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News from Hoosier Energy for members and employees. | FEBRUARY 2015 | Vol. 38, No. 2

ENERGYLINES

Hoosier Energy board meets, tours new facility at 2501 South Cooperative Way | PAGE 7

PRIDENews from Hoosier Energy for members and employees. | FEBRUARY 2015 | Vol. 38, No. 2

NERGYNERGYLINESLINES

IN PARTNERSHIP

NEWS BRIEFLY 1 EnergyLines | February 2015

Renewable energy gains momentum

In its annual collection of data, the

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

said renewable generation—including

hydropower — jumped by 40 percent

from 2008 to 2013, while total genera-

tion dropped by about 1.3 percent.

At 171 gigawatts, renewable energy

represented 14.8 percent of all installed

capacity and 13.1 percent of annual

generation, the highest totals ever, the

laboratory said in its newly released

2013 Renewable Energy Data Book.

“Installed renewable electricity

capacity has grown at a compound

annual growth rate of 4.8 percent

per year from 2000 to 2013,” said the

Golden, Colo.-based lab, which is sup-

ported by the Department of Energy.

Electric cooperatives are part of that

growth with power purchase agree-

ments, as well as several wind, solar

and biomass projects that recently have

come online.

According to the NRECA Strategic &

Economic Analysis unit, co-ops have 6.18

GW of renewable capacity, excluding

hydropower from federal power market-

ing administrations. About 1.14 GW of

that are directly owned by co-ops.Source: NRECA

2015 coordinated media plan

REMC’s affiliation with the Touchstone Energy brand.

The coordinated plan will run via print, radio, television and website vehicles from March — April and September — October and features messaging to rein-force the ongoing value local electric cooperatives bring to their communities by helping their members use energy more efficiently.

The underlying theme cham-pions the value of lowest-cost, democratically-governed power that only comes through co-op membership.

The 2015 Coordinated Media Plan was developed using the latest research information to create a comprehensive and cost-effective advertising program for Hoosier Energy’s 18 member systems.

Coordinating media place-ment across the service territo-ries creates an integrated and cost-effective approach to utilize overlapping media reach, sharing tags on ads and taking advantage of collective buying power.

The goal of the coordinated media plan continues to be increased awareness of the

Touchsto

ne Energ

y image

Snyder promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Donna Snyder has been pro-moted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Hoosier Energy. This change reflects the scope of her responsibilities, her corporate leadership and her role in representing Hoosier Energy in the financial community and other external settings. Snyder has also recently accepted additional respon-sibilities for overseeing corporate strategy development.

Snyder joined Hoosier Energy as Manager of Financial Services in November 1995. In 2003, she was named Vice President of Finance & Controller and has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the power supplier since 2008.

A Certified Public Accountant, Snyder holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University. She also serves as the continuing professional education coordinator for the G&T Accounting and Finance Association.

Before joining Hoosier Energy,

she was an auditor for the national public accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand LLP where she served as business assurance manager over client engagements in state and local government, retail, environmental engineering and consulting and not-for-profits.

As Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Snyder’s responsibilities will continue to include financial reporting and compliance, capital and treasury management, financial planning, risk management and reporting and other services.

EnergyLines is published monthly by Hoosier Energy’s Communication Department for members, employees and retirees of Hoosier Energy.

SEND COMMENTS TOEnergyLines EditorHoosier Energy REC, Inc.P.O. Box 908Bloomington, IN 47402

ON THE COVER“The statue of the two linemen in the circle represents teamwork and the roots of what we stand for, and in-cludes plaques that represent the value each one of your cooperatives brings to the Hoosier Energy network,” said Steve Smith during the first board meeting at the new headquarters.

BACK ISSUESTo read back issues, log on to Hoosier Energy’s website at www.hepn.com/energylines.asp

ENERGYLINES EDITORIAL STAFF

Claire GregoryManager of Communicationemail: [email protected]

Eric NeelyCommunication Specialiste-mail: [email protected]

Jonie GatesCommunication Specialiste-mail: [email protected]

Mary Lynn BeaverCommunication Specialistemail: [email protected]

2 EnergyLines | February 2015

EnergyLines is printed using post-consumer recycled paper. Continue the cycle and recycle this publication.

The following image has been purchased by Hoosier Energy from iStockphoto.com for use in this publication.

©iStockphoto.com/Photohamster

© Copyright 2009-2015 Hoosier Energy

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

ENERGYLINES

Access to digital files of current and back issues of EnergyLines are available online. The back issue library dates to 2007 and all files are saved as portable document format (PDF).

EnergyLines onlineONLINEEXTRA

>> Log on to view current and back issues of EnergyLines. {www.hepn.com/energylines.asp}

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In 2011 member cooperatives reached a lighting milestone by distributing one million compact fluorescent lights (CFL) to consumers. The three-year campaign helped thousands of families discover the energy and money saving benefits of CFLs.

Now the lighting program adds an online store, which was developed through the Team Up To Save program. The store features a variety of bulb types, styles and free shipping.

“The store is a great marketing tool designed to help consumers select more efficient lighting for their homes at dis-

counted prices,” said Hoosier Energy’s Kim Anderson, Energy Efficiency Coordinator.

The site, maintained by Service Concepts, provides a single location where consumers can purchase specialty compact fluorescent lights (CFL) includ-ing globe lamps commonly used in bath-room vanities, candelabra lamps often

used in ceiling fans and a variety of Light Emitting Diode (LED) products to replace incandescent or CFLs.

Marketing materials were provided for participating co-ops that included a bill stuffer, web banners and newsletter articles that reference the online store and the differences of lighting technology available.

“The online store is a natural expansion of the lighting program that provides co-ops the opportunity to help their members improve the efficiency of their homes,” said Anderson.

ONLINEEXTRA

>> Log on to visit the store at Teamuptosave.com/lighting

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“The store is a great marketing tool designed to help consumers select more efficient lighting for their homes at discounted prices.” Kim Anderson, Energy Effi ciency Coordinator

Lighting store illuminates new purchasing method for consumers

YOUR CO-OP

LIGHTINGSOLUTION

Your co-op has created a new online store to help you select and purchase energy efficient lights for your home. Visit the site today to begin saving on your lighting needs and reduce your energy use.

DON’T BE LEFT IN THE DARK ...

Log onto www.TeamUp ToSave.com/lighting or visit your co-op’s website to learn how you can save up to $10 and qualify for free shipping with an order of six lights or more.

WHERE TO BEGIN

FREE SHIPPING

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A quest for knowledgeStudent studying chemistry takes a powerful journey of discovery

As she steps out of the eleva-tor, you can tell she is anx-ious. Uncomfortably hot,

loud machines rumble all around her producing temperatures near 100 degrees. Heading toward a blank steel door, the young woman opens it step-ping onto a stairway circling the build-ing. A rush of chilly air blows her hair back – the temperature is 30 degrees. Time to button up.

Seven stories high she takes a moment to take it all in as she accom-plishes her goal for the day – learning about chemistry first-hand.

Enrolled in an honors chemistry class at Bloomington High School North, Emma Alexander begins a jour-ney of discovery rooted in research and expanded with hands-on experi-ence. She is tasked with a semester-long project to find a chemical resource used in central Indiana.

Identifying the topic for this smart yet quiet sophomore did not come easily. Then, one day on her way to school she notices the limestone quar-ry she passes every day.

Epiphany! She has her topic: Chemical formula CaC03 – also known as limestone. >>

CaC03


Emma’s teacher, Samantha Agoos, encourages experiential learning – hands-on active experiences that rein-force classroom teaching. Her goal is to increase the level of understanding for students and make chemistry more rel-evant to their lives.

And it works. “A lot of things I study in school don’t seem relevant but to see something like this right here in Indiana makes it really interesting,” Emma says.

The report beginsDuring her research about limestone,

Emma reads that limestone is used in a process called flue gas desulfurization (FGD) to reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal plants.

She calls Hoosier Energy to learn more. Soon, she is looking forward to

a tour of the 1,070 megawatt, coal-fired Merom Generating Station in Sullivan County to see the FGD process first-hand.

Merom station tour dayPlant Manager Karl Back greets

Emma as she enters the lobby of the sta-tion. With his welcoming smile he says, “I think we will be able to provide you a good example of an FGD system today.” Environmental Team Leader Lon Petts, an expert on the process, leads the hour-long tour.

Moving in and out of the maze of build-ings of the FGD system, Emma is taken aback by the scale of the equipment and how much of it is needed to remove sulfur dioxide.

She watches as pulverizing equipment crushes up to 1,000 tons of limestone a day into a powder. Water is then added to

make a slurry. That slurry is then sprayed into passing flue gas where the chemical process occurs. Sulfur dioxide chemically reacts to the limestone – combining sulfur dioxide with calcium and oxygen. This process at the Merom Station is designed to remove 98 percent of SO2.

A 50 page result Emma’s a 50-page report describes

the FGD process as well as the environ-mental benefits of environmental tech-nology in use today.

“Her report shows that she under-stands coal-fired generation has a future based on modern environmental control technologies in use,” says Petts.

Earning an “A” on the report, Emma expanded her knowledge about safely producing electricity — checking off another education milestone.

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HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE: Bloomington High School North Sophomore Emma Alexander toured equipment used at the Merom Generating Station. She wrote a 50-page report on the use of limestone in Indiana for a chemistry class. She says the tour helped increase her interest in the topic. On Page 4, Emma stands between her father, left, and Environmental Team Leader Lon Petts, right, as he explains the equipment around them.

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The comment period on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan for existing plants ended Dec. 1, 2014, with the media reporting that the EPA received over two million consumer comments. Of those, Indiana co-ops

generated 90,000 comments urging the EPA to find a common sense solution that doesn’t effectively remove coal from power supply choices, fundamentally altering how electricity is generated and used in the United States. The EPA’s goal is to reduce nationwide CO2 emis-

sions rates from existing power plants by 30 percent from 2005 to 2030.

Hoosier Energy and its member sys-tems support a power supply mix that balances reliability, cost and environ-mental concerns — an “all-of-the-above” approach — because all three issues are important and focusing on any one to the exclusion of the others doesn’t provide the best result. The cooperative’s 2014 Climate Change survey indicated that the power network’s members find the availability and affordability of energy are greater concerns than climate change.

Without being “regulated” to do so, Hoosier Energy and the member systems have taken several significant actions.

In 2000, Hoosier Energy’s 1,250 MW resource portfolio was 100 percent coal. Today, the power cooperative’s 2,100 MW resource portfolio is 64 percent coal, 33 percent natural gas and 3 percent renewable.

Indiana does not have a renewable portfolio standard, however, Hoosier Energy voluntarily adopted a renewable energy program in 2006. The program targets supplying 10 percent of member requirements from renewable resources by 2025. Similarly, in 2008 Hoosier Energy voluntarily adopted a demand-side management/energy efficiency pro-gram that targets a 5 percent reduction in member demand and energy by 2018.

From 2005 to 2012, the state of Indiana reduced carbon emissions by 11 percent — before the EPA proposed its rule.

In January, the EPA announced it was delaying finalizing its greenhouse gas rules for new, modified and existing power plants until mid-summer 2015.

Taking action for affordable powerMILLIONS RESPOND TO PROPOSED EPA RULES FOR POWER PLANTS

Indiana cooperative members sent 90,000 comments to EPA

Legislative effort

NRECA Infographic

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The first Board of Directors meeting in the new Hoosier Energy headquarters

is now history. On Jan. 19, a host of direc-tors and managers representing all 18 member systems, met for an official wel-come at 2501 South Cooperative Way, a name indicative of the operation.

“We have been looking forward to this meeting. For me, the transition from the old facility to this new state-of-the-art building is not complete until you’ve met here for a meeting. Today that comes to fruition,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Smith in a show of gratitude to the board.

Smith pointed to some of the highlights and advantages in the new 83,000-square-foot facility.

“The statue of the two linemen in the circle represents teamwork and the roots of what we stand for, and includes plaques that represent the value each one of your cooperatives brings to the Hoosier Energy network. We have this centrally-located board room – as it should be – which shows the importance of our belief in democratic member control,” he said.

In anticipation of tours throughout the building, Smith added: “You’re going to see a building today that is very attractive, functional and efficient. On behalf of the workforce, we want to thank you for >>

A historic dayBOARD OF DIRECTORS TOUR NEW HEADQUARTERS

HE photo

SETTLING IN: Chief Executive Officer, Steve Smith, at the podium, addresses the board of directors during the first meeting at the new headquarters in Bloomington.

BLOOMINGTON

COVER STORY


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TOP PHOTO: Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Mike Rampley, left, takes board members through Steve Smith’s office during the tour.DOWN THE STAIRS: Manager of Facilities Construction Matt Mabrey, left, takes board members through the lobby during the tour of the new headquarters.


giving us such a great workplace to serve you, the members.”

Planning for the new facility began four years ago when it became apparent that the existing facility would not meet Hoosier Energy’s needs and ground was broken on Aug. 13, 2013. The goal was to improve workforce efficiency by bringing four sites together and meet company needs for growth for many years. More than 115 employees work in the new building with room for growth for nearly 20 years.

With light streaming through the win-dows, senior officials from Hoosier Energy guided directors and managers on tours to see workspaces, collaboration areas and imagery that speaks to the past and pres-ent operations of the power supplier and

its member systems.Employees worked as tours progressed,

but it was noted by directors that many looked up to say “thank you.” There were positive comments about the harvested trees and how the custom woodwork in the facility adds to the warmth.

Terry Jobe, President and Chief Executive Officer of RushShelby Energy expressed his opinion. “ I think it’s fantas-tic. I’m in awe and it looks nice and neat,” Jobe said.

John Trinkle, director serving from Jackson County REMC, who also served on the Headquarters Planning Subcommittee, said, “I’m impressed with it all. I liked the architects to begin with and now we see the end result. It all worked out well.”

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EXECUTIVE SUITE: The circular light feature brings in natural light to the executive suite waiting area.

“I’m impressed with it all. I liked the architects to begin with and now we see the end result. It all worked out well.”Jackson County REMC director John Trinkle

“For me, the transition from the old facility to this new state-of-the-art building is not complete until you’ve met here for a meeting. Today that comes to fruition.”President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Smith

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The interactive kiosk

Technology provides state-of-the-art touchThe start of a new year and the move to the new headquarters ushers in all things new – among them an interactive kiosk in the lobby. The display allows visitors and employees an easy way to search for information on Hoosier Energy and its member systems.

FUNCTIONALITY: Commonly found in public facilities to assist visitors, the computer terminal features specialized hardware and software creating a large touch screen panel to be used much like an iPad. Hoosier Energy selected a standing kiosk with a 55-inch screen as part of the lobby enhancements.

PURPOSE: Content on the kiosk will support the Hoosier Energy brand and showcase the 18 members served by the cooperative. The custom-designed interface allows visitors to view videos, maps, various documents, directories and generation assets.

APP FRIENDLY: Hoosier Energy will have a free app available on iTunes that will allow guests to swipe videos, photos and documents directly from the table onto your iPad.

AVAILABLE CONTENT: Content on the kiosk will be continuously updated to enhance the user’s experience. Each member system has a touch function on the interface map, which gives the user an overview of the cooperative.

The goal is to communicate the cooperatives’ innovative and progressive nature, while providing a hub for documents and materials that communicate and reinforce cooperatives’ identities.

Goal of the interactive kiosk

Hoosier EnergyP.O. Box 908Bloomington, IN 47402

Angling for a good time?The Indiana Catfish Association and Hoosier Energy invite you to participate in an open tournament at Turtle Creek Reservoir.

ENERGYLINES

A CALL FOR ANGLERSWHAT: Indiana Catfish Association fishing tournament (Participants do not have to be ICA members)

WHEN: March 21 at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration begins at 5 a.m.

WHERE: Turtle Creek Reservoir in Sullivan County

HOW MUCH: $10 entry fee

ADDITIONAL DETAILS ONLINE AT HEPN.COM

OPEN TOURNAMENT AT TURTLE CREEK RESERVOIR

News from Hoosier Energy for members and employees. | APRIL 2015 | Vol. 38, No. 4

ENERGYLINESNews from Hoosier Energy for members and employees. | APRIL 2015 | Vol. 38, No. 4

NERGYNERGYNERGYNERGY

COMMITMENT STANDS TALLHoosier Energy’s new facility is flanked by an image that represents the heart of its entire workforce. This statue was commissioned by a local artist and an Indiana art studio brought it to life. Follow the step-by-step process. | PAGE 9

CO-OP NEWS 1 EnergyLines | April 2015

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Eighteen employees from eight member systems attended a Superintendents and Engineers

Meeting at Hoosier Energy on March 5. The meeting was intended to provide updates on

issues relevant to safe distributed generation interconnections, updates on OSHA changes,

load transfers as they pertain to billing and information on protection against single-

phasing. The event also provided an open forum for members to request specific trainings.

An additional meeting for members is planned for fall.

Superintendents and Engineers meeting

Rob Horton named Vice President of Power ProductionRob Horton has been named Vice

President of Power Production. As a member of the senior management team, Horton will be responsible for providing vision and leadership in the Power Production division. He will lead the development and implementation of long-range operations and maintenance plans and ensure facilities are maintained according to Hoosier Energy’s mission to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective power in an environmentally-acceptable manner.

As Vice President of Power Production, Rob will report to President

and Chief Executive Officer Steve Smith. His direct reports will include Merom Plant Manager, Ratts Plant Manager, Regulatory Compliance Manager, Construction and Outage Managers, Gas Plants Manager, Asset Manager and Fuel Department Manager.

Rob began his career with Hoosier Energy as an intern in May 1999 in the Safety & Training Department at Merom and accepted a full time position as an Auxiliary Operator later that year. He was promoted to FGD Shift Supervisor in 2001 and in 2003 transitioned to Operations as

Material Handling Supervisor. He served as coordinator for commissioning of the SCRs at Merom, including tun-ing, performance and start-up activi-ties for the $73 million project.

In 2004, Rob accepted the posi-tion of Safety & Loss Control

Specialist. Rob transitioned to head-quarters as Fuels Analyst in 2006 and was named Department Manager of Fuels in 2008. Rob holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University and is a graduate of Hoosier Energy’s Executive Leadership Development program.

Brad Wildman and Mark Bell, Whitewater Valley REMC line specialists, were on assignment in early February, pre-paring to leave the job site when they heard what they believed to be a distant horn.

Investigating, they found a Richmond woman trapped in her car in shorts and a sweatshirt in frigid cold temperatures.

“She was very lucky to be alive,” Wildman told reporters. The woman had gone out for a late-night snack around 11 p.m. and lost con-trol of her car. Six hours later she remained trapped in her vehicle, 100 feet from the roadway and down an embankment about 45 additional feet.

The men wrapped her in coats and called for paramedics. The woman suffered several injuries but has since recovered.

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Co-op linemen heralded as heroes

Daviess-Martin County REMC manager retiringFRYE PLANS TO BRUSH UP ON HIS GOLF GAME

On a mid-March sunny day, Ken Frye, General Manager at Daviess-Martin County REMC, looks across his tidy desk and declares his pend-ing retirement.

“My last working day is 59 days, five hours and four minutes away,” Frye says, acting as if he is crossing off the days with anticipation. But his pensive demeanor suggests other-wise as he recounts the 27 years he’s worked at the REMC.

“It’s gone by quickly,” Frye says. While there are no apparent regrets, his employees are much like family to him – a common trait in the co-op industry. “I’m really going to miss the employees,” he says. Frye has endeared himself to those around him, too.

Manager of Communications and Member Relations Janet Chestnut chokes back tears as she describes his daily routine, indicative of his personality.

“Every morning he goes around and visits with every employee, ask-ing how they are and telling them when they look nice. He’s quick to tell you how much he appreciates you and the job you do,” Chestnut says – admirable praise for a man who tends to lead with iron clad poli-cies.

Frye is a native of Loogootee, headquarters for the co-op. Born about 10 miles south, he’s never strayed far from home. After high school, he attended Indiana State University, earning a Bachelor’s >>



ON THE COVERThe bronze sculpture of linemen, aptly named “Commitment Stands Tall” was created by Bloomington artist Payson McNett and forged by Sincerus, Inc. of Indianapolis. Shown is an early assembly test of the statue at Sincerus.







2 EnergyLines | April 2015






ENERGYLINES

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A LEADER RETIRES: Ken Frye, General Manager at Daviess-Martin County REMC, has a gleam in his eye as he talks about retirement on the golf course.


Degree in business management with a minor in economics. After college he worked a stint at Indiana National Bank in Indianapolis in the credit division.

When his father retired from farming, Frye returned to assist with the 300-acre operation. Then in 1988 he was hired by the co-op under General Manager Bob Barron to serve as the Member Services Representative. A couple years later he became Member Services Manager and in 2000 took the reins as General Manager.

“We’ve seen a lot of change in 15 years,” Frye says. In fact, one of his first endeavors as the co-op lead-er, is also believed by Frye to be the first in Indiana. The change involved a cost-of-service study.

“We aligned our rates,” he says, explaining the results. The co-op raised its cost-of-service rates from $9.50 to $32.89. While that alone wasn’t a popular increase, it was offset by a reduction in kilowatt-hour charges. By making the cost of service equitable among all members, the co-op was able to lower kilo-watt usage costs for residential from 9 cents to 5 cents on 1,000 kilowatt hours.

“That made it fair and equitable to all mem-bers – those with gas and those with only elec-tric,” he says.

Fairness is part of Frye’s belief system. He proclaims himself a conservative in both faith and politics. He’s a staunch Ronald Reagan fan, calling him the best president in the 20th cen-tury.

“He was such a good leader. Reagan could get people to work together to get things done.” Frye relates that to his co-op duties. “If you can get everyone on board for a common cause, then

you get the best service and fairness for all the members.

“I try not to be arrogant, but I give my opinion and try not to offend you,” he says, adding: “If you have principles, people need to know what

they are.”As Frye’s countdown to May 15 con-

tinues, he holds up a Touchstone Energy Callaway golf ball, smiling at the prospect of getting out on the course.

“I like to play golf and so does my wife, Sharon. I played a lot when we were first married and then I became a father and didn’t play much for 25 years. You have to play if you’re going to be very good. Now, I won’t have any excuse but my age,” he says with a laugh. To jumpstart the renewed interest, Frye and his wife will volunteer at the PGA Senior Open at French Lick in May.

A bit of travel to visit relatives is also in his plans. He has a brother in California, a sister in Michigan and a son in Florida. He also has a daughter in the local area and boasts of five granddaughters. While known to many as a “people person” who

has served on school boards, the chamber and economic development committees, Frye plans to spend much of his retirement on his rural 40-acre home site, a place somewhat a kin to the western culture he so fondly watches.

“I like old westerns – particularly John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart films,” he says, noting that he gets a western channel by satellite.

Slower days ahead will likely find Frye sitting on his back porch, enjoying an occasional cigar and the company of his dog “Pilgrim” – not to mention another dog and five outdoor cats.

As the third manager of this southern Indiana co-op, Frye reflects upon his own personal growth through the years.

“I really enjoy the employees. I can’t say it’s all about the members. You have to take care of your employees and they in turn take care of the members. I’ve been very fortunate to have good employees.”

“I really enjoy the employees. I can’t say it’s all about the members. You have to take care of your employees and they in turn take care of the members. I’ve been very fortunate to have good employees.”Ken Frye

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On March 21, those fishing at the Indiana Catfish Association’s Turtle Creek Open were welcomed with great weather. With more than 100 boats on the water, the event’s popularity continues to grow.

From fishing to waterfowl hunting, the Turtle Creek facilities are open year-round to Hoosier Energy employees.

For more information, and hours of operation, please call (812) 876-0532.

Indiana Catfish Association Turtle Creek Open


After last winter’s polar vortex experi-ence raised serious concerns about reli-

ance on natural gas deliveries, Hoosier Energy took action to ensure there are both adequate power supplies and reliable gas plant operation during the

coldest days of the year.The Fuels Department procured an

innovative contract to help ensure gas deliveries at a reduced cost for Hoosier Energy’s gas turbine stations during cold snaps. The Power Marketing Department used these “flex-firm” contracts 10 times this winter when combustion turbines

were called on to meet regional demand requirements.

“We used this product several times during bitter cold periods to get a higher priority for calling on gas when we need-ed it the most,” explained Dave Stolz, Manager of Power Markets. “Using the flex-firm contract kept our cost of gas nearly 60 percent less than it would have been otherwise.”

Meanwhile, the maintenance crew at the Worthington and Lawrence gas plants discovered that being called to operate in extremely cold weather proved to be chal-lenging. “On the coldest days of the year we can typically expect to be dispatched. Starting up idle equipment during sub-freezing temperatures proves to be the most difficult scenario for our operations staff,” said Greg Vonfeldt, Manager of Gas Production Plants.

The combustion turbines operate reli-ably down to single digit temperatures. However, February’s sub-zero tempera-tures posed an extra challenge with the turbine ventilation systems, which force ambient air into the turbine enclosures for cooling and to expel gasses in the event of a leak.

This sub-zero ventilation air caused instrumentation freeze-ups even though theoretically it was protected by a heat trace system.

“The team persevered through this and other issues to keep our units gener-ating during the cold spell. Overall, they did an outstanding job given the circum-stances,” Vonfeldt said.

Because of their diligence in pursuit of continuous improvement in the reliability of these assets, Hoosier Energy was able to use its flex-firm gas contracts when needed this winter, ensuring gas power plants could meet member system needs at reduced costs.

Ensuring reliable, affordable gas supplyFlex-firm contracts help reduce cost of natural gas nearly 60 percent during times of peak energy demand

Peaking Plant Generation

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EFFICIENT OPERATION: Jason Robertson, kneeling, and Bruce Button work at the Worthington Station ensuring units are available during times of peak demand.

WORTHINGTON

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Movement grows to build energy efficient homesBUYING INTO SAVINGS

A winding lane off Pennville Road in Whitewater Valley REMC territory leads to a stunning

10,000-square-foot manor built of brick and stone, larger than most neighboring estates in Wayne County. Step inside the home to an even greater wow fac-tor – a masterpiece of energy efficiency engineering that meets and exceeds the Touchstone Energy Home (TEH) stan-dards established by Hoosier Energy.

As the 10-year-old TEH program gains recognition as a top-of-class model for new home construction, large and small residences across Hoosier Energy’s 18 member systems are setting new levels for high efficiency. The homes include effective foundations, proper caulk and seal applications, the correct insulation and appropriate amount, as well as effi-

cient windows and correctly sized heat-ing and cooling systems.

Prospective homeowners and their contractors are buying into savings, real-izing that investing in an energy efficient home pays off in lower energy use for years to come.

A dream home with idyllic billsThe builder and owner of this Wayne

County home is Greg Guffin, a long-time commercial construction business owner from Shelbyville. He and his wife Pam embarked on ideas for their dream home four years ago, with his crews working on the home as time permits.

Guffin built his first home in 1992 using insulation batts and natural gas for heat. After meeting with Jason Clemmons of RushShelby Energy and

Holly Yensel, TEH expert at Hoosier Energy, Guffin realized he had made some costly energy efficiency mistakes in previous construction projects. Wiser now, he sees the value in energy-saving installations for his new home.

The home is spacious and features more than 60 windows and four fireplac-es, yet it’s a fortress against the elements – spray foamed in every visible crevice.

“The cost to install foam was about three times more, but I know how air infiltrates my older home. My energy

Touchstone Energy Home Program

MANSION IN RUSHSHELBY ENERGY TERRITORY

The Guffin home

in Wayne County

includes state-of-the-

art energy efficiency

features, including

foam insulation and

geothermal heating

and cooling.


bill in my older home is nearly double this house. Foam insulation seals it like a cocoon,” Guffin said. The exterior walls are two-by-six construction, which creat-ed deep cavities for foam sealant. Crews also installed a foam lid in the ceiling and topped it with 18 inches of cellulose. R-value or the insulation value, on foam, depending on the type, ranges from R-3.5 to R-7 per inch, much greater than batt insulation for blocking out elements. As a result, the ceiling’s R-value is greater than 50.

The majority of the home sits on a crawl space with finished concrete floors and 10-inch concrete walls covered in foam, completely sealed from the ele-ments.

“I’m coming from an inefficient home that I built that is just bleeding,” Guffin said, adding, “If anybody calls and asks me, I would say ‘spray foam is the way to go.’ ”

The unfinished lowest level of the home is a showcase of energy-efficient mechanicals. A Marathon water heater, known for its watertight outer jacket and high efficiency factor, is in one corner, flanked by a three-unit geother-mal system that extracts energy from a pond loop. Guffin said he kept the 10,000 square foot home at a constant 70 degrees during construction last winter. The electric bill never exceeded $400, he said, even with abnormal, extreme weather conditions.

“The numbers just made such big sense,” Guffin said, in explaining why he chose to install a geothermal system. Government and co-op rebates saved Guffin about 30 percent on each of the three units. “The payback is a no-brain-er,” he added.

This home lacks little in the way of

imagination and convenience, from its elevator to the dog wash station in the laundry room. The extras are possible because of the long-term savings the Guffins will enjoy as a result of careful planning.

Aside from large mechanicals, light-ing efficiency with maximum illumina-tion was high on their list of priorities. More than 140 light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been strategically placed to brighten up their home of European-style. The couple installed just over 2,500 watts in LED lighting – compara-ble to 9,500 watts in incandescents. For each LED installed, the couple reduces potential energy consumption by more than 70 percent when compared to a tra-

ditional incandescent.“I am very, very happy with

the Touchstone Energy Home program,”Guffin said as he stood back, looking at the nearly completed mansion on his 450-acre farm. “I’ve spent a lot of money out here, but I’m already seeing payback. I look at it this way; it’s one thing to build this house, it’s another thing to be able to afford it in monthly bills.”

An energy efficiency program for big, medium or small homes

Near the southern border of Indiana in Harrison REMC territory, another builder is earning an expert reputa-tion for commitment to excellence in

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EFFICIENT DECISIONS: Builder and homeowner Greg Guffin, left, and Energy Efficiency Coordinator Kim Anderson discuss energy efficient light sources for use throughout his home.


energy efficiency construction. Nick Romeo of Nick Romeo Builders, LLC is a Touchstone Energy Home building convert. In 2014, one of his homes in the Lanesville area gained regional recogni-tion in the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) test, a nationally recognized energy analysis score, the lowest score in the state of Indiana to date.

On a crisp, fall day in September, Romeo showed two of his latest con-struction projects, a 2,200 square-foot home with a full-finished basement in Woodbridge Farm subdivision and a 1,300 square-foot home with a partial basement on a family farm. Both have at least one major thing in common.

“Even the smaller house is a Touchstone Energy Home on steroids,” Romeo said.

Like Guffin, Romeo says his knowl-edge of the science of energy efficient home construction has grown exponen-tially through the years. “I don’t even like to think about the houses I built 15

years ago. I know too much today.”Romeo said he first heard of the

TEH program through Harrison REMC, which he touted as “by far the best util-ity company to work with” also praising the co-op’s Bob Geswein for his role in teaching energy efficiency strategy.

In 2010, Romeo started building to TEH standards and strategies, including a preference for an all-electric home, ideally a geothermal system paired with a heat-pump water heater.

Romeo said the added costs to build correctly are worth it. He quantified some of the costs for an average build. “Instead of conventional equipment, you add about $4,000 or so on HVAC equip-ment for a two-speed heat-pump unit and mechanical ventilation.” Add to that

about 7 percent more for foam insulation and offset studs, he said. Also known as staggered studs, the wood supports are commonly offset for soundproofing and have found their way into modern-day construction to mitigate thermal bridg-ing with insulation.

“It costs pennies more to do this,” Romeo said. “Yes, it’s a little extra labor, but two, two-by-fours don’t cost much more than a two-by-six. He estimates the upcharge to be about $1,500 on the Woodbridge home and no added labor. “I don’t charge extra labor to go with foam. This job is harder to do when I do a lesser job,” he said.

The Woodbridge homeowner under-stands the value. “He works with me and gets the mechanics of it,” Romeo said, meaning he understands that spending a little more results in a better return.

Among the many features in the Woodbridge home that stand out are the 85 recessed lights. Romeo was never

EFFICIENT WATER HEATING: Residential En-ergy Consultant Holly Yensel and Nick Romeo of Nick Romeo Builders discuss the benefits of using a heat pump water heater.

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a fan. “Now, with LEDs or CFLs with foam ceilings, my arguments against recessed lighting are gone.”

About 15 minutes away on the back roadways of a farm is another of Romeo’s project – a charming house, built for one or two. The exterior is sided and the interior is clad with wood floors throughout and an open staircase to a partially finished walkout basement. Like the larger home, this rural gem is built with offset studs, all foam insulation and conditioned with a 17-SEER heat pump.

The happy homeowner, Susie Foreman, anxious to move in, peeked through the window to see the newly fin-ished floors. She explained how this new home came to be. Energy conservation was the motivator. She and her now-late husband had been living in a home next door, of which the first two rooms are log construction, built in 1798. “One day I proposed we sell our farmland and build an energy efficient home,” she said.

“It will be very comfortable, inex-pensive to operate and a very nice home,”Romeo said.

Contractors, co-ops and their mem-bers continue to embrace the TEH pro-gram. Since inception, 286 homes have been built to TEH standards among Hoosier Energy’s member systems. In 2014, 44 homes were registered to be built to TEH standards, meaning the homeowner’s builder had been through the training and agreed to comply with requirements.

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TOP: Residential Energy Consultant Holly Yensel shows cavities of spray foam used to seal and insulate the Touchstone Energy home.

MIDDLE, BOTTOM: Touchstone Energy homes vary in size from mansions to these 2,200 and 1,300 square-foot homes. These homes achieve exceptional home energy rating system scores due to the construction techniques and energy efficient equipment installed.

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COVER STORY


Bronze statue comes to lifeTHE BACK STORY

Their work boots and jeans show some wear from the many pole climbs they’ve endured and their hands are weathered from the storms. But equipped with tools of the trade and safety gear, this groundsman and line specialist are poised to do what all linemen do – install reliable, safe and afford-

able power to the people. While estimates show

that more than 100,000 line specialists work in the United States, this particular dynam-ic duo is cast in a bronze image befitting the industry and has become a symbol of pride on the grounds of the new Hoosier Energy head-quarters.

“Commitment Stands Tall” was chosen to represent the entire workforce of men and women who keep the lights on in the country, as well as reflect the core values of coop-erative service.

Why a statue?Original plans called for landscaping in the circle

drive outside the G&T’s new facility. Abstract art was also considered. But as plans came together for a new facility that would serve members for decades to come, the idea to preserve past endeavors was also paramount.

Consultants and committees looked through archives of cooperative photographs >>

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A MOLTEN MARVEL: A bar of bronze is added to a pot of molten metal. That metal is then poured into vessels that cure creating components of the statue.

About the statueName: Commitment Stands Tall

Artist: Payson McNett

Bronze Art Studio: Sincerus

Weight: Combined components, 1,200 pounds

Height: 20 feet

Foundation: Footing is seven feet deep


for inspiration. After several iterations, it was agreed, “We wanted something that would represent what we do in the field, what we provide to communities,” says Matt Mabrey, Project Manager and Engineer on the job.

Sculpting beginsSoon after, a scavenger hunt at Hoosier

Energy ensued to make the statue repre-sentative of the 1960s. Vice President of Management Services Bob Richhart – who once served as a lineman – led the charge to find real vintage equipment for use in the sculpting process. Everything from insulators to climbing spurs and even an old pole from the era was secured. REA specifications for the era were also found for pole height and the cross arms.

“We worked really hard to get it as close to the era as possible. For instance, the pole is only 20-foot tall,” Mabrey says. “Today, poles are much taller.”

Payson McNett, a professor at Indiana University, was commissioned for the project.

By leveraging the knowledge of the people who have worked for Hoosier Energy for a long time, coupled with live models from the industry and photographs, McNett was able to create the clay models for the statue within three to four months.

Off to the foundrySincerus bronze art studio in

Indianapolis received McNett’s design in mid-spring to prepare it for casting. The process at the foundry is steeped in old world craftsmanship blended with today’s technological advances.

Steve Giese, owner of the studio, says

his team took the clay mold components and covered them in four layers of rubber, followed by a plaster, essentially creat-ing a “mother mold.” Then as if painting, wax was applied to the mold, a “lost wax” technique, also termed investment casting. When the bronze is poured into the mold, everything that’s wax turns to metal, Giese says.

Runners and filling tubes were then applied to create a ceramic shell that holds the hot molten bronze metal. The ceramic shell was created from sand, water and a binder. The molds were dipped and left to dry several times and then fired, making a vessel that could withstand the 2,000-degree metal. After the pour cures, the shell was broken off, exposing the metal. The metal components were then welded together and color applied.

InspectionWhile the process for making the

components is second nature to Sincerus, Mabrey says the finished project didn’t evolve without some adjustments.

“The most challenging part was align-ing the groundsman to the lineman,” Mabrey says. “We had one chance to get it right.” On the first review, the crew and Mabrey discovered that the groundsman was looking at the knee of the lineman on the pole instead of the chest area. “This alignment was definitely not correct,” Mabrey notes.

“It was a tense moment for the owner of Sincerus because it’s difficult to modify,” Mabrey adds. However, the lead fabricator

BRONZE, continues on Page 13

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AT THE FOUNDRY: The top photo shows a mold made of ceramic and rubber. After molten bronze is poured into the mold and cures it is split open. This lost wax process creates pieces of the statue that are then welded together.

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ABOVE: Tools were sculpted and cast in bronze to be used on the toolbelt of the linemen.

TOP: Artisan Sean Neal, left, and Manager of Facilities Construction Matt Mabrey review the statue at the foundry as it was being assembled for the first time.

AT LEFT: The pole features lettering reminiscent of old poles funded through the Rural Electrification Act.


examined the figure and said the problem and a few others could be corrected rela-tively easily.

Within a few short days, the job was complete. “It is essentially a bronze ver-sion of what you see everyday in the field,” says Giese.

Commitment stands tallOn a brisk Nov. 7, trucks arrived with

the finished statue components in tow. It was a shining moment for contractors who had been onsite working for more than a year.

“Momentarily, all the work at the build-ing came to a standstill when the statue arrived on site. There were probably 150 workers onsite who had to get a glimpse,” Mabrey says. A crane lifted the hollow bronze pole and attached lineman – a com-bined weight of 800 pounds – onto a preset, stainless steel tube. It was then pivoted in place to align it with the building and groundsman.

A stone wall with member cooperative bronze plaques encircles the statue, and the U.S. flag, flanked by Indiana and Illinois flags complete the new exterior at 2501 South Cooperative Way.

Mabrey is pleased with the end result.“This is the first time I’ve done any-

thing like this in my career. I think this ranks right up there with the building project. It plainly tells what we do – serv-ing our cooperatives.”

BRONZE, Continued from page 11

INSTALLATION DAY: In early November the first portion of the statue was set in place at headquar-ters. A crane was used to place the statue onto a preset stainless steel tube. All the components of the stature weigh 1,200 pounds.

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A DAY TO CELEBRATEMONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

The National Rural Electric Cooperative

Association designates the second

Monday of each April as National

Lineman Appreciation Day. Hoosier

Energy pays tribute to all Power

Delivery Professionals who work at

the G&T and among our member

cooperatives. We applaud your

accomplishments and devotion to

duty, which represents the heart of

the cooperative spirit.


Tree removal at former headquartersTrees on the east and west sides of State Road 37 between Bloomington and Martinsville are being cleared in preparation to convert the roadway into Interstate 69. The removal of trees and shrubs in front of the former Hoosier Energy headquarters has created a stark contrast to the former wooded site.

ENERGYLINES

News from Hoosier Energy for members and employees. | AUGUST 2015 | Vol. 38, No. 8

ENERGYLINES

A CONVERSATIONWITH AUGIE Hoosier Energy Board

Director since April 2001

SEE STORY, PAGE 7

A CONVERSATIONWITH AUGIE

SEE STORY, PAGE 7

THIS KNOT CANSAVE LIVESLearn what the top 10 knots are that line specialists use to work safely. PAGES 3-4

CO-OP NEWS 1 EnergyLines | August 2015

When UDWI night dispatcher Rick Mumma received a call about a major fire at the Bloomfield Processing Company on June 25, the REMC joined several busi-nesses that worked through the evening to send food and water to the scene.

Mumma coordinated UDWI’s assistance as 70 fire-fighters from nine area fire departments worked for hours to get the blaze under control. Mechanic Jesse Kimmel delivered bottled water to the firefighters in the REMC’s all-terrain vehicle. Line workers Tracy Deckard and Jarrad James disconnected electric service to the plant. After the fire was under control, line workers Tom Sparks and Tyler Singleton returned to the scene at the request of the Sheriff’s department to safely remove the downed (non-live) power lines.

“We were happy to assist in any way we could,” Mumma said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

UDWI assists community in fighting blazeSubmitted photo

Photo Amanda Hale, Greene County Daily World

COMMUNITY EFFORT: UDWI employees assisted area businesses in helping firefighters battle a blaze at Bloomfield Processing Company. From left: Night dispatcher Rick Mumma, line workers Tom Sparks, Tyler Singleton, Jarrad James and Tracy Deckard, and mechanic Jesse Kimmel.

THE BLAZE: Seventy firefighters from Greene County worked until the early hours of Friday, June 26 battling the blaze from the Bloomfield Processing Company.

Auditors praise reliability operations at Hoosier Energy90-day audit process conducted by ReliabilityFirst

As the power system operator for its 18 member distribution coopera-tives, Hoosier Energy works every day to provide member systems with assured, reliable delivery of energy. That daily task involves complying with thousands of reliability require-ments and sub requirements.

ReliabilityFirst, the regional reliability organization under the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) that Hoosier Energy belongs to, recently conduct-ed an exhaustive 90-day audit process that concluded with a three-day onsite audit of Hoosier Energy’s reliability operations. Auditors reported there were no findings, which indicates no violations – a very positive result.

“Compliance can be extremely complex,” said Bob Solomon, Manager of NERC Compliance. “The auditors take a thorough deep dive into our reliability practices, process-es and procedures. For us to achieve ‘no findings’ is a great testament to our reliable operations, highly-qualified subject matter experts and compliance efforts.”

NERC’s role is to improve the reliability and security of the nation’s electric grid through development and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards. Through an industry balloting process, NERC has developed approximately 110 standards with more than 900

mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). These standards impact all aspects of grid reliability, which includes long range and real time planning models, protection system maintenance, veg-etation management, System Control normal and emergency operations, voltage regulations at power plants and cyber security.

All North American transmission and generation owners and operators – big or small – are routinely audited every three years for compliance with the standards. One audit year is for 10 critical infrastructure protection (CIP) standards, the next for compliance with all other reliability standards. There is no audit the third year and then the cycle begins again. Violations can carry steep fines, depending upon the severity of the infraction.



ON THE COVERLine specialists depend upon their knot-tying skills to work in safe conditions. Learn what the top 10 knots are and how they are used by line specialists.







2 EnergyLines | August 2015




©iStockphoto.com/Dcwcreations



ENERGYLINES

“The auditors take a thorough deep dive into our reliability practices, processes and pro-cedures. For us to achieve ‘no findings’ is a great testament to our reliable operations, highly-qualified subject matter experts and compliance efforts.”Bob Solomon, Manager of NERC Compliance

AUDIT, continues on Page 10

Knot tying is a highly

valued skill for all line

crews – those on the

ground and those in the

air. Throughout their

careers, all line special-

ists depend upon their

knot-tying skills to work

in safe conditions and

create reliable power.

While it’s a repetitive

exercise, all apprentices

of the Hoosier Energy

Apprentices Training &

Safety program – com-

monly called HEATS –

continually practice 10

knots, which are consid-

ered critical to the job.

“Linemen need to be

proficient at tying knots.

Whether it’s as simple

as sending material up

the pole or as critical

as pole top rescue, knot

tying is part of basic

linemen skills,” says

Dave Helton, Safety and

Training Instructor at the

Hoosier Energy Franklin

Training Center.

KNOTS 101Dave Helton, Safety and Training Instructor for Hoosier Energy, teaches apprentices in the HEATS program how to tie 10 different knots used in pole work or to assist in poletop rescues.

THE TRAINER

KNOTS 101 Line specialists learn 10 knots critical to use while on the job

BOWLINE KNOTGo-to knot in line work and pole top rescue. Allows for fastening multiple items to the end of the rope.

HALF HITCHVersatile, basic knot used in poletop rescues. Same knot as your shoestring.

SQUARE KNOTJoins two pieces of rope together, creating a secure connection.

RUNNING BOWLINEAlso known as the lasso, al-lows for a loop in the middle that tightens to secure materials.

ROLLING BENDA grip knot used for pulling up wire.

BOWLINE ON A BITEUsed for heavy-duty rigging. The bite or knot in the middle of the rope keeps items from slipping.

CLOVE HITCHUsed primarily to raise cross- arm or other items up a pole.

SADDLE KNOTAlso used for raising items up the pole; often used for its ease of tying.

TIMBER HITCHUsed around cylindrical items – primarily to drag poles.

CAT’S PAWUsed to balance a load on a hook to prevent weight from shifting.

>>>>>


Whether a business is a large industrial operation or a small commercial business, understanding energy usage patterns can be instrumental in managing the com-pany’s electric bill.

Hoosier Energy wants to help. The power supplier offers member system dis-tribution cooperatives and their customers a free load analysis tool called MV-Web. Customers find it helpful and easy to use.

Dave Pearson, Manager of

Manufacturing Development at Hitachi Powdered Metals in Greensburg, uses MV-Web to analyze the plant’s energy usage each month. “I use MV-Web for our monthly budget forecast. I go back and look at the historic usage – for example weekday vs. weekend or time of use. Then I incorporate that data into my forecast model,” he said. “All that information is

useful – peak rates, spikes. We’re such a big power user, it’s very important for us to pay attention to it.”

Pearson has been using MV-Web since 2009 when Hoosier Energy Key Accounts Manager Jim Wittman introduced him to the web-based tool’s many analytical fea-tures.

The secure, web portal displays data in various interval lengths by delivery point in graph or table format. Users can also download interval data for further analysis.

A zoom feature allows the user to pin-point exactly what time a particular outage or spike in load usage occurred, which is useful in troubleshooting meter and load management issues. The tool also offers a variety of reports, including a time-of-use report, comparison report and peaks report as well as an automatic email option.

It’s not unusual for a large manufactur-ing customer such as Hitachi to use several million kilowatt hours a month. That trans-lates into thousands of dollars on a monthly bill. MV-Web helps companies understand their bill and take steps to improve their operations.

“It helps us make better decisions,” Pearson said. “Knowing how the peak works helps us decide if we need to shift some operations to off-shift. We’ve done that with furnace loads, which helps >>

Hitachi finds MV-Web invaluable for managing facility energy costs

Member services

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SUPER USERS: MV-Web helps Jim Wittman, Key Accounts Manager for Hoosier Energy; Lori Pilz, CIS and IT, and Dave Pearson, Manager of Manufacturing Development for Hitachi Powdered Metals (USA), Inc. work collaboratively to understand Hitachi’s monthly energy usage and pinpoint load management issues.

TRAININGLearn how MV-Web can help you. Hoosier Energy’s next hands-on training sessions on MV-Web take place in Bloomington, Aug. 21 and Dec. 11. Each class runs from 10 a.m to 1 p.m.

To attend one of the sessions, contact Holly Nethery at 812-876-0272, or [email protected].

Last in a series


When the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) extended an open invitation to utilities across the country to participate in vol-untary partnership to enhance energy security, Hoosier Energy raised its hand.

In announcing the initiative in January 2014, the Obama Administration said the Partnership for Energy Sector Climate Resilience would focus on collaboration with the private sector to establish a stronger energy system resilient to extreme weather and climate change.

The program is looking at the resiliency of the grid – how it heals after extreme weather events such as Hurricane Sandy or the tornado that went through Henryville, Ind., three years ago. “We hope to gain knowledge on how to enhance planning and transmission design and to learn from best practices of others for possible implementation in order to improve member system reli-ability,” said Dave Sandefur, Vice President of Power Supply.

Part of what the task force is doing is helping the DOE define what grid resiliency is, what it looks like, Sandefur added.

Resiliency is an attempt to “harden” the grid against extreme weather events and be ready for quick restoration when those events happen. Accomplishing that goal, though, could be expen-sive because it goes beyond capital improvements designed to strengthen reliability for normal or severe weather operations, Sandefur said. “The DOE has brought together a cross section of industry experts to discuss what can be done through this partner-ship to help get power on quickly when disaster strikes.”

REACTIVE ACTIONThe MV-Web chart below shows reactive power usage and the positive results of operational changes based on easy access to electric load infor-mation. The shift in power factor values shown in the top graph is the positive result of adding a capacitor, which then reduced power factor surcharges. The bottom graph shows the related kVA for that load.

Hoosier Energy joins DOE grid effort

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GRID, continues on Page 10

balance them better.” Lori Pilz, the CIS and IT manager at Decatur County REMC,

which serves the Hitachi facility, said once commercial and industrial customers realize the benefits of the tool, they use it more and more. “It helps us help them. If they are involved in it, then they have a better understanding of their usage. When they do have questions, they’re educated on where the usage is com-ing from.”

Several years ago MV-Web helped Pearson identify the cause of power factor surcharges the company was experiencing. “We used that data to justify the purchase of two new capacitor banks,” he said, saving the company $3,000–$4,000 a month.

“MV-Web is an important part of my job,” Pearson added. It’s very useful and a huge help on what I have to do on a monthly basis. It definitely makes my life a whole lot easier.”

Access to digital files of current and back issues of EnergyLines are available online. The back issue library dates to 2007 and all files are saved as portable document format (PDF).

EnergyLines onlineONLINEEXTRA

>> Log on to view current and back issues of EnergyLines. {www.hepn.com/energylines.asp}

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It is on this farm he raised a family with his late wife, Anita of 35 years. Some 10 years afterward, he was blessed to have Helen – a best friend from his childhood days – become his wife. The two are newly-weds, married on May 30.

Sitting on his deck on a sweltering day in July, Bauer gives a little sample of his favorite bluegrass melodies. The lake in the background and the many acres of the very private 600-acre farm are Bauer’s stage as he eloquently hammers out some licks on his 1973-model Alvarez.

Bauer, with his warm smile, is of German descent. He is number eight of 10 children, born over a 20-year span to a hardworking father. “My daddy was a farmer,

Out of theBoard Room

AUGIE BAUERWith a guitar in his hand and Flash,

a friendly, flop-eared Beagle at his

side, Augie Bauer has a comfortable

back porch life on his farm in south-

east Martin County. It’s there he

finds solace, a place of relaxation and

inspiration, the same farm where his

mother was born, he was raised, and he

returned to as a young man.

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but all he ever raised was us,” he jests. Farm life, as it turned out, was like a

magnet to Bauer. After graduating from high school, he had grand intentions of leaving home to work at an airport. He enrolled in a correspondence course at Humboldt Institute in Minneapolis. But instead of a career around planes, he landed a job around trains – the Illinois Central Railroad, making slightly more than $2 an hour.

“But you just can’t take the country out of the boy,” Bauer says. He worked there just more than a year, then came home and struck a deal with his dad to buy the farm.

Corn, soybean and hogs were products of the Bauer farm from that time until 1997. Some of those years were fraught with hard times from biting cold tempera-tures to the lack of rain or an overabun-dance of water, he says, pointing out the window, laughing at this year’s unpredict-able and seemingly endless storms.

Each memory trumps the previous as he describes hard times. He says in the winter of 1978, there were 17 nights in a row when temperatures dipped below zero.

“The hogs had no water and the tem-peratures were so cold that the birds hovered over the hogs to stay warm. Unfortunately, the heat caused their wings to frost over and they would drop and

die,” he recalls.For the most part, Bauer’s farming

days were pleasant, although his retire-ment came before the days of global posi-tioning satellite (GPS) farming.

“I didn’t get a chance to use that,” he says with a hint of disappointment. “You can get within two inches of perfect rows; that’s how accurate it is. When it’s so straight you could shoot down the row and top out the corn, now that’s straight.”

While the farm required a lot of hard work, raising a family in the country was a great experience, he says. He is the father of four children: Dana, Lance, Jarrod and Bradley. Those four have given him eight grandchildren, six girls and two boys.

Bauer also served in the Army National

Guard from 1963-1969 – a part of the 151st Infantry out of Jasper. He trained for 10 weeks in Communications at Fort Knox, learning to send Morse Code. Fortunately, he was stationed stateside for the six years.

“By the time I came back home, Vietnam had gotten really hot. My younger brother had to go,” Bauer says. An older brother also served during the Korean War. It was his departure that first got Bauer into playing guitar.

“When he left for Korea, he left the guitar behind. I remember he had paid $14 for it. He said if I could learn to play it, I could have it,” Bauer says. And that was the beginning. He learned to play by ear.

Today, Bauer has honed his talent to play with local groups, “The Bauer Boys” and “Mountain Harmony.” The latter per-formed at the 2015 Daviess-Martin County REMC Annual Meeting.

He and his musician friends regu-larly play at five nursing homes, two in Loogootee and three in Jasper. While it’s entertainment for the nursing home resi-dents, music is a passion and a comfort for Bauer. After losing his first wife, he turned to his talent.

“I worked hard on the guitar in the last 10 years of my life. That ol’ guitar is quite a companion at 4 o’clock in the morning,” he says with a tender smile.

“I worked hard on the guitar in the last 10 years of my life. That ol’ guitar is quite a companion at 4 o’clock in the morning.” AUGIE BAUER

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About the seriesThis is the first in a series featur-ing Hoosier Energy Board Direc-tors in an “Out of the Board Room” series in EnergyLines. These personal stories are intend-ed to build stronger relationships among us. A different Director from each of the 18 member systems will appear each month.


Could you give just five words to describe yourself? I got asked the same thing in the service. They said if you don’t know yourself, who does? I would say farmer, lay minister, musician.

How about an adjective or two? Do you have a temper or are you easy going? At my age it doesn’t help to yell. I would say … kind and gentle.

Are you a John Deere farmer or do you prefer an International Harvester? I’m a John Deere guy, well my lawn mower is a Deere anyway. I mow about nine acres, 12 feet at a time. But when I was farming, I was a Ford guy. When you’ve got service at your back door, like I had with Davis County Ford tractor, well that goes a long way.

What is some of the most sage advice you can offer? Well, I’m a lay minister in the Lutheran Church and I’m always noticing how much you can learn by not speaking at all,

really the thing you can say by not speak-ing at all.

Have you ever had a mentor? More than one, but I would say my broth-er-in-law’s dad in Dubois. Working with him on the farm was a joy. He had a way of telling you what needed to be done without upsetting you.

What do you most respect in a person? Be yourself. There are times we all wish to be better, but show an example to others by your own actions. Don’t tell them what is good or bad; it won’t do any good.

What are your future aspirations? I live my life, one day at a time or some-times two days – when we have two-day meetings (he said with a chuckle, referring to the Hoosier Energy Board of Directors).

What would you like other Directors and your co-op friends to know about you? That I’m a God-fearing, wife-loving hus-band right now and I wish the rest of the world could be at such ease.

What defines you?

A CONVERSATIONWITH AUGIE n August A. Bauer

n Hoosier Energy Board Director since April 2001n Daviess-Martin County REMC Board Director since March 1972

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NEWLYWEDS: Augie Bauer and wife, Helen were wed May 30 of this year in Haysville, Ind. The couple knew one another as children, both part of a youth group at their church. After both were widowed, they rekindled their friendship. The couple is staying busy this summer consolidating households and preparing for an auction.

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To prepare for a NERC audit, more than 25 subject matter experts and evidence providers from across the company help with documentation, reporting, audit prepa-ration and self-assessments. The ReliabilityFirst audit team commended Hoosier Energy for its preparedness. In a rare “Positive Observation” finding, the auditors praised Hoosier Energy for detailed and consis-tent organization of audit mate-rials, calling it an “outstanding practice” that other transmis-sion and generation owners should model.

The audit team made eight minor recommendations to strengthen internal controls. “Recommendations are a good thing,” Solomon said. “They strengthen our commitment to continuous improvement and give us specific direction on how to improve a process.”

Steve Smith, President and CEO of Hoosier Energy, thanked the Hoosier Energy audit team for their thorough-ness. “Your collaborative approach creates a win-win for everyone as we work together to advance our compliance programs,” Smith said.

The audit report will be submitted to NERC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission within the next 40 days.

AUDIT, Continued from page 2

GRID, Continued from page 6

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TEAM EFFORT: The 90-day audit process involves a thorough examina-tion of Hoosier Energy’s reliability practices, processes and procedures.

During the Henryville tornado, Hoosier Energy and its member dis-tribution crews were able to get power back within a few days. But when a much larger event, Hurricane Sandy struck the Eastern Seaboard in October of 2013, some people were without power for several weeks.

One example of hardening of the system involves shoring up the sys-tem and designing “breaks” in a known place. “The idea is that planning where the system will fail can prevent further widespread damage, limit-ing the extent of a natural disaster power outage and improving the time to repair,” Sandefur said. “It’s an interesting concept and deserves further exploration,” he said.

Hoosier Energy is currently one of only two generation and transmis-sion (G&T) electric cooperatives participating in the voluntary program, which includes representatives from 15 other investor-owned, municipals and federally owned utilities. Great River Energy in Maple Grove, MN is the other participating G&T. NRECA will also be monitoring and assist-ing the G&Ts as needed in this effort.

Utility executives from the participating companies met with DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz Muniz to officially kick off the initiative. The scope is broad and work has just begun. Representatives come from all disciplines and include meteorologists, engineers, financial analysts, envi-ronmental services analysts as well as system control operators.

Brady Mann, Manager of Delivery Services, Hoosier Energy’s rep-resentative on the task force, said the team is conducting vulnerability analyses.

“Regional differences vary. Understanding where the grid vulner-abilities are is a first step in developing better communication tools utility to utility and exploring what interagency cooperation would look like,” Mann said.

“Your collaborative approach creates a win-win for everyone as we work together to advance our compliance programs.” Steve Smith, Hoosier Energy President and CEO

What is Grid Resiliency?Devastating damage from severe weather serves as a stark reminder of our society’s dependence on reliable grid operation. When a tornado or hurricane rips through a community, the damage can be fierce, quick and devastating.

Reliability: Ability of the electrical superhighway - “the grid” - to transport electricity from generation source to homes without interruption.

Resiliency: Ability of the bulk power system to withstand extreme weather conditions.

Example: Building a home protects a homeowner from the elements. Building a home with a tornado proof frame and thick doors is far more extensive and expensive. The same holds true for the miles of high-voltage wires, towers and substation infrastructure that make up the electric grid.

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One-megawatt solar array project progresses

ENERGYLINES

Construction of the 1-megawatt solar array south of New Castle continues. Hoosier Energy, in cooperation with Henry County REMC, Rush-Shelby Energy and Whitewater Valley REMC, is constructing the solar site just south of County Road 500 South, east of state Road 3 and north of Interstate 70.

Empty spools indicate the solar site is one step closer to operation. The spools held the electrical wire used to connect the solar combiner boxes to the inverters. The solar field, the first of 10 to be a part of Hoosier Energy’s renewable portfolio, is scheduled to produce power by mid-September.

#4Spotlight on Excellence Entry FormNRECA Voting Member Classification * Statewide Associations, G&T or Service Member

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