thunder bay national marine sanctuary
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1. house immediately and call your gas company to have it repaired With a heat pump check to make sure the insulation on all of the external wiring looks correct You can inspect potential bad spots damaged or frayed areas more carefully once you turn the circuit breaker off Turn off the electric power to the heating unit at the circuit breaker panel Remove its side cover to gain access to the blower Using a vacuum cleaner brush attachment clean any dust deposits off the blower You may find bearing oil cups on the blower motor of older systems Put a drop of oil in each cup Find the fan control switch and adjust the temperature setting lower Common settings are on at 135 degrees and off at 100 degrees Try using 110 and 90 degrees This starts the blower sooner and keeps it running longer as the heat exchanger heats up and then cools down Replace the cover and make sure all the cabinet screws are tight Also check the tightness of any cabinet screws you can find Having the cabinet well sealed improves efficiency by maintaining the proper air flow through the coils or over the heat exchanger surfaces With a heat pump also check the cabinet screws on the outdoor condenser unit Set up the thermostat so the furnace starts Hold a stick of lighted incense near all the joints in the ductwork both return and supply air ducts to check for air leaks If you find leaks wipe dust off the surfaces and use mastic a gooey2. non hardening material around the leaking joints This is a good time to change your furnace filter or clean a central air cleaner element Consider installing a more effective filter element than the low cost fiberglass ones that many systems use This may not help indoor air quality much but it can keep the air flow paths cleaner for more efficient heat transfer Check the accuracy of the wall thermostat You may actually be keeping your house warmer than you realize Tape a bulb thermometer on the wall next to your furnace Check the thermometer reading when the furnace shuts off and note the difference between it and the thermostat setting Now you will know where to set the thermostat to get the indoor temperature you desire If it is inaccurate replace it with a new electronic setback model MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 7 Lobster Mac amp Cheese Doreen Zuznis Clio e kosher salt e vegetable oil e 1 lb cavatappi tubed corkscrew pasta e 1 qt milk e 8 T 1 stick unsalted butter divided e 2c all purpose flour e 12 oz Gruyere cheese grated 4 c e 8 oz extra sharp cheddar grated 2 c e Yt freshly ground black pepper e 2t nutmeg e 1 b cooked lobster meat langostinos Preheat oven to 375 Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water Add pasta and cook according to the directions on the package 6 to 8 minutes Drain well Meanwhile heat the milk in a small s
3. 2015 at 9 00 a m This hearing will be a prehearing conference to set future hearing dates and decide other procedural matters BEFORE Administrative Law Judge Mark D Eyster LOCATION 7109 West Saginaw Lansing Michigan PARTICIPATION Any interested person may attend and participate The hearing site is accessible including handi capped parking Persons needing any accommodation to participate should contact the Commission s Executive Sec retary at 517 284 8090 in advance to request mobility visual hearing or other assistance The Michigan Public Service Commission Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the Cooperatives June 29 2015 joint application for Commission approval to reconcile their individual EO plans for the period ended December 31 2014 The Cooperatives are requesting authorization to reconcile their EO plan expenditures and revenues collected for the period ended December 31 2014 All documents filed in this case shall be submitted electronically through the Commission s E Dockets website at michigan gov mpscedockets Requirements and instructions for filing can be found in the User Manual on the E Dockets help page Docu ments may also be submitted in Word or PDF format as an attachment to an email sent to mpscedockets michigan gov If you require assistance prior to e filing contact Commission staff at 517 284 8090 or by email at mpscedockets michigan gov Any person wishing to intervene and beco
4. BEFORE Administrative Law Judge Martin D Snider LOCATION 7109 West Saginaw Highway Lansing MI 48917 PARTICIPATION Any interested person may attend and participate The hearing site is accessible including handicapped parking Persons needing any accommodation to participate should contact the Commission s Executive Secretary at 517 284 8090 in advance to request mobility visual hearing or other assistance The Michigan Public Service Commission Commission will hold a public hearing to consider Midwest Energy Cooperative s Midwest July 31 2015 application for Commission approval to reconcile its renewable energy plan REP costs for the period ended December 31 2014 Midwest Energy represents that its REP filings included no request for a renewable energy surcharge no surcharge was approved and none was charged to its member customers in 2014 Midwest Energy further represent that there are neither revenues nor expenditures to reconcile All documents filed in this case shall be submitted electronically through the Commis sion s E Dockets website at michigan gov mpscedockets Requirements and instructions for filing can be found in the User Manual on the E Dockets help page Documents may also be submitted in Word or PDF format as an attachment to an email sent to mpscedockets michigan gov If you require assistance prior to e filing contact Com mission staff at 517 284 8090 or by email at mpscedockets michigan gov A
5. Midwest Energy Cooperative September 2015 F US Ushering In The Era Contest Creates Safe Kids College Freshmen Offer Of Member Regulation Safe Communities Hope For A Bright Future WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY FOR A 30 FEDERAL TAX CREDIT THERE S A TREASURE IN YOUR BACKYARD You may not realize it but your home is sitting on a free and renewable supply of energy A WaterFurnace geothermal comfort system taps into the stored solar energy in your backyard to provide savings of up to 70 on heating cooling and hot water And for a limited time youv ll receive our Symphony comfort platform FREE with the purchase of select geothermal packages Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today to learn how to tap into your buried treasure YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS Bad Axe Clifford lonia Muskegon Traverse City B amp D Htg Orton Refrig amp Htg Home Experts Adams Htg amp Clg D amp W Mechanical 989 269 5280 989 761 7691 800 457 4554 231 873 2665 231 941 1215 Berrien Springs DeWitt Kalkaska Kiessel Geothermal UPPER WaterFurnace S amp J Htg amp Clg Kalkaska Plmb amp Htg Htg amp Clg PENINSULA Michiana 517 669 3705 231 258 3588 231 747 7509 269 473 5667 pieces Grandville Lapeer Portland Great Lakes Big Rapids Total Comfort Porter amp Heckman ESI Htg amp Clg Services Inc Stratz Htg amp Clg Inc Resource LLC 810 664 8576 517 647 6906 906 495 5543 E RAGRC TE SOUS U acted ack Michigan Cen
6. ard of the boiler house and the ship listing hard to port the wreck of the Norman which claimed the lives of three sailors is an intense dive experience Photos by NOAA Thunder Bay NMS MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 15 Se ar 16 STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE CUSTOMERS OF CLOVERLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE MIDWEST ENERGY COOPERATIVE AND THUMB ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CASE NUMBERS U 17838 U 17839 and U 17840 Cloverland Electric Cooperative Midwest Energy Cooperative and Thumb Electric Cooperative the Cooperatives request Michigan Public Service Commission approval to reconcile their individual Energy Optimization EO plan expenditures and revenues collected for the period ended December 31 2014 e The information below describes how a person may participate in this case You may call or write the Cooperatives attorney Mr Shaun Johnson at Dykema Gossett PLLC Capitol View 201 Townsend Street Suite 900 Lansing MI 48933 517 374 9100 for a free copy of the application Any person may review the application at Dykema s offices or at the respective offices of the Cloverland Electric 2916 W M 28 P O Box 97 Dafter MI 49724 Midwest Energy Cooperative 901 E State St P O Box 127 Cassopolis MI 49031 and Thumb Electric Cooperative 2231 Main St P O Box 157 Ubly MI 48475 0157 The first public hearing in this matter will be held DATE TIME October 6
7. arine Sanctuary There are so many stories lying just below the surface of the Great Lakes 14 SEPTEMBER 2015 SURE THUNDER BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY Twisted hull of the German freighter Nordmeer 1954_4 966 Those stories just increased substantially as the marine sanctuary has grown from 448 square miles to a remarkable 4 300 miles as of last September This means expanding both research and educational programs as well as a multi year plan to characterize every known shipwreck in the sanctuary Characterizing can mean a variety of informational components including having a site map photography data and sonar images or even knowing the name and vessel information It s no wonder our student programs appeal to our younger visitors said Gandulla You don t have to be able to scuba dive 300 feet to have an interaction with maritime history We provide and encourage hands on experiences both in and on the water The experiences are anything from a class trip to the sanctuary s impressive Visitor s Center with over 10 000 feet of exhibits participating in a program on shipwreck archeology or building underwater robotics There are also glass bottom boat tours that allow visitors to view shiowrecks without ever getting their feet wet Gandulla says it s not uncommon for students who have had a field trip in elementary or high school or invested themselves in a Shipwreck Alley cla
8. aucepan but don t boil it In a large pot melt 6 T of butter and add the flour Cook over low heat for 2 minutes stirring with a whisk Still whisking add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more until thickened and smooth Turn off the heat add the Gruyere Cheddar 1 T salt the pepper and nutmeg Add the cooked macaroni and lobster meat and stir well Place the mixture in a large casserole dish Melt the remaining 2 T of butter combine them with the fresh bread crumbs and sprinkle on the top Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top Crab Casserole Virginia Rubingh Ellsworth e 4 b tresh frozen crab meat e 1 2 c sour cream e 1 T lemon juice e pinch garlic salt e 1 4 c cheddar cheese divided e 8 0z pkg cream cheese softened e 2 T Hellman s mayonnaise e 1 t Worcestershire sauce e 1 T milk Mix all ingredients together in a casserole dish Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese on top Bake at 325 for 25 30 minutes Seafood Pasta Salad Betty Poradek Stephenson e 8 0z pkg imitation crab meat cut up e 8 oz bag frozen mini shrimp thawed optional e cup chopped celery e 1 2 T chopped green onion including some tops e 1 can water chestnuts chopped e 8 oz frozen peas thawed e 1 lb bag rotini noodles cooked e dash dill weed e 1 c Miracle Whip e 8 oz sour cream Mix all pasta together and chill for several
9. c Cooperative 2916 W M 28 P O Box 97 Dafter MI 49724 Midwest Energy Cooperative 901 E State St PO Box 127 Cassopolis MI 49031 and Thumb Electric Cooperative 2231 Main St P O Box 157 Ubly MI 48475 0157 The first public hearing in this matter will be held DATE TIME Wednesday September 30 2015 at 9 00 a m This hearing will be a prehearing conference to set future hearing dates and decide other procedural matters BEFORE Administrative Law Judge Mark E Cummins LOCATION Michigan Public Service Commission 7109 West Saginaw Highway Lansing Michigan PARTICIPATION Any interested person may attend and participate The hearing site is accessible including handicapped parking Persons needing any accommodation to participate should contact the Commission s Executive Secretary at 517 284 8090 in advance to request mobility visual hearing or other assistance The Michigan Public Service Commission Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the Cooperatives August 3 2015 joint application for approval of their Energy Optimization Plans in accordance with Public Act 295 of 2008 and the November 24 2014 Commission Order in Cases Numbers U 17781 U 17783 and U 17786 for Cloverland Electric Midwest Energy and Thumb Electric respectively All documents filed in this case shall be submitted electronically through the Commission s E Dockets website at michigan gov mpscedockets Requirements and instructions fo
10. ce dill salt and pepper Pour sauce over pasta toss gently Cover and refrigerate at least two hours Serves 10 MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 9 Public Act 295 The Clean Renewable and Efficient Energy Act 2014 Annual Energy Optimization Report Midwest Energy Cooperative MPSC Case Number U 17365 Midwest Energy contracted with the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association MECA to administer the Energy Optimization EO efforts in order to comply with PA 295 MECA filed a 4 year Energy Optimization plan with the MPSC on Aug 1 2011 as required by PA 295 This EO plan was approved by the MPSC on Nov 10 2011 and we began implementing the plan Jan 1 2012 The Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation WECC was selected to implement all Residential Commercial and Industrial Programs and the Energy Optimization website michigan energy org WECC has subcontracted with JACO Michigan Energy Options Franklin Energy Morgan Marketing Partners and Honeywell to assist with the implementation of the EO Programs MECA contracted with KEMA as the independent 3rd party evaluation contractor for the certification of kWh savings In 2014 Midwest Energy collected 1 168 001 through the Energy Optimization Surcharge and spent 1 049 336 resulting in an over collection of 118 665 which will be applied towards the 2015 EO Program delivery expenses and goal achievement Midwest Energy achieved 5 951 MWh of energy savings in 2014 For every dollar spe
11. ck O Malley lt Where in Michigan is This Every co op member who identifies the correct location of the photo at left by Oct 10 will be entered in a drawing to win a 50 electricity credit from their electric co op We do not accept Mystery Photo guesses by phone Enter your guess at countrylines com or send by mail to Country Lines Mystery Photo 201 Townsend St Suite 900 Lansing MI 48933 Include the name on your account address phone number and name of your co op a ett you plan to Stay in E your home a metal roof i G AN j icheaper than asphalt ae lt Order in the month of September amp receive a from steel to Aluminum plus a as yr r r a a F i n ii p Fi SH your garage or outbuilding when added to your order TEI i oo La CE r B i an a a TF i j ron i Ba E a E ha ja ri NT HII F Bakes q i Fi j Lm J 1 D i 1 4 l T PE i CE Toughness and low maintenance requirements make metal roofing Financing Available perfect for the demanding needs of 1 844 638 2576 agricultural applications Each roof is hand crafted and 844 METAL ROOFS finished with custom made trims l and accessories available in i CHARLOTTE 1875 Lansing Road AMR s high standards of View our website to see a gallery of roofs we ve functional durability are met installed in and around Michigan or to request a quote by u
12. eather temperatures but should be protected from the elements when not in use to prevent shorting and rusting e Operate the generator only on level surfaces and where it will not be exposed to excessive moisture dirt dust or corrosive vapors e Inspect the generator regularly e Always disconnect the spark plug wire and place the wire where it cannot contact the spark plug to prevent accidental starting when setting up transporting adjusting or making repairs to the generator Source American Red Cross with technical advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the National Fire Protection Association publisher of the National Electric Code and the U S Consumer Product Safety Commission W Maintain Your Home s Heating System Efficiency By James Dulley ith the heating season soon upon us make sure your heating system is running at its maximum efficiency Doing a simple heating system tune up yourself improves its efficiency resulting in significant annual cost savings However don t skip your regular professional maintenance calls just because you have done your own heating system mini tune up There are many areas within a heating system that only a qualified technician can evaluate and adjust properly The first items to check are for safety With a gas or propane furnace put several drops of soapy water on any gas line fittings you find If the water bubbles at all there are leaks Leave your
13. er information on adjournment should be directed to 517 284 8130 A copy of the Cooperatives request may be reviewed on the Commission s website at michigan gov mpscedockets and at the office of Dykema Gossett PLLC or at the respective Cooperatives offices For more information on how to participate in a case you may contact the Commission at the above address or by telephone at 517 284 8090 Jurisdiction is pursuant to 1909 PA 106 as amended MCL 460 551 et seq 1919 PA 419 as amended MCL 460 54 et seq 1939 PA 3 as amended MCL 460 1 et seq 1969 PA 306 as amended MCL 24 201 et seq 1982 PA 304 as amended MCL 460 6 et seq 2008 PA 295 MCL 460 1001 et seq and the Michigan Administrative Hearing System s Administrative Hearing Rules 2015 AC R 792 10401 et seq August 13 2015 MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 18 Communicating in the Age of the Emoji By Jack O Malley N few years ago my son stood before a display of old rotary phones in an antique store puzzled by the seemingly ancient devices How did people text with those he asked chuckled before the thought occurred to me An entire generation now exists who ve never known life without mobile phones text messages Google or social media In today s world of technology a new digital language based on acronyms and emojis has emerged allowing people to communicate instantly with little more than a few letters and characters In the old days we h
14. ercent of students nationwide to receive a top score of 5 on the Advanced Placement Biology Exam and the first woman ever at Paw Paw High School to test out of chemistry Maya balanced her heavy academic load with many extra curricular activities including National Honor Society Peer Assistance Leader peer interventionist and crisis response team member varsity competitive and varsity sideline cheer team member teacher s aide Friends of Rachel Anti bullying Club and robotics club She also volunteered more than 200 hours of community service during high school Maya is the daughter of Craig and Jennifer Bishop of Paw Paw Kristen Cody got a leg up on college and started her first semester at Grand Valley State University as a sophomore after attending the Van Buren Technology Center for her last two years of high school During her time there Kristen was chosen student of the month then honored as student of the year among a competitive pool of high achieving peers While managing a rigorous course schedule and earning a spot on the Lawton High School honor roll every trimester Kristen also participated in cheer cross country and track She also actively volunteered with a number of efforts in the community On top of everything else she worked part time and was chosen Miss Heart of Blossomtime for 2015 Kristen is the daughter of Harold and Denise Cody of Lawton and is studying to become a physician s assi
15. g they learned The winning images from each service area were printed on t shirts provided to all students and posted on billboards over the summer The contest is part of Midwest s ongoing commitment to educate the community about electrical safety Electricity is such an integral part of our lives that we tend to forget the inherent safety concerns involved with the flow of current says Patty Nowlin director of communications and community relations Midwest is strongly committed to creating a culture of safety both for our employees and for members of our community and our public safety programs are one way we promote awareness Midwest offers electrical and propane safety programs for any group or organization Programs are free adaptable for various audiences and timelines and can be conducted at Midwest or an off site facility For more information about safety programs please contact the community relations office at 800 492 5989 oF ye Mi pra Fiber tech Joe Alford left and lineman Kurt Schantz right package donated chicken for distribution at a local food pantry Customer care representative Diane Wilkins welcomes visitors and pays their admission to a local community park MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES a 6 PORTABLE GE and instructions for your generator Do NOT cut corners when it comes to safety These tips are merely supplemental and are not intended to substit
16. he Commission at the above address or by telephone at 517 284 8090 Jurisdiction is pursuant to 1909 PA 106 as amended MCL 460 551 et seq 1919 PA 419 as amended MCL 460 54 et seq 1939 PA 3 as amended MCL 460 1 et seq 1982 PA 304 as amended MCL 460 6 et seq 1969 PA 306 as amended MCL 24 201 et seq 2008 PA 295 MCL 460 1001 et seq and the Commission s Rules of Practice and Procedure as amended 1999 AC R 460 17101 et seq Fuel Mix Report The fuel mix characteristics of Midwest Energy Cooperation as required by Public Act 141 of 2000 for the 12 month period ended 6 30 15 COMPARISON OF FUEL SOURCES USED Regional average fuel mix used Your co op s fuel mix FUEL SOURCE Coal Oil Hydroelectric Nuclear Renewable Fuels Biofuel Biomass Solar Solid Waste Incineration Wind Wood 58 4 60 4 0 6 0 7 10 3 8 9 1 4 0 5 20 9 24 6 8 4 4 9 0 9 0 7 0 3 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 7 3 2 0 4 0 5 NOTE Biomass above excludes wood solid waste incineration includes landfill gas and wind includes a long term renewable purchase power contract in Wolverine s mix Your Co op s Fuel Mix Regional Average Fuel Mix K EMISSIONS AND WASTE COMPARISON TYPE OF EMISSION WASTE Sulfur Dioxide Carbon Dioxide Oxides of Nitrogen High level Nuclear Waste lbs MWh Your Regional Co op Average 5 1 7 6 1 559 2 170 1 7 2 0 0 0072 0 0083 Regional a
17. hours Keeps up to three days in fridge Dilly Fish Gertrude Romanchuk Traverse City e fresh pan fish e dill pickle juice e instant potato flakes e peanut oil Wash fish and dry well with paper towels Soak fish in dill pickle juice for 15 30 minutes Roll in potato flakes and fry in peanut oil turning once Fry until golden brown Very tasty SUBMIT YOUR RECIPE Thanks to all who send in recipes Please send in your favorite Easy Chicken recipes by Sept 10 Chili recipes by Nov 1 and Gluten Free recipes by Dec 1 Enter your recipe online at countrylines com or send to handprinted or typed on one side please Country Lines Recipes 201 Townsend St Suite 900 Lansing MI 48933 Please note the co op from which you receive your electric service Contributors whose recipes we print in 2015 will be entered in a drawing and Country Lines will pay the winner s January 2016 electric bill up to 200 Dill Shrimp Salad pictured Mary Babcock Port Austin e 4c cooked small shells or penne pasta e 1 lb cooked fresh shrimp diced 1 c frozen peas 1 c small diced celery Ya c chopped green onions including tops Ya c minced fresh parsley 10 oz plain Greek yogurt 1 c mayonnaise Ya c fresh lemon juice 2 T snipped fresh dill v2 t salt e t white pepper In a large bowl combine pasta tuna celery onions peas and parsley In a small bowl combine yogurt mayonnaise lemon jui
18. ing can be deadly to you and others A generator that is directly connected to your home s wiring can back feed onto the power lines connected to your home and injure neighbors or utility workers e Do not connect your generator directly to your home s wiring or into a regular household outlet e Always start or stop the generator only when no electrical loads are connected e Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics Do not overload the generator Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator Prioritize your needs A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary and only to power essential equipment e Use the proper power cords Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy duty outdoor rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage Do not use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding e Do not operate the generator in wet conditions such as rain or snow e The generator must be properly grounded If the generator is not grounded you run the risk of electrocution Check and adhere to all applicable federal state and local regulations relating to grounding Generator Placement and Operation e Allow at least five feet of clearance on all sides of the generator when operating e Generators can be used during a wide variety of w
19. ion at the above address or by telephone at 517 284 8090 Jurisdiction is pursuant to 1909 PA 106 as amended MCL 460 551 et seq 1919 PA 419 as amended MCL 460 54 et seq 1939 PA 3 as amended MCL 460 1 et seq 1982 PA 304 as amended MCL 460 6 et seq 1969 PA 306 as amended MCL 24 201 et seq 2008 PA 295 MCL 460 1001 et seq and the Commission s Rules of Practice and Procedure as amended 1999 AC R 460 17101 et seq SEPTEMBER 2015 STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE CUSTOMERS OF CLOVERLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE MIDWEST ENERGY COOPERATIVE AND THUMB ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CASE NUMBERS U 17781 U 17783 AND U 17786 Cloverland Electric Cooperative Midwest Energy Cooperative and Thumb Electric Cooperative the Cooperatives request Michigan Public Service Commission Commission approval to implement their Energy Optimization Plans in compliance with Public Act 295 of 2008 and the November 24 2014 Commission Order in Cases Numbers U 17781 U 17783 and U 17786 e The information below describes how a person may participate in this case You may call or write the Cooperatives attorney Mr Shaun M Johnson at Dykema Gossett PLLC Capitol View 201 Townsend Street Suite 900 Lansing MI 48933 517 374 9100 for a free copy of the application Any person may review the application at Dykema s offices or at the respective offices of the Cooperatives Cloverland Electri
20. me a party to the case shall electronically file a petition to intervene with this Commission by September 29 2015 Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format The proof of service shall indicate service upon attorney Shaun M Johnson at Dykema Gossett PLLC Capitol View 201 Townsend Street Suite 900 Lansing Michigan 48933 Any person wishing to appear at the hearing to make a statement of position without becoming a party to the case may participate by filing an appearance To file an appearance the individual must attend the hearing and advise the presiding administrative law judge of his or her wish to make a statement of position All information submitted to the Commission in this matter becomes public information available on the Michigan Public Service Commission s website and subject to disclosure Please do not include information you wish to remain private Requests for adjournment must be made pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Practice and Procedure R 460 17315 and R 460 17335 Requests for further information on adjournment should be directed to 517 284 8130 A copy of the Cooperatives request may be reviewed on the Commission s website at michigan gov mpscedockets and at the office of Dykema Gossett PLLC Capitol View 201 Townsend Street Suite 900 Lansing Michigan or at the respective Cooperatives offices For more information on how to participate in a case you may contact the Commiss
21. nt on energy efficiency programs customers will save 3 61 in avoided energy costs The full report can be obtained at michigan energy org or http efile mpsc state mi us efile rsa ie i Li E ii R diate pie if ia F i i ia Fy z 3 Te a f F 5 I i g5 Foa fhr _ Pil F je i A a ee lait on i Pe 7 gt a E gt Fa i A r aN a j i ja Sige im F on fon z r ie ni Te STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE CUSTOMERS OF MIDWEST ENERGY COOPERATIVE CASE NO U 17811 e Midwest Energy Cooperative requests Michigan Public Service Commission approval to reconcile its renewable energy plan costs associated with the plan approved in Case No U 17309 for the period ended December 31 2014 e The information below describes how a person may participate in this case e You may contact Midwest Energy Cooperative s attorney Mr Shaun M Johnson Dykema Gossett PLLC Capitol View 201 Townsend Street Suite 900 Lansing Michigan 48933 517 374 9100 for a free copy of the application Any person may also contact Midwest Energy Cooperative 901 E State St PO Box 127 Cassopolis Michigan 49031 800 492 5989 for a free copy of its application e The first public hearing in this matter will be held DATE TIME October 8 2015 at 9 00 a m This hearing will be a prehearing conference to set future hearing dates and decide other procedural matters
22. ny person wishing to intervene and become a party to the cases shall electronically file a petition to intervene with this Commission by October 1 2015 Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format The proof of service shall indicate service upon Midwest Energy s attorney Shaun M Johnson Dykema Gossett PLLC Capitol View 201 Townsend Street Suite 900 Lansing Michigan 48933 Any person wishing to appear at the hearing to make a statement of position without becom ing a party to the case may participate by filing an appearance To file an appearance the individual must attend the hearing and advise the presiding administrative law judge of his or her wish to make a statement of position All information submitted to the Commission in this matter becomes public information thus available on the Michigan Public Service Commission s website and subject to disclosure Please do not include information you wish to remain private Requests for adjournment must be made pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Practice and Procedure R 460 17315 and R 460 17335 Requests for further information on adjournment should be directed to 517 284 8130 A copy of Midwest Energy Cooperative request may be reviewed on the Commission s web site at michigan gov mpscedockets and at the office of Dykema Gossett PLLC or at the office of Midwest Energy Cooperative For more information on how to participate in a case you may contact t
23. od Recipes You Will Love Christin McKamey amp Our Readers l A FEATURE Sunken Treasure At Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Emily Haines QO READERS PAGE Communicating In The Age Of The Emoji Jack O Malley Guess Our New Mystery Photo MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 3 4 VAN BUREN KALAMAZOO ST JOSEPH CASSOPOLIS DISTRICT SERVICE CENTER 901 E State Street P O Box 127 Cassopolis MI 49031 0127 M F 8 a m 5 p m PAW PAW DISTRICT SERVICE CENTER 59825 S LaGrave Paw Paw MI 49079 M F 8 a m 1 p m and 1 30 p m 4 30 p m ADRIAN DISTRICT SERVICE CENTER 1610 E Maumee Street Adrian MI 49221 M F 8 a m 5 p m COOPERATIVE Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Kix CONTACT US MIDWEST ENERGY COOPERATIVE 800 492 5989 e TeamMidwest com MIDWEST CONNECTIONS 844 493 4237 TeamFiber com MIDWEST PROPANE 844 493 4427 TeamMidwestPropane com E mail info TeamMidwest com Gin y BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clarence Topper Barth Chairman Three Rivers 269 279 9233 Clarence Barth teammidwest com Colyne Sorsby Secretary Cassopolis 269 476 2718 Colyne Sorsby teammidwest com John Green Treasurer Dowagiac 269 470 2816 John Green teammidwest com Ron Armstrong Lawton 269 299 0239 Ron Armstrong teammidwest com James Dickerson Bloomingdale 269 370 6868 Jim Dickerson teammidwest com Harry Gentz Blissfield 517 443 5537 Harry Gentz teammidwest com Ben Rus
24. of draught conditions causing a lack of oxygen As a result of her home based learning she is pursuing further study of algae bloom in our great lakes and how to encourage less expensive environmentally friendly ways to protect our precious resources Emily is the daughter of Jason and Amy Schmidt of Morenci m MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES SUN TREA By Emily Haines he eerie romance of a shipwreck is something that seems saved for epic adventure novels or blockbuster Hollywood movies But just off the coast of Lake Huron near unassuming Alpena MI is one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the Great Lakes a place called Thunder Bay If the name itself sounds ominous it s because Thunder Bay offers up unpredictable shifts in weather alarming gales fog banks and notoriously rocky shoals that play ghostly host to an area fittingly called Shipwreck Alley There lies the remains of over 200 ships only about 100 that have been physically discovered While it s difficult to imagine the friendly beaches of the Great Lakes as anything but welcoming these deep and traitorous waters were once bustling byways for both recreational and business mariners not all that ended at their intended destination It s easy to stay motivated and excited in your work when you re dealing with such a robust historical landscape said Stephanie Gandulla maritime archeologist and media coordinator for Thunder Bay National M
25. perative within five years after payment has been made available at the last known address that payment will be added to the cooperative s general fund 2015 Winter Adult Scholarship Applications Available _ Jacquie Reynolds Hayward believes her strong personal values rooted in honesty hard work integrity and belief in the good of human kind helped her stay on track as she returned to college as an adult She s currently employed as an associate teacher in an at risk preschool program and says she is passionate about education being key to individual and family empowerment The co op member from Paw Paw is pursuing a degree in elementary education from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and hopes to finish her Jacquie Reynolds Hayward SEPTEMBER 2015 degree program and continue teaching at risk students in rural communities Midwest is honored to support Jacquie with our 1 000 adult scholarship The scholarship program is available to adult co op members returning to school Adults 21 years and older who receive monthly electric service from Midwest Energy Cooperative and whose primary residence is in Midwest s service area may apply for the award The scholarship may be used for tuition fees and or book expenses and will be paid directly to the college or university We are currently accepting applications for our 2015 winter award Applicants must be enrolled for a minimum of six credit hou
26. r filing can be found in the User Manual on the E Dockets help page Documents may also be submitted in Word or PDF format as an attachment to an email sent to mpscedockets michigan gov If you require assistance prior to e filing contact Commission staff at 517 284 8090 or by email at mpscedockets michigan gov Any person wishing to intervene and become a party to the case shall electronically file a petition to intervene with this Commission by September 23 2015 Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format The proof of service shall indicate service upon the Cooperatives attorney Shaun M Johnson at Dykema Gossett PLLC Capitol View 201 Townsend Street Suite 900 Lansing Michigan 48933 Any person wishing to appear at the hearing to make a statement of position without becoming a party to the case may participate by filing an appearance To file an appearance the individual must attend the hearing and advise the presiding administrative law judge of his or her wish to make a statement of position All information submitted to the Commission in this matter becomes public information thus available on the Michigan Public Service Commission s website and subject to disclosure Please do not include information you wish to remain private Requests for adjournment must be made pursuant to the Michigan Administrative Hearing System s Administrative Hearing Rules R 792 10422 and R 792 10432 Requests for furth
27. r time created layers of unnecessary bureaucracy Prior to state regulation members effectively and efficiently made the important decisions at the local board table As government grew in the regulated environment effective and efficient oversight gave way to useless and expensive interventions and delays from Lansing You have a voice and we encourage you to use it While we are your elected representatives we want and need to hear from you about the issues we wrestle with at the board table If you ever have questions about decisions made please reach out and share your thoughts and feedback If you have questions or concerns about operational issues things like outages right of way clearance staffing and billing payment concerns those should be directed to the very capable staff at your co op As a board we stay out of daily management and operational issues and will always point you back to staff if appropriate For your convenience we are publishing director contact information in every issue beginning this month It s also available at TeamMidwest com This is your cooperative and we re proud to represent you W Midwest Energy Cooperative Board of Directors Above Stringing electrical wire 1938 Photo NRECA Midwest in the Community Neighbor helping neighbor that s how Team Midwest approaches daily work and efforts to give back We live work and serve right here in your local community and strive to acti
28. rs at a community college a four year college university or an accredited trade school Two letters of recommendation from non family members are required The application is available to download and print or submit online at TeamMidwest com Applications and all pertinent information must be postmarked by Oct 30 2015 for consideration E Calling Team Midwest toll free numbers get you where you need to be For the ease and convenience of all of our members and customers we have unique toll free lines for each of our business units to get you where you need to be Please make note of these numbers for contact with Team Midwest Midwest Energy Cooperative all electric related business 800 492 5989 Midwest Propane 844 493 4427 493 4GAS Midwest Connections Fiber Internet 844 493 4237 49FIBER Local Students Offer Hope of Bright Future kids off to college this fall with a little scholarship support from their electric co op Each of these students earned a 1 000 scholarship based on academic achievements school and community activities and honors and awards Here s a quick glimpse into our future co op and community leaders Midwest Energy Cooperative families sent Maya Bishop has a strong and sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of others through biological science and is beginning studies at the University of Michigan An academically accomplished young woman she was in the 6 p
29. s by their boards of directors POSTMASTER SEND ALL UAA TO CFS Association officers are Robert Schallip Cloverland Electric Cooperative chairman Mark Kappler HomeWorks Tri County Electric vice chairman and Eric Baker Wolverine Power Cooperative secretary treasurer Craig Borr is president and CEO CONTACT US Michigan Country Lines 201 Townsend St Suite 900 Lansing MI 48933 517 351 6322 cdorr meca coop The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised Change of Address Please notify your electric cooperative See page 4 for contact information IN THIS ON THE COVER The 4 300 square mile Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary located on Lake Huron in Alpena protects one of America s best preserved and nationally significant collections of shipwrecks Some co op editions have a different cover Photo courtesy of NOAA Thunder Bay NMS IN YOUR WORDS Our new question of the month section of Michigan Country Lines Let us know your answer and it may appear in the next month s issue or on your electric co op s social media site Please answer the question in your own words at http bit ly 1MgI7W5 Now the question What in your life are you most thankful for O SAFETY How To Use A Portable Generator Safely 7 OUR ENERGY Maintain Your Home s Heating System Efficiency James Dulley QO HOME COOKING Fresh and Flavortul Seafo
30. sell Constantine 269 435 8564 Ben Russell teammidwest com Fred Turk Decatur 269 423 7762 Fred Turk teammidwest com PRESIDENT CEO Robert Hance COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR EDITOR Patty Nowlin Find us on Facebook facebook com TeamMidwest Midwest Energy Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer SEPTEMBER 2015 n late August we ushered in the era of member regulation As your elected board of directors we re using this month s column to share a few thoughts on why we made this decision and what it means for you as member owners of Midwest Energy Cooperative Electric cooperatives were organized in the 1930s to provide power to rural areas Some of today s co op members have direct roots to that movement as members of their own families were among those who helped build the infrastructure that marked the beginning of today s electric distribution system In the beginning we were member regulated Those who received co op service people like you and us made decisions on rates rules and regulations We only moved away from that to seek territorial protection as investor owned utilities began looting co op service areas to cherry pick the more desirable loads which would have negatively impacted our collective rate structure The state agreed to provide territorial protection if co ops agreed to full regulation under the Michigan Public Service Commission MPSC It was the right move but ove
31. ss to later become a volunteer as an adult aga he bow of the schooner EB Allen 1864 1871 The Florida 1889 1897 still sits upright with its T Package freight still inside While all of this is available in our state s backyard people from around the world come to marvel at Visit D wo n Ss 25 ie If you re interested in a trip to the Visitor s Center visit thunderbay noaa gov visit Or to book a glass Beyond the rich and special maritime history of bottom boat tour go to alpenashipwrecktours com this area it s also a remarkable place to vacation soroa iSO cell O98 2a62805 said Gandulla We have world class recreational opportunities available to us in Michigan and we Project Shiphunt feel very strongly about sharing them with people from around the globe m On July 13 2011 the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary NMS announced the discovery of two Great Lakes shipwrecks The discoveries were part of Project Shiphunt an exciting archaeological expedition soonsored by Sony and the Intel Corp that included five high school students from Saginaw For more on the project visit thunderbay noaa gov shiphunt htm Monohansett Site For a sneak peek at the kind of discoveries you can expect take a look at the Monohansett a ship wrecked in 1907 that lies in three sections just 18 feet below water thunderbay noaa gov shipwrecks monohansett htm Photo below With the hull broken just forw
32. stant Kayley Gay s mom recently found her lying on the floor pouring through school books even though she was already done with school The Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School graduate is studying elementary education at Grace College amp Seminary and was reviewing her sister s books logical for someone committed to teaching future generations of students Kayley has a heart for helping others She volunteered at her high school cafeteria and with her church Sunday School and Vacation Bible School programs She also volunteered for several years with the Faith in Action Day at a Pregnancy Helpline anda community beautification day While in school Kayley was active in band national honor society and dance She also enjoys participating in bible quizzing and has placed in competitions Kayley is the daughter of Richard Gay II and Lori Gay of Dowagiac Emily Schmidt picked up a passion for the outdoors from her father and is taking that to Taylor University as an environmental sciences major The Morenci High School graduate grew up on an 80 acre family farm that provided a natural habitat classroom She harvested bluegill from the pond to study the age and physical condition of the sample population against a standard population and learned that their fish experienced stunted growth and fish die off Further research and study revealed this was a result of uncontained growth of plant life due to several years
33. ter Sunfield Manistique ef T ge Hart Ludington Comfort 1 Mark Woodman Hoholik Enterprises Alllemp Comfort Inc Adams Htg amp Clg 517 764 1500 Plmb amp Htg 906 341 5065 866 844 HEAT 4328 231 873 2665 Mt Pleasant 517 886 1138 Carsonville Indian River Walton Htg amp Clg Traverse City Certified Temperature M amp M Plmb amp Htg 989 774 1566 Geofurnace Htg amp Clg Innovations 231 238 7201 231 943 1000 810 300 7748 GET A Mater Furnace L Smarter from the Ground Up Symphony T ymp y VISIt waterfurnace com event 600 value WaterFurnace is a registered trademark of WaterFurnace International Inc 1 Get a FREE Symphony with select geothermal packages Promotion ends December 18th 2015 Michigan s Electric Cooperatives countrylines com September 2015 Vol 35 No 8 Executive Editor Casey Clark Editors Christine Dorr Gail Knudtson Publisher Michigan Electric Cooperative Association Design and Layout Ciesa Design Michigan Country Lines USPS 591 710 is pub lished monthly except August and December with periodicals postage paid at Lansing MI and additional offices It is the official publication of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association 201 Townsend St Suite 900 Lansing MI 48933 Subscriptions are authorized for members of Alger Delta Cherryland Cloverland Great Lakes HomeWorks Tri County Midwest Energy Ontonagon Presque Isle and Thumb electric cooperative
34. tilizing only the best materials and the most qualified installers who AmericanMetalRoofs com f PREV attain a minimum of 300 training hours ENERGY COOPERATIVE TeamMidwest com Get 50 for your old refrigerator or freezer Have an extra working refrigerator or freezer Don t let it sit there wasting energy Turn it in You ll receive a 50 rebate from the Energy Optimization EO Appliance Recycling program and we ll recycle it Schedule your FREE pick up today ENERGY TIP Shopping for new appliances Take advantage of E0 rebates on ENERGY STAR models ONLINE michigan energy org Energy PHONE 8 7 296 4319 Optimization 50 rebate available through December 31 2015 Energy Optimization programs and incentives are applicable to Michigan service locations only Other restrictions may apply For a complete list of participating utilities visit michigan energy org MEMEA ENERGY COOPERATIVE
35. uddled around the handset during a long distance call everyone listening and talking at the same time because the calls were too expensive for everyone to have a separate turn talking guess I m officially an old fogie LOL Mobile phones have become such an essential part of our lives we have a hard time functioning without one Like an extra appendage we rely on a cell s convenience intelligence and sheer ability to do almost anything Want to play Scrabble Download the app Want to enhance a photo Download an app Want to check Facebook Download the app Want to shop Download an app There are apps short for applications programs designed specifically for use on portable devices for everything Just ask my wife She ll tell you SMH that s shaking my head for all you rookies out there Our reliance on digital technology can only be ascertained when we forget our cell Ever reached for your phone to make a quick call or send a text SE EMBER 2015 only to realize you left your cell on the charger at home Panic ensues I ve actually broken into a sweat and driven an hour round trip just to have my phone on hand Times have sure changed since was a lad These kids might run circles around me when it comes to their smart phones but had something they didn t The most popular rotary phone ever made an original Fisher Price Chatter Telephone toy And let me tell you it was GR8 m Ja
36. ute reading of the Owner s Manual Carbon Monoxide and Ventilation e Using a generator indoors CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES Exhaust contains carbon monoxide a deadly poison gas you cannot see or smell e NEVER run a generator indoors or in partly enclosed areas such as garages e ONLY use outdoors and far from windows doors vents crawl spaces and in an area where adequate ventilation is available and will not accumulate deadly exhaust gas e Using a fan or opening doors and windows will not provide sufficient ventilation e It is recommended that you install battery operated carbon monoxide alarms detectors indoors according to manufacturer s instructions recommendations Gasoline Fueling and Burn Safety e If tank is over filled fuel can overflow onto a hot engine and cause fire or explosion e Do not overfill the fuel tank Always allow room for fuel expansion e Never add fuel while unit is running or hot Allow generator and engine to cool entirely before adding fuel e Never store a generator with fuel in the tank where gasoline vapors might reach an open flame spark or pilot light e Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation and while the generator is cooling after turning off Avoid coming into contact with a hot generator SEPTEMBER 2015 NERATOR SAFETY TIPS Electrocution Hazard and Electrical Shock Hazards e Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wir
37. vely live our Community value in meaningful and impacting ways Here are just a few of our recent efforts to strengthen and support our communities Safety Month 2 il v Annika Steinke Madison Tzsznar Annika Steinke and Madison Tzsznar enjoyed fond memories of their recently completed fourth grade years when they saw their artwork on Midwest Energy Cooperative billboards in August The girls were the winners of Midwest Energy s Safety Month contest Nearly 700 4th grade students and teachers across the co op service territory were introduced to electrical safety in April as part of the annual contest Students learned various aspect of personal and public safety RACK Attacks Over the summer TeamMidwest delivered Random Acts of Kindness across parts of its service territory in the annual RACK Attack Employee teams went out into the community to bring smiles to faces and encourage an attitude of thankfulness and paying it forward Activities included surprising co op business members with breakfast purchasing supplies and stocking shelves at local food pantries delivering meals to homebound seniors welcoming and covering gate admission for guests at a local park and handing out frozen custards around town With each gesture a card was shared encouraging the recipient to pay it forward with another random act of kindness E Following the presentations each student designed a poster depicting somethin
38. verage information was obtained from MPSC website and is for the twelve month period ending 12 31 14 Midwest Energy purchases 100 of its electricity from Wolverine Power Cooperative which provided this fuel mix and environmental data MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 11 Gomeem Navas Board Allocates 2014 Net Margin As an electric cooperative we are different from our investor owned counterparts in that our consumers through their patronage provide capital for the co op You are more than simply a consumer you are a member and owner Midwest Energy maintains a patronage capital account for each member At the end of each year any operating margin profit is allocated based on the amount of electricity purchased by each member The total of these accounts is used by your cooperative to provide the equity base necessary for financial stability and is paid back to members over time as approved by the board of directors At their July meeting the board authorized the allocation of the 2014 net margin totaling 3 018 365 17 Your portion of this allocation is not payable at this time and does not represent a reduction of your electric bill but rather indicates your equity share in our cooperative s 2014 margin Please notify us of any address changes so we can forward payments when patronage capital is retired If a member or former member fails to claim cash retirement of patronage capital or other payment from the coo
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