August - West River Electric Association, Inc.

AUGUST 2014
VOL. 15 NO. 4
Manager’s
Column
Life Challenges
An inspirational quote I recently saw: “Life’s challenges are
not supposed to paralyze you,
they’re supposed to help you
discover who you are”. That
really made me think of the
challenge dealt to the electric
industry on June 2. That is the
day that EPA Administrator
Gina McCarthy announced
the much anticipated carbon
dioxide rules, or CO2, on existing coal fired power plants.
Dick Johnson
The EPA had earlier posted
CEO/General Manager
rules for new coal fired power
plants which in all reality made it impossible to build a new
coal fired plant. This reg may not paralyze us totally, but it will
definitely help us discover who we are.
The rule EPA proposed gives every state a different responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Each state was
given a 2030 carbon target of CO2 emissions per megawatt
hour of generation and those targets varied significantly from
state to state. EPA has based these
targets on their assessment of what
they think each state can do to
lower its carbon emissions. South
Dakota’s 2030 goal for reduction
will be 35%. South Dakota only
has 2 generating plants; Big Stone
Power Plant in the northeast corner of the state and Basin Electric’s
own Deer Creek combined cycle
plant near Brookings.
States will have to come up
with their own plan, or together
regionally, that will let them get
to the 2030 targets set by EPA. Of course EPA has to approve
the plans. States can rely on coal plant retirements (which to
many is EPA’s main focus in this reg), encourage end-use energy efficiency (which we have done for years), promote more
renewables (Basin Electric has one of the largest portfolios of
renewables of any provider), establish cap-and-trade systems
(where have we heard that before-it is called a “tax”), and even
collaborate regionally.
West River, along with our trade organizations and power
suppliers, NRECA, SDREA, Basin Electric, and Rushmore
Electric are still evaluating the impacts to us. While we recognize that the industry must address carbon dioxide reduction,
we do not agree that the Clean Air Act is the proper tool to
accomplish this. Congress’ inability to develop a comprehen2 A ugust 2 0 1 4 • cooperative connections
sive legislative solution – where technology, time, credit for
early action from utilities, and incentives for innovation are
taken into a consideration – is a failure to this country, and
ultimately our members. Our members will be hit the hardest
by this rule as crafted.
We feel this approach is wrong for our country and our
energy future. When you look at the many recent investments
in coal-based facilities across the world, forcing CO2 regulation by essentially shutting down coal in the United States will
not only do nothing to curb CO2 emissions worldwide, but it
closes the door on innovative solutions that would keep coal a
viable part of our energy future and economy.
WREA feels, along with Basin Electric, that we are rooted
in environmental stewardship and innovation. Basin has taken
great strides in the past 10 years to diversify their energy portfolio and build a robust renewable program. Basin championed several innovative projects, and believe some of the best
outcomes for this country have resulted from industry/government partnerships. We have a reliable, domestic and abundant
resource; a low priced fuel called coal.
We have a 120 day comment period and will be working toward responding to the EPA on how the rules can be
drafted to help everyone. We
had many of our members take a
stand the last couple of months
and contact the EPA on the rules
for new power plants. We will be
rallying you again to support our
cause. As I said earlier; we aren’t
against cutting emissions, we just
CANNOT do it on the backs of
people in the Midwest. Our lower
electric rates, when compared to
both the East and West Coast,
have been a major advantage for
us to keep our members rates low
and help bring new businesses
into our region. A big blow will be delivered if these rules are
allowed to move forward as drafted. Go to www.action.coop to
view more information.
This regulation will be another large life challenge for the
electric industry, much like we have had at other times in our
75 year history, but the rules won’t paralyze us, and I am sure
we will discover more of who we are. Have a great rest of your
summer!
Co-op News
Nominating Petitions
Petition Deadline September 2, 2014
West River Electric members interested in running for the
board of directors may pick-up a petition at any of our offices.
Petitions must be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. September 2,
2014.
In accordance with the
bylaws of West
River Electric
a nominating
committee
met in Wall on
May 28, 2014
to nominate
candidates for
three district
director seats
which are
open this year.
2537600
The following candidates were nominated, one for each
District. They are as follows:
District #1, Jerry Hammerquist
District #2, Dick Richter
District #3, Larry Eisenbraun
Members who would like to run for a director position
must submit a petition signed by no less than 15 members
by 5:00 p.m. September 2, 2014. Petitions must be turned in
no later than 40 days prior to the Annual Meeting, which is
scheduled for October 11, 2014 this year. The petition may
be requested from and returned to any of the offices including
Wall, Rapid City or Enning. Members elected as directors will
serve a three-year term on the board. The directors you elect
are responsible for establishing direction and policies, assuring
member needs and concerns are given fair and timely treatment, and for overseeing the overall financial stability of the
cooperative.
Voting will take place October 11, 2014, at the Wall Community Center in Wall, SD. In order to vote, members must
be present at the Annual Membership meeting. The notice will
be mailed to members prior to the meeting.
Co-op Connections Card
Launch in August
West River Electric and Touchstone Energy are happy
to announce the upcoming launch of the Co-op Connections Card program to all of our members.
The Co-op Connections Card is a new program that
helps you receive discounts on products and services from
participating local and national businesses. Some of the
discounts include local discounts as well as nationwide
discounts on prescriptions, dental services, and hearing aids.
There are 48,000 chain and independent pharmacies in this
program and 26 of them are local, right here in our community. Several hotels, retail chains and car rental companies are included
on the national list.
The discount card will be 100% free to you because you are a member of West River Electric. There are several ways to take
advantage of the valuable discounts that are offered. You will be able to find a local and national list at www.connections.coop, on
our web site www.westriver.com or download a free phone app for Android and I-Phone. Watch for the Co-op Connections Card
window sticker in the windows of participating businesses and simply show them your card and you will receives the discount
that the company is offering. Be sure to check the mail for your Connections Card coming out in mid-August. West River Electric is very excited to offer this program to our members and we hope that all of you will find some benefit from it.
cooperative connections • Aug ust 2014 3
SafetyTips
Summer Weather Survival
Help yourself and others avoid experiencing heat disorders by following
these safety rules.
• Avoid the Heat. Stay out of the heat and indoors as much as possible.
Spend time in an air-conditioned space. Only two hours a day in an airconditioned space can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illness. If
air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.
Remember, electric fans do not cool, they just blow hot air around.
• Dress for the Heat. Wear loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin
as possible. Lightweight, light-colored clothing that reflects heat and sunlight
and helps maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face and head by
wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the
skin’s ability to cool itself. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF rating.
• Drink FOR the Heat. Drink plenty of water and natural juices, even
if you don’t feel thirsty. Even under moderately strenuous outdoor activity,
the rate your body can absorb fluids is less than the rate it loses water due to
perspiration. However, if you have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease,
are on fluid-restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention, you
should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
• Do not drink IN the Heat. Avoid alcoholic beverages and beverages
with caffeine, such as coffee, tea and cola. Alcohol and caffeine constrict
blood vessels near the skin reducing the amount of heat the body can release.
Although beer and alcohol beverages appear to satisfy thirst, they actually
cause further body dehydration.
• Eat for the Heat. Eat small meals more often. Avoid foods that are
high in protein because they increase metabolic heat. Avoid using salt tablets,
unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Living in the Heat. Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule
strenuous activities such as running, biking and lawn care work when it
heats up. The best times for such activities are during early morning and late
evening hours. Take cool baths or showers and use cool, wet towels.
• Learn the symptoms of heat disorders and know how to give first aid.
• Do not leave children in a closed vehicle, even for a few minutes.
Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach 140°F to 190°F degrees within
30 minutes on a hot, sunny day. However, despite this common sense rule,
deaths from heat occur almost every summer when someone leaves their
child in a closed vehicle.
• When outdoors, protect small children from the sun; their skin is
sensitive.
• Help your pets keep their cool. It will “feel” as hot for them as it will
for you. As with children, do not leave your pets in a closed vehicle. Be sure
your animals have access to shade and a water bowl full of cold, clean water.
• Protect windows. Hang shades, draperies, awnings or louvers on
windows that receive morning or afternoon sun. Outdoor awnings or louvers
can reduce the heat entering the house by as much as 80 percent.
• Conserve electricity. During periods of extreme heat, people tend
to use a lot more power for air conditioning, which can lead to a power
shortage or outage. Vacuum air conditioner filters weekly during periods of
high use.
• Keep lights turned down or turned off.
• Avoid using the oven.
Source: noaa.gov
4 Aug ust 2014
•
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
Kids’ Corner Safety Poster
“Don’t climb trees near power lines and you
will be safe“
Hannah Remacle, 4th grade
Hannah is the daughter of John and Tammy Remacle,
Canistota, S.D. They are members of Southeastern
Electric Cooperative, Marion, S.D.
Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric
cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, you’ll
receive a prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address
and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.
Visit action.coop
RENEWABLE ENERGY
NATURAL GAS
NUCLEAR POWER
CLEAN COAL
Visit
actio
n.
coop
today
america
needs all of
its energy
sources
to keep
electric bills
affordable.
america needs an
all-of-the-aboVe strategy
Reader Recipes
Succulent Salads
Kale-Quinoa Salad
1/2 cup quinoa, uncooked
1-1/2 cups water
8 oz. kale
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted and cooled
2/3 cup dried cherries, chopped (cranberries also work)
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
2 T. Feta cheese, crumbled
Antipasto Bean Salad
Few gratings of fresh lemon zest
Dressing:
3 T. olive oil
1-1/2 T. white wine vinegar
1 T. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Rinse quinoa well in a small colander; this is essential to
remove bitterness. Place quinoa and water in a small saucepan
and bring to a simmer with a couple pinches of salt. Simmer
at a very low temperature until tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain quinoa and rinse in cold water to cool. Drain well after
cooling. Rinse kale and dry well, removing any large stalks;
chop fine. Add kale to a large salad bowl. Add remaining
salad ingredients – except cheese – to kale and toss to mix.
Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small dish; pour over
salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with
feta cheese.
Lee Ann Swanson, Lake Norden
Colonel’s Coleslaw
3/4 cup Miracle Whip
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 T. sandwich spread
1 T. dill pickle vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4-1/2 cups grated cabbage
Combine first 7 ingredients. Pour over cabbage. Let chill
thoroughly.
Lee Anne Birkeland, Dupree
Summer Macaroni Salad
1 package large shell macaroni, cooked, drained and cooled
1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
1 bunch radishes, sliced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 cup real mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. white vinegar
Mix all together in large bowl. Refrigerate for several hours or
overnight.
Jeanne Laurence, Rapid City
1 (15 oz.) can READ Three- or
Four-Bean Salad
1/4 cup thin strips roasted red bell peppers
1/2 cup fresh mozzarella or provolone cheese pieces, about 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup chopped artichoke hearts, canned or frozen; thaw if frozen
1/4 cup thin strips salami or pepperoni
2 T. chopped fresh basil
Dressing:
1/4 cup reserved bean liquid
2 T. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T. chopped fresh herbs, optional
Drain bean salad; reserve 1/4 cup liquid. For dressing, combine reserved bean
salad liquid, oil and garlic; whisk until combined. Add fresh herbs, if desired. In
large bowl, toss together drained bean salad, roasted bell peppers, cheese, artichoke
hearts, salami and fresh basil. Toss with dressing. Serve at room temperature or
chilled. Note: Parsley, basil, thyme or other favorite herbs can be used. Makes 4
servings.
Nutritional information per serving: 250 calories; 8 g protein; 16 g carbohydrate; 16g
fat; 870 mg sodium; 25 mg cholesterol; 3 g dietary fiber; 1 mg iron; 0 mg thiamin;
1010 IU vitamin A; 21 mg vitamin C
Pictured, Cooperative Connections
John Deere Salad
2 (3 oz.) boxes lime jello
2 cups boiling water
1 can lime or lemon pie filling
1 small box instant lemon pudding
1 cup milk
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
Dissolve jello in boiling water. Add pie filling; stir to combine.
Pour into a 9x13-inch glass pan. Refrigerate until set.
Combine lemon pudding mix and milk. Stir in Cool Whip;
spread over green layer. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Mary Jessen, Holabird
24-hour Fruit Salad
3 egg yolks
1 T. butter
2 T. sugar
1 T. vinegar
2 T. pineapple juice
Pinch of salt
1 cup whipping cream, optional
2 cups fruit cocktail, drained
2 cups pineapple tidbits, drained
2 oranges cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups marshmallows cut in pieces
Boil first 6 ingredients until thick. You can then use dressing
plain or mix with whipping cream. Add remaining ingredients.
Refrigerate overnight.
Please send
your favorite
garden produce,
pasta and
wild game
recipes to your
local electric
cooperative
(address found
on page 3).
Each recipe
printed will be
entered into
a drawing
for a prize in
December 2014.
All entries must
include your
name, mailing
address,
telephone
number and
cooperative
name.
Pat Lewis, Platte
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
• Aug us t 2014
5
Co-op Careers
Behind the Front Lines
West River Electric has a team of people that do a lot of work
behind the front lines to keep up with the day to day activities. These people don’t have a lot of contact with the members, but we could not operate without them.
The Data
Coordinator and
Data Clerk work
hard to ensure
that the bills that
go out to our
members are accurate. They do
this by analyzing
multiple reports
to find discrepancies and work closely with our software company to resolve issues affecting the billing. They are in charge
of all of our major processes through-out the month such as
recurring electronic payments, delinquent notices and cycle
billing processes. We are slowly working on going paperless
and have a document imaging system that documents can be
scanned so all the CSR’s can access this information electronically.
Another position that is very important to send out accurate bills is our Billing Clerk. She uses our Meter Data
Management software to make sure the meter readings that are
used in the billing process are accurate. By using this software,
she is able to proactively monitor our meters and find many
meter issues prior to billing such as meters that may have quit
working or are not reporting into our software. She works
with the operation department to get all of the new line equipment, such as meters, transformers and oil circuit reclosures,
set up in the system.
All of our
employees have
to receive their
paychecks and
our Accountant
is the person
for the job. All
of our employees have their
checks direct
deposited into
their checking
accounts. The
accountant also keeps track of all of our assets and makes sure
that everything is being depreciated properly. She makes sure
that all of the truck expenses are accounted for and charged
to the proper job or expense account. Another big job, that
6 A ug us t 2 0 1 4
•
cooperative connections
is very tedious and time consuming, that our Accountant
handles, is the balancing of our check book. There are hundreds of transactions each month that come from all parts of
the business.
The Accounting Clerk does a little bit of everything. She
has many of the same duties as a Customer Service Representative but also enters all of the accounts payable invoices into the
computer and prints the checks to pay our bills. A copy of all
of the bills along with the check is also put into our document
imaging system. If a member purchases something, other than
electricity, she will be the one who processes the invoice and
makes sure it gets put on to the members’ electric bill.
Our Work Order Clerk works very closely with our linemen to keep track of all of the construction and maintenance
jobs that the
linemen are
working on.
She makes sure
all of the costs
for each job
are accurate
and get closed
out in a timely
manner. These
jobs, or work orders, are the documentation that we use to get
our financing from the USDA Rural Utilities Service. Each
month she makes sure all of the material that is used on a job
gets charged out, salvaged or junked. She also organizes the
physical inventory process by working with the linemen to
count our inventory and comparing those counts to what the
computer has. We do this at the end of every quarter.
Our Administrative Assistant performs multiple administrative functions for our Board, CEO and Staff. Some of these
duties include taking minutes at the various meetings, filling
out industry related surveys and maintaining up to date records of our policies, bylaws, and other cooperative permanent
records. She is also the person to talk to if you have a question
about retiring capital credit estates that need to be retired.
All of the ladies in the office also perform Customer Service
functions such as answering member questions, setting up
members for service and taking payments. Each person is very
important to the overall operation of West River Electric. It is
a joint effort to be able to keep the power flowing for all of our
members.
Dawn Hilgenkamp
CFO & Manager
of Finance
Co-op News
75th Birthday Celebration
In December of 1936 a committee was formed to gather
information about the feasibility of a municipal light plant for
the city of Wall. In 1937 more committees were appointed to
complete a distribution survey and do a house-to-house canvas
of electric users. By September 1938 prospective members had
been signed up in Quinn, Wall, Wasta, Owanka and the rural
area. New Underwood and Box Elder were quick to get their
communities added to the list.
June 12, 1939, nine men had the foresight to see that it was
necessary to light up the homes and ranches to the West River
Electric Community. They came together to sign the incorporation papers and began the arduous task of digging holes for
poles and stringing wire.
West River Electric invited members to come out and cel-
ebrate 75 years of providing power to the membership on the
anniversary of that very day, June 12. Longtime member Edgar
Simon was on hand with many historic electric appliances and
old light bulbs to share. The antique appliances can be seen
in the Rapid City office throughout 2014. Merl Flatt, former
employee, shared many photos of the early days of bringing
power to the members.
Members and retired employees who were on service the
day the lights came on came out to share stories, memories, a
hamburger and a piece of cake.
LED Lucy and CFL Charlie stopped by to celebrate and
entertain young and old with us. We will be having several
commemorations throughout the year celebrating 75 years;
watch the Connections for further details.
10292400
cooperative connections • Aug ust 2014 7
High School Rodeo:
State Sport with Co-op Support
I
By Brenda
Kleinjan
n some parts of South Dakota and western
Minnesota, summer means rodeo.
From practice rodeos in early May to the regional
and state finals in June and ultimately to the national finals in late July, athletes competing in the
South Dakota High School Rodeo Association see
an intense season in a roughly three-month window.
And for more than a dozen years, South Dakota’s
Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives have been sponsors of the sport. At the high school level, the state’s
cooperatives provide the barrel covers for the region-
8 August 2014 • Cooperative Connections
al and state rodeos, have purchased timing equipment and sponsored the short-go shirts awarded to
the athletes who earn them at the state finals.
“From our perspective, the cooperatives are
investing in the future themselves by keeping the
western heritage alive by keeping the kids in the
country,” said Digger Rutten, a member of the
SDHSRA board of directors and the group’s public
relations director.
“We appreciate all the cooperatives’ support,”
Rutten said.
National High School Rodeo
Association Qualifiers
Dozens of South Dakota high school rodeo
athletes qualified for the National finals to
be held in late July.
Among the qualifiers from the South
Dakota High School Rodeo Association State
Finals Rodeo held in June in Belle Fourche
were the following:
Above: Kayla Hemmingson of Bradley, S.D., finished 11th overall in breakaway roping at the SDHSRA
finals. Opposite Page: Trig Clark of Meadow, S.D., competes in the saddle bronc on his way to capturing the state champion title. Cover: Dawson Munger of Pukwana, S.D., rounds a Touchstone Energy®
Cooperatives barrel while competing at the SDHSRA finals. All photos ©www.CowboyImages.net. Used with permission.
More than 500 student athletes
Rutten said.
compete in high school rodeo in South
“If you look at the athletes in other
Dakota. Only three states have more
sports, we have a lot of dual-sports
high school student rodeo athletes than
athletes. Last year, several rodeo athletes
the Rushmore State, Rutten said.
were involved with state championIn fact, South Dakota is a charter
ship volleyball, basketball and wrestling
member of the National High School
teams, in addition to making it to the
Rodeo Association and helped start the
state finals in rodeo,” Rutten said.
organization
Rutten said
more than six
rodeo also
decades ago.
teaches students
Through
a lot of responthe years, more
sibility.
than 50 athletes
“They have
have captured
to take care of
NHSRA
their animals
National Finals
year-round and
titles.
also find a way
But, the first
to buy those
step on the road Above: The team roping duo of Brent Woodward of
animals. It’s not
to the national
like they get a
Dupree, S.D., and Sam Huffman of Belle Fourche, S.D.,
finals is honing
free ride,” he
captured the state champion title at the SDHSRA finals.
Photo ©www.CowboyImages.net. Used with permission.
skills at several
said.
practice rodeos
Rutten also
held around the state. Then, students
noted another benefit of the youth rodeo
compete in regional rodeos with an eye
movement is that it often involves the
to qualifying for the state finals.
entire family, including multiple generaOf the 526 South Dakota High
tions.
School Rodeo Association members, 324
“There are families there,” Rutten said
qualified for the state finals held June
of the rodeos. “Mom and dad, all the
19-22 in Belle Fourche. Of that number, kids and grandmas and grandpas.”
130 made it to the short go and 46 qualiThose connections are ones that the
fied to compete in the National High
Rutten family knows first-hand.
School Rodeo Finals July 13-19 in Rock
“When school gets out, for our famSprings, Wyo.
ily, we spend the next three and a half
With the high school rodeo season
months together in a pickup,” said Rutpeaking in June, it lends itself to having
ten. “It’ a good family sport.”
its athletes involved in multiple sports,
QUEEN CONTEST: Shaelynn Heitsch BOYS CUTTING: Chet Crago, Sawyer
Strand, Carson Johnston and Herbie O’Daniel
GIRLS CUTTING: Erin Kenzy, Shelby Strand, Karlee Peterson and Taylor Bothwell
BAREBACK: Trig Clark, Shane O’Connell,
JD Anderson and Dylan Riggins
BREAKAWAY: Cedar Jandreau, Rylee Jo
Rutten, Chesney Nagel and Katy Miller
POLE BENDING: Bailey Moody, Payton
Donnelly, Shelby Vinson and Jana Hunt
TIE-DOWN ROPING: Lathan Lauing, James Kirwan, Prestyn Novak, Brock Belkham, Carson Johnston and Jake Fulton
SADDLE BRONC: Taylor Tupper, Tanner
Simons, Trig Clark and Jordan Hunt
GOAT TYING: Katy Miller, Brandi Cwach,
Kaylee Clark and Chesney Nagel
STEER WRESTLING: Herbie O’Daniel, Wyatt
Schaack, Cameron Fanning and Justin Boll
TEAM ROPING: Brent Woodward and Sam
Huffman, Reece Wientjes and Nolan Richie,
Colby Hetzel and Prestyn Novak, and Jeremiah Johnson & Cole Carlson
BULL RIDING: Shane O’Connell, Jake Frazier, Treye LaPlante and Rance Johnson
BARREL RACING: Rickie Engesser, Shelby
Vinson, Chesney Nagel and Alyssa Lockhart
TRAP SHOOTING: John Gropper, Anthony
Gourneau, Cameron Fanning and Justina
Cvach LIGHT RIFLE: Josey Aasby, Kaycee Szymanski, Kayla Hemmingson and Tanegai Zilverberg Cooperative Connections • August 2014 9
A Look At WREA History
75 Years Strong
W
e have had a few members come forward
Editor’s Note:
We have looked back
over the past 75 years.
Here is Chuck and
Janice to share some
of their memories.
10 A ugus t 2 0 1 4
•
and share their memories of the early days of receiving power from WREA. It is difficult for those of us
working here today to understand what it was like
to do our chores by lantern and cook on a wood
stove.
Chuck Carlbom sharing memories
Chuck can remember during World War II
when West River Electric had poles set in Interior
but no lines attached to them. It was sometime later
in the late 40’s or early 50’s the lines were strung
and the town was lit up. Chuck and Janice live on
the same ranch where he grew up on and his parents bought back in 1937.
In 1950 my parents purchased a generator bringing lights to the house, which they used until 1954
or 1955 when the lines were energized to the ranch.
cooperative connections
Pump jacks with gasoline engines were used to
pump water, they were tough to get going. It sure
was nice to get lights on in the barn and not have to
grope with lanterns and flash lights.
We asked Chuck how he was most impacted by
electricity...”it made life much easier especially with
pumping water, using tools and having lights in the
barn.”
We used to get up in the morning to kerosene
lights and gas lamps. When the kerosene lights were
not put out right they could burn your mouth, and
the gas lamps would get moths in them, they created a flame. We used to do chores by lamp light,
feeding the pigs, chickens and calves - all of this
became much easier with electricity.
The first appliances mom got in the kitchen
were the toaster and the mixer, she sure thought
those were great. Early on we only had a cellar to
keep things cool and then came the propane fridge.
When WREA brought power we got a fridge that
you could make ice cubes and keep ice
cream.
The first washing machine I remember was a gas engine with an exhaust
hose out the door in the winter, so you
wouldn’t get gassed, and outside in the
summertime. The first electric washing
machine mom got was a Maytag washing machine with rinse tubs. Then one
day along came a salesman who left a
dryer, trying to get mom to purchase
it. He came back by every week or so
to see if she was ready to buy it, and
each time he stopped he brought us
kids a stick of gum. We were sure glad
to see him.
In the days before REA supplied
electricity to the rural areas in western
SD, ironing clothes was a terrible job.
My mother, Stella Carlbom, usually
washed clothes on Monday, and Tuesday was for ironing. The clothes were
not “wash’n wear”, most were starched
& then ironed.
My mother would use what she
called flat irons. They would be set
on top of the wood cook stove to
heat. They had a wooden handle that
would snap onto the hot iron. When
it would cool off, she would set it back
on the stove , remove the handle, and
put on another iron that was heating.
Later she purchased a gas iron
which had a tank on top for gas and
she would pump air into it and the gas
would burn and keep the iron hot. The
bad part was that it gave off so much
carbon monoxide that she was always
sick after a long session of ironing.
During warm days she would have to
work by an open window.
Did she ever enjoy it when the REA
provided electricity and she had an
electric iron!
As a child of the 30’s and growing
up on a ranch, one job we kids had
many evenings after supper and the
evening milking was done involved
sharpening hay mower sickles.
With no electricity the grinder
would be attached to a mower wheel
and we would turn a crank by hand.
It seemed that Dad held the sickle
section down so hard and our arms
would get tired so we changed hands
and kept cranking. He always played
up the fact that as it would be nearly
dark that all those metal sparks were
our fireworks.
Guess it didn’t hurt us any but
it sure was great when the WREA
brought in electricity and we could
use an electric grinder to do the sharpening.
In the early days of the REA power
wasn’t as steady, much more fluctuating. Chuck would not want to go back
to those days before electricity made
life much easier. Pumping water by
hand, carrying a lantern with you to
do chores and Janice agrees that doing
laundry with a wringer washing machine, using the outhouse and cooking
on a wood stove are signs of the good
old days.
We Want To Hear From You
We would like to hear the story of when you received power for the first time
to your ranch or homestead. What was it like to light up a room for the first time?
Did you get an electric stove or a wringer washing machine right away? What was
it like the first time you went to the barn to milk the cows without a lantern? Please
submit your stories and pictures to West River Electric Assn, Attn: Veronica Kusser,
PO Box 3486, Rapid City, SD 57709 or e-mail to [email protected]
cooperative connections • Aug ust 2014 11
Lessons from
Abroad?
A
from an NRECA
Report
on Distributed
Generation
Issues
s the United States wades through policies
and regulations regarding the nation’s energy resources, one study looks across the Atlantic Ocean
to see what lessons could be learned from other
nations’ forays into energy production.
In Germany, a system of subsidies built into the
electricity rates paid by residential, commercial and
industrial electricity consumers has encouraged
the rapid expansion of renewable energy production. The German subsidies – relatively modest for
wind and other renewable energy sources compared
with those for distributed solar power – have been
touted as a model for encouraging renewable energy
deployment in the U.S., and as a standard against
which to measure and hence, to criticize, the slower
U.S. adoption of renewable energy.
Christensen Associates Energy Consulting of
Madison, Wis., undertook a study contracted by
the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
12 August 2014 • Cooperative Connections
to understand the outcomes of Germany’s energy
policies.
The study found that the German policies have
actually resulted in:
• current residential electricity rates of 39.5¢
(US) per kilowatt hour – more than three times the
average residential rate in the U.S.;
• rising electricity and energy costs that threaten
both the German economy and international competitiveness of core German industries;
• increasing threats to grid reliability;
• and, in an ironic twist, increases in greenhouse
gases precipitated by greater reliance on coal-fired
generation.
From the perspective of their implication for
U.S. policies and regulations regarding renewable
energy, more important lessons learned from an
examination of the German renewable energy experience includes, but is not limited to:
• The decision to achieve environmental and jobs objectives
by making utilities and their customers pay renewable resource
subsidies sufficient to make those resources cost-effective has
proved economically unsustainable. These subsidies – amounting to $31 billion (US) in 2013 alone – currently add an 8.7
cent per KWH surcharge to electric rates for most residential, industrial and commercial consumers in Germany. This
subsidy, by itself, is 2 cents higher than the average industrial
electric rate in the U.S. – 6.7 cents per KWH.
• The German Legislature greatly underestimated the
enormous subsidies needed to reach the very high renewable
penetration targets they established in law. For example, in
2010, rooftop solar owners received
nearly 52 cent per KWh produced
that had a market value of 5.2 cents,
and under the feed-in-tariff law, they
would receive that 52 cents until
2030. To date, this program has cost
German consumers more than $460
billion in higher electric rates and
recent estimates forecast the total cost
will reach $910 billion by 2022.
• Germany’s system of guaranteed
renewable subsidies has made attaining its social objective of CO2 mitigation extraordinarily costly. According
to a recent Massachusetts Institute of
Technology study, in Germany CO2
mitigation runs as high as $685 per
ton of CO2 reduction via solar and
$60 per ton of reduction via wind, whereas CO2 emissions
credits in Europe could have been attained for less than $5 per
ton in recent years.
• The enormous size of renewable subsidies and their impact on electric rates have impacted both the German economy
and Germany’s economic competitiveness abroad. An article in
Der Spiegel described it this way: “Germany’s Energy Poverty:
How Electricity Became a Luxury Good in Germany,” and
cited the impact of those high electric rates on consumers and
particularly the poor. Further, recent analyses by the IEA and
others sight significant German losses in net exports due to
“high energy prices and costly domestic subsidies for renewable
energy.”
• While the renewable subsidies have led to a significant
increase in both solar and wind installed capacity, the production of energy from such capacity has continued to be quite
modest, supplying less than 13 percent of Germany’s energy
requirements – while ironically German use of coal is at its
highest level since 1990 and several new coal plants are under
construction to keep the lights on.
• The rapid increase in wind and solar production has succeeded in driving down wholesale electric market prices and
has created a widening gap between the low wholesale market
prices that utilities receive for the renewable energy produced
and the high price utilities must pay for that renewable energy.
This widening gap has resulted in further yearly increases in
the retail rates.
• The rate impacts and transmission grid operational difficulties experienced in Germany resulting from inefficient and
costly promotion of renewable energy teaches that sustainable renewable promotion requires long-range planning and
strategic collaboration among stakeholders to enable renewable
resources to provide full value to consumers and power system
operations. This is described in detail in the Electric Power
Research Institute’s report “The Integrated Grid: Realizing the
Full Value of Central and Distributed Energy Resources.”
• The problems caused by the enormous renewable subsidies and their effect on electricity rates have recently led the
German government to drastically
revise those policies by capping the
enormous subsidies in 2014 and
limiting annual increases thereafter to
2.5 percent.
• The German government has
also finally realized that all users connected to the electric grid must help
pay for it, and have recently approved
implementation of a grid usage charge
for new renewable owners. Germany
thus became the first in Europe to
charge consumers for access to the
grid for their renewable generators.
New renewable generators greater
than 10kw are required to pay a 6
cents (US) per KWh grid access tax.
The above two changes to the
original German “Energiewende” laws will not reduce German
retail rates for a long time, but will reduce the rate of growth of
the incredibly high retail rates in Germany.
The study found that the
German policies have
actually resulted in
current residential
electricity rates of 39.5¢
(US) per kilowatt hour –
more than three times the
average residential
rate in the U.S.
Growing Demand in China
When looking at the international energy field, an eye must
be kept on China’s growing economy and energy needs.
China is scheduled to build 21,000 MW of new coalfired electrical generation units annually for the next 10 years
(210,000 MW total). U.S. baseload generation is expected to
increase a mere 29,000 MW in total over the same 10-year
period (29,000 MW total).
However, if the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan for
new coal-based generation is enacted, no U.S. new baseload
generation will be from new coal-fired units.
As a result, China’s new unit coal-fired CO2 emissions
will grow by approximately 6.23 billion tons, while new unit
natural gas U.S. emissions will increase by about 559 million
tons. Even assuming all U.S. new baseload demand would be
met by coal over the next 10 years, total U.S. growth in the
electric utility sector would be about 914 million tons.
Assuming the EPA proposal does what NRECA anticipates
and eliminates all new coal, the maximum possible CO2 reductions under this proposal are about 355 million tons or five
percent of China’s growth over the next 10 years.
Cooperative Connections • August 2014 13
News
Briefs
Sign Up
Appreciation Day - September 4, 2014
West River Electric Shop, Enning, SD
3:00-7:00 p.m.
Appreciation Day - September 12, 2014
West River Electric, Rapid City Office
Rapid City, SD
11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
10017500
Tailgate Party at the New Underwood/Wall
Fill out and send to:
West River Electric Assoc.
Cooperative Connections,
PO Box 3486,
Rapid City, SD 57709
Or drop it in with your payment.
Sign up for:
Operation Roundup
Budget Billing
Pay By Bank
Automatic Credit
Card Payment
Football Game - October 3, 2014
New Underwood, SD
Annual Meeting - October 11, 2014
West River Electric - Wall Community Center, Wall, SD
October Storm
Clean-up Continues
Crews are busy with storm damage
cleanup and line patrol, that may take
up to a year yet. We continue to find
leaning poles, and lines that were weakened by the October storm. At the same
time our lineman will be looking for any
hazards to the public. This can include
things such as haystacks, buildings constructed under a line, clearance issues on
new and dirt work over buried cables.
They are also looking for any damaged equipment and loose hardware that
may cause future outages. The electrical
system we operate is very reliable, but
as you all know, Mother Nature doesn’t
West River Electric Office Hours
Rapid City Office
3250 E. Hwy 44, Rapid City, SD
Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
605-393-1500
Wall Office
1200 W. 4th Ave, Wall, SD
Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
605-279-2135
14 A ug us t 2 0 1 4
•
always play fair, as storms can cause
damage that goes unnoticed.
If you see one of our vehicles in your
area, storm patrol/clean up may be the
reason. In addition to our usual white
trucks, we also use UTV’s to patrol lines
that are not along roads. This is a quicker
way to get to some of the more remote
areas and is easier on the land than
driving a truck over it. If you have questions or notice any damage in your area,
contact Lane Butler in the Enning area
at 985-5360, Ron Lauer in the Rapid
City office at 393-1500 and Wayne Shull
in the Wall office at 279-2135.
A night depository is available at
both offices for your convenience.
Service & Billing Questions:
Contact 605-279-2135 or 605393-1500 during office hours. You can
e-mail us at [email protected] on
questions concerning your account.
After Hours Power Restoration:
Contact 605-279-2135 in the Wall
or Enning areas and 605-393-1500 in
the Rapid City area.
cooperative connections
I am interested in more
information on:
Marathon Water Heater
Radiant Cove Heat
Meco Grills
Special Electric Heat Rate
Geothermal & Air-to-Air
Heat Pumps
Rebates
Radiant Floor Heating
Demand Response Unit
Be sure to include your
name and address if you mail
this coupon or E mail: vkusser@
westriver.com
3840500
Call Before You Dig!
STATS
May 2013
Number of Meters: 15,972
KWH 18,769,357
May 2014
Number of Meters: 16,141
KWH 19,538,180
Co-op News
Summer Help
Employed
(USPS No. 675-840)
Our Mission
To inform you about your cooperative and its
efforts to serve your energy needs; about how to
use electricity safely and efficiently; and about the
people who define and enhance the quality of life
in communities served by electric co-ops.
Each Summer West River Electric hires summer help to assist in the extra projects that are presented to our line department while the weather is nice. This year we
hired 4 summer help in the Rapid City area and 1 in the Wall area.
Michael Sorenson
Michael is working with the Rapid
City linecrew. He
graduated from
Rosecreek MN
HS in 2010 and
attended Minnesota West where
he got a Powerline
degree. He worked for Seneca Foods and
Boe Bros Tiling Fields. In his spare time
he enjoys hanging out with friends.
Josh Carda
Josh graduated
from Stevens High
School in 2011.
He then went to
Mitchell Technical Institute for
Electrical Construction and
Maintenance and
then for Powerline. When not working
Josh enjoys hunting, fishing and hanging
out with friends.
Colter Stout
Colter Stout is
working in the
Wall office. He
graduated from
Kadoka HS in
2011. He then
attended Mitchell
Technical Institute
and received an
electrical and Powerline degree. He enjoys sports, hunting , fishing and rodeo
when not working.
Trent Madsen
Trent graduated from New
Underwood High
School in 2013
and then went on
to Mitchell Technical Institute and
received a Powerline Degree in
2014. When not working on the family
farm he enjoys football, baseball, hanging out at the lake and snowboarding.
Austin Vickers
Austin graduated
from Mitchell HS
in 2008. He then
went to Mitchell
Technical Institute
for Powerline.
Since then he has
worked for MDU
in North Dakota,
Central Electric and Northwestern. In
his spare time he enjoys spending time
motorcycling and dirt biking.
1200400
Locate Your
Account
Number
In this Connections
If you locate your account number
anywhere in this issue of the Cooperative
Connections you will be a winner. There
will be five account numbers placed
randomly throughout the Connections.
If you spot your account number and
notify our office before the 10th of next
month, you will receive a $10.00 credit
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
and employer
President
Andy Moon, Creighton, S.D.
Vice President
Stan Anders, Union Center, S.D.
Secretary
Bill Bielmaier, Wall, S.D.
Treasurer
Larry Eisenbraun, Wall, S.D.
Directors
Howard Knuppe, New Underwood, S.D.
Dick Richter, Enning, S.D.
Marcia Arneson, Rapid City, S.D.
Jamie Lewis, Rapid City, S.D.
Jerry Hammerquist, Caputa, S.D.
CEO/General Manager
Dick Johnson
Editor
Veronica Kusser
West River Electric Cooperative Connections is the
monthly publication for the members of West River Electric
Association. Members subscribe to Cooperative Connections
as part of their electric cooperative membership for $6.00 a
year. West River Electric Cooperative Connections purpose
is to provide reliable, helpful information to electric cooperative members on matters pertaining to rural electrification
and better living. Nonmember subscriptions are available
for $12.00 per year. Periodicals Postage Paid at Wall, S.D.,
and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to West River Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 412, Wall, SD 57790-0412.
Other correspondence to: West River Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 3486, Rapid City, SD 57709; telephone (605)393-1500, Exts. 6519, 6517, 6531 or 6522;
fax (605)393-0275; e-mail veronica.kusser@westriver.
coop.
Call before you dig:
All underground cable
location requests for the
entire state of South Dakota
are made through the South
Dakota One-Call System.
The number is toll free,
1-800-781-7474 (dial 811 instate). You are required to provide this
one-call center with information regarding the location where you will be
digging, along with a description of the type of work you will be doing. You
are required to give at least a 48-hour notice before you dig. The one-call
center will then notify all utilities with underground facilities in the area
cooperative connections • Aug ust 2014 15
Regional Dateline
July 19
Member Guest Tournament
Wall Golf Course, Wall, SD
605-279-4653
July 21
Golf ‘Fore’ A Cause, BH Works
Foundation, Arrowhead
Country Club, Rapid City, SD
605-718-6207
August 15-24
Central States Fair
Rapid City, SD, 605-355-3861
PHOTO COURTESY OF S.D. DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
July 21
Tommy Emmanuel Acoustic
Guitar, Rushmore Plaza Fine
Arts Theatre, Rapid City, SD
605-394-4111
Events of Special Note
August 16
South Dakota Bat Festival
Custer, SD, 605-255-4515
www.gfp.sd.gov
To have your event listed on this page, send complete information, including date, event, place and contact to your local electric cooperative.
Include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Information must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to your event.
Please call ahead to confirm date, time and location of event.
July 23
RC Public Libraries Adult
Summer Reading, Book Trivia
Night, Seattle’s Best Coffee
Rapid City, SD, 605-394-6139
August 4-10
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Sturgis, SD, 605-720-0800
August 19-21
Dakotafest, Mitchell, SD
www.FarmShows.com
July 24
Summer Nights on Seventh
Street, The Synthetics, 5:30 to
8:30 p.m., Rapid City, SD
August 7
Summer Nights on Seventh
Street, Blake, 5:30 to 8:30
p.m., Rapid City, SD
July 25
Bill O’Reilly and Dennis
Miller, Rushmore Plaza Barnett
Arena, Rapid City, SD
605-394-4111
August 11-17
Brown County Fair
Aberdeen, SD, 605-626-7116
August 20-24
Corn Palace Festival
Mitchell, SD
605-995-8430
cornpalace.com
July 27
25th Annual Great BH Duck
Race, CMN, Rapid City, SD
605-755-9192
July 31
Summer Nights on Seventh
Street, Outer Vibe, 5:30 to
8:30 p.m., Rapid City, SD
August 2
3-Man Scramble, Golf Course
Wall, SD, 605-279-4653
August 14
Summer Nights on Seventh
Street, Jud Hoos, 5:30 to 8:30
p.m., Rapid City, SD
August 15
RC Public Libraries Adult
Summer Reading, Book Trivia
Night, Downtown Library
Rapid City, SD, 605-394-6139
August 19
The Big One Golf Tournament
Wall Golf Course, Wall, SD
605-279-4653
August 21
Summer Nights on Seventh
Street, 32 Below, 5:30 to
8:30 p.m., Rapid City, SD
August 28
Summer Nights on Seventh
Street, Thirsty Fish, 5:30 to
8:30 p.m., Rapid City, SD
August 28-September 1
South Dakota State Fair
Huron, SD, 605-353-7340
www.sdstatefair.com
August 30
BH Scottish Highland Games
Founders Park, Rapid City, SD
605-787-2277
September 4
West River Electric
Appreciation Day, WREA Shop
Enning, SD, 605-393-1500 or
605-279-2135
September 4
United Way Day of Caring
Event/Kickoff Luncheon
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
Rapid City, SD, 605-343-5872
September 6
Dueling Pianos, Main Street
Square, Rapid City, SD
605-176-7979
September 12
West River Electric
Appreciation Day, WREA Office
Rapid City, SD, 605-393-1500
or 605-279-2135
October 4
Evening with President
Woodrow Wilson
Mount Rushmore, SD
mountrushmoresociety.com