New Years Day
Our office will be closed
Friday January 1, 2016
If you experience an emergency or outage
call 417-682-5636 or 800-286-5636
bcec Ground Source
the official newsletter of Barton County Electric Cooperative
CEO/GM NEWS
CEO/General Manager Russell McCorkle
Electric Power Generation Part 3
The costs & issues associated
with delivering electricity to you
What are we doing to keep member’s costs down?
Barton County Electric completed the 2016 Operating Budget in
October, with this approved budget we do not anticipate a rate
increase for 2016. A large part of the new budget includes working
on improving our distribution system. We have looked over every
portion of the budget to keep costs down while improving the
electricity and service to you, our member-owners.
Our generator, Associated Electric Cooperative, continuously looks
for ways to provide reliable power in the most economical way.
Everyone from the board of directors to the staff understands that
ultimately all costs are paid by members.
First, every project is scrutinized to ensure expenditures are needed
and that low-cost options are being used. Planned maintenance
at base load coal power plants is scheduled so units are available
to generate when power is needed most and is most expensive to
replace to ensure the lowest cost to members.
Additional background: Our power supplier works with the
Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Iowa Association
of Electric Cooperatives, Oklahoma Association of Electric
Cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative
Association to advocate to Congress, the Environmental Protection
Agency and others for continued use of coal because it’s a clean,
affordable and reliable resource for generating electricity.
Associated Electric also invited competition and conducted
negotiations early to ensure continued supply of the quality and
quantity of low-sulfur coal needed. The new coal contract takes
effect Jan. 1, 2016, and will help provide cost stability for members.
It includes financial performance incentives for both Peabody
Energy and Associated Electric, more flexibility and some level of
transparency for market-based pricing. It also tightens requirements
for coal quality needed for efficient operations and environmental
compliance. Using low-sulfur coal, which also is lower in mercury,
is part of Associated’s plan to comply with existing and new air
quality regulations.
Another approach to keeping costs down is innovation in
environmental compliance. Our generator has conducted research
on refined coals to remove mercury and on use of baking soda to
remove sulfur from emissions.
Another method Associated Electric uses to keep costs down is to
benchmark performance in all areas of electric generation to find
new ways to reduce the cost of providing wholesale electricity
supply for co-op members.
In addition, the staff at Associated Electric continues to search
for buyers of electricity when members don’t need it. Selling to
nonmembers brings in revenue that helps offset members’ fixed
costs.
January 2016
Ramseyer Retires
after 35 Years of Service
Beverly Ramseyer started her career
at Barton County Electric Cooperative
Tuesday September 2, 1980. At that
time our office was located downtown
Lamar which is now City Hall and Police
Department Headquarters.
After one year of service Beverly became the cooperative’s
Accountant. Throughout her 35 year career besides being the
Accountant, she served as Office Manager, Accounting and Finance
Manager, Interim CEO and is retiring as the Assistant Manager.
During her tenure, Beverly has served under three CEO’s and seen
many changes in the electric utility industry.
When asked, Beverly’s future plans include; imagining the
possibilities, trying new things, embracing the freedom, relaxing
and enjoying family especially her two granddaughters. Beverly and
her husband Joe plan to enjoy retirement together.
Barton County Electric congratulates Beverly and wishes her the
best as she enters this chapter in her life.
FIND YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER AND WIN $25!
1. Find your account number hidden in this issue of bcec Ground Source
2. Call the cooperative or stop by our office: 417.682.5636 or 800.286.5636
3. If the account number is yours you will get a $25.00 electric bill credit!
4. You must call to claim you prize during current issue
January 2016
Feast of the Epiphany
J
an. 6 is the Feast of the
Epiphany, or Twelfth Day,
the end of Yule festivities.
It translates as “manifest one,”
from the Greek epiphaneia,
meaning “manifestation” or
“appearance.” More recently,
Epiphany became associated with
the coming of the Magi as the first
manifestation of Christ’s divinity
to the gentiles or, in the Eastern
Church, the baptism of Christ.
Tradition advises the removal of
Christmas greens by the end of
Twelfth Night (the night before
Epiphany), lest bad luck come
in where the drying evergreen
needles fall.
First Footer
I
n many countries, it is
believed that the first person
to cross the threshold in the
new year, the “first footer,” will
bring good luck into the house
for the coming year. Although
this custom is known in
countries from Ireland to China,
it is particularly well observed in
Scotland and parts of England.
Generally, a tall, dark male
is thought to bring the best
luck, but in some regions fair
men (especially redheads)
are preferred. Regardless of
his looks, the visitor must
never arrive empty-handed.
Traditional gifts are a piece
of coal for the fire or a loaf of
bread.
Propitious days
I
as fortunate for some things and
unlucky for others. The 9th was
seen as a good day for the “works
of men,” while reaping fruit and
shearing sheep were best done on
the 10th or 11th. Although women
had only one propitious birth day,
their day was considered “holy
above all.”
n ancient folklore, the 14th
day of the month was seen
as particularly propitious for
the birth of women. The 13th was
considered propitious for marriage,
and the 10th and 11th were lucky
days for the birth of men. Hesiod,
from the eighth century B.C.,
marked each day of the month
For recipes, gardening tips and weather forecasts, visit:
www.almanac.com
Recipe for
Alfredo Sauce
1/4 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 clove garlic, crushed
1-1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan or
Gruyere cheese
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
M
elt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the cream and simmer for 5
minutes, then add garlic, cheese and nutmeg. Stir in the parsley and serve over pasta.
Makes 2-1/2 cups.
www.almanac.com
THE OLD FARMER’S
WEATHER
PROVERBS
On St. Distaff’s Day
(Jan. 7), neither work
nor play.
Fog in January makes
a wet spring.
A fire hard to kindle
indicates bad
weather.
When the North Star
twinkles, expect
stormy weather.
When oak trees bend
with snow in January,
good crops may be
expected.
It will be the same
weather for nine
weeks as it is on
the ninth day after
Christmas.
A fair day in winter
is the mother of a
storm.
RM
| HOME
C O M F O RT
Exploring Inner Space:
by Patrick Keegan
Dear Pat: It’s cold this winter! Instead of turning up my central
heat, I’m considering purchasing a space heater to help warm my
living room. I saw one in the store that is 100 percent efficient!
What should I consider when choosing a space heater? - Arthur C.
Dear Arthur: It can be more cost-effective to run a space heater than
to turn up your central heating, but if you’re not careful, you may
increase your electric bill.
Generally, it is best to run a space heater when you need to heat
just one or two rooms, or if you need temporary heat in a normally
unheated area such as a garage or shed. If you have a particularly
cold-sensitive person in the home, it can be more efficient to use a
space heater in the room they most often occupy rather than overheating the whole house.
However, be mindful of the costs that these little heaters can add
to your electric bill. Nick Rusnell, an energy advisor with HomeWorks
Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Portland, Mich., shared, “During an
energy audit, I found three 1,500-watt heaters in the house of a co-op
consumer with a high bill complaint. I did a cost analysis for him and
he was shocked.”
Do your own calculations for how much running one, two or three
in your home would cost. And beware the efficiency hype around space
heaters: electric space heaters are all 100 percent efficient at turning
electricity into heat, but an Energy Star air-source heat pump can be
300 percent efficient!
If a space heater is right for you, remember a few things to save
energy and money:
• If you’re using a space heater to heat the one or two rooms you use
most, turn down your central heating so you don’t heat up rooms you
aren’t using.
• Close doors to rooms that are being heated to avoid heat loss.
• Turn off the heater when not in use or get a space heater with
a timer feature.
How to use space heating
efficiently this winter
• Purchase a heater with thermostat settings and use the lowest setting with which you are comfortable.
• Select a space heater that is the right size for the space you need
to heat; most will have a sizing table on the box.
Due to safety and air-quality concerns, portable propane and kerosene space heaters are not recommended for use in a home or other
unventilated areas. Even when installed properly, these types of heaters can emit low levels of carbon monoxide. Instead, look for an electric
space heater; there are two main types:
• Infrared heaters: Radiates heat to the objects and people directly
in front of it, rather than the air in the room. If you are often sitting in
one place, such as at a desk, this can be a good option. Note that the
surface of these heaters can get very hot.
• Convection heaters: Uses convection to warm and cycle the air in
a room. These heaters are quiet and can be warm to the touch, but not
so hot as to burn you. Some models use fans to push the air over warm
coils; these heaters can warm a room faster but are usually noisier.
If you need a space heater to keep your home comfortable, this may
be a sign that your home needs insulation or air sealing, both of which
can be great investments and significantly reduce your energy bills.
You can consider simple short-term measures, such as:
• Putting in weatherstripping around drafty doors and windows.
• Hanging thermal curtains or blankets or installing window film.
• Using rugs to cover uncarpeted floors.
In the long term, increasing your home’s insulation or switching to
a more efficient heating system, such as a ductless heat pump, can be
a cost-effective solution. A good energy auditor can help you figure out
the best measures to take to keep your home comfortable. If your co-op
offers free or discounted home audits, take them up on it.
Keegan writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service
arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric
cooperatives.
Calculate Your
Space Heater Cost
Wattage
Hours
Used per
Month
Co-op’s
kWh photo courtesy of Lasko Products
rate/1000
Monthly
Cost
Most space heaters are 1,500 watts. If you’re operating a space heater 8 hours a day
Most
space heaters are 1500 watts. If you’re operating a space heater
and your rate is $0.12 per kWh = (1,500 watts x 240 hours/month
8 hours a day and your
rate is $0.12
per kWh
= (1500 watts X 240 hours/month
x $0.12/kWh)
/1,000
= $43.20/month
X $0.12/kWh) / 1000 = $43.20/month
bcec Ground Source
the official newsletter of Barton County Electric Cooperative
account # 47280211
January 2016
TO REPORT AN OUTAGE
2016
High School Juniors
Win an all expense-paid
trip to our Nation’s Capitol
this June!
2016 Youth Tour Winners Chris Peterson and Krista Gilmartin
Barton County Electric is proud to sponsor two area high school juniors on the 2016 NRECA Youth Tour
trip to our nation’s Capitol! They will travel with nearly 100 students from Missouri and nearly 1600
students from across America on a week-long all-expense paid trip to Washington DC!
This year’s trip is scheduled for June 10th—16th, 2016. Deadline to enter is Friday March 11th. For more
information call Jeff at 417.682.5636 or get information at www.bartonelectric.com
BE PREPARED FOR WINTER STORMS
When winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Winter storm
severity varies depending on where you live, but nearly all Americans are affected by extreme winter
storms at some point. Barton County Electric cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.
Heavy snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without power. During
extremely low temperatures, this can be dangerous. During a power outage, our crews will continue to
work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, but there are a few things you can do to prepare
yourself.
• Stay warm – Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove during
a power outage. These are great options to keep you and your loved ones warm, but exercise caution
when using, and never leave the heating source unattended. If you are using gasoline-, propane- or natural
gas-burning devices to stay warm, never use them indoors. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning
sources of heat should always be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s directions before
using.
• Stay fed – The CDC recommends having several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked
handy. Crackers, cereal, canned goods and bread are good options. Five gallons of water per person
should also be available in the event of an extended power outage.
• Stay safe – When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. It is best not to travel during
winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along, and do not travel alone. If you encounter
downed lines, always assume they are live. Stay as far away from the downed lines as possible, and report
the situation to our dispatchers by calling 417-682-5636 or 800-286-5636 if possible.
Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can often be the difference
between life and death. Barton County Electric is ready for what mother nature has in store, and we want
you to be ready, too.
Call 417.682.5636 or 800.286.5636
24 hours a day
Before you call:
• Check breaker(s) in your home and
below your meter
• Check with your neighbors to verify
they have power
• To better serve you when you
do call please have the following
information ready:
• Name on the account you are
reporting
• Your six-digit BCEC location
number
Bill Payment Options
1. The Office
You are always welcome
to stop by the office located
1 mile west of Lamar at
91 West 160 Highway
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Drive-up Drop Box
located at our office
available 24 hours a day
3. On-Line Bill Pay
available 24 hours a day at
www.bartonelectric.com
4. By Mailing To:
Barton County Electric Cooperative
91 West Highway 160
Lamar, MO 64759
5. Auto Pay
from your checking or savings account
or with your debit/credit card
6. By Phone
Using your debit or credit card
Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm
417-682-5636 / 800-286-5636
7. Prepay
Call or stop by to learn more
about how you can prepay
for your electricity
Your Directors
Doug Haile, President
Kenny Owen, Vice President
Joel Maneval, Secretary
Barbara Barley
David Stump
Kevin Taffner
Jerry Thieman
Max Walters
Tom Williams
Your CEO
Russell McCorkle