Rural Electric Nebraskan - 09/16

September 2016

Healing Horses Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy pairs special needs children with horses

ENERGY FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW We’re a part of your community. At Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, we support your local cooperative or public power district and many rural areas across western Nebraska. When we’re united by the spirit of cooperation, we ensure a successful future for rural America.

TRISTATE.COOP

Contents Volume 70, Number 9, September 2016

“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”

Staff

Editor Wayne Price

Editorial Assistant Tina Schweitzer Published by the

Visit us at www.nrea.org General Manager Troy Bredenkamp

President David Keener, Niobrara Electric Association, Inc. Vice President/Secretary Butch Gray, Cornhusker Public Power District

Treasurer Greg Weidner, Elkhorn Rural Public Power District

Published monthly by the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln, Nebraska 68501, (402) 475-4988.

Advertising in the Rural Electric Nebraskan does not imply endorsement for products by the Nebraska Rural Electric Association.

Correspondence should be sent to Wayne Price, Editor, Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

The Rural Electric Nebraskan is printed by the Aradius Group, 4700 F Street, Omaha, NE 68117.

Form 3579 should be sent to the Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Neb. POSTMASTER: send address changes to the Rural Electric Nebraskan, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

Publication numbers are USPS 071-630 and ISSN 0193-4937.

Rates: $10 for one year; $15 for two years; $20 for three years, plus local and state tax.

September 2016

Features

Healing Horses

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Kathy Gatch and her band of volunteers at the Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy have been treating special needs children with the help of horses for nearly 20 years. Riders perform many different activities during each session that help develop hand-eye coordination, balance and fine motor skills.

A Frontier in the Dark

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In the 1930s the life-changing power of electricity was available to many urban areas, however, most of rural America remained unserved because investor-owned utilities did not believe it was economically feasible to provide service in rural areas. Discover how federal legislation was passed to spur on the development of public power.

Departments

GUEST EDITORIAL

4

SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy

16

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by Pat Keegan

18

RECIPES

20

MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS

22

On the cover The Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy, near Gering, Neb., pairs special needs children with horses for a unique form of therapy. See the related story on page 6. Photograph by Wayne Price

3

Cause and Effect of Public Policy GUEST EDITORIAL

cause is WHY something happens. An effect is WHAT happens. It is only natural for people to tailor their actions (or causes) to have a desired outcome (or effect) they are looking for. The public policy arena is no different, and in more and more examples, we are beginning to see what happens when public policy with regard to electricity generation doesn’t necessarily match today’s reality.

The Obama Administration has made every effort to mold public policy in a way that will lead to substantial decrease in fossil fuel electric generation and a significant increase in renewable electric generation. Between their strong support for the continuation of wind and solar production tax credits, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan – a push to substantially decrease the amount of electric generation from coal-based resources, the Obama Administration has driven public policy in a way that will likely change how this country will produce electricity from this time forward.

The federal policies set up by this administration are certainly working – the proof is all around us. According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind energy capacity nationwide now exceeds 61,000 megawatts (MW) – a 140 percent increase in just the last five years. Meanwhile, the Washington Times recently reported that coal-fired generation capacity fell by a massive 23 gigawatts between the end of 2014 and 2016. This was the highest annual percentage decrease of any fossil fuel in the past 50 years, and significantly higher than the 4.7 gigawatt originally estimated by the EPA when the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard was originally adopted.

The effects of our current public policy now being realized are significant. The cause is simple economics. With a federal renewable production tax credit of $23/megawatt-hour, intermittent energy

A Troy Bredenkamp NREA General Manager

4

resources are guaranteed to generate some monetary benefit, even when the energy sector is over-producing and market prices are zero or even in a negative pricing situation. The baseload generation asset like a nuclear or coal plant, on the other hand, must keep running (even at a loss) in order to maintain our electric system’s reliability, regardless of the market conditions.

While electrons are all the same, electric generation resources are not. There is no adjustment in the marketplace to account for electrons from baseload generation resources that maintain the system’s collective reliability, and those electrons from intermittent resources such as wind and solar, and these “cause and effect” dots are beginning to be connected.

In June, Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) announced their board’s unanimous decision to permanently close the Ft. Calhoun Nuclear Station, the smallest nuclear power plant in the nation at 478 MWs. While several factors went into a tough decision like this, the changing marketplace for baseload generation resources certainly played a role.

More “cause and effect” proof comes from Anda Ray, Senior VP with Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). In a recent presentation, Ray described that the overabundance of intermittent generation resources (primarily wind and solar) has indeed placed significant pressure on baseload generation and in particular the nuclear sector.

The concern, she said, is that if a significant portion of our nuclear energy resources cannot survive the current marketplace, then it will not be around to help achieve the carbon reductions set forth in the United Nation’s Paris Climate Agreement.

One of the most significant policy “cause and effect” examples was recently published by none other than the New York Times. In a recent article, the “paper More on Page 8

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Healing Horses Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy provides riding therapy for special needs children

Above: Kathy Gatch started the academy in 1998.

Right: Instructor Jocelyn Bruner tosses a ball to a rider.

Center: Volunteers help get a rider onto his horse.

Far right: Riders perform activities on horseback to develop balance, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

reating special needs children with the help of horses has been the goal of Kathy Gatch and her band of volunteers at the Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy for nearly 20 years. Gatch has been leading the riding academy located near Gering, Neb. since 1998.

Gatch, a certified therapeutic riding instructor, along with her trained volunteers work with the riders to help them learn the basics of horse care and riding skills. The riders are paired with a horse and Gatch tries to make sure they get the same horse each week to help foster a bond.

“Animals in general are therapeutic,” she said. “We try to have the kids riding three times a week.”

During a session a rider works with an instructor, along with three additional volunteers -- one who leads the horse, and two others, called side walkers, who walk along side and keep the rider positioned on the saddle. The riders perform many different activities during each

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session that help develop hand-eye coordination, balance and fine motor skills. Riding also stimulates circulation and increases the amount of oxygen and blood to the brain and muscles, Gatch said.

“We play a lot of games using balls, rings, and boxes,” she said. “They don’t even know they’re working on balance, hand-eye coordination, or fine motor skills because they’re having fun.”

Sessions for children over five years old last an hour and younger children participate in half hour sessions. Gatch uses a reward system with riders selecting a prize at the end of a session from a colored box hanging at the edge of the arena.

The children that come to the Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy are living with some form of special need, ranging from being blind or deaf, having Down Syndrome or autism or they have lost a parent and are struggling to get back on track, she said. They come from small towns

Rural Electric Nebraskan

throughout the panhandle of Nebraska and eastern Wyoming.

Jocelyn Bruner, a student at Chadron State College, has been working as an instructor at the academy for a couple years. She started out as a volunteer when she was a sophomore at Scottsbluff High School. She is working towards earning her special education teaching degree.

Makinzie Gregory, a junior at Gering High School, also serves as an instructor at the academy.

Volunteers are instrumental in helping riders meet their goals. Since the academy is a 501c3 nonprofit program it relies on donations and volunteers. Gatch said she has as many as 100 volunteers that have been trained to help at the academy. Most are from the area but some have come from Wyoming and South Dakota to help. There are even some volunteers that were riders themselves when they were younger.

The academy is a seasonal operation, with the summer

September 2016

season just wrapping up in July. Gatch said the fall session will continue each Saturday through the end of September.

There were 71 riders that participated in sessions this year, she said. Some years they have had as many as 150 riders.

Gatch works with local service organizations to raise sponsorships for riders who need financial assistance.

These organizations include Leadership Scottsbluff, Soroptimist International of Scotts Bluff County, the United Way, the Kiwanis Club, and the Shriners. She even has a fundraiser with Pizza Hut where she receives a portion of the day’s proceeds.

Gatch began learning about therapy after her son Rick was injured in a car accident during his senior year at Gering High School. As a result of her son’s accident, Gatch became directly involved in his recovery and therapy.

Today, Rick lives just down the road from his parent’s house.

7

Cause & effect From page 4 of record” reported that perhaps the swift push for more renewable energy has blown the goals of climate change proponents off course. The article highlighted the

currently being challenges experienced in Germany. For years, Germany was Europe’s champion for renewable energy, moving faster and further than any other country and had set the aggressive goal of ending all coal-fired generation. In 2016, Germany eliminated the subsidies for solar and wind power and put a ceiling on additional

The average Nebraska homeowner pays aboutt $3.56 to keep the lights on, the appliances running, and the room temperature perfect for Ϯϰ ŚŽƵƌƐ͘ ĚƌŝǀĞͲƚŚƌƵ ŵĞĂů ĐŽƐƚƐ ŵŽƌĞ ƚŚĂŶ ƚŚĂƚ͘ īŽƌĚĂďůĞ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ĐŽƐƚƐ ďĞŶĞĮƚƐ ĞǀĞƌLJďŽĚLJ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĂƚ ͛Ɛ ǁŚĂƚ ƉƵďůŝĐ ƉŽǁĞƌ ŝƐ Ăůů ĂďŽƵƚ͘

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renewable capacity. The article went on to report that instead of eliminating coal-fired generation altogether, Germany will pay billions to keep the remaining coal generation in reserve - to provide power at times when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine.

The article stated that renewables have hit a snag even in the United States, where intermittent renewable resources are producing temporary power gluts, resulting in driving other energy sources out of business – sources that are still necessary to maintain a stable and reliable supply of power.

The article concludes that a loss of more nuclear generation and displacing it with intermittent renewable resources clearly makes the battle against climate change much more difficult. The question that policy makers are beginning to ask: “will we wind up like Germany; needing to subsidize baseload generation resources just to make sure we can keep everyone’s power on?” A better question might be: “do we want to end up where Germany finds itself?”

There is no doubt that the electric utility complex is going through major changes.

Many industry experts say that there will be more changes in the next 15 years than what has transpired in the last 50 years from an electrical standpoint.

While it is important to recognize that change is on the way, it is equally important that public policy reflects the realities of the world we live in today. Today’s reality is that until there is a major breakthrough in the battery storage of electricity, existing baseload generation resources are vital to our ability to maintain affordable and reliable electricity for everyone and must be recognized as such.

Those responsible for setting public policy in this country must realize this reality and adjust public policy toward electricity generation accordingly before irreparable damage is done.

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We’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland.

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t’ss one of the most o opular sports in h world in terms of he l layer numbers. T Table able e ennis, otherwise n nown as ping o ong, is morree of a recrreational sport in the United States, but ha as become a major competition iin other parts of the world.

So what doess ping pong have to do with enerrgy? g The back and gy? forth naturree of o the game seems to describe the diversity of opinions and strategiees used to compete in wholesale enerrgy gy markets and meet currrent ent and prroposed oposed enerrgy gy policies. li i

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s a pperson who o has worked in the electric utilityy industryy for nearly four deccades, I have witnessed a lott of twists and turns when it comes to which power sources are preferred when producing enerrgy gy for customers. c In the next few years, yeears, NPPD expects to EHFRPH WKH ¿UVW XWLOLW\ LQ WKH FRXQWU\ WR SURGXFH HQHUJ\ IURP K\GURJHQ D FOHDQ HQHUJ\ UHVRXUFH UHSODFLQJ RQH FRDO ¿UHG XQLW DW 6KHOGRQ 6WDWLRQ near Hallam, Neb. By the end of 2016, wee also will be the only utilityy with an operating QXFOHDU SODQW LQ WKH VWDWH &RRSHU 1XFOHDU 6WDWLRQ KDV KDG LWV VKDUH RI ups andd downs, d b t tod but t day d it is operating better thann ever. The Th plant, l t which is NPPD’s larrgest gest source of carbon-free enerrrgy gy, was named RQH RI WKH WRS EHVW SHUIRUPLQJ SODQWV ZLWKLQ WKH 6RXWKZHVW 3RZHU Pool, and was recently given an excellence rating by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operatiions. It’s fair to say expectations ions are high among FXVWRPHUV WR RSHUDWH &RRSHU DV HI¿FLHQWO\ DV SRVVLEOH

So, what do we need to achieve on an ongoing basis to ensure Cooper p r Nuclear Station remaains a viable asset among NPP PD’s generation mix?

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Cooper must perform in i the top decile of the industry try. Chief Nuclear 2I¿FHU &KULV %DNNHQ RI (QWHUJ\ 1XFOHDU &RUSRUDWLRQ YLVLWHG WKH SODQW in June and noted Coop per was the best performing plant he had toured to date and encouraged d the plant to be a lighthousee for other nuclear stations. I believe they are. At the time this publication ation was printed, Cooper p had pproduced more m than six million megawatt-hours g watt-hours in its 425 days of continuouss operation, accounting for 98.7 percent of the maximum potential eneerrgy gy it can in a year. This alo one is proof of its importance to reliabilitty and NPPD operations.

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This is an exp pectation not only from our regulators, r but our customerss, who in 2004 supported relicensing the plant until 203 34. Our neighbors and emplo oyees expect us to always protect p themselves and their families while generating eleectricity. Having a good strattegy is the only way to operatee Cooper – we literally cann not affford ford to get behind in safeety protocol or federal regulaatory standards.

2XU HIIRUWV DQG ZRUN HWKLF PXVW DOZD\V UHÀHFW WKLV commitment, andd in my opinion, they do. In facct, on June 27, INPO deteermined Cooper ’s performaance

to be exccellent after its evaluation off the plant. Cooper is now reco ognized as one of the top performing rforming plants in the 8 6 DQG , H[SHFW XV WR FRQWLQXH thiss trajectory of success.

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I’ve said d it once, and I’ll say it again: n: We must ensure Cooper ’s operating costs bring long--term value to NPPD’s FXVWRPHUV :H¶YH PDGH VLJQL¿FDQW LPSURYHPHQWV RYHU the past few years in fuel costs for urranium, enrichment and fuel fabrication, yet there is still progress to be made.

Fuel diversity remains as critical as ever as uranium, coal DQG QDWXUDO JDV SULFHV ÀXFWXDWH )LQDQFLDO SHUIRUPDQFH is a top priority p at Cooperr, r, especiallyy as we approach the facility’s upcoming fall refueling ng outage.

NUCLEAR R ENERGY CRITICAL L TO CARBON-FREE E RESOURCE MIX Did you know nucleear energy accounts for 60 percent of all carbon-free energy produced in thee U.S. today? NPPD’s carbon-free genneration mix which includes wind, hydro and nuuclear powerr,, is 10 percent better thann the state average and 12 percent more re favorable than the national avearge. e. Conversion of Sheldon 6WDWLRQ 8QLW WR K\GURJHQ LQ WKH IXWXUH ZLOO KHOS XV UHDFK WKH KDOI ZD\ SRLQW RU PRUH WKDQ DSSUR[LPDWHO\ SHUFHQW FDUERQ IUUHH $V QXFOHDU SODQWV ¿JKW WR VWD\ UHOHYDQW LQ D ZRUOG RI ÀXFWXDWLQJ HQHUJ\ FRVWV LQFUHDVLQJ HQYLURQPHQWDO UHJXODWLRQV DQG JURZLQJ SXEOLF LQWHUHVW LQ UHQHZDEOHV WKH YDOXH RI &RRSHU FDQQRW EH underestimated. Nuclear energy is no doubt a key contributor butor to reaching a cleaner energy future. ure.

2015 N NPPD Energy Generattion Resources

Nebraska Cu ustomers & Market Sales

2014 Nebraska Generation Resourc ces

2015 U..S. Energy Generation Resources

Source: EIA

Souurce: EIA

36%

34 4%

4 46%

CA ARBONF FREE

Gas/Oil Purchases Hydro H 1.0% 4.7% 5.9%

Wind 6.2%*

Nuclear 33.8%

* Prior to salee of environmental attributes.

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Coal 48.4%

Gas/Oil 1.0%

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Nuclear 26%

Coal 63.0%

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Hydro Nuclear Natural Coal 6.0% 20.0% Gas 33.0% 33.0%

A Frontier in the Dark

Timeline 1886

1926 The City of Crete established the first cityowned power plant in Nebraska in 1886.

1933 By the late 1920’s, Nebraska had the largest number of municipally owned light and power plants of any state in the U.S. In 1926 only 2,500 farms had electricity.

The Ne ir en 1 B Pr Roo Elect

Nebraska is the only state in the United States served entirely by an electric pow own citizens. There has not been a single privately-owned electric utility company 12

Rural Electric Nebraskan

ural Nebraska in the 1930s was a landscape dotted with small towns and farmsteads that unfortunately, were living in the dark. While the lifechanging power of electricity was available to many urban areas, most of rural America remained unserved because investor-owned utilities did not believe it was economically feasible to provide service in rural areas.

Recognizing the need to provide electricity to the nation, federal legislation was passed to spur on the development of public power.

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Nebraska Enables Public Power In Nebraska, electricity was needed to develop the agricultural economy through the use of irrigation. While several irrigation districts were formed in Nebraska in the early 30s they did not have funding to move forward until the U.S. Congress passed the Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act in 1932 that provided a source of funding for the fledgling irrigation districts. In 1933 the Nebraska Legislature took advantage of this Act and passed Senate File 310 authorizing public power and irrigation districts to be formed as public corporations and political subdivisions of the state. This legislation paved the way for two of Nebraska’s more recognizable traits, irrigation and public power.

1935

Enabling Act for ebraska public power and rigation districts was nacted into law on April 8, 1933 by Gov. Charles Bryan. On May 11, 1935, resident Franklin D. osevelt signed the Rural trification Act into law.

The Nebraska Rural Electric Association was formed on October 26, 1935, at a meeting in Lincoln. It represented ten rural districts.

wer system which is owned and operated by its y in Nebraska since 1945.

September 2016

Norris Enlightens Rural America It was 1936 when the U.S. Congress, led by Nebraska Senator George Norris, passed the Rural Electrification Act. This act stipulated that power generation and delivery systems were to be owned by the public for the public good. While criticized by many as being socialistic, Norris believed that public power represented a way to ensure that every citizen was provided with reliable service at a reasonable price. Norris viewed every stream in America as a way to deliver reliable electricity to the nation.

Today, Nebraska is the only state in America that is totally served by public power and it is paying dividends. Nebraska residents have reliable electricity with some of the lowest rates in the nation. In addition, control of this public asset is maintained at the local level. Local people, making decisions on behalf of their neighbors. That’s what public power is about in Nebraska.

Photographs courtesy of NRECA

13

Energy-saving technologies for the home

by Brian Sloboda

hat does the home of the future look like to you?

Perhaps the home of George and Jane Jetson comes to mind, where dinner and laundry are taken care of with the mere press of a button.

Today, the average home may not quite be “Jetsons-esque,” but household appliances are becoming smarter and more energy efficient than ever before. A growing number of appliances now connect to the Internet and offer new capabilities.

In many cases, purchasing a new television, refrigerator or other large appliance will result in lower energy use, assuming you properly dispose of the old appliance. Many of these smart appliances offer features aimed at comfort, convenience and sometimes, energy savings.

Manufacturers are adding

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communication modules inside many appliances, which often use Wi-Fi to communicate simple messages to a home’s wireless network. The messages vary from device to device, but typically include energy usage information, power control and thermostat settings. Efficiency-savvy consumers can potentially save energy and money using one of these systems.

The bulk of the savings will come from the ability to remotely control your air conditioning system’s thermostat. Studies have shown that consumers generally do not program their programmable thermostat, but smart phone apps associated with Internet-enabled thermostats are often easier to use. These thermostats can also learn your daily routine by sensing when you are away from home and adjusting your thermostat to save energy and money.

There are many devices you can install in your home’s electric panel

that can educate you on the energy consumption of various appliances.

These in-home monitoring devices provide more information to consumers about their household energy costs and have been shown to help people reduce their energy consumption. One study of 36 energy feedback programs concluded that when presented with information on energy consumption, consumers reduce their home energy use by an average of 4 to 12 percent.

Consumers should note that in-home monitoring devices should be installed by a licensed and qualified electrician.

Technology by itself will not save a significant amount of energy, but other activities, such as weather sealing and turning off lights when not in use, will save significant amounts of energy and money.

Technology has an important role to play, but the key will be finding the right mix of technologies that fit your lifestyle and budget.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

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It’s Better

Don’t forget electrical safety during harvest season SAFETY BRIEFS

arvest season is one of the most satisfying times of the year on the farm. It’s the culmination of many long hours of effort in raising crops. However, the long grueling hours in the field can make workers weary and prone to forget safety precautions that can prevent serious or fatal electrical injuries.

Farm operators, family members, and employees need to beware of overhead power lines, keep farm equipment safely away, and know what to do if accidental contact is made with power lines.

“Looking up and around when working in the fields this harvest season is important,” explained NPPD Transmission and Distribution Manager Joel Dagerman. “Taking a few minutes to look for overhead electric lines may be life-saving time well spent.

Unfortunately we saw an increase of situations involving farm equipment this past spring becoming entangled in power lines.”

Every year, an average of 62 farm workers are electrocuted in the United States and many more are

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injured, according to Labor Department statistics.

“Failure to notice overhead power lines can be a deadly oversight, especially those in end row areas that can be easily overlooked,” Dagerman said.

End rows are an area where farm equipment can accidentally become entangled in the power lines.

Remaining inside the equipment until help arrives is critical to everyone’s safety. Dagerman said that those involved in harvesting work should understand any contact with power lines carries the potential for a serious or fatal accident.

Electricity can arc to the equipment if it comes close to the line.

“It’s always best to call for help, and wait until the local electric utility arrives to make sure the line is de-energized. If the power line is energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path and electrocution could happen,” he said.

“Even if a power line is on the ground, there is still the potential for the area nearby to be energized unless there’s fire or imminent risk of fire.”

If you must exit, the proper action is to jump – not step – with both feet hitting the ground at the same time.

Jump clear, without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time, and continue to shuffle to safety, keeping both feet together as you leave the area.

“Like the ripples in a pond or lake, the voltage diminishes the farther out it is from the source,” Dagerman pointed out. “Be sure that at no time you or anyone touches the equipment and the ground at the same time.

Never should the operator simply step out of the vehicle. The person must jump clear.”

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Choosing the right insulation for your home our home, depending on its age, generally has one of three types of insulation: material fibers such as fiberglass or rock wool, cellulose, or foam. Each has a different R-value — the rating system for insulation’s effectiveness. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation will prevent heat transfer between indoors and out. Foam has the highest R-value and creates an air barrier, but it’s also the most expensive. Cellulose is behind foam in R-value, followed by fiberglass and rock wool. But if you create an air barrier with fiberglass or cellulose, that increases the R-value.

However, how much insulation and what kind you choose largely depends on where you live and whether you have a newly built home or an existing home you’re looking to retrofit. The right insulation also depends on your payback period.

Here’s a general primer on insulation:

Y

Batts or rolls: These are the fiberglass or rock wool types. They are generally made to fit between wall studs.

Loose fill: Fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose can be blown in, which makes it ideal for attics and other cavities, like walls. Fiberglass and rock wool require an air barrier before insulation installation, which means the cavity needs to be filled with caulk and foam. Cellulose does a better job of blocking air flow by itself.

Rigid foam board: This works for placement against exterior walls and shared walls with attics and must be sealed into place with caulk or foam.

It’s typically more expensive, but good for colder climates.

Foam in place: This foam insulation is sprayed in and is ideal for cracks and gaps, such as spaces around windows and doors. Use lowexpansion foam in these narrow spaces.

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Is a geothermal heat pump right for you?

by Pat Keegan I am planning to replace my Q :current heating system with a geothermal heat pump. It is comparatively pricey to other options, but it seems like an efficient option, and I like the fact that it includes air conditioning. Would a geothermal heat pump be a good choice for me?

In most areas of the U.S., space A :heating and cooling account for a large percentage of overall home energy use, so upgrading to a more efficient HVAC system is a great way to reduce your monthly energy bill. A geothermal heat pump, also known as a ground source heat pump, is among the most efficient types of heating and cooling systems you can consider installing in your home.

Even when it is extremely hot or cold outside, the temperature a few feet below the surface of the ground remains relatively constant and moderate. A geothermal heat pump system uses this constant ground temperature to help heat and cool your home. As a result, geothermal heat pumps are quite efficient. For example, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal heat pumps use up to 44 percent less energy than traditional air-source heat pumps, and up to 72 percent less energy than electric resistance heaters combined with standard air conditioners.

A geothermal heat pump system is made up of three main components: 1. The collector, or loop field, which is in the ground and cycles a liquid, like antifreeze, through dense plastic tubing 2. The heat pump that is in your home 3. The duct system that distributes

18

the heated or cooled air throughout your home.

During the winter, the collector absorbs the heat stored in the ground and the liquid carries that heat to the heat pump, which concentrates it and blows it into the duct work, warming your home. In the summer, the heat pump extracts heat from the home and transfers it to the cooler ground.

The collector that exchanges heating and cooling with the ground can be set up in one of three main ways: • Horizontal system: Plastic tubing is placed in trenches four to six feet below the surface of the ground. This system works well when a home or business has sufficient available land, as these systems may require up to 400 feet of trenches to be dug.

• Vertical system: If the site does not have sufficient space for a horizontal system, a collector can be placed vertically. In this system, a drill digs 100 to 400 feet below the surface and places the tubing. This system can be more costly than a horizontal system, but will have less

impact on any existing landscaping and can be used on smaller lots.

• Pond system: If a home has access to a pond or lake, a pond system (also known as a water source heat pump) may be possible. The loop field is connected to the heat pump and then placed at least eight feet below the surface of the water. If a homeowner has access to a pond that is sufficiently wide and deep, this option can be the lowest cost.

Geothermal systems typically cost more than other heating systems, largely because of the collector and the associated digging or drilling, but their high efficiency can help reduce the payback time. The cost will vary based on whether new ductwork is needed and the type of collector you install, among other factors. However, there are incentives available for those who install qualified geothermal heat pumps. Most notably, there is a 30 percent federal tax credit for installing an Energy Star-rated system before the end of 2016—so, if your system and installation cost $20,000, you could take $6,000 directly off your federal tax bill. Some states also offer tax incentives, and your public power district or electric co-op may offer rebates or financing to help you pay for the system.

For those with high energy bills resulting from heating and cooling, an efficient geothermal system is a good option to consider. In addition, those building new homes should consider at the outset whether to install a geothermal heat pump. With new construction, the system can be included in the mortgage and installing it before the home is completed means no disruption to your landscaping.

Talk with a qualified energy auditor who can help you evaluate the different heating and cooling options that would be best for your home.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

What you don’t know about Walk-In Tubs can hurt you.

The Walk-In Tub reinvented…

by Jacuzzi Inc. Myth #1- Walk-In Tubs are only for safety. While having a door on your tub can prevent bathroom falls, a great Walk-In Tub does so much more. Only Jacuzzi® Walk-In Tubs feature the patented PointPro® jets that provide the optimum mix of water and air to provide strong yet gentle hydrotherapy.

Myth #3- You have to pay for extra features. Most Walk-In Tubs are base models, and as you tack on extra features the price goes up… a lot. Jacuzzi® Walk-In Tubs come standard with Air and Water Jets, Color Light Therapy, Aromatherapy, FastFill™ and FastDrain™ Technology and the only foot massage jets on the market.

All for one low price.

Myth #4- Walk-In Tubs are expensive.

Moving into an Assisted Living Facility is expensive. So is a broken hip. Jacuzzi® Walk-In Tubs are a great investment and can even increase the value of your home.

Quality craftsmanship and innovative design are worth every penny.

Myth #5- All Walk-In Tubs are the same.

They aren’t. And only one of them is made by the company that’s known worldwide for its bathtubs- the company that practically invented hydrotherapy.

Now that you know a little bit more about Walk-In Tubs, why not take the next step. Call now for more information on the Walk-In tub that’s revolutionized the bathing industry. Jacuzzi® Walk-In Tub… there’s only one.

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Myth #2- Walk-In Tubs make you wait a long time while they fill and drain. Most do, but the innovative engineers at Jacuzzi Inc. have spent years perfecting the FastFill™ and FastDrain™ Technology that enables you to spend more time bathing and less time waiting.

Down Home Recipes

Pledge to pack a healthier lunchbox f good eating habits have fallen by the wayside during the summer break, you can kick off this school year right by pledging to guide your family toward healthier lunches.

“Back to school is a great time for families to make a healthy resolution they can carry on through the duration of the school year,” said Trish James, vice president, Produce for Kids. “As a mom of two boys, I understand the challenges parents face when packing a healthy, nutritious lunch for their children and for themselves. The Power Your Lunchbox Pledge was designed to help families tackle this universal challenge.”

The initiative gives parents tools and tips – such as this time-saving make-ahead pizza pocket recipe – to achieve a great start for back to school, while giving back to children in need. Every online pledge results in a $1 donation to Feeding America programs that support families and children.

I

Freezable Pizza Pockets 1 1/2 1 1 1/2 2 1 3/4

3/4 1/3 1/2 16 4 4

cups all-purpose flour teaspoon quick rise yeast teaspoon sugar teaspoon salt tablespoons olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon, divided cup slightly warm water cup uncooked oat bran hot cereal cup whole-wheat flour cup no-salt-added tomato sauce cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese slices pepperoni, quartered mushrooms, sliced mini sweet peppers, sliced

In stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine all-purpose flour, yeast, sugar and salt. With motor running, add 2 tablespoons oil and warm water. Switch paddle attachment to dough hook. Add oat bran and mix until combined. Add whole-wheat flour a little at a time and stop when slightly sticky ball forms. Continue to run mixer 1

20

minute. Brush ball of dough with remaining olive oil, cover with plastic wrap and place somewhere warm to rise 1 hour.

Heat oven to 450 F. Spray large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Punch down dough. Dust counter lightly with flour. Roll out half of dough to 1/4-inch thick, dusting with more flour if too sticky. Use 4-inch round cookie cutter to cut rounds.

Spoon 1 teaspoon tomato sauce into middle of each round. Add 1/2 tablespoon cheese, 4 quarters of pepperoni, mushroom slice and 2 pepper rings. Moisten edges of dough with water. Fold dough over filling and press to seal. Use fork tines to crimp and further seal edges.

Place pizza pockets on baking sheet and poke top of each with fork.

Bake 15 minutes, or until tops are browned (some cheese may leak out).

Once cool, freeze in single layer on baking sheet. Once frozen, wrap individually in plastic wrap and transfer to freezer bag.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Reader Submitted Recipes

4 4 1/4 1/4

Two-Minute Apple Tart 1 refrigerated ready-to-use pie crust 1 pound apples, cored and sliced 2 tablespoons cold butter 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon Heat oven to 425 F. Remove pie crust from refrigerator and warm to room temperature, about 15-20 minutes. Unroll crust and place it on large baking sheet.

Arrange sliced apples on crust, leaving about two inches of space around edge.

Chop cold butter into small bits and scatter over apples. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples. Fold two-inch section of open pie crust over apples – this will not cover apples, but contain them inside crust.

Bake 20-25 minutes until crust is golden brown and apples are just soft.

Crockpot Apple Butter

Apples – peeled, cored and finely chopped cups sugar or less teaspoons cinnamon teaspoon cloves teaspoon salt

Fill crockpot heaping full of chopped apples. Lid may not fit at start, but apples shrink as they cook. Drizzle sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt over apples. (Sweet apples require less sugar.) Cover and cook on high for one hour, then lower heat and cook all day until thick and dark in color. Stir occasionally. When done cool and put in jars, leaving room for expansion, then freeze.

Gladys Prokop, Pender, Nebraska

1 1/2 1/2 1 1

Quick Cabbage Burgers

lb. Ground Beef medium Cabbage, shredded large Onion, chopped Pillsbury Flaky Layers Biscuits (8 pack) Egg Salt/Pepper

Brown ground beef. Drain grease. Add onion, salt and pepper and cook until onion is tender. Add cabbage and cover. Cook until cabbage is tender and nearly transparent, stirring occasionally. Lightly flour surface and rolling pin and roll out one biscuit and put a spoonful or two of the beef and cabbage mixture in the middle. Lightly dampen edge of one side and fold over, pressing the ends together tightly. Brush each cabbage burger with egg wash for a wonderful golden brown. Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Amy Bashtovio, Sidney, Nebraska

3 – 2 – 1 Cake

1 box dry Angel Food cake mix 1 box dry cake mix – any flavor

Combine the 2 dry cake mixes in a Ziploc bag, mix well

For each cake take out 3 tablespoons of combined cake mix, put in a microwavable container and add 2 tablespoons water. Stir very well.

Microwave on high for 1 minute and it’s done. Good to eat warm or cold. A quick way to have a ready to eat cake. Mixture can be stored in the bag or in an enclosed container on shelf.

Jenny Bergt, Amherst, Nebraska

September 2016

21

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