August 2017 Share Package Utility Contacts

Pam Spettel, Blachly-Lane Electric Co-op, (541) 284-2147, spettelp@blachlylane.coop

James Beaman, Central Electric Co-op, (541) 312-7753, jbeaman@cec.coop

Jeff Marshall, Clearwater Power Co., (208) 798-5204, jmarshall@clearwaterpower.com

Shelly Yockey, Coos-Curry Electric Co-op, (541) 382-6186, shelly.yockey@cooscurryelectric.com

Sharon Crisp, Copper Valley Electric Assoc., (907) 835-7005, crisp@cvea.org

Sabrina Owens, Escambia River Electric Co-op, (850) 675-7433, sabrina@erec.com

Nikki Dunn Cullen, Florida Keys Electric Co-op, (360) 816-1453, nikkidunn@bellsouth.net

Denise Whitehead, Glades Electric Co-op, (800) 226-4025, dwhitehead@gladesec.com

Christina Sawyer, Mt. Wheeler Power, (775) 289-8981 ext 105, christinas@mwpower.org

Mike Hengel, Valley Electric Assoc., (775) 727-2252, mhengel@vea.coop

Traci Brock, Wasco Electric Co-op, (541) 296-2740, tracib@wascoelectric.com

Garrett Hylton, Wells Rural Electric Co., (775) 752-1518, gwhylton@wrec.coop

8

James DulleyCut Your Utility Bills

To ask a question, write to James Dulley, Energy Report, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH. 45244, or check his web page, www.dulley.com.Copyright 2017, James Dulley

8 AUGUST 2017

Deck Design for Comfort

and Savings

Q: I want to build a deck over my concrete patio on the southwest side of the house. Are there tips for deck design so it stays more comfortable in the afternoon sun and maybe lowers my utility bills?

A: The afternoon sun is not only uncomfortable, it can increase your air-conditioning costs by heating the air around your house. This heat radiates in windows, causing you to set your ther-mostat a few degrees lower. This may increase your electric bills five percent or more per degree.

To control heat buildup, wood or light-colored composite decking is your best choice. Dark composite decking is attrac-tive, but it gets hotter and loses rigidity. To avoid possible waviness in the sun, locate the floor joists 75 percent closer together than when using wood decking. Light-colored cellular vinyl decking is another option and it holds less heat.

Build the deck at least 6 inches above the old concrete patio. This allows cool air to flow under it and minimizes mois-ture buildup. Using lattice-type trim around the bottom is attractive and pro-vides adequate air flow beneath the deck for cooling and minimizing mildew.

An efficient deck should have a tall vertical sun barrier facing west. The sun shines down too directly from the south to try to block it with a vertical barrier. The best barrier design depends on your area’s latitude, which affects the angle of the sun’s rays. Find a sun angle chart online for your area’s latitude.

Install vertical posts on the side where you need shading. Make 8-inch-wide slats to fit horizontally between the posts. Space and angle them so they block the direct sun, yet still allow gentle natural breezes through.

During winter when the sun is lower in the sky, it will partially shine in between the slats for solar heating. The slats also will block the full force of the cold winter winds against your house.

A simpler method is to install special sun-control screening across the side of the deck. Some of these screens block up to 75 percent of the heat from the sun. This also will improve the life of the decking material by blocking much of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

For the most attractive appearance, use a do-it-yourself screening kit designed for porches. A frame strip is screwed or nailed to the wood, and a finishing cap is snapped over it to hold the screening in place. It is simple to remove the screen-ing during winter for more solar heating.

Get additional savings and comfort by building a cover over the deck. In order to not feel closed in, install a pergola with tilted wooden louvers as the cover. As with the side slats, tilt these top lou-vers at the appropriate angle for your area to block the sun. These louvers are also effective for shading the house walls from the sun’s direct rays.

If cooling costs are the primary con-cern, plant ground cover plants near the house. Plant leaves do not capture and hold heat as does concrete or gravel. They also cool by transpiration —leaves evaporate moisture—and can naturally cool the air by 10 degrees or more near the house. Putting planters on your new deck near the house can provide some of these same cooling benefits.

Q: I am considering buying a self-cleaning oven. Do ovens use an excessive amount of electricity during the self-cleaning cycle?

A: A self-cleaning cycle can use a lot of electricity. This is used to reach and maintain the high oven temperature to break down spills and spots.

Overall, a self-cleaning oven can be more efficient than a standard one. These ovens have thicker wall insulation to maintain a safe exterior temperature dur-ing the hot self-clean cycle. If you bake a lot, this insulation saves more electricity than is used when self cleaning. n

A simple and inexpensive pergola can be made with lumber and a few narrow cross slats for climbing vines to follow.

James Dulley installs composite decking with hid-den fasteners and clamps to ensure plank spacing.

AU G U S T 2017 25

Ned Ratterman isdirector of engineering and operations at Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative in Baker City, Oregon.

August 21, 2017, is a date many people across the world anticipate with high hopes of experienc-ing a rare occurrence in its full splendor.

Solar eclipses don’t come along very often. The most recent seen in this area was in 1979. Were you around to see it and remember?

This event will unfold in dramatic fashion and last a mere two minutes or so, but that brief window has not decreased viewers’ interest.

Having two of the counties that Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative serves within the path of the eclipse brings with it some unique opportunities and challenges.

For many months, OTEC has been involved with multiple planning meetings across our service territory. We have been coordinating with emergency management teams, law enforcement, cities, counties and private citizens to best prepare for the large crowds headed our way.

At last count, Baker County officials suggested we may have an additional 30,000 viewers to the region. Adding to that number is the Rainbow Family, which has arrived and set up camp for its annual family reunion in Grant County, bringing thousands of additional visitors into the Malheur National Forest.

The total number of people who may spread across Eastern Oregon could surpass 100,000. Oregon is expecting more than 1 million visitors for this event

from every corner of the globe. No matter if locals question

what the fuss is all about, the fact remains that a lot of people are very excited to come and enjoy all that Eastern Oregon has to offer—and they are definitely coming. Our area is so appealing because, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, our normal cloud cover in late August will be minimal compared to other areas across the nation within the path of totality.

While it may sound like a science fiction phrase, the path of totality is the 70-mile -wide path the moon’s shadow traces on Earth during a total solar eclipse. It offers the best views of the event. In our area, the centerline for the path runs directly through Prairie City, Austin, Unity, Durkee, Lime and Huntington.

Lodging is booked throughout our service territory, and the overflow will be felt in areas such as Pendleton, Boise and anywhere

within striking distance of the path. Our small little towns will be inundated with enthusiastic visitors needing food, fuel, power and supplies.

For our local residents, it is a good idea to fuel up at least the Monday or Tuesday before the event. Groceries may be in short supply, so you might want to load up your larders.

Travel will be a bit of challenge on our two-lane highways, and the interstate system likely could be gridlocked, especially if a fender bender occurs. That’s why planning ahead, adding extra travel time to your trips and, if possible, limiting travel in the local areas may be in everyone’s best interest.

There is a world of information available on the internet if you are interested in learning more about the eclipse and what to expect in our communities.

Be prepared, be safe, protect your eyes—sunglasses won’t cut it—and enjoy the show. n

Keeping Community InformedOTEC began a public awareness campaign in June that includes speaking about the eclipse on its monthly radio program and providing safety tips for the membership that include:XX Plan ahead—Fill up gas tanks, shop for groceries, fill medical prescriptions, etc., the week prior to the event.XX For members who live within city limits, try to limit traffic congestion. Use bicycles and/or public transportation.XX Electrical safety radio ads remind members to be safe around electrical outlets—from visiting relatives wanting to

plug in their trailers to having too many devices plugged in. Other safety tips include:XX Fly kites and remote controlled devices in large open areas away from trees and power lines. XX Never connect a generator into a home electrical system. It should be installed by a qualified, licensed electrician to

avoid backfeeding onto utility lines and causing crews harm. Set up generators in a well-ventilated area outside of the home.

XX Electrical devices and cords should be at least 10 feet away from water sources. XX Outdoor outlets should be ground-fault circuit interrupter outlets that switch off automatically. n

A Different Kind of Blackout Coordination is the key when preparing for large-scale events in rural communities

Voice BoxCommentary on Power Issues

Power LinesEnergy News For Consumers

By Craig Reed 

Irrigation is all about getting water to thirsty plants and trees, from hay fields to orchards to row crops.

To accomplish that as efficiently as possible, farmers and ranchers have changed their methods through the years.

When those methods are efficient, there are multiple benefits for the grower: increased tonnage; improved quality; less water and power waste, resulting in less cost for water and power; and potentially

a higher price for the crop.Low-energy precision application

(LEPA) and low-energy spray application (LESA) are two of the most recent irri-gation methods promoted in the Pacific Northwest.

“With water and power costs, these methods should catch on fast,” says Greg Mohnen, president of the Oregon Hay and Forage Association. He manages hay production for the McGinnis Ranch near Bend, Oregon.

The drip system is another low- elevation irrigation method. It has been used for many years in orchards where wheel lines and pivots cannot be deployed. Drip irrigation is efficient because the water is applied slowly, allowing the soil to absorb the water, eliminating evaporation or runoff.

LEPA and LESA irrigation methods have been used in open fields on the Great Plains of the Midwest and farther east for the past 20 or so years, but have only been promoted out West for the past few years.

Unlike hand lines, wheel lines and pivot systems where sprinkler heads stand upright and spray water high into the air—known as mid-elevation spray application methods—LEPA and LESA systems use a much-closer-to-the-ground approach to getting water to the soil and plant roots.

LEPA features tubes with nozzles that hang down from a pivot, 12 to 18 inches off the ground, and release a stream of water. LESA uses the same down setup off a pivot, but the nozzles spray from about 12 inches off the ground.

Efficiency in IrrigationImproved methods and changing technology benefit growers across the country

A pivot and a low-elevation precision application system irrigates an alfalfa field near Ritzville, Washington.Photo by Dale Anderson

28 AU G U S T 2017

Mylen Bohle, a forage agronomist with the Oregon State University Extension Service office in Prineville says these two methods provide about 93 to 96 percent water efficiency because there is minimal wind drift and water evaporation.

The conversion costs thousands of dollars, depending on the acreage, but there is proof the results will return the investment in a year or two.

Growth in ProductionIn addition to the extension service, many Pacific Northwest electric utilities promote LEPA and LESA.

“The biggest asset these growers have is irrigation, and it pays to maintain their systems as efficiently as possible,” says Dale Anderson, manager of member services for Big Bend Electric Cooperative in Ritzville, Washington. “They want to get as much from their investment as they can. Whether it is fertilizer, chemicals or water that is going through their lines, they should want their irrigation package to be as new and updated as possible.”

Dale tells of a hay grower who upgraded two of his pivots, but not a third because he thought it was still fairly new. But on his fourth cutting of hay for the season, the fields with the upgraded pivots produced a ton more per acre than the older pivot.

“The farmer said, ‘I could have paid for the upgrades with that extra ton,’” Dale says.

Mylen says a Prineville area hay grower increased his quantity to 5.4 tons an acre with the LEPA system after upgrading from a mid-elevation sprinkler application system that had been producing 2 tons an acre.

In addition to using less water and power, and less evaporation of water, other benefits of these new systems include less lodging—plants tipping over because of water weight and pressure on their leaves—and possibly less disease from standing water on leaves. Research is ongoing to confirm this belief.

Irrigation System PumpsSwitching to a smaller horsepower pump is an option because the LEPA and LESA systems do not require as much water pressure. Powering a smaller pump is a cost savings.

One larger pump may also replace two smaller pumps and result in overall savings.

Variable frequency drives can be installed to improve the efficiency of electric turbine pumps. The VFDs can be programmed to monitor both the power supplied to the pump and the speed of the motor, decreasing both when needed and achieving more cost savings.

“The curve is always changing because technology and the way we irrigate is always becoming more efficient,” says Ryan Davies, energy services supervisor for Central Electric Cooperative in Redmond, Oregon. “We’re in the business of selling power, but at the same time, we’re providing resources to our members to save.”

Potential SavingsSome electric utilities provide field audits to help growers analyze their agricultural

operations and help create a long-term plan for the property. There may also be refunds and rebates, often amounting to about one-third of the cost to upgrade irrigation systems.

“We provide incentive packages— replacing wheel lines with pivots, replacing sprinklers with nozzles, replacing gaskets, those types of things,” says Lynn Culp, member service manager for Surprise Valley Electrification Corp. in Alturas, California. “There is room to improve on efficiency with the use of water and power.”

Chris Seibold, community relations manager for United Electric Co-op in Heyburn, Idaho, says there are rebates for something as simple as patching a leaky pipe.

“Some guys are always on top of these upgrades, but maybe there is a handful who aren’t aware of the programs available to recoup some of the cost of the upgrades,” Chris says. “We’ve used Ruralite and our website and postcards to shed some light on some of our programs to help growers out. We think there is room for improvement, so we’ll just keep promoting these upgrades for irrigation systems and the savings.”

Mylen and Greg say that this year in Harney County, Oregon, 42 pivots—mostly in hay fields—have been or are in the process of being upgraded to one of those two systems.

“There’s some really exciting technology out there,” Mylen says. “There is a big capital outlay, so that might be the reason not to change, but the benefits are proven. I do believe as the word gets out, it’ll be like a snowball rolling down a snowy hill, and change will be rapid.”

In addition to providing and helping growers apply for the incentive packages, Lynn says electric utilities will continue to try to provide low rates to power the irrigation systems. nFor more information on refunds and rebates, contact your electric utility.

Lynn Culp, member service manager for Surprise Valley Electrification Corp., measures the pumping water level for a field of alfalfa.Photo courtesy of SVEC

AU G U S T 2017 29

4230 Hatwai Road • PO Box 997Lewiston, ID 83501(888) 743-1501(888) 798-5280 (Propane)www.clearwaterpower.com

Board of Directors:Alan Lansing, Lenore, Idaho PresidentKenneth Weiss, Asotin, Washington Vice-PresidentM.M. Harris, Saint Maries, Idaho Secretary-TreasurerRobert Callison, Kendrick, Idaho Assistant Secretary-TreasurerThomas Hutchinson, Craigmont, IdahoPamela Anderson, Potlatch, IdahoRichard E. Butler, Culdesac, Idaho

Management & StaffK. David Hagen General ManagerLorrie McCabe Manager of Financial and Office ServicesDouglas Pfaff Manager of Engineering and OperationsRobert Pierce Manager of Member ServicesReed Allen Director of Member ServicesEdwin Ausman Director of Purchasing and WarehousingTravis Bailey Director of Information SystemsJoe Stockard Director of OperationsCynthia Tarola Director of AccountingLance Wilson Director of Engineering

Business Hours:Monday - Thursday7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Closed Fridays

ID-1

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800)877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7 442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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32 AU G U S T 2017

The seven Cooperative principals are something that Wasco Electric Cooperative

does not take lightly. Each principal has a meaning to the Cooperative and we strive to

meet those principals each and every day.

©Ruralite Services 2017

The seven cooperative principles are something Wasco Electric Cooperative does

not take lightly. Each principle has a meaning to the cooperative, and we strive to meet

those principles each and every day.

By Courtney Cobb

When referring to renewable energy, most people may think of wind and solar.

Unfortunately, many Northwest resi-dents are not aware hydropower is the largest and most important of the region’s renewable energy sources. The water-powered system replenishes naturally through snowpack and runoff each year.

Central Electric Cooperative receives electricity from the Bonneville Power Administration, whose power is pro-duced throughout the Columbia and Snake river basins. The Columbia Basin carries the fourth-largest volume of run-off in North America.

How does it work? Water is funneled as it falls through large tubes—called penstocks—into the dam’s powerhouse. The pressure of the falling water spins a turbine, which often looks like a large propeller from a ship.

As the turbine spins, a shaft that con-tains magnets rotates past copper coils in a generator, creating electricity. From the powerhouse, the produced energy travels along transmission lines to local utilities, which distribute the power to consumers.

According to BPA, every drop of water produces electricity at each dam on its path to the ocean as it flows through the turbines.

Hydropower in the Northwest is one

of the cleanest energy systems in the nation. Because no fossil fuel is burned, electricity produced by dams is carbon-emission free.

Hydropower accounts for 90 per-cent of renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest and almost half of all the renewables in the United States.

Another benefit of hydropower is its cost. Northwest hydro is one of the least expensive sources of energy. The average kilowatt-hour for residential CEC mem-bers is 7.69 cents.

Throughout the rest of the nation, people can pay anywhere from 12.5 cents per kWh in Alabama to 19.9 cents per kWh in Massachusetts. Residents in

Hydro: The Original Renewable EnergyBonneville Dam, operated by the Bonneville Power Administration, is one of 31 federally owned and operated hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Photo by Kevin Wingert, Bonneville Power Administration

Pacific Northwest residents enjoy not only the great outdoors and beautiful weather, but a key source of renewable energy

4 AU G U S T 2017

other parts of the country face higher rates because fossil fuels and natural gas produce their energy.

Imagine what your electric bill would be without hydropower. Northwest con-sumers need to realize that the nation’s taxpayers do not subsidize the region’s federal hydro system. The system pays its own way through the rates paid by elec-tric power consumers.

According to BPA, without hydro-power, the United States would have to burn an additional 121 million tons of coal, 27 million barrels of oil and 741 bil-lion cubic feet of natural gas combined to meet the nation’s energy needs.

Some believe the nation could run solely on wind and solar power. However, when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing, hydropower is the renew-able energy source that powers the needs of the Pacific Northwest. Unlike wind and solar, hydropower runs 24/7.

Hydropower has another invalu-able feature. Dam operators can quickly increase or decrease power production to meet demands from consumers—a criti-cal feature since the electric grid must instantly match the amount of electricity produced with the amount consumers demand.

As with every industry, there are regulations to follow. For hydropower suppliers, such as BPA, that includes

fish and wildlife protection. Each year, the administration spends

hundreds of millions of dollars on habitat restoration projects, hatcheries, safe dam passage for fish and more.

In 2016, BPA invested $621 million in fish and wildlife programs—approxi-mately one-fourth of all money paid by electric cooperatives and other utilities for wholesale power.

“BPA’s fish and wildlife program is paid for through the electric rates of utili-ties that buy power from BPA,” accord-ing to BPA’s website. “It is not funded by U.S. taxpayers. Without these fish and wildlife costs, BPA’s electricity rates to its Northwest public utility customers would be about a third lower.” n

The Value of Hydropower X Hydropower is renewable. It is the nation’s

most abundant source of renewable energy. X Hydropower is efficient. Hydropower plants

convert about 90 percent of the energy in falling water to electrical energy.

X Hydropower is clean. Hydropower produces no carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides or other air emissions. There are no waste products or gases to contribute to air pollution.

X Hydropower power is secure. Water from local rivers largely is a domestic resource and not subject to disruptions from foreign suppliers or cost fluctuations in power markets.

X Hydropower is flexible. Production can be increased and decreased quickly in response to demands for electricity.

X Hydropower supports other renewable resources. Hydropower can back up wind when it is not blowing and back down when it is.

X Hydropower is low-cost. The fuel—water—is free, which keeps operating costs low and immune to fluctuations in fuel prices. The region’s hydroelectric dams were built years ago when construction costs were low. Although many require upgrades and regular maintenance, they remain an energy source that ranks among the nation’s cheapest electricity producers.

X Hydropower keeps electricity rates lower. In years when runoff and power production exceed the Northwest’s needs, the surplus energy can be sold outside the region, bringing in outside revenues, thus reducing power costs within the Northwest. n

Source: Bonneville Power Administration

After water is siphoned through turbines, creating energy, it is returned to the river system.Photo by Jeff Beaman

Central Electric

River Systems Provide More Than Just Energy X Flood control. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determines how much empty space each reservoir must

maintain each month through the winter and spring to capture potential floodwaters. X Irrigation. About 6 percent of the Columbia River’s flow is used for irrigation, some of which returns to the river

downstream of irrigated land. X Navigation. Dams that provide river navigation must maintain reservoirs deep enough to float river barges at

all times. X Fish and wildlife. System operators ensure water at key salmon spawning grounds stays deep enough through

winter and spring to avoid drying out nests of salmon eggs. The entire system is operated, especially in spring and summer, to help young salmon grow and migrate safely to and from the ocean.

X Recreation. Thousands of people enjoy year-round activities that include fishing, hiking, camping, boating, windsurfing and kayaking.

Source: Bonneville Power Administration

AU G U S T 2017 5

Central Electric

By Jeff Beaman

As the old saying goes, it keeps showing up like a bad penny. In this case, it is a pro-posal to sell the Bonneville Power Administration’s mas-sive transmission system to fund the federal government.

The idea now proposed by President Donald Trump first surfaced during the Ronald Reagan administration. It has resurfaced at different times since then under both

Democratic and Republican administrations. The idea is equivalent to trillions of bad pennies and one we hope dis-appears once again.

BPA’s transmission sys-tem delivers electricity from the Columbia River system’s hydroelectric dams to Central Electric, Oregon’s electric cooperatives and every con-sumer-owned utility in the Northwest. All stand strongly against this idea.

Our region is not alone

in this stance. BPA is one of three power marketing agen-cies, or PMAs, in the sights of the president’s budget.

Electric cooperatives across the country are equally alarmed because many are served by either the Tennessee Valley Authority in the Midwest or the Western Area Power Administration serving the Southwest. Those PMAs also would see their transmis-sion systems sold.

“America’s electric

White House Wants to Sell BPAThis BPA substation in Redmond is one of 260 owned and operated by the Northwest’s power marketing agency. These substations are the interconnection points between the agency’s many utility customers and its high-voltage transmission system.

Sale of the BPA transmission system would harm co-op members

4 J U LY 2017

cooperatives are deeply con-cerned about proposals in the budget that would undermine the vital power marketing administrations,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

More than 600 rural elec-tric cooperatives in more than 30 states receive their electric-ity from a PMA.

They oppose “any effort that would negatively impact the PMAs and threaten co-op communities with potential rate increases and uncer-tainty,” said Matheson.

The proposed BPA sale cre-ates alarm for several reasons, including:

Loss of regional control and value. Northwest utilities continually work with BPA to modernize the transmission system. This challenge is best handled by those who know the system—both BPA and the utilities it serves. It also appears the value of the sys-tem would transfer from the people of the Northwest to

the U.S. Treasury. Electricity consumers in the region have paid to build and maintain a system that would be sold to fund the federal government.

Risk of increased costs to consumers. Divesting the system would add great uncertainty and likely cause higher rates. Even if the sys-tem sold at cost—unlikely, since the president’s objec-tive is to raise money—the purchaser would expect a return on the investment. This would require a rate increase because BPA charges only to manage the system and recover the initial invest-ment plus interest payments to the Treasury. BPA custom-ers’ equity also could be lost because there are many ques-tions and challenges concern-ing how they would recover the investment they made in the BPA system through rates.

Impact to remote areas. New ownership would want to make the most from its investment. Remote, rural areas are more expensive to serve. Would they receive adequate maintenance or have stable rates? These major unknowns cause great con-cern over potential impacts to rural communities.

Reliability of the inte-grated system. BPA integrates power sales activities with the transmission system—an activity that requires balanc-ing many different demands. Privatization threatens effec-tive integration and, therefore, reliability.

What’s Next?The proposal is just that. It

is one part of a White House recommendation for a mas-sive, complicated federal bud-get. It is acted on by both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, along with their respective committees and subcommittees. Congress ulti-mately sets the budget.

“I’m confident that the Northwest congressional del-egation will stand unified against this part of the presi-dent’s budget,” said Central Electric President and CEO Dave Markham. “We will be sure to let them know very clearly that we are opposed to this proposal. We hope you will, too.” n

The ProposalSummary documents of the president’s proposal show almost $5 billion attributed to the sale of the BPA transmission system. The sale would take place between 2018 and 2027, with $1.8 billion of the amount collected in 2019.

What Can You Do to Help?Let your congressional representative know you oppose the sale of the Bonneville Power Administration’s transmission system. Join our political grassroots network, ORECA-Action, and you can link directly to them through the Take Action function. Enroll at www.oreca-action.org through the Join Us link in the upper right corner.Transmission lines owned by BPA

deliver affordable power throughout the Northwest. The sale of BPA assets would mean an increase in transmission costs. BPA Facts

h 300,000 square mile service area.

h 15,238 circuit-miles of transmission lines.

h 260 substations.

h 3,100 employees.

h 511 transmission customers.

h 31 federal hydroelectric projects provide power.

h 1 nuclear plant provides power.

h 2016 operating revenues of $3.4 billion.

h 2016 net revenues of $277.2 million.

J U LY 2017 5

Coos-Curry Electric

Utilities Raising Awareness About ScamsBy Tracy Warren

When a scammer called Florida pet clinic operator Cindy Evers last year and demanded immediate payment on an overdue electric bill, it sounded real.

“They knew my account number and gave me a figure that I owed that’s close to what I usually pay on my electric bill,” Cindy says.

She paid, even though, in the back of her mind, she knew her payment was not late.

“I have pets under sedation and I’m taking care of animals,” Cindy says. “I think I just panicked, thinking they were going to shut my electricity off. I did what they told me to do.”

Cindy lost $900 because the call was a scam.

The scam that duped Cindy has plagued utility consumers across North America for several years, robbing them of millions.

Now, utilities are fighting back. Recently, more than 80 utilities and

energy industry organizations from across the U.S. and Canada joined forces to recognize the first-ever North American Utilities United Against Scams Day on November 16, 2016.

Electric co-ops have increased their communication efforts, sending informa-tion directly to members and encourag-ing local radio stations and newspapers to warn citizens about the scam, how it works and what people should and should not do if they are ever targeted.

Even the wariest consumers can be

duped, however. The scammers develop new tactics every day.

The “past due” scam, similar to the one Cindy experienced, goes something like this: A customer gets a call from an 800 number that looks like a valid utility company phone number. Widely avail-able spoofing software allows crooks to display what appears to be an official number on caller IDs. The caller threat-ens to cut off power if the customer does not pay.

But here is the giveaway: The crook will demand payment via a prepaid debit card or money order. And they will ask for it within a specified time frame—often an hour or less. The scammer may even quote an amount that sounds like your typical monthly bill. That way, the threat has even more credibility.

Scammers might direct the customer to a specific store nearby that sells the prepaid cards and instruct the customer to put money on the card and provide the card number to the scammer.

Some scammers have even been bold enough to contact potential victims in person, coming to the member’s house.

Here are some tips on how to protect yourself:

• Do not assume the name and num-ber on your caller ID are legitimate. Caller IDs can be spoofed.

• Never share your personal infor-mation, including date of birth, Social Security number or banking account information.

• Never wire money to someone you do not know.

• Do not click links or call numbers in unexpected emails or texts—especially those asking for your account information.

Most utilities will not require their customers to buy prepaid debit cards or money orders to avoid an immediate disconnection.

If you receive a call that sounds like it may be a scam, or if you believe the call is a scam, hang up, call the police and report the incident to your local utility.

How can you help?You can alert your family members and friends. Share the scammers’ tactics described in this article or those you have heard about. You can also help raise awareness and warn others by reposting scam awareness information on social media. Use the hashtag #stop-scams. n

If a caller says you owe money on your utility bill and wants you to pay with a prepaid credit card, hang up.

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Coos-Curry Electric

You Can Make A DifferenceCoos-Curry Electric Cooperative needs your help to ensure our voices are heard on legislation that affects our ability to deliver affordable, reliable elec-tricity. Joining CCEC’s grassroots network gives Oregon cooperatives a stronger voice in making sure our elected officials see the light.

Coos-Curry Electric belongs to a statewide asso-ciation called the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Its role, on behalf of Oregon coopera-tives, is to lobby against mandates and laws that jeopardize local control and affordable, economical and reliable power. However, they cannont do this alone. Cooperatives such as CCEC encourage their members to band together to promote common-sense solutions by way of our grassroots program, ORECA-Action.

How It Works• Sign up online at www.ORECA-Action.org, in

any CCEC office or by returning the sign up card below.

• With online registration, you will receive a confirmation email thanking you for registering.

• Log in to www.ORECA-Action.org frequently to check for news and updates.

• You will receive an email or letter notifying you when an important issue comes up that may impact your electric service cost or reliability.

• When we need you to make your voice heard the most, you will receive a call to action, asking you to write, email or call your representative letting them know your feelings on the current issue.

• The Oregon Legislature discusses issues during the legislative session and determines the outcome of those issues affecting Oregon co-op members. As these decisions on action items are made, you will be notified of what took place during the session. n

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Join UsORECA.Action.org

Return to Coos-Curry ElectricP.O. Box 1268Port Orford, OR 97465-1268

Free Energy-Efficiency Kit Just for Joining the Grassroots Effort!Coos-Curry Electric members who sign up for the ORECA grassroots movement in August will receive a free energy-efficiency kit.

Energy-efficient lightbulbs are a great way to lower your energy use and your power bill.

Your free energy-saving kit includes four LED lightbulbs.

It’s a great way to save and get involved!Offer good while supplies last. Allow 4-12 weeks for delivery. All kits are shipped via U.S. Postal Service.

To advocate for affordable rates and reliable service, join Coos-Curry Electric’s grassroots effort. When legislation that could impact your co-op is proposed we will provide you the information to send messages directly to your elected officials. Together we can make a difference!

First name ______________________________ Last name ____________________________

Email __________________________________

Address ________________________________

City ___________________________________ State ________________________________

Zip ____________________________________

Phone (optional) _________________________

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Coos-Curry Electric

Rural Communities Have a Voice in WashingtonBy Dan Riedinger

Given the incessant news out of Washington highlighting par-tisan bickering and gridlock in Congress, it can be hard to tell whether our elected leaders are listening and being responsive to the concerns of rural Americans. That is why America’s elec-tric cooperatives urged members to get out and vote in the last election and are now focused on advancing the interests of rural communities in our nation’s capital. We have asked for a seat at the table—a request that has been met with some success.

Early this year, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, our national service organization in Washington, led a group of more than 40 organizations in sending a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to make rural issues a top priority of his administration.

“As you witnessed firsthand during the campaign, the issues facing rural America are no less significant than those facing urban parts of the country, but can be more easily overlooked because America’s small towns and rural areas make up just 15 percent of the nation’s population,” the groups wrote.

To address this concern, the organizations urged the presi-dent to designate a senior member of the White House staff to take point on rural issues or establish an office of rural policy within the Executive Office of the President. In response to this and other electric cooperative outreach efforts, the president in late April signed an executive order establishing an interagency Rural America Task Force to examine the issues facing rural America and identify actions needed to address them.

NRECA CEO Jim Matheson called the creation of the task force “a key step as we seek to develop rural communities eco-nomically. That includes implementing new energy technolo-gies to meet tomorrow’s energy needs, while deploying broad-band and other services to enhance daily lives throughout rural America.”

Electric cooperatives also have been weighing in on another big topic in Washington: the need to improve the nation’s aging infrastructure. Co-ops have told policymakers that they must look beyond merely repairing roads and bridges if a federal infrastructure initiative is going to meet the needs of rural com-munities. High on co-ops’ list of priorities is closing the rural-urban digital divide by expanding rural access to high-speed internet service, which Matheson calls “a key ingredient for a healthy 21st century economy, particularly in rural areas.”

Given this imperative, co-ops were pleased when the Federal Communications Commission appointed Matheson to serve on a newly created Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee.

The mission of the panel, which held its inaugural meeting in April, is to advise and make recommendations to the FCC on how to accelerate the deployment of broadband by reducing and removing regulatory barriers on infrastructure investment. Matheson will work to ensure rural needs are addressed.

This is not to say that everything in Washington will go the co-ops’ way. The federal government is a massive bureaucracy with many interests vying for attention. But there is one thing you can count on: Electric cooperatives will fight to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and within the many federal agen-cies that impact the quality of life in rural communities. They will always strive to get a seat at the table. n

Find out how you can make your voice heard on page 4

Co-ops work hard to make sure the rural voice is heard on Capitol Hill. You can be a part of that process by joining ORECA.Action.org. See page 4 for details.Photo by Mike Teegarden

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Blachly-Lane Electric

Cooperative Principle No. 7: Concern for Community. While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.

By Pam Spettel

Electric cooperatives began as a response to a deeply felt need in a community. Unlike an investor-owned business, coopera-tives don’t pull out because there are higher profit margins to be made elsewhere. By design, a cooperative is a permanent part of the community in which it serves.

As a permanent part of the community, Blachly-Lane views concern for community as an obligation, not a choice. What does it mean to show concern for the community?

It means we take our commitment to investing in the com-munities we serve seriously. We annually support many non-profit groups, schools and local events in our community. In addition to giving monetary support, we also donate volunteer support and time to events and organizations whose goals and objectives align with ours. We don’t just give lip service to the saying “paying it forward.” We help to make our communities a better place to live, work and worship.

In celebration of Blachly-Lane’s 80th anniversary, this year’s community contributions are called 80 Acts of Kindness. Members are asked to nominate a local charity or community organization deserving of a $100 donation. Complete the 80 Acts of Kindness form and email it to blec@blachlylane.coop. We still have a ways to go before we reach 80 local organiza-tions, and encourage members to submit a nomination.

Another way we show our concern for community is through our Blachly-Lane Energy Shares program. Members and employees donate to this fund, which provides bill-paying assistance to members who may be facing difficult times with energy costs. BLES offers a payment for energy costs, up to a maximum of $250 during a 12-month period. The member must meet income guidelines to be eligible. If you would like to contribute to the BLES fund, please call our office.

Blachly-Lane works for the sustainable development of our

communities while focusing on member needs. We are no dif-ferent than hundreds of other cooperatives doing business in the United States every single day. We want to go further and do better than you expect. We are part of your community and we want to improve the quality of life for everyone in it. n

As part of its 80th anniversary celebration, Blachly-Lane Electric will take a closer look at the Seven Cooperative Principles at the core of its existence. The seven principles are the foundation upon which the cooperative business model is built.

Seven Cooperative Principles: Concern for Community

© Ruralite Services

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Blachly-Lane Electric

By Pam Spettel

In the cool of the morning, Blachly-Lane line and right-of-way crews get an early start to make the most of the summer. With long, sunny days and fewer weather-related outages, summer is a perfect time to work on capital improvement projects. The projects are part of a 10-year plan to increase capac-ity and reliability of the Blachly-Lane electric system.

The summer season work brings many benefits to members. The improvements raise the value of the co-op, making the Blachly-Lane system worth more to its members. The number of unscheduled outages members may experience, and overtime costs asso-ciated with unscheduled outages, are reduced. As the quality of the plant improves, operational costs are kept low for members.

“It’s frequent practice in the electric utility indus-try to build in redundancies that allow for more than one way to deliver members’ service,” says act-ing Operations Manager Matt Smith. “We haven’t had that in Blachly-Lane, so our members are some-times inconvenienced longer than they should be for an outage restoration. This year’s projects emphasize our greater plan of beefing up capacity to our indus-trial members and beefing up reliability to our resi-dential members. Eventually, everyone should notice the improvements.”

Sheffler M Line 229 Tap ReconductoringThis project upgrades the load-carrying capacity of the M line, which serves about 1,200 Blachly-Lane members. In addition to being vulnerable to out-ages due to damage, the undersized 229 tap from the

Projects Take Their Place in the SunSummer work will reinforce the grid and improve system reliability

Kevin Smith, left, and Ken Gast assemble a pole for new service.

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main line does not allow the load to be transferred or back-fed during an outage.

“This tap has been a problem area for decades,” says Engineering Technician Karen Horejs. “Especially in the winter, we were putting a lot of load on a small line. This project makes it safe to bring members quickly back into service without overloading capacity.”

Right-of-Way Clearing and MaintenanceAll year long, right-of-way crews work to keep Blachly-Lane lines and poles clear from branches, limbs and brush—a primary focus of our service reliability promise to members. Most years, Blachly-Lane engages a contract tree service to assist with summer right-of-way work.

This year, the contract crew focused on the Elmira M line area, allowing our right-of-way crew to conduct maintenance on the rest of the system.

Right-of-way branch, limb and brush removal is essential to reducing weather-related outages in our heavily treed system.

Junction City Substation, Phase TwoThis year, we will complete the second phase to rebuild and convert the Junction City Substation from a transmission station to a distribution sta-tion. The second phase of this project includes tap-ping the 115-kV BPA line and connecting it to the power transformer set in 2016. Construction of

the distribution bus, voltage regulator bay, control house, circuit breakers and feeder get-a-ways is anticipated to be complete this fall.

The third and final phase of this project is scheduled to begin in 2019.

“We are correcting a lot of bottlenecks and weak points in our system,” says Blachly-Lane’s Metering and Substation Technician Jeff Jones. “These projects are well-planned and the dollars are being spent in an intelligent way. We’re think-ing things through so the work will last—certainly to last my whole career and for who-ever fills my shoes after that. Incredible foundations are

being laid. We’re doing this right, and it is certainly respected as an investment.”

Parker Substation to Enid Road ReconductoringThis project replaces feeder conductor on the southeast side of the industrial corridor, connect-ing Parker Substation to the Enid Road intersection. The reconductoring, planned for late summer and early fall, will add needed capacity enhancements to our industrial members.

Parker Substation Feeder Cable ReplacementThis project replaces two aging underground cable runs with a history of failure out of Parker Substation. The cables provide a vital alternate feed to our heavy industrial load. This project includes boring under Highway 99. Along with the cable replacement, we will increase the load capacity to match the size of the overhead line conductors.

Underground Cable ReplacementsThis ongoing project replaces sections of aged, fail-ing underground cable throughout our system. The underground cable being replaced has been in service 10 to 25 years beyond its expected lifespan, resulting in outages and overtime expenses to keep it functioning. Members will notice fewer outages following the cable replacement project and a reduc-tion in overtime costs for these sections. n

Metering and Substation Technician Jeff Jones works on the Junction City Substation conversion.

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Blachly-Lane Electric

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Copper Valley

Electricity is one of the most valuable and reliable products we use every day. Take a look around - everything is either powered by electricity or pro-duced with the help of electric power.

As consumers, we directly or indirectly use elec-tricity almost all the time. From powering our homes and businesses to energizing entire com-munities, electricity is crucial to power our modern lives.

Most of the time we don’t even think about it. We trust electricity will be there to power our alarm clocks so we can wake up on time, brew our first cup of coffee each morning, and have a warm show-er before heading out the door. Televisions, radios, ovens, refrigerators, lamps, water heaters, and many other appliances all need electricity to run. It is also the energy behind the clothes you wear, the food you eat, and the cooled or heated air you breathe.

We are now using electricity to power new items, from electronic picture frames and DVD consoles to gaming consoles like Xbox, Wii and Playstation for our entertainment. And those mobile phones, cord-less toothbrushes, Ipods, digital cameras and com-puters wouldn’t last long unless their batteries were

recharged with electricity. Even in the country’s shifting energy climate,

with the high cost of fuel causing rates to climb, it is important to understand that electricity remains an undeniable bargain, and one of life’s great con-veniences, especially when compared to other con-sumer goods.

In today’s world, you won’t find many items that cost less than $5. You can purchase a gallon of milk, a gallon of gas, a loaf of bread, a carton of eggs, or a cup of coffee to go; but did you know that an aver-age day’s worth of electricity also costs less than $5? At $3.51, the average cost of electricity per day is actually consistent with or lower than all the items just mentioned.

While this doesn’t take the sting out of high costs, it does demonstrate that electricity has remained a good value, especially considering its increased importance in our lives.

Often, though, the value of electricity is taken for granted. Think about your daily necessities, like gasoline and electricity, and then think about the cost of the special treats people allow themselves to purchase on a weekly and often daily basis.

Electricity is Still a Good Value

$3.51average annual daily cost of electricity

4 au g u s t 2017 Copper Valley Electric

The cost of a mocha or latte from your favorite coffee shop isn’t often questioned even though it costs more than it takes to pay for a day’s worth of power. People don’t usually question the cost of a Big Mac® meal, but it costs $1.59 more than power for an entire day. Most people don’t hesitate to spend over $2 on a 20 oz. soda, more than $5 on a burger, between $8 and $14 on a movie ticket, or over $25 for a pizza, but they are concerned when paying less than $4 a day, on average, on their power bill.

Many don’t even flinch when the cost of their luxury item increases, but become upset when their electric bill goes up. It makes sense though; the world has become increasingly reliant upon electric-ity; it’s gone from a luxury commodity to a necessity and an expectation.

It is nearly impossible for us to think about what our lives would be like if we did not have electricity. If at times it doesn’t seem that electricity is afford-able, remember - even as the demand for electricity

grows - the annual cost increases still remain low when compared to other consumer goods such as medical care, education, and yes, even Big Macs®.

Electricity is still a great bargain. And also remember this: CVEA is committed to making sure that you and your family always have safe, reliable, and affordable electric service in your home.

So, the next time you crave your morning cof-fee or a tasty Big Mac®, think of your electric bill, and remember the tremendous benefit you’re get-ting for less than what you’ll pay for those luxuries, and what a great deal you’re actually getting for your dollar. nThe average daily cost of electricity is based on 2016 aver-age annual costs for both Valdez and Glennallen. Other costs are based on current prices averaged between the Valdez and Glennallen districts. The cost of a Big Mac is based on Anchorage MacDonald’s prices. Big Mac ® is a registered trade-mark of McDonald’s Corporation. McDonald’s Corporation does not endorse or sponsor this material.

$5.10average cost of a Big Mac®

$4.50average cost of a specialty coffee

$3.46average cost of a gallon ofunleaded gasoline

$4.04average cost of an 18 pack of eggs

august 2017 5www.cvea.org

Mt. Wheeler Power

By Christina Sawyer

Keeping your account information up to date is the first line of defense as you strive to protect yourself against fraud. Mt. Wheeler Power sees fraudulent calls increasing in the area as scammers are now capable of cloning local phone numbers and are using our logo.

The co-op is diligently fighting against these deceitful criminals, and is determined to provide

you with tools to defend yourself. It is less likely that a fraudulent call will send

you into a panic if you regularly maintain a cur-rent account. By paying your account on time each month, you can confidently disregard the scammer’s threats that your account is past due.

Mt. Wheeler can help you stay current on your account by setting you up on auto draft. This is done by providing your banking information. On the due date, Mt. Wheeler Power drafts the account balance

Keep Scammers Out of Your PocketA few simple steps can arm you against thieves

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for you, ensuring your account is paid on time. Call the office and request your account be set up on auto pay.

Mt. Wheeler’s billing procedure is set up on a single billing cycle. Billing statements go out around the 15th of the month, with a due date that falls between the 4th and the 9th, depending on how many days are in the billing cycle. The exact date is noted on your billing statement.

The day after the due date, friendly reminders are mailed out. You have 10 additional days to get your payment to us without penalty. However, 11 days after the due date, if a payment has not yet been received, you will get a final notice in the mail. This is your last reminder. If the account is not paid in full by the date indicated on this statement—seven work days—the account is subject to collections and or disconnection.

Mt. Wheeler Power does not make individual phone calls to delinquent accounts demanding pay-ment. If your account is delinquent to the point of disconnect, one of our crew members is sent to the service address to collect payment or disconnect the service. A $50 collection fee is required. If service is disconnected, an additional $50 reconnect fee is required.

By paying close attention to your billing state-ments, you will know the status of your account, putting you in charge when a scammer tries to talk you out of your hard-earned money.

Another way to keep your account up to date is to register it online. You can do this by visiting www.mwpower.net. Choose Online Bill Pay, then Register Account. During this process, you will be prompted to create a user name and password. Then choose

the Account Maintenance tab and add your account and meter number(s). You have full access to your account billing information.

If you get a suspicious call, you can quickly look at your account and see what your balance is and the due date.

Pay careful attention when going to our website. It is best to type in the web address yourself rather than using a web search that can lead to fraudulent sites offering to pay your bills for you. While such services do exist, they are not directly affiliated with us and can take several weeks for your pay-ment to reach us, risking delinquency and service fees being applied to your account.

We understand that little can be done to stop these scammers, but you can protect yourself by being aware of your account status. If you find your-self on the other end of a suspicious call, ask the following questions: What is my account number, my meter number or service address? These are all questions a legitimate Mt. Wheeler Power employee will know. If the caller cannot answer all of these questions, ask for their number and offer to call them back. Chances are this will scare them off. We also recommend contacting local authorities if you receive a suspicious call.

We do our best to protect you, but ultimately, it is up to you. Being informed and aware of your account status is the best way to guard your finances. Remember, never provide payment over the phone to anyone threatening to disconnect your service. Hang up and call us directly at (775) 289-8981 and ask to speak to any of our member service representatives. We will gladly answer any of your billing questions. n

Visit www.mwpower.net and sign-up for an online account so you can always check your balance before paying your bill.

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Wells Rural Electric

Whether you're working with a ladder, moving irrigation lines or your kids are flying kites, always take a minute to survey the space above you and make sure there are no power lines. Be safe. Look up and live.

Wildland fires are a common, expensive and often dangerous threat each summer across much of the western United States, including Wells Rural Electric Co.’s service territory.

Along with burning rangeland and destroying wildlife habitat, wildfires pose a threat to the poles, power lines and other equip-ment that delivers electricity to WREC members.For that reason, WREC devotes considerable resources to

preventative maintenance and employee training to ensure your electric service remains as reliable as possible regardless of conditions.

WREC constantly is engaged in aggressive right-of-way clearance to minimize the chances of equipment damage dur-ing fires. In some instances, right-of-way clearing also provides firebreaks that help contain fires.

While WREC’s linemen don’t moonlight as wildland fire-fighters, they do undergo yearly training to safely and efficiently protect the cooperative’s equipment when it is threatened by fire. The company has invested in equipment, such as dozers and firetrucks, to coordinate with other agencies—including the Bureau of Land Management and Nevada Department of Forestry—to help fight fire when it threatens poles and lines. WREC also occasionally takes power outages when it helps protect the safety of rangeland firefighters.

With a hot, dry fire season in full swing following a histori-cally wet spring, wildfires have the potential to wreak havoc on WREC’s system. While WREC can’t guarantee all damage can be prevented, it has already invested hundreds of hours in pro-tecting our lines and poles. Our linemen are trained and pre-pared to handle a fire-related situation should it arise. n

Wells Rural Electric Co. line crews are trained and prepared to handle fire-related situations that endanger utility buildings, equipment and personnel.

WREC Crews Prepared for Wildfires

WREC staff receive training to help preserve the equipment members rely on to keep their power flowing.

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Whether you're working with a ladder, moving irrigation lines or your kids are flying kites, always take a minute to survey the space above you and make sure there are no power lines. Be safe. Look up and live.WREC Crews Prepared for Wildfires

Valley ElectricLooking Ahead - Leading by Example

The next time your power flickers or goes out, chances are the culprit will be a bird, likely a Raven. The black birds with their 4-foot wingspans cause dozens of power outages a year in Valley Electric Association, Inc. (VEA) territory when they con-tact distribution lines.

Efforts by engineers and linemen to reduce the power inter-ruptions through preventive measures have been confounded by the wily corvids’ ability to adapt to preventive measures.

Ravens or other birds have caused more than 100 outages this year alone in VEA territory. Ravens love to perch on a high point out in the open. Power poles and wires are perfect to spot prey, such as threatened desert tortoises and other small crea-tures. From up high, the birds can scan the landscape, swoop down with speed to attack unsuspecting targets – or just broad-cast their territories to competitors.

“In areas like ours with a shortage of tall trees, the poles are some of the highest spots in the valleys we serve,” says Angela Evans, Executive VP of Operations for VEA. “The problems are created when the birds take off and encounter energized devices.” Usually, the culprits are young birds leaning to fly. Few survive such encounters with lines, and nearby residents often experience an outage though most are isolated and brief.

Birds are safe if they touch one energized wire, but com-ing in contact with two separate electrical points can cause electrocution.

Often, the electrical fault happens on takeoff. When a raven takes off, it excretes. The waste is an excellent conductor. When the bird expands its wings, it can make contact with two dif-ferent electrical points. Ravens are a particular problem in the northern reaches of VEA territory near Fish Lake Valley.

Pigeons create issues as well, says Tim Dunlap, VEA Line Superintendent. Pigeons like to gather on lines in flocks and tend to take off all at once. When they do, the bottom line springs up while the upper line goes down. If the lines touch, it creates a fault – and a power outage. “People who like to feed the pigeons don’t help matters,” says Tim, “because it only encourages more birds to gather.”

The inconvenience to members and the high costs created by the outages have spurred a sense of urgency to reduce the number of power interruptions, not to mention the loss of life to the birds.

A task force was created in 2015 when CEO Thomas H. Husted challenged engineers, mapping experts and line crews to reduce the outages. A team meets frequently to identify the locations most prone to bird faults and adjust tactics and strate-gies for reducing them.

Crews have since installed hundreds of bird protectors on equipment in areas where birds are known to perch. Plastic

caps have been placed on energized parts of a trans-former. The covers have high electrical resistance, which provides protection. Protection also comes in the form of bushing covers, heat-shrink insulation, insu-lated wire, insulating paint, pole caps and fusing tape on bare conductors.

Ravens are smart animals and have been known to be quite creative in finding

workarounds to efforts by crews.A recent study in the Journal of Science suggests that ravens

have a higher capacity for reasoning than once thought. A July 2017 issue of the Washington Post quotes scientists as believing “some winged creatures could match the intellect of apes, par-ticularly the wickedly smart ravens, crows and jays – members of the corvid family.”

VEA efforts have helped reduce bird-caused outages, but the resourceful ravens keep finding new ways to cause problems as they create nests and search for prey.

VEA has spent thousands of dollars on equipment and labor to reduce the problems created by Ravens, which are protected by the Migratory Bird Act. “We keep trying,” says Angela. “We cannot accept dozens of outages as ‘business as usual.’ We are committed to providing reliable power.” n

Crafty Ravens Create Havoc on Power Lines

Ravens love the vantage point that transmission lines provide. Insulators, like the ones below, help protect the birds from shock.

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Escambia River

Where Does Electricity Come From?I give a number of civic club presentations. I call them my “Rotary Club talks.”

I start each presentation by picking an unsuspecting vic-tim and asking, “Where does electricity come from?” The answers vary, but the most common answer I get—about 30 percent of the time—is, “out of the wall” or “the switch.”

I always follow up those responses with, “So how did it get into the wall?”

The answers become more logical as the victims think more about power lines and where the lines come from. However, about three years ago, a Rotarian responded, “They put it in there when they built the house.”

In elementary and high school, we were taught that electricity came from hydro-electric dams. I grew up in north Mississippi about 15 miles from Pickwick Lake—one of the lakes and dams the Tennessee Valley Authority built to electrify the South.

Pickwick Dam, with its locks and gates, was huge. I assumed it produced enough electricity to supply all of Mississippi. I didn’t think any more about electricity than your average Rotarian.

I should not have been sur-prised a couple of years ago when Christi Scruggs from our communications depart-ment stopped me in the lobby to tell me her son was being taught that coal and natural gas had provided cheap elec-tricity for years, but they were

now ruining the environment. In the future, electricity would be provided by solar and wind generation.

If I grew up thinking all electricity came from Pickwick Dam and a Rotarian thinks it comes out of the wall, it is not a stretch for teachers to believe all electric-ity in the future will come from renewables.

For many decades, elec-tricity has been generated by coal and, for a number of years, natural gas. Electricity from fossil fuels has been cheap and the primary driver of our economy. Cheap fos-sil fuel-generated electricity has allowed all Americans to greatly improve their quality of life and enjoy the benefits

of a modern society. Abundant and afford-

able electricity has allowed America to separate itself from the rest of the world and become a global superpower.

Even the average Rotarian should know fossil fuel-gen-erated electricity has provided more benefit than harm.

The people who write text-books guided by the Common Core education curriculum are more political than the average Rotarian. Therefore, our young people are taught that all elec-tricity in the future will come from renewables.

They are not taught where energy really comes from today—not just electricity, but all energy in the electric sec-tor, the manufacturing sector, the transportation sector, the heating sector and all other energy uses.

The numbers will be sur-prising to our children, but more than 80 percent of the energy used in the world today comes from fossil fuels, about 9 percent comes from nuclear and the rest comes from different sources, includ-ing renewables.

My teachers would be pleased to know hydroelec-tric power makes up the largest portion of renewable production.

To help the public under-stand the huge gap between where we are in energy use and what our children are taught, a few of PowerSouth’s trustees encouraged us to start an energy education

program for teachers in our service area.

We engaged the National Energy Education Development Project, which was founded by scientists and educators who believe school-aged children should be better informed about the realities of energy sources and production.

NEED is founded upon real science, not just politi-cal motivations. The program is not anti-climate change or anti-renewables. It is not slanted toward fossil fuels. It is just the truth about energy and the cost of energy, today and into the future.

We just completed the first energy education session. We hosted 284 Alabama and Florida schoolteachers for two full days. The NEED staff did an outstanding job explaining the basics of energy use and production, covering the dif-ferent sources, uses and costs of energy in detail. Teachers were given materials to use in their classrooms to provide their students the real picture of energy today.

The intent is not to arbi-trarily promote the use of energy for political agendas. We merely want our chil-dren—who will be the leaders of tomorrow—to be knowl-edgeable about energy and its use, production and cost so they can make informed deci-sions in the future.

Also, we would like for them to be smarter than the average Rotarian. n

Commentary By Gary Smith President and CEO

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Nearly 300 teachers from across Alabama and northwest Florida became students at an energy education workshop co-hosted by Escambia River Electric Cooperative, PowerSouth and National Energy Education Development.

The first Empower Energy Education Workshop in June pro-vided fun, engaging, fast-paced activities about electric genera-tion and distribution, with a focus on energy education.

Attendees received tools and curriculum to integrate the activities into their K-12 classrooms. Materials include hands-on activities designed to teach tomorrow’s leaders about all energy sources, from fossil fuels to renewables.

“An amazing three days of jam-packed learning,” said Kathy Smith, a fifth-grade teacher at Bratt Elementary. “Thank you EREC and PowerSouth for this opportunity! It was awesome!”

The conference allowed attendees to network with other teachers, share ideas and build lifelong connections.

The Empower Energy Education Workshop is part of an ini-tiative to promote a balanced approach to energy education in the classroom. By equipping teachers to explore all forms of electricity generation, students are more likely to receive a reality-based education and become better decision-makers as adults.

“One of our founding principles as a cooperative is providing

education and learning to our members,” said EREC General Manager/CEO Clay Campbell. “This conference was an oppor-tunity for us to reach our youth in ways we never imagined before. By providing educators with the tools they need to present energy information to their students in a balanced and memorable way, we are investing in the future of our coopera-tive, our state and our nation.” n

Teachers Get an Energy Education

From left, Beth Ann Pope of Central Alabama, and Tammie Free and Angela Davis from Jay Elementary build an energy-efficient house to demonstrate to students the difference insulation makes in a home’s interior temperature.

Attendees at the first Empower Energy Education Workshop, from left, Sabrina Owens, EREC; Brittany Marshman, Byrneville Elementary; Tammie Free, Jay Elementary; Kathy Smith, Bratt Elementary; Angela Davis, Jay Elementary; Kimberly Hester, Chumuckla Elementary; Melissa Johnson, Chumuckla Elmentary; Sherri Carter, Bratt Elementary; Jacquelyn Johnston, Byrneville Elementary; Candice Thornton, Byrneville Elementary; Nick Jackson, EREC; and Laura Johnson, Northview High School.

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Saving Starts With Hot Water Use

A well-sealed home, coupled with the right amount of insulation, can make a differ-ence on your utility bills.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sealing air leaks and adding insula-tion can save up to 10 percent on your annual energy bill. 

Insulation helps keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Air that leaks through the attic, outer walls, windows, doors and

other openings wastes energy and increases utility costs.

Sealing leaks and adding insulation also helps reduce noise from outside; prevents pollen, dust and insects from entering your home; and pro-vides better humidity control.

The amount of insulation in your home will vary with age and type of construction. Older houses—especially those built before World War II—typically are not insu-lated to today’s standards, but almost all houses can benefit from some added insulation.

One of the most cost-effec-tive and easiest places to add insulation is your attic, includ-ing the trap or access door.

There are several common

types of insulation: fiberglass (both batt and blown forms), cellulose, rigid foam board and spray foam.

Insulation performance is measured by R-value—its abil-ity to resist heat flow. Higher R-values mean more insulat-ing power. For maximum effi-ciency, foam or cellulose insu-lation is recommended.

Insulation works best when air is not moving around or through it, making it impor-tant to seal air leaks before installing insulation.

Your home might be a good candidate for an attic insulation project if it has any of these problems:

• Drafty rooms.• Hot or cold ceilings, walls

Adding more insulation to the attic can improve the comfort of your home and save on your energy bill.

Hot water is a modern conve-nience most people could not live without. But did you know water heating is the second-largest energy expense in your home after heating and cool-ing? It typically accounts for 18 percent of your utility bill.

You can easily reduce the amount you spend on water heating by using less hot water and making simple adjustments to your unit.

• Reduce your water heat-er’s temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Each 10-degree reduction in water temperature saves 3 to 5 percent on your water heating costs. Lowering the thermostat not only saves energy, it increases the life of your water heater and reduces the risk of scalding. Before

adjusting your water heater’s thermostat, cut off its power at the breaker. Hire a profes-sional if you are unsure of how to safely change your water heater’s temperature.

• Wash clothes with cold water. Laundry detergent works just as well, and you save up to 40 cents per load.

• Shorten showers. A family of four showering five minutes a day uses 700 gallons of water each week—a three-year supply of drinking water for one person. By reducing shower time a few minutes, you can save hundreds of gal-lons of hot water a month.

• Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads. These are available at most home improvement stores and

help reduce your hot water use. If you have older shower-heads and faucets, consider replacing them.

• Insulate hot water pipes to reduce losses as hot water flows to your faucet. Water will arrive at the faucet 2 to 4 degrees warmer, which means you will not have to wait as long for it to heat up, sav-ing energy, water and money. This is not an expensive do-it-yourself project—6-foot, self-sealing sleeves ($2.50) easily slip over pipes—but it could take effort, depending on the location of your pipes. Exposed pipes in the base-ment are easy targets. Pipes in crawl spaces or walls might be more difficult to tackle.

• Check hot water pipes

for leaks that can drain your energy dollars. Leaky faucets not only increase water bills but electricity costs for heat-ing wasted water.

Escambia River

A Word About Water

Insulation Makes a Difference

Use Energy Wisely

28 AU G U S T 2017

Keep It Safe

Check Your Office for HazardsSafety is a priority at Escambia River Electric Cooperative. Because most people spend eight hours or more at work five days a week, it is important to keep safety in mind as we go about our daily business.

Follow these tips from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to stay safe on the job.

Preventing Trips and FallsXX Keep walkways and stairways free of cords, boxes and other materials.

XX Place mats inside entrances.XX Regularly inspect carpeting for tears that can cause trips and falls.

Fire SafetyXX Store paper records in fire-resistant files or vaults.

XX Be aware of fire extinguisher and fire-alarm placement, and know how to use both.

XX Properly identify and store flammable and combustible materials.

Electrical HazardsXX Do not overload outlets.XX Use only properly maintained and approved equipment.XX Do not drag cords over nails, hooks or other sharp objects.

Proper Use of Office FurnitureXX Never use your chair as a ladder.XX Avoid leaning back in your chair with your feet on your desk or pushing yourself across the floor while sitting in your chair.

XX Open only one file cabinet drawer at a time, and close it when done.

Ladder LogisticsXX Face the ladder when climbing up or down.XX Do not use the top of the ladder as a step.XX Use ladders only when in the fully open and locked position.

XX Inspect the ladder before you use it to make sure it is in good condition. n

To prevent falls, make sure rugs are secure.

or whole rooms, or uneven temperature between rooms.

• High heating or cooling bills.

A quick way to see if you need more insulation is to look across your uncovered attic floor. If your insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need to add more. The recommended level for most attics is R-38—about 12 to 15 inches, depend-ing on the insulation type.

If your attic has no insu-lation, you may decide to insulate the underside of the roof with spray foam instead of covering the attic floor. It is best to hire an experienced contractor for this task.

If your attic has enough

insulation, yet your home still feels drafty, too cold in winter or too warm in summer, you may need to add insulation to the exterior walls.

This is more expensive and usually requires a contractor, but it may be worth the cost in lower utility bills. If you replace the exterior siding on your home, consider adding insulation at the same time.

Don’t overlook another area in your home where energy can be saved: ductwork for the heating and cooling system.

If ducts run through unconditioned spaces in your home—such as the attic or crawlspace—they should be insulated and sealed with mastic tape. n

• If you plan to be away for an extended time, turn off your water heater. Even when

you are not at home, your water heater uses energy to keep stored water warm. n

Washing with cold water saves money without compromising cleanliness.

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FL-152

3 305.852.2431 • 800.858-8845 • www.FKEC.com

Why Your Contact Info is Important to FKECDoes FKEC have your Email address?By providing the Co-op with your email address, FKEC can communicatetimely information directly to you. Should an urgent issue arise FKEC willsend out notices via email. FKEC also sends out a quarterly e-newsletter tokeep members informed, however, FKEC emails are kept to a minimum andonly sent when pertinent.

Is your cell phone number registered forFKEC Outage Texting?When your cell phone (or any mobile device equipped to use text messaging)is registered with FKEC you can utilize Outage Texting. Outage Texting allowsyou to report a power outage by texting "OUTAGE" to 45183. It also enablesFKEC to automatically send you a text recognizing your outage andconfirming restoration before you even have to report the problem.

Before an outage occurs, confirm your mobile number is registered toparticipate in FKEC’s Outage Texting program. You can do so by texting"REGISTER" to 45183 -OR- by calling FKEC at 305-852-2431, Monday throughFriday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. It may take up to 24 hours for the phonenumber to be updated/recognized.

Is all your contact information up-to-date?Before an outage occurs, verify FKEC has all of your current phone numbers,including cell phone numbers. Doing so allows FKEC’s phone system toautomatically match your phone number to your electrical equipment anddetermine the cause of the outage faster and more accurately.

To see if your contact information is current, or to update it, visitwww.fkec.com/Forms/update-contact-info.cfm or call an FKEC representativeat 305-852-2431.

Aug-2017-final_Layout 1 7/13/17 12:43 PM Page 7

Presenting the Cooperative AgendaElectric cooperative leaders meet with legislators in the nation’s capital

In April, America’s electric cooperatives made their way to Washington, D.C., to be a part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s 2017 Legislative Conference. Ten Florida electric cooperatives attended the conference, including Glades Electric Cooperative executive staff members and trustees.

NRECA hosted discussions and panels to define what electric cooperatives face around the country and their plan of action. Following the conference, members of Florida’s electric cooperatives visited the Florida congressional delegation, which included meetings with Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson, and representatives and staff of 24 of Florida’s 27 districts in the House of Representatives.

Florida’s cooperatives—including GEC—worked with the Florida Electric Cooperative Association, NRECA and Seminole Electric Cooperative to determine which issues and messages to advance on Capitol Hill.

Issues discussed with congressmen included:XX Support the Rural Utilities Service

The Rural Utilities Service is a loan program from which electric cooperatives benefit when financing infrastructure projects. Florida’s electric cooperatives stressed the importance of supporting RUS at cur-rent funding levels and to extend those funding levels through 2018. We thanked members who signed a letter of support for RUS in the House, and explained

how the continued partnership between electric cooperatives and the RUS program is beneficial.XX Help Fight Electricity Theft

In Florida, criminals are stealing electricity from electric cooperatives to power illegal marijuana grow houses. By one estimate, there has been more than $11 million in theft. Cooperative members should not be forced to subsidize this criminal activity.XX Protect Tax Credits

Cooperatives across the country benefit from dif-ferent forms of tax credits. In Florida, cooperatives support the revival of tax credits for the use of geo-thermal heat pumps. We also support the extension and expansion of the nuclear production tax credit to make sure not-for-profit cooperatives are treated the same as for-profit stakeholders. In addition, we support the creation of tax credits to incentivize the

Please Stand With UsWe encourage and ask GEC members to visit www.vote.coop to receive information about, and take action on, issues that affect all electric cooperatives members. Contact Paul McGehee, director of business development, if you would like more information regarding these issues, where GEC stands amidst debates in Washington and how they affect all members. n

Glades ElectricNeighbors Working for Neighbors

Given the news out of Washington high-lighting partisan bickering and gridlock, it can be hard to tell if our elected leaders are listening and responding to the con-cerns of rural Americans.

That is why America’s electric cooper-atives urged members to get out and vote in the last election, and are now focused on advancing the interests of rural com-munities in our nation’s capital.

We have asked for a seat at the table—a request met with some success. Early this year, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association led a group of more than 40 organizations in asking President Donald Trump to make rural issues a priority of his administration.

“As you witnessed firsthand during the campaign, the issues facing rural America are no less significant than those facing urban parts of the coun-try, but can be more easily overlooked because America’s small towns and rural areas make up just 15 percent of the nation’s population,” the groups wrote.

To address this concern, the organiza-tions urged the president to designate a senior member of the White House staff to take point on rural issues or estab-lish an office of rural policy within the Executive Office of the President.

In response to this and other electric cooperative outreach efforts, the presi-dent in late April signed an executive

Rural Communities Have a Voice in Washington, D.C.

By Dan Riedinger

Riedinger writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

4 AU G U S T 2017

Sen. Marco Rubio, left, visits with representa-tives of Florida’s electric cooperatives, including Glades Electric Cooperative CEO Jeff Brewington, right.

development of capture carbon technologies.XX Support Safety and Reliability With Sensible

Vegetation Management PoliciesCooperatives asked the Florida delegation to sup-port H.R. 1873, which would help reform and streamline the way cooperatives maintain power line rights-of-way on federal land. Reforms such as this will help cooperatives provide safe and reliable electric service to members. XX Support Endangered Species Act Reforms

Cooperatives support protecting our environment

and Florida wildlife, and encourage efforts to review, update and modernize the Endangered Species Act. These reforms could include making the scientific information that justifies the listing and de-listing of species more transparent and standardized.XX Oppose Costly Carbon Regulations and Pricing

Cooperatives asked members of Congress to be mindful of how proposed carbon regulations, and possible carbon pricing or tax proposals, could affect the cost of electricity for cooperative mem-bers in Florida. n

order establishing an interagency Rural America Task Force to examine the issues facing rural America and identify actions needed to address them.

NRECA CEO Jim Matheson called creation of the task force “a key step as we seek to develop rural communities eco-nomically. That includes implementing new energy technologies to meet tomor-row’s energy needs, while also deploying broadband and other services to enhance daily lives throughout rural America.”

Electric cooperatives also have been weighing in on another big topic in Washington: the need to improve the nation’s aging infrastructure.

Cooperatives have told policymakers

they must look beyond merely repairing roads and bridges if a federal infrastruc-ture initiative is going to meet the needs of rural communities. High on the list of priorities for cooperatives is closing the rural-urban digital divide by expanding rural access to high-speed internet ser-vice, which Matheson calls “a key ingre-dient for a healthy 21st century economy, particularly in rural areas.”

Cooperatives were pleased when the Federal Communications Commission appointed Matheson to serve on a newly created Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee. The mission of the panel—which first met in April—is to advise and make recommendations to the FCC on

how to accelerate deployment of broad-band by reducing and removing regula-tory barriers to infrastructure investment.

Matheson will work to ensure rural needs are addressed.

This is not to say everything in Washington will go the way cooperatives want them to. The federal government is a massive bureaucracy with many inter-ests vying for attention.

But there is one thing you can count on: Electric cooperatives will fight to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and within the many federal agencies that impact the quality of life in rural communities. They will always strive to get a seat at the table. n

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