September 2014 | Volume 76 | Issue 9
Scholarships and Youth Tour focus on students
Co-op offers two programs for area youth
It probably helps to have a mom who’s a school teacher and is always on the lookout for opportunities to enrich the high school educational process. That was the case for the 2014 Youth Tour winners Ryann French and Scout Montgomery.
But it’s not necessary. All students with a little moxie and a little encouragement from their teachers, perhaps as a class assignment, have an equal chance to earn a trip to our nation’s capital or a leadership conference in Jefferson City.
Platte-Clay offers two great programs for students.
Youth Tour
Open to high school juniors, and new this year, sophomores, Youth Tour grades students on originality and how true their material stays to the theme.
Also new this year, the Youth Tour contest will include videos. Although Platte-Clay offers the top six placing students the opportunity to take top honors in the contest, only the writer or producer is eligible for the Youth Tour trips.
Essays will run between 600 and a maximum of 750 words, typed, double-spaced for ease in reading and must include a cover sheet with complete contact information.
Videos on the subject should be 2-3 minutes long and may be .mov, .wmv, .mp4 or .mpeg, limited to 1 GB.
Please put complete contact information at least 10 seconds after the end of the video and included on the online form. The student contact information board will not be counted as part of the time of the video.
Essays must be at Platte-Clay Electric Co-op by Jan. 9; videos uploaded to a YouTube channel with contact information and YouTube information sent to mail@platte-clay.coop with Youth Tour in the subject line by Jan 9.
All entries must be original material and must not infringe on copyrights,a person or an entity.
A Youth Tour Essay / Video Contest packet will be distributed to area high schools in the fall, and entries will be due at Platte- Clay Jan. 9.
Students and teachers will be notified of the results in early February.
Scholarships
Again this year, Platte-Clay will award three scholarships to undergraduates attending school while working to earn a degree that can be used in the electric power industry.
In addition to electrical engineering, probably our first thought, other positions include working as part of a line crew, sales, marketing, drafting, general management, finance and accounting.
The scholarship applicants must be between 16 and 25 and be accepted and enrolled in a two or four year accredited college or trade school.
The co-op will send the funds directly to the financial aid office of the school, where the $1,000 scholarship is credited to their account.
The scholarship application form is on the co-op web site, pcec.coop in the Educational section. Application deadline is Feb. 16, 2015.
We never stop learning
Mike Torres
From the CEO
From the outside, providing electric service looks like a simple business. Build lines to homes and businesses. When the lights go out, send a crew to fix the problem. Send the bills, collect the money.
But behind the scenes, in so many, many ways, providing electric service is a fast-moving and dynamic industry.
Take the way we communicate, for example.
The web site has become an increasingly important way to share information with members. It serves as an electronic version of the co-op operations so members can learn about products and services at their convenience. The new design means that it will adjust for any size of screen—it’s called responsive design—as a way to support members.
Now we’re going a step further and are going to ask members who would like to share their thoughts by posting in your co-op’s blog.
So, a blog, for those of us not steeped in the ever-changing world of electronic communications is a web page where individuals can share opinions and information. Members can find that page by visiting pcec.coop and clicking on the link for the blog, located in the News section (top bar).
While it’s important to let members know what’s going on with the co-op, it’s also important to find out what members are thinking on any number of issues.
At the 2014 annual meeting in May, a member proposed a space in the Northland Connection so members can share their thoughts with others. The blog will be the basis for that content. If we have several posts in the blog, we’ll select one from the web site and run in the Northland Connection in a column called Member Viewpoint beginning in October.
We think that emphasizing the two opportunities to share information with members—via the web site and in the Northland Connection meets and even exceeds the spirit of the motion.
I enjoy hearing from members, and I think it will be great for members to share their perspective in an open forum. We hope you’ll write in.
As with any other social interchange, we expect members to be polite and respect the fact that we all look at the world from our own particular point of view. And that may be different from our neighbors’.
For the initial topic categories, we have capital credit checks, climate change, energy efficiency, outages/blinks, power plants, rates, tree trimming and miscellaneous.
If it looks like we need additional topics, we’ll add them. We look forward to hearing from Platte- Clay members and sharing your comments on the web site and in the newsletter.
Continuing in the vein of two-way conversations, your co-op will be sending out a survey on renewable energy. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to share your thoughts on the subject.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Platte-Clay member number vs. account number
Sometimes the co-op wants to know your member number, sometimes it’s the account number. Both are on the bill.
And that can get a little confusing, so we thought we’d help out.
Who is it?
The member number is the person or company.
Location, location, location
The account number is the number assigned to a location.
Because some members are responsible for more than one location, such as a house and a barn, or are responsible for a relative’s account, it’s important to tie them all together—- with a member number.
But if there’s a problem, Platte-Clay needs to know where to send a crew, or what electronics to check. The account number.
So when calling in with a problem, the customer service representative or the IVR, the interactive voice recorder, will want to know the location of the outage or problem, and that’s the account number.
It’s a great opportunity to put the Platte-Clay bill on the refrigerator or in our phone so we have all the numbers handy when calling your co-op.
NRECA argues against EPA proposed rules
On June 2, the EPA released a proposed rule (called the “Clean Power Plan”) under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act that will require CO. emissions reductions from existing power plants in 49 states (Vermont and the District of Columbia are not covered because they have no fossil-fuel based generation).
The rule was published in the Federal Register on June 18, kicking off a 120-day public comment period which concludes on October 16, 2014.
The EPA intends to issue a final rule in June 2015, and states will then have one year to develop implementation plans, or if they collaborate on multi-state or regional plans, two years to develop their plan.
Case by case, states can seek a one-year extension from the EPA. Therefore, in some states it may take until June 2018 to fully understand what compliance with this proposal will mean.
Proposal Overview
The EPA’s proposal spans more than 1,600 pages including the rule and supporting technical and legal documents. Fundamentally, the proposal has two basic components.
The EPA’s 111(d) rule
Sets a CO. intensity target (pounds of CO. emitted per MWh of generation) for each state for the year 2030, as well as an “interim goal” applied as an average of the 2020-2029 period, and;
Requires every state to create its own plan to achieve the CO. reduction target set for the state.
The emission target EPA set for each state is based on EPA’s assessment of the “Best System of Emission Reductions” (BSER). Rather than identifying what could be done to reduce CO. emissions at each power plant (called an “inside the fence” approach – which is how EPA addresses other emissions covered by the Clean Air Act), the EPA took an “outside the fence” approach and defined the BSER in a much broader manner – all the way from the generating plant to the end-use consumer.
This approach results in setting emission guidelines that are not achievable at the affected source of the emissions (the power plant).
These options allow the agency to set a much more stringent standard than would be set using an “inside the fence” approach because there is not (by EPA’s admission) currently available technology to capture CO. emissions from existing power plants.
EPA’s Building Block Approach
EPA established each state’s reduction target by analyzing four “Building Blocks” (right) – areas that the agency believes will result in CO. reductions.
The four building blocks are:
(1) making coal plants more efficient;
(2) displacing existing coal with existing natural gas plants;
(3) increasing the use of nuclear and renewable energy; and
4) decreasing electricity consumption by increasing end-user energy efficiency.
The EPA believes that these recommendations will slow greenhouse gas emissions to the 2005 level and control greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to the electric power industry, the EPA is calling for cleaner cars and a reduction in emissions from the oil and gas industry.
Analysis courtesy NRECA.
1. Coal Plant Efficiency
Make physical and operational changes at existing coal-based power plants to improve heat-rate efficiency by 6%, which reduces the amount of coal needed per MWh of generation, thereby reducing CO. emissions.
2. Natural Gas
Existing natural gas combined cycle plants are used more or less frequently, depending upon a variety of factors. EPA’s CO. reduction goals are based on dispatching those natural gas plants more frequently (up to 70% capacity factor) while closing or curtailing existing coal-based generation sources.
3. Renewables and Nuclear Power
Nuclear power and renewable resources like hydro, wind, and solar power do not have direct CO. emissions.
EPA’s goals are based on keeping some existing nuclear power plants (that are at risk of closing) operating, ensuring that new nuclear plants under construction get finalized, and that more sources of renewable energy are developed.
4. Consumer Energy Efficiency
Improving energy efficiency by consumers reduces the need for power generation.
EPA’s CO. reduction goals envision all states increasing energy efficiency programs to result in the avoidance of 1.5% of energy demand per year.
Renewable energy survey coming: share your thoughts with the co-op
Every three years, Touchstone Energy, a national organization that serves rural electric cooperatives, conducts a telephone survey for co-ops. Platte-Clay has participated in the surveys for many years, tracking how members feel about any number of issues.
Because of the number of member calls regarding renewable energy, this year at the annual meeting Platte- Clay asked members their opinion on renewables.
The responses from members attending the annual meeting were different from the Touchstone survey.
That put Platte-Clay on two-tracks: one to find out how interested members are in renewable energy and the other to explore what would be involved with conducting a pilot project for solar energy.
So, track one, the membership survey.
As part of track one activities, Platte-Clay’s member Focus Group discussed the possibility of a pilot project and suggested some of the questions for the survey.
Generally speaking, to get an accurate reflection of member opinion, some 400 to 1,000 individuals are interviewed. Statisticians call this a statistically sound sample and calculate how many members must be contacted to be certain we have representative answers from you.
But this time it’s very important that all members’ voices are heard, so we ask that you take a few minutes to complete the survey that will be sent with the bills—one per household membership, please.
The survey also is online at pcec.coop with a link from the home page.
“This is so important. I cannot emphasize enough how important each and every member survey is,” said Mike Torres, CEO. “Your co-op operates within the guidelines of the Seven Cooperative Principles, and this survey is a reflection of making certain the programs and policies are accepted by the members.
“Please help us get an accurate picture of how all Platte-Clay members feel, so together we learn the entire membership’s opinions,” he said.
Look for the renewable energy survey to be sent in your October or November bill, depending on your billing cycle.
For the convenience of members who prefer electronic communications, the survey will be available through the web site, pcec.coop
Again, we hope that all members will take a few minutes to share how you see your co-op’s renewable energy activities developing over the next few years using the renewable energy survey. We’ll report the outcome once we have the results tallied. Thanks for your participation in this important project.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.
– One of the Seven Cooperative Principles.
Go for the winners – in red and gold
Chores. Every morning and every evening, animals need to be fed and watered.
We all accept that because we get hungry and thirsty too.
But breaking ice on a pond or water tank in the dark and cold of winter?
That gets old quickly.
It’s Platte-Clay to the rescue with a Ritchie Waterer.
Co-op members have come to rely on Platte-Clay for carefully reviewing products and services for reliability and warranties before offering them to the membership.
Ritchie passes those test with flying colors, starting with the warranty.
For poly products, in Chiefs’ colors no less, the first five years come with a full warranty followed by the next five years of a prorated warranty.
Steel products also come with a great warranty: 100 percent against manufacturing defects and corrosion, and then prorated coverage.
If one of the most important things about getting a new waterer is peace of mind, you can stop shopping now and come and get a Ritchie.
These are top-of-the-line products. Ritchie uses high quality stainless steel. The roto-molded, one-piece poly tanks have heavy, sealed walls to keep moisture out of the insulation.
Milking? All Ritchie fountains meet Grade A dairy recommendations.
Now is the time to dig the trench for the water and electric line and set the concrete base.
That way, when we’re cheering the Chiefs on TV, the livestock can enjoy fresh water.
And you can even get a color-coordinated shirt, but you’ll have to order that from the Chiefs.
Rebates, lower rates help co-op members save
$750 per ton for new geothermal installations
$150 per ton for replacement geothermal units
Platte-Clay offers a $750 per ton rebate for new geothermal installations and a $150 per ton rebate for replacement units.
$150 per ton for dual fuel heat pumps
Your co-op provides a $150 per ton rebate for dual fuel heat pumps with a minimum SEER of 16.5 with fossil fuel backup.
All dual fuel customers also receive a 1 cent whole house discount after the first 200 kWh consumed each month from October through May of each year.
Both heating and cooling rebates require an electric storage water heater.
Kohler $150 rebate for 8.5 (and up) residential generators
Kohler is adding to the rebates Platte-Clay can provide: a $150 rebate on any Kohler generator sized from 8.5 RES to 150ERES purchased between now and Sept. 30, 2014.
It’s the perfect time to pour the concrete base and run the lines into the house. So if you’re concerned about losing power because of winter storm damage, it’s a good time to get a generator for your home.
Call Platte-Clay for your full-service, residential or commercial one-stop generator shopping, 628-3121.
From Russia, with cyber love
Although there are no indications that Platte-Clay’s online payment system was involved in the recent cyber theft, as a matter of precaution, we suggest changing all passwords on a regular basis. Apparently it’s a big business for organized crime, so let’s not help them.
Classified Ads
As with many printed publications, the co-op’s classified ad section has continued to shrink. Although co-op members like the idea of buying and selling items and services to local Northland members, the number of ads has dropped to only a few month.
As a result,this will be the last issue of the Northland carrying want ads.
It is a sign of the times and is common with printed publications. Co-op members now use many of the free local online services via Facebook including Kearney MO Swap Shop; Smithville Swap n Shop; Platte City & Surrounding Swap, Shop and Trade; and Kansas City, Liberty MO & Area Online Sales. Plus there’s The Men’s Kearney Swap Shop – items generally for men.
With the newsletter now included with the bills, which arrive weekly, depending on the billing cycle, it can be six to eight weeks before a member sees an ad, and by then the item may have sold long ago.
With the swap and shop services, those who wish to sell items or who are providing products and services can find broader appeal beyond just co-op members. Plus, members of the groups can post, sell and search for items immediately.
For those who prefer running ads in a publication, the weekly newspapers offer a reasonably fast turnaround.
As a result, the co-op is discontinuing the classified ads. For those who wish to use an online service and who need some assistance, we suggest stopping by one of our local libraries.
We appreciate your interest over the years.
For Sale
Tool box: Craftsman, 5’ x 33”, 20 drawers & 40” x 21” side box, black. $2k new, $600. 274-2194.
Rototiller: Front tine, $125. 560-9209.
Deep freezer: Amana, upright, exc. cond. White. 539-1415.
Cot/Tent: Cabela’s one person, new. $125. 464-2759.
Antiques: Potato cutter for french fries. $50. Bottle cap opener, $50. 630-3859
Brush hog: DR with 42” finish mower deck. $1995. 931-4000.
Wanted
Hauling trailer, 5’ x 10’ good cond, reasonably priced. 539-1415.
Always call before you dig
1-800-344-7483
It’s the law. And it could save your life.
Planting trees? Plant away from the electric lines.
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.