July 2016 Newsletter - Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc.

JULY 2016
VOL. 17 NO. 3
Wagons Ho!
Exploring Western Heritage
P8-9
Manager’s
Report
THANK YOU
for Attending Your Annual Meeting
Thanks to those of you who
were able to take time out of
your busy schedule to attend
your annual meeting held in
Lennox on Thursday, June 9,
2016. We always enjoy visiting with you and informing
you on the activities of your
Brad Schardin
electric cooperative, especially
General Manager
in a formal manner such as
our annual meeting. Your
participation shows your interest in your cooperative’s business
and being a member-owner gives you the opportunity to select
your directors, help us plan for the future, deal with current
issues and work through items that come up on a daily basis.
You are the main reason that Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc., exists today. Serving you with quality electric service
is a priority at Southeastern Electric and I am proud to work
with your elected board of directors and along-side some of
the best employees anywhere. It brings me great satisfaction to
inform you that your electric cooperative is doing well in planning for the future of serving you, our member-owners.
During the business meeting, we were able to review your
electric cooperative’s financial condition, summarize the activities of our state and national organizations, briefly review the
activities of 2015, discussing the issues impacting your electric
bill and update you on a host of other activities at your electric
cooperative. We hope that you came away from the meeting
with more knowledge on the issues and items impacting your
electric cooperative today and into the future. Rules and regulations on a state and federal level continue to impact the costs
we have to pay for the power purchased through your cooperative power supply system. We continue to work with state and
national organizations to minimize the impact of legislation,
Like to
Cook?
Send Us
Your Recipes
additional rules and regulation that will
add to your cost of electricity. It seems
like more and more rules and regulations
come forward that continue to impact
the cost of electricity and your “grassroots” help contacting our senators,
representatives and the federal agencies
like the EPA and DOE is very much appreciated and extremely helpful!
To wrap things up, thanks for your
participation in our annual meeting and Lynell Hofer
voting for your directors to represent
you on our board of directors. Congratulations to Lynell Hofer (District 2 – Freeman/Marion/Menno areas), John Ostraat
(District 5 – Harrisburg and Sioux Falls
areas), and Steve Holmberg (District 8 –
Alcester/Beresford and Hudson areas) for
being elected by our members to represent
you on the Southeastern board of directors.
Your elected board of directors do an excellent job thinking strategically, planning for
the future and asking the questions that youJohn Ostraat
the members of Southeastern need them
to ask to keep our cost of electricity affordable, reliable and dependable.
With an active and involved membership, quality board members and top
notch employees, I believe that your
electric cooperative is set to provide you
with quality electric services not only
today, but for many years to come!
Thanks again for your participation
Steve Holmberg
in your electric cooperative!
We are looking for original or your favorite recipes that are a hit at your house. Each month
we will hold a drawing from the recipes that are submitted for a $10 credit on the winner’s
electric account. Please note that each month’s winner will then be entered in a yearly drawing
for a grand prize at the end of the year, not at the annual meeting.
All recipes that we receive will be forwarded to SDREA for possible publication in
Southeastern Electric Cooperative Connections. Recipes for the August magazine should be
submitted by July 25. You can E-mail your recipes to [email protected] or mail them to Southeastern
Electric, PO Box 250, Salem, SD 57058-0250. The last winner of the $10 credit was Elfrieda Postma, Sioux Falls, S.D.
2 July 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
Co-op
(ISSN No. 1531-1058)
Manager
Brad Schardin
[email protected]
Editor
Brett Snyders
[email protected]
Board of Directors
Don Heeren, President
Steve Holmberg, Vice President
Chris Hofer, Secretary
Daryl Terveen, Treasurer
Lynell Hofer
John Ostraat
Leslie Mehlhaff Pat Scheier
Richard Olsen Johnathan
Wildeboer
www.southeasternelectric.com
1-800-333-2859
News
SEC Awards $7,500 in
Scholarships to Area Teens
Southeastern Electric Cooperative awarded
$7,500 in scholarships to
10 area teens this spring.
Recipients of $1,000 scholarships were Amy Hurley,
Sioux Falls Christian;
Selene Tinklenberg, Sioux
Falls Christian; Miranda
Painter, Montrose; Tanner
Rupp, Freeman Public;
Abby Hora, Viborg-Hurley.
Recipients of $500
scholarships were Autumn
Hurd, Bridgewater-Emery;
Brady Klock, Lennox;
Samuel Peterson, Canton;
Anne Mayrose, Salem;
and Megan Erickson,
Montrose.
Amy Hurley
Selene Tinklenberg
Miranda Painter
Tanner Rupp
Abby Hora
Autumn Hurd
Samuel Peterson
Anne Mayrose
Megan Erickson
@SE_Electric
facebook.com/
southeasternelectric
SOUTHEASTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
CONNECTIONS is published monthly by
Southeastern Electric Cooperative, PO Box
388, 501 S. Broadway Ave., Marion, SD
57043-0388 for its members. Families subscribe to Southeastern Electric Cooperative
Connections as part of their electric cooperative membership. Southeastern Electric Cooperative Connections‘ purpose is to provide
reliable, helpful information to electric cooperative members on electric cooperative matters and better rural living. Subscription information: Electric cooperative members devote
50 cents from their monthly electric payments
for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions
are available for $12 annually. Periodicals
Postage Paid at Marion, SD 57043 and at
additional mailing offices.
Brady Klock
Southeastern Hires Summer Help
Each summer, Southeastern Electric hires summer help to assist with the co-op operations.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
Southeastern Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 388, Marion, SD 57043-0388;
telephone (605) 648-3619; fax (605) 6483778; e-mail [email protected]
Design assistance by SDREA and TDG Communications
Brian Rains
Salem office
Tanner Van Genderen
Marion office
Nick Adams
Sioux Falls office
Brian Roth
Viborg office
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • July 2016 3
Safety
Tips
Current
Issues
Air Conditioner
and Fan Safety
Tell Congress to Extend the
Geothermal Tax Credit Today
Hot weather brings increased use of air conditioners. Contact with electric current from air
conditioners accounts for a significant number of
electrocutions and electrical injuries each year.
ESFI recommends that you always contact a
qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home, including the installation
and services of air conditioning and other cooling
equipment.
Across the nation, electric cooperatives and public power districts help our
member-owners save energy and money by promoting the use of geothermal heat
pumps. These super-efficient heat pumps can cut home heating and cooling bills by
up to 70 percent. Many member-owners install geothermal units with assistance from
the geothermal tax credit. The tax credit expires at the end of this year, jeopardizing
the continued use of this energy efficient technology.
Co-ops and their
members are asking
Congress to extend
the credit. Go to the
Cooperative Action
Network’s action.coop
and ask your Member of Congress to extend this credit by supporting H.R. 5167.
The Cooperative Action Network is the advocacy hub for America’s electric cooperatives. It’s more important than ever to band together and promote common sense
solutions to the problems facing our nation.
Join our growing grassroots army today and become part of our team of more
than one million advocates around the nation. By signing up, you’ll maximize your
voice as you hold elected officials accountable and promote the importance of electric
cooperatives across the nation.
The Cooperative Action Network is the grassroots arm of the NRECA – the national service organization for more than 900 not-for-profit rural electric cooperatives
that provide electricity to more than 42 million consumers across 47 states. Together,
rural electric cooperatives serve 75 percent of the nation’s landmass and account for
approximately 12 percent of total electricity sales in the United States.
Facts and Statistics
• According to the CPSC, 15 percent of consumer-product related electrocutions are attributed
to large appliances. These electrocutions occur most
commonly while someone is attempting to service
or repair the appliance.
• In 2006, an estimated 33,500 injuries were
reported to hospital emergency rooms as involving
air conditioners, fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers,
air purifiers, and heat pumps. The leading types of
injuries were laceration (14,890), contusion or abrasion (6,110) and strain or sprain (4,430).
• In 2006, air conditioning or related equipment
was involved in an estimated 7,400 reported U.S.
home structure fires, with associated losses of 270
civilian injuries and $200 million indirect property
damage.
• In 2003 to 2006, the 7,000 reported home
structure fires per year involving air conditioning
and related equipment included 2,400 per year
involving central and room air conditioners specifically and 3,700 per year involving fans.
• In 1995 to 2003 (excluding 1999, which was
not reported), there were 11.5 electrocution deaths
per year involving air conditioners and 4.3 electrocution deaths per year involving fans.
Cooling Equipment Safety Tips
• Keep safety in mind when selecting cooling
equipment for your home.
• Have a qualified, licensed electrician install and
service any electrical equipment in your home.
• Have electric-powered equipment inspected
and maintained regularly for safety.
• Make sure your equipment has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
Source: esfi.org
4 July 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
Kidsʼ Corner Safety Poster
“Don’t play by wires.”
Alandra Kontz,
10 years old
Alandra was 10
years old when
she submitted this
safety poster. She
is the daughter
of Kelly and Val
Kontz, Pipestone,
Minn. They are
members of Sioux
Valley Energy,
Colman, 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, youʼll receive a prize. All entries must include
your name, age, mailing address and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.
Reader
Recipes
Delectable
Desserts
Anzac Biscuits
1 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup flaked coconut
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
Spiced Triple Berry Shortcakes
1/2 cup butter
1 T. golden syrup (honey works)
1 tsp. baking soda
2 T. boiling water
In a bowl, mix together oats, coconut, flour and sugar.
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter and syrup.
Dissolve soda in boiling water; add to melted butter and
syrup. Add butter mixture to dry ingredients. Drop by
teaspoonfuls on greased cookie sheets (or baking paper).
Bake at 350°F. for 18 to 20 minutes.
Clarice Roghair, Okaton
Apple Dumplings
1 apple, cored and cut into 8
pieces
1 (8 oz.) can crescent rolls
Cinnamon
2/3 cup sugar
8 pats butter
1 cup Mountain Dew soft drink
Spiced Shortcakes:
1-1/2 cups reduced fat baking mix
3 T. sugar
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
6 T. fat free milk
2 cups thawed fat free whipped topping
For filling, mix berries and vanilla in large bowl. Mix sugar, cinnamon and ginger
in small bowl. Sprinkle over berries; toss to coat well. Let stand 30 minutes to
allow berries to release their juices, stirring occasionally. For the spiced shortcakes,
mix baking mix, sugar, cinnamon and ginger in large bowl. Add milk; stir to form
a soft dough. (If necessary, knead dough in bowl to incorporate dry ingredients.)
Drop dough by 6 spoonfuls onto sprayed baking sheet. Bake at 425°F. for 10 to
12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly on wire rack. To serve, split warm
shortcakes. Place 1 shortcake bottom on each plate. Top each with 2/3 cup berry
filling and 1/3 cup whipped topping. Cover with shortcake tops. Makes 6 servings.
Nutritional Facts Per Serving: Calories 266, Total Fat 2g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium
280mg, Carbohydrates 58g, Dietary Fiber 4g, Protein 4g
Place 1 apple slice on widest end of crescent roll; roll
up starting at wide end. Pinch and seal shut. Place in an
8x8-inch pan. Continue until all slices are used. Sprinkle
with cinnamon and sugar. Top with a pat of butter on each.
Pour Mountain Dew over all. Bake at 350°F. for 45 minutes.
Velma Schmitz, Bonesteel
Earthquake Cake
1 box German chocolate
cake mix
3 eggs
1-1/3 cups water
1/2 cup oil
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Berry Filling:
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese,
softened
1 stick butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pkg. chocolate chips
Whipped topping
Pictured, Cooperative Connections
Rhubarb Cobbler
4 to 5 cups diced rhubarb
1-3/4 cups sugar, divided
1/8 tsp. plus pinch salt,
divided
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 T. cornstarch
Pinch of salt
1 cup boiling water
Spread rhubarb in a 9x13-inch glass pan. Combine 1/2
cup sugar, 1/8 tsp. salt, flour, baking powder, butter and
milk. Place over rhubarb. Mix together remaining sugar,
cornstarch and pinch of salt. Sprinkle mixture over batter.
Pour boiling water over all. Bake at 375°F. for 1 hour.
Darlene Meyer, Florence
Lightly spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray. Put
coconut and nuts in bottom of pan. Mix cake mix according
to package directions. Spread batter over nuts and coconut.
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, butter, vanilla and powdered
sugar until fluffy. Spread over batter. Sprinkle with chocolate
chips. Bake at 350°F. for 50 minutes. Cool. Serve with Cool
Whip. When this comes out of the oven, it looks like it has
exploded (it does not actually explode, so it won’t mess up
your oven!). That’s why it’s called an Earthquake Cake. The
cream cheese mixture sinks and the nuts and coconut rise.
Beat pudding with milk for 1 minute; let set 5 minutes.
Fold in Cool Whip and cookies. Spoon into crust; freeze.
Rowena Wipf, Doland
Debbie Hinman, Carter
Cookies and Cream Pie
1 pkg. white chocolate pudding
1-1/2 cups milk
8 oz. Cool Whip
1 cup chopped regular or
Mint Oreos
1 graham cracker crust
Please send
your favorite
dessert, salad
and garden
produce
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
2016. All
entries must
include your
name, mailing
address, telephone number
and cooperative name.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • July 2016 5
Board
News
Title VI – Statement of
Nondiscrimination
Board Summary Report
The board of directors of
Southeastern Electric Cooperative met on Thursday, May
19, 2016, with all directors
present. Also present were
Manager Brad Schardin, Attorney Alan Peterson and staff
members John McDonald,
John Euchner, Todd Nelson
and Mark Neu.
Manager Schardin in his
report reviewed with the
board the following items:
1. Discussed with the
board about conducting a
board self-evaluation survey
and the joint staff meeting
with West River Electric.
2. Reviewed the information regarding possible
changes to the oil pipeline
which may impact their
future electric use and an
upcoming conference call for
the SDREA Strategic Issues
Committee and the CFC
Forum panel presentation on
strategic planning.
3. Discussed potential
challenges regarding the
clearance of overhead lines at
utility crossings due to the use
of taller farm equipment and
efforts underway to attract
a dairy processing plant to
Turner County.
4. Reviewed a request on
the cooperative’s interest in
selling some land in Alcester
for economic development
and the upcoming CFC board
meeting.
5. Discussed an upcoming visit to North Dakota
and Canada sponsored by the
North Dakota statewide and
plans to hold three city business informational meetings
later this year in Viborg, Tea
and Montrose.
6. Dale Niezwaag from Basin Electric updated the board
on Basin Electric’s present
and projected load
portfolio, the latest
developments on
the legal challenge
of the Clean Power
Plan and how Basin Electric
is preparing for all possible
outcomes.
7. Reviewed the circulation
folder and various memberrelated issues.
CFO John McDonald reviewed his written report, the
budget-to actual comparisons
as of March 31, 2016, and the
preliminary financial report
for April 2016.
Operations Manager
John Euchner reviewed his
outage and safety reports
for the month of April and
discussed the circuits involved
in the reconstruction of the
I-29/I-229 interchange and
dealings with the SD DOT to
resolve related issues.
Marketing and Member
Services Manager Mark Neu
reviewed his written report.
Consumer Relations and
IT Manager Todd Nelson
reviewed his written report
and collection issues. He
also reported on the positive
conclusion of a meeting with
members regarding the use
of new AMR system at their
residences and a request from
a commercial account for
weekly billing.
In his legal report, Attorney
Peterson reported the conclusion of the legalities involved
with Dakota Access and the
cooperative’s easements, an
out-of-state lawsuit involving
automated meter reading optout fees and an out-of-state
stray voltage lawsuit.
The cooperative’s expenditures for the month of
April 2016 were reviewed by
Schardin.
6 July 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
Board members considered and/or acted upon the
following matters:
• Accepted new members
as presented.
• Approved estate refunds
for settlement of patronage
capital.
• Approved member loan
requests as presented.
• A motion was made and
seconded to set June 9, 2016,
as the Date of Record to
determine members eligible
to vote at the June 9, 2016,
annual membership meeting.
Motion carried.
• A motion was made and
seconded to adopt Board
Resolution #2016-03, Certificate of Resolutions and
Incumbency. Motion carried.
• A motion was made and
seconded to approve Policy
907, Credit Card Security as
presented. Motion carried.
• A motion was made and
seconded to make donations
to the Southeast Enterprise
Facilitation Project (SEFP)
and My Fishing Pond. Motion carried.
• A motion was made and
seconded for the approval of
special equipment summary
#0416. Motion approved.
• A motion was made and
seconded to select Wildeboer
and Terveen as delegate and
alternate, respectively, and
authorize them to attend the
NCSC annual meeting in Seattle on behalf of the cooperative. Motion carried.
The next regular monthly
meeting will be held on
Thursday, June 30, 2016, at
the Marion office.
In accordance with Federal civil
rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees,
and institutions participating in
or administering USDA programs
are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national
origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression),
sexual orientation, disability, age,
marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public
assistance program, political beliefs,
or reprisal or retaliation for prior
civil rights activity, in any program
or activity conducted or funded by
USDA (not all bases apply to all
programs). Remedies and complaint
filing deadlines vary by program or
incident.
Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language,
etc.) should contact the responsible
Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at
(202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or
contact USDA through the Federal
Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
Additionally, program information
may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint
Form, AD-3027, found online at
How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA
office or write a letter addressed
to USDA and provide in the letter
all of the information requested in
the form. To request a copy of the
complaint form, call (866) 6329992. Submit your completed form
or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3)
email: [email protected].
Co-op
News
Shedding Some
Light about LEDs
Have you ever walked up to a vast light bulb display in a store and felt like banging
your head on the shelf while muttering, “I just want a light bulb.”? The options can
seem daunting. I’ve witnessed people spending half an hour trying to decide which
bulb to buy and I can’t blame them!
Here is a little history on the reason there is such confusion when trying to buy a
simple light bulb. It all started when The Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007 required that common household light bulbs become 25 percent more efficient. It didn’t ban the use or purchase of all incandescent bulbs. Many bulbs, such as
three-way, appliance and chandelier, are exempt from the law’s requirements. Therefore, most stores now offer a wide variety of light bulbs to choose from, including
incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED).
When comparing energy efficiency, LEDs have risen to the top. For example, to
provide comparable lumens (the amount of light), an incandescent bulb may use 60
watts of energy while an equivalent LED needs only eight watts. This reduction in
energy needed makes LEDs less expensive to operate. Replacing one 60-watt incandescent bulb, used eight hours a day for 30 days, with an LED has an estimated
energy savings of over a $1.50 a month. Don’t forget to multiply that savings by the
number of bulbs switched!
If you’ve actually shopped for bulbs you may have gotten a little sticker-shock as
the LEDs are generally more expensive to purchase, however, there are bright spots.
LEDs have longevity and tend to be quite durable; plus, their lifespan is the longest
in the light bulb family. LEDs can last from 35,000-50,000 hours. If you were to use
an LED bulb for eight hours a day, every day of the year, it could potentially last 12
to 17 years. How great would it be to only change a burned-out bulb every 15 years
or so?
If you feel you are ready to shop, start by looking for the ENERGY STAR® label
to help ensure quality. Look for bulbs that meet the type of fixture in which it will
be used. Not all LEDs are approved or recommended for dimmable, recessed and
enclosed fixtures.
Next, know your colors. Remember, LEDs can last up to 12-17 years, you better
like the light it produces. LEDs come in a wide array of hues. Bulbs described as
casting “warm” or “soft” colors tend to produce light similar to an incandescent bulb.
“Cool” light generally means a bluish tint is produced. “Bright white” will be most
similar to daylight or the lighting in stores. Look closely on the packaging for the
color of bulb before you buy.
Hopefully, this information helped to “shed some light” on this subject so you can
feel more confident in choosing the right bulb for your needs.
Southeastern
Electric’s offices
will be closed
Monday, July 4
in observance of
Independence Day.
Three Youth
Represent
Southeastern
Southeastern
Electric Cooperative’s representatives on the Rural
Electric Youth
Tour June 9-16
to Washington, D.C., were
Adeline Smidt
of Parker, Haley
Adeline Smidt
Bialas of Dimock,
and Kolton Kribell
of Beresford.
The Youth
Tour is a weeklong
trip sponsored
by Southeastern Electric and
coordinated by
the South Dakota
Rural Electric Association.
Haley Bialas
While in
Washington, the
students met with
the state’s congressional delegation,
visit historical
sites and met
1,600 teens from
cooperatives across
the U.S.
Southeastern
Kolton Kribell
Electric realizes it
is more vital than ever that today’s young
people understand and support the rural
electrification program, for they are
tomorrow’s leaders and consumers.
Southeastern provides funding for the
trip. Funding includes transportation,
room and board, entertainment and
sightseeing events.
Since 1963, Southeastern Electric has
sent more than 100 teens on this trip of
a lifetime. Participants must be a child
or dependant of a Southeastern Electric
member.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • July 2016 7
On the Trail, Time Slows Down and
History Comes Alive
F
When Cowan and his wife, Loretta, started
participating in wagon trains about 10 years ago, it
took him a bit to recall all the steps involved in relying on horsepower.
“The skills I had learned as a boy took a while to
remember,”said Cowan.
But those skills came back as did the realization
that when on the ride, one is focused on the task at
hand – caring for the horses, looking for obstacles
and moving toward one’s destination at a speed that
allows one to really observe and enjoy the surroundings.
For the Cowans, who are no strangers to rodeo
and western life (Willie himself was a state high
school saddle bronc champion in the mid-1950s),
the wagon trains are a family affair. Their children
and grandchildren also participate, either with one
of the family’s various wagons or as outriders with
the train.
PHotos by Colleen McCurrin
By
Brenda
Kleinjan
or a few days each summer, participants in
area wagon trains slow it down a notch as they roll
across the prairie, often times retracing portions of
the state’s history.
Large wagon trains have been organized for the
past several years, one in 2014 commemorated
South Dakota’s 125th year of statehood, tracing a route from the former Territorial Capitol of
Yankton, S.D., to the State Capitol in Pierre, S.D.,
during a 17-day ride.
Others have wound through the state connecting
communities via horse- and oxen-drawn conveyances.
“It’s our heritage; if we don’t pass it on down,
it will get lost,” said Willie Cowan of Pierre who
has participated in several wagon trains and is an
organizer of the upcoming one-day event planned
for the Dakota Western Heritage Festival Sept. 16
in Fort Pierre.
8 July 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
“The most enjoyable part is the kids and observing what they get out of the experience,” said
Willie.
As one rolls along the prairie behind the team of
horses, Cowan says one ponders things.
“The first thing you wonder is how they got
across the prairies with water.
They had to follow creeks
and rivers,” noted Cowan.
“It gives you a greater
appreciation for what those
people went through,” said
Loretta.
Willie says he has nothing
to prove with his wagons and
favors modern improvements over authenticity on
his wagons.
“The ride on our big wagon is like a Cadillac,
not bone jarring,” said Willie. Nylon ropes rather
than leather are less likely to break and cause problems, rubber tires smooth out the ride compared to
the jarring of wooden wheels.
For the Cowans’ daughter, Colleen McCurrin,
the entire process of the wagon train builds a better
understanding of western history.
“It’s part of the heritage; it’s how we got here.
The people who settled the area arrived in wagons
of many shapes and doctor buggies – everyone
hitched up a team to do their jobs,” said McCurrin.
The variety of wagons that show up for a wagon
train ride bring that heritage to life, and help participants envision days gone by.
For Loretta, the wagon trains helped realize a
life-long dream.
“It was always a dream of mine to stand in the
wagon ruts of the freight trains that ran from Fort
Pierre to Deadwood,” said Loretta. In the Fort
Pierre to Deadwood ride a few years back, she
achieved that dream.
Her daughter is quick to
expand on the comment.
“It’s a tangible thing – you
can touch the history,” said
Colleen.
And one connects.
“It takes a bit to getting
away from needing to get
from point A to point B in
three hours; on the rides, you might have 10 days,”
said McCurrin. “You have to gear down and change
mentality.”
The Cowans note that another feature of wagon
trains is the camaraderie amongst the participants.
“Everyone helps everybody. If your outfit breaks
down, they’re all there to help,” said Willie.
In 2015, the Dakota Western Heritage Festival
took participants through a buffalo farm near Fort
Pierre and over to the Scotty Phillips Cemetery,
named for the Scottish-born rancher and state
politician who is credited as “the man who saved
the buffalo.”
The 2016 train will take a different trek exploring history to the southwest of town.
The public is welcomed to attend the Dakota
Western Heritage Festival. There are limited opportunities for individuals to ride with a wagon.
“It’s a tangible thing –
you can touch the
history.”
Above: The Fort
Pierre Livestock cattle
yard is visible in the
background of this
photo taken during
the wagon train at the
Dakota Western Heritage Festival. Opposite
page: Willie Cowan of
Pierre drives a wagon
in a train in western
South Dakota. Cover:
A wagon and outriders
make a crossing of a
waterway during a
wagon train in western South Dakota.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • July 2016 9
Capital
Credits
Unclaimed Capital Credits
We’re looking for the following co-op members to return to
them capital credits for 2009 amounting to a collective total in
Abbott, John H
Acker, Stacy
Adair, Lisa
Adams, Donald T
Adams, Jessica L
Akel, Rafat R
All Saints Serbian
Allen, Michael J
Allnutt, Bob F
Allred, Brent P
Alpers, Joyce E
Amber, Dorene Sue
Amenson, Amanda J
Anderson, Angela C
Anderson, Brett K
Anderson, Cheryl K
Anderson, Ivan & Kristy
Anderson, John WM
Anderson, Leland
Anderson, Mickey J
Anderson, Rodney C
Andrews, Cheryl
Anothayanon, Worapa
Arnett, Paul
Atwood, Chad
Baker, Donald F
Baker, Katelyn R
Baker, Robert Eric
Bakke, Shane & Wendy
Banks, Billy S
Baran, Chris
Barrios, Celsa
Barse, Keith M
Bates, Chayden A
Beaner, Michael P
Beck, Amanda J
Becker, Allison M
Becker, Harold V
Becker, Joseph W
Beeler, Carolyn
Begley, Cory J
Bentz-Zeisler, Angel M
Benz, Jon D
Berge Estate, E R
Berger, Elizabeth
Berry, Gary
Berry, Michael J
Bietz, Monte
Biever, Tina M
Bigge, Brian W
Bintliff, Robert
Birger, Anastasia L
Birkeland-Scott,
Kimberly R
BK Vette Inc
Blaha, Clinton J
Blair, Steven B
Blake, Gary E
Blom, Aric M
Bonner, Robert B
Boomgaarden, Marty W
Bormann, Jeff
Bousum, Susan L
Bowen, Rick
Boyd, Mary P
Boyer, Richard J
Branson, John
Branstner, Robert
Braunesreither,
Marilyn
Brende, Cindy L
Brendt, Joseph
Briggs, Kelly
Britt, Sam V
Broesder, Kyle W
Brooks, Travis W
Broveak, Alan M
Brower, Miranda B
Brown, Gregory G
Brown, Jason L
Bruning, Julie A
Bryson, John C
Bucher, Dale
Buehner, Dennis
Buffham, Paulette L
Buie, Jennifer L
Bunker, Harry S
Burd, Mark L
Burger, Rick
Burggraaf, Perry D
Burmester, Howard A
Burnham, May
Burnison, Mary E
Buss, Marie J
Caba, Thomas D
Cadieux, Karen
Cameron, Val
Camon, Sherman L
Cannon, Tammy M
Cardona, Joyel D
Carlson, Barbara K
Carlson, Leah
Carrasco, Jorge M
Case, Kristin Michelle
Cason, Timothy &
Susan
Castro, Eddieberto
Cauwels, Jeff
Chambers, Timothy L
Chief Welding &
Machine
Christensen, Justin
Michael
Christensen, Kimberly J
Christensen, Mildred I
Christensen, Rebecca D
Christianson, Jenny
Clark Jr, George
Clark, Stephanie M
Clark, William A
Clemetson, Kelli R
Cleveland, George W
Cobler, Wendy M
Coffman, Rose J
Collignon, Francesca R
& Hechach, Younes
Commnet Cellular Inc
Concept Containers Inc
Cook, Ashleigh B
Corbin, Don A & Patty
Cornerstone Motor Co
Country Corner Orchard
Crampton, Michael W
& Nancy A
Crane, Daryl L &
Diane
Culbert, Richard
Cunningham, Chester
Currier, DJ
Curtis, Johnathan L
Dagley, Steve C
Dahl, Laci M
Dakota Siding Supply
Daugherty, Brent
Dauwen, Jonathan J
Davis, Howard & Edith
Davis, Samuel T
Davis, Shanna M
Dean, Jennifer Lynn
Debruin, Bradley A
Deckert, Beth
Dedecker, Douglas J
Dehning, Mark W
Dejong, Travis
Dement, Susan A
Dempster, Jason A
Deperno, Andrea
Determan, Richard J
Discovery Learning
10 July 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
excess of $18,915. If you have updated contact information for
any of these people, please let the the co-op know.
Center
Donahue, Richard
Donelan, Lucille
Driscoll, Robert E
Dundas, Anthony C
Dunigan, Joann
Duong, Dai Chi
Easton, Paul
Eckert, Jodi L
Eckstein, Bertha
Eddy, Steven G
Eggebraaten, Matt
Eide, Olin P & Lucille I
Eidhammer, Kirk
Eie, Elvin
Einrem, Jamey
Elcock, Douglas
Elcock, Scott A
Eliason, David L
Elsberry, Mary Lynn
Empire Logistics LLC
Ende, Dale
Enga, Darl
Engebretson, Dan E
Engels, Jacklyn A
English, Michael
Ensz, Brent
Erickson, Frank
Ericson, Sydney
Eriksmoen, Amy
Evans, Darnele J
F & J Enterprises
Fagerhaug, Ernest
Fargen, Ashley
Farmers Co-op
Association
Farness, Jack
Faulkner Construction
Company
Felman, Jack
Fendrich, Eugene
Ferestad, Keith A
Ferguson, Connie
Ferguson, Deadra J
Fernholz, Chad L
Fey, Jeremy A
Fiddler, Jeremy J
Fields, James L
Fillaus, Michael J
Fischer, James J
Fischer, Patrick T
Fletcher, Daryl H
Flier, Chad L
Fodness, Sylvan
Folk, Joe
Folsom, Ryan A
Ford, Thomas W
Foster, William A
Fouts, Kathy A
Fowler, Harold & Jean
Frank, Brian J
Friend, Mandy M
Fritzemeier, Kristin L
Fuerst, Donald
Gaarder, Nathan D
Gabriel, Elroy D
Gaikowski, Amanda R
Gale, Renae
Galer, Michael R
Gambrel, Kari
Gann, Brian Lee
Gann, Jeremy B
Gaston, Ronald D
Gaub, Joel B
Geery, Shawn
General Cellular Corp.
Gerard, Gerrit D
Gerbing, Michael E
Gesinger, Mitchell L
Gill, Edward S
Gjerdingen, Eric
Glazier, Brad S
Gleason, Jill M
Glenn, Craig A
Glenn, Janette L
Goodman, Danny J
Gordon, Travis
Graham, Charles
Graham, Robert G &
Kathryn A
Granberg, Griffin M
Grant, David J
Gray, Nathan C
Green, Don E
Green, Norman R
Gregerson, Lee R
Gregerson, Lisa
Gregory, Ann M
Gruchow, Lance C
Ham, Cody C
Hamilton, Erik J
Hammer & Sons, Roy
Hammerstrom, Walter
Hanneman, Paul J
Hannon, Tina
Hansen, Amy C
Hansen, Donald
Hansen, John A
Hansen, Michael H
Hansen, Stuart C
Happeny, Kelly L
Haraldson, Brandie J
Hartmann, Jennie D
Hartzell, Dave
Harvey, Alice
Hawkins-Dick,
Rebecca L
Hayen Jr, James R
Haynes, Nicholas B
Hayunga, Randy
Hefner, Chad L
Heiberger, Richard
Heibult - Dec, George W
Heibult, Anna
Heier, Neil A &
Marjorie M
Heiman, Steve G
Heinzman, Arlene E
Heinzman, Don W
Heisinger, Timothy L
Helgager - Dec,
Bennie A
Helgager, Mae M
Hendricks, Aaron
Hennigs Jr, Dale R
Herrboldt, Nola
Hightree, Donna J
Hill, Gerald D
Hill, Jonathan
Hinds, Thomas E
Hinzman, William
Hoesing, Aaron M
Hofer, Darrin
Hoffman, Dereck A
Hoffmann, Brenda
Grudt, Ole A & Lavaun M Hogstad, Donna J
Gudahl, Terrance R
Holmberg, Mrs Robert
Guthrie, John A
Holzkamm, Randy
Haar, Nicholas J
Hood - Dec, Thomas W
Hagan, Brian
Hooten, Timothy
Hagg, Lindsay L
Hooyer, Anne
Hale, Stanley E
Howell, Todd J
Hradec, Lannie L
HSBC Mortgage
Services
Huffman, Jeryl R
Hulscher, Rich JW
Hummel, Lyle R
Hunt, Debra M
Hwang, David Y
Ilse, A I
Inland Yacht Sales
Iverson, Philip Harold
Iverson, Richard O
Jack’s Frozen Pizza Inc
Jackson, Derek A
Jacobson, Debra A
Jacobson, Earl
Jacobson, Richelle M
Jacobson, Yvette
James, Charles
Jandl, James
Jenkins, James T
Jensen, Corey M
Jensen, Daniel L
Jensen, David
Jensen, Ernest
Jensen, Richard A
Johansen, Terry
Johns, Michael
Johnson, Darlene M
Johnson, Derek D
Johnson, Karen
Johnson, Lisa M
Johnson, Ron D
Johnson, Scott P
Johnson, Stacey J
Johnston Jr, Charley E
Jones, Linda L
Jorgensen, Harold O
& Oris
K Molding
Kane, George K
Karkkainen, Susan
Katzer, Cary
Kelly, Robert W
Kenobbie, Dennis
Keogh, Donald M
Keppen, Eric R
Kessler, Laura
Khaoon, Phet
Kilen, James A
King, Connie L
King, Jeffrey T
Kirschten, Kyle L
Klein, Peter
Klemme, Matthew W
Kluck, Harlen
Knauss, Angela Marie
Knight, Vivian
Knode, Stanley W
Knodel, Ralph
Knopp, Kevin M
Koch, Daryn
Kocourek, Delle M
Koehler, Ronald R
Kohlhoff, Dale H
Kolbo, Carrissa A
Koopmans, Brenda
Korkow, Pearl D
Kotas, Ralph A
Kouyate, Abou Don
Krause, Ricky A
Krier, Steven A
Kroeger, Randy
Kruger, Andrew G
Kruger, Deana F
Kruse, Mae M
Kueter, Todd
Kuhns, Gladys M
Kulwicki, Heather
Kulwicki, Roger
Kyle, Gregory W
Lamb, Michael A
Lammi, Jerod T
Land & Sea Food
Company of CO
Landeen, Joan A
Lange, Adam T
Lankhorst, Christel
Larsen, Chester
Larsen, Elmer L
Larsen, Mrs Clara
Larsgaard, Hazel
Larson, David B
Larson, Phil
Larson, Sunda Diane
Lathrop, Tim
Law, Lawrence M
Lawrence, Dean A
Lawrence, Debora A
Le, Gia
Lee, Monty
Lee, Stella Swensen
Lee, William M
Leeker, Mark D &
Virginia D
Leiferman, Sara A
Lemmons, Donna
Leonard, Troy
Leopard, Thelma
Lewis, Elisa A
Lewis, Wendy L
Lewison, Joey C
Lewno, Teresa R
Lia, Nyapine
Lickteig, Dustin J
Lien, Josh
Lieser, L P
Liesinger, Becky Ann
Lindner, James M
Loecker, Wendy
Logue, Mark & Tina
Loneman, Bonnie K
Longchamps, William M
Lovrien, Bradley T
Lozano, Nohemy
Lucas, Anthony
Ludwig, Richard
Luechtefeld, Thomas
Luke, Stacy & Jason
Luken, John
Luther, Brandalyn Mae
Lyle, Joey C
Maas, Brandyn L
Machovsky, Dennis
Mackert, Matthew J
Mackey, Don K
Madetzke, Amy J
Maltsberger, Darin T
Marken, Connie L
Mason, Richard C
Massey, Joseph
Mathews, James M
Mauger, Bradley G
Maurer, Leland A
May, Kevin K
Mcaninch, Michael L
Mcavoy, Michelle R
McBride, Russell &
Deborah J
McIlvaine, Allen E
McInerney, Vance R
McKenna, Lee
McKenney, Troy K
McLaughlin, Dave
McLaughlin, James T
McMurrey, Michelle E
McNamara, Ryan P
Mehlhaff, Alex J
Meinke, Guinn
Merkwan, Chastity L
Messenger, Aaron
Metcalf, Mathew R
Metcalfe, Jamie L
Meyer, James P
Meyer, Keith D
Meyer, Robert L
Midwest Ag
Miller, Abbey J
Miller, Charles
Miller, Daniel J
Miller, Kenneth J
Miller, Michael J &
Jean M
Miller, Parnell
Miller, Rick
Miller, Russell L
Miller, Steve
Millett, Del C
Misterek, John D
MLH Inc
Moeckel, Robert
Monson, Tami K
Moore, Daniel R
Morrison, Sheena L
Muller, Bernie G
Mullinix, A R
Munce, Christopher
Gene
Murphy, Michael P
Murphy, Tracee R
Murphy, William &
Glendene B
Muters, Marlys A
Myott, Sharon L
Neasca, Florentina L
Neeman, John H
Nelin, Daniel J
Nelson, April
Nelson, Derek
Nelson, James E
Nelson, Keith
Nelson, Shonda K
Neptune, Tony
Nielsen, Bryan J
Nielsen, Curtis K
Nordstrom, Melissa R
Northwestern Bell
Telephone Co
Nuese, Kailie J
Nyreen, Charles
Nytroe, Tom
O’Daniels, Marshann R
Oehler, Dustin L
Oehlke, Roger E
Oien, David L
Oleson, Gary L
Olson, Jeremy D
Olson, Roderick A
Olson, Teresa
Orlowske, Tim J
Ortega, Reynaldo J
Orth, Perry K
Osborne Olson, Amy R
Ottmar, Robyn L
Overbeek, Dave J
Owen, David G
Palmer, Stephen M
Paramore, Russell
Parcell, Todd W
Parker Contracting
Parks, Robert
Parsai, OM P
Parsons, Chris
Pasley, Scott W
Patterson, Curtis V
Paul, Clint L
Paulsen, Bradly J
Pedersen, Paul A
Pederson, Craig
PedersonSandbult-Shell
Pena, Rudy
Perley, Ruth I
Perry, Tracy R
Pesicka Est., Lafama J
Pet Flavors Inc
Peters, Robert M
Petersen, Neil E &
Jacqueline D
Petersen, Tony
Peterson, Palmer C
Peterson, Scott Allan
Peterson, Todd V
Phillips, Jennifer
Pietz, Robert L
Piper, Kevin L
Pittenger, Gordon L
Pitts, Heather J
Plihal, Kevin A
Pogany, Wade
Poppen, Dirk M
Poppens, Eric J
Powell, Stan
Preheim, Reynold &
Debbe
Progressive
Management
Pudenz, Laurel
Qazi, Tahir M
Quien, Mike A
Rabenberg, Timothy E
Radel, Laverne
Rand, Anthony
Raper, Lisa N
Rasmussen, Bruce
Rasmussen, Holly C
Ratzloff, Dayna R
Reasonover, James &
Sylvia
Reep, Tom
Rehfeldt, Justin A
Reichelt, Kendria L
Reiter, Joseph R
Remington, Gwen
Reutter, Dustin A
Reynolds, Richard J
Rieger, Brian K
Riemersma, Daniel R
Riley, Richard A
Rislov, Odean
Roberts, Bobbie
Roberts, Donald E
Robinson, Tyler J
Robison, William
Rogers, James E
Rohrer, Richard A
Roman, Leslie
Roth, Daniel L &
Nancy M
Sacibovic, Senad
Salisbury, Micah J
Satellite Cable Services
Schaap, Brent
Scharff, Mike L
Schiefen, Kathy R
Schmidt, Michelle
Schmidt, Sandy L
Schnetter, Julie L
Schock, Wendy A
Schoenfelder, Todd A
Schrag, Stuart & Pam
Schreck, Greg
Schroeder, Darla D
Schroeder, Erin D
Schroeder, Garrett L
Schroeder, Kristopher L
Schrum, Kellie Lynn
Schulte, Raymond &
Rhonda
Schulte, Terrance J
Schulte, Todd
Schultz, Maynard
Schultz, Nathanael
Schumacher, Al & Judy
Schumacher, Bill
Schumacher, Laurie
Schwartzman, Mendel
SD RSA #9 LTD
Partnership
Servicemaster Bldg &
Comm Maint
Shaeffer, J H
Shaeffer, James C
Shaffer, Jill M
Sharkey, David L
Shepp, William C &
Donna
Showers, Vaughn
Siemonsma, Dawn
Sievert, Tamara &
Marvin
Simmons, Frankie
Simonsen, Dexter P &
Carolyn
Sinning, Henry K
Skillman, Jim G
Skinner, Larry R
Skoglund, Kelly
Sletvold, Marlin
Slocum, Vicki L
Smidt - Dec, Alice
Smidt, Brian
Smith, Calvin
Smith, Jaculin J
Smith, Thomas L
Smithey, Eddie M
Snedeker, Christina M
Snyder, Justin R
Soderquist, Jay D
Sorensen, Dale R
Sorenson, Timothy R
Soukkeo-Johnson,
Danien
Spagos Inc
Spencer, Harold L
Spicer, Trude
Spidle, Carol A
Stack, Carroll L
Stalheim, Chris
Stanfill, Alan L
Stanley-Stringer, Patsy
Stassen, John M
Steever, Susan
Steilen, Vonda
Stein, Robyn
Sterling, Cathy A
Stevens, Randy M
Steward, James
Stirling, Jenifer
Stoddard, Stacy A
Storevik, Ron J
Storgaard, Kimberly
Stough, Jason V
Strable, Jami L
Stratmeyer, Steven C
Straw, Clint D
Strizhuis, Anatoliy
Stutson, David
Styles, Charlotte L
Styles, Chelsea R
Sundet, Claudette
Svatos, Peggy L
Swanson, Jeremy J
Swart, Jennifer L
Swenson, Jaci J
Taylor, Gene
Taylor, Ward J
Teleconnect-MCI,
Telecomm
Terra Chemicals Int Inc
Teslaa, Eric J
The Machan Company
Inc
Thie, Kristen
Thompson, Dale A
Thompson, Mark L
Thunder Valley
Raceway-C/O Duane
Boise
Tieszen, Michael
Tobin, Paul
Tompkins, Kent L
Traffic Safety Services
Tran, Dung T
Trapp, Cindy L
Trimble, Shon J
Tschetter, Ross M
Tungland, Teri Jo
Tuschen, Leonard
Tuttle, L B
Tyler-Kappenman,
Judy R
Tysdal, Bernard A
Ugland, Casey J
Uithoven, Gary
US West Bri/Real
Estate Dept
US West New Vector
Van Woudenberg,
Jerald
Vandeberg, Ryan L
VanderHeiden, Kyle
VanderMaten, Nicholas W
VanEgdom, Carl
Vanginkel, Tara L
VanKalsbeek, Tammy
VanZee, Barry & Marcy
VanZee, Michelle R
Vaughn, Joann
Verbeek-Dec, Everett
Verhey, Thomas D
Verner, Mark A
Voeltz, Todd
Vonk, Glenn O
Voss, Sandra M
Wachter, Charles
Wagner, Paul J
Walker, Ron G
Walth, Kent J
Waltz, Sandy J
Ward, Roger M
Warner, Michael E
Warner, Terry L
Warren Sr, David H
Warriner, Denise C
Wasson, Harold G
Weber, Robert R &
Tammy J
Wehde, Dave
Wehde, Kimberly L
Weibel, Jack L
Weier, Terry M
Weiss, Michael L
Weisz, Darren
Werner, Luke A
Werner, Rena M
Wessels, Wayne H
Westergaard, Duane
Dale
Western Wireless Corp.
Whitham, Jeff L
Whittle, Deb L
Widboom, Randal D
Wiegert, Scott D
Wiens, Barry
Will, Joyce
Williams, W Vail
Winfield Homes
Winstead Jr, Charles
Wipf, Ray
Wofford, Shari L
Wolford, Kent
Woods, Shannon M
Wright, Harold J
Wudel, Mark
Wuertz, Dennis
Wuertzer, Alma
Yi, Tai
Yount, Jeffery
Zimmer, Jennifer
Zimmerman, Heidi M
Zimmerschied, Jerry D
Zuehlke, Alecia
Zuhlsdorf, Nikolas J
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • July 2016 11
Innovation
Could Put Coal Use in
a Whole New Light
S
ince coal generated more than half the
By
Paul Wesslund
nation’s electricity as recently as 10 years ago, that
share has fallen to one-third as of last year. The
decline of coal generation will continue as new
environmental rules are set in place and prices for
natural gas remain relatively low.
So it’s curtains for coal, right? Not so fast.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean
Power Plan still calls for more than one-fifth of our
electricity to come from coal by its 2030 target date.
Even President Obama’s Energy Secretary sees a
future for coal.
“We are talking about a progressively lowercarbon future, but we have not abandoned coal
as part of that future,” Secretary Ernest Moniz
told the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader in
April. “Coal can play a major role in a low-carbon
economy.”
A role for coal is important, says Daniel Walsh,
senior program manager for generation, environment and carbon at the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association (NRECA). Citing the huge
coal supply in the U.S., Walsh sees coal as a key
12 July 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
to energy security. “We need to use this valuable
resource we have in this country.”
Achieving that brighter future for coal could depend on huge improvements to a technology called
carbon capture.
Carbon capture seeks to solve a top environmental complaint about coal, which is that burning it
releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that has
been linked to climate change. Grabbing the carbon
dioxide before it leaves the power plant would keep
it out of the atmosphere.
Carbon capture is still a developing technology,
with 15 test plants in the world and seven more
coming online by 2017, according to an international industry group. One of the main holdups to
that development is that the technology is expensive
to build and operate. Really expensive.
Running carbon capture equipment at a power
plant uses about one-third of the electricity produced by that power plant.
As daunting and inefficient as that sounds,
Moniz cites $6 billion spent on carbon capture research by the Department of Energy as proof of his
optimism. NRECA’s Walsh believes in the power of
researchers to make carbon capture costs competitive.
“We will continue to see innovation,” says
Walsh. “We’re going to be successful.”
One reason for that sunny outlook comes from a
35-year trend of finding cleaner and more efficient
ways to burn coal. Since 1970, electric utilities in
the U.S. have reduced pollution regulated by the
federal Clean Air Act by more than 60 percent.
Techniques have ranged from washing coal with
water, to burning it at lower temperatures to release
less harmful chemicals, to large and expensive flue
gas desulfurization equipment, also called scrubbers.
Over the decades, those technologies improved,
says Kirk Johnson, NRECA senior vice president
for government relations. He says those improvements can be a model for carbon capture.
“We didn’t start out with scrubbers that achieved
a better-than 90 percent reduction in sulfur dioxide
removal, but we ultimately got there,” says Johnson.
“The future has got to be in continued research.”
Electric co-ops launched a drive to that success
with the April ground breaking for the Integrated
Test Center in Wyoming. Operation is scheduled
for summer 2017. The state of Wyoming is funding
$15 million of the center, which will be built at the
site of the existing Dry Fork Station, a coal plant
owned by Basin Electric Cooperative, a regional
co-op based in North Dakota. Another $5 million
of support will come from another regional co-op,
Denver-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and $1 million from NRECA.
The test center aims to advance carbon capture
research by focusing on a looming question about
the technology – once you capture the carbon dioxide, what do you do with it? The test center focus
will be on a new area of carbon capture work that is
even changing the name of the technology.
For years the process has been referred to as CCS
– for Carbon Capture and Storage (or Sequestration). Geologists looked for underground formations where the carbon dioxide could be stored
safely and permanently. An evolving terminology
refers to CCU, for Carbon Capture and Utilization,
or CCR, for Carbon Capture and Recycling.
The idea is that one way to make carbon capture
more cost-effective would be to find commercial or
other uses for the carbon dioxide that produces a
better return on investment than burying it underground. Researchers at the test center will be able
to use carbon dioxide from the Dry Fork Station to
run tests. Among the first researchers, the test center
will host teams competing for part of $20 million
in XPRIZEs on ways to use carbon dioxide (CO2)
at power plants. The XPRIZE Foundation supports
innovation in several areas, and its recent call for
entries reads, “Do you have what it takes to turn
CO2 emissions into valuable products?”
CAPTURING CARBON
Researchers around the world are studying ways to
capture carbon from coal-fired power plants to keep the
greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere. There are
15 test plants around the world that remove flue gas to test
the technology for removing the greenhouse gas.
There’s reason to believe that lofty challenge
might succeed at the test center, says NRECA Communications Manager John Pulley. He describes
the plans as bringing researchers in to develop their
ideas in the “real-world” setting of a power plant.
“Once you have a facility like this in place that
will allow people to test their great ideas, the sky’s
the limit,” he says. “People might look at coal in an
entirely new light.”
Paul Wesslund writes on cooperative issues for the
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association,
the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s
900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric
cooperatives.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • July 2016 13
Electrifying Ways
to Help Kids be Smart Energy Users
D
By Justin LaBerge
iD you turn off the lights in your room?”
“We’re not paying to heat the whole neighborhood!”
“Save some hot water for the rest of us!”
Across America, parents utter these phrases to
their children countless times each day. Despite
their best efforts, it can be tough to help kids understand the importance of saving energy – and to
put that knowledge into action.
Few people have more experience talking about
energy efficiency than the communication professionals who work at America’s electric cooperatives.
So we asked them how they persuade the toughest
audience they face every day: their kids.
Here are a few of their tips.
Deputize an “energy enforcer”
Several parents recommended deputizing children to investigate wasteful energy practices.
When her children were young, Heidi Smith
14 July 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
of Tideland Electric Membership Corporation in
North Carolina let them take turns playing the role
of energy deputy.
Each week, the appointed child was given a
badge and empowered to seek out energy waste and
hold the offending party accountable.
“My youngest son took it so seriously that he
once cracked open the bathroom door and reached
in to turn off the light on his dad after he decided
daddy had been in there long enough,” Smith said.
“All five of my children are now grown, but they
continue to practice energy efficiency in their own
lives.”
Diana Hersch of Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative in Ohio offered a slightly different twist on
the same idea. She suggests offering your little energy deputies a bounty for finding leaks, drafts and
other wasteful energy practices around the house.
Their progress can be tracked with stickers on a
calendar and when the kids reach their goal, they
can be rewarded with a sheriff ’s badge or another
small toy of their choice.
Penalty stroke
In addition to teaching her patience and discipline, the rounds of golf Jim Nimmo plays with
his 11-year-old-daughter have turned into valuable
lessons in energy conservation.
Nimmo, of Farmers Electric Cooperative in
Texas, has started adding a penalty stroke to his
daughter’s score for each time he’s had to turn off
her bedroom light and fan since their last round.
“It gives new meaning to the term penalty
stroke,” Nimmo said. “We don’t have much of a
problem anymore.” No word on whether his daughter is allowed to return the favor.
The invisible hand
If your child’s hand never seems to find its way
to the light switch, perhaps the invisible hand of the
free market can help them out.
Katie Kothmann Haby of Medina Electric Cooperative in Texas said her dad used to fine her 25
cents for every light bulb she and her siblings left on
in their rooms. For her ceiling fan with four bulbs,
that was a costly mistake.
“It taught us that electricity really did cost
money since we had to pay when we didn’t conserve
it,” Haby said. Though her daughter is only 2 years
old, Haby says she plans to use the same approach
when she’s older.
Game Theory
Other creative strategies to inspire kids to do
their chores and keep peace in the home can be
found in The Game Theorist’s Guide to Parenting.
The recently published book, written by Paul Raeburn and Kevin Zollman, shows how Game Theory
can be applied to many of daily transactions of
parenting, such as sharing, dividing, collaborating
and compromising.
No matter what the approach, talking to kids
about energy use is sure to pay dividends. They
might not always follow through, but they’ll be
learning important lessons about the value of energy
and the importance of conservation that can last a
lifetime.
Justin LaBerge writes on consumer and cooperative
affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative
Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of
the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit
electric cooperatives.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • July 2016 15
Regional Dateline
June 24-25
24th Annual Irene Rodeo
Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 6 p.m.
Irene, SD
June 25
Ribs at the Ranch Rib Cook-off
Event, Freeman Academy
Campus, Serving 4:30 to
8 p.m., Freeman, SD
605-321-7351
July 4
Old Fashioned 4th of July
Parade, 10:30 a.m., kids pedal
pull, 1 p.m., car show, crafts
food vendors, band concert
8p.m.followedbyfireworks
display. Lennox,SD
605-521-3722
July 7-10
Hot Harley Nights
Sioux Falls, SD, 605-334-2721
July 14-16
JazzFest, Sioux Falls, SD
605-335-6101
Events of Special Note
June 24-25
South Dakota Senior Games
Mitchell, SD, Barb Pierkowski
at 605-995-8048
Photo CoURtESY oF hoWARD BICh
June-October Second
Saturday of each month
Solace Farm General Store is
hosting the Davis Flea Markets
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., The event will
feature local vendors
inside the American Legion and
outside in several of grassy
areas around town
InadditionMarge’sAntiques
Solace Farm General Store and
The Davis Bar will be open
offering various items and
treats for all. Booth space
inquiriesshouldbedirectedto
Solace Farm at 605-940-0069
July 8-9
South Dakota Senior Games
Madison, SD, Bernie
Schuurmans at 605-270-3327
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 15-17
Danish Vikings Days
Activities, Entertainment
Parade, Dances, Ethnic Food
Daneville Heritage Museum
Viborg, SD, 605-929-4466
[email protected]
August 4-6
Hutchinson County Fair
Running from 6 p.m. on the
4th until 4 p.m. on the 6th
Fairgrounds, Tripp, SD
605-387-4205, hutchinson.
[email protected]
July 22-23
2016 Rock-N-Rumble
Motorcycle Rally, Yankton, SD
605-665-3636
August 12-14
26th Annual Old Fashioned
Threshing Show, Free
Admission, Featuring A-C
Cockshutt, CO-OP
Friday Tractor Pull, 4 p.m.
Classes I, II and III
Saturday and Sunday
10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parade both days at 1:30 p.m.
Flea Market Welcome
Refreshments and Lunch
Served on Grounds
Bahnson Farm, Humboldt, SD
605-526-3495 or 605-251-9974
July 29-31
Hot Hurley Nights, Hurley, SD
605-661-6357
July 30
Black Hills Music & Food
Festival, Rapid City, SD
605-645-1880
July 31
Hurley Volunteer Fire
Department’sSeventhAnnual
Tractor/Pickup Pull, 1 p.m.
Registration at Noon
August 27
McCrossan Boys Ranch Xtreme
Event Rodeo, 4 p.m. – Gates
open, 4:30 p.m. – Pre-show
entertainment, 5:30 p.m. –
Rodeo Show Begins, McCrossan
Boys Ranch Campus
605-339-1203
August 5-6
South Dakota Senior Games
Yankton, SD, Kristi Hauer
at 605-665-4685 or Tracy
Grotenhuis at 605-668-5238
August 13
South Dakota Senior Games
Huron, SD, LaRon Klock at
605-353-8533
August 18-20
South Dakota Senior Games
Watertown, Jeremy Herrbold
at 605-882-6260
August 25-28
State South Dakota Senior
Games, Aberdeen, SD
Howard Bich at 605-275-6891
[email protected]
southdakotaseniorgames.org