A newsletter for members ofProviding energy for life.Tri-County Electric Cooperative

January 2015

Directors complete training

Pictured from left to right: Harley Harrelson, Mark VanDolah and Rusty Anders. Harley and Rusty recently completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) curriculum which consists of fi ve courses designed to provide basic knowledge and skills required of cooperative directors. The CCD is earned by attending all fi ve (5) required courses and successfully completing a learning assessment for each. Mark completed the Board Leadership Certifi cate which can be earned after completion of the CCD. This Certifi cate can be attained after earning the CCD and completing a total of 10 credits from a list of topics. Congratulations and thank you.

Helpful home heating tips10 ways to keep warm and pay less doing it

Most of us spend as much as 25 percent of our utility bill on heating. Here are 10 tips for keeping the cold out and paying less to do it.

1: Dress warmer — Often, we set our winter thermostats higher than needed. If you’re wearing sleeveless tops and shorts and going barefoot inside your house in winter, you’ve got the thermostat set too high. Lower it to 68 degrees, and layer on long-sleeved shirts, sweats, sweaters and socks when inside and outside. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you can save 1 to 3 percent on heating costs, depending on your heating source.

The U.S. Department of Energy points out that you can save 10 percent of your utility bill by turning back the thermostat 10 to 15 degrees for at least eight hours.

2: Stop the drafts and leaks — Save up to 15 percent of your heating dollars by caulking, sealing and weatherstripping wherever outside meets inside.

3: Take care of your furnace — Replace or clean the furnace fi lter each month you heat; dirty fi lters can greatly affect the heating ability of the furnace and waste valuable fuel. Vacuum heating registers and as far into the ducts as you can reach. If you have baseboard or electric wall heaters, brush and remove dust and dirt from the cooling fi ns and fan. Check and clean electronic air cleaners every three weeks or so.

4: Insulate — Insulation isn’t sexy, but it’s the low-hanging fruit of energy-effi ciency improvements. Your home will be more comfortable in winter and summer and your utility bill lower if you insulate to recommended or above levels. For Iowa and northern Missouri, insulate your attic to R-49; for areas farther south, the recommended minimum by Energy Star is R-38 or 12 to 15 inches of insulation. The University of Missouri Extension recommends R-49 for ceilings, R-18 for walls, R-25 for fl oors over crawl spaces, R-19 for crawl space walls, R-8 for slab edges and R-11 for basement walls. These are minimum values.

5: Adjust your water heater temperature — It’s easy to forget your water heater is running 24/7 to keep water hot for the relatively small amount of time you need it. Lowering the set temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees can add up to signifi cant savings when you multiply 24/7 by 52 weeks a year. According to DOE, every 10-degree reduction in water temperature can save 3 to 5 percent in energy costs.

6: Reverse the switch on your ceiling fans — Turn clockwise to push down the warm air that naturally rises. This is especially important in rooms with high ceilings.

7: Open heating vents — Make sure they are open and unblocked by furniture or other items to insure air is evenly distributed through the home.

8: Invest in a portable heater — If you’re willing to keep most of your house chillier and use the heater in just one room, then a portable heater can save heating dollars.

9: Check your ducts — Look for sections that have become separated. Seal leaks with mastic, butyl tape, foil tape or other heat-approved tapes — not duct tape.

10: Turn off ventilating fans within 20 minutes — After 20 minutes, these fans in bathrooms and kitchens suck out warm air and can empty a warm house in about an hour!

For additional tips, download “A Guide to Energy-Effi cient Heating and Cooling” at www.energystar.gov.

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Resolve to pay less for energy in 2015What can you do to reduce your electricity bill in 2015? Here are a few

simple solutions for the new year that can make a difference in what you pay on your monthly bill:

Schedule a home energy audit — Check with your cooperative to see if it offers a home energy audit or can recommend a provider. These audits will identify where your house is leaking energy and will help you set priorities in fi xing the problems. It’s the best investment you can make when it comes to energy effi ciency.

Do a nightly energy sweep — Before you turn in at night, walk through your home turning off lights and electronic gadgets and appliances that don’t need to be powered 24/7. Consider changing the thermostat to a more economical setting while you sleep.

Set your water heater at 120 degrees — Such a simple thing to do, but it can make a difference. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, every 10-degree reduction in water temperature can save 3 to 5 percent in energy costs. Some manufacturers set their heaters at 140 degrees, but this higher temperature can be dangerous — it could scald — and it promotes mineral buildup in pipes.

Replace every incandescent light bulb —The quality of light output by CFLs and LEDs has dramatically improved in the past decade. You won’t miss the incandescent once you’ve made the switch. Energy-effi ciency writer Michael Bluejay at www.michaelbluejay.com points out that replacing 10 60-watt incandescent light bulbs with CFLs can save $123 a year.

Insulate and weatherize — Maybe you can’t afford new windows or a more effi cient furnace this year. But chances are you can afford to caulk and seal, add plastic sheeting to windows and add insulation to attics, crawl spaces and exterior walls. Such improvements are often the most cost-effective way to improve energy effi ciency and comfort. Energy Star estimates you can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs by sealing and insulating. You may even qualify for free or reduced weatherization through your local community action corporation.

Use power strips — Connect electronics and appliances that don’t need power 24/7 to power strips that you can effi ciently turn on and off. Get rid of that phantom electricity use!

Wash cold and hang to dry — About 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes is for heating the water. New effective cold-water detergents make washing clothes in cold water a snap. Michael Bluejay says you can save on average $150 a year. Then, if you use a clothesline instead of a dryer, add another nearly $200 in savings.

Replace furnace and air conditioning fi lters — Every month in season, replace dirty fi lters to improve air fl ow. Clogged units won’t operate as effi ciently.

Lower thermostat in winter and raise in summer — Set your winter thermostat at 68 degrees and summer at 78. Every degree you adjust down in winter and up in summer for an eight-hour period will reduce your fuel bill by about 1 percent.

Plant a tree — Deciduous trees on the east, southwest and west sides of your house can cut summer energy bills as they mature and shade your home. And if wind cuts effi ciency in the winter, plant a shrub or tree windbreak to defl ect some of the wind. Stop the leaks:

Tips for caulking, sealing and weatherstripping

Drafts and leaks will waste 10 to 15 percent of your heating dollars. Simple weatherstripping and caulking can stop most of the leaks.

For tips on stopping the leaks, download the “Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with Energy Star” at www.energystar.gov. Keep in mind some outdoor caulking may be diffi cult to apply in cold weather.

Seal attic leaks — Doing that will likely make the biggest impact on your energy bill. Start by plugging the big holes fi rst, such as open stud cavities. If your attic is fi nished, seal behind the kneewalls. Next, seal around the furnace fl ue, using proper techniques and seals. Then go after small gaps, using foam or caulk. Fill wiring and plumbing holes with expanding foam, and caulk around electrical junction boxes and fi ll holes in the box with caulk. If the space around your plumbing pipes is wider than 3 inches, stuff fi berglass insulation into the space. Once the fi berglass insulation is in place, follow the directions on the can to foam the space around the pipe. Finally, weatherstrip the attic hatch or door.

Check doors and windows — Weatherstrip and caulk any holes you see and around frames. Make sure doors seal properly.

Close the fi replace damper — When the fi replace is not in use, an open damper is like an open window that draws warm air out of the room and creates a draft.

Caulk or seal every duct, wire or pipe that penetrates walls, ceilings and fl oors — Plumbing vents can be especially bad, since they begin below the fl oor and go all the way through the roof.

Caulk along the basement sill plate and around heating system fl oor registersSeal electrical outlets and switches on outside walls — Use inexpensive foam

gaskets that fi t behind light switches and electrical outlet plates.Add storm windows and doors — If they’re already installed, make sure they

close properly.Remove window air conditioners — This prevents drafts and seals windows

better.

Don’t duck duct care

This is a good time of year to check your ducts for cracks and holes, which can add up to as much as 20 percent of lost and wasted conditioned air if your ducts are in an unconditioned space. Look for tangled, kinked and crushed ducts for problems.

First fi x the ones that will make the biggest difference:• Seal those that run through the attic, crawl space, unheated basement or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. Avoid duct tape, which can dry out or crack. • After sealing these ducts, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting cold in winter and hot in summer. • Seal ducts you can access in the heated part of the house.• Seal the connections at vents and registers where they meet the fl oors, walls and ceiling.• Download the Environmental Protection Agency’s and Energy Star’s Duct Sealing guide at www.epa.gov or www.energystar.gov for more tips on duct care.

November 2014 Board Report From the Manager’s desk:• Citizen Lobbyists Play a key Role in Policymaking

• By Scott GatesAt the November meeting of the Board of Directors’ of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, the board reviewed the following items:

• The board reviewed and approved the proposed agenda.• The board reviewed and approved the regular board meeting minutes (10/27/14).• The board heard a presentation on “Energy in Today’s Classroom”.• The board reviewed and approved new memberships.• The board received a safety report and a member services report. The coopera-

tive has had 0 vehicle accidents, 0 recordable accidents, 0 near misses, 0 lost time accidents for the month. The cooperative worked 3,882.5 hours for the month and 40,467 for 2014.

• The board received a member services report.• The board received a report of operations.• The board reviewed fi nancial reports.• The board reviewed expenditures in detail.• The board held an executive session.• The board heard an AMEC report.• The next board meeting has been set for December 23, 2014.

Comparative Operating Report October 2013 2014Wholesale Power Costs $444,646 $419,441 Revenue $916,668 $917,893 Operating Costs $983,555 $872,551 Margins ($66,887) $45,342 Year to Date Totals 2013 2014Wholesale Power Costs $4,709,038 $4,659,558 Revenue $10,679,088 $10,787,164 Operating Costs $9,361,871 $9,650,136 Margins $1,317,217 $1,137,028

On a humid summer day in Washington, D.C., a group of electric cooperative employees and directors negotiate Capitol Hill, moments away from meeting with their U.S. representative. Despite a hectic schedule, you can bet the

legislator will spare time for them. They know that close contact with voters back home is crucial to their role in Congress.

Legislators listen when those doing the talking are real people. They know they can trust a message delivered from the grassroots.

“Government doesn’t quite work the way history books tell us,” explains Barry Hart, CEO of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. “An array of lobbyists and special interest groups are constantly vying for policymakers’ attention, all pushing their way as the right way. Many times politics involves dealing with many points of view from totally committed people and reconciling them. It can be very brutal.”

Efforts by electric co-op leaders like Hart keep national energy policy debates focused on consumer concerns. These efforts work with support from the tens of thousands of grassroots voices being heard on Capitol Hill as personal letters and emails sent by consumers reach lawmakers. Since electric co-ops operate in a heavily regulated industry where public policy carries far-reaching impacts, consumer involvement is particularly important.

“There’s no question that the plans currently being made by policymakers could double and triple electricity rates and energy costs, easily, over the next decade or so,” stresses Hart. “Consumers are speaking up before that happens, supporting our own efforts as lobbyists. The role of these concerned consumers—these ‘citizen lobbyists’—is key in shaping policy in the electric industry, where the role of government is very, very high.”

The existence of electric cooperatives serves as a prime example. Launched in 1935 with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s creation of the Rural Electrifi cation Administration (REA), REA helped establish 417 electric cooperatives that were serving 288,000 households within four years. Today, 42 million Americans receive electricity from more than 900 consumer-owned, not-for-profi t electric co-ops.

Uncle Sam also played a direct role in getting power to rural residents through federal hydropower development projects, most of which were constructed between the 1930s and early 1960s. Generation produced at federal dams continues to deliver steady, reliable, baseload renewable electricity that’s sold to co-ops and publicly owned municipal utilities through four federal power marketing administrations.

“Co-ops operate in an environment where a host of laws passed by Congress and state legislatures, and regulations imposed by federal and state agencies, profoundly affect consumers,” Hart comments. “Addressing these concerns takes on great importance.”

Enter the lobbyist. The term “lobby” dates back to at least the 1600s as a place in the British House of Commons where citizens could meet with their representatives. Recognizing its importance, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution enshrined lobbying, along with freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom to protest, as a basic American right.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association was formed to provide electric cooperatives with legislative representation on a national level. Most local electric co-ops also belong to a statewide association that handles lobbying functions at the state level.

“When consumers wake up in the morning, they’re not thinking about whether Congress could be marking up an important measure that could impact their electric bills–people generally don’t track things like that,” says Hart, who works closely with the NRECA staff on legislative issues. “That’s what lobbyists are for. However, our efforts are greatly supported by consumers, who can explain to elected offi cials what their core issues are. That’s the essence of grassroots: It’s a powerful, persuasive force that most special interest groups just don’t have.”

Electric co-op lobbying efforts have recently been reinforced by the Cooperative Action Network, an organized grassroots awareness campaign that puts co-op consumers directly in touch with U.S. senators and representatives. Over the past year, more than a million messages stressing the impact of regulations aimed at power generation from coal have been sent to the Environmental Protection Agency through the program. Of these, more than one-third came from Missouri electric cooperative members.

The glue that holds it all together are the very real, personal messages from co-op consumers being sent to regulators or legislators on Capitol Hill. These messages raise the co-op voice above the drumbeat of other special interest groups.

“Consumers give us credibility when we step into a congressional offi ce,” Hart concludes. “These grassroots contacts really put authenticity into what we’re talking about.”

Be smart with your thermostatSome of us “run hot” and others “run cold.” This can lead to constant

adjustment of the thermostat, which is highly ineffi cient, hard on the furnace and not all that that effective. Alternatively, consider the following:

• Try 68 degrees or less during the day and 60 degrees when sleeping.• Remember, for every degree adjusted, you can save 1 to 3 percent on

heating costs.• Cranking your thermostat up to 90 degrees or down to 40 degrees will not

heat or cool your house faster.• Most homes will re-heat in 15 minutes or less, according to the Kansas

State University Research and Extension.• Install a programmable thermostat. If you’re away during the day and have

a different weekend schedule, then a programmable thermostat will allow you to automatically turn down the heat when you’re gone or when you’re sleeping at night and then boost the temperature when you need it. Properly using a programmable thermostat could cut your heating costs by at least 20 percent. Return on investment is typically within a year.

• If you set your thermostat at 80 degrees, and you’re not there to enjoy the warm house, you’re paying for wasteful energy. It will take less energy to quickly warm a cool home than to maintain a warm temperature all day long.

Seal those windowsWinter isn’t the best time to actually replace old windows with new, but if

you didn’t get around to winterizing existing windows, do it now. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about one-third of a home’s heat loss is from windows and doors.

Energy Star-qualifi ed windows can reduce heat loss by 7 to 24 percent compared to conventional windows.

To tighten your windows:• Caulk and weatherstrip windows• Place plastic over single-pane windows either inside or outside, leaving a

½-inch to 4-inch air space between the two.• A more effective but a more expensive option than plastic is to install

interior or exterior storm windows after sealing air leaks around your windows; this can reduce heating losses through the window of up to 50 percent, according to Energy Star

• Let the sun shine in south windows during the day, but at night, close window shades and pull insulated drapery liners shut to block warm air from escaping around windows

Important dates:OFFICE CLOSINGS

January 1

New Year’s Day

February 16

President’s Day

May 25

Memorial Day

July 16, 2015

Annual Meeting

Schuyler County High

School

Tri-County Electric CooperativePO Box 159

Lancaster, MO 63548660-457-3733 or 888-457-3734

www.tricountyelectric.org

Board of DirectorsPresident-Mark VanDolah

Vice President-Harley HarrelsonSecretary-Dave KochTreasurer-Bill Triplett

Rusty AndersKelley Church

Kenny McNamarJoe SeboltRex Winn

General ManagerJane Bahler-Hurt

EditorKevin Wheeler

kwheeler@tricountyelectric.org

TO REPORT AN OUTAGECall Toll-Free888-457-3734

Local

660-457-3733Before Calling:• Check your breakers or

fuses• Check to see if your

neighbors have powerWhen calling be sure to have the following:• Your name• Member number • Location • Which account (if you

have multiple accounts)

A newsletter for members ofProviding energy for life.Tri-County Electric Cooperative

Tri-County Fee ScheduleLate Payment Fee $5.00Meter Test Fee $30.00Returned Check Fee $30.00Collection Trip Fee $30.00Trip Fee for Member’s Side OutageOffi ce Hours $60.00After Hours $120.00Reconnect FeeOffi ce Hours $120.00w/in 12 mos. $120.00After Hours $180.00

This act requires retail electric suppliers to make net metering available to customers who have their own electric generation units that meet certain criteria, one of which is that the unit is powered by renewable energy resources. Net metering is where the customer gets credit for the electricity he or she generates in lieu of electricity supplied by the electric utility.

Net metering provides the best of both worlds for consumers who choose to invest in renewable energy technology: they have the security of grid connection, but are also compensated fully for excess power they produce that’s fed into the grid. As such, it provides an incentive for investing in small-scale renewables. Furthermore, it prevents utility companies from discouraging installation of renewable systems.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative has a net metering agreement for interconnection of a distributed generation source. Our policy, agreement and application now refl ect the new standards set by the Net Metering and Easy Connection Act as of January 1, 2008.

Net metering will be made available to customers on a fi rst-come fi rst-served basis until the total rated generating capacity of the net metering systems equals 5 percent of the utility’s single-hour peak load during the previous year.

Some of the provisions include the following:Is intended to primarily offset part of all of the customer-generator’s own electrical energy requirements.Is interconnected and operates in parallel phase and synchronization with the retail electric supplier.Meets all safety, performance, interconnection, and reliability standards.The installation must be certifi ed by a qualifi ed professional electrician or engineer. Change in ownership requires a new application. The retail electric supplier shall have no liability absent of clear and convincing evidence of their fault. Any seller, installer, and or manufacturer who misrepresent any electric generation unit’s safety or performance standards

may be investigated by the state attorney general upon report. They are also liable for damages to property or person if they knowingly misrepresent any performance and/or safety aspects of an electric generation.

Any consumer, who connects in parallel phase and synchronization with any retail electric supplier without written approval, can be immediately and without notice disconnected from electric service.

The manufacturer of any electric generation unit may be held liable for any damage to property or person caused by a defect in the generation unit of a customer-generator.

Full retail is paid (credited) for all energy put on the grid up to the amount purchased that month from the utility. Avoided cost (at a minimum) is paid for all energy put on the grid in excess of that month’s use. This amount can remain

as a credit on the customer’s bill for up to a maximum of one year or at time of service disconnect. Customer and manufacturer assume liability. Customers pay for special metering costs necessary to accommodate the customer-generator’s facility. All charges to the customer must be based on the standard rate base with no additional charges for capacity, standby,

and/or fees or charges. Signed agreement Application/Agreement for Net Metering.All hardware must meet (but not limited to) specifi cations of: UL 1741, IEEE 929-2000, IEEE 1547.Utility may require a visible lockable safety disconnect. Supply site specifi c power fl ow diagram.Must meet all applicable codes including local codes and NEC.Annual recorded tests by member-generator to confi rm safety operation (as per agreement with utility.)

Simple interconnection procedures that standardize interconnection for all Missourians are necessary to promote the use of renewable energy in Missouri. The ECA makes it easier and more cost-effective for Missourians to connect small renewable energy systems to the grid.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative supports sound renewable energy. We just ask that our members do their homework before spending thousands of dollars to add solar, wind, or any type of renewable energy source to their home. For more information please contact member services at 660-457-3733.

Net Metering and Interconnection Act

Fireplace tipThe Iowa Energy Center recommends you seal off that never-used fi replace, which otherwise is like an open door to the outdoors for conditioned air to escape. Create your own plug for the chimney, then seal it with caulk. Just be sure to remove it if you decide to use the fi replace. Another option is to infl ate an inexpensive chimney balloon above the damper. It will defl ate if you start a fi re. Furnace tipThe U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Savers recommends that before you upgrade your furnace, you fi rst improve the energy effi ciency of your home. A tighter house will mean your new — or old — furnace works less.