December 2015 | Volume 77 | Issue 12
Celebrating Co-op Month
Mike Torres
From the CEO
At the end of the year it’s a good time to review the past and to look to what the future might bring.
I hope it has been a good year and that we can, as a community, look forward to new opportunities, health and happiness.
Although not wrapped as a gift, your co-op is always looking for ways of improving service to members.
In a continuing effort to assure cost-based rates and provide an opportunity for all members to better manage their electric service, Platte-Clay is reviewing how it bills co-op members for service and is considering further unbundling your monthly bill.
In general, there are three parts in a co-op bill.
First, demand (kw); the rate at which we use energy.
Platte-Clay’s price of power is based on your co-op’s collective peak demand, the amount of power that must be available for all co-op members, at the same time, on those days when everyone turns on the air conditioner or heat.
The second part of the bill is energy, the amount of kilowatt hours we actually use.
The third component is fixed cost, your co-op’s infrastructure.
These three components, currently are blended together, and make up your bill today.
With a number of significant changes in the power industry, it is important to give members the opportunity to manage energy use and bill all members based on actual demand, actual consumption and our shared fixed costs.
As I said at the annual meeting: we are committed to make electric energy available to co-op members at the lowest cost consistent with sound economics and good management. I remain committed to that.
So your co-op’s efforts in 2016 will be to provide the ability to better manage your actual energy expenses, to control your power bill by having more information and to decide how and when to use energy.
We do believe that knowledge is power and an unbundled bill will reveal all cost elements allowing you to better understand and manage your home and lives.
Watch for details in future newsletters.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please let me know.
Best wishes for the Holidays!
For the person who has everything, how about clean, renewable solar energy–at about $3 a month more a panel, or a long-term, flexible lease and have free, yes, free energy from up to five panels. Each leased panel is $815.
Give Santa a hand and download the contracts from the co-op web site, pcec.coop
‘tis the season
With all of the opportunities to shop–holidays and host/hostess gifts—perhaps Platte-Clay will be able to help. One of the best things about shopping at your co-op is that one size fits all, and the gifts are practical.
Let’s start with the monster in the basement, the one we’re afraid of: the water heater. Nothing puts dread in a homeowner’s heart like a leaky water heater. So if Mom and Dad’s water heater is on its last legs, head for Platte-Clay.
Your co-op handles energy efficient Marathon and Freedom water heaters. The super-insulated Marathons are plastic and guaranteed for life.
Freedom water heaters, also energy efficient, have steel tanks.
Other high efficiency water heaters include the hybrids, (GE shown at right) which qualify for tax credits. For information on the tax credits, visit www.dsireusa.org and click on the Federal incentive then on the State of Missouri to find state incentives.
And, along with water heaters, the co-op provides a water heater service agreement for $2.50 a month with a minimum three-year agreement, or $90. For that $90, members get peace of mind and a licensed plumber to take care of any and all problems associated with water heaters, including unit replacement.
The water heater service agreement is required for member water heaters, and available to members who have purchased their own units. Some restrictions apply—for instance, it must be a working unit. Check out the web site, pcec.coop for additional information.
Next in the peace of mind category is a generator large enough to power homes, neighborhoods or businesses.
Platte-Clay is an authorized Kohler dealer and can provide turn-key service, from sale to installation. Generators can be powered by propane or natural gas, if it’s available. The units conduct a self-test each month and provide a warning if something is out of kilter.
LED (light emitting diode) lights. In general, the lights will last for years. But since they’re a touch on the pricey side, perhaps providing a few lights for each significant present-giving opportunity rather than a whole-house conversion would work better for those concerned about staying within a budget.
The new LED can lights are easy to install and will reduce energy consumption for years.
Because LED lights are generating light, rather than heat, it’s possible to go up a bit on the recommended bulb size for fixtures.
Water softeners. While a water softener may seem like a luxury, it is a hard-working part of a household in Missouri where we battle pipe-clogging calcium and magnesium deposits in our pipes. The solution is an exchange of minerals, calcium and magnesium, for salt, sodium or potassium ions. Those concerned with sodium can use potassium to soften the water.
How do we know if we have hard water? We’ll find soap scum on sinks and bath tubs. Minerals will form scale in washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, humidifiers, water heaters and plumbing fixtures.
So the reasons to add a water softener are both cosmetic and practical. We enjoy the feeling of soft water when washing and it takes less soap to lather up. Plus a water softener reduces scale build-up in water heaters and will help maintain plumbing.
The softened water isn’t recommended for watering plants, drinking, cooking or outdoor use. A bypass can resolve those issues.
While not glamorous, a water softener will be appreciated for years to come. Platte-Clay carries GE water softeners, can install the units and create a gift card so there’s something under the tree.
While we’re talking water, let’s talk about Ritchie Waterers, which comes with a $50 rebate until Dec. 31.
The Farmers’ Almanac says this winter will be very snowy and we’ll have typical winter cold. That means that breaking the ice on the pond or hauling buckets of water to water tanks and inefficient stock tank heaters is going to make it a long, cold and expensive winter.
The very best time to install a Ritchie is before the ground freezes, as it will be necessary to run a water line and an electrical line to the fountain or fountains. If when Santa rolls around there is a foot or two of snow on the ground and it’s frozen a couple of feet deep making it almost impossible to dig a trench, it may be best to wait until the Spring thaw. It will make everyone appreciate the energy efficient and labor-saving Ritchie Waterer even more.
And then there’s cash, in the form of a gift certificate. Who wouldn’t want to have their power bill paid? Platte-Clay has gift certificates available in any whole dollar amount, and one size fits all.
Kids out of town and want to help mom? Or parents want to help young relatives who are co-op members.
It’s possible to set up auto pay through a checking, savings or credit card account. Call Platte-Clay to make arrangements.
Budget billing will help manage expenses, as the amount will be the same each month and adjusted up or down each year, depending on energy use.
While many have just about everything they need, when it comes to your utility, Platte-Clay is right there for members with a one-size fits all solution.
Shop your co-op at pcec.coop and call if you have questions, 628-3121.
Happy Holidays!
See what Santa’s bringing for the big kids – scholarships and trips, oh my
There’s no better time than now for students 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 www.pcec. coop
The scholarship will be paid to your school. Scholarship applications are due Monday, Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Day.
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.
Platte-Clay could be one of the first steps in a video career and 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 Youth Tour deadline is January 25.
Of the six finalists, sophomores and juniors, two will be sent to Washington, D.C., in June 10-16 and four can attend an award-winning leadership conference in Jefferson City, July 20-22.
Students will be notified of the results in late February.
Not an apple for the teacher, it’s a free graduate degree credit–or two–from Mizzou
Your rural electric cooperative is an interesting business.
In addition to being a cooperative, a utility started by concerned and interested citizens, there are many moving parts.
Electricity can be complicated, safety is paramount and understanding how a rural electric co-op works is not generally common knowledge.
So the Missouri cooperatives decided to offer a free graduate degree credit, one teacher per co-op from the University of Missouri at Columbia.
To ensure participation, Platte-Clay will select three teachers, a primary teacher and two alternates.
Please check your vacation and family calendars before requesting consideration: the dates are Aug. 2-3, and Platte-Clay must provide basic contact information–name, address, school, subjects taught–by the end of January.
The teacher selected will earn a free graduate degree credit learning about the industry and about how Missouri’s power is generated.
Teachers who participate will have the course, stay and meals funded by the Missouri cooperatives.
Dr. Schumacher, professor and chair of the Agricultural Systems Management school, offers a second credit for teachers who complete a Special Problem.
There is no charge for the second credit project.
The fast-paced one-and-a-half day class, to be held Aug. 2-3 includes a power plant tour.
For consideration, please send an e-mail to mail@pcec.coop with Graduate Degree in the subject line. The opportunity is available to any instructor teaching in the general Platte-Clay service area.
We hope to hear from you. It’s a fast-paced and interesting day and a half with both personal and professional benefits.
Board of Directors
Your co-op offers several ways of being involved beyond flipping on a light switch and paying for service each month.
One of those important ways is to run for and if elected, serve on the Board of Directors.
The co-op by-laws prescribe three-year terms for the three Directors that represent the three Districts.
The terms are staggered, which means that each year there is one member from each District up for re-election.
For information on the election process and Board requirements, please visit the co-op’s web site, pcec.coop and review the by-laws in the About section.
If being a part of the co-op’s member-directors sounds interesting, please e-mail Angie Kinard, angiek@pcec.coop and let her know that you’re interested in running for the Board.
A member of the nominating committee for your District (North, South or West) will be in touch to review what’s involved with the position.
Prospective Board members are encouraged to become part of the traditional election process so other members have an opportunity to review interests, concerns and the biographical sketch when making a decision on whom to vote.
If a member misses the traditional nominating committee and review process, he or she may submit a petition signed by 15 co-op members.
And last, but not least a member in good standing may be nominated from the floor a a write-in candidate.
The problem with the last two methods of inclusion is that members aren’t given a chance to learn about the candidate and their qualifications.
So if you’re interested in running for the Board, please send a note to angiek@pcec.coop
Focus Group
Platte-Clay’s focus group is a group of members who meet quarterly in the evening to discuss upcoming projects and programs as well as to review current programs and campaigns.
If you’re interested in helping the co-op and learning about the inner workings, please complete the form on the web site, pcec.coop
The group gets a light meal, great discussions and a modest stipend to offset any travel costs.
The purpose is to help provide valuable feedback on how members perceive co-op activities.
One of the really interesting aspects of being part of the focus group is learning about how different members, from different age groups, think about projects and activities.
So if you’re interested in sharing your perspective with your co-op, consider applying on the co-op web site, pcec.coop
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.