January 2014 | Volume 76 | Issue 1
“Charge it” takes on a new meaning
Fill ‘er up becomes “charge it” with electric vehicles. Top, charging; lower, Brammo electric bike.
Platte-Clay has a reputation for being among the trendsetters in rural electric cooperatives.
Now we’re joining the next trend: electric vehicles (EV). Along with Andretti Motorsports, Dragon Racing and the international racing series, Formula E. E for electric.
For our small part in the electric vehicle trend, your co-op has installed an electric car charging station at the Platte-Clay Fuels station in Kearney, just west of I-35 and just north of Hwy. 92.
Owners of electric vehicles, which includes motorcycles, cars and trucks can look at a national map to find a charging station by going online to the ChargePoint website, chargepoint. com Locally, there are around 25 charging stations, giving EV drivers the info they need to have to make certain they can reach their destination. To reduce the fear of “range anxiety,” that is the distance an EV can go without needing a charge.
A recent survey says that 42 percent of the respondents would be good candidates for an EV because: the commuters typically drive less than 60 miles a weekday and have a second vehicle for longer trips; they have access to parking with an electrical outlet at home or work; don’t have more than five occupants in a vehicle and don’t need to haul or tow with their daily driver.
So what is Michael Andretti, son of Mario and father of Marco doing in Formula E. Two things: one, his company Andretti Sports Marketing will be promoting an inaugural year street race to be held in Miami, Fla., on March 14; and the second is fielding one of 10 teams for the international racing series.
The team is based at the company’s headquarters in Indianapolis.
Andretti Motorsports will be racing in Formula E.
Formula E says that “it represents a vision for the future of the motor industry over the coming decades, serving as a framework for research and development around the electric vehicle, accelerating general interest in these cars…”
The single-seat Formula E cars can reach speeds of more than 140 mph (225 km/h).
The other U.S.-based team is Los Angeles-based Dragon Racing, owned by Jay Penske, son of Roger Penske of NASCAR and IndyCar fame. A media and publishing entrepreneur, the younger Penske also fielded an IndyCar team called Dragon Racing.
Movie star Leonard DiCaprio headlines the recently-announced Venturi Grand Prix Formula E team, based in Monaco. Venturi is a European-based high performance electric vehicle production company that holds the world land speed record of 307 mph.
For the 2014 season, the 10 team field will use the Spark-Renault SRT_01E Formula E car, built by French-based Spark Racing Technology, along with other motorsport manufacturers including McLaren, Williams, Renault and Dallara. Michelin will supply tires and TAG Heuer the official time keeper.
The international series is slated to race in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Beijing, China; London, England; Berlin, Germany; Putrajaya, Malaysia; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Punta del Este, Uruguay; Los Angeles, Calif., February, 2015; and Miami, Fla., March, 2015.
Traditionally, when manufacturers or industries want to draw attention to their product or service, racing serves that purpose—delivering excitement and sales and marketing opportunities.
New gold electric Ford Focus.
More practical and closer to home, Ford is making an electric Focus. And for the rest of us who simply want an EV to get the kids to school and us off to work, stop by for a charge in Kearney.
We can lean a little bit as we circle the roundabout on Hwy. 92 and dream of what it would be like to be in one of those other “delivery” vehicles with all of the fancy graphics.
Below: ChargePoint map of Kansas City showing charging stations.
Happy New Year
From the CEO
Last year seems like a pleasant memory as we celebrated our 75th Anniversary at the annual meeting, now held in May, with the Birthday Party in August and the open house held in December.
These were great ways to mark the growth and success of your rural electric cooperative. I hope you were able to participate in some way.
And now we’re back to business: the promise of your rural electric cooperative delivering reliable, low-cost electric service to co-op members. And to meet and exceed our members’ expectations—not just a slogan, but a way of doing business, a way of serving rural members, the co-op owners.
Today when we look at the economic ups and downs, both locally, nationally and internationally, we often feel the reverberations here. Good technical and engineering jobs being moved to a different location or even sent overseas. We find our friends and neighbors learning new skills, even launching Internet-based businesses.
On the CBS news program 60 Minutes Thanksgiving weekend Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon made two startling announcements. He said that Amazon is exploring delivering packages via drones in urban areas, perhaps by 2015. He also said, “Companies have short life spans… And Amazon will be disrupted one day.
“I don’t worry about it ‘cause I know it’s inevitable. Companies come and go. And companies that are, you know, the shiniest and most important of any era, you wait a few decades and they’re gone.”
Your rural electric cooperative isn’t necessarily the “shiniest and most important,” but it does reliably provide electric service, with a few hiccups for the weather and the occasional driver hitting a pole, and with a 24 x 7 x 365 commitment to restoring service.
So as we start the 76th year of providing electric service, we’re happy to serve and support the Northland.
And we’re starting to make plans for the 100th anniversary in 2038.
All the best for a Happy 2014.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
PCEC Security offers cellular security system
Although we feel like we’re pretty safe in the Northland, there are those who will take advantage of when we are away from home.
To keep up with the trend of families having only cell phones, PCEC Security now offers wireless systems. Installation is $249 plus a $24.99 activation fee. The monthly fee is $38.50 with a three-year contract.
Members who pay annually get a month free. It’s a small price to protect the thousands of dollars of electronics and valuables most of us have in homes.
For info, call 628-3121.
Would you like to be part of a national rural electric cooperative database and the rapid response lobbying team?
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 the current EPA regulations and any future issues.
This permanent, quick response database will help NRECA target our senators and representative to show support or concern on electric industry issues. To include your name in the database, go to www.action.coop and complete 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.
Fortune telling – 2014 looks pretty good
We’ve probably all heard the saying, “If I knew then what I know now…” and someone’s imagination starts to run wild.
For instance, if we had bought Apple stock, first sold at $22 a share in December, 1980. Since then it has split three times and, at the end of the year was selling for around $560. A $1,000 investment for perhaps 40 shares today would be worth $22,400, not figuring in the splits and any dividend reinvestment plan providing additional shares and income.
So it’s the beginning of a new year and this is what the experts are telling us.
One, the economy will continue to grow, but at a somewhat sluggish rate.
The stock market, Dow Jones Index, is flirting with 16,000, a record high, excellent news for those in the market and who keep track of their value on paper. But it’s an “old” rally, according to analysts—those guys with the crystal balls and the microphones–and if history is any indication, they say stocks should slow during the first quarter of 2014.
Both locally and nationally housing sales and housing developments are starting to pick up. There are scattered housing starts, which will help fuel both jobs and consumer spending.
The Federal Reserve is putting money into the bond market, helping keep interest rates low, the quantitative easing. The lower rates help homeowners who wish to buy or remodel their homes. That too will decrease, allowing interest rates to drift up, according to Fed watchers.
Unemployment is slowly, slowly dropping. Currently there are three people available for every job opening, a bit discouraging, but not as bad as in 2009, when there were seven people for every job opening.
For those with a degree, the unemployment rate is less than 4 percent, down from just over 5 percent three years ago.
And here’s a bright spot: employers complain that they’re having a difficult time finding qualified candidates for positions in accounting, business analytics, IT, mobile application development and regulatory compliance. Because individuals feel safer about making job changes, companies are seeing employee turnover, in 2012, 30 percent; in 2013, 51 percent. So between the growth in the economy and individuals changing companies, there will be opportunities.
With the major economic indicators moving in the right direction, 2014 looks like it could be truly a “happy” new year for Northland communities and families.
Apply online to be a 2014 co-op focus group member
Platte-Clay relies on members to help chart the course of activities and to gain an understanding of how members feel about issues.
Each year the co-op selects 12 members to assist in the decision-making process and is in the process of accepting members for the 2014 focus group.
What qualifications do members need to be considered?
Simply a Platte-Clay member who can commit one evening every three months to tell us how you feel.
The Focus Group meets quarterly in the evening from about 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The meeting includes a meal and a stipend to offset traveling costs.
To be considered, please visit www. pcec.coop and click on the Newsroom link, and in that drop-down box, click on Focus Group. That will bring up an interactive form that will come directly to Platte-Clay.
For those without Internet service who would like to be considered for the Focus Group, please call 628-3121 and let the Customer Service Rep know and we’ll send or fax a form to you.
Topics include, for example, marketing plans, possible new services, activities related to operations and member awareness on activities.
The Focus Group is part of the co-op outreach that helps Platte- Clay “meet and exceed members’ expectations.”
If you’re interested in participating, please fill out the online form (it will only take a few minutes) or get a copy of the form and return it to Focus Group, Platte-Clay Electric Co-op, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060.
Thanks in advance for your interest.
Save money at your co-op
Ever notice that the magazine cover stories tend to be things like “how to lose 10 pounds in a month,” followed by a headline on how to make a dessert. Or how to save by remodeling your home to gain space…by spending thousands upon thousands. At times it seems like a no-win proposition.
But here is some good news:
Platte-Clay has product savings and rebates available, so if you’re going to replace something anyway, your co-op is a good place to start shopping. Both offices have these products.
Let’s start small, because we often overlook the little things that when added up make a big difference.
Light bulbs. Because lighting is a significant part of our energy bills. Changing to CFLs or LEDs will help reduce costs.
Remember CFLs don’t like to be out in the cold and don’t like to be turned off and on frequently. Put an LED in those locations. One lighting expert said to not think about LED in terms of light bulbs, but rather “lighting technology.” And better news—the prices are slowly coming down. So whatever you decide to call these energy misers, they’ll help you out each month.
Business lighting. Platte- Clay offers a comprehensive lighting review and rebate program for commercial, industrial and agricultural co-op members with more than 10 bulbs or fixtures in the facility. The amount of the rebate is based on the amount of energy saved. For more information and to review the program, e-mail davec@pcec.coop
Ground source heat pump rebates. The rebate for a new unit is $750 per ton and for a replacement unit $150 per ton. Only member homes with an electric storage water heater in use qualify for the rebate.
Dual fuel heat pump rebate. The rebate for these units, minimum SEER of 16.5, is $150 per ton with fossil fuel backup. Only member homes with an electric storage water heater in use qualify for the rebate.
Air conditioner rebate. Since the heat of last summer is a dim memory buying an air conditioner probably isn’t at the top of our home improvement list, but an Energy Star-rated room air conditioner is good for a $50 rebate. Only member homes with an electric storage water in use qualify for the rebate.
Shop with the Co-op Connections Card. Visit www.connections.coop to download the mobile app, to sign up for program updates and to learn about healthy savings on dental, chiropractic, prescriptions, vision and lab work and imaging. Most local businesses can contact Platte-Clay to participate, and feel free to recommend the program to local businesses. Take your Co-op Connections card with you when traveling and enjoy national lodging and restaurant chain savings. To get a card, visit www.connections.coop or e-mail memberservice@pcec.coop or stop by either Platte-Clay office.
Platte-Clay Fuels. Get your immediate capital credit of 3 cents a gallon every time you fill up at the Platte-Clay Fuels stations in Platte City and in Kearney. Enjoy the convenience of fuel cards for all drivers—commercial or family—and one bill each month. Although not a credit card, the fuels card allows families and businesses to pay for fuel in one convenient payment.
So look to Platte-Clay for savings to help make those budgets become a reality.
Co-op and Industry Update
Please update your account
This is a great time to update all names and telephone numbers for the Platte-Clay account. Just call 628-3121 anytime, 24 x 7 x 365 and we can add or change your telephone number.
Having the current telephone number is important because Platte- Clay calls to alert members about scheduled outages in the affected area to make it easier for members to make plans for daily activities.
Plus, when calling in, the telephone system recognizes the telephone number(s) associated with the account. That saves time, and allows members to report outages or problems automatically without waiting in a queue.
The member who owns the account may add the names of other parties to the account — important because the co-op can not give out information to anyone whose name is not on it.
Classified Ads
To submit an ad, complete the ad form, use the website, www.pcec. coop, 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.
For Sale
Lift recliner: Beige, used 6 mos. New $1300, $525. 863-5730.
Tires: 4-33 x 12.50 15” tires on white wheels. 4 white wheels, 25 x 1250 15” wheels. and tires. Extra parts. 284- 0035.
Tires: 4 Uniroyal tires, 185/60/R15, $50. 930-2270.
Boat: Sea King ‘83, heavy alumin with V bottom, 13’6” long, 4’4” wide. Good cond., stored inside. 820-9284.
Mower: King Cutter, 6’, $800.
Pellet stove, $800. 550-0853.
Bradford Plates: 20, Oriental, Russian, Elvis. $20 ea, $200 for all. 805-1112.
Firewood: Locust, hedge-split. You haul, large stack. $75. 387-3702.
Saddle: Big Horn, 16”, $200. Call 632-6989.
Tires: 3 good used tires P 235 x 70 x R15. $50. 637-3279.
Ford Escape: ‘13, Econo-boost, 11,900 mi. Take over loan. 320-3854.
Indoor wood furnace: Freestanding, $500. 539-3361.
Baby goods: Convertible crib & organic mattress, car seat, stroller, nursery pillows. 686-9638.
Wood stoves: Cast iron, 2, $100 ea.; 930-2270.
Bathroom cabinet: New Deltakraft, 29” x 6 3/4” x 24” with 3 mirror, push-to-open doors. 820-9284.
Hay: 150 large round bales of grass hay. $50 a bale. 586-4727.
TV: 35” TV, $50. 930-2270.
Schwinn bicycle: Collectable, girls 20” Breeze. Mfg. 1972. Exc. cond. 820-9284.
Miche bags and jewelry. 419-5183.
Refrigerator: GE. 539-1415
For Rent
Ocean view villa in St. Croix, U.S. V.I. 415-4152.
Services
I teach Chinese to children and adults in local library, $30-$45 an hour. 686-9638.
Piano tuning & repair. 721-3966.
Carpet cleaning: 3 rooms, $90. 628-4801.
Bounce house: Castle Moonwalk, Rent for parties. 769-2931.
Free
Firewood: Trees felled in Nov. Call 912-9175
Wanted
Medium-size dog house. 539-1415
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.