OUTLET - Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative

the
Outlet
Monthly Publication of Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (USPS 711-080)
Volume 46, Number 5 - May 2015
Members Attend MLEC Annual Meeting
The Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) Annual Membership Meeting was held April 18, at the
McGregor High School.
Board President Harold Harms presided over the business meeting and General Manager Jay Porter gave
highlights of the past year and plans for the future. Dennis Lamke was honored for his 12 years serving
as a board member.
David Saggau, President & CEO of Great River Energy (GRE),
wholesale power supplier for MLEC, spoke to members
about the many innovative steps GRE has taken to meet
the solar mandates from the State.
The annual report for
Operation Round Up®
was presented by trust
board president Pat
Scollard. Over $871,000
has been awarded to
community projects
since the program’s
inception.
Outgoing Board Director
Dennis Lamke
Operation Round Up® Board
President, Pat Scollard
David Saggau, President & CEO of Great
River Energy
With a total of 1955 ballots cast for director election,
incumbents Don Appel of District 5 and Mike Reem of
District 7 were both re-elected. Bruce Robinson was
elected for District 6.
New MLEC Board Director
Bruce Robinson
Door prizes included gift cards, credits to MLEC bills and other gifts. Winners included: Judith Cirilli, Pat Scollard, Dale Bottila, and
Angels, all of McGregor; Patricia Erkel, Glen Chambers, Bruce and Margaret Brown, Fleming Methodist Church and David Kohanek
all of Aitkin; Ken Danielson, McGrath; Gerald Speckel, Coon Rapids; and Wayne Griesel of Roseville.
Busy Beavers 4-H Club served lunch following the meeting.
Inside
this
issue
Operation Round Up®.......................... 2
Tech Tips................................................3
Save on Home Lighting........................4
From the Manager.............................5
State of Change....................................6
French Spaghetti................................7
Save Money on High Speed ................8
Member Service Manager Chris Perrine
conducts prize drawings
Keeping energy affordable for over 75 years. That’s the power of your electric co-op membership.
Board of Directors before meeting, left to right - Don Appel, Aileen
DeMenge, Dennis Lamke, Harold Harms, General Manager Jay
Porter, Barb Welty, Michael Reem and Bill Bernard
MLEC Operation Round Up®
$871,500 in Giving
The Mille Lacs Community Trust board met in March and awarded the following
contributions to area projects:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
$300
$500
$1000
$1500
$5250
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
Aitkin County Rivers and Lakes Fair – fair expenses
Aitkin High School Grad Blast – a chemical free evening for graduates
American Cancer Society – Relay for Life
Aitkin Community Food Shelf – for purchase of freezer
Food Shelves – 7 food shelves received $750 each
Garrison Commercial Club – Garrison Play Days
Good Samaritan Outreach – provide resources for those in need
Great River Strings – to purchase sheet music
McGregor Area Dollars for Scholars
McGregor After Prom Party – to provide a chemical free evening after prom
Onamia After Prom Party
Onamia Senior Dining – provide dinners for seniors
All together a total of $12,050 was donated to local community groups to help them enhance the
lives of people in our communities.
This newsletter is the voice of your tax
and interest paying RURAL ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE, an organization which
was formed to supply you with low-cost,
dependable electricity when other sources
failed to do so.
Editor
Chris Perrine
Assistant Editor
Jan Moriarty
927-2191 or 800/450-2191
Your cooperative’s directors
and employees are available
to answer your questions or
hear your concerns.
President
Harold Harms
320/684-9955
hharms@ mlecmn.com
Vice President
Don Appel
218/927-4134
[email protected]
Secretary/Treasurer
Barbara Welty
320/692-4800
[email protected]
Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Aileen R. DeMenge
218/768-4900
[email protected]
Other Directors
Bill Bernard
218/678-3911
[email protected]
Bruce Robinson
218/851-4760
Present to receive their checks were (front, l to r) Ethan Croatt, Aitkin HS Grad Blast; Ashley
Golombowski, Onamia After Party; Sharon Bruggman, McGregor Food Shelf; Ruth Larson,
Community Food Shelf, First Lutheran Church; Ruth Nelson, Aitkin Community Food Shelf;
Janet Smude, Aitkin County Rivers and Lakes Fair; Don Carlson, Cuyuna Food Shelf.
(back, l to r) Randy Hanson, Onamia Food Shelf; Jenna Bordwell, Aitkin HS Grad Blast;
Jeannie Croatt, Aitkin HS Grad Blast; Jessica Collison, Garrison Food Shelf; Cathy Olson,
American Cancer Society; Bill Pavlik, Good Samaritan Outreach; Janice Fairchild, Aitkin
Food Shelf; Lynn Foote, Great River Strings Ensemble; Nancy Kokesh, St. James Food Shelf;
Tessie Lovaas, Onamia Senior Dining/Catholic Charities; and, Al Pearson, Trust Board.
Thanks to the generosity of all MLEC members that choose to round up their monthly electric bill to
the next dollar, the Mille Lacs Community Trust is able to donate funds to these worthy causes. Since
its inception 15 years ago, the program has now provided $871,500 for local community projects.
Grant funds are administered by the MLEC Trust board of directors that is separate from the
Cooperative’s board. Members of the volunteer board are: Pat Scollard, President, McGregor; Fred
Tessmer, Vice-President, Deerwood; Muriel Kingsley, Secretary, Palisade; Ed Anderson, Treasurer,
Aitkin; Shirley Adolphson, Garrison; Loren Larson, Garrison; Allen E. Pearson and Diane Landstad,
Aitkin.
The Trust Board meets quarterly to review grant requests. Next quarterly application due date is June
2, 2015. If your organization would like to be considered, please contact Deb Chute at 927-8221 or
800-450-2191 for an application, or they can be found on our website, www.mlecmn.net.
The Outlet
May 2015
2
[email protected]
Michael Reem
218/678-2961
[email protected]
General Manager
Jay Porter
218/927-8224
[email protected]
NOTICE TO POSTMASTER
Address All subscription
correspondence and form 3579
to: THE MILLE LACS
ENERGY OUTLET
(USPS 711-080)
P.O. Box 230
Aitkin, Minnesota 56431
Published monthly by
Mille Lacs Energy
Cooperative
P.O. Box 230
Aitkin, Minnesota 56431
Office of Publication
Aitkin, Minnesota 56431
Periodicals Postage Paid
at Aitkin, Minnesota 56431
Additional Entry at
Isle, Minnesota 56342
Subscription Rates
Members-50 cents per year
ech
Meter testers have been contracted by MLEC to do testing
in Ross Lake, Dean Lake,Unorganized T48-R27,
Morrison, and Fleming townships .
ips
Saving a Screen Shot on your Phone
or Tablet
The testers will be driving white vans or trucks with
both Chapman Metering
and MLEC logos that should be visible.
If you want to save a picture of what you
are seeing on your iPhone, iPad or Android phone screen, just press the Home
button at the bottom of the device and
the Power button at the same time. You
will see a flash, possibly hear a click and
the image will be saved to your Photos/
Photo Gallery.
If you have any questions regarding the meter testing,
please contact our office at 1-800-450-2191.
On many Android phones, you can also
swipe your hand across the full screen to
take the shot and save it to your Photos.
If any general tips do not work on your
device, search the web for more specific
help. For example: How to take a screenshot on an iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy
Tab 4. The more specific you are when
searching for anything on the Internet
the faster you will find the info you are
looking for.
Calculate Energy Savings
Download the Together We Save App
from Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
through your device’s App Store. Choose
Calculators and then pick a category to
see how much you can save by using
energy efficient appliances, space heaters,
light bulbs, etc.
Please! Continue to tell everyone to stay away from downed lines.
On Friday, March 20th, at approximately 7:15pm, the Wadena County Sheriff's
Office received a 911 call regarding a possible electrocution. A rural Staples man
was walking through a wooded area when he came in contact with a downed
power line. Emergency crews arrived on scene and began life saving efforts on the
man; he was transported to Lakewood Hospital with serious injuries and was later
pronounced dead. The Wadena County Sheriff's Office, Staples Police Department,
Staples Ambulance, State Patrol and Staples Fire Department all responded to the
incident.
Take care and be safe.
May is National Electrical Safety Month
The spring and summer storm season brings the potential
for electric outages, as wind, rain and lightning can bring
down trees and power lines. Downed power lines can look
harmless, but STAY AWAY.
If you see a downed power line, move away from the line
and anything touching it. Do not drive over downed lines.
If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact
with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could
become the next victim.
Visit our website: www.mlecmn.net for more safety tips.
The Outlet
May 2015
3
From The Board Room
The regular meeting of the board was held at the cooperative’s
office in Aitkin on March 20, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. with all directors
present.
Our offices will be closed
on Monday, May 25th in
honor of Memorial Day.
Routine business included approval of February minutes, approval
of manager and directors’ expense vouchers and team activity
reports. Routine reports included an update on general manager’s
activities since last month, the monthly financial report, the
February safety meetings, the monthly accident and mileage
report, employee utilization, and the GRE (Great River Energy)
board report. Other reports included results of 2014 Internal Audit.
In other action, the board:
- Approved work orders for January.
- Approved recommended write offs for the month.
- Approved Mike Reem to serve on Investment Policy Committee
- Approved Brady Martz to audit MLEC’s Defined Contribution Plan
- Reviewed policies: 507 – Outdoor Lights, Public Street and Highway Lighting Installations, 510 – Work on Member’s Property, 511 – Requests for Relocation of Facilities and 512 – Continuity of Service.
- Confirmed regular board meeting dates as April 17, May 15 and June 19, 2015. Also confirmed Annual Meeting to be held at McGregor High School on April 18, 2015.
Next meeting scheduled for April 17th , starting at 9 am.
Save Money on Home Lighting
Call Jana or Jeff at 429-0432 or 888-433-4279 for more information.
To learn more, visit www.energywisemn.com.
The Outlet
May 2015
4
Enter for a chance to win a $500 energy credit
Clearing for reliability
There are many ways that Mille Lacs Energy provides you with safe, reliable electric service. One
of the most common – and crucial – ways is referred to as right-of-way clearing (or vegetation
management).
A right of way (ROW) refers to a strip of land underneath or around power lines that your electric
cooperative has the right and responsibility to maintain and clear. Trees must grow at a distance
far enough from conductors where they will not cause harm to individuals or disruption to
electrical service.
Specifications can vary. Our goal is to maintain a cleared 40-foot right-of-way corridor on all
single-phase primary lines, a 60 foot right-of-way corridor on all multi-phase primary lines,
and a 10-foot right-of-way corridor on all secondary lines.
Clearing the ROW is critical to keeping our members’ lights on. The largest cause of power
interruptions occur when trees, shrubs or bushes grow too close to power lines.
Jay Porter
General Manager
If a tree encroaches on this safe distance, our vegetation management team will trim back
branches and brush using chainsaws, bucket trucks, tree climbers, brush chippers and mowers.
Chemical control methods can also be used as a way to support the growth of low growing
plant species that will outcompete the tall trees growing beneath power lines.
ROW clearing also keeps your family safe by ensuring that tree branches do not become energized due to close contact with a
downed power line. Power lines can carry up to 34,500 volts, and an energized tree branch is incredibly dangerous – even deadly.
Be mindful when around trees close to power lines, and make sure your children know that climbing trees near power lines is
extremely dangerous.
ROW clearing is also critical to ensuring that we provide members with affordable electricity. Staying ahead of the game keeps us
from having to come out after a storm to restore power due to fallen trees.
Remember to contact Mille Lacs Energy if you decide to trim or remove trees near any power service or line. Never trim a tree in
the right-of-way zone on your own.
ROW clearing just makes sense. Visit mlecmn.net to find out more or ask for information about how to keep the ROW in your
service area clear.
contact your legislator
Jay Porter
MLEC - Owned by those we serve
Minnesota House Introduces
Energy Bill Containing Important
Net Metering Reform for Utilities
We are asking that you contact your legislator
to ask for their support of fair net metering
reform.
Planning a new electric service this year?
It’s never too early to get started! Here is how the process
works:
Installing New Electric Service (New electric service is
installation to a property that has never had electric service)
•
Contact our Member Service Team at 218-429-0433 or
800-497-5310, or stop in at our office for a packet of
information.
•
Fill out and return the application.
Currently, these costs are absorbed by the
entire membership. Owners of solar and wind
generation stay connected to the grid and rely
on the co-op to provide their electricity at times
the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.
This reform would allow the co-op to recover
these costs that it takes to provide this service,
nothing more.
•
After receiving the application, our office will contact
you to set up an appointment to meet with our staking
technician.
•
Within a week after meeting with our staking technician,
we will send you a cost form. This form will let you know
the cost to install your service, and what else is needed
(Ex: easement, 911 address, permits, right of way clearing,
etc.).
Please contact your Minnesota state legislator
and ask them to support this bill. Not sure who
to contact? Find our here:
http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts
•
Once we receive everything needed, your service will be
scheduled for installation. Our goal is to have it installed
within two weeks of that date.
This reform is about fairness. We are simply
asking that owners of distributed generation
pay for the services that they continue to use
from the co-op.
The Outlet
May 2015
5
State of Change
Developments that are transforming
the way co-ops operate
Times of rapid change are a fact of life, but for the electric utility industry, they’ve become the
new normal. In a recent article, Forbes magazine points to a number of major developments
transforming the industry and forcing deep shifts in the traditional business model.
Among them: declining load growth, new regulations, growing distributed generation,
changing consumer expectations, and plummeting natural gas prices.
Interviews with experts within the electric cooperative community have identified three overarching trends that will present challenges and opportunities
for co-ops:
• An increasing ability to monitor and control energy use
• A shifting resource portfolio for electricity generation
• A transforming relationship between co-ops and their members
RE MAGAZINE polled experts within the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and the co-op community for their choices on the top trends
impacting electric co-ops. Over the next few months, we’ll share a portion of these articles in THE OUTLET.
A Shifting Market for Electricty Generation
Macro Trend - A rapidly expanding renewables market, major increases
500-kilowatt or 1-megawatt system,” Cotter says. “A community solar
system is a direct counterpoint to distributed PV generation.”
With a community solar project, a co-op builds a utility-scale PV farm
and recuperates costs by leasing out individual panels (or even portions
of panels) to members. The SUNDA (Solar Utility Network Deployment
Acceleration) project is a $4.8 million Department of Energy-sponsored
venture in which NRECA and 14 electric co-ops are working to
standardize utility-scale solar design. The result will be a template that
co-ops can use to implement solar projects. “We want to simplify the
process and encourage group purchasing so co-ops can get discounts,”
Cotter says.
The near-term concern for electric cooperatives, he notes, is third-party
PV companies chipping off energy sales and positioning their products
and messaging between the co-op and the consumer. But longer term,
the concerns are more strategic, Cotter says. Over the next three to five
years, as smart appliances, home energy management systems, and
cost-competitive PV continue to come online, cost-effective energy
storage systems will also come to market. These systems will greatly
enhance the value of energy efficiency and distributed generation
services, and as a result, third parties could look to minimize the utility
or cut it out altogether by offering complete home energy services.
Co-ops still have a distinct advantage here, though, Cotter says. Thirdparty solar companies may offer a package of rooftop PV, battery backup, and smart appliances. But the utilities own the grid and can deploy
and manage these technologies in a more coordinated and optimized
manner. For instance, instead of individual homes with batteries, a
utility can build microgrids that offer many of the same advantages of
a residential distributed energy system but at a lower cost, for more
people, and optimized for system-wide efficiency and resiliency. “It pays
to be part of a network,” Cotter says. “Everyone can be a winner.”
Ultimately, if a co-op has compelling services and a consumer-centric
business model, it will be able to successfully compete with third-party
solar companies. “Consumers want choices,” he says. “They want cheaper
PV prices, and they want systems that are easy to install and use.”
in the supply of natural gas, and impending new federal emissions
regulations on coal and natural gas generation are radically changing
the power generation market. Key facets of this significant industry
trend include:
• Meeting consumer demand for renewables while managing incursions from third-party service providers
• Integrating fast-start natural-gas-fired systems to better manage renewable generation
• Properly managing the increased use of natural gas, particularly when delivery pipelines may not be adequate to meet demand
• Developing thermal-energy storage programs that make full use of renewable resources
Renewables and Distributed Generation
Packaging solar services for consumers
Trend: Third-party providers are aggressively pursuing utility customers
to purchase low-cost or leased renewable and distributed generation
(DG) systems.
This development could disrupt the historically close co-op/member
relationship and impact the co-op’s ability to provide safe, affordable,
reliable services.
Rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems are proliferating nationwide, and
many of them are units installed by and leased from third-party solar
companies. In fact, these vendors have accounted for the greatest
growth in residential PV installations over the past few years, according
to numbers from the Energy Information Administration.
Consumers are attracted to these companies because they can offer
entry into the solar market with low or no upfront costs.
That’s easy for third parties to do, says Andrew Cotter, an NRECA program
manager. “They don’t have to manage the grid and pay for infrastructure
costs as utilities do.” But that doesn’t mean co-ops don’t have options
that are more reliable, simpler to use, and cost-competitive. “No matter
how inexpensive PV panels may be, it’s always cheaper to install a
The Outlet
May 2015
6
Watt’s Cooking?
Strawberry-Rhubarb Stuffed French Toast
Strawberry-rhubarb compote:
2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 cups rhubarb, chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Send us one of your recipes and If it’s printed in THE OUTLET, we’ll credit your account $5.00!
Mail to: Deb Chute - Mille Lacs Energy, P.O. Box 230, Aitkin MN 56431
or e-mail to: [email protected]
French Spaghetti
French toast:
8 slices of challah or french bread
4 tablespoons butter, divided
Strawberry-rhubarb compote
3 large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
Whipped cream, for serving
In large saucepan, toss together strawberries, rhubarb,
sugar and vanilla. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring
frequently until mixture is thickened and reduced, about
12-15 minutes.
Thank you to Doris Johnson of St. Paul for sharing the following recipe.
2 cans tomato soup
½ pound bacon
¼ small onion or onion flakes
½ box spaghetti
Spread 2 tablespoons of butter onto slices of bread. Spoon
compote on 4 of slices, on top of butter. In large skillet or fry
pan, heat remaining butter over medium heat.
In wide shallow bowl or pan whisk together eggs and milk.
Dip compote-topped slices into egg mixture (but do not
submerge it) and transfer to hot skillet. Dip remaining slices
butter-side up into egg mixture and place butter-side down on
top of compote-topped slices. Cook on each side 2-3 minutes
until golden brown. Serve immediately with whipped cream,
additional strawberries and powdered sugar, if desired.
Dice bacon and fry until crisp. Dice onion and sauté for a few minutes
with the bacon. Drain off excess grease. Add 2 cans of tomato soup
and 1 soup can full of water. You can add additional water if needed.
Simmer while cooking spaghetti. Drain spaghetti. Add to tomato
soup and bacon mixture, and season. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. You
can also season with garlic or hot peppers if you desire.
You can add additional spaghetti depending on the desired number
of servings. Serve with french or garlic bread.
Happenings
Congratulations!
This year, MLEC donated funds and food to the McGregor Food Shelf.
Contributions from Denim Days (employees are allowed to wear jeans
on Fridays if they pay $5), the Annual Meeting Meeting (in exchange for
a CFL bulb), and an employee pie auction on National Pi/pie day were
given to the fool shelf.
Casey Coombs & Sampson Perrine
2015 winners of the Youth Tour
to Washington, DC
Representing employees for Denim Days (l to r): Chris Perrine, Emily Bellah, Andi Cartie, Sharon
Bruggman, Mcgregor Food Shelf, Ann Espeseth, Donna Monse, Kristi Nelson, and Jay Porter.
Jeff Coombs putting together Annual
Meeting food and donations.
Some of the pies auctioned on Pi/Pie Day.
The Outlet
May 2015
7
Casey participates in volleyball and
basketball. She was cast a member
in the high school musical, a member
of Concert Choir, Madrigals vocal
ensemble, and the Handbell Choir.
She participlated in the American
Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and
the Stength and Honor Lift-a-Thon
benefiting American veterans.
Sampson participates in Knowledge
Bowl, One Act Play and the school
newspaper. He was a lead in the high
school musical, a member of Concert
Choir, Madrigals vocal ensemble,
Concert Band and Jazz Band. He
performed for the American Cancer
Society Relay for Life and the Aitkin
Education Foundation events.
Look where you can use your Co-op Connections card!
Plexus Independent Ambassador Kelcie Quiel, Aitkin, 218.537.0694
$20 off a purchase of $100 or more, available only with Kelcie
Regular office hours are
Mon-Fri 8:00 to 4:30
24-hr phone #s are
927-2191 or
800-450-2191 (toll free)
Dr David A Winegar, DDS, McGregor, 218.768.4111
5% discount when paid on same day of service
GM Cleaning, Inc., Onamia, 320.532.4396, $10 off carpet cleaning
Don’t forget the cards pharmacy discount! Find nationwide lodging and other discounts on the Co-op
Connections website.
Coop Connections on Facebook to see offers and get updates.
Link to businesses nationwide at www.mlecmn.net
Make your business a part of the Co-op Connections program: Call Erin at 927-8245 or 888-724-9624 to find out more.
$20 off
To report an outage after hours,
Choose “1” in our automated
answering system.
Emergency Only
stand-by service is provided during
non-business hours.
Off-peak and dual fuel system
consumers should call their electrician
for service or repairs.
If digging in MN,
Dial 811 for
Gopher State One Call
48 hours before you dig.
or log on to:
www.gopherstateonecall.org
Then contact a licensed electrician
to locate your secondary wires.
First six
months of service
Free
MN Electrical Inspectors
Phone call hours:
7-8:30 a.m.
standard
Installation
Aitkin County &
South East Crow Wing County
Scott Nutting 218/927-6922
Ross/Dean Lake Townships
David Illies 218/682-3784
Mille Lacs County
Tim Emery 320-692-4104
Dial Up/Wireless Tech Support #:
1-888-348-6878
Satellite Tech Support#:
888-306-5501
High Speed Internet
data packages up to 150 GB
limited time offer - new customers only
Call 429-0433 or 800-497-5310 for details!
The Outlet
May 2015
8
Visit our website www.mlecmn.net
E-mail us [email protected]
Love your Exede?
Tell your friends and family!
If they install too, you’ll get $100 credit
on your account.