some alternatives to consider, but it isn’t as easy as just saying they don’t want to implement the rule. Here are some of their options: They could wait for the D.C. Circuit’s decision, and if the CPP is upheld, they could choose not to defend the CPP in front of the Supreme Court. Before the D.C. Circuit’s decision, the Trump administration could request the D.C. Circuit Court to hold the case in “abeyance” and remand CPP back to the EPA for reconsideration. They could ask for the court to still have jurisdiction so that the CPP remains under the Supreme Court stay.
What else might impact the outcome? • Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court vacancy. • EPA budget cuts. • Legal action against President Trump’s Executive Order concerning the CPP. • Other unknowns.
Can the administration get rid of the Clean Power Plan? Before the Clean Power Plan can be changed or undone, the EPA will have to go 12 May 2017 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
What are the next steps? In late 2017 or early 2018, the EPA will likely begin a new rulemaking process to replace the Clean Power Plan In late 2018, EPA will likely respond to public comments on the new rule. Depending on what the new rule may look like, there will likely be a legal challenge from those who wanted the Clean Power Plan. That will lead to another long legal fight that could bring us into 2020 before the old rule is gone and a new rule is finalized.
Where can I get more information about the Executive Order? There will be many articles coming out on the executive order but this link from vox.com provides the quickest cleanest look at it so far. http://www.vox.com/energy-and-environmenT/2017/3/27/14922516/trumpexecutive-order-climate
EPA CLEAN POWER PLAN TIMELINE On Aug. 3, 2015, then President Obama announced the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to slow climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions 32 percent by 2030. Below are the key dates leading to the implementation of the plan (unless they are changed by lawsuits or congressional action.) Recent actions are included in red.
did not allow Basin Electric credit for our current investments in natural gas generation or renewables, nor our carbon sequestration efforts through Dakota Gas. “President Trump’s action does not, however, impact Basin Electric’s efforts to seek a viable path forward in a carbon constrained future. We are actively seeking solutions that reduce our carbon footprint while keeping coal as part of our energy portfolio, preserving both the reliability and cost competitiveness of our members’ energy supply. In addition to our wind and natural gas investments, we are actively working to advance clean coal technology. Examples include hosting the Integrated Test Center at our Dry Fork Station in Gillette, Wyo., and our investments in research, most recently in the development of a high efficiency power generation technology that generates high quality CO2 as a product stream, along with participation in DOE’s CarbonSAFE program to further the science of CO2 sequestration in saline aquifers.” In November 2015, utilities across the country, including Basin Electric, filed a Motion to Stay with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which was denied. On Feb. 9, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court granted Basin Electric and several other petitioners’ Motion to Stay the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, giving the current administration time to review the rule and issue today’s executive order.
FEBRUARY 2016
U.S. SUPREME COURT ISSUES A STAY ON THE RULE
}
MARCH 2017
PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR REVIEW OF EPA CLEAN POWER PLAN; REVIEW WILL LIKELY AFFECT FUTURE KEY DATES.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2017 13
“Smart” A
“smart” home techogy – video doorbells, self-adjusting heating systems, lighting that remembers just how bright or dim the homeowner prefers each room at any time of day or night – is flowing onto the markets, offering a wealth of options for anyone considering home-improvement projects. Not every homeowner will want the futuristic home of George and Jane Jetson from the 1960s television cartoon show, “The Jetsons,’’ (Rosey the Robot, for example, is still a ways off for the average homeowner). These days, though, anyone considering a home-improvement project that involves renovations and upgrades should consider smart-home systems, real estate and technology experts say. Smart-home features and appliances are available to increase convenience, add security and efficiency and make the home even more a part of the family, the experts say. “There’s an avalanche of technology innovation aimed at our homes,’’ says David Siroty, vice president for North American Communications for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. “And there is an explosion of DIY (do-it-yourself ) products on the market, bringing smart homes into reach of nearly everyone.’’ Smart-home features offer increased security for n avalanche of new
nol-
By Terr y Woster
Below: A doorbell camera shows the homeowners that a group of their child’s friends are ready for some skateboarding. A smart doorbell system is a basic part of a smart-home improvement project, some experts say. Opposite Page: Smartphone screen images illustrate some of the information available in a smart-home security system. Photos courtesy of Vivint Smart Homes
14 May 2017 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
Smart-Home Improvements homes and their occupants, better energy management for both conservation and cost-savings and the simple convenience of easier living, experts say. Besides many highly practical reasons to go as smart as possible, there’s a “wow factor’’ to some of the devices, features that cause visitors or potential buyers to whisper “Wow’’ when they step into the home. A device on the market, for example, allows a homeowner to use a Smartphone from afar to access a camera inside the refrigerator at home to check the contents. Perhaps not many people would actually use such a feature, but a working couple who live miles from their places of business might find it helpful to know they need eggs or milk while they are near the store in the city rather than find that out when they reach home. It’s still a relatively new market, but the trend toward acceptance of and demand for smart-home features is accelerating, says Trevor Lambert, senior director of brand management for Vivint Smart Home, a smart-home services provider headquartered in Utah. “I think many people think it’s complicated, but any home can be upgraded,’’ Lambert said. “Any home can incorporate smart-home technology to some level. The reality is a smart home doesn’t need to be a certain age.’’
Access to the Internet is a key and in many rural areas, that access will determine how quickly smart homes develop, said Brian Sloboda, a senior program manager for the Cooperative Research Network of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “It’s kind of chicken and egg,’’ he said. “People in rural areas aren’t going to get smart-home technology without access to reliable broadband internet. But broadband internet services won’t go to rural areas without the assurance of customers.’’ However, Sloboda said there is a trend toward having broadband extend to more rural areas and, “we are seeing some co-ops exploring the possibility of offering broadband.’’ If a survey done in 2015 by Coldwell Banker and CNET is accurate, the market demand for smart-home products is there and growing. The survey asked 4,000 people in the United States about smart homes.
Some key findings: • More than one in four Americans own smart-home devices and 87 percent of those surveyed say technology makes their lives easier. • More than half of those with smart-home products say the technology saves time, an average of 30 minutes a day, and 45 percent say on average their smart-home technology saves them more than $1,100 a year. • Parents with children younger than 18 are almost twice as likely to have smart-home products as those without children. • The Smartphone is the remote control device for a smart home, according to 76 percent of those who responded to the survey. “Our survey highlights the fact that this innovation has made its way into homes faster than many expected, and that once a homeowner tries a connected device, that person is ready to experiment with more smart products,’’ Lindsey Turrentine, editor-in-chief of CNET.com, said when the survey was released in August of 2015. Siroty compares the expansion of smart-home technology to the growth in popularity of granite countertops. Granite countertops began as a luxury item, became a more traditional feature of homes and has become something that simply is expected to be part of a home, he said. Smart-home technology is moving through that same process, from luxury to expected feature, Siroty said. The world of home improvements is replete with stories of do-it-yourself successes and failures. Smart-home home improvements are no different, the experts say. If you’re really handy and comfortable with technology, you can probably do a lot of things on your own. “If you don’t feel that handy or have a lot of confidence, there’s a lot of value in having someone come in and do the job,’’ Lambert said. With a specialist, the homeowner knows the job is done and has access to trouble-shooting help if needed. The desirability of having an expert handle things becomes more important as the complexity of the project increases, says Dave Pedigo, senior director of emerging technologies for CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) said. “The problem is, when you start adding things together, it becomes exponentially more difficult,’’ he said. A simple project might be just fine as a DIY effort, but “now you’re getting 20, 30 or 40 devices and it’s increasingly difficult to get a posi-
tive experience.’’ Starting a DIY project and then calling in an expert can mean wasting both time and money, he said. An official with the Federal Trade Commission gave a consumer caution in an article written in July of 2016 and posted on the FTC website. Carl Settlemyer with the FTC division of advertising practices noted that smart technology is rapidly evolving, “promising even greater convenience, security and comfort in the future.’’ But, Settlemyer said, the rapid growth puts a burden on consumers to understand how various devices work and what support the manufacturers will provide and to the security features of the product. He said consumers should ask questions when they shop for smart devices.
Among the questions: • Find out if the product will work with connected devices you already have and with other companies’ devices. • Ask how you’ll get security and other product updates. • Take time during your initial set-up to familiarize yourself with any dashboards and widgets that you’ll use to control the device remotely. • Don’t just accept out-of-the-box default settings. Turn on secure features and re-evaluate only after you’re familiar with the device. • Consider if you’ll be able to keep using the device if the manufacturer stops providing updates and other support. With those cautions in mind, what are the go-to devices or systems for a smart-home improvement project? A quick online search for smart-home gadgets will result in lists of five or six or 10 “best additions to your home,’’ 25 features that “matter most to home buyers,’’ and dozens of other responses. Many lists include smart door locks, video doorbells, thermostats, light bulbs and electric sockets, ceiling fans, television sets, kitchen appliances, entertainment centers and exterior security camera systems. A growing number of manufacturers are pushing products onto the market. The smart consumer takes some time to study needs and applications, Sloboda said. He has his own top-four list for a homeowner interested in “dipping a toe’’ into the smart-home pool.
On Sloboda’s list are: An internet-controlled thermostat. “It’s going to save you energy. It’s going to save you money. It’s going to make you more comfortable.’’ A security camera system. “You can set alerts for when someone comes near the front door or near the barn. This is a peace of mind issue.’’ Smart crockpot. “This is where you’re going to think I’m getting way out there, to communicate over the internet with the crockpot. But you can take it from high to low, or from low to warm when it’s time, or if you get held up getting home.’’ Electrical outlets. “Simple electrical outlets but they can be controlled through the internet. A table lamp, you can turn it on if you’re really late. It’s more of a security issue.” Sloboda cautions that many products are available but, “the question to ask is would I actually use this? You can get all caught up in the hype.’’ COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2017 15
Regional Dateline
April 26-29 Black Hills Film Festival Hill City, SD, 605-574-9454 April 29-30, May 6-7 Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing Fort Pierre, SD, 605-223-7603 May 5-7 Naja Shrine Circus Rapid City, SD, 605-343-4076
Events of Special Note
PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI WALDRON, MEMBER OF WEST CENTRAL ELECTRIC
April 22-23 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Rapid City, SD 605-394-4101
May 6 Cinco De Mayo Festival Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876 May 13 Wells Fargo Cinco De Mayo Fiesta, Falls Park Sioux Falls, SD, 605-271-0468
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.
May 6 Frühlingsfest and Spring Market, Rapid City, SD 605-716-7979
May 20-21, 28-29 Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing, Aberdeen, SD, 605-715-9580
June 2-4 Fort Sisseton Historical Festival Lake City, SD, 605-448-5474
May 12-14 Siouxpercon, Sioux Falls, SD www.siouxpercon.com
May 26-27 State Track Meet Sioux Falls, SD, 605-224-9261
May 14 1880 Train Mother’s Day Express, Hill City, SD 605-574-2222
May 26-28 South Dakota Kayak Challenge Yankton, SD, 605-864-9011
June 2-4 Annual Black Hills Quilt Show and Sale, Rapid City, SD 605-394-4115 June 2-4 Wheel Jam, Huron, SD 605-353-7340
May 19 Tesla Car Rally, Custer, SD 605-673-2244
May 27-28 Annual SDRA Foothills Rodeo Wessington Springs, SD 605-770-4370
May 19-20 Sioux Empire Film Festival Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-6000
May 30 26th Annual Kids Art Fest Yankton, SD, 605-665-9754
June 3 Dairy Fest, Brookings, SD 605-692-7539
May 19-21 State Parks Open House and Free Fishing Weekend Pierre, SD, 605-773-3391
June 2-3 Rockin’ Ribfest, Yankton, SD 605-665-2263
June 9-10 Senior Games, Spearfish, SD Contact Brett Rauterkus at 605-722-1430
May 20 Turkey Days, Huron, SD 605-352-0000
June 2-3 Senior Games, Sioux Falls, SD Contact Scott Junke at 605-367-8222
June 2-4 Fish Days, Lake Andes, SD pattironfeldt@hcinet.net
June 17-18 South Dakota Peach Festival Sioux Falls, SD
June 17-18 Coin and Stamp Show Fort Meade Gym Sturgis, SD, 605-381-4625 June 23 148th Annual Midsummer Festival, Dalesburg Lutheran Church, Vermillion, SD 605-253-2575 www.dalesburg.org June 23-24 Senior Games, Mitchell, SD Contact Howard Bich at 605-275-6891 or email sdsrgames@gmail.com July 7-8 Senior Games, Madison, SD Bernie Schuurmans at 605-270-3327 July 22 Holy Smoke Car Show O’Gorman High School Sioux Falls, SD www.holysmokecarshow.org