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CooperaN

COOPERATIVE

News

Wisconsin

ENERGY Cooperative

contents April 2021

News

News BRIEFS

Evers signs co-op legislation.

4 13 15 28 31

On the

COVER

Keeping the lights on.

Photo courtesy of Bert Lehman, Central Wisconsin Electric Co-op

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The events page is coming back.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Coal byproducts can be used in ag.

Wisconsin

FAVORITES

New national scenic byways designated in Wisconsin. Photo courtesy

of Bayfield County Tourism

Recipes

Make room for mushrooms.

Kids &

CRITTERS

Cute co-op kids get cozy with their critters.

What broke TEXAS?

And could it happen here?

MY CO-OP

Find out what’s happening at your local electric cooperative.

CLASSIFIEDS

Buy, sell, and trade with readers from across Wisconsin.

DIY SAFELY

Tackle spring projects carefully.

April 2021

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LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR Reassuring Signs

A longtime favorite page in this publication, our events page has alerted readers to all of the fun to be had Dana Kelroy, Editor around our state. Unfortunately, coinciding with our world shutting down, we had no choice but to temporarily shut that page down as well last May. We’re happy to announce that we’re planning to print the events page again next month after a oneWISCONSIN EVENTS May 2019 year hiatus. One of the best parts of running that page is that all information is sourced by you, our readers. We count on readers to submit events to our website (for free). Then we winnow them down to the events that we feel will be of the most interest to the most readers, to share them on our printed page. Go to wecnmagazine.com, click on “Events,” and then “Submit an Event” to alert us to your events Upload your June events by May 10. happening this May and beyond. 2–4 Church Rummage & Bake Sale—Beaver Dam. First Lutheran Church, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Food stands and bake sale available Thursday and Friday. Saturday is bag day, ﬁll a brown paper bag for a set fee. 3 Fire Department Smelt Feed—Jump River. Community Center, 4:30–8:30 p.m. All you can eat. Adults $9; Children 6–12 $4.50. Rafﬂe drawings and split the pot.

3 Accordion & Concertina Concert—Cadott. ZCBJ Bohemian Hall, 7–10 p.m. Tickets $10. 715-644-0454. 4 Pancake & Sausage Breakfast—Camp Douglas. Clifton Park Shelter, 7–11 a.m. Adults $5; children 12 & under $3. 4 Flea Market & Craft Sale—Phillips. Municipal Building, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Up to 60 booths and free entry. 715-332-5329.

4 National Water Safety Month Activity Day— Eau Claire. Dunkin’ Donuts, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Family fun to promote water safety. Demonstrations & kids’ activities in memory of Kyle Keith. 4 Kinstone Spring Open House—Fountain City. Kinstone, 12–5 p.m. Kids activities, group labyrinth walk at 1 p.m. and guided tour at 3 p.m.

4 Spring Open House—Eau Claire. Fryski’s Country Gardens, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Free refreshments and door prizes.

4 Mill Opening Day—Beloit. Beckman Mill, 12–4 p.m. Tours of mill and museum, gift shop, and concertina music. Chili and cornmeal mufﬁns, corn freshly ground at the mill. 608-751-1551. 4 Tractor Ride—Dodge. Sportsmen’s Club, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. 25-mile ride, rain or shine. Same day registration. Wagons available for riders. Cost of riding by donation. 507-689-0856.

5 Charcoal Chicken Dinner—Greenwood. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. $9 for 1/2 chicken; $7 for 1/4 chicken. Eat-in or drive-thru. 715-267-6142.

Keeping the Lights On

5 Polka Fest—Thorp. Quonset Hall, 12–5 p.m. Polka Fest featuring the Cynor Classics. Food and refreshments.

10 Searson Band—Menomonie. Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, 7:30 –9 p.m. High energy ﬁddling, passionate vocals, and step dancing.

24 Spring Glass Opening—Brule. Oulu Glass Gallery, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Gallery and teapot exchange for glass items. 715-372-4160.

10, 11 Garage Sales—Chili. Citywide, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Fri.; 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat. Maps and food available.

24 Donut Fry—Jim Falls. United Methodist Church, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $4 per dozen. For advance orders call 715-382-4397.

11, 12 Little Britches Rodeo—Gays Mills. Crawford County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Lunch available. Jackpot barrels after 5 p.m. on Saturday. 608-606-3466.

25 Dairy Breakfast—Adams. Adams-Friendship High School, 7–11 a.m. Adults $5; K–5 $3.

11 Master Gardener Plant Sale—Lancaster. County Fairgrounds, 8–11 a.m. Perennials & shrubs for sale from local gardens. 11 Native Plant Sale—Eau Claire. Beaver Creek Reserve, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. 4 miles north of Fall Creek. 715-877-2212.

11 Rummage Sales—Melrose. Village-wide, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Maps at town businesses. 11 The Cozy Theater Fundraiser—Colfax. Municipal Building, 7 p.m. Musical group, Jim Herrick and Friends. Raising funds for an elevator at The Cozy Theater.

12 Mother’s Day Brunch—Eau Claire. Florian Gardens, all day. Reservations required, 715-832-8836. 17, 18 Adaptive Fishing Event—Hayward. Lake Chippewa Campground, all day. Two-day event for anglers with various disabilities. Evening meals and adaptive equipment provided. 715-634-3185. 17, 18 Yard Sales—Bowler. Citywide, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Fri.; 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Sat. Maps available at JP’s and Kropf’s.

25 Master Gardener Plant Sale & Fundraiser—Prairie du Chien. Prairie Farmers Market, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Plants, craft items, and more. 25 Museum Spring Pancake Breakfast— Menomonie. Downsville Community Museum, 8–11 a.m. Displays from artist Dan Burleigh Phillips. 715-619-1440. 26 Memorial Weekend Grilled Chicken Dinner— Lublin. Lublin Park & Pavilion, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Sponsored by the American Legion Post #547. 26 Live Music—Little Suamico. Geano Beach Bar & Grill, 3–5 p.m.

27 Brat Fry—Butternut. Village Memorial Park, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

29 Flea Market—Park Falls. Triangle Park, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Each Wednesday, come for treasures of all kinds.

Upload events directly to the wecnmagazine.com through the “Events” tab.

17, 18 Thrift Sales—Thorp. Citywide, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Fri.; 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Sat. 715-669-7362.

18 Plant & Bake Sale—Holmen. Lewis Valley Lutheran Church, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Perennials, annuals, rafﬂe, and lunch. 18 Rummage Sale—Friendship. Adams Town Hall, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Donation dropoff May 15–17.

Wisconsin Events is a public service for our readers. Submissions should be received early in the month prior to the month in which the event will occur. Due to space limits, we may need to eliminate details, so be sure to include a phone number (with area code) where callers may obtain more info. If we receive more listings than space allows us to print, we reserve the right to select those we believe will be of interest to the greatest number of readers. Please no virtual events.

Our cover photo, taken by Bert Lehman, Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC), features Mack Yarbrough, CWEC The May 2019 Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News events page is a look back at bright, happy happenings from two operations crew leader. years ago. Submit your 2021 events on our website. “The photo was taken on April 2, 2020, when the country was mired in uncertainty because of COVID. I took photos of all our linemen working that day to reassure our members that CWEC was still working to keep electricity ﬂowing,” said Lehman. On page 8, Steve Freese pays tribute to lineworkers to observe Lineworker Appreciation Day, which we celebrate each April. Steve talks brieﬂy about the Partners for a Brighter Tomorrow mission to Guatemala in 2019. Mack was also one of four linemen from Wisconsin that took part in bringing power to a village that never before experienced electricity. Whether it’s as simple as events starting again or as solid as electric cooperative linemen keeping the lights on, I’ll take these signs of reassurance. 9 Council of Catholic Women Spring Luncheon— DeForest. St. Olaf Parish Center, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Hot dishes, salads, desserts.

19 Ham Dinner—Holcombe. United Methodist Church, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

The Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News (Formerly Wisconsin R.E.C. News) has been published monthly and distributed since July 1940 to members of Wisconsin’s non-profit, consumer-owned rural electric cooperatives. It is available to non-members for $13 per year or $35 for three years. Members pay $6.93 per year. Published by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Steve Freese, president & CEO. USPS number: 688-480. Postmaster: please send address changes to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Periodicals postage paid at Pontiac, Ill.

Upload events to wecnmagazine.com

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

30_0005.2 2019.indd 1

18 Brat Fry—Columbus. Chester Bandits BP Gas Station, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Support the Marine Corps League.

April 2021 Vol. 81 No. 10

4/11/19 11:40 AM

Send correspondence to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Phone (608) 467-4650. Web site: www.wecnmagazine.com. Co-op Members: Please send address changes to your local electric co-op. Contact information can be found on page 18. Steve Freese Dana Kelroy Mary Erickson Julie Lund Ann Bailey Geri Miller Jennifer Taylor

WECA president & CEO editor associate editor contributing writer graphic designer advertising consultant editorial assistant

For advertising opportunities please email ads@weca.coop. The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. We reserve the right to refuse advertisers. Please recycle

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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NEWS BRIEFS EVERS SIGNS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LEGISLATION

Governor Tony Evers has signed 2021 Wisconsin Act 5 into law, which “changes current law to allow a cooperative to hold an annual member meeting or special member meeting and conduct votes remotely.” Additionally, the bill allows a cooperative’s board of directors to adopt bylaws that are effective only in an emergency and provide emergency powers to a cooperative in anticipation of, or during, an emergency. The Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) worked with lawmakers including Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) and Representative Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer) to push the legislation to revise state statute so that electric cooperatives are protected from potential legal challenges to actions taken during a virtual meeting. The Wisconsin Senate and Assembly both passed the legislation on voice votes.

$322 MILLION IN UTILITY, RENTAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE IN WISCONSIN Wisconsin residents affected financially by the coronavirus pandemic may be eligible for up to a year of assistance for rent and utility payments. Governor Tony Evers announced $322 million is now available through the new Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program. For more info, go to doa.wi.gov. Eligible applicants include Wisconsin residents who are behind in rent or at risk of eviction, have seen their income reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and/ or earn a household income at or below 80 percent of the county median income. Once approved, rental and utility assistance payments are made directly to the landlord or utility provider on behalf of the tenant. The effort is funded by the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury. President Joe Biden has also signed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus-aid bill, which includes an additional $4.5 billion for utility bill assistance.

TEXAS’S BLACKOUT CRISIS AFFECTS CFC CREDIT RATING

The financial vulnerability of utilities following extreme cold that knocked generators offline and drove up energy prices in Texas has affected the credit rating of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC), which mainly serves electric cooperatives. S&P Global Ratings dropped CFC’s long-term credit rating from A to A-. According to the latest quarterly financial disclosure, the Texas market accounts for 15 percent of CFC’s $27.1 billion in outstanding loans. CFC has not had any loan defaults in its electric utility loan portfolio since fiscal year 2013. According to Reuters, the credit rating agency said ERCOT could exercise so-called uplift provisions, which means 6

the unpaid bills of defaulting utilities would be absorbed by remaining participants, which would weaken their credit standing. About 98 percent of CFC’s portfolio consists of loans to rural electric systems. Brazos Electric Power Cooperative Inc, the biggest electric co-op in Texas, has already filed for bankruptcy protection, citing a disputed $1.8 billion debt to the state’s main grid operator. Brazos has $85 million in outstanding secured loans and letters of credit with CFC. Two dozen other electric co-ops in Texas say they have bills they cannot pay.

BEWARE OF HIGH-PRESSURE SOLAR SALES

Members of Riverland Energy Cooperative have reported several cases of highpressure sales tactics used by persons selling solar installations for residential homes who claim to be working in partnership with their local utility. The salespersons push for a fast decision, made in a short time, raising red flags, so several of the members reached out to Riverland for verification. “As a practice, we do not endorse or partner with any specific solar vendor on residential installations as we work with many different vendors based on the member’s choice of vendor,” said Riverland General Manager Jerry Sorenson. If you are considering a solar installation, experts recommend getting multiple bids, researching funding options including pending public policy decisions, and never make a decision before you are ready, regardless of the sales pitch. If you feel you have been targeted by high-pressure or misleading sales tactics, contact the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

NRTC’S CLARK ENDS TERM AS CHAIR

Calling 2020 “a pivotal moment in history,” chairman of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) Shannon Clark, who also serves as CEO and general manager of Richland Electric Cooperative, joined NRTC CEO Tim Bryan in hosting the national co-op’s annual meeting as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) virtual annual meeting. Clark spoke about how the pandemic exposed the critical nature of broadband expansion efforts and touted the work done to help connect rural America, even before COVID-19 hit. “Imagine where we would have been had we not already done much of the hard work to connect members to vital electric and broadband services,” Clark said. “And even where those connections did not yet exist, we rallied to meet the needs of members and non-members, from standing up Wi-Fi hotspots to opening the doors of your facilities to COVID-19 testing and vaccination centers.”

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KEEPING the

Most of us think nothing of it when we walk into a room and ﬂip the switch—the light goes on. That’s reliability, and it means security and safety for our communities. Most people don’t know that keeping the power on and restoring it quickly in times of inclement weather is a complex, challenging, and at times dangerous responsibility that never stops. A lineworker’s job is not only essential; it is critical to our health and safety, our economy, and our everyday life. NRECA has set the second Monday in April each year to be recognized as Lineworker Appreciation Day, but we applaud our lineworkers every day of the year. Severe weather doesn’t follow a calendar. Ice storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and other extreme weather events take down trees and power lines, triggering the Steve Freese President and CEO immediate need to restore power. It happens on holidays, weekends, and often in the middle of the night. Lineworkers get up and go, in extreme heat and bitter cold, and work until the job is done because they know the rest of us depend on it. You may remember Thanksgiving of 2019, when heavy wet snow came and went on for days, dumping two to three feet in parts of northcentral and northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, leaving thousands without power. Lineworkers from many of our coops jumped to action, working to restore power not only in their own communities but also to assist the areas that were hardest hit, in many cases, saving the holiday for others while sacriﬁcing their own. It’s even more meaningful now that we know it was among the last of the “normal” holidays we would have for Photo courtesy of Vernon Electric Cooperative a while.

LIGHTS ON

Our lineworkers’ selflessness was on full display when Barron Electric Cooperative’s town of Chetek was hit by a devastating and deadly tornado in 2017. The twister shredded much of the area, snapping poles and lines in its path. Ten crews from six other Wisconsin co-ops responded to offer assistance that went above and beyond. Their dedication and compassion were a shining example of why the cooperative model works so well. Again in 2017, Florida co-ops put out the call for help following Hurricane Irma. Eighteen Wisconsin electric cooperatives stepped up, sending more than 50 co-op employees to rebuild the infrastructure that suffered catastrophic damage in the storm. Clay Electric Cooperative in central Florida lost 600 utility poles and 500 transformers, leaving 95 percent of members without power. Our crews worked tirelessly for four days in the Florida heat until the power was restored. Another shining example of a lineworker’s compassionate character is our 2019 Partners for a Brighter Tomorrow mission, where our cooperatives partnered with co-ops in Illinois and Iowa to bring power to an impoverished village in rural Guatemala that had never had electricity before. Linemen from four Wisconsin co-ops joined the team. They worked in extreme heat, climbing poles without bucket trucks, wiring homes, and setting an incredible example for our industry, our state, and our nation. They took it upon themselves to do added fundraising, gifting the children with toys, backpacks, shoes, and school supplies, and providing the families with much-needed water filters. I was in Guatemala for the lighting ceremony, and I was able to see firsthand the incredible actions of these linemen. It’s something I will never forget. They changed lives. Sometimes when I flip that light switch, I think of the stories my 93-year-old mother still shares with me about what it was like to live by the light of coal oil lamps and what a relief it was to finally get electricity. From those early days until now, the profession of lineworker has drawn a special kind of person—selfless, committed, courageous, hard-working, dedicated, and caring—the kind of person whose actions are louder than words. Please join all of us at WECA in celebrating our lineworkers. When you see those bucket trucks, honk and wave, write a note to express your gratitude, or show your appreciation with one of the new Wisconsin “Keeping the Lights On” specialty license plates. Or, the next time you flip that switch, just take a moment and recognize those who work to keep the power on for us.

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WHAT BROKE

TEXAS AND COULD IT HAPPEN HERE?

FIVE REASONS WHY WISCONSIN AVOIDED DEADLY ROLLING BLACKOUTS, AND HOW TO PREVENT IT IN THE FUTURE

ere in Wisconsin, we are a hearty bunch. When temperatures drop below zero, some brave Packer fans at Lambeau inevitably shed their shirts, and masses of ice ﬁshermen and women gather on the lakes to drop lines. Even in Madison, winter commuting by bicycle is a time-honored tradition. We do winter well. But when the polar vortex gripped much of the nation in mid-February, taxing the electric grid and essentially crippling the state of Texas and stunning other parts of the south, we were vulnerable, too. Those who control the power ﬂow in the 15-state region that

includes Wisconsin also ordered rolling blackouts (forced outages) in areas as far north as central Illinois. Our region’s outages were relatively minor and short-lived compared to Texas, where more than one-third of the state’s 12 million homes were without power for several days or more. It turns out it was almost much worse. A report from the Texas grid operator shows the Lone Star State was four minutes and 37 seconds away from total grid failure, which could have caused major infrastructure damage with the potential to knock out power for months. If the pandemic didn’t offer shades

Another way to look at the size of the load shed is from the outage map from PowerOutage.US. Exhibit 14 shows the status on 2/16/21, when 4.3 million households out of the over 12 million tracked on the website were out of power.

of an apocalypse, the proximity to widespread electric infrastructure failure sure does.

What Happened? This storm combined extreme cold with subsequent snow and ice that lasted for days. In Texas, the wind turbines were the ﬁrst to fail when ice accumulated on the blades, days before the storm’s full effect. Some natural gas facilities dropped off next due to lack of cold-weather technology and supply issues, as more gas was diverted for home heating. Even southern coal plants, which are historically reliable, faced operating challenges in this storm. At the same time, the extreme cold drove up demand for electricity, Texas’ number one source of heat, pushing the electric grid to its breaking point. Texas’ grid operator and state regulators hiked up the wholesale price charged to utilities to the maximum ($9,000 per megawatt hour, or $9 per kilowatt hour) in an effort to incentivize generation and cut back on demand, but it wasn’t enough. As the power went out across the state, people struggled to stay warm, sometimes in their cars. According to news reports, as many as 86 people died from storm-related causes, including carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia, and car crashes. When the cold ﬁnally lifted, many utilities and consumers were strapped with exorbitant bills they cannot pay. John Carr, Dairyland Power Cooperative’s vice president of power supply, watched closely as the events

Image courtesy ERCOT/MISO/PowerOutage.US

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unfolded down south. When asked if he was worried about what was happening and how it may affect us here, he didn’t hesitate: “Absolutely,” he said. “Who wouldn’t be?” But we were largely spared from the impact of the near-collapse of part of the country’s electrical grid. Wisconsin utilities issued alerts to conserve power, but there were no John Carr unplanned outages. No rolling blackouts. No grid failures. No deaths. Here are five reasons why. #1 – We’re prepared for cold weather events. This is not our first rodeo. While extreme cold is unusual down south, it’s normal here. What some call a “polar vortex,” we just call winter. And power generators are prepared, too. While southern states prepare for electricity demand to peak in the hot summer, we prepare for cold winters, and generators have technology in place to deal with the icing and freezing that happened down south. Dairyland Power Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale energy for 24 electric distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, practices winter weather preparedness all year long. As a result, according to Carr, Dairyland’s generation plants performed “very well” throughout the cold weather event. “They were available. They were operating. We didn’t run into any significant issues with keeping those resources online and producing power,” he said. “We’re proud of the performance and all of the people that contributed to the preparation—plant maintenance and operations crews, our field workers, our lineworkers. These are the events that we prepare for, and I think their work shined through.” No amount of preparation can prevent natural gas supply challenges, but Dairyland has plants with dual-fuel capacity, meaning they are able to switch to fuel oil and remain in operation, even during the coldest days when power plants compete with home heating for the natural gas supply. There are only so many pipelines, and home heating is prioritized for the natural gas supply over power generation. Still, as the natural gas supply tightens, it means higher power costs for power produced from natural gas-fired power plants. These costs are passed on to co-ops and ultimately their members depending on 10

the terms of wholesale power purchase contracts. Wisconsin homes still rely primarily on natural gas for heat, unlike Texas and parts of the south that have transitioned to mainly electric heat as prices have dropped. Since winter weather crippled the south, could we withstand extreme heat here in the north? Would our infrastructure be able to hold up? Most likely, yes, Carr says, because in the summer we don’t have to compete with home heating for natural gas supply to generate electricity, so resources are more available. #2 – We are part of a regional grid. Wisconsin’s electricity generation and transmission grid is managed by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which serves all or some of 15 states and the Canadian province of Manitoba, including southwest Texas to the Gulf of Mexico. This partnership provides stability in the grid, especially since the north and south typically don’t have peak demand for power at the same time of the year. Texas operates its own grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which by design is generally isolated from the rest of the country. Texas lawmakers favoring local control have historically opposed regional transmission operations, which made it even more challenging to ensure reliable power during this lengthy and expansive cold weather event. The importance of a regional partnership was made clear in February because when the available power supply on the grid hits a certain low level, many generation facilities in Texas shut down automatically to avoid critical damage to infrastructure. This created almost a domino effect in Texas, where generation dropped off, and they were left without options to bring in resources since the regional grids were fulfilling their own needs due to the widespread cold. To complicate matters in Texas, widespread power loss affected gas lines, which need electricity to push the gas through. Quite simply, in some areas there was no electricity to supply gas, and there was no gas to produce electricity.

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Soon the water supply was compromised due to power failures and residents were ordered to boil water, which is hard to do if your stove is electric and your power is out. More dominos. MISO, with access to generation from its full region, including parts of Michigan where power was plentiful, was not only able to manage transmission between the northern and southern states with some relatively brief blackouts, but also worked with the regional groups to the east and west, when possible, to get power to those who needed it. “By all accounts, the February 2021 Arctic Weather event was among the most extreme weather events that has occurred,” MISO told Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News in a written statement. “Multiple days in sub-freezing temperatures and double-digit snowfall topped with significant ice accumulation in the South Region created significant challenges across all generation/fuel types as well as transmission lines. … MISO’s procedures operated as designed, limiting the controlled outages in the MISO footprint to a handful of local events and a regional event lasting approximately two hours…While the arctic winter weather events were unprecedented, they, like other major storm events, are real-life examples of the significance of resiliency and what is at stake.” #3 – More coal, less wind. No one wants to hear it, but coal is largely why power kept flowing during the cold spell here in Wisconsin and across the MISO territory, where coal and natural gas accounted for 75 percent of demand during the peak days. This was after all possible generation from wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear was maxed out. In the weeks leading up to the polar vortex, ERCOT’s power supply was made up of 25 percent wind generation, as Texas is the nation’s number one producer of wind energy. From February 9–18, it dropped to 8 percent. MISO’s data is similar.

In fact, Dairyland’s John P. Madgett (JPM) coal-fired power plant in Alma broke gross daily generation records twice during the cold spell, on February 8 and again on February 17. All of Dairyland’s three baseload units (JPM, G-3, and a share of the Weston #4 plant) ran at peak output for multiple days. For a stretch of days when we needed it most, coal was king. “The sun doesn’t always shine; the wind doesn’t always blow. Natural gas requires a steady supply. Coal is dependable because it is on hand,” Carr said. “The industry has retired a lot of coal-fired plants in the past five years, so during this event, the remaining plants were working harder to meet demand. MISO, the upper Midwest, Dairyland, we were all leaning very heavily on the coal units during that very cold stretch.” #4 – No “retail choice.” Texas and 17 other states offer “retail choice,” or what some call “customer choice,” which means consumers choose who they get their retail power from, the same way you can choose your internet or cable/satellite TV provider. The idea is that more competition and less regulation drives down cost, but that has not proven to be the case. Especially this time. Wisconsin is not a retail choice state. Power generators, such as Dairyland, offer up their power to MISO for a specific price per MWh. MISO accepts offers utilizing the lowest-cost resources first until they meet their forecasted energy needs. Generators have incentive to keep their price low, or they may miss out on selling power. But during the extreme cold ERCOT’s prices were inflated to the maximum of $9,000/ MWh in the hopes of increasing supply and lowering demand to protect the grid, up from about $20.79 per MWh in the weeks before the storm. MISO’s price cap is $3,500/MWh, but it didn’t come near the max. When ERCOT was charging $9,000/MWh on February 16, MISO’s price was $252.40, still higher than normal, but nearly not enough to cause utilities to fold.

In Texas, two generation and transmission cooperatives were hit especially hard. Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, the state’s oldest and largest power cooperative, a robust company with an A to A+ credit rating, filed for bankruptcy protection in the days following the storm, citing $2.1 billion in “disputed” debt due to the wholesale power costs. Rayburn Electric, a north Texas co-op that serves 225,000 customers, said its weekly power costs also soared. Residential customers who typically pay $150 per month now have bills topping $3,000 for February. The February cold crisis exposed a more significant problem with “customer choice” for those who chose wholesale rate plans. Some customers selected companies like Griddy Power, which doesn’t generate power, but essentially serves as a middleman, buying wholesale power from the ERCOT

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market and selling to customers at cost, plus $9.99 per month. Following the February storm, some consumers reported their bills skyrocketed to as much as $17,000 for just a few days. ERCOT then suspended Griddy from participating in the market, and Griddy also filed for bankruptcy protection. “These customers are left to the mercy of the market,” said Mike Wade, president and CEO of Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative. “Our members have some exposure to the market and higher-than-average fuel prices, but not to the extent of customers in Texas who have chosen a full market rate.” “Deregulation is the cause of the situation with high bills in Texas,” said Robert Cornell, manager of Washington Island Electric Cooperative. While Wisconsin co-op members have built-in protections due to conservative management by leadership and boards, Cornell says severe weather events still lead to losses at the utility or to increases in rates or fees, but nothing like they are facing down south. In this case, everything really is bigger in Texas. #5 – Cooperative model. According to Dairyland’s Carr, the cooperative model drives the ability to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power. “This is where the cooperative business model shines,” he said, reflecting on the synergy created among members and co-ops that leads to the thoughtful planning that protected our power supply during this extreme event. “Our members (distribution cooperatives) and their members, in turn, have a voice. We encourage them to be involved, get engaged, and to be part of the process, and they do. That’s what sets us apart and makes us successful.”

Could it Happen Here?

One thing is certain, what happened in Texas and much of the nation is evidence of the challenges the power industry is facing as we move toward a more carbon-free future. “This is a significant time, a time of transition in this industry,” said Carr. “We are moving away from coal and relying more on renewable energy—wind, solar, battery storage—as well as natural gas. They will be filling more of that demand in the future, and in our view, that’s a good thing, but it’s also more reason to make sure that our forward actions are done in a thoughtful, planned, deliberate way.” Going forward, the Texas power crisis has helped shed light on how to best plan for a future with reliable power as we transition to more renewable energy, including: • Improved storage—Currently, once power is generated, it has to be used. For the most part, commercial storage is still not a viable option, but it is in the works. Washington Island’s Cornell said they looked into power storage and found the amount needed to power the island for 10 minutes would cost $1 million. Wisconsin’s first “large-scale solar-plus-storage” facility under construction in Kenosha County will offer enough power backup to last...four hours. Some Texas customers were without power for weeks.

Dairyland Power continues to add renewable energy to its portfolio, including with the Tatanka Ridge Wind Farm in South Dakota (top), which came online earlier this year. However, baseload generation from the J.P. Madgett coalfired plant in Alma was still instrumental in keeping power flowing this February.

“Storage is something we are looking into ourselves,” said Carr. “I think the technology shows promise, and like wind and solar, the price will come down over time.” • Investments in transmission—With the transition to more renewable energy, more high-voltage transmission lines are critical to increasing reliability, particularly to ensure generation in wind-rich areas can reach other parts of the region. • Continued investments in natural gas to support intermittent renewable resources, which means to make sure the power stays on when wind and solar can’t keep up. Natural gas plants must be able to quickly ramp up or down to accommodate renewable energy as it happens, and “dual use” plants allow for fuel oil as a backup when the natural gas supply is needed for home heating. • Cautious, conservative plans and realistic expectations of wind and solar as technology evolves. Without a thoughtful, planned, deliberate approach, could what happened in Texas happen here? “I want to say no, but I am reminded of the saying, ‘Never say never’,” Carr said. “We prepare for events like this. We plan for it. We’re used to it. But never say never.” —Julie Lund

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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DAIRYLAND’S

“DIAM

ND”

IN THE ROUGH

HOW CLEANBURNING COAL BYPRODUCTS HELP THE TRANSPORTATION AND AGRICULTURE SECTORS

the cooperative, in addition to savings realized from avoiding oal doesn’t really create diamonds. That was a rumor disposal. perpetuated by Superman. But with some effort, Coal is a resource that forms underground from dead coal as fuel can produce valuable commodities that plant matter over many, many years. It’s support the construction and transportation made up of mostly carbon, but also has industries, while cutting costs and reducing hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen environmental impacts. Now, Dairyland components. Dairyland has invested more Power Cooperative is also researching ways than $325 million in air emissions controls that coal combustion byproducts (CCB) can at its two plants to significantly reduce the be used safely to fertilize crops. release of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, “Dairyland has a long history of recycling mercury and particulate matter, and CCBs,” said Leif Tolokken, Dairyland continues to work proactively to find ways manager of water and waste programs. that CCBs can be an asset. “By following a reduce-reuse-recycle A new project in partnership with UWcommitment, we greatly minimize disposal Extension in Buffalo County is testing needs while providing a valued product.” the effectiveness of dry scrubber material, The history goes back decades, when used to control sulfur emissions in coalDairyland started marketing CCBs to fired plants, as fertilizer. The byproduct concrete companies that value the commodity contains a beneficial ingredient that helps for its use in construction projects for plants grow and could prove valuable to driveways, bridges, and walls. Last year, the agriculture industry. Dairyland recycled 100 percent of the fly Leif Tolokken “This could be another cost savings for ash captured from its two coal-fired power our members, and for farmers, who have plants, G-3 in Genoa and the John P. Madgett to buy fertilizer anyway,” Tolokken said. “I’m optimistic plant in Alma. By doing so, the ash was diverted from landfill about the current research, which will not only show us how disposal for beneficial reuse. Dairyland’s members benefit effective the product is at increasing farm yields but will also from significant cost benefits associated with the program. include testing to ensure it is safe.” For example, CCB sales in 2020 yielded over $1 million for April 2021

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Dairyland is providing the land for UW-Extension to plant the soybean crop needed for this research, and other projects looking into the value of essential oils in hemp and studying weed control with native plants. “Collaborative efforts like this are crucial to Dairyland’s beneﬁcial usage program and the continued positive environmental impacts,” Tolokken said. As part of its focus on sustainability, Dairyland has a goal of 50 percent reduction in carbon dioxide intensity rate by 2030. The cooperative’s Genoa coal plant will close this year. The Alma plant, however, remains operational as part of a diverse portfolio aimed at providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy to members. And as long as they are producing coal combustions byproducts, Tolokken and his team will continue to seek ways to reduce disposal by identifying how to use waste for something advantageous. “This beneﬁts the environment and provides cost-savings to our cooperative members,” Tolokken said. And that is something. Even if it’s not a diamond. —Julie Lund

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Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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SIMPLE WAYS TO GO GREEN AND SAVE GREEN THIS EARTH DAY What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to make some simple changes that will help you save money, conserve energy, and reduce your environmental impact? Here are five easy suggestions to get you started...

FIGHT THE VAMPIRE LOADS. All those electronic devices you depend on draw energy when they’re plugged in, even when you’re not using them. Plug your electronic gadgets into an advanced power strip and turn the power strip off when the electronics are not in use. This could help you save as much as $200 per year.

AIR-DRY OR SUN-DRY CLOTHES. Air-dry clothes or use a dryer with a moisture sensor that will automatically shut off when clothes are dry. Whenever possible, avoid using the dryer at all and hang your laundry outside to dry.

GET WITH THE PROGRAM. On warm days, setting a programmable thermostat to a higher setting when you’re not home can reduce your energy costs by approximately 10 percent.

WATCH YOUR WINDOWS. Use your windows to your advantage. Energy efficient window treatments or coverings such as blinds, shades, and films can slash heat gains by up to 33 percent when temperatures rise. During daylight hours, switch off artificial lights and use your windows to brighten your home for free. Also, opening windows creates a cross breeze, allowing you to naturally cool your home without switching on air conditioners. This is an ideal tactic in spring when temperatures are mild.

SERVICE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER. Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent. Also, spring is an excellent time to check your air conditioner’s evaporator coil, which should be cleaned annually to ensure the system is performing at optimal levels when you need it the most.

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MAKE ROOM FOR

MUSHR

Chicken and Mushroom Enchiladas Verdes

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Mushroom Council. A tangy combination of salsa verde and sour cream sauce with a chicken and mushroom filling and of course, cheese, all ready in under 45 minutes. 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 cup white onion, diced 8 oz cremini mushrooms, washed and sliced (approx. 2 cups) 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded* Salt and pepper, to taste 5–7 grain-free tortillas 2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded and divided** 2 cups of prepared salsa verde (green salsa)*** 1/2 cup prepared Mexican crema 2–3 Tbsp chopped cilantro (optional) In a large frying or saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sliced mushrooms. Cook until the onions have softened and the mushrooms have released their liquid and it has evaporated. Add the minced garlic and let cook another 30–60 seconds, stirring the entire time to keep the garlic from burning. Remove from heat. Toss the mushroom mixture with the shredded chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste. Fill each grain-free tortilla with 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the chicken and mushroom mixture. Sprinkle a little of the shredded cheese over the mixture and then carefully roll up the tortilla, laying it seam side down in a baking dish. Continue until all of the tortillas have been filled and placed in the dish. Spread the salsa verde over the top of the enchiladas and then sprinkle with the remainder of the shredded cheese. Drizzle the Mexican crema over the cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until the cheese and salsa are bubbly. Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve immediately. NOTES: * Leftover rotisserie chicken works well for this; you can use all white, all dark, or a combination of meat. ** If you aren’t a fan of sharp cheddar, Monterey or Monterey Jack are good, creamy alternatives. *** You can use your favorite green salsa; ideally a tomatillo-based salsa that has minimal ingredients and no preservatives.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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Mushroom, Caramelized Onion, and Blue Cheese Flatbreads

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Mushroom Council. Makes 6 Servings 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced 2 cups crumbled blue cheese 2–3 cups arugula 2 large cloves garlic

4 large white onions 1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil 1 tsp salt 1 Tbsp sugar

Fresh pizza dough 1/4 cup flour Water

Slice 4 large white onions to desired thickness. Using a wide bottomed skillet, add enough olive oil where it coats the entire pan and cook on medium/high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add onions and stir to fully coat all the onions with oil. Cook 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Add salt and sugar; bring the heat down to medium/low. Cook an additional 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until your onions are completely caramelized. If your onions begin to dry out during this process add more olive oil or a little water. Set aside. Preheat your grill or oven to 400 degrees. On a flat, floured surface roll out the pizza dough making 6 small flat breads, about a 1/4-inch thick. Brush each side of the dough with olive oil and grill flatbreads on a pizza stone or bake in oven until just barely cooked, pull off and let cool 5 minutes. Once cooled, rub half a garlic clove over each side of the flatbread and brush with olive oil. Add mushrooms, caramelized onions, and blue cheese. Grill or bake each flatbread until cheese is melted, top with fresh arugula, and enjoy!

Smoked Swiss & Mushroom Grilled Cheese

Recipe and photo courtesy of the American Dairy Association–Mideast at www.drink-milk.com. Not only is this sandwich delicious, but you can sneak in a serving of veggies! Pairing fresh vegetables, such as mushrooms, with high-calcium cheese may help children eat more vegetables and whole grains. For the mushrooms: 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp butter

8 oz mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cup thinly sliced onions 1 tsp minced garlic

1 Tbsp dry white wine Thyme, pinch Salt and pepper

Heat the oil and butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Once the butter is starting to sizzle, add the mushrooms in a single layer. Let them cook for a few minutes undisturbed. Check the bottom of the mushrooms, and, when they’re golden brown and caramelized on the edges, flip. Continue to cook until the other side is caramelized as well. Add the onions and sauté until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic. Deglaze the pan with the wine and allow the liquid to cook off for another minute. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste. Remove from heat. For the sandwiches: 2 Tbsp butter 4 slices sturdy bread (such as sourdough) 4 slices smoked Swiss cheese

Butter one side of each of the four slices of bread. Assemble the sandwiches with one piece of bread (buttered side out) followed by a slice of cheese, half the mushrooms, another slice of cheese, then a second slice of bread, buttered side out. Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Add the sandwiches and grill for 3–5 minutes or until golden and crisp on one side. Carefully flip the sandwiches, cover the pan with a lid or cookie sheet, and cook an additional 2–3 minutes or until the opposite side is golden and cheese is extra melty. Serve immediately.

Mushroom Pizza Rolls Recipe and photo courtesy of The Mushroom Council. 12 Servings Involve the whole family in making these homemade pizza rolls. Children will enjoy witnessing the magic of bread baking as they help knead the dough and add the fillings. These rolls make a filling snack or serve them with a salad for a meal. Be sure to add some extra warmed pizza sauce on the side for dipping. 2 tsp dry active yeast 2 tsp honey 3/4 cup water, warmed to 110–115 degrees 2 Tbsp white button mushrooms, finely diced

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp parsley, chopped 1 tsp fine sea salt 1/2 tsp garlic powder 5–6 Tbsp water Olive oil to coat bowl

1/3 cup pizza sauce 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup white button mushrooms, thinly sliced Olive oil to brush rolls, optional Extra pizza sauce for serving

Stir yeast and honey into warmed water. Let sit undisturbed until yeast blooms (begins to foam and expand at the top), about 5 minutes. Place flour in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with dough hook attachment and stir in diced mushrooms and parsley. With mixer on low, pour in bloomed yeast and liquid. Continue to mix on medium, adding salt and garlic powder. Gradually add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough forms and creates a ball in the center of the mixer. It should be soft and pliable enough to handle, but not too sticky. Continue to mix for 2 minutes. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead for 5 more minutes, until smooth and elastic. Roll into a ball. Coat sides of a large bowl with olive oil. Place dough in bowl, cover with a clean dish towel and let sit in a draft-free place until doubled in size, about one hour. Once dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to approximately a 16-x-10-inch rectangle. Spread pizza sauce over dough, sprinkle with cheese, then top with sliced mushrooms. Working from one long side, roll dough up into a log and tuck in each end. Using a serrated knife, cut log into 12 rolls. Spray 9-x-13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place rolls cut side up in pan. Let rise for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake rolls 24–25 minutes, until browned and baked through the center. Brush warm rolls with olive oil, if desired. Serve warm with pizza sauce for dipping. NOTES: Dough takes 1 hour 20 minutes to rise. Store cooked rolls up to four days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or enjoy cold/room temperature. April 2021

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RECIPE EXCHANGE Submit your favorite recipes to be featured on our reader recipe page. Email to jennifer@weca.coop. For bonus recipes, go to http://wecnmagazine.com/recipes/.

Marshmallow Peanut Fudge Patricia Mullens, Friendship

2 cups sugar 2/3 cup milk 1 cup marshmallow cream 1 cup peanut butter 1 tsp vanilla extract

Put sugar and milk into a saucepan and cook to soft ball stage (234–238 degrees). Add in marshmallow cream, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix well and pour into a buttered 9-x9-inch pan. Cool and cut into squares. Makes about 2 pounds of fudge.

Western Venison

Bonnie Lindsay, Mondovi

5-1/2 oz can evaporated milk 1 egg 1–2 lbs venison steak (1/2–3/4-inch thickness) 1 cup ﬂour seasoned with salt, pepper, and onion salt 2–3 Tbsp shortening Beat evaporated milk and egg together. Pound steak to tenderize; dip steak in milk and egg mixture. Roll steak in the seasoned ﬂour to coat. Brown steak in pan with shortening. Lay steak in a single layer on a baking sheet. Cover loosely with foil and bake 1 hour at 325 degrees. NOTE: This recipe is an easy way to prepare venison steak so it is tender and tasty.

Wilted Salad with Bacon Diana Block, Black River Falls

3–4 pieces bacon 1–2 Tbsp butter 1 bag mixed lettuce

Cook bacon and remove from pan. Add butter to the pan and allow to melt. Add lettuce to pan and toss until wilted and well-coated. Serve warm with crumbled pieces of bacon.

Slow Cooker 40-Clove Chicken

Apple Butter

1 (3 lb) frying chicken, cut into serving-sized pieces Salt and pepper 1–2 Tbsp olive oil 1/4 cup dry white wine 1/8 cup dry vermouth 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tsp dried) 2 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried oregano Pinch of red pepper ﬂakes 40 cloves garlic (about 3 heads), peeled 4 ribs celery, sliced Juice and grated peel of 1 lemon

4 cups apple pulp 1-1/2 cups sugar 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/8 tsp allspice 1 Tbsp lemon juice

Romayne Lindstrom, Iola

Remove skin from chicken, if desired. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat and add chicken. Cook 10 minutes or until browned on all sides and set aside. Combine wine, vermouth, parsley, basil, oregano, and red pepper ﬂakes in a large bowl. Add chicken to herb mixture and coat well. Add garlic and celery to slow cooker. Place chicken on top of celery in slow cooker, and sprinkle with lemon juice and peel. Add any remaining herb mixture. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or until chicken is no longer pink in the center.

Venison and Mushrooms Darlene Ford, Mukwonago

2 lbs venison steak, roast, or stew meat, cut into small cubes 3 Tbsp oil 1 Tbsp dry onion soup mix 3 beef bouillon cubes 2 cups water 1 cup burgundy wine 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced Cooked white rice Brown the meat in hot oil. Add soup mix, bouillon cubes, water, and wine. Simmer for 1 hour. Add mushrooms during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Serve over ﬂuffy white rice.

Mary Lou Wessendorf, Montello

Combine ingredients and cook gently until thick and darkened in color. NOTE: You can also pour the hot mixture into hot jelly jars, adjust lids, and process 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.

REQUESTS FROM OUR READERS

Deanna Swicionis, a member of Oakdale Electric, is looking for dairy-free and gluten-free recipes. She also hopes readers will submit their favorite air fryer recipes. Send to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, What’s Cooking? 222 West Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703-2719 or contact us via our website, www.wecnmagazine.com. Thanks!

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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GIFT CARD SCAM TARGETS THOSE WITH UTILITY DEBT

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is warning against a scam in which persons seek gift cards to settle outstanding debts, including utility bills. Scammers contact potential victims via phone or email and threaten power will be cut off it they do not comply with demands to send gift cards.

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FOR TRAVEL’S SAKE TAKE A ROAD TRIP ALONG WISCONSIN’S NEWEST NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED SCENIC BYWAYS

“I travel not to go anywhere but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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WISCONSIN FAVORITES

Lake Superior Scenic Byway Door County Coastal Byway Wisconsin Great River Road

amed novelist Robert Louis Stevenson most certainly didn’t have Wisconsin in mind when he penned the meaningful lines that appear on the opposite page. After all, he wrote them in 1878 in an account of a hiking journey he took through France. However, the sentiment of his words echoes everywhere, and they seem to especially resonate right now, with an end to a long pandemic ﬁnally, hopefully, in sight. Wisconsin has no shortage of beautiful routes to safely travel, especially the rural roads and highways that pass through areas served by our state’s electric cooperatives. We’ve always known that, but just recently, three designations by the Federal Highway Administration have put an ofﬁcial stamp on it—our state has some

of the prettiest drives around. Two of those drives were named National Scenic Byways earlier this year: the Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway, a 70-mile stretch of Highway 13 along the south shore of Lake Superior, in Bayfield County; and the 66-mile Door County Coastal Byway, looping around Door Peninsula along Highways 57 and 42. In addition, the Wisconsin Great River Road, previously the state’s only National Scenic Byway, was elevated to an All-American Road. This route follows the Mississippi River from Prescott for 250 miles, all the way to the southwest corner of the state on Highway 35. According to the Federal Highway Administration, to be designated as a National Scenic Byway, a road must possess at least one of six intrinsic qualities—archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic—and it must also be regionally significant. To rise to the level of All-American Road, the route must possess “multiple intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant and have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere.” An All-American Road must also be considered a “destination unto itself.” “Wisconsin is filled with unexpected

memories waiting to be discovered at every turn and these three scenic routes show off some of the best of what Wisconsin has to offer,” said Acting Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers in a press release. “As more travelers hit the road this year, we look forward to this well-deserved national recognition inspiring road-trippers from near and far to take in Wisconsin’s natural beauty and stretch their legs at the many restaurants, shops and recreation areas along the way.” Drive straight through and enjoy the sights from your car, or stop at the many historic sites, scenic overlooks, interpretive displays, and museums along the way to explore the natural environment, history, and culture of each unique area.

Lake Superior Scenic Byway Following Highway 13 around the outer edge of the Bayﬁeld Peninsula, the Lake Superior Scenic Byway’s eastern endpoint is at the Whittlesay Creek National Wildlife Refuge at the Town of Barkdale. This refuge has been designated a Globally Important Bird Area and is great place for bird-watchers to observe the many species that stop there during spring bird migration. The highway passes through several quaint ﬁshing

Opposite page: The Lake Superior National Scenic Byway winds around the outer edge of the Bayfield Peninsula. (Photo by Don Albrecht, courtesy of Bayfield County Tourism) Among the many sights along this byway are lighthouses. Pictured below left is the Sand Island Lighthouse, located on the northern tip of Sand Island, one of the Apostle Islands off the Bayfield Peninsula. The Lake Superior Scenic Byway also passes by Bayfield, the Gateway to the Apostle Islands. This national park provides some of the prettiest kayaking around. (Photos courtesy of Bayfield County Tourism)

April 2021

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villages and historic communities, including Bayfield, the state’s smallest city with some of the biggest views. Bayfield is “The Gateway to the Apostle Islands,” and the highway around this city offers spectacular views of Lake Superior. A hiking trail along the lakeshore cliffs offers bird’s-eye views of the Apostle Islands just off the peninsula. The route continues past the home of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, with many interpretive sites and opportunities to learn about the traditional Chippewa culture. The aforementioned areas are where you’ll find the two national parks along this route—The Apostle Island National Lakeshore/Gaylord Nelson Wilderness Area, which includes 21 islands and the country’s largest collection of lighthouses accessible by water; and the Frog Bay Tribal National Park, with its sandy beaches, stunning views, and hiking trails. With miles of shoreline, abundant beaches, lakes, and forest land along this route, there are plenty of opportunities to

take a break for some outdoor recreation. Also, the byway meanders through some of the region’s noted rich orchards and farmland, where visitors can stop to pick up products made from the fruits that thrive in the Lake Superior area’s unique micro-climate. The route’s western endpoint is the Brule River State Forest natural area at the Town of Cloverland, all the way to where the Brule River meets Lake Superior. This trout stream came to be known as “River of Presidents” due to its famous presidential visitors including Ulysses Grant, Grover Cleveland, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and Dwight Eisenhower.

Door County Coastal Byway

This route begins just north of Sturgeon Bay on Highway 57 and extends all the way to the tip of the Door Peninsula near Northport, where road-trippers can look over the Death’s Door strait, linking Lake Michigan and Green Bay. This stretch of rough water is said to be the site of more shipwrecks than any body of fresh water in the world. You can cross it by ferry to visit scenic Washington

Island, the largest of a group of islands historically known as the Potawatomi Islands just off the tip of Door Peninsula. After the ferry trip back to the mainland, scenic byway travelers backtrack to Sister Bay and then follow the path back down the other side of the peninsula along Highway 42. The entire loop is characterized by 300 miles of shoreline and the area’s rich maritime history, with museums, shipwreck sites, and lighthouses to see along the way. Communities that line this route showcase the peninsula’s heritage, including the Town of Sevastopol, home to the largest cherry growers for which the county is known, and Ephraim, where the distinctive architecture reflects the area’s Norwegian history. Beautiful natural scenery abounds up and down this scenic byway. Baileys Harbor has acres of protected wetlands and wilderness. Time your trip for a little later in spring for a chance to take in the beautiful orchids that bloom in late May or early June at the Ridges Sanctuary. Three state parks along this route offer peaceful pit stops and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Peninsula State Park, with its eight miles of shoreline along Green Bay, has a land-accessible

The Door County Coastal Byway includes one of the most famous stretches of road in the Midwest, between Northport and the Washington Island Ferry Dock at the tip of the peninsula. This portion of Highway 42 is distinguished by its striking curves (below right). Quaint shoreline communities along this byway include Ellison Bay (below left). (Photos courtesy of Destination Door County). The entire length of the Door County Coastal Byway offers plenty of places to stop and take in the peaceful surroundings, such as this sandy beach at Egg Harbor (left).

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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3/19/21 12:30 PM

WISCONSIN FAVORITES

The Great River Road traces the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Wisconsin’s portion begins in Prescott and follows the river south for 250 miles. The view above left was captured from the towering bluffs at Maiden Rock. As they are all located on waterways, Wisconsin’s nationally acclaimed byways are great places to take in the spring bird migration, as songbirds make their way back south and waterfowl return to the thawing shorelines. (Photos courtesy of Visit Pepin County). Lock and dams up and down the river make for scenic views and also demonstrate the Mississippi River’s importance in terms of transporation and commerce. Lock and Dam 4 in Alma (right) has a viewing deck where visitors can watch barges pass through.

1850s lighthouse and the White Cedar Nature Center. Potawatomi State Park is thick with forests and offers panoramic views of Green Bay. On the other side of the peninsula, on the rugged Lake Michigan shoreline, is Whiteﬁsh Dunes State Park, with rocky and sandy beaches and the highest sand dunes in the state.

Wisconsin Great River Road The Wisconsin Great River Road follows Highway 35 along the Mississippi River through 33 historic towns and villages, with stretches of open road winding between the river and towering limestone bluffs. The route passes through communities and landmarks that showcase a wide range of cultures and heritages, including the Dakota, Chippewa, and Hopewell peoples; early French voyagers; and Swiss, German, French, Italian, and Swedish settlements. These diverse cultures have one common theme: The Mighty Mississippi was of great importance to each. Six Great River Road Interpretive Centers along the route help explain the river’s impact on each culture in areas including transportation, commerce, and industry. The ﬁrst interpretive center is in

Prescott, the northernmost end of the Great River Road. Traveling south, the road winds around the widest expanse of the Mississippi River known as Lake Pepin, past the distinctive Maiden Rock Bluff and through unique river communities. Those include Stockholm, founded by Swedish immigrants, and Pepin, birthplace of famous author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Further along, travelers pass through Alma, a must-stop for bird-watching, and Fountain City, known as the River Bluff Capital of the World thanks to Eagle Bluff, the highest point on the Mississippi at 550 feet above the river. Historical sites along the way include the Fort Crawford Museum in Prairie du Chien, once the center of the French fur trade along the Mississippi, and Stoneﬁeld State Agricultural & Historical Site in Cassville, the former estate of Wisconsin’s ﬁrst governor, Nelson Dewey. While some sites may be closed or have limited hours due to the pandemic, there’s no shortage of things to safely do. State parks along this route include Nelson Dewey State Park in Cassville, with an overlook offering a majestic view

of the river and a great place to watch bald eagles; Perrot State Park at Trempealeau, with a view of Trempealeau Mountain, one of only three solid rock islands along the Mississippi River; and Wyalusing State Park south of Prairie du Chien, overlooking the conﬂuence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. With all there is to see and do along each scenic byway, you can easily plan a full itinerary and turn a road trip into a complete vacation. Equally satisfying is to just start driving and see where the road takes you. It doesn’t matter which direction you choose—as Stevenson so eloquently put it, the great affair is just to move.—Mary Erickson For more information about the Lake Superior Scenic Byway, visit www.lakesuperiorbyway. org or call the Bayfield County Department of Tourism, 715-373-6100. For more information about the Door County Coastal Byway, visit doorcountycoastalbyway.org or call 920-839-2288. For more information about the Wisconsin Great River Road, visit wigrr.com or call 800-658-9424. April 2021

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CLASSIFIEDS MISCELLANEOUS

WANTED: Paying cash for WWII German, Japanese flags, daggers, swords, guns, etc. Also, lever-action rifles. 715-340-1974. WANTED: DEER TAGS, back tags. Trapping, bear, hunting licenses. Otter, bobcat, fisher tags. Old traps. David Schober, W4234 Rock Creek Rd., Loyal, WI 54446. 715-255-9284. USED BILLBOARD VINYLS/TARPS: Possible sizes available: 14x48=$70, 10x36=$37, 10x30=$30. Expired billboard faces, hemmed. Shipping and tax not included in listed price. MUST CALL FOR AVAILABILITY PRIOR TO PICK UP 800-536-7446. Vinyls can also be picked up at Jones Sign, 1711 Scheuring Road, De Pere, WI 54115. OUTSTANDING FAULKNER CUR PUPS FOR SALE. Make good coon dogs and excellent big game dogs. 715-643-5010. CHAINSAWS WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE. Buying 1 or 100 McCulloch, Pioneer, Jonsereds, Echo, STIHL, Homelite, Remington, Mall. Buying all brands and sizes. Non-running, running, seized, parts. Let me know what you have—will travel. Call Chainsaw Mike at 715-828-9414. FOR SALE 2012 YAMAHA 650 MOTORCYCLE with Toe Pac Trike Kit, new tires $4,995. Also vintage 1978 Kawasaki 400. Gary Joslin, Eau Claire, WI 54701. 715-834-8578. FOR SALE - FUR, FISH, GAME MAGAZINES from 1973 to 1990; 2000 to date. $75 for all. 715-223-4074. Abbotsford, WI. FOR SALE: FULL-SIZED WOODEN RAILROAD CABOOSE. Perfect playhouse or Bed & Breakfast, or keep original. Many extras, including the track. $10,000. Jay (608) 526-5878. SEPTIC PROBLEMS: Do you have standing water on your drain field? Have you been told you need a new expensive septic system? I have an alternative that works, also comes with a warranty (no digging). Call toll free 855-797-6072 or email mmtagm@yahoo.com. ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPIES. AKC registered. Vet checked, first shots, tails docked and dew claws removed. Call or text 715-579-2547.

PLANTS & SHRUBS HARDWOOD AND CONIFER SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS. Thousands available, Oaks, Maples, Highbred Poplar, Hickory, Cherry, Dogwoods, Ninebark, Cranberry, Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Spruce, Pine, Cedar, Food plot and grafted apple trees too, large bareroot shade trees including Autumn Blaze. Check us out on the web at www.paintcreeknursery.com, Facebook, and YouTube also. Paint Creek Nursery, Cadott, WI 715-723-2072. FRUIT, NUT, SHADE, & ORNAMENTAL TREES Available For Spring Planting. Also evergreens & deciduous seedlings and transplants, strawberries, blueberries, asparagus, rhubarb, and much more. For additional info: Call toll free (888) 803-8733 or write to Woodstock Nursery, W6291 State Hwy 95, Neillsville, WI 54456. Also check us out at Wallace-Woodstock.com. MCKAY NURSERY COMPANY—WISCONSIN GROWN SINCE 1897 Provider of quality shade & ornamental trees, fruit & ﬂowering trees, evergreens, shrubs, perennials, ground cover, and vines. Design services & delivery available. Contact Eric at ezlandscapewi@gmail.com or call 608909-1962. “Your McKay Independent Sales & Service Provider.”

REAL ESTATE

VACATION RENTALS—Chippewa Flowage in Hayward, WI. A private 4-bedroom / 2-bath is available, and also a 3-bedroom / 1-1/2 bath is available. Docks at both locations. Year-round rentals. On snowmobile and ATV trails. Contact Jen at 715-558-2759. VACATION RENTAL. Cape Coral, FL. Beautiful 3 bedroom home on gulf access canal. 10,000lb boat lift. Weekly rental or more. Call Al. 608-295-7433. HUNTERS/SNOWMOBILERS/HORSES PARADISE in Marathon County. Beautiful 3-bedroom / 3.5 bathroom home on approximately 60 acres. Trophy whitetails and turkeys abundant. Also great place to raise horses. See photos and all the details of this great piece of property at Zillow. com. 201696 Bentley Rd, Rosholt, WI 54473. This was formerly 2117 Birch Rd, Rosholt, WI. Call Kerry at 715-581-3327. UPPER MICHIGAN. 1800’ OF LAKESHORE, 35+ acres, pristine lake. Trout streams, golf, casino, snowmobiling, skiing. Ottawa Forest. Very private. $297,000. 715-495-2081.

Classified ads reach more than 152,000 mailboxes. RATES: For non-members of Wisconsin rural electric co-ops: one insertion, $25 minimum (up to 20 words); additional words, $1.25 each. For members of Wisconsin rural electric co-ops: one insertion, $14 minimum (up to 20 words); additional words, $.70 each. Count name, address, and phone number as part of ad. Please include zip code. FOR PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP, please include your address label from your copy of the magazine. FREQUENCY DISCOUNTS: 2% discount for 3 months; 5% for 6 months; 10% for 12 months. DEADLINE: 1st of the month prior to the month in which the ad is to appear. All classified ads must be paid in advance. There is no agency discount on classifieds. Make check or money order payable to: WECA. Mail to: WECN, Attn. Jennifer, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Ph: 608-467-4638. Email jennifer@weca.coop. We reserve the right to refuse ads.

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3/15/21 11:20 AM

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April 2021

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3/14/21 4:04 PM

YOUNG MEMBERS

Kids and Critters April 2021 1

1. A baby squirrel came right up to future veterinarian Noelle. Photo submitted by Grandma Marcia Kuntz, a member of Eau Claire Energy. 2. Brylynn is an animal lover and adores the family’s chickens. She also has two toads as pets. Photo submitted by Barbara Freiberg, a member of Dunn Energy. 3. Maddy is thrilled with the day’s catch. Photo submitted by Grandma Carol Bernhardt, a member of Vernon Electric.

4. Kylie cuddles her goat kid Emmy. Photo submitted by Delton and Rebekah Schlewitz, members of Dunn Energy.

Upload photos directly

to the new wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit a photo” tab. Send photos of kids with animals, along with a brief description, to WECN Magazine, 222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703. Please include the name of your electric co-op. Photos will be returned. If in good-resolution, electronic format, photos may also be uploaded via wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit a photo” tab. By submitting, sender implies that he/ she has rights to and owns the image, and grants WECN permission to use the image. By submitting, the parent or legal guardian also authorizes us the right to publish the image.

WELCOME BACK TO OUR HIDDEN OBJECT GAME,

“SYMBOL SEARCH”

Many readers thought the carrot was cleverly hidden on page 8 of our March publication.

Bayfield Electric Cooperative members Jeff and Stephanie Etzel said in their entry: “We sure enjoy paging through the magazine. We have a cabin near Bayfield and so thoroughly enjoy that area. Great insight from your magazine into what you folks provide and the education that I’ve gotten that our home utility does not provide, I feel like we have a family looking after us in the Bayfield area. We had a storm come through a couple years ago, I was woken by a brilliant flash and the power went out, I called at 5:30 am and the guys were out and we had power by 8am ....WOW !...Oh the SYMBOL is on page 8 in the upper RH corner, the guy holding the red puzzle piece.” This month, inspired by the mushroom recipes on page 20, we challenge you to find this mushroom. Remember that the symbol can be anywhere and any size. One randomly selected winner will receive a Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News kitchen kit. One entry per household, please. Send entries by April 15.

Enter via the “Symbol Search” link on the homepage of wecnmagazine.com.

Good luck! 30

You can also enter by mail: Symbol Search Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association 222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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3/22/21 12:59 PM

DO-IT-YOURSELF

SAFELY Does the spring season have you inspired to tackle some of those home-improvement projects you’ve been planning? If you’re going to do most of the work yourself, be careful! Even a seasoned Do-It-Yourselfer can run into safety hazards, especially when it comes to projects involving electricity. Here are some tips to keep you safe while you spruce up your home: Be Careful with Power Tools

Call Before You Dig

Many do-it-yourself projects involve the use of power tools, which can be dangerous—even deadly—if not used properly. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before using any power tools, and wear appropriate personal protective gear such as insulated gloves and goggles. Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with every electric power tool to protect against shocks, and don’t use a power tool with an extension cord that exceeds 100 feet in length. If a power tool trips a safety device while in use, take it to a manuacturer-authorized repair center for service before using it again.

If your project involves digging, make sure you call 8-1-1 first to have any underground lines located. Careless digging can result in damaged facilities, putting you at risk of severe injury or even death, causing service interruptions for you and your neighbors, and costing you thousands of dollars in damages. Call this free service a few business days before you put a shovel in the ground. An operator will notify utilities affected by your project, who will send a locator to mark any underground utility lines. It’s best to call before every project because undergound utilities can shift.

Look Up Before Climbing Ladders

When in Doubt, Call a Professional

If your project requires a ladder, be sure to use the correct one for the job. Never use a metal ladder while doing electrical work, or any kind of work near uninsulated electrical conductors. If you’re using a ladder for an outdoor project, be sure to look up and out for power lines first, and keep your equipment and yourself 10 feet away from them. Work outdoors on a ladder only when weather permits—never in the rain or in strong wind that could blow a ladder out of control and into a power line.

We strongly recommend that you have a qualified, licensed electrician perform any electrical work in your home. However, if you are planning to do some of the work yourself, take time to learn about your home’s electrical system first so you can navigate it safely. Always turn off power to the circuit you plan to work on before you begin, and unplug any appliance before working on it. Ultimately, know your limits and never attempt a project that you even suspect could be beyond your skill level.

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Sources: Safe Electricity; Electric Safety Foundation International

April 2021

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