May 2022 | Volume 84 | Issue 5
Youth Tour Winners Announced
Left to right back row: Kendall Davis, Wyatt Stapleton, Wyeth Perry, Brock Uthe, Dave Deihl. Left to right front row: Nolan Pestano, Chloe Boulter, Jane Pemberton.
Smithville High School junior Nolan Pestano and Excelsior Springs High School junior Jane Pemberton have been selected to represent Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative in Washington, D.C. this summer at the 2022 Youth Tour conference, an all-expense paid leadership experience coordinated by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives and sponsored by Platte-Clay.
In addition, Wyatt Stapleton (North Platte High School), Brock Uthe (Platte County High School), Wyeth Perry (East Buchanan High School) and Chloe Boulter (Liberty North High School) have been selected to serve as delegates to the Youth CYCLE (Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience) in Jefferson City.
“The Youth Tour and Youth CYCLE programs provide unmatched leadership development opportunities for high schoolers,” said Amanda McQuerrey, Marketing and Community Relations Coordinator. “We believe supporting education is key to developing the next generation of leaders in the Northland, and we’re thrilled to offer this opportunity to these impressive students.”
The six Youth Tour winners presented their ideas about how the cooperative can reach the next generation of members to a panel of judges from the Northland community. The final competition was held on April 21.
Platte-Clay has been sponsoring students to attend Youth Tour since 1964. The conference gives students the chance to visit historical sights, meet with elected officials and connect with other students from across Missouri and the nation.
Prioritize Electrical Safety Year-Round With These Tips
Dave Deihl, General Manager
From the General Manager
At Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, we recognize Electrical Safety Month every May, but we also know the importance of practicing safety year-round. From our co-op crews to you, the consumer-members we serve, we recognize that everyone has a part to play in prioritizing safety.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, thousands of people in the U.S. are critically injured or electrocuted as a result of electrical fires and accidents in their own homes. Many of these accidents are preventable. Electricity is a necessity, and it powers our daily lives. But we know first-hand how dangerous electricity can be because we work with it 365 days a year.
To me, safety is more than a catchphrase. As CEO of your electric cooperative, it’s my responsibility to keep our employees safe. Additionally, we want to help keep you and all members of our community safe. That’s why you’ll see us hosting safety demonstrations at community events and in schools throughout the year, to demonstrate the dangers of electricity.
We discuss emergency scenarios, such as what to do in a car accident involving a utility pole, caution students on the dangers of pad-mounted transformers and show what to look out for when it comes to our equipment out in the field.
Electricity is an integral part of modern life. Given the prevalence of electrical devices, tools and appliances, I’d like to pass along a few practical electrical safety tips.
Frayed wires pose a serious safety hazard. Power cords can become damaged or frayed from age, heavy use or excessive current flow through the wiring. If cords become frayed or cut, replace them, as they could cause a shock when handled.
Avoid overloading circuits. Circuits can only cope with a limited amount of electricity. Overload happens when you draw more electricity than a circuit can safely handle––by having too many devices running on one circuit.
Label circuit breakers to understand the circuits in your home. Contact a qualified electrician if your home is more than 40 years old and you need to install multiple large appliances that consume large amounts of electricity.
Use extension cords properly. Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord. If you “daisy chain” them together, it could lead to overheating, creating a potential fire hazard. Don’t exceed the wattage of the cord. Doing so also creates a risk of overloading the cord and creating a fire hazard. Extension cords should not be used as permanent solutions. If you need additional outlets, contact a licensed electrician to help.
I encourage you to talk with your kids about playing it safe and smart around electricity. Help them be aware of overhead power lines near areas where they play outdoors.
Our top priority is providing an uninterrupted energy supply 24/7, 365 days per year. But equally important is keeping our community safe around electricity.
Co-op Tree Trimming Improves Service and Safety For All
Kendall Davis
Board President
We know that you appreciate our community for many of the same reasons. Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors strives to balance maintaining these beautiful surroundings with ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping the area around power lines clear from obstructions.
Right of way areas enable the co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operation. These areas are typically on public lands or located near a business or home. Regardless, PCEC must be able to maintain the power lines above and below the right of way.
The overall goal of our vegetation management program is to provide reliable power to consumer-members while maintaining the beauty of our community. Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three main ways.
Safety
First and foremost, we care about our members and put their safety and that of our lineworkers above all else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose grave danger to families. If children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor like a tree. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of broken branches or fallen trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power.
Reliability
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause problems. Proactive trimming, pruning and brush spraying keeps lines clear to promote reliability.
Affordability
As you know, Platte-Clay is a not-for-profit cooperative, and that means we strive to keep our costs in check in order to keep our rates affordable. This extends to our approach to vegetation management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone in the long-run.
“Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages”
Our community is a special place. We appreciate the beauty trees afford, but we also know our community depends on us to provide reliable energy. Through vegetation management, we are better able to keep the power lines clear, prepare for future weather events and secure the reliability of the grid.
Platte-Clay Electric Seeking Members to Join Focus Group
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative is seeking consumer-members to join its 2022 Focus Group. Focus Group members are compensated for their time and get the opportunity to help shape the future of the cooperative by providing feedback about PCEC’s plans for the future. To apply to join the focus group, fill out the form on: www.PCEC.coop/focusgroup.
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.