Transcript
Wild Rice Electric’s
RURAL DELIGHT
November 2016 l Volume 76 l Issue 11 News from Wild Rice Electric Co-op, Inc. PO Box 438, Mahnomen, MN 56557 www.wildriceelectric.com
© NRECA
HUNTING
electrical equipment equipment electrical is never in season With the fall season
upon us, also comes various hunting seasons around Minnesota. Wild Rice Electric Cooperative encourages hunters to be aware of electrical equipment while enjoying the great outdoors this season. Please remember that electrical insulators, conductors and electrical equipment are NOT on the hunting season list. Be aware of what’s behind that big buck when you take aim, or it may cost
you BIG bucks. Repairs can be costly in both equipment and outages to our members. As a non-profit cooperative, owned by the members, we all share in this expense. This doesn’t include the inconvenience, damages and hazards to members down the line that require power for medical equipment or other needs while a lineworker does some hunting of his own looking at spans of line trying to locate the problem.u
Continued on Page 4
Some Tips
• Do not shoot at or near
power lines or insulators. • Familiarize yourself with the location of power lines and equipment on land where you shoot. • Damage to the conductor can happen, possibly dropping a phase on the ground. If it’s dry and the electricity goes to ground, there is a possibility of electrocution or fire. • Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as visible. • Do not use power line wood poles or towers to support equipment used in your shooting activity. • Take notice of warning signs and keep clear of electrical equipment. • Do not place deer stands on utility poles or climb poles. Energized lines and equipment on the poles can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution. • Do not shoot at, or near, birds perching on utility lines. That goes for any type of firearm, including pistols, rifles or shotguns. • Do not place decoys on powerlines or other utility equipment. Anything attached to a pole besides utility equipment can pose an obstruction – and a serious hazard – to electrical cooperative employees as they perform utility operations.
OVER THE
MANAGER’S DESK STEVE HAAVEN, CEO
AROUND THE CO-OP
Wild Rice Anniversary October was designated as National Cooperative Month. This year’s theme “Cooperatives Build” emphasized that cooperatives have been instrumental in building and bettering rural America. Rural electric cooperatives were established to deliver electricity to retail members who share in ownership of their cooperatives. Wild Rice Electric was formed seventy-seven years ago, in October 1939, to power our part of northwestern Minnesota. Those pioneers joining together to electrify their homes and farms would be astounded at the success story that resulted. Wild Rice delivers essential service to empower the daily lives of its 14,000 accounts. The recognition of the co-op’s anniversary is an opportune time to reflect on the achievements of the past as well as build upon that success to meet future member Nov. needs. 8
Wild Rice Anniversary
If there are any electrical poles or equipment in the area clear vegetation at least six feet to keep the intense heat away from that equipment. Usually the end result of damaged poles or equipment is a power outage, or worse an injury. It is important to remind those working for you to be aware since they are not aware of those situations and what can happen. Preparation for the long, cold months ahead should include recommended steps to seal buildings, check heating systems and prepare for outages should they occur. Both comfort and economics can benefit from caulking windows, sealing doors and checking insulation levels in your attic. Furnace filters should be changed, heating systems cleaned and vents cleared for greater efficiency. A reminder for those with off peak heat is to check fuel and propane levels in tanks to assure you are prepared when load control turns off the electric heat. Should you be interested in staying informed about control times I encourage you to check our website at www. wildriceelectric.com and click on the load management icon. The website also offers information on heating options available should you be looking to change or upgrade systems. Please contact our Member Services Department with any questions you may have.
STAFF COMMENTS DUANE GUNDERSON
AROUND THE CO-OP
Cold Weather Ahead Wild Rice Anniversary
Wild Rice Anniversary
Become a Co-op Voter DAVE THRONSON
Cold Weather Ahead
ROUND THE CO-OP Cold WeatherAAhead Leaves turning color and fields becoming black remind us that cold weather is just around the corner. This is a busy time of the year with all of the last minute details to be addressed before winter arrives. Whether your projectsNov. include 8 taking crops off, cleaning lawns or doing those last minute construction projects watch out for overhead power lines. Every year it seems poles are damaged by field equipment or by fires started to burn off stubble and long grass. Plan your burn ahead of time.
Holiday Season
Become a Co-op Voter
Cold Weather Ahead
STAFF COMMENTS
AROUND THE CO-OP
Become a Co-op Voter
and the issues so important to us may not be front and center for them. The “Co-ops Vote” campaign was launched by America’s electric co-ops in response to continued voter apathy, particularly in rural areas. Just nine percent of America selected Donald Trump and Hillary Director Clinton asof theFinance presidential nominees. Most and Administration of the nation chose not to vote. “Co-ops Vote” is a non-partisan program developed by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumerowned electric cooperatives. The goal is to encourage people like you and I to get out and vote and to inform members and candidates about issues that matter to co-ops and rural communities from the continued need for affordable and reliable Nov. 8 electricity and other rural economic development issues. I encourage you to visit the Director of Operations “Co-ops Vote” web site, WWW.VOTE.COOP to become informed on supporting your community and electric cooperative when casting your vote in 2016. Remember to Vote on the 8th.
Nov. 8
STAFF COMMENTS
Director of Member Services Holiday Season and Communications
It’s hardH toOUDEK believe but the Thanksgiving TOMMY and Christmas Seasons are just around the
Become a Co-op Voter Elections are important, especially in rural areas. As Election Day on November 8th draws closer, I’m reminded of a troubling statistic. In the 2012 elections, voter turnout in rural communities dropped by 18%, twice the decline seen nationally. That means the voice of rural America isn’t resonating as strongly as it should with our elected leaders and political candidates,
Holiday Season
corner. In fact TV commercials have been focusing on those special days for some time. As you prepare to celebrate please keep safety in mind. Check strings of lights and drop cords for fraying and cracking, don’t overload circuits and consider use of LED lighting for cheaper operation and longer life. Fall is a good time to check fire alarm batteries and run standby generators to assure they are operational should an outage situation arise. Have a wonderful Holiday Season.
How to apply: Purchase LED Christmas plug-in (not battery operated) lights and decorations in 2016. Complete this rebate form and submit it to your utility by Dec. 31, 2016, with a copy of your sales receipt and the packaging showing the number of lights per string. ENERGY STAR® LEDs recommended. Select appropriate rebate in box to the right. Rebate cannot exceed 75 percent of cost. Maximum of 5 strings per customer.
Celebrate
with savings
Buy energy efficient Christmas lights and decorations Name Account # Address
City/Zip
Less than 99 lights
$3
100-199 lights
$6
200-299 lights
$9
Greater than 300 lights
$12
Becker or Mahnomen County Mahube Community Council PO Box 747 Detroit Lakes, MN 56502 218-847-1385 Mahube Community Council PO Box 76 Mahnomen, MN 56557 218-935-5022 Energy Assistance Program 3303 US Hwy 59 Waubun, MN 56589 218-473-2711 Becker County Social Services 712 MN Ave Detroit Lakes MN 56501 218-847-5628 Mahnomen County Social Services 311 North Main PO Box 460 Mahnomen, MN 56557 218-935-2568
East Polk County
Phone #
Number of Strings Rebate per String
Energy Assistance Providers
Total Rebate
Mail to: Wild Rice Electric Cooperative PO Box 438 Mahnomen, MN 56557
From all of us at Wild Rice Electric,
Happy Thanksgiving.
Inter County Community Council PO Box 189 Oklee, MN 56742 Phone: 218-796-5144 or 1-888-778-4008 Polk County Social Services 612 N Broadway, RM 302 Crookston, MN 56716 218-281-3127
Clearwater County
Clearwater Social Services PO Box X Bagley, MN 56621 218-694-6164
West Polk or Norman County Tri-Valley Opportunity Council 1407 Erskine St Crookston, MN 56716 Phone: 1-866-264-3729 or 218-281-9080 Norman County Social Services 15 2nd Ave E Ada, MN 56510 218-784-5400
If you are a White Earth Tribal Member
May your hearts and homes be lit with laughter and happiness this holiday season.
White Earth Nation Financial Services PO Box 100 Naytahwaush, MN 56566 844-282-6580 or 218-935-2359
PERIODICAL
Rural Delight (ISSN 0194 505X)
Published monthly by Wild Rice Electric Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 438, Mahnomen, MN 56557, in the interests of its members and others. Periodical postage paid at Mahnomen and additional mailing offices. USPS 468-810. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes, Form 3579 to: Wild Rice Electric Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 438, Mahnomen, MN 56557-0438. Subscription rates: Members, $1/year; Non-members, $2/year. Phone: 218-935-2517.
In this issue l Over the Manager’s Desk
with Steve Haaven
l Energy Assistance Providers l LED Christmas light rebates l Energy Efficiency Tips l Want ads
Wild Rice Electric Co-op, Inc. Phone Serving you 24 hours a day 218-935-2517 800-244-5709 Office Hours 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday Website www.wildriceelectric.com Pay bill 24 hours/ 7 days a week 877-885-7968 Also download the Wild Rice Coop app for free at your App Store of choice, to monitor usage, pay your bill and more.
Sue Kochmann from Mahnomen, Minn., was our lucky winner of the Electric Table Top Grill. Thanks to everyone who stopped to help us celebrate Coopertive Month.
Seal holes, cracks, and air leaks
Insulation
Keep your furnace clean
{
LED lights
HOME WEATHERIZATION
{
Add moisture to the air by using humidifier
Zone Heating
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIPS
Turn down your water heater
As Wild Rice Electric consumers prepare for the cold months ahead, it’s important for homeowners to consider the weatherization or weatherproofing of their home. Home weatherization tips will help you save money and energy on your home heating costs while still keeping your family comfortable throughout the season. Search around the home for holes, cracks, and air leaks. Carefully examine your windows and doors for cracks. These could be creating a draft, which means cold air is getting in and the warm air from your home heating system is going out. To fix these issues use caulking or weather-stripping to seal the surface and make it airtight. Fixing these minor problems can save you a lot of money on home heating. Insulate your home’s piping system. Pipes can quickly freeze over when temperatures drop, causing them to crack or rupture. Avoid this issue by wrapping pipes in a protective coating. This will help prevent freezing and ensure your pipes are working all winter long. Insulation. Your home’s insulation is one of the driving forces of retaining warmth during the winter. Heat rises right into your attic, and if your home isn’t properly insulated, all of that heat is escaping, leaving you cold and uncomfortable. Check your attic and make sure there is plenty of insulation. Look for any holes, and fill them in if necessary.
Seal your fireplace. If you have a fireplace and don’t use it, plug and seal the chimney. Not doing so allows the warm air from your heating system to escape. Reduce your water heater’s temperature. Water heating accounts for about 15% of your usage each month. Reducing the temperature of your hot water heater can help you save a small percentage on your total water heating costs. Plus, regulating the temperature will help ensure you don’t scald yourself. Zone Heating. Only heat the rooms you use. If you have rooms that you never use, like guest rooms or large storage areas, close and seal off the vents in those rooms to be more energy efficient. Keep your furnace clean and unblocked. Keeping your furnace and vents properly maintained will reduce energy consumption and help you save. Check your furnace filter monthly, and replace it when it gets dirty. Schedule a service appointment for your heating
system to ensure it’s in the best working shape. Get a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The air inside your home can become very dry. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable. Only use exhaust fans when necessary. Exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom pull the hot air that rises to the ceiling out of your home. Decorate with LED lights for the holidays. Buy new LED holiday lights, which use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than older, incandescent lighting. In addition to consuming less energy, LED lights don’t emit as much heat and are more resistant to breakage, making them a safer alternative. Bonus tip: Always unplug your holiday lights before going to bed or leaving the house. As with all appliances and electronics, your holiday lights will continue to draw power even when not in use, which adds unnecessary expense to utility bills.
Ads
For sale
Garden tractor/ tillers, lawn mower, & misc. equipment, 218-238-5035. 7 pass. Chevrolet Traverse, heated leather seats, 9,398 miles. Latourno 8 yd cable scraper. 218-935-5771 evenings, 218-766-1597 days. Wood burner for home/shop bi-fold doors, 8” flue some pipe & other parts. $190, 952-451-9104. Approx 2 cords ash-oak, $225. 3-4 cord box elder, $100 cord. 4-5 cord very dry poplar, $90 cord. 218-9355576, lv mess. 4 yr old Black Angus bull & 4 month old Black Angus half (both good despo). 218-584-4603. Yellow canaries, $50 ea. Black shouldered peacocks, $40 ea. Dark necked golden pheasants, $30. Swinhoe pheasants, $25 ea. Elliot pheasants, $50 ea. Hummus baa pheasants, $50 ea. 218-849-8059. Char-Lynn orbit motor, $100. Cub cadet leaf blower w/ shoulder harness, $100. Mustang radiator, $50. Lanair waste oil burner, $750. Light boat trailer, $165. 048 Stihl – chain saw, $110. 218-935-5110 days or 218-935-5985. New & used skid steer attachments, rock & snow buckets, rock & brush grapples, walk thru pallet forks, bale forks, tree pullers, brush mowers, wood splitters, tree shears also custom orders 701-261-3574 or
[email protected]. New never used Farm King box scraper 6’ w/ shanks & land scape rake. 410-259-9755.
Our Ad Policy Piano, treadmill & 62” rear projection TV (needs repairs), all free – you move, 701-282-6195.
Trane XE80 gas furnace used 12 years in home. Replaced as central air went out. $250 obo, 701-2324994 or 701-371-3257.
8’x6’ flatbed w/ diamond plate, 4” channel braces & has marker & tail lights, $500. 1984 Cadillac Sedan Deville, very nice, 94,000 mi., $3,000. 1984 Honda V45 Magna, 25,000 mi. $1,000. 701-429-8141.
180 amp Forney arc welder, $60, 218-431-0442.
Philips Sonicare (e-series) toothbrush heads. New, still in packaging. Pd $32will sell for $15. 218-238-5557 or 701-715-0827.
Honda generator 5500 watt ppg, low hrs, 218-234-5797.
Round or small square alfalfa, grass mixed hay bales, 218-584-5302 or 701-866-0093.
1965 Massey Ferguson 202 industrial tractor w/ bucket & 3pt blade, $3,500 obo. 218-766-3928.
1991 Pontiac Grand Prix, new battery, 197,500 miles, $900. Two 215-70-15 Firestone Winter Force studded tires, $150. 218-435-1255.
1987 F-150 Ford pick-up, 4 speed, $450, 218-784-4234.
5 1/2 foot International field cultivator. Steel wheels, mechanical lift, good shovels,$85, 218-563-2685.
John Deere 54” mower deck & 42” snow blower from a JD 345, model # M0325X141540, $1,000 for both, will also separate. 218-356-8626.
Wanted
New, never used, horse drawn bob sled. Built by the Perham Manufacturing Co., $400. 218-847-6993. Brother commercial sewing maching Model DB2-B791-400, 3 phase 220 V power, $600, 218-847-9615. Aluminum fish house 8x12 w/ runners, 6 holes, 2 windows, $1,500. 701-282-4884. Small square oak straw bales & small square alfalfa bales, 218-847-7017, lv mess. 32” door for inside, varnshed, 218596-8383. Tamarack logs from 28 ft to 8 ft, ideal for building log cabin. $1 per running foot. 218-435-6820.
Used shiplap/tongue & grooved siding. About 400 linear feet. 218-7932447, lv mess. 18 foot pontoon lift would prefer bunk type but will consider other, 218-791-5821. Pontoon trailer for 24 foot pontoon. Prefer the bunk style trailer, 701-6402275. A propeller for an old Minnkota Model 565C Tolling motor. 7” white plastic blade with a 3/8” shaft that uses a cotter pin to attach, 218-8472295 or 218-850-4027. 30ft coil packer in good cond., also M.F. combine w/ rear wheel assit w/ or w/out rice tires, 218-584-5302 or 701-866-0093.
l All ads must be 30
words or less.
l Ads will be
abbreivated at the coop’s discretion.
l No real estate or
commercial ads will be accepted.
l Ads are published
for members at no charge as space permits on a first-come, first served basis. Unpublished ads will not be carried over.
l Ads are due by the
10th of the month prior to publication.
l Members may submit
only one ad per issue.
l Ads must be
resubmitted to run an additional month.
l Ads must be typed or
in clear readable print. Editor reserves the right to edit or reject any ad.
l You can submit your
Hunting Electrical Equipment is Never in Season continued . . . Hunters and other gun owners should not shoot near or toward power lines, power poles or substations. A stray bullet can cause damage to equipment, could be deadly to the shooter, and potentially interrupt electric service to large areas. Sometimes the damage isn’t noticed for several weeks or months, and is only discovered when an unexplained outage occurs. Landowners are also encouraged to take note of
non-members who are hunting on their property, and remind them to be aware of power lines. We recognize the majority of hunters practice safe hunting and understand the potential risks when discharging a firearm. We encourage experienced hunters who are familiar with the area to identify the locations of utility properties and equipment to young or
ad by mail, email, fax or drop off in office. Phone ads will not be accepted.
l Fax ads to . . .
218-935-2519
l Email ads to . . .
info@wildriceelectric. com
new hunters in their group and remind them to avoid shooting toward these facilities. Enjoy the great outdoors! Just be sure to hunt only what’s in the season.
l Mail ads to . . .
Wild Rice Electric P.O. Box 438 Mahnomen, MN 56557
