Northland Connection: June 2021

June 2021 | Volume 83 | Issue 6

Youth Tour Leadership Program Winners Selected

In May, PCEC selected six Northland-area students to represent the cooperative during this year’s annual Youth Tour and Youth CYCLE leadership conferences.

This year’s Youth Tour winners were Brock Stout of Holt and McKenna Brown of Kearney.

The Youth CYCLE winners were Talia Lambing of Kearney, Elizabeth Shaw of Liberty, Mia Adkins of Kearney and Claudia Carerra of Kearney.

Youth Tour delegates will receieve a $2,800 scholarship and Youth CYCLE delegates will receive a $500 scholarship. Scholarship awards will be deposited by Platte-Clay into MOST 529 college savings accounts set up for students.

The delegates will participate in a hybrid-format three day leadership conference where they’ll get the chance to interact virtually with students from across the state of Missouri.

The program, which Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative has participated in since 1964, offers students a unique opportunity to learn about the cooperative business model, the power industry and to develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime.

To enter the contest, students completed an essay about the topic of resilience, with the finalists submitting videos about their essay topics. The videos were judged by a panel of community judges.

The Youth Tour event is scheduled to be held in June and the Youth CYCLE event in July, with both being coordinated by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC).

Keeping the Lights On: Collaboration and a Diverse Energy Mix

From the General Manager

The energy industry is undergoing a dramatic transformation as consumer demand for more renewable energy sources grows, and innovation and technology continue to advance exponentially.

When driving across the Northland, you may have noticed solar panels at the co-op’s headquarters or on your neighbors’ roofs. Maybe you’ve heard about the impending changes in the car market with most major manufacturers announcing plans to offer more electric vehicles.

One thing is certain – interest in renewable energy is growing among consumers. In fact, our generation cooperative, Associated Electric Cooperative (AECI), has continued to expand the amount of renewable energy in its portfolio. On April 6, 100 percent of AECI’s total member load for the one hour period ending at 1:00 AM was served by renewable energy, making it one of the first balancing authorities in the Midwest to reach such a milestone.

Due to decreased costs passed on from Associated, we’ve also been able to lower the price of our GreenPower program, which gives members the chance to choose for their energy consumption to be accounted for in renewable energy resources. Participation in GreenPower increased by 150 percent over the past year as a result of heightened interest.

While renewable energy use is increasing, power providers must currently still depend on traditional forms of energy to keep power flowing reliably to your home. After all, solar and wind energy are referred to as “intermittent” power since the sun does not always shine and the wind does not always blow. That’s why there is real value in maintaining a balanced mixture of fuel types to ensure reliability, resiliency and to meet the growing demand for electricity.

February’s winter cold snap was a great example of how collaboration between cooperatives and a diverse energy mix work together to boost reliability. Even on the coldest days of that extreme weather event when the wind was barely blowing and snow blanketed solar panels, baseload power generation sources like coal and gas were firing on all cylinders.

Research, innovation and technological developments are driving the power industry toward carbon reduction faster than ever before. Our cooperative system’s strategy of utilizing a diverse energy mix and taking a collaborative approach to problem solving means we can continue to serve you reliably while those developments are in progress.

Suds and Savings: 10 Ways to Save Energy in the Laundry Room

There are several easy ways you can save energy (and money) in the laundry room. The Department of Energy recommends the following tips for saving on suds:

• Wash with cold water. Switching from warm water to cold water can cut one load’s energy use by more than half, and by using a cold-water detergent, you can still achieve that brilliant clean you’d normally get from washing in warm water.
• Wash full loads when possible. Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy no matter the size of the clothes load, so fill it up if you can.
• Use the high-speed or extended spin cycle in the washer. This setting will remove more moisture before drying, reducing your drying time and the extra wear on clothing.
• Dry heavier cottons separately. Loads will dry faster and more evenly if you separate heavier cottons like linens and towels from your lightweight clothing.
• Make use of the “cool down” cycle. If your dryer has this cycle option, you can save energy because the clothes will finish drying with the remaining heat in the dryer.
• Use lower heat settings to dry clothing. Regardless of drying time, you’ll still use less energy.
• Use dryer balls. Dryer balls, usually wool or rubber, will help keep clothes separated for faster drying, and they can help reduce static, so you can eliminate dryer sheets.
• Switch loads while the dryer is warm. This allows you to take advantage of the remaining heat from the previous cycle.
• Clean the lint filter after each drying cycle. If you use dryer sheets, remember to scrub the filter once a month with a toothbrush to remove excess buildup.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR®-rated washers and dryers. When it’s time to purchase a new washer or dryer, look for the ENERGY STAR® label. New washers and dryers that receive the ENERGY STAR® rating use about 20% less energy than conventional models.

To learn about additional ways you can save energy at home, visit www.PCEC.coop.

Thank a Lineworker!

Hey kids! Think about all the ways you use electricity every day. Do you use a phone, watch TV, play video games or turn on the lights? You’re able to do all of these things exactly when you want because of Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative’s lineworkers!

Below is a space to write a short thank you note to your local lineworkers. Write your note, then ask an adult to help you send it back by mail to c/o PCEC Marketing, P.O. Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060 or by email to mail@pcec.coop.

Send your note to the mailing address above, or snap a photo with your phone and email it to us!

Storm Safety Reminders From Your Cooperative

When extreme weather hits, it has the potential to cause service disruptions for Platte-Clay’s consumer-members. Being prepared before the storm can help keep you safe when when it arrives. Remember to save the cooperative’s phone number (816-628-3121) to report outages, keep a stock of emergency food and water, and charge your essential electronics when the forecast calls for stormy weather.

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.