MORGAN COUNTY RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION
[MCREA News]
Make Your Voice Heard
BY DAVID FRICK || GENERAL MANAGER
E
Each year in July, we recognize the birth of our nation.
While it’s certainly a time to celebrate, I believe that
it’s also a time to reflect on the freedoms, rights and
responsibilities passed on to us by our forefathers. One
of these includes the privilege to shape our communities, state and nation for future generations by casting
our ballot in governmental elections.
As member-owned electric cooperatives, voting is
already in our DNA. It’s how we maintain an electric
utility that is responsive to the consumers it serves.
But voting also plays a crucial part in our representative David Frick
democracy. Federal, state and local elections offer an
opportunity to exercise a civic responsibility: to select the best leaders
and voice our opinions for the betterment of our communities. Yet in
places all over America, research indicates that rural citizens aren’t
exercising that right.
In the 2012 national elections, voter turnout dropped overall, but
the decline in rural counties was 18 percent — twice that of the nation
as a whole. And when we voters miss the chance to vote, we also lose
the opportunity to communicate our concerns to our leaders about
the issues that matter to us: where we work, live and raise families.
Those issues only become priorities if enough people show elected
officials that we are paying attention. Registering to vote and voting
are two effective ways to send this message.
When we go to the polls with the cooperative principle of “concern
for community” in mind, we increase the potential to improve our
political system. It’s a system designed to produce a government “of
the people, by the people and for the people.” People like you and me.
America’s electric cooperatives have launched a campaign to help get out the vote and insert issues important
to electric cooperatives nationwide into the public discussion. Called “Co-ops Vote,” this effort is designed to help
boost voter turnout in areas served by cooperatives across
the country to ensure that our voices are heard loud and
clear every day, and especially on Election Day.
Co-ops Vote is a nonpartisan program developed by
the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the
national service organization that represents the nation’s
more than 900 not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric
cooperatives. (Dustin Warboys, acct #2394000) With 42
million members across the nation, electric co-ops are working to be
a powerful voice on national issues that have a local impact.
The Co-ops Vote website (vote.coop) will give you information on
your elected officials and candidates, the voter registration process,
election dates and locations and background information about several key national co-op issues. These include (but are not limited to)
rural broadband access, hiring and honoring veterans, cyber security,
water regulation, rural health care access and the production and
distribution of affordable and reliable energy.
If you have any questions or would like to sign up as a co-op
voter, please visit vote.coop or click on the link on the homepage of
MCREA’s website (www.mcrea.org). On behalf of everyone at Morgan
County Rural Electric Association, we wish you and yours a happy
and safe Independence Day.
MCREA OFFICE CLOSED JULY 4, 2016.
MCREA WISHES ONE AND ALL A HAPPY AND
SAFE INDEPENDENCE DAY.
coloradocountrylife.coop
JULY 2016
7
[MCREA News]
BE AWARE OF HEAT STRESS THIS SUMMER
BY DONI HARRIS || SAFETY & TRAINING COORDINATOR
H
Here we are, whether we like it or not. It’s July, and that means hot days and
not-so-cool nights. It also means that we are more susceptible to heat stress
when working or playing in these hot conditions.
Heat stress occurs when the body has to work too hard to cool off. The body’s core
temperature gets too high for the body to cool off quickly enough. Although heat
stress is commonly associated with hard physical work in hot environments, it
may occur at any temperature, particularly if the person has heart disease or diabetes, is overweight, and/or is in poor physical condition. In other words, anyone
can be affected.
The human body has many ways of coping with excessive heat and maintaining
its normal temperature. For instance, when sweat evaporates from the skin into
the air, the body is cooling itself. When the heat is on, it may be harder to work
safely. Exertion in excessive heat can create several safety factors, such as dehydration, nausea, short-tempered behavior, inattentiveness, dizziness and a slower
ability to think clearly. When muscles are being used for physical labor, less blood is available to flow through the skin and release
stored heat. When this happens, the body’s core temperature rises and heart rate increases.
Here are a few tips and preventive measures that you can employ to avoid or treat heat stress:
• Keep hydrated. During light activity your body can deplete around 2-3 quarts of water daily and during high activity you can lose 6-8 quarts daily, so you should drink about a cup of water every 15-20 minutes, even when you are not thirsty.
Additionally, don’t use the feeling of thirst as an indicator that your body needs water. A person can deplete as much as 30 percent
of his or her body’s water before feeling thirsty. Drink plenty of water before, during and after time spent in the heat.
Loss of salt through sweating can cause cramps, so sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.) can help replenish electrolytes, but should not totally take the place of
water. Also, the use of alcohol, caffeine and energy and soft drinks can heighten the
effects of heat-related illness, so their use should be limited.
• Be aware of what your body is telling you. Heat exhaustion is a warning that the
body’s core temperature is rising and is being overworked. Side effects of heat
exhaustion can include weakness, dizziness, nausea, rapid heart rate and
cool or moist skin. If these effects begin, get the person to a shaded area
or cool environment, have them drink some water and begin cooling
them down by applying cool water to their skin.
Heat exhaustion can quickly progress to heat stroke, which is
much more dangerous. Heat stroke is the most serious form of
heat-related illness and can quickly lead to death. This occurs
when the body’s heat loss mechanism just shuts down — sweating ceases and the body and brain overheat rapidly. Symptoms
may include hot or dry flushed skin, rapid pulse, headache,
confusion, weakness and nausea. This can rapidly progress to
seizure, convulsions and unconsciousness. If this happens, call
911 or get medical attention immediately. Try to cool the person
down with water or ice packs, and apply cardiopulmonary
resuscitation if there is no pulse.
Although heat-related illness and death are readily preventable,
exposure to extremely high temperatures causes an average of 381
deaths each year in the United States alone. Avoid heat stress by
giving yourself plenty of water and fresh air, and being aware of
heat-related symptoms.
8
4
JULY 2016
WIN $25 OFF YOUR
ELECTRIC BILL
Each month Morgan County REA gives
two lucky members a $25 credit on their
electric bill, just by reading Colorado
Country Life!
Congratulations, Josh Motley (account
#1822501) and Linda Schilling (account
#2177000). You saw your names and
account numbers in the May edition of
Colorado Country Life. You both received a $25 credit on your electric bill.
There are two more MCREA member
names and their account numbers hidden
somewhere in this issue. If you find your
name and account number, call member
services at 970-867-5688 by July 29 to
claim a $25 credit on your electric bill.
This institution is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.
coloradocountrylife.coop
[MCREA News]
MCREA Revises Lineworker Scholarship Program
BY GEOFF BAUMGARTNER || COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
I
It’s a challenging occupation, and the backbone of the electric industry. I’m talking
about America’s electric lineworkers, and
right now they’re in demand.
In his article “The Next Generation of
Lineworkers,” which appeared in the April
edition of Colorado Country Life, Justin
LaBerge from the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association stated, “Despite
high demand, good pay, excellent benefits,
opportunities to advance and a stable longterm outlook, America is facing a shortage of
lineworkers.” According to LaBerge’s article,
the electric industry will need thousands of
skilled workers to keep our energy grid running safely and reliably. (Albert L. Dilka Jr.,
acct #1397000)
An electrical lineworker performs many
different tasks in a variety of situations. For
instance, lineworkers may be climbing poles
or operating aerial lift devices to work on
overhead lines one day, while the next day
they may be a hundred miles away erecting
a substation or digging trenches to string
underground electric cable.
Lineworkers do their jobs outside in all
kinds of weather to keep our communities
running. Occasionally, severe weather or accidents can knock out power, and lineworkers
may be needed at any hour of the day or night
to restore electricity to consumers.
Since linework is a specialized and potentially dangerous job, comprehensive training
and graduation from an accredited lineworker
trade school is necessary in order to take up
the occupation. Several lineworker programs
are offered in Colorado and Nebraska, and
can range from three months to two years in
duration.
Since 2002, Morgan County Rural Electric
Association has offered scholarships to assist
students who will be attending lineworker
Energy Efficiency
Tip of the Month
coloradocountrylife.coop
MCREA’s linemen perform many different tasks, including working on overhead lines.
trade school. The two most recent recipients
of the MCREA lineworker scholarships were
awarded $7,500 each to help offset tuition,
tools and book costs at an accredited lineworker school of their choice. Scholarship recipients are in no way guaranteed or required
to be employed at Morgan County REA upon
completion of training.
Recently, Morgan County REA has made
some notable revisions to the lineworker
scholarship program. In the past, applicants
had to meet a deadline to submit applications
for the scholarships — usually around the first
part of March. That is no longer the case.
MCREA has removed the deadline
stipulation for applying for the lineworker
scholarships. Applicants may now apply for
the program at any time during the year, and
scholarships will be awarded on a first-come,
first-served basis until annual funding for the
scholarship program is exhausted.
Additionally, there is no age stipulation in
order to be considered for the scholarships.
Applicants may be recent high school or college graduates, or someone who is already in
the workforce and is looking for a change of
careers. However, an applicant must reside
within the boundaries of MCREA’s service
area in order to be considered.
If you or someone you know might be interested in this fantastic career, the MCREA
lineworker scholarship program could
be the start. More information about the
scholarship program can be found at www.
mcrea.org or by calling MCREA member
services at 970-867-5688.
Use small electric pans, toaster ovens or convection ovens
for small meals rather than your stove or oven. A toaster or
convection oven uses one-third to one-half as much energy
as a full-sized oven.
Source: energy.gov
JULY 2016
9
[MCREA News]
MORGAN COUNTY REA
PAYMENT OPTIONS
WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS
FOR IRRIGATION ACCOUNTS
Online options via www.mcrea.org utilizing SmartHub
• Pay with e-check (deduction directly from your bank account). Available for
ALL rate classes!
• Pay via credit card (large power and industrial accounts EXCLUDED).
24-hour pay by phone
Call the automated payment line at 877-495-6487 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year).
Pay via one of two methods:
•P
ay with e-check (deduction directly from your bank account). Available for ALL rate
classes! PIN required. Call the MCREA Billing Department to receive your PIN at
970-867-5688.
• Pay via credit card (large power and industrial accounts EXCLUDED).
Recurring ACH — automatic withdrawal
• Call the MCREA Billing Department at 970-867-5688 to sign up for this payment
option. Provide your bank information and every month on the 15th (excluding
weekends and holidays) MCREA will automatically draft your bank account.
Recurring credit card automatic payments
• Contact the MCREA Billing Department at 970-867-5688 and sign up for automatic
credit card payments. Provide your credit card information and MCREA will
automatically process charges every month on the 15th (excluding weekends and
holidays).
Energy Efficiency When it’s Hot and Dry
I
In hot, dry climates, you battle the blazing hot sun, which heats up the surface of your
home. As the heat beats down on your home’s roof, windows and walls, the heat conducts to the inside. However, there are some basic steps you can take to make your home
more comfortable and energy efficient in hot, dry climates.
Starting from the top, it makes sense that light-colored roofs reflect the sun’s heat
away from the home, whereas a dark color absorbs the heat. Make sure you have a vented
area directly under your roof to allow some of the heat to dissipate and reflect back. A
vented roof effectively shades the rest of the home. It is also important to properly seal
your home’s thermal envelope. Leaky ducts, windows and doors can cause energy loss,
making the cooling system work much harder and driving up your energy costs. It pays
to seal windows, doors and ductwork.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, on average, households lose approximately 20 percent of their heated and cooled air through the duct system to the outside.
Homes that are “sealed tight” are easier to keep cool and dry.
10
4
JULY 2016
USE CAUTION NEAR
CO-OP EQUIPMENT
BY ABBY BERRY
A
As you find yourself spending more time
outdoors this summer, MCREA reminds
you to exercise caution near electrical
equipment maintained by the co-op.
Substations and power lines carry
extremely high voltages, and if contact
is accidentally made, the results can be
dangerous — or even deadly.
Never climb trees near power lines.
If you make contact with a tree that is
touching a power line, your body could
become the path of electricity from the
line to the ground. If you encounter an
animal trapped in a tree near power lines
or inside a substation, do not attempt to
remove it, no matter how furry and cute.
Call MCREA for assistance.
Here at MCREA, your safety is important to us. We hope you will share the
message of electrical safety so that you
and others can enjoy plenty of summer
days filled with fun. Visit MCREA for
more electrical safety tips.
Abby Berry writes on consumer and
cooperative affairs for the National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association.
coloradocountrylife.coop