Bon Homme Yankton Electric May 2020 Vol. 21 No. 1
A Deadly Mistake: Lessons Learned Page 8
3M Plays Critical Role in COVID Fight Page 12
MANAGER’S COLUMN
We are here for you through the
COVID-19 Pandemic
These are unprecedented times in our region, country and across the world. From social distancing to homeschooling your children due to school closures, we know you are dealing with many life changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As an essential services provider, Bon Homme Yankton Electric is here to continue powering your life. To continue providing essential electric services, we have adapted several business practices. We’ve taken the following measures to keep our employees safe and healthy so your co-op can continue providing the high level of service that you expect: Closed our lobby until further notice. Payments can be made via mail, by phone 24/7 (1-888395-5315), and online via Smarthub. For any questions or to report an outage, please call (605) 463-2507. Implemented a rotating work from home schedule in the office and isolated line crews from each other to reduce our employees’ risk of exposure. Electrical and member service site visits have been reduced to emergency-only situations.
Stephanie Horst horst@byelectric.com
We ask that if you are having trouble paying your electric bill, please contact us at (605) 463-2507 to work out a payment plan.
Be prepared for longer than normal outage times if we have a widespread outage event, like an ice storm. Crew isolation practices will still be adhered to, and the external resources that we count on for extra manpower have also implemented protocols for areas based on Covid-19 outbreak stats. These measures will slow restoration times but will ensure the health and safety of linemen is not compromised so that we continue to provide essential electric services. When you receive your next power bills from Bon Homme Yankton Electric, we want you to be prepared for your bill to be a little higher than normal if you have been spending more time at home. Many of our member-owners are currently working from home or are staying at home with their children, and this increased amount of time at home requires an increased use of electricity. Here are several quick and easy ways to begin conserving your home’s energy use to minimize your next bill: Reduce your thermostat. One degree lower can decrease energy use by 3 – 5%. Wash clothes with cold water. Only use hot water for very dirty loads. Change your central HVAC system filter when dirty by the manufacturer’s recommendations. Dirty filters can impact your home comfort and increase your electricity bill. Set both the upper and lower water heater thermostats no higher than 120° F. Open your blinds and use natural light as much as possible during the day. Turn computers and monitors off when not in use. Enable auto power down feature on gaming consoles. Unplug battery chargers and other cords when not needed. If you don’t unplug them, use energy-saving modes or automatic sleep functions on electronics. Set the refrigerator temperature to 34°-37°F and freezer temperature to 0° - 5°F. Everything you do—from flipping a switch to upgrading your lighting—can add up to big savings. Bon Homme Yankton Electric understands that there may be circumstances now and in the future that will impact the financial situation of our member-owners due to COVID-19. We ask that if you are having trouble paying your electric bill, please contact us at (605) 463-2507 to work out a payment plan. As your local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, Bon Homme Yankton Electric is here for you through these trying times. The seventh cooperative principle is concern for community. By pulling together as a community, we will emerge from this stronger. Take care and stay healthy.
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Cooperative Connections | May 2020
YOUTH NEWS
Bon Homme Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week Yankton Cassie Voigt Electric
Bon Homme Yankton Electric along with Dakota News Now are pleased to announce that Cassie Voigt, a senior at Avon School District, was selected as a Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week. Cassie’s segment aired the week of March 22-28 on Dakota News Now.
(USPS No. 018-973)
Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc PO Box 158 134 S Lidice St Tabor, SD 57063 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm To pay by phone, call: 1-888-395-5315 To report an outage, call: Local call from Tabor, Tyndall and Yankton: 605-463-2507 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.
Cassie has a 3.97 grade point average and is involved in Choir, Girls’ BB Stats, FB Stats, Academic All State, A-Club, Quiz Bowl, Science Fair, Mitchell Science Fair, ISEF Los Angeles- Student Observer, ISEF 2018 Pittsburgh- Student Observer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Drama, and Volleyball. She was also voted Class President and a member of Homecoming Court. She has received many awards including: 1st place Stockholm Junior Water Prize-DWU, Science Fair 2nd place-Yale Science and Engineering Award, DWU Mathematics Award, Mu Alpha Theta Award, SD Society for Clinical Lab Research Award, DWU Scholarship Award, and Honor Roll. Cassie is the daughter of Paul and Tracy Voigt and was nominated by Avon School District Principal Kathy Blaha. Touchstone Energy Cooperatives along with Dakota News Now have joined together to recognize the achievements of high school seniors throughout the region. “Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week” has been celebrating the achievements of high school seniors since 2002. Recipients are highly motivated high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community. This program was founded on the four pillars of Touchstone Energy: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation and a Commitment to Community. Cassie received $250 from Bon Homme Yankton Electric in recognition of her many accomplishments.
Marketing Communication Coordinator Jaclyn Arens (r) presents Cassie with $250
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.
Behind the scenes of Cassie’s feature on Dakota News Now May 2020 | Cooperative Connections
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SAFETY TIPS
10 Steps to Avoid Scams There are thousands of new scams every year and you can’t keep up with all of them (we know, we try!). But if you can just remember these 10 things, you can avoid most scams and help protect yourself and your family. 1) Never send money to someone you have never met face-toface. Seriously, just don’t ever do it. And really, really don’t do it if they ask you to use wire transfer, a prepaid debit card or a gift card (those cannot be traced and are as good as cash). 2) Don’t click on links or open attachments in unsolicited email. Links can download malware onto your computer and/or steal your identity. Be cautious even with email that looks familiar; it could be fake. 3) Don’t believe everything you see. Scammers are great at mimicking official seals, fonts and other details. Just because a website or email looks official does not mean that it is. Even Caller ID can be faked. 4) Don’t buy online unless the transaction is secure. Make sure the website has “https” in the URL (the extra s is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar. Even then, the site could be shady. Check out the company first at BBB.org. Read reviews about the quality of the merchandise and make sure you are not buying cheap and/or counterfeit goods. 5) Be extremely cautious when dealing with anyone you’ve met online. Scammers use dating websites, Craigslist, social media and many other sites to reach potential targets. They can quickly feel like a friend or even a romantic partner, but that is part of the con to get you to trust them. 6) Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has contacted you unsolicited, whether it’s over the phone, by email, on social media, even at your front door. This includes banking and credit card information, your birthdate and Social Security/Social Insurance numbers. 7) Don’t be pressured to act immediately. Scammers typically try to make you think something is scarce or a limited time offer. They want to push you into action before you have time to think or to discuss it with a family member, friend or financial advisor. High-pressure sales tactics are also used by some legitimate businesses, but it’s never a good idea to make an important decision quickly. 8) Use secure, traceable transactions when making payments for goods, services, taxes and debts. Do not pay by wire transfer, prepaid money card, gift card or other non-traditional payment method. Say no to cash-only deals, high pressure sales tactics, high upfront payments, overpayments and handshake deals without a contract. 9) Whenever possible, work with local businesses that have proper identification, licensing and insurance, especially contractors who will be coming into your home or anyone dealing with your money or sensitive information. Check them out at BBB.org to see what other consumers have experienced. 10) Be cautious about what you share on social media and consider only connecting with people you already know. Be sure to use privacy settings on all social media and online accounts. Imposters often get information about their targets from their online interactions and can make themselves sound like a friend or family member because they know so much about you. Source: www.bbb.org 4
Cooperative Connections | May 2020
KIDS CORNER SAFETY POSTER
“Do not play around electrical boxes.” Kayla Engelbrecht, 9 years old
Kayla is the grand-daughter of Alan and JoAnn Engelbrecht, Brandon, S.D. They are members of Sioux Valley Energy, Colman, 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.
RECIPES Recipe and photo courtesy mccormick.com/recipes
Comforting Casseroles Chicken-Broccoli-Rice Casserole 1 lb. chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
2 tsp. onion powder
1 cup long grain rice
1/2 tsp. pepper
1-1/2 cups Kitchen Basics® Original Chicken Stock
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup milk 2 tsp. garlic powder
1-1/2 tsp. rosemary leaves, crushed
2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Spread chicken and rice in greased 2-quart baking dish. Mix stock, milk and seasonings in medium bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Slowly pour over chicken and rice. Cover with foil. Bake at 400°F. for 45 minutes. Remove foil. Stir in broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes longer or until rice has absorbed all the liquid and broccoli is tender. Makes 6 (1 cup) servings. Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 317, Total Fat 9g, Cholesterol 69mg, Sodium 492mg, Carbohydrates 31g, Fiber 1g, Protein 28g Pictured, Cooperative Connections
1/2 cup chopped celery 1/4 cup butter 4 cups cubed rye bread 1 (8 oz.) pkg. ham, cut into strips or may use cubed ham
1 can cream-style corn 1 cup cubed processed cheese
1/2 cup milk 1 can whole kernel corn Diced onions, optional Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a 1.5-quart casserole. Bake at 350°F. for 1 hour, stirring after the first 30 minutes. Emily Luikens, Tea, SD
Cheesy Potato Beef Bake 1 lb. ground beef
2 tsp. butter
2 (4 oz. each) cans mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 tsp. salt
2 (5-1/4 oz. each) pkgs. au gratin potatoes
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 cups boiling water
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1-1/3 cups milk
3 eggs 1-1/2 tsp. prepared mustard
Stephanie Fossum, Hudson, SD
1 (8 oz) pkg. American cheese, cubed 2-1/2 cups milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
In a saucepan, saute onion and celery in butter until tender. In a 2-quart buttered baking dish, combine onion, celery, bread, ham and half the cheese. In a bowl, beat together milk, eggs, mustard, salt and pepper until well blended. Pour over all; top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350°F. for 1 hour or until golden brown and puffed. Martha Mehlhaff, Aberdeen, SD
1 cup broken spaghetti, uncooked
In a skillet over medium heat, cook beef until no longer pink; drain. Place in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Top with mushrooms. Combine potatoes and contents of sauce mix packets, water, milk, butter, salt, seasoned salt and pepper. Pour over beef and mushrooms. Cover and bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Ham and Rye Casserole 1 cup chopped onion
Corn Casserole
Please send your favorite dairy, dessert or vegetarian 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 2020. All entries must include your name, mailing address, telephone number and cooperative name. May 2020 | Cooperative Connections
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CO-OP NEWS
WELCOME MEMBERS Tabor Brittney Leber Utica Jacque and Clifford Harvey Yankton Chad Donlin Dennis Olson Eugene and Christine Harms Legacy Bolte Michael and Jessica Lorton Rebecca Reecy Stockmen’s Livestock
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. 6
May Holidays May is
Electrical Safety Month and Military Appreciation Month
May 4
Star Wars Day
May 5
Teacher Appreciation Day and Cinco de Mayo
May 6
National Nurses Day
May 7
World Password Day
May 10 Mother’s Day May 16 National BBQ Day May 22 National Road Trip Day May 25 Memorial Day
Cooperative Connections | May 2020
BOARD REPORT STATISTICAL COMPARISON FEBRUARY Number of Meters
2019
2020
2020 YTD
3,834
3,865
Total Revenue
$996,856
$959,107
$2,019,660
Cost of Power
$603,525
$609,054
$1,247,142
Total Cost of Service
$925,296
$938,306
$1,940,586
kWhs Purchased
10,700,129
9,124,609
19,839,050
kWhs Sold
10,236,136
8,770,791
19,004,556
Line Loss %
3.91%
3.49%
3.81%
Residential Average kWh
2,531
1,993
Residential Average Bill
$238
$210
208 kWh
514 kWh
208/100%
514/100%
0/0%
0/0%
9,368
7,554
From grid
9,160
7,040
From solar
208
514
Solar % of kWh used
2%
7%
22 kWh
17 kWh
SOLAR STATS Solar Production Solar used by office Solar put back on grid Main office kWh used
Max solar production/day
The March board meeting was postponed due to COVID-19 precautions and will run in conjunction with the April 22nd board meeting. The board reviewed all items for the March meeting but will wait to approve any items until the April meeting. The board reviewed the following items: Minutes of the Previous Meeting New Members & Cancellations Capital Credits to Estates in the amount of $3,527.36 Special Equipment Summary Closed Work Orders in the amount of $177.89 2020 Larson’s Contract Cyber Update Bylaw Articles 1-6 Bylaw Article 7
There’s Still Time to Apply! Teens from all over South Dakota will join together this summer for the Youth Excursion to North Dakota on July 27-30, 2020. 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. Best of all, Bon Homme Yankton Electric picks up the tab as part of our commitment to tomorrow’s co-op leaders.
2020 Youth Excursion Application Name:_________________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________ City:_____________________________ State:__________ Zip:_________________ Phone Number:______________________ Email:___________________________ Parent/Guardian’s Names:______________________________________________ School:______________________________ Current Year in School: ___________ Male or Female:__________________________ T-shirt Size: _________________ Return this information by May 1, 2020 by mail or email to: Jaclyn Arens – jarens@byelectric.com Bon Homme Yankton Electric PO Box 158 Tabor, SD 57063
MARCH BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
The board reviewed the following reports: Reports from staff members as to the activities in their departments. • Office: Monthly Financial Report • Member Service/ Communications Report • Operations Report • Safety Report • General Manager’s Report • East River Boyko Report • Power Bill Review Reports from board members • South Dakota Rural Electric • East River Electric Power Cooperative Executive Session: None
May 2020 | Cooperative Connections
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SAFETY
A DEADLY MISTAKE Family Shares Grief to Teach Others Shayla Ebsen sebsen@eastriver.coop
June 7, 2016, is a day that will be forever imprinted in Greg McCann’s mind. It began as a normal June day on his farm in southeastern South Dakota. The crops had been planted and, like every year in June, they were needing to be sprayed. Greg’s 35-year-old son, Grant, helped out on the farm and planned to spray the fields that day. “He went and got the sprayer filled and ready. After he got the sprayer ready and conditions were right, well, then, he went to spray,” said Greg. “He called me to see if I could move an irrigator for him and that was the last time I talked to him. He entered the field and the driveway to the field went under a power line.”
There’s no fix. There’s no second chances.”
Unfortunately, Grant didn’t drive far enough into the field. He stopped at an angle close to the power lines. As he began unfolding the 90-foot sprayer booms, they touched the energized power line, which instantly electrified the tractor. “He tried to call Wayne, the young man who runs my farm, but he wasn’t able to get through because there was so much static, so we don’t know what happened after that,” said Greg. The sprayer was caught in a Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative distribution power line. Co-op Electrician Kevin Meyer was just a few miles away when he and his apprentice received an outage call. “A radio call came across that another neighbor farmer was out of power as it started out as an individual outage,” said Meyer. “We packed up our tools and stuff and left the yard. As we were leaving the yard, I received another call from a supervisor saying that we got a call that there’s a
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Cooperative Connections | May 2020
Thirty-five-year-old Grant McCann was involved in a fatal accident involving a sprayer and a power line in 2016.
sprayer that looks like it might have made contact with a line that’s probably the first place to go and it’s looking like we have more consumers out.” Meyer and his apprentice didn’t know what they might discover but knew they had to move fast. “As we’re rolling up on scene, one neighbor was there sitting on the road on his fourwheeler and he just said someone is down in front of the tractor,” said Meyer. “It was very tough to see other than you could see someone was there but didn’t know who it was and at that particular time, I knew that it could be Greg, Grant or my cousin, Wayne. So, in all that, you’re mentally preparing yourself for what you’re about to discover.” What they would discover is that Grant made a mistake that would end his life. Rather than staying in the cab and waiting for help, he had stepped out of the sprayer. “The consequences of that mistake took my only son,” said Greg. “He was my friend, my partner, my confidant. Now every day I remember that terrible morning and I see Grant lying dead on the ground. There’s no fix. There’s no second chances.”
No one can know what was going through Grant’s head at the moment he left the cab. But Greg wants others to learn from that mistake, so it doesn’t happen to anyone else. “If Grant would’ve stayed in the tractor and not touched anything, I think he’d be here today. But he didn’t,” said Greg. “I don’t want anyone to have to experience the sadness and the emptiness that I and Grant’s family and friends are experiencing and will be experiencing for a long, long time.”
The consequences of that mistake took my only son. Do you know what to do if a vehicle you’re in contacts a power line? First, stay in the vehicle and call 911 for help. If you must exit the vehicle because of a fire, tuck your arms across your body and jump clear of any wires with your feet together, never touching the equipment and ground at the same time. Then shuffle or hop at least 40 feet away with your feet together. Stay away
from the equipment until the authorities tell you it is safe. “People get in a hurry and they don’t regard the risk as a risk and one mistake and it’s too late,” said Greg. “The consequences are so grim and terrible, that there’s no good reason not to be really careful and be aware of where you’re at and the machinery you’re using and where it’s located. Once it’s done, there’s no turning back.” With the spread of COVID-19 into our region as well as the pandemic’s financial impacts, everyone has a lot on their mind this year. Letting distractions take your mind away from work in the fields significantly increases the likelihood of farming accidents. Minimize distractions and stay focused in the fields. If you notice your mind wandering at any point, bring it back to the task at hand. As we enter this year’s planting and spraying seasons, remain aware of where electrical equipment is located when you’re working on the farm and remember the steps to take if your equipment contacts a power line. You could save your life, or the life of someone you love. Visit poweringyoursafety.com to learn more.
May 2020 | Cooperative Connections
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CO-OP NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS June Issue Deadline: May 1, 2020. Email your classified ad to: jarens@ 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 Gary at 605-463-2209 or Ron at 605-463-2256. Beseda Hall, Tabor, SD for rent for any special occasion such as weddings, anniversaries, graduation or birthdays! For more information contact Linda Bares at 605-661-6220 or snlbares@ gmail.com. FOR RENT: Tabor Self Storage. Call 605-660-0274 or 605-6603497.
Scholarship Winners $1,000 Basin Electric Scholarship Austin Jerke graduated from Yankton High School with a 3.635 GPA. He is currently a junior at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and is studying Atmospheric Science with minors in Environmental Science and Sustainable Engineering. Austin makes time to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Black Hills. His career goal is to become a meteorologist and work to improve sustainability and the impact on the environment. Austin’s parents are Dave and Jackie Jerke.
Austin Jerke
$500 Bon Homme Yankton Electric Scholarship Alysandra Fedde will graduate from Yankton High School in May with a 4.0 GPA and the class rank of 1 out of 237. She plans to attend Middlebury College for Biology and/or International and Global Studies. Her career goal is to work as a doctor with a non-profit organization such as Doctors Without Boarders. Alysandra has been involved in many extracurricular activities at Yankton High School including entertaining sports fans as the mascot. She also works as a certified nursing assistant at St. Joseph’s Care Center. Alysandra’s parents are Brian and Sylvia Fedde.
Alysandra Fedde
$500 Bon Homme Yankton Electric Scholarship
FREE Classified Ad Service
Members can submit classified ads for the following categories: Giveaway, For Sale, For Rent, and Wanted Ads. All ads must be received by the first of the month to be included in the following month’s issue. Ads will run one time unless resubmitted. Bon Homme Yankton Electric reserves the right to edit content or exclude ads due to space restrictions. Email ads to Jaclyn Arens at jarens@byelectric.com.
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Derek Pravecek will graduate from Scotland High School with a 4.0 GPA and the class rank of 1 out of 15. He plans to attend Texas A&M University and study Mechanical Engineering. His career goal is to design nuclear fusion reactors. Derek is very active in his school and church, and he works on his family’s farm. Derek chose to major in mechanical engineering so he could create technology that will have a positive impact on our society’s future. Derek’s parents are Frank and Brandi Pravecek.
Cooperative Connections | May 2020
Derek Pravecek
CO-OP NEWS
Where are they now?
2015 Scholarship Winner: Broc Mauch The scholarship program at Bon Homme Yankton Electric is designed to encourage and recognize the achievements of the children of cooperative members. Here is a look at what Broc Mauch - one of the 2015 scholarship winners is up to now. Where did you go to college and what did you study? I studied animal science with a pre-veterinary emphasis at South Dakota State University (SDSU). I am currently tracking towards large animal or mixed animal practice for DVM at Iowa State University (ISU). What are your plans for after college? Currently my wife and I plan on returning to South Dakota and working for a practice somewhere in South Dakota. Hopefully we can settle somewhere with a good potential for a career for both of us. What was the most valuable thing you learned in college? Life consists of give and take. Some days you need to buckle down and focus on your studies or job and other days are for spending with family and friends. Always take opportunities that you may only be presented with once. What advice do you have for current high school students planning on attending college?
Broc and Katie Mauch Do your best in school but also take time to stop and “smell the roses”. The days may seem to go by slow but the years will go by fast. I remember sitting in high school classes wishing the day would just be over with and, to some extent, I still do that here at vet school, but I always seem to find myself wishing I could go back and relive some moments. Enjoy time with your friends and family. Opportunities will come up on nights where you have a test or presentation the next day and sometimes you should seize the day and take a lower grade on the exam. Life is not always a balance as much as a give and take.
Director Petition Deadline June 12 Bon Homme Yankton Electric is making plans for its annual meeting. The meeting will be held August 11, 2020 in the Beseda Hall in Tabor. Director positions with three year terms expiring this year are districts one, four, and six. Incumbent directors in those districts are: District 1 – Paul Voigt District 6 – Rick Koupal District 4 – Dean Sternhagen 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 members living in the appropriate district in Bon Homme Yankton Electric’s service area. Petitioners must reside in the district and have an active membership in the cooperative. If you are interested, contact us, and we will send the petition paperwork via mail. Petitions are also available in the main office and must be filed at the Bon Homme Yankton Electric office by 4:00p.m. June 12, 2020.
R61 MONROE
R60 EMANUAL
R59
R58
WASHINGTON
SCOTLAND
R57 ODESSA
R56 JAMESVILLE
R55
R54
MAYFIELD
TURKEY VALLEY
T96
T95
AVON
JEFFERSON
FRANKLIN
ALBION
JACKSON
CLEVELAND
LINCOLN
TABOR
T94
T93
T92
HANCOCK
SPRINGFIELD
BON HOMME
LITTLE TABOR
LESTERVILLE
NORTH ZISKOV
SOUTH ZISKOV
CENTRAL
WALSHTOWN
NORTH UTICA
NORTH MISSION HILL
SOUTH UTICA SOUTH MISSION HILL
MARINDAHL
VOLIN
GAYVILLE
RUNNING WATER
Contact General Manager Stephanie Horst for more information regarding the responsibilities and qualifications for being a cooperative director. May 2020 | Cooperative Connections
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CO-OP NEWS
3M ABERDEEN PLAYING CRITICAL ROLE IN COVID-19 RESPONSE Plant Is Producing Millions of N95 Respirators Ben Dunsmoor bdunsmoor@northernelectric.coop
Standing outside the 430,000-square-foot 3M plant in Aberdeen, S.D., you can hear the whir of productivity. The Aberdeen plant makes N95 masks which have been one of the most crucial pieces of personal protective equipment for frontline personnel responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrew Rehder, the manager of the 3M Aberdeen plant, told Bloomberg Businessweek, in a story published in March, that the Aberdeen plant has been operating at ‘surge capacity’ since the end of January. “I just think as we’ve continued to see things spread across the world, it’s put more responsibility on us to make sure that every day and every minute we’re making every mask we can,” Rehder told Bloomberg. It has also put a responsibility on Northern Electric Cooperative to ensure the 3M plant has a consistent and reliable source of power. Northern Electric has served the plant with electricity since it was constructed in 1974. 12
Cooperative Connections | May 2020
N95 respirators are loaded onto a jet at the Aberdeen Regional Airport in April. The masks produced at the 3M Aberdeen plant are being shipped directly to areas of the country that need them the most. (Photo Courtesy: 3M
Twitter account / twitter.com/3M)
“We know the 3M plant in Aberdeen is playing a critical role in the response to this global pandemic,” Northern Electric Cooperative CEO/General Manager Char Hager said. “Northern Electric also recognizes that our co-op plays a crucial role in supplying 3M with reliable electricity and we take that responsibility seriously.” The masks being produced in Aberdeen are being shipped across the country just as fast as they are being manufactured. A jet has been sitting at the Aberdeen Regional Airport during April to transport N95 respirators from the Aberdeen plant directly to areas of the country that need them most.
doctors and first responders,” Roman said in a statement on the company’s website. This isn’t the first time the Aberdeen plant has been called upon to increase production during an emergency. The plant has also played a critical role in making masks for the SARS, bird-flu and H1N1 outbreaks, as well as the Mount Saint Helens’ eruption, Hurricane Katrina and numerous forest fires.
“We know the 3M plant in Aberdeen is playing a critical role in the response to this global pandemic.”
3M CEO Mike Roman said in a blog post on the company’s website that 500,000 masks were shipped from the Aberdeen plant at the end of March to New York and Seattle. Both of those cities have recorded some of the largest number of COVID-19 cases in the country. 3M expects a total global output of 1.1 billion masks this year and they are planning investments in the next 60 to 90 days that will double that capacity to 2 billion masks globally within the next 12 months.
Northern Electric Cooperative has been in contact with local and corporate 3M managers and executives to ensure the Aberdeen plant has the power supply it needs as the company responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We continue to act with urgency to address this crisis from every angle and do all we can to protect our heroic nurses,
“We have communicated our response plans to 3M officials and have assured them that our crews will be ready and
– Char Hager, Northern Electric CEO/General Manager
available to respond to any emergency or outage,” Hager said. “We have also been in contact with our wholesale power supplier, East River Electric Power Cooperative, and we have told 3M that supplying their plant in Aberdeen with reliable electricity is the top priority for our cooperatives.” The Aberdeen 3M plant is the city’s second-largest employer with 650 employees. But, Rehder told Bloomberg Businessweek that the plant now has more than 700 employees who are working around the clock to make sure health care workers and first responders across the country have the masks they need to protect them from COVID-19. “People are very proud to work in a place that is making respirators, especially with the need that is out there now,” Rehder said. Hager said the increased production at the plant in Aberdeen and the hard work of 3M employees is a perfect example of rural America stepping up to help the country during this time of uncertainty. “We are proud of the work they do at the plant and we are proud of our co-op employees who are dedicated to keeping the lights on for 3M and for all our co-op members,” Hager said.
Northern Electric Cooperative is the power supplier for the 3M plant in Aberdeen which has been operating at ‘surge capacity’ since January in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 2020 | Cooperative Connections
13
CO-OP NEWS
Electric Tankless Water Heaters Explained You might think an electric tankless water heater is the way to save big on your electricity bill, assuming you currently have a regular electric water heater. The arguments for tankless heaters are convincing. It may seem like a good idea to heat water only when you need it. Tankless units are so small compared to tank-styles, and you’re assured that you’ll save energy, have more space, and do good for the environment. After opening the package and reading the instructions, you realize this is not a do-it-yourself project. The instructions indicate that it will take multiple circuits of wire from your breaker panel in order for the unit to operate properly. You call an electrician who confirms that your existing electric panel (breaker box) is not large enough and that your wires coming into the house from the utility meter are too small. You move forward with the electrical upgrade, which costs you thousands of dollars. Reading the instructions further, it mentions that utilities in some areas may have a different/higher electric rate for this unit. If Bon Homme Yankton Electric ever moves to a demand energy rate in the future, on demand water heaters could add a large increase to your electricity bill. This reason is that tankless water heaters are an energy hog. A tankless water heater has a 20,000 watt element (some are even larger) and as soon as you turn the faucet on you’re telling that 20,000 watt element to go to work! A standard water heater has two heating elements, an upper and a lower - each rated at 4,500 watts, and only one can operate at a time. So the most energy a standard water heater can use is 4,500 watts. Do you see a difference? Now you notice that you’re running out of hot water. You call your plumber (you know the one you hired to remove the original water heater and install the tankless unit). He informs you that if the water coming into your house is cold (less than 45 degrees), that it’s very possible you are running out. Tankless units do not like cold water. You decide to just not shower as long. That works until another family member decides to shower at the same time / you are washing clothes / you have the dishwasher operating.
If tankless water heaters were a proven way to save energy, electric cooperatives would be promoting them in their service area.
14
Cooperative Connections | May 2020
Bon Homme Yankton Electric has been educating its members for decades on how to save energy! Yes, we try to help you - the member owner - save energy. If tankless water heaters were a proven way to save energy, electric cooperatives would be promoting them in their services areas. As mentioned, they have a very large heating element that is told to work instantaneously. What that means is that your electric cooperative has to install much larger equipment to handle the increase. This electrical increase is for short periods of time, which causes “spikes” on an electrical system. These spikes are challenging from a power supplier point of view being prepared for a standard water heater at 4,500 watts is much easier than being prepared for a “surge” of 20,000 watts. Bon Homme Yankton Electric receives a power bill each month from our supplier. We pay for “energy” kwh’s and “demand” kW. Kwh is the amount of energy used over a period of time, and kW is the amount of power required at any given time. The more power Bon Homme Yankton Electric requires at any given time (kW) the more expensive our power bill is going to be. Look at the numbers indicating the size of the heating elements and guess which heating element costs Bon Homme Yankton Electric more money. Your existing tank-style water heaters have been part of a “load management” program for many years. It saves Bon Homme Yankton Electric thousands of dollars each month. When the cooperative saves, the members save! Tankless units cannot be part of a load management program. Interesting fact: In Japan, where tankless units have been very popular in years past, their government is now offering incentive programs to get people to switch from tankless to storage water heaters. Storage water heaters connected to a load management program heat your water when electricity prices are the cheapest. A comparison between a storage tank-style water heater and a tankless water heater for a family of four with Bon Homme Yankton Electric proved the storage tank-style costs less to operate and is much better for the environment!
MARKETPLACE HEATING & COOLING
2401 Broadway Suite #3 Yankton, SD 57078
60 5- 665- 9 4 61 800-491-9461
Warm Air, Air to Air, Geothermal Heat Pumps
GT Repair & Autobody Glenn Tycz Tyndall, SD 57066
605-589-3018 Marine Boat Repair Aluminum & Fiberglass We Repair and Install Windshields
Yankton, Tabor, Tyndall, Menno
605-665-9679
Preplanning will give you peace of mind and may save money
Koranda Well Company LLC Tabor, SD 57063
605-463-2244 Well drilling, repairing and cleaning Water Systems – Artesian Wells Sales and Installation Earth-Coupled Heat Pump
Emergency Service Free Estimates
BOHEMIAN FARMERS R. Martin Koch, Secretary PO Box 206 Tabor, SD 57063
MUTUAL
605-463-2558 605-589-3572
If only the future was predictable. Farming is always a gamble. You never know when bad weather or other problems will strike. The only thing you can be sure of—you need quality insurance protection. Call our office today for a competitive quote.
Ready to buy or sell a home? I can help! Dean Sternhagen, Broker Associate 605-661-5828 dean@igotvision.com
Sanders Heating & Cooling 300 W 17th Tyndall, SD 57066
605-589-3228 1-800-894-3228 Furnaces, Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Free Estimates
ALWAYS
CALL BEFORE YOU
DIG
One free, easy call gets your utility lines marked AND helps protect you from injury and expense. Safe Digging Is No Accident: Always Call 811 Before You Dig
ELECTRICITY: A POWER-FULL VALUE From individuals and families to farms, businesses and manufacturing facilities, we all depend on electricity to power our daily lives. Plus, electricity remains a great value, with minimal cost increases over the years compared to other common expenses.
RURAL
May 2020 | Cooperative Connections
15
DATELINE
Note: Please make sure to call ahead to verify the event is still being held.
May 9:
Traditional Wacipi at the Dignity Statue, Chamberlain, SD, 605-234-5472
May 2-3
Quilt Guild Show, Brookings, SD, 605-690-3246
May 8-9
Craft Beer Fest: Hops and Hogs, Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876
May 9
Art Wine and Food Truck Festival, Spearfish, SD, 605-644-6585 Photo courtesy: travelsouthdakota.com
May 15-17
Sound of Silence Tesla Rally, Custer, SD, 605-673-2244
May 15-17
State Parks Open House and Free Fishing Weekend, Pierre, SD, 605-773-3391
May 23-24
June 5-7
Annual SDRA Foothills Rodeo, Wessington Springs, SD, 605-770-4370
Wheel Jam, Huron, SD, 605-353-7340
May 29-30
Annual Black Hills Quilt Show & Sale, Rapid City, SD, 605-394-4115
Regional Qualifying High School Rodeos: Rodeo Grounds, Wall, SD, 605-529-5868 Rodeo Grounds, Highmore, SD, 605-529-5868 Tipperary Arena, Buffalo, SD, 605-529-5868 Heartland Arena, Huron, SD, 605-529-5868
June 5-6
June 6-7
South Dakota Regional Senior Games, Sioux Falls, SD, Contact Nick Brady at 605-978-6924
June 4-6
June 5-7
Senior Games, Spearfish, SD, Contact Brett Rauterhaus at 605-722-1430
Siouxland Renaissance Festival, Sioux Falls, SD, 866-489-9241
June 5-7
June 11, August 13 and October 8
Fort Sisseton Historical Festival, Lake City, SD, 605-448-5474
June 5-7
Fish Days, Lake Andes, SD, 605-487-7694
Kids Mystery Dinner Theater, Brookings, SD, 605-692-6700
June 12-14
Regional Qualifying High School Rodeos: Tripp County Fairgrounds, Winner, SD, 605-529-5868 Rodeo Grounds, Sturgis, SD, 605-529-5868 Rodeo Grounds, Dupree, SD, 605-529-5868 Derby Downs Arena, Watertown, SD, 605-529-5868
June 16-21
SD State High School Finals Rodeo, Stanley County Fairgrounds, Fort Pierre, SD, 605-529-5868
June 25-27
Red Power Round Up, Fairgrounds, Huron, SD, 605-460-0197 redpowerroundup2020.com
June 26-27
Senior Games, Madison, SD, Contact Bernie Schuurmans at 605-270-3327
July 14
Rock Nobles Cattlemen 2020 Summer Beef Tour, Register Before June 1: $20, After June 1: $40, Worthington, MN, 507-967-2380, www.mnsca.org
October 7-8
Energize! Explore Innovative Rural Communities Conference, Milbank, SD, https://extension.sdstate.edu 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.