March 2014
Vol. 18, No. 3
Electric cooperatives
put lots of energy into
keeping your electric
rates affordable...
After one of the coldest winters in 20 years, co-op members saw the impact of larger heating bills. Meanwhile,
know that electric cooperatives are working on the state
and national level to ensure that future policies keep in
mind the people who pay these bills.
President Barack Obama’s January State of the Union
address talked about “all of the above” for energy use.
However, that did not include coal or nuclear for reliable,
low-cost electricity.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Associations’s
(NRECA) CEO Jo Ann Emerson commented, “The potential costs of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
greenhouse gas regulations threaten every household and
business on a budget, not to mention the ability of electric
cooperatives to continue providing reliable and affordable
energy. These regulations hit hardest Americans who can
least afford to pay the bigger bills, lose their jobs or turn
down the heat.
“Co-ops work diligently to provide affordable power in a
way that best meets the needs of local consumers who own
their cooperative, including renewable resources, energy
efficiency options and other tools demanded by today’s
consumers,” Emerson added. “We require the freedom
to pursue new technologies and innovations. The EPA’s
insistence to rely on carbon dioxide capture and storage
technology that isn’t ready for prime time hamstrings us
in a significant way.”
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency testified last month that requiring carbon capture and sequestration to capture carbon dioxide from coal would increase
wholesale electricity prices 70 to 80 percent on new plants.
“This cost increase is unconscionable, but not surprising,” Emerson said. “The rule should be withdrawn and
reconsidered. It’s unjustifiable for the EPA to push through
regulations that rely on technology that would eliminate
the domestic, reliable option of coal in the future.
“Sometimes folks in Washington, D.C. get lost at the expense of the people,” Emerson commented. “Co-ops don’t
see it that way and we’ll continue to ensure our members
are heard on the affordability of energy and economic opportunity.”
In addition, John Novak, from NRECA testified before
the EPA on greenhouse gas emission standards for electric
power plants in February.
— Continued on Page 7
Inside this issue:
Annual Meeting notice...Page 4
Connecting our co-ops & members
to a progressive future
2014 rebate program...Page 5
Connect ons
Cooperative Alliance Partners
This publication focuses on CAP’s members, programs and
events. As this is the official member publication, member’s
story ideas, letters-to-the-editor and comments are welcomed.
Andrea Christoffer, CCC, Editor
“Owned by those it serves”
Connections (USPS 010-456) is published monthly by Federated Rural Electric, 77100 US Hwy
71, Jackson, MN 56143. Subscriptions: Members $5 a year. Nonmembers $10 a year. Periodicals
postage paid at Jackson, MN and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Connections, PO Box 69, Jackson MN
56143-0069. Printed by Livewire Printing, Jackson, on recycled paper with soy ink
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
See the light and savings with our
Commercial and Industrial rebates
Your electric cooperative’s
Commercial and Industrial
Program (C&I) helps farmers and business owners
receive rebates to improve
the energy efficiency of their operations.
Lighting is one of the more common ways
members take advantage of the program. Rosburg Construction, Welcome, took advantage of the C&I
Program to install new lighting in their main building. They
Retrofit lighting
removed 23 fixtures that used older eight-foot fluorescent
• A ratio of high wattage “old” lights tubes (right) and replaced them with 16 T-5 fixtures (above).
and low wattage “new” lights will maxi- They also replaced outside security lights with LED lights
mize your rebate. Your co-op must show (inset). Owner Duane Rosburg said the new lights “are much
kilowatt-hour (kWh) savings for every better in both lighting quality and efficiency.”
rebate they give out. A retrofit project
of 10 400-watt metal halide fixtures being replaced by 10
system that will operate for many years.
132-watt T8 high-bay fluorescent fixtures provides more
If you have a taller space (14-foot walls
kWh savings than retrofitting 10 200-watt incandescent
or higher), consider T8 or T5 high-bay
fixtures with T8s. Ask a lighting vendor or your electrician
fluorescent fixtures. Although they are a
to do a lighting assessment of your project so that you have
little more expensive than metal halides,
the desired footcandles or lumen output for your building.
their “instant on” start up power is more
New construction lighting
efficient and will help minimize your payback.
• If you are constructing a new building, choose a lighting
Visit with your cooperative’s energy expert too!
Other improvements that qualify for the C&I Program
Ground source heat pump
Heating and cooling your commercial property with a ground source
heat pump qualifies for a rebate.
Ground source heat pumps have a
higher initial cost than other cooling/heating systems,
but their efficiency is unmatched, leading to a realistic
payback period.
Retrofit motors
If your electric motor is working properly, you may not
need to consider retrofitting. An upgrade in efficiency may
not provide enough kWh savings for your cooperative to
2
report, meaning rebate totals will be minimal. However,
if an electric motor is on the verge of failing, your local
co-op provides incentives for purchasing a new premiumefficiency motor to replace it.
Special energy-efficient purchases
Units such as dairy plate coolers, commercial refrigeration, variable frequency drive motors and Microzone hog
barn lamps also qualify for incentives. While these units
are a little more rare or specific to a certain job, each one
can provide the member with kWh savings and a rebate
from the cooperative.
Interested in C&I rebates? Call your electric co-op.
Connections — March 2014
Nick-nack-paddy-whack bake a dog a
bone with the Bake-A-Bone treat maker
A good dog-owner cleans up for
cheese, vegetarian, vegan organic and much
their pet, takes them for walks, trains
more. Specialty treats are also possible:
them and keeps their vaccinations
snicker poodles, banana biscotti bones,
up to date. Now dog owners can take
birthday bones, puppy pot-roast bones
their mastership to another level
and more. You can even decorate your
and bake for their dogs.
treats with pet-friendly homemade icThe Bake-A-Bone dog treat maker
ings (most recipes are made with commakes healthy, preservative-free treats
mon ingredients found in most kitchens,
in minutes. The snacks are great for
such as flour, milk and eggs).
small, medium and large dogs.
Treats take about 10 minutes to bake.
The device includes a recipe book
They are chewy in texture, but can be made
that features allergy-sensitive recipes
crisper by putting them in the oven.
including wheat-free, corn-free, lowThe Bake-A-Bone sells on Amazon.com
The Bake-A-Bone enables you to
glucose, lactose-free, gluten-free and start your own pet snack bakery for approximately $30. Treat your family
soy-free snacks. Flavor options encom- for your dog. Choose from a vari- dog today with some gourmet, homemade
pass chicken, beef, liver, peanut butter, ety of flavors to create.
snacks!
Power theft has a high price
It’s often an “invisible”
who may assume that the power line
crime. Someone illegally
they are working on is de-energized.
hooks into a power supSafe Electricity reminds everyone to
ply, hooks up a line that
help prevent and reduce power theft.
has been disconnected or
• Notify your electric utility imtampers with a meter to avoid
mediately if you know of an illegally
recording electricity usage. Legitimate
connected consumer.
electricity consumers do not engage
• Do not cut the seal on your meter
in these behaviors, so the impact of
base or tamper with your meter.
electricity theft — including the dan• Apply for a legal connection if you
ger — is often unrecognized.
do not have one.
Power theft carries deadly risks.
• Remain aware of your surroundings
Many thieves pay for the power they
and report any suspicious activities to
steal with their lives. Electricity theft is
your electric cooperative.
not just dangerous for those who steal.
• Most electrical theft crimes occur
If you are on the same power line as
through meter tampering, bypassing
someone who steals electricity, you
meters and tapping power lines. Other
could pay the cost for their theft too.
less frequent crimes include tapping
The power line could become overinto neighboring premises, using illoaded with electricity, which could Stealing power is a bad “combination” of legal lines after being disconnected,
harm your electronics and appliances dishonesty and is dangerous. Notify your self-reconnection without consent,
electric co-op if it occurs.
that are designed to receive a certain,
and electrifying fences. This is also a
steady amount of electricity. Electricity theft makes power
federal crime and is punishable by law.
service less reliable and lower quality for paying customers.
Contact your electric co-op if you are aware of electricElectricity thieves may also unknowingly feed energy
ity theft.
back into the power line. This is dangerous for linemen
— Information courtesy of safeelectricity.org
Connections — March 2014
3
South Central
Summary
Energy resources conservation
loans available
SCEA now
has ERC loans
available to
members looking to complete energy conservation projects. Loans can be for a
maximum $3,000 and 60-month
term at 5 percent. Funds can
be used to finance: heat pumps
(ground or air source), central air
conditioning replacements leading to energy savings, caulking,
weather-stripping, windows (storm
or thermal), attic ventilation fans,
insulation and doors (storm or thermal). Labor costs can be included
when an approved contractor is
hired.
More information is available at
www.southcentralelectric.com or
by calling 507-375-3164.
SCEA office hours
Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. from October 1 to April 30.
Send updated phone numbers
If you have dropped your landline and have a different phone
number, please call our office so
we can update our records. If you
have any additional phone numbers we could call to reach you,
please share those with us, as well.
Need a new electrical service or
upgrade?
We are making
plans and ordering material for the upcoming
construction season.
If you are planning to build and
need a new service (or if you think
you may need a service upgrade
within the next year), give us a
call.
4
Cold weather shows co-ops’ value
In many ways, January was an unusual month in Minnesota. In terms of heating degree days, it was the 17th coldest
in Minnesota over the past 142 years. That historic weather
trend coincided with propane shortages and high natural gas
prices (due in part to a pipeline fire).
The power grid was taxed as well because so many
homeowners used more electricity to help heat their homes as the price and
availability of other fuels caused concerns. In fact, South Central Electric’s
wholesale electricity provider, Great River Energy, witnessed January electric
load 6.7 percent higher than the same period in 2013. Great River Energy set
an all-time winter electricity demand peak in January. The same can be said
for our other power supplier, East River Electric Cooperative, in Madison, SD.
They also set an all-time winter peak in January.
Great River Energy has advantages compared to many energy providers during
these extreme conditions. In January Great River Energy’s Coal Creek Station
and Stanton Station power plants generated more electricity than budgeted and
did so using stably-priced and abundant coal. The cooperative’s wind resources
also generated consistently and that power was sold for high prices in the market.
Because Great River Energy is a cooperative, electricity is provided to distribution cooperatives, like South Central Electric, at cost, in much the same way
that South Central Electric does for the homes, farms and businesses it serves.
Cooperatives are not-for-profit organizations motivated by providing service
to their members, all of whom have a financial stake in the company.
“Great River Energy continues to be concerned about any cost increase that
will harm the economic well-being of its member-consumers because cost
increases are immediately reflected on members’ electricity bills,” said Ron
Horman, South Central Electric general manager.
South Central Electric Association
Annual Meeting
When:
Location:
Saturday, April 5
St. James High School
1001 10th Avenue North
Turkey dinner: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Meeting:
1 p.m.
Highlights include: entertainment, Capital Credit
checks to be distributed, election of three directors,
presentation of Youth Tour Awards, Basin Scholarship
Winner Announced and a chance to win a 40" TV or
other prizes...
Connections — March 2014
2014 rebate program
The recipient must be a South Central Electric member. Any checks or credits
will be made in the name or account of the member. The program will end when
funds are exhausted, but additional rebates may be added at a later date. The
completed applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as
they are received in our office. Rebates are limited to a total of $8,000 per year
per member. Rebate applications can be requested by calling the St. James office
between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday–Friday (507-375-3164). Applications
are also available online at www.southcentralelectric.com.
Appliance Rebates: please see rebate applications for details (must be an
Energy Star appliance to qualify).
Clothes Washer
$25 Credit applied to the energy bill
Dehumidifier
$15 Credit applied to the energy bill
Freezer
$15 Credit applied to the energy bill
Refrigerator
$15 Credit applied to the energy bill
Dishwasher
$15 Credit applied to the energy bill
Purchase new Energy Star Refrigerator and recycle old refrigerator
$75 Credit applied to the energy bill
Purchase new Energy Star Freezer and recycle old freezer
$75 Credit applied to the energy bill
Air Source Heat Pumps - Quality Install:
SEER 14.5
$350
SEER 15
$350
SEER 16+
$350
Air Conditioner - Quality Install:
SEER 14.5
$150
SEER 15
$150
SEER 16+
$150
Ductless Heat Pump
$350
Ground Source Heat Pump
$400/ton
ECM Furnace Motor
$25
Room Air Conditioner
$25
Air Conditioner Tune Up
$25
LED light fixtures (home)
$3/each (limit 15 per member/year)
Holiday LED light strings
$1/each (limit 15 per member/year)
Commercial and Industrial Rebates: rebates are available on a case-by-case
basis. Rebates can be used for lighting upgrades and efficient electric motor
upgrades. Call SCEA for information on these rebates.
Water heater program
SCEA’s peak shave water heater program provides members with
a Marathon water heater at a discounted price for participating in
the load management program. The cost for water heaters has been
increased to $250. Despite the increase, this is still a great value for
SCEA members. SCEA pays the cost of the electrician to wire the
water heater and radio control. The member would pay any costs
incurred by a plumber.
Connections — March 2014
Save with SCEA’s
Dual Fuel program
High LP prices got you down?
SCEA may have a solution for you.
Our Dual Fuel program allows members to get a discount on affordable
and reliable electric heat. Installing an
electric plenum heater in your existing
LP furnace allows you to avoid using
high priced LP.
The Dual Fuel program works
like many of our load management
programs. We offer you a discount of
$.031/kWh on each kWh the plenum
heater uses. In exchange you allow
us to turn the electric plenum heater
off during times of higher electric
prices.
Start thinking
heat this summer
It may look like this winter will
never end, but summer will come
eventually. Our concerns will shift
from how to heat our home to keeping
it cool. If you need to replace or are
thinking about adding a new cooling
system, don’t forget about heating.
Air-source heat pumps and ductless
heat pumps can do both and more efficiently. These heat pumps are 200
percent to 300 percent efficient at
heating your home. This could mean
big savings over LP. Need more incentive? We have rebates from $125
to $350.
5
Teachers: earn two graduate credits!
A lignite teacher seminar will be held at the Bismarck State College, Bismarck, ND, June 16-19.
This seminar provides teachers with an understanding of the lignite coal industry and its role in
providing electricity to North Dakota, Minnesota,
South Dakota, Montana and Iowa. The seminar
includes discussions on how lignite coal is mined,
its economic impact and a tour of a lignite mine,
power plant and the Great Plains Synfuels Plant.
The Lignite Energy Council is offering the
seminar for the 29th year due to the positive responses from past participants.
Teachers learn how much coal it takes to run a 100-watt incandescent
Earn two graduate credits free!
Each teacher can earn two semester graduate light bulb for 10 hours. The instructor reminds teachers that conserving
energy helps utilities from investing in new generation facilities.
credits (economics through the University of
lege dorm (two people per room). Meals are provided.
North Dakota, science through Minot State University or
Transportation is provided by the Lignite Energy Council
education through North Dakota State University) by sucfor the “Coal Country” tour.
cessfully completing the seminar requirements. Teachers
Free materials available
selected to attend the seminar mail in a $60 deposit, which
Teachers attending the seminar will receive electronic
will be returned when checking in for the seminar. Register
copies of the presentations, examples of lesson plans,
at www.lignite.com/teachers by April 1.
classroom exercises, coal and ash samples, audio-visual
Meals & lodging free too!
materials, and information on the facilities they tour.
Free lodging will be provided in a Bismarck State Col-
EAP Income Eligibility Guidelines increased
self-employment income for
Governor Mark Dayton orHousehold Size Annual 3-Month
making eligibility determinadered the Energy Assistance
1
$27,232
$6,808
tions. As of February 4, 2014,
Program (EAP) to use 60 per2
the maximum income guidecent of State Median Income to
$35,612
$8,903
lines are based on 60 percent
determine household eligibility
3
$43,991 $10,997
of state median income (SMI).
for the Energy Assistance Pro4
$52,370 $13,092
This is an increase from 50
gram. This change is retroactive
5
$60,749 $15,187
percent SMI. This change is
to the beginning of the heating
6
$69,128
$17,282
retroactive to October 1, 2013.
season October 1, 2013.
7
EAP provides grants to help
Local EAP Service Providers
$70,700 $17,675
Minnesota
households lower
are reviewing applications pre8
$72,271 $18,067
their energy burden each year.
viously over-income; eligibility
9
$73,842 $18,460
The program targets lowis being reviewed for assistance
10
$75,413
$18,85
income families with seniors,
with the new income guidelines.
Contact your electric cooperative if your household size
disabled members and children
Utilities should encourage
is larger than these numbers.
under the age of six. EAP pays a
households to apply for energy
portion of eligible households’
assistance by contacting their
actual energy costs, intervenes in energy-crisis situations,
local service provider by calling 1-800-657-3710. Houseconducts outreach activities and repair/replacement of
holds may not be aware that the income guidelines changed
heating systems. By working together vendors, households
and that they may now be eligible for assistance.
and service providers can help households in need, while
The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program uses the past
reducing costs associated with collections or discontinuthree months of household income prior to signing the apation of service.
plication and/or most recent Federal Tax Form 1040 for
6
Connections — March 2014
Add a taste of the tropics with favorite coconut recipes
How do you like coconut? Shredded, flakes, fresh or the milk in desserts, candy or main dishes? Share
your favorite coconut recipes! Send these coconut recipes by March 25 to Editor, Federated Rural Electric, PO Box 69, Jackson MN 56143-0069 or e-mail to [email protected]. Add your name
and phone number. Thanks for sharing!
Top Ramen Casserole, by Jeanne Schwieger, Fairmont
3 pkgs. Ramen noodles, chicken flavor
1 can cream of chicken soup
12 oz. can chunk-style chicken
1 c. crushed potato chips
13 oz. can evaporated milk
Break noodles into pieces and drop into boiling, salted water. Cook for two-three
minutes and drain. Combine soup, seasoning packets and milk. Add drained chicken
and cooked noodles. Place in 9x13" casserole dish and top with crushed potato chips.
Bake at 350º for 20 minutes. (Make a variation of this by using different flavor ramen
noodles, meats and soup.)
                     
Chinese Noodle Slaw, by Janice Harder, Butterfield
1 bag chopped cabbage
½ c. butter
1 bundle green onions, chopped
1 T. sesame seed
1 pkg. ramen noodles (save seasoning packet)
½ c. slivered almonds
Dressing: 1/3 c. sugar 1 T. soy sauce
¼ tsp. vinegar
½ c. vegetable oil
seasoning packet from noodles
In a large bowl combine cabbage and onions; chill. Meanwhile, in a frying pan break
the noodles into small pieces. Add the seeds next and butter. Stir over low heat until
slightly brown stirring frequently. Drain on a paper towel. Keep at room temperature.
Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl and chill. Just before serving, add noodle
mixture to cabbage mixture. Stir dressing and pour over salad. Mix well.
Oriental Hotdish, by Melinda
Miller, Jeffers
Brown 1½ lb. hamburger. Add 1 seasoning packet from beef ramen noodles. Set
hamburger mixture aside.
3 c. water
1 lb. bag frozen veggies (mixed, California blend, broccoli/cauliflower or whatever
type you like)
3 pkgs. ramen noodles, broken up
½ tsp. ground ginger
remaining 2 ramen noodle seasoning
packets
Put all in pan, bring to boil and turn down
to simmer until noodles and veggies are
tender. Add hamburger and mix thoroughly.
Warm through and serve.
Keeping electric rates affordable
— Continued from Page 1
“As demonstrated by cold snaps just this winter,
natural gas prices are volatile and spike even during
shorter-term weather events. This has an immediVoice your concerns ate adverse effect on consumer electric bills. Coal,
to the EPA with a and its stable price, is a long-term proven hedge
quick click!
against natural gas volatility and is critical if we
are to continue to provide affordable electricity for our members.
“While new, unconventional natural gas supply from shale has played a
huge role in lowering natural gas prices, even this increased gas supply has
not changed the built-in volatility of natural gas,” Novak stated. “This is because price volatility is correlated with business cycles, weather extremes and
pipeline infrastructure issues. Again, we are experiencing this with the 2014
winter weather across much of the nation…
“Many areas of the country either 1) have insufficient access to natural gas, 2)
do not have suitable sites for carbon dioxide storage or enhanced oil recovery
sites, or 3) cannot be supplied wholesale power reliably through the existing
transmission grid. How will the EPA reconcile elimination of new coal-fired
capacity in these situations?,” Novak concluded.
Voice your concerns about future energy prices and the EPA’s policy making
decisions that will impact your energy bills. Go to www.action.coop. It takes
just a few minutes to send an e-mail that could have long-lasting results.
Go to:
www.action.coop
Connections — March 2014
Haunted by high LP prices? Ask about a
ground source heat pump. See big savings, co-op rebates and tax credits!
Call before digging
1-800-252-1166
Contact Gopher State One Call
before doing any digging more
than 12-inches deep — 48 hours
before digging for foundations,
trees, tiling and more. You can
also register on www.gopherstateonecall.org. Call a licensed electrician to locate the underground
lines on your side of the meter.
7
Official monthly newsletter
South Central Electric
Revenue in review
Because of higher population densities (more
consumers served per mile of line), municipal
electric systems and investor-owned utilities
receive more revenue per mile of line than electric
cooperatives.
Consumers served/revenue per mile of line
for different utilities:
71176 Tiell Dr., PO Box 150,
St. James, MN 56081-0150
(507) 375-3164
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web: www.southcentralelectric.com
Office hours: Monday through Friday
May 1 through September 30: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
October 1 through April 30: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ron Horman, General Manager
Board of Directors
Mark Sandberg, President
Bruce Falk, V. President
Brent Imker, Secretary
Richard Johnson, Treasurer
Ron Jorgenson, Director
Mike Miest, Director
Brad Asendorf, Director
The Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at
South Central Electric’s building at 71176 Tiell, Dr.,
St. James, MN.
Download
rebate forms
SCEA
1.9/$9,066
Source: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, September 2013
In a 2011 American Customer Satisfaction Index survey electric cooperatives across the nation received an average satisfaction score of 82,
higher than the scores for investor-owned utilities (74) and municipal
electric utilities (73).
Although the energy that comes from your light socket or outlet is exactly the same whether you live in a big-city apartment or a farm house,
cooperatives do face unique challenges. South Central Electric needs
to maintain the infrastructure for 2,003 miles of line. Notice how that
compares to other utilities across the country.
8
If you need a rebate form for
a ground-source heat pump
installation, AC tuneup and
more, visit our website at
www.southcentralelectric.
com. You can download
rebate forms there!
Connections — March 2014