December 2014 - Tri-County Electric Cooperative
Contents
1. Dairyland s board determined we should make this beneficial change to our load management program and load control practice With this implementation of coincidence in our load management we carefully monitor MISO s and Dairyland s load peaking history time frames and weather factors to attempt to match Dairyland s peak load with MISO s on a daily basis 2013 MISO integrated several southern states into their transmission network Named the Southern Integration our pool of shared generation resources increased by 38 allowing our cooperative access to even greater reliability resources and financial efficiencies which are great for our budgets convenience and peace of mind December 2014 Light Conversation Page 3 energ inment Saving enterta Many homes boast TVs and sound they are turned off This is commonly remembering the language you speak systems that can rival any football called parasitic load or vampire load or trying to turn on faster Devices stadium and many movie theaters According to Lawrence Berkeley such as TVs and DVD players will People can save hundreds of dollars National Laboratory the average home often have power settings in the setup a year by watching movies at home loses 8 percent of its monthly energy menu Try to find that menu and rather than going to the local theater consumption to these energy vampires adjust the settings to save more power Luckily there are simple2. anymore to fulfill direct needs If the current or projected day ahead market price to purchase energy is too high Dairyland may now implement load control as a way to mitigate the need to buy high priced power A price threshold on which to base the decision to implement load management or buy power in an inhospitable market is set to ensure a reasonable number of control events each season LOAD MANAGEMENT AND WHY DO WE DO IT Load management based on economics is a tool used to reduce overall energy costs for Dairyland It controls certain appliances residential water heaters air conditioners interruptible heating systems dairy water heaters during one time of day usually to be restored at a later time of day when energy prices are more favorable In the past load control was enacted mostly during periods of extreme weather conditions locally That has changed over the years due to MISO Weather conditions elsewhere can signal load control locally High market prices can also trigger load control Because economic based load control typically involves the shifting of energy use from one time frame to another the value of that control event depends on hourly energy prices System Operations staff take into consideration both the avoided cost of removing certain loads during the control period and the incurred cost of bringing the controlled appliances back on during the restoral period To ensure the Load
3. of your domestic hot water needs as well Bob s Home Heating and Cooling is trained and certified to install this state of the art equipment using the best installation practices available to date Call us now for a free evaluation and a 300 credit towards the installation or upgrade to the Trilogy Q Wykoff Erdman amp Associates 507 352 5121 Wykoff MN Erdman amp Associates specializes in window treatments Vertical amp horizontal blinds rods drapes roller shades etc Get 10 off your purchase i P a T WO 0op Connections ard f EA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Kx YOUR BUSINESS UP TODAY Ask how you can add your business listing here for FREE by calling 1 800 432 2285 or sending an email to Brenda Tesch at btesch tec coop SIGN Light Conversation Page 9 Many people have tried to use an electronic device only to find out the cord is too short to reach the outlet This is where extension cords come into play They are useful for their practical cost effective solutions to these problems but remember to choose and use extension cords safely Extension cords are designed for temporary use explains Mark Zweibohmer TEC s compliance and training coordinator They should never be put in place as a long term solution A qualified electrician can help you install the necessary wiring and receptacle outlets for a permanent solution If you go shopp
4. Agreed to a shared Supervisor of Information Technology position with Hawkeye REC Cresco lowa units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed e Received an update on the cooperative s consolidation study between Hawkeye REC and TEC BOARD REPORT HIGHLIGHTS FROM NOVEMBER 25 2014 e Approved a Power and Utility Cost Adjustment PUCA credit of 001 per kWh for the understand the energy claims of the manufacturer month of November e Reviewed the Rural Utilities Service 300 Form which is a review and evaluation of our electric system and facilities as related to system operations and maintenance heating bill by 50 percent using a space heater it is e Adopted the Southern Minnesota Electric Cooperative SMEC Load Forecast Resolution 14 15 gas are up to 95 percent efficient In comparison geothermal heat pumps can produce more than 3 making them 300 percent efficient As with any technology before purchasing a space heater understand how the device is to be used and While it may be technically possible to cut your impractical for most people A subsidiary of Tri County Electric Cooperative land s a rama Security k don Aihan a No matter where you are Heartland Security Fe n 8 uw pala Danena keeps you close to home View system status Fmt Dect Chesed theres E Sem Monitor activity watch live video arm or disarm flack Door Cen l your system set up user codes and even Liang
5. cuts power to items connected to these outlets Smart strips are available online or at specialty electronic retailers and generally cost 20 or more depending on their size Source Cooperative Research Network Bits Ltd Page 4 Light Conversation December 2014 plugged in A digital video recorder DVR uses a fairly significant amount of power when turned off but if you record programs frequently you will want to leave it plugged in too You don t have to worry about unplugging items with mechanical on off switches such as lamps hair dryers or small kitchen appliances like toasters or mixers they don t draw any power when turned off How do you slay other energy vampires Try plugging household electronics like personal computers monitors printers speakers stereos DVD and video game players and cell phone chargers into power strips Not only do power strips protect sensitive electronic components from power surges but you can quickly turn off several items at once Of course using a power strip is a manual process and is an all or nothing option A variation on the power strip is the smart strip Smart power strips allow you to plug devices into a specially marked section of the power strip so they will still have power when turned off Other devices that can be turned off safely are plugged into the rest of the strip This allows you to turn off parts of a home entertainment system such as t
6. not in use store extension cords indoors in a dry area and steady temperature climate Storing extension cords outdoors will deteriorate the cord Balancing cont from Page 3 HOW DOES THE LOAD MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WORK Dairyland estimates the load management program reduces its system peak by approximately 70 megawatts MW in the summer and 140 MW in the winter the equivalent size of a small power plant It has done so by reducing total demand during peak use hours when people are commonly at home running washers dryers dishwashers air conditioners heaters and so on For example your air conditioning unit might be cycled on and off at 15 minute intervals for a few hours on a day load management was utilized if you are a program participant Home comfort is not diminished but the energy and financial savings aggregated through participation across the Dairyland membership is significant HOT DAYS COLD DAYS AND ALL THE DAYS IN BETWEEN Nowadays some of us take electricity for granted But no matter where See where power outages are 24 TEC s power outage map is a EI great tool for those interested NFF in seeing where electricity is Terre out While the map doesn t pinpoint the exact location of power outages members have indicated they like knowing if others in their area are without electricity To view the map visit www tec coop and hover over the Ou
7. steps to Your devices use power when turned Generally this will cause the device to saving even more money if you manage off because the electronics inside the take a few more seconds to start Many the power consumption of your home devices are still working What these manufacturers have power settings entertainment system devices are doing and the amount of turned off by default Many of the devices in your home energy used when turned off varies It Microwave ovens and alarm clocks entertainment system and your could be that they are remembering which use relatively small amounts of computer system use energy when the last channel that you viewed standby power are acceptable to leave In an average home 5 percent to 8 percent of electric use stems from energy c vampires devices that use power even when turned off Smart power strips Hi u L o U help you unplug energy draining devices when not in use easily There are i E M i typically three different types of outlets on a smart strip a fawn ue Ve The blue outlet serves as F P Devices plugged into red outlets stay Remaining outlets often green or a control plug ideal for a ee on electricity to these receptacles neutral in color are sensitive to TV or computer l a never cuts off making them perfect current flowing through the blue for satellite boxes and other items that need outlet Turning off a device plugged into the constant power blue outlet
8. Co op looking for members The efficiency of space f to serve Pg 5 heaters Pg 6 TRI COUNTY G LECTRIC COOPERATIVE Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative KE CONVERSATION A newsletter for members of Tri County Electric Cooperative December 2014 Vol 26 Issue 12 Manage power use Simple steps to save on energy used by home entertainment systems Director applications due next month Ways to save money at local businesses TRI COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE MESSAGE FROM BRIAN KRAMBEER PRESIDENT CEO email bkrambeer tec coop main 507 864 7783 toll free 800 432 2285 So what do those words mean to your electric cooperative In summary they mean a lot but primarily education During the long political campaign process leading up to the November elections your local electric cooperative used the important campaigning process to educate candidates about TEC and electric cooperatives As you know during the campaign candidates are very accessible and want to tell us all about themselves and why we should vote for them which is great But it s also a great opportunity to inform the candidates about electric cooperatives and the issues impacting our members Therefore if the incumbent is re elected we continue to build upon our relationship to educate and inform Yet if a challenging candidate is victorious we ve started the education step in our relationship and they already know a litt
9. Management program is doing its job most effectively results of various control techniques are continually analyzed Analysis of historical energy prices consistently indicates that control periods with the greatest opportunity for energy cost savings occur during the evening when hourly energy prices decline quickly This period of economic control may include a few hours that are generally considered off peak Not unlike diversifying or Spreading one s financial risk in the stock market economic control is simply about shifting load from a less advantageous pricing period to one with an increased chance for gains Balancing cont on Page 11 Timeline tor Full Load Control Signals Dairyland Market Area MISO Market Area in 2010 NEW MISO with South Integration added in 2 Prior to 2010 Dairyland based load control only on the power load in the Dairyland market area 2010 The Board of Directors at Dairyland determined it in our best interest to integrate our generation resources with MISO At that time and until 2012 Dairyland continued to send our distribution cooperative load control signals based only on the power load in the DPC market area 2012 MISO revised its capacity structure to an annual capacity structure under which we now submit annual forecasts At that time it became financially beneficial for the distribution cooperative members of Dairyland to adopt a new method of load control referred to as coincidence
10. Roon Maat ie ts e control your lights and thermostats all from rak z i ee easy to use web and mobile interfaces Contact us today to see how easy it is to take advantage of all these great services al yO ur fi n g rti DS powered by N ALARM COM For more information call 1 888 264 6380 or visit www heartlandss com _ Touchstone Energy Cooperatives ALWAYS OPEN N FOR BUSINESS WITH THE CO OP CONNECTIONS CARD KEEP YOUR MONEY IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND SAVE MONEY AT LOCAL BUSINESSES THE BEST PART IT S FREE TO MEMBERS OF TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVES JUST LIKE YOU toe ip Connections ard DISCOVER ALL THE WAYS YOU CAN SAVE TODAY AT WWW CONNECTIONS COOP A ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Kx GROCERIES e LOCAL BUSINESSES e FROZEN YOGURT e DINING OUT e EYEWEAR e LAWN CARE e BRACES e OFFICE S wT ay Every quarter look for this m m print listing of businesses participating in the Co op T Connections Program These discounts are available only to m card holders Because discounts aT ov can change please visit www connections coop tecmn to view up to date information Prior to making your purchase please show the business your Co op Connections card to ensure the discount is still valid Brownsville Al s Small Engine 507 482 6867 Brownsville MN Al s Small Engine provides sales and service of outdoor power equipment lawnmow
11. at throughout the room These heaters are versatile and more common as a result although they do not typically perform as well as a radiant or convection heater Before purchasing a space heater you should determine how and where it will be used and whether a radiant convection or combination heater will do the job best Combination units are versatile but you will most likely get better performance from a radiant or convection heater Use a radiant heater if you want heat instantly and will not move from one spot If you need to eee warm an entire room kilowatt a convection heater December 2014 hours of should do the trick Most space heaters use between 600 and 1 500 watts of electricity Ifa homeowner were to use a space heater 8 hours a day 5 days a week for a month it would cost approximately 15 26 So can using a space heater cut your home heating billP Maybe Space heaters can only heat a small space You can save significant money if you use the space heater with this in mind turn the thermostat of your central heating system down considerably as low as 50 degrees in some cases Place the space heater in a room that is occupied by people and close that room off from the rest of the home This method of zone heating will save money Space heaters do have their place in warming a house But they simply cannot replace energy efficient central heating or weatherization improvements to the h
12. ctic Clinic and receive a FREE 10 minute hydrotherapy massage table session Offer must be redeemed the same day following your chiropractic treatment Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association 507 864 8109 Rushford MN SEMBA has been formed in order to promote traditional country and bluegrass music in the area It promotes two bluegrass festivals in the area six school programs a jam camp and jam sessions Receive 1 off admission December 2014 Stewartville First Farmers amp Merchants Bank 507 533 4081 Stewartville MN First Farmers amp Merchants Bank is a financial services institution Open a new checking or savings account with First Farmers amp Merchants Bank and we ll offer you one of the following a 10 deposit into your account one year of FREE Bill Pay or a FREE debit card Winona Blong s Tree Service 507 454 5311 Winona MN With 58 years of experience Blong s Tree Service is qualified to handle just about any project tree removal stump removal excavating contracting work landscaping and construction dozer work Receive 10 off the estimate price NEW DISCOUNT Bob s Home Heating amp Cooling 507 454 3814 Winona MN The scientific geo geniuses behind ClimateMaster have just released a brand new hyper efficient MODULATING Geothermal System Trilogy Q Not only does it give you operational savings higher than every other geothermal system on the market today it also covers 100
13. d wire can cause electric shock burn or electrical fire Replace any damaged cords e Never remove the grounding pin or third prong from an extension cord to make it fit into a two prong outlet This is a safety feature designed to protect Instead of removing the third prong hire a qualified electrician to install a new outlet e Do not overload extension cords with too many electronics or power tools It may cause the cord to overheat and start a fire If you are going to use the extension cord with two or more appliances you must add together the wattage rating for all appliances used on the cord to make sure the cord will not become overloaded e Extension cords always conduct electricity when plugged into an outlet even if it is not being used Therefore always unplug the cord when you are finished with it e Be sure the cord is rated for indoor use e If any part of the extension cord becomes hot while in use unplug it immediately and discard it e Keep extension cords away from children pets and high traffic areas e Do not place extension cords under carpets rugs furniture or cover with any other objects e Use durable cords rated for outdoor use e Be sure to provide some slack in order to prevent tension on the cord Tension on any part of the cord can cause damage e Do not use cords in wet conditions Water conducts electricity and working in wet conditions increases the chance of shock or electrocution e When
14. e rarely used as the primary heating source Three main types of space heaters are available which can usually be bought for 30 to 100 radiant heaters convection heaters and combination heaters A radiant heater heats objects and people not the air in a room They are best used in rooms where the person who wants to be warmed can be in direct line of sight of the heater Radiant heaters can be a good choice if you are in a room for a short period of time and want instant heat They can pose a burn or fire risk and should not be placed near furniture drapery pets or small children Convection heaters are designed to heat the air not people or objects in a room Hot air from the convection heater rises to the ceiling and forces cooler air to the floor The cooler air is warmed by the heater and rises to the ceiling Page 6 Light Conversation ni t 7 es dir n creating a cycle that continues as long as the heater is on These are typically either baseboard heaters or oil or water filled heaters The oil or water filled heaters are the most efficient and typically look like a small radiator Convection heaters are generally warm to the touch and compared to a radiant heater have a decreased fire and burn risk As the name implies a combination heater tries to bring the best of the radiant and convection heaters into one package They often have an internal fan that aids in distributing he
15. en one e Jenny Scharmer Ron Stevens Skip Wieser Tim Anderson Randall Ashbacher Brian Bauer Rhonda Bauer Lorraine Benson Brett Bergan Kaye Bernard Jamie Breeser Steve Bronner Tammy Brown Chad Chaffee Lori Clobes Craig Cornell Jim Culhane Steve Culhane John DeGeorge Mike Ebner Tyler Eide Matt Ginther Annie Hoiland George Ingram Glen Jensson Gordy Johnson Joe Jordan Ted Kjos Sara Krage Brian Krambeer Heather Larson Dennis LeFebvre Adrienne Lofgren Charlie Mueller Steve Oian Brad Pecinovsky Cory Pederson Keith Pederson Andy Prinsen Mary Rislove Tony Rislove Maynard Rustad Troy Schiltz Audra Skalet Kari Steele Dean Stoa Brenda Tesch Davin Thompson Aaron Trezona Jason Troendle Eric Vitse June Vitse Tom Wittry Allen Ziebell e Mark Zweibohmer Aa ECTRIC a Ceee ERAT eV E Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative KE 4 i i n a I COUNTY
16. erent election TEC s 2015 district 3 board director seats The cooperative is looking for members interested in getting involved NOMINATING COMMITTEE This is a short term commitment The committee meets to review director candidate applications to determine which members names are placed on the ballot TEC needs three members from District 3 Winona County to review director applications for that district If you are interested in serving on this committee please call TEC at 1 800 432 2285 by December 12 and ask for Heather Larson or send an email to hlarson tec coop DIRECTORS SEATS If you are a member living in District 3 Winona County you are eligible to run for the two seats up for election in April 2015 If you are interested in a director application please call TEC at 1 800 432 2285 and ask for Heather Larson or send an email to hlarson tec coop Deadline for applications is January 16 December 2014 Light Conversation Page 5 4 imh fain do ee jaloa P i Space heaters are small versatile and generally good at warming a room and at some point most people consider purchasing one However some manufacturers claim that their electric space heater can significantly cut a home s heating bill Do these claims make sense Some basic facts about space heaters will help get at the truth of the matter Space heaters work best as a supplement to a furnace or heat pump they ar
17. ers chain saws snow blowers etc Get a 5 discount on in stock parts 20 off any new in stock whole goods purchase over 300 Chattield Jackie s Health amp Fitness Center 507 867 3744 Chatfield MN It s time to put your health first Jackie s Health amp Fitness Center offers access to commercial grade aerobic and weight equipment to get you on the right track Enjoy the use of a top grade free weights lifting area Free personalized training comes with a membership Join now and get two fitness centers also includes Fillmore Fitness of Fountain for one low price Get 50 percent off the membership fee with your Co op Connections card R Four Meats 507 867 4180 Chatfield MN R Four Meats is a full service USDA custom processing plant with a retail counter Our plant custom processes for local farmers and buys from local farmers for the retail counter Our natural wood smoked products are handmade homemade in our plant In addition to supporting locally grown beef and pork we process venison and participate in the Minnesota venison donation program Retail counter discount Get 2 off when you spend 30 or get 5 off when you spend 50 Processing discount Farmers scheduling Page 8 Light Conversation through co op an animal to be processed will receive 3 off the slaughter fee Ask us how you can be the Farmer of the Month in our fresh retail meat case Fountain Barb s Carpet Care 507 268 4469 Founta
18. he stereo DVD player or home theater audio system without losing the ability to record programs to a DVR or having to reprogram the television every time you want to watch a show Of course there s always a catch Some devices use standby power to make life more convenient If you unplug your television or cable satellite receiver box what happens When plugged back in the TV or box usually will have to run its initial setup program Depending on the particular device it could take up to 20 minutes for channels to be recognized or for the user to reset preferences which isn t something most people are willing to do every day For these devices look for the Energy Star label The money saved by eliminating the energy vampires in your home may be enough to go out and see a movie But it may still be not enough to afford that extra large popcorn Brian Sloboda is a program manger specializing in energy efficiency for the Cooperative Research Network a service of the Arlington Va based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association The Cooperative Research Network monitors evaluates and applies technologies that help electric cooperatives control costs increase productivity and enhance service to their consumers TEC is looking for a few good members Members needed to serve on Nominating Committee and run for District 3 board seats Now that election season is over it is time to focus on a diff
19. in MN Carpet cleaning using circular dry foam method Receive 10 off carpet cleaning service Fillmore Fitness of Fountain 507 273 7733 Fountain MN Take advantage of working out and getting fit in a climate controlled environment at Fillmore Fitness of Fountain This local fitness center can give you access to commercial grade aerobic and weight equipment Enjoy the use of a top grade free weights lifting area Free personalized training comes with a membership Join now and get two fitness centers also includes Jackie s Health amp Fitness Center for one low price Get 50 percent off the membership fee with your Co op Connections card Harmony Asahi Loft of Harmony 507 226 3735 Harmony MN The tranquility of Japan the craftsmanship of the local Amish and the luxury of a resort spa All these can be found at the Asahi Loft of Harmony Receive a 20 discount on your stay Better Options 507 273 4451 Harmony MN Better Options has chosen the best companies in their field with Superior products and warranties to match Whether you are building or remodeling a home or office with the help of Better Options you will know what products are best for your project Products include GRANICRETE countertops showers flooring ENERCEPT structurally insulated panels SIP GERARD stone coated steel shingles LAST DECK maintenance free decking custom steel framing LEAFGUARD gutters HOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAM GREEN ICE environ
20. ing for extension cords you will find a variety of options available However research the extension cord you are buying to ensure it fits your needs First look for key safety labels that show that the product has been tested for safety Underwriters Laboratory UL Intertek ETL and Canadian Standards Association CSA are common safety laboratory seals of approval to look for It is important to choose an extension cord that is properly rated for the device s you will have plugged into it If an appliance or power tool is drawing more current than an extension cord can carry it may cause the cord and tool to overheat and create a fire Check the packaging on the cord for its rating size wattage and check the appliance or its user manual for its power use Additionally it is important to consider the environment in which you will be using the extension cord indoors or outdoors Extension cords in stores will be clearly labeled indoor outdoor or indoor outdoor Extension cords designed for outdoor use have thicker more durable jacket covers which is the rubber insulating the cord s wiring e Occasionally check the condition of extension cords Look for fraying or cracking along the entire length of the cord and for damage to the plug or sockets Cords used outdoors should be checked more frequently because of the constant wear and tear Page 10 Light Conversation December 2014 Cracked insulation or expose
21. kages NEW BUSINESS LISTING Outer Edge 507 864 3699 Houston MN Is your outdoor space not matching up with what you ve been dreaming of Outer Edge can take your vision and make your dream come true Dedicated to mastering the art of landscaping Outer Edge offers a host of services including installation of retaining walls pavers concrete landscaping grading snow removal outdoor lighting and tree pruning Receive 15 off your bill with the Co op Connections card Lanesboro Avian Acres Wild Bird Supply 507 467 2996 Lanesboro MN Avian Acres is well known for an outstanding selection of quality birding products including the freshest seed and custom mixes Whether it s the choicest food options the top of the line squirrel proof feeder or effective attraction techniques Avian Acres strives to maintain that Same basic approach with all we do Receive 20 Ibs of any fresh custom seed mix like our best selling Bob s Mix for the price of 15 Ibs Bluffscape Amish Tours 507 467 3070 Lanesboro MN Visit Amish farms and shops on our three hour tours in our van or mini bus Experience the interesting history of these Christian people as you step back in time Browse and purchase Amish crafts furniture leather items and baked goods Also a non Amish stop may include the historical Lenora Stone Church built in 1856 Receive a 10 discount on Amish tours from April October Commonweal Theatre Compan
22. le about our member owned electric cooperative I think it s important to note that TEC does not support any one political party Rather we support legislators and candidates that support electric cooperatives TEC hosts a local legislator forum and invites our area legislators to address cooperative issues for the upcoming legislative session We also look forward to our 2015 state legislative conference in St Paul that is held in conjunction with the Minnesota Rural Electric Association MREA Annual Meeting In May your cooperative will attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association NRECA legislative conference where we will continue to educate inform and strengthen our working relationships with our elected officials Your local electric cooperative is very much engaged in the state and federal legislative process and our primary role is to inform and educate legislators on our local cooperative Weoerative and in turn effects members TEC has been very fortunate in that the constituents of southeastern Minnesota have continued to elect representatives that have been great supporters of electric cooperatives Representative Gene Pelowski and Representative Greg Davids have also been recognized for their cooperative support from MREA as past legislators of the year As we ve begun the holiday season having just celebrated Thanksgiving Iam humbled and so very appreciative of the support provided b
23. mentally friendly ice melt and VAST composite deck pavers Back Yard Bar B Q Smoker by ROYALL December 2014 SEND OUT CARDS and HOME INSPECTIONS Receive 3 off materials and labor when your project is completed by Scrabeck Construction Kingsley Mercantile Inc 507 886 2323 Harmony MN Full hardware store Appliance store Small engine store Appliance repair Small engine repair Receive 25 off any Energy Star appliance purchase Slim s Woodshed amp Museum 507 886 3114 Harmony MN The largest wood carving museum in the U S houses over 4 000 carvings from around the world The gift shop offers wood carvings books carving supplies and wood The Loft offers antiques and flea market treasures Weekly carving classes available in Slim s classroom Receive 5 off any purchase Discount excludes museum admission Houston Money Creek Retreat 507 896 2367 Houston MN Whether you are coming to relax looking for a great place to hunt or a romantic weekend Money Creek Retreat is your place for cabin rentals and outfitting We are located in the beautiful hills of southeastern Minnesota in the little town of Money Creek We have two new Cabins to rent each with their own theme walking trails through the woods a sand volleyball court and of course 250 acres of some of the best private White Tail hunting in Minnesota Stay two nights at Money Creek Retreat and get the third night FREE Offer excludes hunting pac
24. ministration CFO Chad Chattee ccucccsccssscseseccnnesenes Vice President of System Operations Ted KJOS eta treaties ceeseniesiuadadaeaditnatenss Vice President of Marketing amp External Relations BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jenny Scharmer Chalr ccccccceceeeeeeeeeees District 3 Ron Stevens Vice Chaiil ccccsssseeeeeeeeeees District 1 Roger Hegland Se C TrGaS sceceeeeeeees District 1 Beth OISON cccccssssceceeececssseeeeeeeececssseeeseesess District 3 Don Petersen aisscadcessnstsnsasanesettarsancenmsiesssanened District 2 Jeffrey REGQISN y srcccecctscsccnosennenosancesrscesosannencae At Large Skip WICSEL ceceseeseceeeeeeeessseeeeeeeeeaneeseeeeees District 2 District 1 serves Fillmore County and portions of Mower Howard and Winneshiek counties District 2 serves Houston County and a portion of Allamakee County District 3 serves Winona County and a portion of Olmsted County LIGHT CONVERSATION STAFF Brenda TESCO Nis ctutincscacseceeluncaniest lt nicaadediansninadwicace Editor Annie Hoiland siccnscacianisctoniandeniseimaiaine Assistant Editor This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer Manage your account right from your computer laptop smart phone and or tablet with SmartHub WWW Wu Gow wh gam oa ee y Mi 1 7 Christmas Board of Directors PRSRT STD U S Postage PAID DPC Roger Hegland Beth Olson Don Petersen Jeffrey Redal
25. nd 500 off any Econar or WaterFurnace ground source heat pump Heartland Security 888 264 6380 Rushford MN Heartland Security is owned by 14 electric cooperatives including TEC in central and southern Minnesota and northern lowa Heartland Security installs residential commercial and agricultural alarm systems The company also installs home medical monitoring systems Receive 2 months free monitoring with the purchase of a base security system TEC members can take advantage of this offer in addition to other Heartland Security promotions Reliable Pest Management LLC 877 864 8115 Rushford MN Choose us for your general pest and wildlife control First time customers can receive 5 off services If you are already an existing preferred customer receive a 3 discount Ross Himlie Photography 507 864 2484 Rushford MN Whatever the occasion you can expect more from Ross Himlie Photography More options more great pictures and more memories to treasure in years to come Receive a 25 credit with your order of 200 or more Rushford Chiropractic Clinic 507 864 8888 Rushford MN With over 20 years of experience in treating patients from newborn to over 100 years young Dr David Hinz is trained to know what problems can be treated with therapy and chiropractic adjustments and what clinic presentations need to be referred to another health care practitioner Come in for a chiropractic treatment at Rushford Chiropra
26. ng are available Receive 5 off any massage sauna or tanning packages or fitness training fees Capture It In Steel 507 208 5759 Rushford MN Unique quality steel products custom made just for YOU Ideas are limitless with indoor and outdoor weather resistant steel products including decorative fire pit Surrounds custom frames garden stakes and wall hangings Receive 10 off any decorative metal art purchase Featherstone Farm 507 864 2400 Rushford MN Featherstone Farm is a 360 acre organic vegetable farm located in Rushford Village Minn Owner Jack Hedin has been growing organic vegetables in the community since relocating here with his family in 1994 Featherstone Farm offers summer and winter community supported agriculture CSA shares to customers in Rushford Winona La Crosse Rochester and the Twin Cities area Mention your Co op Connections card to receive 15 off any CSA share This is for NEW MEMBERS ONLY G S Woxland Co Inc 507 864 2245 Rushford MN G S Woxland Co has been serving Rushford and its Surrounding area for more than 100 years Their plumbing and heating business carries a time honored tradition of Quality First Service Always Brands include Lennox Goodman Econar and WaterFurnace G S Woxland is offering the following discounts 50 off any Energy Star air conditioner with a SEER rating of 14 or above 100 off any Energy Star air to air heat pump with a SEER rating of 14 or above a
27. ome For example all electric Space heaters cont on Page 7 First convert watts to kilowatts T COO watts kilowatts Next calculate the operating cost x 105 cost per cost of operation operation kilowatt hour A few solar units remain wT 3 TEC s community solar array Renewable Rays has just 28 units remaining Participation is limited to members of the cooperative Renewable Rays consists of es 180 units that are 410 watts each Members taking part in the project purchase the energy output of the units while TEC owns operates maintains and provides p insurance for the duration of the program which is 20 years Begining on September 1 2014 the remaining units are discounted each month until the project is fully subscribed This will allow all participants to be on the same Re n ewab e f 20 year time frame The original price per unit was 1 400 for December it is now SM j 1 376 For additional details visit www tec coop or contact Ted Kjos TEC s vice president of Z x marketing and external relations by phone at 1 800 432 2285 or by email at tkjos Foy e O tec coop Cr of Coopera Space heaters cont from Page 6 eparehieaters sroduce Ware E ty ii Ni y ii t L lJ 1 i i ij i unit of electricity consumed meaning they are 100 percent energy efficient Those that use natural BOARD REPORT HIGHLIGHTS FROM JOINT MEETING WITH HAWKEYE REC HELD NOVEMBER 24 2014 e
28. tages tab From there you have two options for viewing the map select view on PC or view on mobile device If you hover or click on the substation area it will display the number of power outages you go you expect it to follow And it does It s there because your electric co op is here Learn more about the power of your co op membership at TogetherWeSave com See C TRIC wa OOP Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative mx TOGETHERWESAVE COM December 2014 Light Conversation Page 11 TRI COUNTY ELECTRIC MEP COOPERATIVE Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative KE D 31110 Cooperative Way PO Box 626 Rushford MN 55971 Light Conversation is the official member publication of Tri County Electric Cooperative and focuses on our members programs and events All story ideas and comments are welcome GENERAL INFORMATION Office NOUIS cciccncsncese 7 30am 4pm Monday Friday STC DINOING sve snicteteiuidensddaonndljooadiaeeatineeds 507 864 7783 800 432 2285 Automated account payment system 877 853 6517 Digging amp line location irsvcacecs ance sucidsezeniensctdenatoncsane 811 WEDS cersanit www tec coop A E TET TriCountyElectricCooperativeMN w cecestsc ndentssssaccolentgasteisodlanevsvcatwecsvanstossets TEC_MN AANEEN TriCountyElectric MANAGEMENT STAFF Brian AVAIMDCCN sxissscccniscatesnaidecnsduneceade President CEO Kaye Bernard sige cccesessecsscacadocadennesacss Vice President of Finance amp Ad
29. used to balance the demand for electricity with the ability to generate or economically purchase electricity Dairyland and its member cooperatives save money by deferring the need to construct additional power plants or purchase expensive power during periods of high demand CONTROLLING FOR CAPACITY AND ECONOMICS The difference today is that Dairyland relies on load management resources for more than peak load reduction since joining the Midcontinent Independent System Operator MISO as a transmission owning member in June 2010 Load Management is now also used as an economic tool to reduce wholesale energy costs to the benefit of cooperative members Prior to joining MISO Dairyland produced power from its own generating facilities or purchased energy directly from a neighboring utility to provide the needed electricity for its member cooperatives By joining MISO Dairyland s generation resources are now offered into the wholesale energy market and are affected by the electricity used and produced across the region All generation is dispatched into the MISO market for regional requirements and sold to MISO based on market prices Similarly all of Dairyland s load requirements are purchased from MISO at market prices Dairyland now needs to plan differently and make changes in both operating its power plants and marketing the energy Simply put Dairyland cannot just dispatch power from for example its facility in Genoa Wis
30. y 800 657 7025 Lanesboro MN The Commonweal Theatre provides a live professional theatre experience The Commonweal Theatre is located in the historic town of Lanesboro in the heart of southeastern Minnesota s beautiful bluff country Receive 5 off the regular ticket price May not be used with any other discount offer Huntington Electric 507 467 2348 Lanesboro MN Electrical contractor 25 off any service over 100 R amp M Amish Tours 507 467 2128 Lanesboro MN As you take a step back in time you will visit a variety of Amish farms Your guide will describe Amish society as you visit each farm and talk to the families Receive a free 2 hour hybrid bike rental at the Little River General Store with a purchase of a tour ticket from R amp M Amish Tours Stone Mill Hotel amp Suites 507 467 8663 Lanesboro MN Stone Mill Hotel amp Suites at the lovingly restored Lanesboro FEED MILL offers a variety of premier accommodations that are relaxing comfortable and amenity rich All accommodation choices are peaceful convenient and truly offer a unique lodging experience Receive a FREE inn tour Also 10 off your room rate for stays Sundays Thursdays year round and during off peak weekends November the weekend before Memorial Day Rushford Abundant Life Fitness amp Massage LLC 507 864 5433 Rushford MN Massage therapies infrared saunas tanning beds fitness center with cardio strength and circuit traini
31. y the many members of Tri County Electric Cooperative for their voluntary support of your cooperative s Operation Round Up Program By rounding up your monthly electric bill to the next dollar amount the small change makes a big difference to the local food shelves local non profits and so many special community projects Thank you to the Operation Round Up Board of Directors James Wieser of Hokah president Tom Tibor of Minnesota City vice president Annette Kiehne of Harmony secretary treasurer John Bronk of Winona Mary George of Houston Miriam Harstad of Harmony and Skip Hrejsa of Brownsville I would encourage all members of TEC to participate in this GREAT program It s simple easy and costs just a few cents a month to participate Have a safe and festive holiday season and thanks for your continued support of your electric cooperative As always I welcome your calls emails and personal visits Balancing supply and demand New load management strategies benefit members Dairyland Power Cooperative is TEC s wholesale power supplier providing our cooperative with the electricity required to meet the needs of your homes farms and businesses Traditionally Dairyland s Load Management Program functioned to reduce energy consumption during periods of peak demand mainly as a way to reliably meet energy needs while curbing costs In essence that original goal still stands Load Management remains a tool
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