Northland Connection: December 2013

December 2013 | Volume 75 | Issue 12

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Best wishes for the Holiday Season

Platte-Clay’s offices will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. Your co-op web site, pcec.coop will be available.

Emergency service is available by calling 816-628-3121 24 x 7 x 365. Major outage information and updates will be posted on Facebook and the web site outage map.

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Thanks for the memories

From the CEO
As we wrap up 2013 and your co-op’s 75th anniversary, I am reminded of the many co-op members who have shared stories about when their family got electric service. The stories were varied, some touching, some funny and all heartwarming. That was a real co-op birthday present in and of itself.

Many of the newer Platte-Clay Electric Co-op members have moved to the Northland from a city and don’t know the history of their co-op and the early work to build the electrical system here.

Many younger members and our children can’t imagine being without lamps and lights in every room or reading by candlelight. This generation believes a computer with a terrabyte hard drive is a given.

But in fact, it wasn’t all that long ago. Today we seek out those opportunities by going camping; for most as we come to the end of 2013, it is a novelty and not our way life.

However, like many in the “greatest generation,” and those who were young in 1938, time marches on. And we all are grateful for technology’s advances. And for lights and all the appliances, with large and small motors that make our tasks easier. The circular saw. The blender. Or the Crock Pot, that like a silent, obedient cook, has our dinner ready for us when we get home from work.

Now is the time of the year when we’re more reflective about sharing and caring and it’s a good opportunity to thank that group of pioneers. Much like those who rode across the prairie in a covered wagon, these community leaders went door to door to convince neighbors to become part of a service that would make life easier for them, and especially their children.

This year as we decorate our homes with twinkling lights we are reminded of the story of the three wise men making their way across the desert by way of the stars. And while we may take time to look up and notice the December constellations which have always been in our Missouri sky, we are grateful for those Northland residents who started a rural electric cooperative that today provides our electric service.

Because for most of us, the lights in our windows and that wind around our tree, like the stars, have always been here.

Best wishes for the Holidays and the New Year.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please let me know.

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Thanks, founders

During the time of the year when we’re thinking about the gifts in our lives, this group who founded Platte-Clay 75 years ago belongs in our thoughts.

They worked tirelessly to form, then sell their friends and neighbors on the idea of a locally-owned and operated rural electric co-op.

It’s their gift to you. Thanks for helping celebrate your co-op’s 75th Anniversary this year.

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Big stockings to fill?

If it looks like the house needs a few things this year, Platte-Clay can help out.

Water heaters. Your co-op sells efficient electric storage water heaters. Top-of-the-line Marathon water heaters are heavily insulated and reduce operating costs. Marathons come in a variety of sizes to meet both the number of users in a home and the space available.

The high-tech, heat pump water heaters use ambient air to help warm the water, also using less energy.

Generators. Platte-Clay offers turn-key service for permanently-mounted residential and commercial-sized units. If your home or business must have power at all times, then a generator is the answer to your needs. To start shopping, decide what appliances and devices must be powered, as that will determine the size of the unit needed.

Ritchie Waterers. Oh, the joy of looking out the window at the horses or cows on a cold morning and watching them get a drink from their energy efficient Ritchie Waterer. Just thinking about breaking water on a frozen pond or the expense of running an immersion heater sends chills up our spine.

These energy efficient units are available in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of your herd, even down to individual stalls. It’s the next best thing after getting electricity in the barn.

Gift certificates — one size fits all budgets. Gift certificates are available for those who are worried about a generator or water heater taking up too much room in Santa’s sleigh. Gift certificates in any whole dollar amount also are available to help out those whose budget may need a little assistance during the cold months.

For more information, stop by either office, 15055 Bethel Road, in Platte City, or 1000 W. Hwy. 92 in Kearney, or send an e-mail to mail@pcec. coop and we’ll be back in touch with you. Be sure to provide the best time to call.

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Co-op and Industry Update

Join Co-op Nation

The National Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives is working with a dynamic new executive, Jo Ann Emerson, a former Missouri U.S. Representative of the 8th District, in the southeast and south central part of the state.

The first Republican woman elected from Missouri, Ms. Emerson knows her way around Washington, D.C.: her father, A. B. Herman was executive director of the Republication National Committee and she married the late Rep. Bill Emerson, succeeding him in the 8th District when he passed from cancer.

She is an excellent choice to replace the former long-time executive director Glenn English, who retired after serving in that position since 1994.

She has dubbed rural electric co-op members “Co-op Nation.” It is in that spirit she has challenged the state electric cooperative organizations and the local distribution networks to weigh in on proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules for power plants. NRECA is looking for a million signatures.

Co-ops want the EPA to use an “all of the above” energy strategy that includes coal.

But the EPA has been directed to enforce limits on CO2 which could effectively ban future coal-fired power plants. At present there is no technology that can make coal as clean as required.

The electric utilities and others have been researching technologies to reduce or capture power plant CO2 emissions, called carbon capture and sequestration, or CCS. CCS would capture emissions and transport the captured and compressed CO2 and transport it and store it in underground rock formations, at least a mile below the surface.

CCS Illustration courtesy EPA.

To date, the technology hasn’t been used commercially, and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports that engineers estimate that CCS technology would increase costs by 75 percent.

There are three main issues:

1. Currently Missouri enjoys some of the lowest electricity rates in the U.S. If new CCS regulations are in place, rates could rise.

2. Coal is a plentiful, domestic and cheap resource. Co-ops believe coal should be included in the nation’s energy mix, along with other power sources, including renewables—an “all of the above” approach.

3. The demand for energy is slowing, in part because of the slow economy and in part because of energy efficiency programs such as your co-op’s Take Control & Save. As a result, overall power plant emissions have dropped.

To make it easier for both co-op members and NRECA to respond to issues affecting the industry, the trade association has set up an online registration form which will allow the organization to send messages on your behalf on this and any future issues.

This quick response database will help NRECA target our senators and representative and show support or concern on electric industry issues. To include your name in the database, go to www.action.coop and fill in the blanks in the online form.

For those who prefer to work with paper, Platte-Clay has forms at both offices (15055 Bethel Road, Platte City and 1000 W. Hwy. 92, Kearney) and co-op employees will enter your name in the database for you.

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How to have a really, yes, really happy 2014

For some of us, having a “happy” new year is a bit of a challenge. Life has a way of throwing things at families that bring “challenges.” So, like Scrooge, many of us want to say Bah! Humbug!

But there is hope and help, and a lot of it is just minor lifestyle and mindset changes.

So to kick off 2014 in fine style, here are nine ideas, thoroughly researched, that will help move our happy meters.

1.) Sleep. The BPS Research Digest (British Psychological Society) reports that lack of sleep makes us sensitive to negative emotions. In another experiment, sleep-deprived subjects remembered negative words more than positive words. Others remembered only unpleasant memories and couldn’t recall pleasant memories. So pleasant dreams may make for pleasant days.

2.) Get outside. Although not as pleasant as sitting on the porch in May, spending 20 minutes outside helps improve thinking and memory, in addition to making people happier. The American Meteorological Society said that current temperature affects our happiness too, and that the ideal temperature is 57 degrees. It may be a while until we see that temperature again, but we can bundle up and go for a walk anyway.

3.) Here’s a two-fer. Get some exercise while outside. As little as seven minutes of exercise will make us feel better, according to a scientific study on workouts mentioned in the New York Times, and help increase our sense of well-being and help alleviate depression, not uncommon during these short winter days.

4.) Smile more. Smile and think positive thoughts. Hard to come up with any? Google the word affirmations. No computer, no worries, head for the local library and use theirs. Don’t know how to use a computer? Librarians are wonderful people and can help find a book of affirmations.

5.) Meditate. Just sit quietly. Don’t know how? Same as above, Google meditation or head for the library. Some quiet time, often difficult to carve out, goes a long way in helping people stay calm, plus it improves our attention span. Further, research reports that regular meditation actually alters our brain structure and raises the level of happiness.

Here’s an interesting suggestion.
6.) Plan a trip. Doesn’t mean that we’re going anywhere, but thinking about pleasant places and good times makes us feel better. A Quality of Life study said that a spike in happiness happens during the planning stage of a vacation – plus no sunburn, jelly fish sting or broken arm from snowboarding.

7.) Practice gratitude. Who knew there is a scientific expert on gratitude? There is, and his name is Robert Emmons, who says, “I see it as a relationship-strengthening emotion because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people.” Research says that reminding ourselves of what we have to be grateful for strengthens the immune system, lowers blood pressure, reduces illness symptoms, and helps us deal with aches and pains, even PTSD. Bonus for the rest of us: people who practice gratitude are closer and more committed to friends, are more helpful, altruistic and compassionate.

8.) Spend time with family and friends. Family not so much fun? Then focus on friends and build your own “family” with your besties. The Longevity Project said that how we help others was an important factor in living a long happy life. The study reported that those who were involved with their friends and neighbors, who advised and cared for others tended to live to old age.

9.) And that brings us to “old age,” as people tend to grow happier as they age, remembering happier faces and situations more than negative ones. And age brings a measure of wisdom: mature adults select social situations and friends who are happier and who make them happy.

Have a happy, really happy 2014.

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Co-op Coats and Cans in December

Your co-op will accept gently-used coats and non perishable, current food supplies, (labeled, no glass) during the month of December. Contributions will be given to local food banks and clothing distribution facilities. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

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Classified Ads

To submit an ad, complete the ad form, use the website, https://pcec.coop/newsroom/classified-ad-submission/, or send in a brief nine-word description of the item you wish to advertise no later than the 15th of the month, to Platte-Clay Electric Co-op, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060, Attn. Northland Connection.

Ads run on a first come, first served basis.

Ads should be about 10 words or less and include a phone number. Please indicate the category, i.e., for sale, giveaway, wanted, and the topic, such as car or boat.

Please type or print your ad. If your ad does not appear, you may resubmit it for the next available edition. Ads are for Platte-Clay members only. No business or commercial ads.

If your ad is time sensitive, we suggest using one of the local ad-supported publications.

Members may pick up an ad form at the PCEC office in Kearney or Platte City or use the website, pcec.coop. Click on Classified Ad or send directly to mail@pcec.coop.

The area code is 816 unless otherwise noted.

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For Sale

Wheel chair/scooter lift: Bruno Curb-sider 6000 for van or pick up bed. 320-3834.

Alto saxaphone: Like new Cannonball. Dk. metal, new $3k, will take best offer. 516-1413.

Truck: F350D, 2WD, dually. 180K, $9250. 724-1579.

Hay: Large good bales, $35 ea. 296-7163 or 732-3561.

Curio cabinet: 52” wide, cherry finish. New $1400, now $250. Exc cond. 357-2160.

LP furnace/AC. Energy efficient. 830-9620.

Dining room set: Solid birch, drop leaves, 4 chairs, 50” round + 2-9” leaves. $700 obo. 320-3705.

Room heater: Comfort Furn Infrared, $100. 766-3884 after 5:30.

Bicycle: Girls 20” Schwinn Breeze. Mfg. 1972, collector item. 820-9284.

Sump pump: New in box, 3/4 hp, 115v. $50. 628-3916.

Water heater: Propane energy saver, 75 gal. 830-9620.

Bathtub/shower wall enclosure. Tractor, 900 Ford, rebuilt engine and hyd pump. 320-2209.

Dust collector: 4 bag, 3 hp, like new for home workshop. 320-3834.

Heat pump: Geothermal Water Source residential unit. 820-9264, plz. leave number.

75th Annniv. PCEC bamboo cutting boards. 14” x 10”. $7 ea, limit 2. 628-3121 or stop by either Platte-Clay office.

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Wanted

Dead elm trees to cut. 721-3966.

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Services

Piano tuning & repair. Great gift. 721-3966.

I teach Chinese to children and adults in local library, $30-$45 an hour. 686-9638.

Carpet cleaning: 3 rooms, $90. 628-4801.

Bounce house: Castle Moonwalk, 15’ x 15’. Rent for parties, add pizzazz to your events. 769-2931.

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The Northland Connection is published monthly by Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc., 1000 W. 92 Highway, Kearney, MO 64060. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Northland Connection, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060 or mail@pcec.coop.

Platte-Clay is an equal opportunity employer.