908 4th Ave. NE - Watford City, ND; Outpost - Killdeer, ND; 701-444-9288 - 800-584-9239 - www.mckenzieelectric.com

No matter what the weather, we will keep your lights on in 2014

No matter what the weather, we will keep your lights on in 2014

www.mckenzieelectric.com McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , JANUARY 2014 C1

NEW EMPLOYEES

No matter how busy or big McKenzie Electric Cooperative (MEC) becomes,

we still place our service to our members as our top priority. The faces of that service are the men and women who work at MEC. We want you, the members, to know those people. Here are some of the great lineworkers who work for you.

Brandon Wollan Brandon Wollan is glad to be home,

even though the town has changed. Brandon was raised in Watford City and graduated from high school there in 1994. After high school, Brandon went to work for Hutton Contracting, where his brother was working. He became a journeyman with Irby Contracting. Later, he began his career with PAR Electric and his job took him all over the country and the world.

Brandon came back to work at McKenzie Electric in 2013 as a journeyman lineworker. His main reason was his beautiful 8-year-old daughter, Aubrey.

“I wanted Aubrey to grow up with family around her,” he said. He also loves to be back where the hunting is great. “I grew up hunting with my grandfather. He doesn’t hunt anymore, but he loves to hear my hunting stories,” Brandon said. Brandon also loves riding and working on motorcycles.

Brandon’s career has taken him from California to the East Coast and to Africa. During the last seven years, he was involved in energized

transmission work, using helicopters at times to fix trouble in transmission lines and inside nuclear power plants.

Tanner TawaterTanner Tawater has electricity

running through his veins; not literally, but both his dad and uncle work for Northwestern Energy in Montana. Tanner went to line school at Montana Tech in Butte, Mont., right after he graduated from Corvallis High School, the town where he grew up in Montana.

After line school, he went to work for a fiber optics contractor, but it didn’t take him long to realize that he wanted an electrical cooperative setting for his career. Tanner found out that McKenzie Electric Cooperative was hiring through friends and family in the industry. He came to work as an apprentice lineworker in September 2013.

Tanner likes the guys he works with and he has enjoyed meeting some of the members the co-op serves. “I like being outside and working outside and I like helping people, so this job is great for me,” he said. Tanner also loves to be outside for his recreation. He loves dirt biking and four-wheeling as well as hunting and fishing

Tanner still loves the mountains where he was raised and heads back there whenever he gets a chance.

Matt PreszlerMatt Preszler came to work at

McKenzie Electric Cooperative in August 2012. He likes the people he works with and for and loves the rural setting. This is what he was looking for when he went to line school in 2004.

Matt was born and raised in Bismarck and graduated from Century High School in 2003. He went to Bismarck State College for line school and went to work for Xcel Energy, building transmission lines in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota,

Iowa and Wisconsin. After a few years, he was ready to

find work closer to home. He started working for 3C Construction, which was partially owned by MEC.

“Most of our work was in the Watford City area and I really liked it here,” he said. And that’s how Matt came to MEC, but before he could begin his employment he was deployed to Kuwait from November 2011 to June 2012 with the U.S. Air Guard. When he returned home from his service, he was able to begin his career with McKenzie Electric.

He still enjoys the area and loves the opportunities for hunting. He enjoys both bow and gun hunting.

Justin Bentz

Justin Bentz didn’t take much time off between graduating from line school and beginning work for McKenzie Electric Cooperative. He finished line

school May 3, 2013, and began his job as an apprentice lineworker May 6, 2013.

Justin grew up in Flasher and graduated from high school there in 2012. After line school, he knew he wanted to stay in North Dakota, and MEC was one of the few co-ops hiring full time. Justin says he’s happy with his decision. He works out of the Killdeer station and thinks the guys are great to work with. He also likes the pace of the job, “There’s never a boring day; there’s always something to do,” he said.

While he’s working, Justin is also working toward his journeyman status. That includes his on-the-job work as well as class work done independently. In his free time, Justin likes hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and almost anything that keeps him in the great outdoors.

Working hard to keep your lights on

Meet Brandon Wollan, Tanner Tawater and Matt Preszler – part of MEC’s co-op family.

Justin Bentz works out of McKenzie Electric Cooperative’s Killdeer outpost.

C2 JANUARY 2014 , McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS www.mckenzieelectric.com

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SCHOLARSHIP

McKenzie offers student scholarships

McKenzie Electric Cooperative is offering three college scholarships totaling $2,000

for the 2014-2015 school years, including one $1,000 scholarship to an

overall winner, one $500 scholarship to a student for academics and one $500 scholarship to a student attending a vocational or technical school. The deadline for these $500 scholarships is March 14, 2014.

The $1,000 scholarship will be given by one of McKenzie’s power suppliers, Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Basin will award more than 180 scholarships this year. The deadline is Feb. 21, 2014.

McKenzie’s scholarship program is designed to recognize and support children of cooperative members and develop future leaders. Scholarships will be awarded based on the following criteria: SAT/ACT scores, grade point average, work experience, participation in school and community activities, and a statement by the student explaining educational and career goals along with a written recommendation by a third party.

These scholarships will be awarded without regard to other awards, loans

or financial needs of the student. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and dependents of McKenzie Electric Cooperative members.

The application forms can be downloaded at www.mckenzieelectric.com. Students must complete and return the application and required information to McKenzie Electric. For more information, contact McKenzie Electric at 701-444-9288.

Mikayla Minow is one example of the high quality of students in MEC’s service area. Mikayla was awarded a $500 MEC scholarship in 2013. Mikayla attended the one-room school at Squaw Gap through the sixth grade and then transferred to Sidney High School in Sidney, Mont., where she graduated. She is the daughter of Darrell and Julie Minow who ranch in the Squaw Gap area. It is an honor for McKenzie Electric to participate in the future and education of the children in our service area through these scholarships.

Developing future leaders

Make sure your voice is heard.

Stand with us as we fight tokeep electric bills affordable.

www.TellEPA.com

Stop Excessive EPA Regulations

Protect American Jobs

Keep Electricity Bills Affordable

Mikayla Minow

www.mckenzieelectric.com McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , JANUARY 2014 C3

YOUTH TOUR

Check it out atwww.ndyouthtour.com and www.youthtour.coop

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS

• To enter the essay-writing contest, you must be a junior or senior in high school in the fall of 2014.

• You and your parents or guardian must be served by McKenzie Electric Cooperative.

• Essay is not to exceed two standard 8½- by 11-inch typewritten, double-spaced pages on this topic:

Many North Dakota electric cooperatives are or will soon be celebrating their 75th anniversaries. Describe how rural electrifi cation and rural electric cooperatives have contributed to the quality of life in North Dakota and your local community.

• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format to McKenzie Electric. Electronic submissions should conform to the two-page, double-spaced guideline described above. Include a cover page with your name, date of birth, school and grade in 2014, parent or guardian’s name, address and telephone number.

• The deadline is Jan. 31, 2014. Emailed entries should be directed to brendab@mckenzieelectric.com, and hard-copy entries mailed to: Youth Tour Essay Contest, McKenzie Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 649, Watford City, ND 58854-0649.

• If you have a question, contact Brenda Berquist, McKenzie Electric, at the address listed above, or call 701-444-9288, ext. 150 during regular business hours.

• To enter the essay-writing contest, you must be a

TOP 3 REASONS TO ENTER THE ESSAY-WRITING CONTEST 1. All-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., compliments of

McKenzie Electric Cooperative.2. A whole week to visit unforgettable historic monuments, museums

and the U.S. Capitol.3. A learning experience you’ll never forget.

WRITE A WINNING ESSAY

AND WIN A TRIP OF A LIFETIME!

An all-expense-paid trip to

WASHINGTON, D.C.

ENTER THE ESSAY-WRITING

C4 JANUARY 2014 , McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS www.mckenzieelectric.com

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I’m sure it’s on the calendar!

McKENZIE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVEmind’s meanderings by Myra Anderson

After the excitement of the holiday season, there is a tendency to think that after New Year’s Day and the whole slate of college bowl games, there’s not much to look forward to in January except finally getting to February.

I actually like January. I think the main reason is that I get to start using all my new calendars. I love to be surrounded by all types of calendars. There’s the big wall calendar hanging next to the bulletin board right by the phone, so all meetings and appointments can be written on it immediately. About 25 years ago, I found the perfect calendar. It had folk art paintings for each month, and the daily squares were big enough to write down at least four events. Each year, I would pick up my new calendar around the end of October. Then the store that always carried them quit carrying calendars.

Many people would have simply gotten a new calendar, but I have been married to Ron way too long to take the easy way out. This is the man who wrote to the company when they quit making the kind of socks that he had worn for years. He got a nice reply, but had to find a new brand of socks. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Luckily, although one store had quit handling the calendar, there were lots of other places to find it. And when those stores abandoned my favorite calendar, I found another use for Google and the computer. I still have my calendar!

Next to that calendar hangs the calendar that Carrie makes each year with pictures of the kids. I don’t write on that calendar; it’s there to remind me of the fun times from the previous year. And then there’s the year-less calendar that hangs in my office. That has the days and months, but not for a specific year. I keep all the birthdays and anniversaries on that one. It’s a beautiful calendar that a cousin gave me with inspirational sayings and pictures of quilt blocks. I love turning the pages to see each new design and saying. Now if I would take it one

step further, I would actually write out cards and send them to friends and family that are noted on that calendar. But remember, I do think of you on your special day.

Along with the birthday calendar, I have a calendar that Megan Pennington makes with local pictures. Again, I don’t actually write on it, but I love the pictures. And it helps because I was constantly guessing at what day a date would fall on or had fallen on. I know that the computer has a calendar in there somewhere, but it is easier to see one hanging up. And it is so much prettier!

And that brings me to the last and most vital of all my calendars. I carry a pocket monthly planner in my purse at all times. This, along with my little blue notebook, keeps track of my life. I put down meetings that are coming up, my appointments with the beauty shop and when we are leaving or coming back from trips. It is that small calendar that tells me what time I have to get up each day and where I have to be. I’ve given up counting on myself to remember.

Anyone who is with it at all these days, has an iPhone, smartphone or something handheld that flashes up calendars and schedules. But I have found that many times, if we are planning something in the distant future, my old paper calendar can come in very handy. And it has the added benefit that it is perfect for carrying a few pictures of my beautiful grandchildren.

I have a couple of other weekly calendars – one from the Smithsonian that features exhibits from the various parts of the institution. It is fun to look at, but since I quit teaching, I haven’t really found a use for it. But it is too nice to throw away. And almost every year, I get a weekly calendar featuring one of my favorite Food Network stars. There are great recipes on each page, but I never do more than read those either; again they are way too pretty and good not to keep out.

I should never have any trouble

remembering what day it is. And you wouldn’t think we would ever miss an appointment or meeting, but that would mean actually paying attention to what is written. Like so many other people I visit with, I am sure that I looked at the calendar to check what was happening, and then my mind makes up its own information. I think that is called the aging process.

The other part of January that I love is that, for the most part, the calendars are all blank. It is a month when people tend to hole up in snug and warm houses. Oh, there’s the church’s annual meeting, a couple of monthly meetings, and of course – my appointments to keep my hair its natural color. But there are lots of lovely days where there’s nothing on the calendar at all.

After a November and December where you had to use the extra fine pen and your smallest lettering to get everything in the little squares for each day, it is restful to face a sea of open white spaces. It would be even more restful if it weren’t for the nagging feeling that I’ve forgotten to write down a couple of things that were moved from December. At the time, I was sure that I would remember that. I guess I’ll just wait and see who calls to tell me I’m late for something.

The blank squares of January seem to reflect the new and blank slate for the whole new year. It won’t take long for those squares to fill up with the daily business of life. And soon, we’ll be moaning about all there is to do and the little time in which to do it. So for now, enjoy the blank days – fill them up doing whatever you have been wanting to do. Take a day to just read that new novel, sit around and watch old movies, or actually get started on the project for 2014.

And when the days become crowded with meetings and obligations, remember those are blessings, too – they mean we are still a part of this world. Enjoy all of 2014 and may God be with you each and every day of the year.

www.mckenzieelectric.com McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , JANUARY 2014 C5

Our local electric cooperative delivers safe, reliable electricity to our homes to keep us warm, cook our food or recharge our cell phones. We also rely on our home’s electrical system to bring us power when and where we need it.

Understanding the basics of your home’s electrical system will help you maintain it and stay safe, too.

Electricity enters your home from a series of outdoor power lines or an underground connection. A typical service consists of two, 120-volt wires and one neutral wire that deliver power to lights and appliances around the home.

The 120-volt circuits use one phase of the electrical service to power standard home appliances. However, certain larger appliances such as water heaters, stoves or clothes dryers require a 240-volt circuit, which is created using both 120-volt wires and the neutral wire.

The electric meter is typically mounted where electricity enters your home. This device is used to measure the amount of electricity consumed in your home. The meter is monitored by your electric cooperative and is protected by law – tampering with it is both extremely dangerous and illegal.

The electrical service panel is the central distribution point for delivering electricity to switches, outlets and appliances throughout the house. Located near the electric meter, the service panel is equipped with breakers or fuses that shut off power to the circuits if an electrical system failure occurs.

Grounding is the method used to connect an electrical system to the earth with a wire.

Grounding adds critical protection against electric shock and electrocution by using a grounding rod to provide

a third path for conducting electricity in the event of a short circuit or an overload. Grounding will help protect the person working on the system, the system itself, and any appliances and equipment that are connected to the system.

Grounded outlets have a round hole for the grounding conductor in addition to the two vertical slots. The circle slot is connected to a ground wire. Grounded outlets are required to be installed in all modern homes today. If your home does not have grounded

outlets, then your electrical system is likely missing critical safety features. Consult an electrician about updating your home.

Electrical service panelEvery home has a service panel

that distributes electricity to switches, outlets and appliances. The service panel is usually found in the basement, garage or utility area.

When a short or overload shuts down power to a circuit, this is where you can restore the fl ow. It is also where you

Understanding your home’s electrical system

C6 JANUARY 2014 , McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS www.mckenzieelectric.com

will shut down power to a circuit before starting a project or repair.

Mark each fuse or breaker with a label specifically indicating which location it serves.

Fuses and circuit breakersAll service panels are equipped with

fuses or circuit breakers that protect the wires in each circuit from overheating and causing a fire. In general, older service panels use fuses, while more modern systems rely on circuit breakers.

Fuses and circuit breakers are safety devices that help prevent overloading of your home electrical system and prevent fires. They stop the electrical current if it exceeds the safe level for some portion of your home electrical system.

FusesService panels installed before 1965

use fuses to protect each individual circuit. Early fuses were commonly used in 30- and 60-amp service panels. Today, new homes require 100- to 200-amp service panels in order to provide proper protection.

There are several different types of fuses, and picking the right one may seem confusing at first. Each fuse is marked with a code, which provides information about the type of base and the degree of time delay, if any.

If your home still uses fuses, it may be time for a system upgrade.

Instructions for replacing fuses:Once a fuse is blown, it must be

unscrewed and thrown away. When replacing fuses in your service panel:

• Always make sure that the replacement fuse matches the amperage rating of the circuit.

• Never replace a fuse with one that has a larger amperage rating. This is a dangerous practice and a serious fire hazard.

• Before changing a fuse, unplug anything on that circuit.

Circuit breakersAll newer homes are protected by

circuit breakers. Unlike a fuse that must be replaced when it blows, a

circuit breaker that has “tripped” can be mechanically reset to resume operations once the problem has been resolved. A tripped breaker is likely the result of too many appliances overloading the circuit and should be fixed immediately.

Sometimes a breaker may appear normal, but if you believe a circuit breaker has tripped, reset it.

Instructions for resetting a tripped breaker:

• Unplug or turn off appliances in the room.

• Find your main breaker panel and open the cover.

• Locate the tripped breaker or blown fuse. A tripped circuit breaker will be in the off position or in a middle position between on and off.

• To reset the breaker, switch it to off position and then back to on. This may restore power to the room. If the problem continues, there may be more serious issues. Contact an electrician to diagnose the problem.

Our dependence on electricity is increasing every day, and we are expecting more out of our home electrical systems.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average home in the United States is more than 37 years old. Many older homes were built with electrical systems and components which are no longer safe and may be considered as fire hazards. Fire and other electrical safety concerns may also arise due to aging, improper installation and alteration, or misuse. It is important to identify what type of wiring system is present in your home in order to properly identify and address potentially hazardous situations before they become critical.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends that you have an electrical system inspection conducted if:

• Your home is 40 years old or older• You purchase a previously

owned home

• Your home has undergone a major renovation

• You have added major new appliances in the last 10 years

If you have questions about your electrical system, ask a licensed electrician to check the system.

Is it time for an upgrade?

www.mckenzieelectric.com McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , JANUARY 2014 C7

November 26, 2013The regular meeting of the McKenzie Electric Board of Directors was held at the Headquarters Building in Watford City, North Dakota. Directors present were: Ray Tescher, Dennis Johnson, Donald Link, Rondee Hanna, Glen Houghton, Travis Thompson, Clayton Monsen, Tim Wasem and Cameron Wahlstrom. Cooperative Manager/CEO John Skurupey, Cooperative Attorney Dennis Johnson and staff personnel of McKenzie Electric were also present.

PRELIMINARIES: The agenda for the meeting was approved by the Board of Directors. Minutes of the previous Board meeting were approved. Director expenses were also approved. The Board discussed a landowner issue concerning the transmission line that is planned for the southern part of MEC’s service area as well as easements and other landowner issues. Director Doug Lund, Nodak Electric Cooperative, visited with the Board regarding the NRECA director position.

ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS: Donald Link reported on the Statewide board meeting. The proposed 2014 Statewide budget was approved at their board meeting; Link also reported that Statewide has committed funds toward a new rural electric display for the North Dakota Heritage Center. McKenzie Electric is one of three cooperatives slated to send a designee to the NRECA Legislative Rally at Statewide’s expense. Dennis Johnson was selected as the voting delegate and Tim Wasem as the alternate delegate to the special meeting convened for the purpose of electing the NRECA Director.

POWER SUPPLY: Travis Thompson reported on several items from the Upper Missouri board meeting. Discussion was held concerning Basin Electric and WAPA’s upcoming decision to join a regional transmission organization. NERC compliance and load monitoring were also discussed.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT: Attorney Dennis Johnson reported on several issues including a review of draft documents for the bidding of and purchase agreement for when the Board decides to proceed with selling the headquarters building and associated property.

2014 BUDGET: The proposed 2014 Budget was reviewed in detail with the Board and then approved by the Board of Directors.

OFFICE REPORT: Financial and statistical reports for October were reviewed with the Board along with the comparison of actual-to-budget expenses. The Board and staff reviewed the current cash flow analysis and discussed the contribution in aid of construction anticipated for future project areas. The Board approved the special capital credit retirement requests as presented. The Board also approved writing off uncollectable accounts.

ENGINEERING REPORT: An update was given on the staking/mapping software conversion and the workflow process software. An update was given on major distribution projects, substation projects, materials and equipment, and ongoing issues with reclosures.

OPERATIONS REPORT. An update on projects currently being built by contractors was given. MEC crews continue with smaller construction projects, conversion work, outages, emergency locates, distribution switching and other miscellaneous work.

MEMBER SERVICE REPORT: The Member Service report was reviewed. The Board approved the purchase of an additional mobile home to provide rental housing to the new apprentice lineman who will begin working at MEC.

GENERAL MANAGER/CEO REPORT: General Manager/CEO John Skurupey reported on substation and transmission line projects, WAPA issues and other miscellaneous items. Skurupey reported that Project Areas 1-6 and the Southeast Project Area are proceeding as the oil companies have committed resources to build infrastructure. Load monitoring was again discussed as it relates to providing real time load data to Upper Missouri and Basin Electric. Skurupey reviewed the wholesale power rate indicating the increases in the transmission rate. The Board approved using HDR for design and construction of a new headquarters and warehouse buildings.

NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting date was set for December 19, 2013, at the Watford City Headquarters building.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Board report

908 4th Ave. NEWatford City, N.D. 58854

Phone: 701-444-9288Toll-free: 800-584-9239

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS:

Ray Tescher, Chairperson Director, District 3A, Beach .................. 565-2342Donald Link, Vice Chairperson NRECA Director, Statewide Director Director, District 2A, Alexander ........... 828-3427Rondee Hanna, Sec.-Treas. Director, District 2C, Watford City ...... 675-2516Travis Thompson, Director-At-Large Director, District 1C, Charlson ............. 675-2373 Upper Missouri G&T DirectorCameron Wahlstrom Director, District 1A, Alexander............ 770-6631Dennis Johnson, Alternate Statewide Director Director, District 1B, Watford City ....... 842-2055Clayton Monsen Director, District 2B Arnegard ............... 586-3336Glen Houghton Director, District 3B, Grassy Butte ....... 863-6606Tim Wasem, Director, District 3C, Halliday ............... 938-4376

GENERAL MANAGER/CEO:John Skurupey

701-570-3542

MEMBER SERVICES DEPARTMENT:Brenda Berquist, Member ServicesCoordinator ............................................... 444-4033Myra Anderson, Contributing Editor ...... 675-2267

Web page: http://www.mckenzieelectric.com

Email: mec@mckenzieelectric.com

Tescher

Link

Hanna

Thompson

Wahlstrom

Johnson

Monsen

Houghton

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

Wasem

C8 JANUARY 2014 , McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS www.mckenzieelectric.com