June 2015 | Volume 77 | Issue 6
Member Photo Contest entries through July 15
Platte-Clay is holding the second annual calendar photo contest with the theme “Everyday Life.” The deadline to enter is July 15, using the co-op’s web site, pcec.coop.
The categories are Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Photos must be taken by a Platte-Clay member, and ideally, within the co-op service area.
Members may submit photos via the web site, using the “slider” at the top of the home page to reach the calendar photo contest page and form.
Click on See Details to get to the calendar photo contest page. Simply scroll down to get the interactive form to upload high resolution photos of at least 300 dpi.
Each photo may be entered into only one category—Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter. A photo release for each recognizable individual in an image will be required for winning photos.
In addition, members who enter the contest must have all of the necessary rights and permissions and hold a valid copyright for the photo(s). Photographers may enter up to three photos.
Those not submitting photos also can participate.
Following the online entries, co-op members will be invited to vote for their favorite photos beginning July 16 and wrapping up Aug. 30.
The winning photos will be on the Platte-Clay Electric Co-op calendar, available in early December.
The winning photographers will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Platte-Clay Fuels gift card that can be used at either of the stations, located in Platte City and in Kearney.
Safety first
Mike Torres
From the CEO
One of the best things about electricity is that for the most part, we don’t have to think about it.
Our lights come on. Our air conditioner hums along. The coffee maker chugs away in the morning. Kids are entertained at gaming consoles for hours. The electric fence keeps the cattle in.
And that’s exactly the way it should be.
But we are moving in to our summer storm season, and it’s possible that lightning, strong winds, maybe even a tornado will cause outages.
And that’s when we need to put our safety, rather than comfort and convenience, first.
A downed line could be live and could electrocute—could kill—someone.
So we ask that everyone respect a downed electric line. Don’t touch it, and don’t touch anything that’s touching it. The time to have a safety conversation with the family, and especially children, is now.
We probably don’t think about trees conducting electricity, but they can. If there’s a branch touching a live electric line it’s possible the tree is energized and could electrocute anyone who comes in contact with it.
So if you have a downed electric line, always call Platte-Clay, 628-3121, and we’ll send a crew to assist.
If the line is on the road, please call both 911 and Platte-Clay for assistance.
If the line is across your vehicle, and the vehicle isn’t on fire, stay in it and wait for assistance—the vehicle could be energized.
This is the time of the year when we want to think about being outdoors, grilling and enjoying light summer breezes on our deck or porch.
But if summer breezes turn into a thunderstorm, let’s think safety first.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact me.
Call before you dig – 1-800-DIG-RITE or 811
Weatherization and energy efficiency rebates for members
One of the things Platte-Clay members learned at the annual meeting is that the amount of energy co-op members is using has declined—from a high of 672 million kWh in 2010 to 573 million kWh in 2014, a 15 percent drop in sales.
And that’s good news.
It means that co-op members are saving energy and saving money.
Another way the co-op helps members save money is through a targeted and generous rebate program called Take Control & Save.
Before shopping or remodeling, take a look at how Platte-Clay can help with co-op member homes.
Please note that all rebates have strict requirements and qualifications.
Attic / Basement / Crawl Space / Slab Insulation Rebates
Platte-Clay will provide a rebate of 50 percent or up to $500 for the cost of insulation when installed in conjunction with installing a ground source heat pump. Insulation must comply with current Department of Energy R-Value recommendations. For basement / crawl space walls, insulation must be at R-10. Concrete slab floors should have a minimum of a 1” thick waterproof insulation board between the entire outside edge of the slab and foundation and extend in a minimum of 2 feet under the slab.
For best results, in new construction or when adding on rooms, members are encouraged to insulate the entire floor under the slab.
Basement floors less than 2 feet below ground should be treated as a slab floor. Basement insulation must comply with good building practices, including installing any necessary vapor barriers to prevent moisture or mold issues.
Illustration shows rigid insulation below the slab and down along the foundation wall. Courtesy buildingscience.com
For more information and illustrations, see http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/information-sheets/slab-edge-insulation
Dual Fuel and Mini-Split Heat Pump Rebates
Platte-Clay provides a $150 per ton rebate for new qualified units. The equipment must be installed by a certified dealer and meet the Energy Star +2 SEER rating of 16.5 for equipment. Dual fuel and mini-split heat pumps must use a fossil fuel for back-up heating requirements—wood burning systems and electric resistance units are not eligible for a rebate. Rebates are limited to 10 tons for residential and 50 tons for commercial facilities.
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) Rebate
Platte-Clay will provide a $750 per ton rebate for Energy Star + 2 EER rating of 19.1 for qualified new units with proper installation or $150 per ton for replacement GSHP units. It must be installed with a Delta-T of 80 supported by a Manual J Residential Load Calculation, available through the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). The HVAC contractor must make certain these requirements are met to qualify for a rebate.
Direct expansion ground source heat pump installations are not eligible for rebates.
Other criteria include R-38 insulation in the ceiling and R-13 in the walls. Rebates are limited to 10 tons for residential facilities and 50 tons for commercial applications.
Because the co-op will not process incomplete applications, it’s best to have a responsible, competent, thorough HVAC contractor and make them aware of the rebate requirements.
In addition, rebates are for permanent structure on a permanent foundation on land owned by the co-op member.
Because of the generous ground source heat pump rebates it’s important that members hire contractors who understand and want to ensure members meet all of the criteria.
Home Energy Audit
Platte-Clay will provide a comprehensive home energy audit for $50, which will be returned to members who implement the energy-saving recommendations.
It’s a win-win and a $400 value.
Members must provide basic information prior to scheduling the energy audit. Find the form at https://pcec.coop/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Energy-Audit-Form.pdf or go to the Platte-Clay web site, pcec.coop and find the form in the Energy Services section, Home Energy Audits.
Home Energy Audit Weatherization Rebate
Platte-Clay will refund 50 percent, or up to $500 of the cost of weatherization repairs and improvements recommended in the home energy audit (see Home Energy Audit).
An energy audit almost always finds leaks in these areas. For more information, visit energystar.gov
Please note: HVAC equipment and appliances are not eligible through the weatherization rebate.
This rebate is available only to members who use more than 6,000 kWh a year.
Room Air Conditioner
One $50 rebate per co-op membership is available. The room air conditioner must be Energy Star rated, and if it is replacing an older unit, the older unit must be rated at less than a 0.9 efficiency rating.
Member Viewpoint is an opportunity for co-op members to share their thoughts on a variety of topics. To submit a Member Viewpoint, go to pcec.coop click on News – top tab and enter your Member Viewpoint.
Other Member Viewpoints appear on your co-op web site.
Member Viewpoint is for Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative members. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to share your comments and thoughts on issues that are important to you with your friends and neighbors.
May flood repairs
Above, end of the road. Above right, Travis Andersen working in the Fishing River. Photos of and courtesy of Platte-Clay linemen Travis Andersen, Curtis Bottom, Heath Buckler, Tim Cunningham, Mitch Harding and Aaron Wood.
We can tell when it’s night and when the days are cloudy by checking out the Solartech gauges, available on the co-op web site, pcec.coop The up-to-the-minute dashboard is available 24 x 7. For members who wish to sign up for solar energy, at about $2.50 a panel a month or to lease a panel at $815 each, download a contract from the web site, pcec.coop Now is a great time to start Christmas shopping, as a leased solar panel or solar energy will make an excellent gift for a co-op member.
Above Left, Heath Buckler monitoring rising flood waters. Timmy Cunningham in the bucket took the photo. Above Center, Mitch Harding. Crews used a boat to get to some locations and then climbing gear to reach the lines and electronics.
Crews started working to restore service as the storm rolled through, but low-lying locations were blocked by high water and flash flooding.
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.