MAY 2016
VOL. 17 NO. 1
Energy Rx
Wall Drug Looks
for Prescription
for Savings
P8-9
Manager’s
Column
A Look at the Numbers
It certainly has been a nice winter this year. The
weatherman says that this is one of the warmest
winters on record and our electric heat sales certainly agree with that.
The heating degree days were down 30 percent
compared to 2015. The good news is that the weather has allowed us to get a good start on our 2016
construction which is shaping up to be quite busy as
Steve Reed
we replace 30-plus miles of old line with new.
CEO/General Manager
Power cost accounts for more than 55 percent
of our total expenses. Within the power cost the one component that we
can influence the most is the demand component which accounts for 55
percent of the power cost. We can do this by moving demand off of peak
periods with our load control program.
We have been doing water heaters for some time and are now looking
at other opportunities to control larger loads and will be experimenting
with various things going forward.
Part of this process is to get larger loads more in line rate-wise with
how our power cost is incurred. Phase one of this was started last year
when we started to put larger loads (loads more than 75 KW) on a demand based rate.
The second
The one component that we can influence
phase of this is
the most is the demand component which moving all moloads onto a
accounts for 55 percent of the power cost. tor
demand based rate
as well. We are reviewing instituting a demand component any time those
loads would exceed 50 KW (approximately 50 to 60 horsepower).
We will be migrating those accounts over to the new rate over the
course of the next several months. The third phase will be to have demand
rates apply to all KW over a predetermined level.
We would also like to remind you that if you have a project you would
like to do please contact us early as the planning material procurement
and environmental review process can add significant time to a construction time line.
Co-op Statistics
Kilowatt Hours Purchased
February Year-To-Date
2016
11,979,655 27,523,578
2015
13,324,020 28,437,032
Hours worked without a loss-time accident:
258,654 hours through February
2 May 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
Nondiscrimination Statement
West Central Electric Cooperative, Inc.
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law
and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA,
its Agencies, offices, and employees, and
institutions participating in or administering
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, gender identity (including gender
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age,
marital status, family/parental status, income
derived from a public assistance program,
political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for
prior civil rights activity, in any program or
activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all
bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines
vary by program or incident.
Person with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape , American Sign Language, etc.) should
contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s
TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and
TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal
Relay Service at (800)877-8339. Additionally,
program information may be made available
in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint,
complete the USDA Program Discrimination
Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at
http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_ filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write
a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the
letter all of the information requested in the
form. To request a copy of the complaint form,
call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed
form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov
USDA is an equal opportunity provider,
employer, and lender.
Youth
News
WCEC Awards Scholarships
(USPS No. 018-988)
President
Charles (Dick) Oller, Vivian
Vice President
Shad Riggle, Hayes
Secretary/Treasureer
Mike McQuistion, Fort Pierre
Directors
David Giesler, Murdo
Marty Hansen, Philip
Joseph Leutenegger, Kadoka
David J. Mertens, Kennebec
Kenneth Miller, Draper
Kevin Neuhauser, Midland
Jim Willert, Belvidere
Attorney
David Larson, Chamberlain
CEO/Manager
Steve Reed, Murdo
West Central Electric Cooperative, Inc., is an
equal opportunity provider and employer.
Call 605-669-8100
24-hour Dispatching
WEST CENTRAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS is published monthly by West Central Electric Cooperative, Inc., PO Box 17, Murdo, SD 57559. Periodicals Postage Paid at Murdo, SD 57559 and at additional
mailing offices. Electric cooperative members devote $1
from their monthly electric payments for a subscription.
Nonmember subscriptions are available for $18 annually.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: West Central
Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 17, Murdo,
SD 57559; telephone 605-669-8100; fax 605-6692358; e-mail wcec@wcec.coop; Web site: www.wce.
coop; Twitter: @WCElectric; Facebook:
www.facebook.com/WestCentralElectricCooperative
Design assistance by SDREA
West Central Electric has awarded 23
area students with $750 scholarships in
order to further their education.
Kathlene Boyle
I grew up on a
ranch near Draper,
S.D., where I was home
schooled until second
grade. I then began
school at Lyman. I have
worked hard to graduate high school in three
years and I am happy
to be a 2016 graduate of Lyman High School. I will
be attending South Dakota State University this fall.
My future goals are to complete an undergraduate
degree in animal science at SDSU and later attend
graduate school to become a licensed veterinarian.
Alex Bunker
My name is Alex Everett Bunker. I’ve lived
on a farm my entire life
northeast of Reliance.
My parents are Rita
Karlen and the late Jim
Bunker. I have two older
brothers, Matt, who is
nine years older than
me, and Daryl, who is six years older than me. I’ve
always had some type of job to do, whether it be
sweeping a neighbor’s shed for quarters when I was
10, or be it working for the local newspaper. I have
gone to Chamberlain High School all four years of
high school. I have been involved in both the fall
plays and the One Act plays. I’ve been in choir for
all four years of my high school career and in show
choir for two years. I will be attending Dakota State
University and majoring in audio design.
Keegan Burnett
I am from the small
town of Philip where I
have lived my whole
life. I am manager at a
local restaurant where
I have been employed
since I was 14 and also
have worked for the
city swimming pool the
past two summers as a lifeguard. I will be attending
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology this
fall following my graduation and will be studying
computer science. I cannot wait to be set off into the
real world and experience life on my own.
Ellie Coyle
My name is Ellie
Coyle and I am currently a senior at Philip
High School. I have
lived in Philip my entire
life. My parents are
Mark and Denise Coyle
and I have four older
sisters: Sayde, Maggie,
Katie and Molly. I participate in four sports including
cross country, volleyball, basketball and track. I
am also involved in many organizations including
FCCLA, Student Council, FCA and National Honors
Society. I really enjoy running and doing long endurance sports like triathlons and half marathons.
Next year I will be attending the University of South
Dakota where I intend on majoring in biology.
Korder Cropsey
My name is Korder
Cropsey. I was born and
raised in rural Presho,
S.D. Living on a ranch,
I have worked with my
father for many years.
I attend Lyman High
School and have been
enrolled in the Lyman
School District all of my life. After high school, I
plan to attend South Dakota School of Mines and
Technology and major in metallurgical engineering.
After college, I plan to stay in the state and work in
central South Dakota.
Conrad Mohr-Eymer
My name in Conrad
Mohr-Eymer and I am
the son of Chris Eymer
and Gayle Mohr. I
have lived all of my 18
years on a small farm
approximately three
miles west of Reliance.
I have been enrolled
in the Lyman School District since Kindergarten.
In May of 2016, I will conclude my education at
Lyman. Following graduation, I will be enrolling at
the University of South Dakota to pursue a degree
in the medical field.
Continued on Page 10
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2016 3
Safety
tips
D.I.Y. Electrical Safety
Each year, thousands of people in the United States are
critically injured and electrocuted as a result of electrical fires,
accidents or electrocution in their own homes.
The current economic downturn has inspired more homeowners to tackle do-it-yourself projects than ever before. Faced
with declining home values and aging properties, homeowners
may choose not to pay for the services of a licensed electrician.
However, most do not have the training or experience needed
to safely perform home electrical work, increasing the risk of
immediate injuries and electrocutions and potentially introducing new dangers into the home. Working with electricity
requires thorough planning and extreme care and cutting
corners can be a costly mistake.
D.i.Y. Facts and statistics
• There are an estimated average of 70 electrocution fatalities associated with consumer products per year.
• The most recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission shows that there are nearly 400 electrocutions in the United States each year.
• Approximately 15 percent of electrocutions are related to
consumer products. Wiring hazards, including damaged or
exposed wiring and household wiring, accounted for nearly 14
percent of these deaths.
• An estimated 360,900 residential building fires are reported to United States fire departments each year and caused
an estimated 2,495 deaths, 13,250 injuries and $7 billion in
property losses. The leading cause of the largest fires was electrical malfunction.
• There are about 37,000 nail-gun injuries each year; a 200
percent increase since 1991.
• Electrical failure accounted for 89 percent of electrical fires
in residential buildings from 2003-2005.
D.i.Y. safety tips
ESFI strongly recommends hiring a qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home. However,
if you do decide to do-it-yourself, consider the following safety
tips before undertaking any home electrical project:
• Make an effort to learn about your home electrical system
so that you can safely navigate and maintain it.
• Never attempt a project that is beyond your skill level.
Knowing when to call a professional may help prevent electrical fires, injuries and fatalities.
• Always turn off the power to the circuit that you plan to work
on by switching off the circuit breaker in the main service panel.
• Be sure to unplug any appliance before working on it.
• Test the wires before you touch them to make sure that the
power has been turned off.
• Never touch plumbing or gas pipes when performing a
do-it-yourself electrical project.
Source: esfi.org
4 May 2016 • Cooperative ConneCtions
Kids’ Corner Safety Poster
“take care when using electricity – it has the power to kill!”
Evelyn Fritz,
10 years old
Evelyn is the
daughter of Jamie and Kristi
Fritz, New
Effington, S.D.
They are members of Traverse
Electric, Wheaton, Minn.
Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, you’ll receive a
prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names
of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.
Reader
recipes
Comforting
Casseroles
Mexican spoon Bread Casserole
1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 c. chopped green pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup tomato sauce
1 can corn, undrained
1-1/2 tsp. salt
2 to 3 tsp. chili powder
1/2 c. sliced ripe olives
Cornbread Topping:
1-1/2 cups milk
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar
cheese
2 eggs, beaten
Brown first 4 ingredients in a large skillet until onion is
tender; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, corn, salt, chili powder
and olives; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer
uncovered while preparing cornbread topping. For topping:
Mix milk, cornmeal and salt in saucepan. Cook and stir over
medium heat until mixture boils. Remove from heat and stir
in Cheddar cheese and beaten eggs. Turn hot meat mixture
into 2-1/2-quart dish and pour cornbread mixture on top.
Bake uncovered at 375°F. for about 40 minutes.
Chicken Crescent almondine Hot Dish
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sour cream
Topping:
1 (8 oz.) can crescent rolls
2/3 cup shredded Cheddar
cheese
1/2 cup slivered almonds
3 T. melted butter
Combine the first 8 ingredients in saucepan. Cook until hot
and bubbly; pour into ungreased 9x13-inch pan. Separate
rolls into long rectangles and place over chicken mixture.
Combine remaining ingredients and spread over dough.
Bake at 350°F. for 20 to 25 minutes.
Nancy Noess, Mitchell
Chicken noodle Hot Dish
1 can each chicken noodle,
cream of chicken and cream
of celery soups
1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 small head cabbage chopped
1 cup reduced sodium beef broth
1 (10 oz.) can diced tomatoes and
green chilies
1 (8 oz.) can pizza sauce
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
In a Dutch oven, cook beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat
is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the cabbage, broth, tomatoes and pizza sauce.
Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or
until cabbage is tender; stirring occasionally. Stir in rice; heat through. Remove
from heat. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let stand until cheese is melted.
Makes 6 servings
Nutritional Facts Per Serving: Calories 140, Total Fat 7g, Cholesterol 10mg, Sodium
330mg, Carbohydrates 13g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 7g (3.8g from dairy), Calcium
15% Daily Value
Pictured, Cooperative Connections
turkey and Dressing Casserole
Carolyn K. Wickert, Baltic
3 cups cooked and cubed chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 (8 oz.) can sliced water
chestnuts, drained
1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms, stems
and pieces
2/3 cup Hellman’s mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped celery
inside-out Cabbage rolls
1 onion, chopped
1 T. soy sauce
2 cups water
1 cup uncooked rice
4 cups cubed cooked turkey or
chicken
3 T. chicken broth
1 box stuffing mix, prepared
1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms
1 (10 oz.) can cream of
mushroom soup
1 (10 oz.) can golden mushroom
soup
Place cubed meat in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
Moisten with chicken broth. Top with prepared stuffing
mix. Add canned mushrooms, if desired. Mix soups and
spread over casserole. Cover with greased foil and bake at
350°F. for 45 to 60 minutes. Can be prepared and frozen;
adjust baking time.
Charlotte Hoverstadt, Webster
tuna Biscuit Casserole
1 can Cheddar cheese soup
1/2 soup can milk
1 can tuna, drained if using
oil-packed
1 T. grated onion
1 T. parsley flakes, optional
1 pkg. or tube (10) refrigerated
biscuits
Please send
your favorite
dairy, dessert and salad
recipes to your
local electric
cooperative (address found on
Page 3). Each
recipe printed
will be entered
into a drawing for a prize
in June 2016.
All entries must
include your
name, mailing
address, telephone number
and cooperative
name.
Mix soup and milk until smooth. Add tuna and break in
chunks, then add onion and parsley flakes. Heat just to
boiling. Put biscuits in ungreased pan (9x9 or 11x2 inch.)
Pour heated mixture over top of biscuits. Bake uncovered at
350°F. for 25 minutes or until biscuits pop up through the
Combine all ingredients in baking dish. Bake at 350°F. for 1 hour. sauce and are well browned.
Michele Hoffer, Brandon
Elfrieda Postma, Sioux Falls
Cooperative ConneCtions • May 2016 5
Operations
Report
Busy Summer Schedule Planned
As summer is just around
the corner, West Central
Electric has another busy
work schedule ahead of us for
this year. We still have some
cleanup work to do from last
year’s June “Derecho” storm
that hit us. In the Reliance
area, we have seven temporary transmission structures
to replace with about 10 to
15
distribution poles yet to
Scott Kittelson
replace across the system
Operations Manager
from this storm. Due to the
heavy rains that came with this storm, there were 70-plus poles
replaced north of 4-Corners that are all leaning over now and
need to be straightened. For these leaning poles, we are going
to use a pole setting foam that is made by Rainbow Technology. This is a two-part liquid that after mixing gets poured
in around the pole after it’s pushed back over in the plumb
position. This process will set up in approximately 15 minutes,
creating a polyurethane foam that expands to fill the peripheral
void between the pole and the hole.
We have an additional 20 transmission structures to replace
this year. A couple were damaged from the wind and frost we
had over the winter and the remainder that were found to be
rejects from pole testing last year.
We’re going to be converting 23.5 miles of original overhead
line that was built in the early 1950s to underground. Most of
this line was built with 30-foot Class 7 poles, long spans and
with #4 ACSR conductor. Some of these overhead lines we are
replacing are at or close to capacity with the recent additions of
aerated grain bins built in these areas.
1. Replacing 5.5 miles of overhead line from 4-Corners to
Hayes with 4/0 EPR underground cable.
2. Replacing 10 miles of overhead line starting from old
Highway 16 going north on Lincoln Road with 1/0 EPR underground cable six miles east of Murdo.
3. Replacing five miles of overhead line starting from Highway 183 going west on 249th Street with 1/0 EPR underground cable eight miles south of Presho.
4. Replacing four miles of overhead line starting a half mile
north of Okaton going north on 262 Avenue with three miles
of EPR underground cable.
With converting these lines to underground it does not only
increase the capacity, but it will improve reliability and low
clearance issues.
As I talked about last spring, we are still continuing work on
our upgrade at the Kennebec substation. We are serving South
Dakota Wheatgrowers’ new loads with our portable substation that we have set up over there while our upgrade is being
completed in the substation.
6 May 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
We will be putting in two
step-up transformers from
2,400 volts to 14,400 volts
coming out of the Belvidere
substation to pick up the
rural area south of Belvidere
and east to 1880 Town. This
will greatly reduce the line
exposure for these locations
Step-up transformers will be added
that are currently being fed
to the Belvidere substation.
from Midland. Part of this
upgrade will be changing the Belvidere substation transformer
from a 500 KVA to a 2500 KVA.
With the Draper sub being retired several years ago,
we will be disassembling the
aluminum structure that was
left there. Then using it for
replacing the low side of the
Midland substation that was
originally built with wood.
Some other work continThe aluminum structure at the
ued will be adding SCADA
former Draper substation will be
motor operators to our new
disassembled and relocated.
Lower Brule transmission line
that was finished last year for the capabilities of remote switching. We will also continue doing our own pole testing.
With our busy work schedule planned for this summer,
please try to contact WCE well in advance for any new service
requests or work you may want WCE to do. Also part of our
busy spring and summer we
have been getting a lot of
One Call locates to do. Please
remember to call South Dakota One Call 48 hours before doing any digging. They
can be reached at 1-800-7817474 or just 811.
Please have a fun and safe
summer!!!
Above: The Kennebec
substation transformer
is exchanged for a
larger voltage and
capacity transformer.
Left: Work continues
on upgrading
the Kennebec substation.
Member Services
Column
West Central’s Programs, Products
For years, electric co-ops
across the state and nation have
unified to promote the wise
use of electric energy. Why? It’s
in the best interest of both the
cooperative and its members.
Co-op members cut their
power bills, which reduces the
amount of power that must
be generated, transmitted and
distributed.
Your West Central Electric
Jessie Tucker
Cooperative provides special programs, products and
Member Services
services to help our cooperative
members get the most for their energy dollars, thereby allowing
the co-op to control costs. This section of our newsletter highlights some of our most popular offerings.
Marathon Water Heaters
West Central offers energy efficient Rheem Marathon Water
Heaters directly to our members at a discounted price. The co-op
has three sizes of the Marathon Water Heaters in stock at the following prices (taxes included):
Size
Member Cost
50 Gallon
$525
85 Gallon
$725
105 Gallon
$825
To qualify for the discounted price, members must sign a Load
Control Agreement. West Central Electric has developed a Load
Management Program to reduce the use of electricity during
peak demand periods, thus helping to control electric rates. With
the Load Management Program, a small load control receiver is
installed in your home, free of charge, to control your water heater.
When demand for electricity is at its highest, a signal is sent to your
receiver, temporarily switching off your electric water heater. The
Marathon’s Polyurethane Envirofoam™ insulation retains hot water
for hours, so most members will never notice the difference. West
Central will finance the purchase of the Marathon Lifetime Water
Heater for one year with a minimum payment of $45 per month
for a 50 gallon, $60 per month for an 85 gallon and $70 per month
for a 105 gallon.
Electric Heat Rebate
West Central will make a cash rebate of two (2) cents a watt
for permanently installed 240-volt electric heat. Example: Install
10,000 watts of electric heat and receive a payment of $200. Only
consumers of West Central Electric Cooperative are eligible. Installation must be made at an account served by West Central Electric.
Electric Heat Pump Rebate
If the consumer installs a heat pump, 15 SEER or greater, they
will be entitled to an additional $500 rebate if installed in conjunc-
tion with electric heat. SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio,
is most commonly used to measure the efficiency of a heat pump.
The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. The SEER rating is most often found on a yellow sticker attached to new units.
Electric Heat Program
WCEC’s 3.1 cents per kilowatt-hour heat discount is among
the lowest. WCEC offers this discount for homes or businesses
with separately metered electric heat. The heat program runs from
Oct. 1 until April 30 each heating season. Usually, your cooperative will supply all the necessary equipment at no charge. With
West Central’s low rate, electric heat is a safe, clean and economical way to heat your home.
Cove Heat Program
West Central Electric has for sale Comfort Cove electric heaters for any new load, new construction, remodeling or to replace
existing non-working electric heat. Following is our discounted
pricing (taxes included) for members only:
Watts
450
600
750
900
1050
Size
34”
47”
59”
71”
83”
Price
$61
$72
$82
$92
$99
Watts
1200
1500
1800
2000
Size
94”
106.25”
118.25”
132”
Price
$107
$117
$136
$147
Cove heaters are mounted on the wall, close to the ceiling,
giving homeowner’s unrestricted use of floor space. Similar to the
radiant heat from the sun, the heat goes to the floor and furnishings, which remain warmer than the air. Cove heat provides a
greater comfort level as the room temperature from ceiling to floor
is more even.
We also offer these Products and Services:
MainStreet Messenger Service
Whether it’s routine assistance or emergency response, the
MainStreet Messenger set provides the extra security that brings
peace of mind. With the MainStreet Messenger telephone
installed in your home, the push of a button can get you help
anytime of the day or night, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The
wrist or neck button operates within approximately 150 feet of
the phone. The cost is $22 per month with free installation for
members living within our service area.
Electric Grills
Great grilled flavor, no messy lighter fluid smell, no gas fumes
or worries about running out of fuel. West Central Electric has on
hand both large cart model and tabletop electric grills. The large
cart model grill is priced at $130 and the tabletop model is $95.
If you would like more information on any of our programs,
products or services, please contact your West Central Electric
Member Services Department at 669-8100.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2016 7
A Prescription for
Energy Savings
Wall Drug Turns to Co-ops for Tips to Save
W
By
Brenda
Kleinjan
hen Rick hustead, chaiRman of the Wall
Drug Store in Wall, S.D., wanted to look at ways to
cut the tourist destination’s energy bill, he knew just
who to call: his local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, West River Electric Association in Wall.
Wall Drug has historically been one of WREA’s
largest using members, and easily the largest user in
the eastern half of the co-op’s territory which extends
from Rapid City to the Badlands and north into
southern Meade County.
“We’re thrilled in Wall, S.D., to have WREA here,
to have a major power company headquartered in a
town of 800 is a big thing. When we have questions
about our consumption and bill, we know who we’re
talking to,” said Hustead.
The Hustead family started The Wall Drug Store
in 1931 as a simple pharmacy by Ted and Dorothy
Hustead, Rick’s grandparents.
“They were slowly going broke in the Depression.
8 May 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
There was a constant drone of tourist cars going West
on US16, which was a packed dirt road. Dorothy
thought how hot and dusty travelers were,” Rick
explained.
The Husteads began advertising free ice water and
once they could get the customers to stop then they
could tempt them with purchasing items in the store
and at the old fashioned soda fountain. The plan
worked.
The attraction, which Hustead notes is America’s
No. 1 roadside attraction, which has grown from a
single, 24 foot by 50 foot storefront pharmacy to
encompass more than a square block, welcoming
visitors from across the world to the prairie town year
round. The store occupies 78,000 square feet on the
street level. Storage areas extend below the store and
above on a second story not open to the public.
And as a business owner, Hustead looks for ways
to make the operation run more efficiently while still
Shining a Light on
Energy Savings
Left: West River Electric Association’s Robert Raker, Willy Nohr and Adam Daigle inventory the more than 5,400 light bulbs used at Wall Drug. Right: Under the watchful gaze of
one of the denizens of The Wall Drug Mall pedestrian area, Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Chad Reisenauer uses an infrared camera to look for energy leaks. Opposite Page:
WREA’s Veronica Kusser and BEPC’s Reisenauer review the steps for the energy audit
with Rick Hustead, Chairman of The Wall Drug Store. Cover: Using a meter, Reisenauer
measures the lumens emitted from one of the 3,100 light fixtures at Wall Drug.
giving their guests the best experience possible. (By one estimate,
more than two million people will
visit Wall Drug each year.)
“We want to be continually improving,” said Hustead. “In visiting
with Veronica (Kusser) at WREA
about our bill, I asked if we could
have an energy audit, thinking
there must be things we can do to
improve our usage and consumption. We had started doing what we
could to switch to LED lighting.”
Kusser and her co-workers
enlisted the assistance of Chad Resienauer, a certified energy manager
at Basin Electric Power Coopera-
Home energy use is different for everyone and
hinges on several factors, including size of home,
members in your household, your location and
preferences. Knowing how your energy is divided
will help you prioritize your energy saving habits.
Source: U.S. Energy Information
Administration www.EIA.gov
tive, in Bismarck, N.D. The group
spent a day inventorying and assessing Wall Drug’s energy usage.
One thing that was immediately
apparent was that Wall Drug has a
lot of lights. A lot of lights. More
than 5,400 bulbs housed in 3,100
fixtures throughout all levels of the
business. Combined, the six different types of bulbs used – if turned
on all at once – would account for
more than 125 kilowatts of load.
So, Hustead’s steps to convert to
LED lighting were certainly a good
start.
Reisenauer’s recommendations
included continuing to convert the
lights to more efficient bulbs, examining the amount of lumens of
light needed for different tasks and
sizing the lighting appropriately (in
some instances, spaces may be over
lit and fixtures can be removed,
in other areas more lights may be
needed.)
While Resinaer’s recommendation are unique to Wall Drug, the
basic concepts apply to most all
homes and businesses: look for the
things that use the most energy
and see how they can become more
efficient. For appliances, make sure
that gaskets are tight and filters are
clean and consider upgrading the
appliance to an EnergyStar® model.
Often times, the energy saved can
cover the costs of the upgrade in a
short timeframe.
Traditional lighting can amount to 11 percent of your
monthly energy use. Energy saving light bulbs can slice
lighting costs by 75 percent.
• Replace outdoor lighting with its equivalant outdoorrated LED bulb. LEDs work well in cold weather.
• Use fixtures with electronic ballasts and T-8, 32 Watt
fluorescent lamps.
• Use outdoor security lights with a photocell and/or a
motion sensor.
• Turn off unnecessary lighting.
A lumen is a unit used for the measurement of visible
light. A traditional 60 Watt light bulb produces 800
lumens. See the chart below to see how many Watts other
bulbs use to produce the same amount of light.
WATT USAGE 800 LUMENS
0
20
Incandescent bulb
CFL
LED
40
60
60 Watts
13W
7W
Source: Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives 101 Easy
Ways to Save Energy and Money
For more tips and helpful videos, go to:
http://www.touchstoneenergy.com/together-we
-save/energy-saving-tips/
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2016 9
Scholarships, Continued from Page 3
Tyshia Ferguson
I am Tyshia Marie
Ferguson and I am the
daughter of Greg and
Cristi Ferguson. I have
been raised my entire
life in Philip, S.D. I have
enjoyed growing up in
a small town and am
proud to be a Philip Scottie. I have worked at Philip Health Services and five
years as a dietary aide and I love working with the
residents on the nursing home. I am the third-oldest
of seven children. Having nine people under one roof
has been very interesting, to say the least. I do enjoy
having everyone around, though, because nothing
is ever the same. Variety is the spice of life, so they
say. This fall I am attending the University of South
Dakota in Vermillion to double-major in anthropology and creative writing. After college, I hope to
work as a published author and travel the world.
Calli Glaze
A senior at Jones
County High School, I
have lived and grown
up in Murdo, S.D. I am
active in volleyball,
basketball, track and
play basketball in the
summer for a traveling
team. I participate in
school and community activities such as student
council, National Honor Society, church youth group
and Jones County Turner Youth foundation. I work
as a lifeguard in the summer and enjoy swimming,
tubing, fishing, hunting, and drawing in my free
time. I plan to attend South Dakota State University
in the fall to pursue a career in graphic design.
Rebecca Herman
Hello! My name is
Rebecca Joy Herman,
although most people
just call me Becca. My
large family – parents
Nathan and Tisha, plus
seven rambunctious
children – makes a
home in Reliance, S.D.
Here I have had the amazing opportunity of being
homeschooled. Over the course of senior high, I
have been involved in TeenPact Leadership School,
our homeschool group, Victory Center Bible Camp,
and two church youth groups. Baking, photography,
drawing and spending time with my family are all
things I enjoy doing. I have also devoted much time
to playing the piano and writing, both passions I
hope to incorporate into my future plans. While I
10 May 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
have not completely decided, I would like to attend
the University of Sioux Falls, Dakota Wesleyan
University or John Witherspoon College and pursue a
degree in the arts/humanities, perhaps with a minor
in business. I am thankful to West Central Electric for
their help in achieving my educational goals!
Kassie Hicks
My name is Kassie
Hicks and I am currently
a senior at Kadoka Area
High School. I am an active participate in many
school activities including
volleyball, basketball,
football, track, National
Honor Society and Student Council. I am a member of Concordia Lutheran
Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. I enjoy
playing the piano and listening to all types of music.
My parents are Ted and Arlene Hicks. My dad is
the owner/manager of Double H Feed & Supply
and my mom is the fifth-grade teacher at Kadoka
Elementary. I have one younger brother, Jarred,
who is currently an eighth-grade student at Kadoka.
Hard work has always been the key motivator for
my family and the small town of Kadoka that has
been home to me for the past 18 years. I spend
my summers working as a cashier at 1880 Town
along with putting up hay and mowing lawns with
my family. As a family, we like to sneak away on
the weekends and camp in the Black Hills. This fall
my plan is to attend Black Hills State University to
pursue a major in business administration.
Alexis Hullinger
I have lived in Murdo
with my family my
entire life. My parents
are Tim Hullinger and
Sharon Connot and I
have three other siblings: Kylee Mulz, Trent
and Jenna Hullinger. I
have worked at my family businesses, including the Pioneer Country Mart,
as a cashier and the Rusty Spur as a dishwasher.
I plan to attend the University of South Dakota in
the fall and become a lawyer. I’ve been in multiple
extra-curricular activities in my high school career
such as: sports, choir, National Honor Society, band
and many more.
Rance Johnson
I would first like to thank West Central Electric
for this great scholarship. I am Rance Johnson. I
was born in Pierre, S.D. I lived on a swine operation
with my parents, Randy and Marsha Johnson, and
my older brother, Reed. After two years in Pierre,
my parents sold their part of the operation and we
moved to the White Lake/Plankinton area where
they managed another
swine operation. We
lived there approximately seven years. We
then moved to the
Milesville area and they
managed another swine
operation. We lived at
the farm for about five
years where my brother and I attended the country
school, Cheyenne. We moved to Philip, when my
parents changed jobs. My dad is now a railroad
worker and my mom will soon be a registered
nurse. All my life we have raised horses and cattle.
I have been in the sport of rodeo since I was 5. I
like to compete in sports. I wrestled since I was 5. I
won my first championship in AAU and this year, as
a senior, I won the State B wrestling championship
at 160 pounds. I like to also play football. I plan
on attending Laramie County Community College
in Cheyenne, Wyo., where I will participate on the
rodeo team and receive a degree in physical education and physical therapy assistant.
Spencer Kirkpatrick
I am a senior at
Chamberlain High School
and live in Oacoma.
I have been involved
in wrestling, football,
soccer, choir, show choir,
band, science club and
C-Club. Following graduation, I will complete
my training with the National Guard to become an
information technology specialist. I will then attend
the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
and major in mechanical engineering.
Melyssa Manecke
I, Melyssa Menecke,
am the eldest child of
Trent Manecke and
Keena Michelle. I was
raised by Delda Findeisen, who I consider my
mother figure. I have
two younger brothers
and on younger sister.
I grew up in Midland, S.D. until my eighth grade
year when I moved to Murdo, S.D. Throughout
high school I have been active in cheerleading,
basketball, choir, jazz choir, band, the school play,
student council and youth group. Last summer I also
attended Girl’s State during the first week of June.
I will be attending the University of South Dakota
in the fall.
Phyzon Milton
My name is Phyzon Milton and I am a senior
at Lyman High School. I am originally from New
Jersey, but I have lived in
South Dakota since I was
10 years old and have
been at Lyman since my
sophomore year. I live in
Lower Brule, S.D., with
my father, Simon, his
fiancée, Jana, and my
brother and stepsister,
Jayshawn and Justina. Throughout my years in
Lyman, I have been active in sports and other extracurricular activities. I’ve played basketball, track
and cross-country. I am also a member of the LHS
Student Council and National Honor Society. As of
now, my plans after graduation are to attend Dakota
State University to pursue a degree in computer
game design or something of the like. After college I
wish to take my education to help me obtain a career
that I will be able to enjoy and sustain me for life as
an adult.
Braden Puhlman
My name is Braden
Puhlman. I am the son
of Lacy Puhlman. I am
the middle child, I have
an older brother, Blake,
who is 20 and a younger
brother, Brodie, who is
7. I am from Philip, S.D.
I am a senior at Philip
High School. In high school I have participated in
football, basketball, FFA and I was crowned homecoming king. I enjoy hunting, fishing and ranching.
I will be attending Mitchell Technical Institute where
I will earn a degree in farm power technology.
After graduation from college, I plan on going right
to work in my chosen field. I have always had a
childhood dream of getting to work on farm/ranch
equipment. I will get to make that dream come true
at Mitchell Technical Institute.
Alyssa Reis
My name is Alyssa
Reis. I am 18 years old
and I live in Oacoma
with my mother, Holly. I
will be graduating from
Chamberlain High School
in 2016. I have been
involved in numerous
activities throughout high
school, including golf, band, choir, FFA, 4-H, theatre
and many more. I am a member of the National
Honor Society and I have attended Honors Choir, All
State Band and Girls State. I also work part-time at
the State Theatre. In my free time I enjoy reading,
watching movies and spending time with family and
friends. I plan to attend college (undecided where)
and double major in biomedical engineering
and mathematics. I would like to gain a career as a
biomedical engineer in a medical research facility
that helps design medical devices that will make the
quality of life better for anyone with medical issues.
Cole Schelske
I am Cole Schelske
and I live near Reliance,
S.D. I am the son of
Steve and Rhonda
Schelske and have an
older brother, Ryan, and
an older sister, Kara.
I will graduate from
Lyman High School in
May 2016 and have been involved in FFA, football,
wrestling and 4-H. I grew up working on the family
farm and ranch, which has led to my career goal
in agriculture. I plan to attend Mitchell Technical
Institute to pursue a degree in ag technology.
Garrett Snook
Hello, my name is
Garrett Snook. I am a
senior at Philip High
School. My parents
are Gary and Deborah
Snook. We live on our
family farm and ranch
seven miles north of
Midland, S.D. My high
school activities include cross country, basketball,
track, band, chorus, FCCLA, Fellowship of Christian
Athletes, student council and National Honor Society.
I love to exercise and improve myself physically and
mentally and it is my goal to help others with their
health. I will be attending Black Hills State University this fall pursuing a degree in exercise science.
After completion of my bachelor’s degree, I intend
to pursue higher education and complete my master
and doctorate degrees in kinesiology. It is my career
aspiration to work with athletes building their bodies
for optimum performance and strengthening their
bodies after injury. I would like to thank you for
selecting me as a 2016 scholarship recipient.
Scout Sudbeck
Hello! My name is
Scout Mykala Sudbeck!
I am a senior at Kadoka
Area High School. I have
always lived in Kadoka
with my parents, Jody
and Susan Sudbeck.
I have four brothers:
Brady, Chandlier, Reese
and Gaven. I also have three dogs, a cat and two
pigs (Kevin and Kristy Bacon). I like to read, run and
play volleyball. I plan on attending South Dakota
School of Mines and Technology for civil engineering.
Wyatt Trapp
My name is
Wyatt Trapp. I am from
Midland and will be
graduating from T.R.
Riggs High School in
Pierre. I attended school
in Midland K-Fourth
grade. I have an older
sister, Cassidy, an older
brother Chauncey, and a younger sister, Emily. My
parents are Mike and Debbie Trapp. Some of the
honors and awards I have received are National
Honor Society, Citizenship Award, Outstanding
Academic Award and Honor Roll. I have been a
Student Senate Representative all four years of
high school as well as a member of Future Business
Leaders of America (FBLA). I lettered in symphonic
band and I participated in concert band and Teens
Getting Involved in the Community (TGIC). I have
been accepted into the diesel technology program at
Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown. I enjoy
repairing equipment/machinery and engines, welding and helping other people. I would like to thank
the members of West Central Electric Cooperative for
this scholarship.
Cami Uhlir
I, Cami Uhlir, was
born in Rapid City, S.D.
I have lived in Kadoka,
S.D., my whole life. I
have been attending
Kadoka Area School
District since preschool. I
have one sister; she is attending college right now
at the University Center in Rapid City to become a
teacher. She has set me in my steps and showed me
the correct path to take. I wasn’t ever sure if I could
manage living and going to college so far away from
my family, that is to why I have decided to attend
Beauty College in Rapid City. I am very excited to see
what the rest of my life brings me.
Tana Volmer
I am Tana Volmer,
daughter of Dean and
Terri Volmer. I have one
brother, Jackson. I live
in Draper, S.D. I am a
senior at Jones County
High School, where I
have enjoyed participating in volleyball,
golf, chorus, band, jazz choir, student council and
National Honor Society. I am part of the United
Methodist Youth Group. I plan on attending Black
Hills State University in the fall and majoring in
business administration.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2016 11
Hot Water on the Grid
Can Your Hot Water Be a Battery?
M
ost people think of theiR WateR heateR as
By
Thomas Kirk and
Brian Sloboda
Advanced community
storage strategies
employ electric water
heaters to help electric
co-ops to beat peak
prices and save
members money.
(Illustration by NRECA)
a device designed solely for heating bath water or
helping to wash a sink full of dishes. But electric water heaters can provide some of the most rapidly responding, flexible, scalable and cost-effective energy
storage available.
By adding bidirectional control to electric
resistance water heaters, GIWHs enable a utility
or third-party aggregator to quickly and repeatedly
turn the devices off and on. Bidirectional control is a much more powerful
tool than standard direct load control,
which only allows devices to be turned
off, because it effectively turns the water
heater into a battery. Traditional batteries supply power when generation is low
and absorb power when generation is
high. In this way, they help modulate the
supply of electricity to follow the load.
GIWHs can’t supply electricity, but they
provide exactly the same functionality by
reversing this equation: They can modulate the load in order to follow generation. In times of overgeneration, fleets
of water heaters can be switched on to
absorb excess power, and in times of undergeneration, they can be switched off
to shed load and redistribute the existing
electricity on the grid. Thus, aggregated
GIWHs can act as virtual power plants
to quickly and effectively control the
amount of power on the grid. Moreover,
these fleets are completely scalable and
can perform this functionality within
seconds.
Benefits To The Utility
GIWHs enable the utility or aggregator to shift loads, perform demand
response, conserve revenue via the arbitrage of wholesale electricity, generate
revenue via ancillary services, and keep
the grid stabilized during unexpected
events.
Load shifting and traditional demand response. In addition to traditional demand response, which sheds
loads in times of peak demand, GIWHs
12 May 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
can be used to shift loads and perform intelligent
load control. Pre- or postcharging of GIWHs
around peak times and smaller spikes throughout
the day can smooth the load curve while maintaining customers’ supply of hot water. Instead of simply shedding the peak load, the energy consumption is redistributed to times of lesser demand
Arbitrage of wholesale electricity. Electricity
providers can charge GIWHs when the price of energy is low and discharge them when the price is high, saving utilities and their customers
money. This strategy can be especially useful for cooperatives and municipal utilities, where the savings can easily be passed along directly to
customers.
Revenue from ancillary services. Utilities can also use GIWHs for
frequency regulation or other services. Frequency regulation – or just
regulation – is the second-by-second matching of generation to the load.
Depending on the market, there can be significant revenue potential from
regulation.
Furthermore, the need for regulation will only increase as more
intermittent renewables are added to the grid. Solar and wind power, for
example, inherently fluctuate with the availability of sun and wind, causing generation to spike and dip unexpectedly. Regulation is required to
smooth these fluctuations and keep generation matched to the load. Not
many resources are flexible enough to provide this service, but energy storage can do it very well.
The monetary value of frequency regulation depends on the transmission organization that monitors and controls the delivery of high-voltage
electricity on the grid. Regional transmission organizations (RTOs) cover
large interstate areas, and independent system operators (ISOs) cover
smaller geographical areas.
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) can’t provide frequency regulation
nearly as well as electric resistance water heaters can. Although they’re a
great energy-efficiency technology and are gaining in market share due to
efforts by the DOE and Energy Star, HPWHs can’t be cycled off and on
nearly as quickly as electric resistance water heaters can. They also don’t
draw as much power as electric resistance water heaters. As such, the revenue potential from regulating HPWHs is only one-eighth the revenue of
electric resistance water heaters.
Grid stabilization. Perhaps one of the most valuable services that
GIWHs provide is the ability to respond to grid stabilization events
within seconds. If a transformer trips or another unexpected event occurs,
GIWHs allow the utility or aggregator to shed or increase load within
seconds.
Additional benefits and implications. Not all locations on the grid are
created equal. GIWHs are more
valuable to distribution-constrained areas than to areas with excess
distribution resources because they can reduce peak demand, potentially
allowing the utility to defer distribution upgrades.
For territories that have plentiful renewable energy resources, utilities
or aggregators can consider a renewable storage water heater (RSWH).
RSWH systems use a dedicated auxiliary thermal storage tank (or tanks)
to capture low-cost or no-cost excess renewable electricity. The auxiliary
tank sits next to the original hot water tank and supplies the renewably
generated hot water when it’s available. The tank uses a mixing valve to dilute the hot water to reduce temperatures to standard domestic hot water
(DHW) levels before delivering the water to the customer.
What’s Happening With GIWHs Now?
Great River Energy, a generation and transmission company in Minnesota, currently controls tens of thousands of large-capacity water heaters
for arbitrage benefits to its customers. The co-op charges the GIWHs at
night, when the wholesale market price for electricity is low, saving its
customers money while providing the same amenity. Dairyland Power
Cooperative, another generation and transmission company in Wisconsin,
also has a large fleet of water heaters it uses for arbitrage.
Community Storage
Gives Co-ops Flexibility
By Cathy Cash –ECT.coop
Energy storage—the holy grail of the electric power
industry—that will save consumers money and give
electric cooperatives new flexibility might be as close as
your water heater.
So says new research from The Brattle Group, a global
economic consulting firm.
NRECA, the Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC), Great River Energy, and the Peak Load Management Alliance commissioned the study, “The Hidden
Battery,” to launch a “community storage” initiative to
aggregate battery-like features of appliances.
Electric water heaters rank third-largest in residential
electricity consumption, behind space cooling and lighting,
according to the research released in February. “The magnitude of this relatively untapped resource is significant.”
Advanced community storage strategies can equip
electric co-ops to beat peak prices and save their members as much as $200 a year – enough to pay for a gridenabled water heater within five winters, says the study.
Further, these water heaters can interact with the electric
grid to help with balancing and frequency response.
Great River Energy controls more than 110,000
residential water heaters that can store more than 1
gigawatt-hour of electricity. Between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.,
65,000 electric thermal water heaters mass enough hot
water for an entire day; 45,000 water heaters are used
to shave peak demand.
“We believe there’s a battery hidden in basements all
across our service territory,” says Gary Connett, director
of member services at the Maple Grove, Minn., G&T.
Community storage also is an important tool for meeting Minnesota’s “25 percent by 2025” renewable energy
standard that is resulting in more variable generation
resources.
“When the wind is blowing or the sun is shining,
large-capacity water heaters can be enabled to make
immediate use of that energy to heat water to high
temperatures,” Connett says. “Water heaters can be shut
down when renewables are scarce and wholesale costs
are high.”
NRECA worked closely with NRDC in 2015 to achieve
federal law that preserves the production of large gridenabled water heaters that 250 electric co-ops already
rely on for energy savings programs.
Editor’s Note: South Dakota electric cooperatives,
especially those in eastern South Dakota and western
Minnesota, have a long history of using energy savings
from water heating. Contact your local electric cooperative for more information.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2016 13
Tech Growth Gives New Relevance to
Electrical Safety
W
By Justin LaBerge
hen you think of electrical safety, what
types of hazards come to mind? For many, the
answer is likely to include an overloaded rat’s nest of
extension cords and power strips like Clark Griswold uses to light up his home in the classic holiday
comedy Christmas Vacation.
Others might think of the farmer who has a little
“run in” with a utility pole or live wire while operating heavy machinery in the field.
Or perhaps you think of the careless do-ityourselfer digging trenches without calling 811 or
forgetting to look overhead when using a ladder to
clean out the gutters.
Those are all good answers, and the region’s electric cooperatives have plenty of experience dealing
14 May 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
with these kinds of hazards.
It can be tempting to look at these extreme
examples and think that’s where the safety conversation begins and ends, but there are safety considerations for every device powered by electricity.
Electricity is likely to play a more prominent role
in our lives as advances in technology make it the
preferred energy source for more and more of the
devices we use every day – from cars to tech gadgets, to heating and cooling. As our use of electricity
grows, so too must our awareness of electrical safety.
Smartphones and Other Gadgets
When most people think of counterfeiting,
they probably think of money or perhaps knockoff
designer handbags. But it’s a big business that impacts most
segments of the American economy.
In 2014, consumer electronics ranked second on a list of
the most common types of counterfeit goods seized by U.S.
Customs and Border Protection. Computers and accessories
ranked eighth on that list.
In 2010, nearly 500,000 smartphone batteries were recalled
after they were discovered to be counterfeit.
These knockoffs aren’t just illegal and of inferior quality.
They’re often dangerous. Counterfeiters have no vested interest
in your safety or the integrity of the brand they’re impersonating. These products haven’t been tested by consumer protection groups and are unlikely to comply with safety regulations.
How can you tell if your product is legit? The Electrical
Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has this advice:
• Use established vendors who purchase their goods from
legitimate distributors and genuine manufacturers.
• Read the packaging and labels carefully. Text should be
free of grammatical errors and should not contain conflicting
information.
• Packaging should contain the name and contact information of the manufacturer.
• Avoid unknown brands and products that do not display
any brand affiliation.
• Do your research. Organizations such as the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), CSA Group and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) provide information about product
recalls, including those related to counterfeiting, on their
websites.
In addition to counterfeits, consumers should be wary of
deeply discounted off-brand chargers and other accessories.
While there are many legitimate third-party manufacturers that
make safe and reliable accessories that cost less than original
equipment manufacturers, there are also manufacturers that
produce poorly made products that sell for low prices and pose
a high danger of shock, overheating or fire.
Whether it’s counterfeit or just poorly manufactured, if the
price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles have made remarkable strides in reliability, performance and affordability in recent years. Their price
is still out of reach for most consumers, but like many new
technologies, prices are likely to fall and quality is likely to rise
as the market matures.
When that happens, drivers will be in for a win-win of better torque and performance and lower emissions than vehicles
powered by internal combustion engines.
Electric vehicles must be recharged, and those charging systems have certain electrical requirements. If you’re considering
making the switch to an electric vehicle, you should start by
ensuring your home’s electrical system is up to the task.
Your local electric cooperative can help guide you through
that process, but the assessment should include an evaluation
of the lines and meter that connect your home to the electric
co-op’s distribution system, the panel that feeds the circuits
in your home, and the wiring that delivers electricity to your
outlets and appliances.
Assuming everything is up to snuff, the charging system
should be installed by a licensed electrician.
Once it’s installed and your shiny new car is parked in the
driveway, ESFI offers the following safety tips:
• Carefully read the Owner’s Manual for your charging station upon installation.
• Never use an extension cord to charge the vehicle. Use of
extension cords can increase risk of electric shock and other
hazards.
• Inspect for damaged cords and plugs, which could result
in shock and fire hazards.
• Charging equipment should not be installed in an area
with heavy foot traffic, or near any materials that are flammable or explosive.
• Outdoor charging equipment is weatherproof, but should
be protected from damage.
Solar Panels
The solar power industry has seen explosive growth in recent years, and America’s electric cooperatives have been active
participants in that growth. In fact, three of the top four solar
utilities in America are electric cooperatives.
There are many factors that will determine if installing
rooftop solar on your home or business makes sense. Your local electric cooperative can help you with that assessment and
explain all applicable incentives, rates, policies and state regulations related to the installation of rooftop solar.
A growing number of cooperatives are building community
solar gardens that allow members to purchase locally generated solar energy without installing it on their homes. This
can be an attractive option for members who live on lots that
are not ideally situated to collect solar energy, members who
don’t want to deal with the maintenance of their own system,
members who live in apartments or condos, and members who
would like to support solar energy but don’t have the financial
resources to invest in a large-scale installation on their home.
If, after carefully assessing your options, you determine that
a rooftop solar installation is the right choice for you, ESFI has
the following safety recommendations:
• Before adding an active solar system to your home, have
your home electrical system evaluated by a licensed, qualified
professional to ensure it can support this new technology.
• Always hire a professional to install and repair solar panels
at your home or workplace. Specific licenses and qualifications
must be obtained before attempting to install solar equipment.
• Building, electrical, and plumbing codes also apply to
solar power installations. Ensure your installer requests the appropriate permits and follows all applicable codes.
• Solar power systems present unique safety challenges for
fire fighters. In the event of a fire, inform all officials of the use
of solar panels as well as identify the type used. This will help
them mitigate the risks.
As you can see, electricity is playing a more prominent role
in our lives, which is why the lesson of electrical safety is so
important.
Justin LaBerge writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service
arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit
electric cooperatives.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • May 2016 15
regional Dateline
Events of Special Note
April 23
RiverRat Marathon, Riverside
Park, Yankton, SD
605-660-9483
www.riverratmarathon.com
April 23-24
Quilt Show, Swiftel Center
Brookings, SD, 605-690-3246
April 24
Jeff Dunham: Perfectly
Unbalanced Tour
Rapid City, SD, 800-468-6463
April 30-May 1
Annual Art Show
Chamber of Commerce
Pierre, SD, 605-567-3562
dan46@gwtc.net
May 20
11th Annual Custer Stampede
Buffalo Art Auction Unveiling
Custer, SD, 605-673-2244
May 21
Red Rock Ribfest
Rowena, SD, 605-254-6367
mitch@snortzbbq.com
May 26
Purses with a Purpose
Sioux Falls, SD, 605-271-9703
May 27-October 10
Legends in Light® Laser Light
Show, Nightly, Crazy Horse
Memorial, Crazy Horse, SD
Photo CoURtESY of KRYSti BUxCEl BaRnES
April 23
Jeff Dunham: Perfectly
Unbalanced Tour
Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-7288
May 17
The Syttende Mai (Norwegian
Independent Day) Vivian, SD
605-222-3296
June 17-19
Annual Match Bronc Ride and
Scotty Philip Festival Days
Bronc ride is Friday night
Philip, SD, 605-859-2525
To have your event listed on this page, send complete information, including date, event, place and contact to your local electric cooperative.
Include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Information must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to your event.
Please call ahead to confirm date, time and location of event.
June 1-4
South Dakota Senior Games
Rapid City, SD, Contact Kristi
Lintz at 605-394-4168
June 4-5
Spring Volksmarch at
Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse, SD, 605-673-4681
June 24-25
South Dakota Senior Games
Mitchell, SD, Contact Barb
Pierkowski at 605-995-8048
June 3-4
The Original SD BBQ
Championships, Huron, SD
605-353-7340
June 10-11
Two Rivers Exposition
Expo Center, Fort Pierre, SD
605-224-8686
July 8-9
South Dakota Senior Games
Madison, SD, Contact Bernie
Schuurmans at 605-270-3327
June 3-4
South Dakota Senior Games
Sioux Falls, SD, Contact Scott
Juhnke at 605-367-8222
June 10-11
South Dakota Senior Games
Spearfish,SD,ContactKris
Harwood at 605-722-1430
July 22-23
South Dakota Senior Games
Brookings, SD, Contact Traci
Saugstad at 605-692-4492
June 3-5
Wheel Jam, Huron, SD
605-353-7354
June 14
SeventhAnnualAgWomen’s
Day, First Lutheran Church
Activity Center, Brookings, SD
605-692-8003 Ext. 2
August 5-6
South Dakota Senior Games
Yankton, SD, Contact Kristi
Hauer at 605-665-4685 or
Tracy Grotenhuis at
605-668-5238
June 3-5
Black Hills Quilters Guild
Quilt Show and Sale
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
Rapid City, SD
info@bhquilters.org
www.bhquilters.org
June 17-19
Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo
and Gift from Mother Earth
Crazy Horse, SD
August 13
South Dakota Senior Games
Huron, SD, Contact LaRon
Klock at 605-353-8533