High school students: win a free trip to Washington, D.C.

December 2012
Vol. 16, No. 12
High school students:
win a free trip to Washington, D.C.
Teens: if you ever wanted to see the Spirit of St. Louis, the changing of the guard at Arlington or even Mount Vernon, now
is your chance! The Youth Tour winner will see many historic sites in Washington, D.C. Apply today over the holiday break!
High school homework assignment over holiday break:
Write a 300-word essay to win
a free trip to Washington, D.C.
Trip highlights include visiting the D.C. memorials and
other famous monuments.
Tour the nation’s Capitol. Visit with Minnesota legislators
about the nation’s issues and make new friends from around
the country. You can do all of these things in the 2013 Youth
Tour! (Parents, encourage your teen to apply.)
Thanks to your electric cooperative, one local teenager
will win a free trip to Washington, D.C. June 14-20. Just enter our Youth Tour Contest. Fill out the short application too.
Electric cooperatives from each state send teens to Washington, D.C. for Youth Tour. The first year of the tour involved approximately 400 young people from 12 states.
Word-of-mouth spread and today more than 1,500 young
people and their chaperones participate in Youth Tour each
year. If you are a high school student, you may be eligible
for the Youth Tour tradition by winning the all-expense paid
trip to Washington, D.C.
Check out these two websites for photos and highlights
from last year’s trip for an idea on what to expect:
• http://www.photos.youthtour.org
• http://youthtour.coop
• On Facebook type in “Minnesota Rural Electric Association Washington, D.C. Youth Tour.”
“The 2012 Youth Tour was a real eye
opener. It made politics seem not so
distant, something that I could actually
become a part of and affect directly...
When you’re in D.C., you realize that
you are the next generation to step into
the government positions that run our
country.” — Carter Duncan, 2012 Youth
Tour & Minnesota’s national delegate
See inside for details on how to enter the co-op’s Youth
Tour Contest or visit the cooperative’s website for the application and details.
Inside this issue:
Heading south for the winter?...Page 4
Connecting our co-ops & members
to a progressive future
Featured co-op card deals...Page 8
Connect ons
Cooperative Alliance Partners
This publication focuses on CAP’s members, programs and
events. As this is the official member publication, member’s
story ideas, letters-to-the-editor and comments are welcomed.
Andrea Christoffer, CCC, Editor
“Owned by those it serves”
Connections (USPS 010-456) is published monthly by Federated Rural Electric, 77100 US Hwy
71, Jackson, MN 56143. Subscriptions: Members $5 a year. Nonmembers $10 a year. Periodicals
postage paid at Jackson, MN and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Connections, PO Box 69, Jackson MN
56143-0069.
Printed by Livewire Printing, Jackson, on recycled paper with soy ink
The 12 Days of Energy Savings...
Day 1
“Gift” wrap hot water
lines with pipe insulation...
Day 2
Even Rudolph has switched
to CFLs (but his are red)...
Day 3
Deck the hall’s water heater with an insulating jacket (unless you already have an
insulated water heater from your electric
co-op)...
Day 4
Sorry Santa, but we must
close that fireplace damper
when not in use...
Day 5
Day 8
Be a thermostat Grinch: 68° is ideal...
Day 9
Make an energy savings list...and
check it twice!
Day 10
Seriously, who wouldn’t want
a can of Great Stuff in their
stocking?
Day 11
Add cellulose insulation to your attic...
well, it sort of looks like snow...
Day 12
While visions of clean air filters danced
in their heads...
— Courtesy Heidi Smith
A wise man (or woman) will follow the
Energy Star when buying electronics...
Day 6
Halloween, get your energy
vampires out of our Christmas
theme! Unplug cell phone chargers and anything with a remote
control when not in use...
Day 7
O’ Christmas tree, O’ Christmas
tree, how lovely are thy LEDs...
2
Merry savings to all and to
all an energy-efficient light!
Connections — December 2012
It’s all gravy when it comes to keeping
gravy warm with the Deni Gravy Warmer
Does your gravy turn cold and lumpy before the big meal is over? Do you delay the
main course because you’re making gravy?
Now gravies or sauces can be created ahead
of time and kept warm until served. They can
even be kept warm on the table by the Deni Gravy Warmer.
The Deni Gravy Warmer consists of a white ceramic gravy
boat on top of a matching white warming base. Gravy can
be kept warm on the base until it’s time to eat. Then the
electric cord can be detached from the base and the entire
unit can be brought to the table.
• Use it to keep syrups and sauces warm too!
• White ceramic construction; oversized handle and
dripless pour spout.
• Dishwasher-safe boat; base wipes easily clean with
damp cloth.
• Measures approximately 4" x 10" x 6½".
The Deni Gravy Warmer costs approximately $26 on
Amazon.com.
Some like it hot! None like it cold! The Deni Gravy Warmer
can keep you from asking “one lump or two” when serving
gravy. The device keeps gravy warm until it is ready to serve.
The entire unit can then be brought to the table keeping the
gravy warm — even for second helpings!
Shine a light on safety this holiday season
Sparkling lights and dazzling decorations
are hallmarks of the season. Do your holiday
decorating with safety in mind.
• Use only holiday lights that have been
safety tested and have the UL label. Before
decorating, check each light strand for broken
sockets, frayed cords, or faulty plugs. Always unplug the lights when replacing a bulb. Don’t string
together more than three standard-size sets of
lights or you could risk overheating the circuit.
• Outdoors, use only lights, cords, animated
displays and decorations rated for outdoor
use. Cords should be plugged into outlets
equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Use a portable GFCI if your
outdoor outlets don’t have them.
• Take extra care not to throw strings of
lights over tree branches that are near power
lines and service connections.
• Place fresh-cut trees away from heat sources, such as
heat registers, fireplaces, radiators and televisions; water
the fresh tree frequently.
• Overloaded electrical systems are a major cause of
fire. Watch for flickering or dimming lights and monitors;
Connections — December 2012
sparks from appliances or outlets; and wall plates, plugs,
or cords that are warm to the touch. These warning signs
demand immediate attention.
• Match plugs with outlets. Don’t force a 3-pronged
plug into a 2-pronged outlet or extension cord; never
remove the third prong.
• Keep electric cords out of high-traffic areas.
Do not run them through doorways, staple, nail
or tack them to the wall; never hide them under
rugs or carpets.
• Always unplug lights before going to bed
or leaving your home.
• Make sure extension cords are in good
condition and are UL-approved cords
rated to carry the electrical load you will
connect to them.
• Don’t let children or pets play with
light strands for electrical decorations.
• If you spot an electrical danger, make sure to unplug
the malfunctioning appliance immediately and get a replacement.
• Holiday cooking and entertaining should also be undertaken with safety in mind. More than 30 percent of home
— Continued on Page 7
3
South Central
Summary
Check radio control boxes
Most of the
SCEA radio control receivers have
been upgraded. If
you participate in
any of SCEA’s load
management programs, including our water heater program,
you should have a newer radio
control receiver. If you have an
opportunity, please check your
receiver. A green light should be
on, if you don’t have a green light
please call our office.
We need updated phone numbers
If you dropped your landline
and have a different phone number, please call our office so we
can update our records. If you
have any additional phone numbers we could call to reach you,
share those with us, as well.
Need a new electrical service or
upgrade?
We are ordering material for the
upcoming construction season.
If you are planning to build and
need a new service or if you think
you may need a service upgrade
within the next year, please give
us a call.
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year from all of us at SCEA! The
office will close at noon December
24 and be closed all of December
25 and January 1.
4
Heading south for the winter?
If you’re one of the lucky “snowbirds” who escape to the sunny south
during the winter months, we would like some information from you
before you leave. Please fill out the form and mail it or bring it to
the office before you leave.
Name: ____________________________________
Account #: _________________________________
Member #: _________________________________
Date leaving: _______________________________
Date returning: ______________________________
Please call us with a meter reading at the time of departure
1. Do you want us to estimate zero kilowatt-hours and bill the minimum for the months you are gone?
Yes _____
No _____
2. Do you want us to estimate the number of kilowatt-hours that will
be used while you are gone?
Yes _____
No _____
3. How many kilowatt-hours per month? ____________
4. Will someone read the meter while you are gone?
Yes _____
No _____
5. Name the person who will read the meter: _____________________
6. Will your mail be forwarded? Yes _____
No _____
Or, do you want us to send the bill to you at your winter address?
Name: _______________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________
If the bill is not forwarded, you should pay in advance for the months
you plan to be gone. Contact us for the estimated amount.
Belkin Insight gives you insight into
how much energy your devices use
In a continual effort to help members
save energy and money SCEA has a number of Belkin Insight energy monitors on
hand. Call the office to check one out!
Plug your refrigerator or computer into
the monitor for a week. Note the amount
of energy used and the cost per month.
Looking at your energy bill, calculate the
percentage of your overall bill each device uses to find where you’re spending
the most. Otherwise, plug your cell phone charger into the device. See how
much energy it takes to charge your phone. Then remove the phone and see
how much it costs you to leave only the charger plugged in. These are just two
experiments you can try with the monitor!
Connections — December 2012
Teens: enter the 2013
Youth Tour Contest!
Area high school sophomores
and juniors are invited to enter the
South Central Electric Youth Tour
Essay Contest. The purpose of this
contest is to find someone to represent our cooperative and travel with
the Minnesota delegation to Washington, D.C. on the Rural Electric
Youth Tour. Each year about 1,300
young people representing rural
electric cooperatives from all over
the nation get together. During the
six days in Washington, D.C., the
students have the opportunity to
learn firsthand what it is like to be
involved in politics, community development and to discuss some of today’s
social issues. Visit with congressional leaders and see many of the historical
sites in and around the Washington, D.C. area. It is a trip they will never forget.
Applications and rules are posted on our website www.southcentralelectric.com
or can be obtained from our St. James office.
Basin Electric’s $1,000 Scholarship
South Central Electric is honored to partner with Basin Electric to award a $1,000 scholarship
to a dependent of a South Central
Electric member. The scholarship
is available to high school seniors
and college students enrolled
full-time in an accredited two or
four year college, university or
vocational/technical school working on an undergraduate or masters degree.
Applicants must complete a two page application, include a grades transcript,
ACT/SAT scores, write an essay and have an outside appraisal. Write one page,
double spaced, essay on the following topic:
“How would you describe the value of your local cooperative to you and
your immediate family?”
The scholarship deadline is February 22, 2013. Applications can be obtained
at our St. James office, on our web site www.southcentralelectric.com or by
calling 507-375-3164.
The scholarship must be used for college during the Fall of 2013. The scholarship payment will be distributed at the beginning of the fall semester. Payments
will be made directly to the college using both the student’s and college’s name
on the check.
Connections — December 2012
Pondering renewable
energy investments?
Before you make a big investment
in a wind turbine or solar panels do
your homework and ask lots of questions.
If given expected performance
numbers by a salesman, check them
with your own numbers. What do they
claim for kWh output? How does that
line up with actual results from similar
projects? We’ve seen sales claims of
kWh production much higher than
what historically has been seen. This
can make a big difference in payback
and what you hope to see out of your
project. What’s been claimed and
what happens in reality can be disappointing.
Is the system UL pre-certified? Ask
for a UL certificate. If not, you could
incur added costs. Learn about the
company or individual you’re dealing with. How long have they been in
business? Check with the Minnesota
Better Business Bureau about possible complaints and issues with the
company.
Don’t forget about us here at South
Central Electric. You can’t connect to
the grid without us. Get us involved
before you sign a contract to purchase
a turbine or solar panel to avoid possible issues. Just because you bought
a turbine doesn’t mean you can hook
it to the grid. It has to meet Minnesota
state electrical codes and be inspected
by a state inspector. SCEA has to have
the capacity to handle the project on
its lines or you could be faced with
significant costs.
Visit the Minnesota Department of
Commerce website (http://mn.gov/
commerce) for information on wind
and solar energy. As a member-owned
co-op, South Central Electric is here
to help its members, whether it is
through education or completion of
your renewable energy project. If you
have questions, give us a call.
5
Even Santa’s workshop loves a
ground source heat pump!
• Federal Tax
Credit up to
30 percent
on cost of
materials &
installation
thru 2016
• Ask about
the co-op’s
GSHP
rebates
Capable of both heating and
cooling, a ground-source heat
pump is the ultimate in home
and shop temperature efficiency.
Using the earth as a clean, unlimited resource, the heat pump
transfers heat to and from the
ground. It’s an intelligent, highlyreliable solution that does more
with less — all year long. Learn
more at mnbrighterideas.com/
gsheatpump or visit with the cooperative’s energy expert.
Beware of salespeople pitching radiant barriers
The Minnesota Department of Commerce issued a consumer alert encouraging Minnesota homeowners to think
twice before installing radiant barriers
in their attics.
The Department’s Division of Energy
Resources (DER) received reports of
salespeople pitching radiant barrier
products in flyers and at free dinners
throughout Minnesota. The Commerce
Department wants all local consumers
to know that radiant barriers are not
an effective means to reduce heating
or cooling loads in Minnesota homes.
“Many Minnesota consumers have
been duped into installing radiant barriers based on false promises of substantial energy savings,” said Commerce
Commissioner Mike Rothman. “We
strongly urge all consumers to be cautious, ask questions and explore other
reputable means to make their homes
and businesses more energy efficient.”
Radiant barriers consist of a reflective
film, usually aluminum, installed over
the top of attic insulation in existing
homes. They are sold as an energy-sav-
6
ing product, with claims of significant
reductions in both heating and cooling
costs. However, their potential benefit is
primarily in reducing air-conditioning
loads in warm or hot climates — particularly in southern states.
A report compiled by the Oak Ridge
National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, shows that the
benefits of radiant barriers decrease
significantly in northern climates. In
southern cities like Miami, Florida; or
Austin, Texas; radiant barriers could
reduce a household’s utility bill by as
much as $150 per year using average
residential electricity prices. However,
in colder climate states such as Minnesota, where annual air-conditioning
loads are considerably less, savings
drop to only $10 to $40 a year.
“The price to install a radiant barrier
can be as much as $2,000 or more,”
Commissioner Rothman added. “If the
average household saves only $20 per
year, it would take 100 years to pay
back your investment.”
It’s also important to note that radiant
barrier products have negligible benefits
in reducing heating costs. It is unlikely
that most Minnesota consumers would
realize any measurable energy savings
from radiant barriers in attics.
The U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) and the Minnesota Department
of Commerce agree that, in Minnesota,
implementing air sealing and adding conventional attic insulation is a
cheaper and more effective means for
saving energy than installing a radiant
barrier. In fact, as attic insulation levels
increase, the potential benefits from a
radiant barrier decrease.
For more information on insulation
and other energy-efficient measures to
improve your home contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce at
1-800-657-3710 or 651-296-5175 or
visit www.energy.mn.gov. The website
offers free downloadable home energy
guides, including the “Home Envelope”
guide that includes information on air
sealing, insulation and home energy
audits.
— Information courtesy Minnesota Department of Commerce
Connections — December 2012
Cashew! Bless you for sharing cashew recipes with us!
Let’s go a bit nutty with some cashew recipes! Share your cashew recipes whether you use these nuts
in sweet treats, main dishes or snacks by December 21. Send to Editor, Federated Rural Electric, PO
Box 69, Jackson MN 56143-0069 or e-mail to [email protected]. Otherwise, drop it off at
your local electric co-op. Add your name and phone number. Thanks for sharing!
Spam Cupcakes, by Jeanne Schwieger, Fairmont
2 12 oz. cans of Spam
2/3 c. quick-cooking oatmeal
3 eggs, slightly beaten
¾ c. milk
Preheat oven to 350º. Grate Spam into a large bowl. Add eggs, oatmeal and milk;
mix well. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray. Fill each cup two-thirds full with Spam
mixture.
Glaze:
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 T. mustard
2 T. white vinegar
1 T. water
Combine glaze ingredients and microwave 20 to 30 seconds to melt sugar. Spoon
over Spam. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until set.
Topping:
4 c. prepared instant mashed potatoes
fresh chives or parsley, optional
Prepare instant mashed potatoes. Heat broiler. Top each serving with potatoes.
Broil one to two minutes or until potatoes are lightly browned. Garnish with chives
or parsley. Makes 12 servings.

Spam Balls, by Dorothy Hochstein, Jeffers
1 can Spam
3 oz. cream cheese
1 T. dry onion soup mix 2 T. mayo
Grind meat and cheese. Mix remaining ingredients with meat-cheese mixture.
Refrigerate overnight or for several hours. Roll into small cocktail-sized balls and
insert a toothpick in the center of each ball. Sprinkle with paprika if desired. Serve
with Ritz crackers.
Safety is always a bright idea
— Continued from Page 3
fires and injuries are caused by cooking, according
to the National Fire Protection Agency.
Follow these tips to avoid shocks or fires:
• Inspect all small appliances and electric cords
to make sure they are in good repair before using.
• Don’t use appliances with cracked or frayed
cords.
• Read appliance’s instruction manual before use.
• When purchasing new kitchen appliances,
look for UL-Listed appliances with automatic
shut-off features.
• Never plug more than one high-wattage appliance into a single outlet.
• Keep cooking areas empty and devoid of grease.
• Stay focused and attentive to baking, brewing and simmering foods.
• Make sure outlets near sinks are equipped with properly tested ground fault
circuit interrupters GFCIs to prevent shocks.
• Keep a working fire extinguisher on hand and know how to operate it.
— Information courtesy of safeelectricity.org
Connections — December 2012
Spam & Cheese on a Bun,
by Juane Elston, Windom
Heat: 1 can cream of chicken soup
Add: 1 c. (more or less) crumbled
Velveeta cheese
Add: 1 can Spam, crumbled (I use my
meat grinder.)
Heat the soup, Spam and melt the cheese
in a saucepan; fill the buns and put in 350º
oven for approximately 15 minutes.

Spam & Cheese Half Buns,
by Eunice Asmus, Winthrop
12 oz. can of Spam
6 oz. cheese (American or Velveeta)
Grind the Spam and cheese together. Mix
lightly. Spread on half a bun. Broil three
minutes or more. Watch closely. Makes
16 half buns depending on how much you
spread on each bun.
Call before digging
1-800-252-1166
Contact Go pher State One
Call (GSOC) before doing any
digging more than 12-inches
deep — 48 hours before digging
for foundations, trees, tiling and
more. You can also register on
the website at www.gopherstateonecall.org. This gives utilities
time to mark their underground
lines up to your meter so you are
safe! Then contact a licensed
electrician to locate the underground lines on your side of the
meter.
7
Official monthly newsletter
South Central Electric
Conservation loans available
71176 Tiell Dr., PO Box 150,
St. James, MN 56081-0150
(507) 375-3164
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web: www.southcentralelectric.com
Office hours: Monday through Friday
May 1 through September 30: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
October 1 through April 30: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ron Horman, General Manager
Board of Directors
Mark Sandberg, President
Bruce Falk, V. President
Brent Imker, Secretary
Richard Johnson, Treasurer
Ron Jorgenson, Director
Mike Miest, Director
Brad Asendorf, Director
The Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at
South Central Electric’s building at 71176 Tiell, Dr.,
St. James, MN.
Starting in June SCEA will have ERC loans available to members who
are looking to complete energy conservation projects. Loans can be for
a maximum $3,000 and 60-month term at 5 percent. Funds can be used
to finance heat pumps (ground or air source), central air conditioning
replacements leading to energy savings, caulking, weather-stripping,
windows (storm or thermal), attic ventilation fans, insulation and doors
(storm or thermal). Labor costs can be included when an approved
contractor is hired. More information is available on our website www.
southcentralelectric.com under the forms page or by calling SCEA at
507-375-3164.
Does your business
want to join
Co-op Connections
program?
Olson Optical
This free program gives businesses
the opportunity to offer our nearly 4,000
co-op members valuable discounts, plus
more nationally. In exchange for your
participation SCEA promotes your
business and discount in its newsletter
periodically. Your listing will also be
available for viewing 24/7 at www.
connections.coop.
SCEA members Scott and Gina Olson and Dr. Michael Fisher of Olson Optical in St. James offer Co-op Connection card holders $100 off a complete
pair of glasses. Visit or call Olson Optical for more details.
8
For more information contact:
Jim Haler, South Central Electric
Association, 375-3164
Connections — December 2012