December 2014 | Volume 76 | Issue 12
Best Wishes for the Holiday!
In the spirit of giving
Mike Torres
From the CEO
For many of us, our most valuable asset is our time. That may explain why all of the time-saving and time-shifting devices are so popular.
We now can use our smart phones or our computers to shop and pay our bills online. We can use our smart phones to set the thermostat in our homes, and with apps, turn the lights on and off.
We appreciate the convenience of the shortcuts our electronics and other devices provide for us.
But there’s no real shortcut for a meaningful conversation to build a friendship, to build a relationship. And that is what we are asking co-op members to do by participating in co-op activities, and two in particular where members can talk one-on-one with co-op employees.
The Focus Group provides important member feedback on co-op activities; it meets quarterly in the evening.
New for 2015, Platte-Clay is forming a Solar Committee which will meet every other month to join the staff in learning about the solar industry and the co-op’s pilot community solar array that will be constructed on the west side of the Kearney headquarters. We all will be learning more about this industry in general, and your co-op’s pilot program in particular.
Forms for both groups are on the co-op web site pcec.coop in the News section.
We hope that in this season of giving you will consider giving your co-op some of your time.
I also want to extend my personal wishes for a joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Construction Site Plan Form available at pcec.coop
Members who are planning to build or remodel their homes or buildings now must complete a Construction Site Plan Form to determine the best way to route the electric lines to the building–to future proof the site.
Making long-range plans for a site will help members avoid sometimes difficult and costly infrastructure changes.
Planning ahead now–for that addition, circular drive or swimming pool–will help those dreams become a reality without the additional cost of re-routing lines to the home, which must be paid by the homeowner.
Start here, and start dreaming.
Download the form at https://pcec.coop/services/engineering-services/
Download Construction Site Form
Platte-Clay now installing LED dusk-to-dawn security lights
People will tell you that timing is everything, and we have an excellent example to share.
A member wrote in Member Viewpoints, asking why LED lights aren’t available for security lights.
As of November, Platte-Clay began installing only LED dusk-to-dawn fixtures for new security lights.
As the traditional lights fail, the co-op will issue a work order for changing the old security lights to a LED.
Platte-Clay will still maintain the high pressure sodium fixtures with bulbs, photo controls and shades, which, as the fixtures fail, will be replaced with the LED lights and fixtures.
It’s another example of how your co-op works for members to help save energy and keep costs down.
The existing dusk-to-dawn lights’ average lifespan is 10 years and a LED is expected to be in service 20 years.
For the impatient among us, the reason for the gradual change out is to manage the process and costs, as the fixtures for the new technology will be more expensive.
Thanks for the Member Viewpoint question and opportunity to share the information with co-op members.
Smart phones + security system = peace of mind
Images from a home security system shown on a smart phone allowing us to see and monitor all locations easily.
A security system makes a great gift—and it works very well for both those giving a security system and for those receiving a security system.
For starters, a security system is an excellent investment to protect a home, belongings and family.
PCEC Security, a co-op affiliate, offers a basic wireless system that starts at $249 for the installation, a $24.99 activation fee and $38.50 a month for monitoring.
The basic system includes a motion detector and sensors on a total of three doors and/or windows and uses a keypad to arm the system when leaving and to disarm it when back at home. It’s easy and simple to use and doesn’t require a landline.
For those who have smartphones and who would like to put technology to work, Platte-Clay offers systems with great additional features.
Let’s start with the benefits.
First, the system will send an alert when any alarm is triggered such as a door opened, the power goes out or other events—and you can make “rules” for other events. Such as when the kids get home from school.
A remote control unit allows subscribers to arm or disarm the system, and the free Alarm.com app stretches the remote capability to smart phones and tablets.
For those who agree that a picture is worth a thousand words, the interactive video service is the perfect solution. Live streaming shows what’s going on in your home. Wonder who’s coming home with the kids? Set a rule and get photos of who’s in your home before and after school.
Aging parents who need a little assistance? Customize the security system so any alarms first go to a phone or e-mail account, wherever you are. With the video capability, it’s easy enough to get a sense of the situation to determine what assistance they need.
Wonder what’s going on in your home when you leave for the winter? This security system will keep you informed.
Better yet, an image sensor can take photos of who or what triggered an alarm.
With family members coming and going at different times, giving each a different code will keep busy parents in the loop.
Touch screen applications allow us to arm and disarm the system using an iPad or other mobile device.
House guests? Give them a separate code so they can secure your home before they leave. And if you’re wondering if someone closed the garage door, simply check using the app on your smart phone or other mobile device.
Trying to save energy? With the interactive security system, it’s possible to set a schedule to turn lights off or on for your safety and convenience and to adjust your thermostat. Or make a schedule and let your security system do that work for you while you bask in sunny Florida.
One of the great benefits of the interactive security system is that it works even if the power and phone lines are down and there is no Internet service.
In short, PCEC Security sells not only an innovative service that allows us to manage our homes, but more important, peace of mind. And that could be the best gift anyone could give or get.
I had tree limbs contacting the power lines so I contacted PCEC. The crew that came to remove the limbs did a great job. They were considerate about the concrete driveway and the weight of their truck potentially doing damage. They were able to do the job with no damage. Thanks to PCEC and the tree crew.
– Gary Milton Daniel
Platte-Clay response.
Many times we move to a location that has trees planted in the wrong place–too close to the electric lines or under the power lines. Perhaps we didn’t know how big a tree would grow when we planted it.
Your co-op encourages members to take this quiet time of the year while we can easily see trees and electric, and other, lines and to start cutting down the saplings that within a short time may be touching electric lines.
In addition to creating outages, trees can conduct electricity, so they pose a true safety hazard, and one that Platte-Clay members can avoid.
In addition, with our rain, snow and ice storms that bring heavy winds, ice and at times, blizzards, trees in the wrong place create a variety of problems.
Ice and snow can coat branches, weighing them down, even pulling trees and power lines down.
Wind whipping branches can cause intermittent shorts, or blinks, which are difficult to locate.
The real problem is trees in the wrong place and the only fix is to cut the tree down or to trim it back away from the lines.
Let’s be nice to these giant plants that provide shade and sustenance for us by planting them properly.
Focus Group and Solar Committee
Focus Group
Volunteer members meet quarterly in the evening to review co-op activities, projects and to share their perspective. Forms in the offices and online, www. pcec.coop in the News section.
Solar Committee
New in 2015, the committee will meet every other month in the evening to review the co-op’s pilot solar project and to learn, along with co-op employees, about a working community solar array. Forms are in the offices and online, pcec.coop in the News section.
Above Left: Get to the login screen from the home page, pcec.coop. Above right: Choose your activity. Member Viewpoint is the quill pen icon on the lower right side.
Right: If you need to create an account, just fill in the blanks and let the web site go to work for you. The Member Viewpoint area is for co-op members, and we’d like to hear from you.
Make it easy this year. Shop your co-op.
The ads tell us what we should be buying–the new, hot trendy gifts. But there is that side of us that makes practical gifts much more meaningful and useful for our families and friends. We have a few suggestions that may lack glitz, but pay off in many other meaningful ways.
Lights. Compact fluorescents are getting more and more inexpensive and the price for LEDs is coming down too. A basket of CFLs will definitely help a family still using incandescents (the old, fragile lights) save money; they will last for a few years.
Better yet, LED makers say they will last 20 years or so. The jury’s still out on that—let us know about your LEDs every five or 10 years so we can report back to co-op members. But in the meantime, they only use a fraction of the energy, so they’ll save on energy costs.
Another benefit of giving lights: it’s easy to be a hero and simply change out light bulbs. There’s a joke in here someplace, but we’re not going to tease anyone’s family.
Water heater. Platte-Clay offers great pricing for water heaters for co-op members and competitive pricing to nonmembers. Now would be a great time to get a water heater, including installation and the warranty for a family member living on Platte-Clay lines.
For those whose kids live elsewhere, just have them call Platte-Clay, 628-3121, to pay for the water heater, arrange for the installation and warranty or go online at pcec.coop, for information.
Platte-Clay will set up a convenient installation time so when the kids come to visit they can admire their purchase and enjoy your hot water over the holidays. And you’ll have guaranteed hot water for years to come.
Gift certificate. Maybe there’s a family that could some assistance. Platte-Clay can help with a gift certificate in any dollar amount. Family members could take responsibility for an account and pay for electric service. It’s easy and a welcome gift.
Livestock? A Ritchie waterer is an excellent purchase. No filling up the stock tank or breaking the ice when the water freezes. Let Platte-Clay and Ritchie handle that chore for you. Make it even more convenient and put Ritchies in all of the most-used pastures and enclosures.
While these suggestions may lack a little glitz, they make up for it in cost-savings and convenience, to say nothing of being welcome and practical.
Above left: LED lights save energy, using only a fraction of the energy consumed by incandescent lights and even less than CFLS. Above Right: Ritchie Waterers come in a variety of sizes. They save energy and keep livestock in fresh water.
Above: Kohler generators come in a variety of sizes from household to commercial sized units. Make one call and Platte-Clay will help or handle the rest of the installation.
There’s no better time than over the holidays to work on two projects that bring great rewards.
Seniors
Seniors – start your scholarship application. Platte-Clay will award three $1,000 scholarships, one for each District. The application is online at pcec.coop
The scholarship will be paid to your school. Scholarship applications are due Feb. 16.
Juniors and Sophomores
Juniors and Sophomores – write a 600-750 word (max) essay or produce a video on “What do you think the greatest energy issue is facing your generation and how can youth be a part of the solution.”
The video should be 2-3 minutes long and may be .mov, .wmv, .mp4 or .mpeg, limited to 1 GB. We’ll take a look at the videos on YouTube.
Youth Tour could be one of the first steps in a video career. We’d really enjoy helping you launch it.
So start writing, start developing a script and start showcasing our local talent. We’d love to send you to Washington, D.C., for a week with other bright and talented students.
The deadline is January 9, with presentations later in the year.
Of the six finalists, two will be sent to Washington, D.C., June 12- 18 and four can attend an award-winning leadership conference in Jefferson City, July 15-17.
Students will be notified of the finalists in February.
For an outage, customer or emergency service, call Platte-Clay at 816-628-3121 24/7/365. Visit pcec.coop for info and account service.
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.