July 2022 Highline Notes

HIGHLINE notes July 2022

Service that holds water, page 4 Sounding the alarm on grid reliability, page 6 Driving costs down through impeccable maintenance and precision, page 8

CassCountyElectric.com

July 2022 | Highline Notes 1

CCEC offices will be closed Monday, July 4, for Independence Day

editorial A regional power generation shortfall may lead to controlled outages this summer.

Marshal Albright, Cass County Electric Cooperative president & CEO In 2022, MISO will have 3.2 gigawatts less power capacity than it had in the summer of 2021. This is due mainly to retiring coal plants, according to a report published by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). The region is also expected to experience a slight uptick in demand, putting it at a higher risk than other regions of controlled outages this summer if temperatures spike or generators unexpectedly trip offline.

This summer, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) reported that adequate generation resources might not be available during extreme highdemand periods because of hot weather in the northern regions from Manitoba through North Dakota and Minnesota to Iowa.

Coal plant retirements and a lack of reliable replacement power create a dangerous gap between supply and demand in the MISO system as temperatures rise this summer.

Low water levels may also impact hydropower, and lack of cooling water could limit operations for certain power plants.

Cass County Electric purchases electricity from Minnkota Power Cooperative. Cass is one of eleven distribution cooperatives with an ownership stake in Minnkota Power. Historically, the power grid, managed by MISO, had enough excess capacity to allow for planned and unplanned generation outages. Minnkota does not anticipate generation shortfalls, but unplanned power plant outages, low wind output, transmission congestion, hot weather, and limited excess capacity in MISO could trigger a shortfall.

This summer’s anticipated tight grid conditions are just the tip of the iceberg as the hot weather season approaches. As we look into the future, we will likely see more coal plant retirements, less baseload supply, and more intermittent power sources. The transition away from traditional baseload power plants will potentially lead to dangerous and costly controlled outages this summer and in future years due to hot and cold weather events.

In Texas, this summer’s looming threat has already begun to

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materialize. The region saw a combination of record-breaking heat, record-breaking demand, low wind generation, and six thermal generators’ abrupt failure at once.

Earlier this month, the state’s grid operator was forced to call on customers to conserve power.

The state’s reliability issues highlight a central dilemma in Texas and other parts of the country: ensuring there are enough resources to generate power only solves half the problem. Those power plants must perform reliably. In Texas, it’s not the megawatts on paper that matter; it’s the capacity not showing up that is the the problem. Power plants “not showing up” was a massive part of the energy crisis in Texas in February 2021 when Winter Storm Uri killed an estimated 246 people.

The state’s isolated grid was forced to implement controlled outages for weeks.

Some Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulators and grid operators argue for slowing the transition to cleaner resources to maintain the reliability of the power system. According to Commissioner James Danly, “transmission reform is not the silver bullet some make it out to be. In the minds of some, [the idea] that as long as we get the transmission issue correct, everything will eventually solve itself.”

l

Highline Notes

Content in every issue

10 11 12 13 14 15

programs

impact

tech

safety

recipes

ads

(Editorial continued.)

I can assure you that Minnkota Power will do what they can to ensure you have power. If MISO calls on Minnkota to reduce electricity load, the plan will be to initiate demand response before implementing intermittent controlled outages to keep the grid operational.

supply situation we have not seen in my 35 years at Cass County Electric. More information on the power supply is included on pages 6 adn 7 of this issue of the Highline Notes.

(Some comments in the editorial were sourced from Politico, By Catherine Morehouse 05/31/2022.)

This editorial aims to inform our members of a critical regional power

BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - MAY 2022 The Cass County Electric Board of Directors met in person on May 31, 2022, and discussed the following topics: • Moved to approve the May 2022 consent agenda of the regular board meeting consisting of minutes, monthly department reports, director expense report, 2022 Writeoff Report, and the April Purchased Power Adjustment (PPA).

• President/CEO Marshal Albright gave the President’s Report reporting on updates from meetings and conferences attended.

• Received the April 2022 financial report.

• Received reports from the April and May Minnkota board meetings.

• Moved to approve proposed Kindred Franchise Agreement.

• Moved to approve the May 2022 Capital Credit estate payments.

• Reviewed upcoming meetings and events.

The next board meeting is Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

COLOR CODE FOR UTILITY MARKINGS PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION

SEWER

TELEPHONE & CABLE TV

WATER

GAS-OIL-STEAM TEMPORARY SURVEY MARKINGS

ELECTRIC

RECLAIMED WATER

Volume 80, Number 7

Communications: Jocelyn Lura Hovland Travis Gavin Kaitlyn Hartman

Printer: Forum Communications Printing Board of Directors: Douglas Anderson Sid Berg Kalvin Hoff, Treasurer Terry Kraft, Secretary Wendy Loucks Glenn Mitzel, Vice Chair Thomas J. Seymour Jeff Triebold, Board Chair Paul White Executive Staff: Marshal Albright, President/CEO Jodi Bullinger, VP of Engineering & Operations Paul Matthys, VP of Member & Energy Services Chad Sapa, VP of Corporate Services & CFO Tim Sanden, VP of Information Technology & CIO Highline Notes (USPS 244-740) is published monthly by Cass County Electric Cooperative Inc., 3312 42nd St. S., Suite 200, Fargo, ND 58104. Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, North Dakota 58104, and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Highline Notes 3312 42nd St. S., Suite 200 Fargo, ND 58104 © Copyright Cass County Electric Cooperative 2022. All rights reserved.

Questions: 701-356-4400 800-248-3292 info@kwh.com Call Before You Dig: 800-795-0555 or 811 Cass County Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Information about the cooperative, articles of incorporation, bylaws and more can be found at CassCountyElectric.com.

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July 2022 | Highline Notes 3

Service that holds water CCEC partners with member Barnes Rural Water District to enhance outage communication As manager of the Barnes Rural Water District, Perry Kaupan takes on many roles. When booster stations are needed to maintain water pressure for five counties of homes and farms, he’s an engineer. When water needs to be treated to remove iron and other unnecessary particles, he’s a chemist. When friction loss in a specific water pipe needs to be calculated, he’s a physicist.

Above all, he’s a heart surgeon, making sure vital liquid is flowing where it needs to flow. And when it’s not – it’s his job to find the problem artery, and fast.

“We had about nine people without water on this run of three miles, which is quite a few,” Kaupan said of

an unexpected spring outage near Fort Ransom, N.D. One customer had just returned home from a hospital stay to find no water from the faucet.

Kaupan and his crew were able to find the pipe leak and return water service to the affected families in fewer than 36 hours. But the experience taught him that “outage educator” would need to be the next talent in his repertoire. He called his friends at Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC).

“We want people to know that Barnes Rural Water does not take these things lightly,” Kaupan said. “I wanted to know what Cass County Electric – being like a big brother to us – what they do to be proactive

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with members. So if it happens again, we at Barnes Rural Water can say we take it very seriously and direct customers to our webpage for a list of things they can do to prepare and respond.”

Kaupan spoke to CCEC’s Member Services and Communications teams to learn which outage communication methods used for their 55,000 electric members would translate to his 2,100 water members.

That discussion spurred an effort to provide instant text and email notifications of potential/ongoing water outages and to begin planning for a web-based public outage map.

Barnes Rural Water recently made numerous investments in upgrades

for outage reductions, but outages still happen, no matter what the utility. Educating consumers on having an emergency response plan is just another facet of the investment.

“The key is communication,” said CCEC Business Accounts Manager Chad Brousseau. “Getting people in the mindset of being prepared for an outage, whether it’s on the power or water side. Plan ahead and keep bottled water on hand in case of a water outage. On the power side, have flashlights, a battery radio or a charged cellphone for communications, possibly even a backup generator.”

Mutual goals, mutual tools Barnes Rural Water and CCEC have a history of cooperation. They both serve an expanse of overlapping territory in southeastern North Dakota and actually shared a crew building for a short time in Valley City. But they still share a common

mission of harnessing complex technology and techniques to deliver simple essentials to rural areas – water and electricity.

the generator program can save up to 25% annually.”

Even Kaupan’s system for minimizing water outages is mutually beneficial for both organizations. If the power goes out, Barnes Rural Water’s 10 reservoirs are backed up by emergency fuel generators to keep water running. Those generators are also connected to CCEC’s demand response (off-peak) program. When electric demand rises past generation capacity and power market prices are high, Minnkota Power Cooperative (CCEC’s wholesale power provider) will call on participating diesel and gas generators to reduce electric load to a more manageable level.

Maintaining 1,500 miles of infrastructure carrying an average of 500,000 gallons of water a day takes a lot of capital. But communicating that process also has a cost, in personnel, software and technology.

It’s another area where CCEC can offer savings.

“The benefit for us is that we avoid purchasing power on the wholesale market that can be volatile,” Brousseau explained. “The benefit to Barnes Rural Water is they get rate savings for doing that – members on

CassCountyElectric.com

“And that’s huge,” Kaupan added.

“We can help share this message through our communication channels, because it’s mutually beneficial,” Brousseau said. “People don’t always think about what goes on behind the scenes to make sure the water comes on when you turn on the tap or for the lights to come on when you flip the switch because these services are very reliable. However, outages do occur occasionally and our goal is to encourage people to be prepared with a plan.”

July 2022 | Highline Notes 5

Sounding the alarm on grid reliability North Dakota, Minnesota at risk of power outages this summer

America’s electric grid has become increasingly unstable – and it could begin impacting Minnkota Power Cooperative’s members this summer.

That’s why Minnkota and Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) are joining many of our nation’s grid operators and regulators in sounding the alarm on the vulnerabilities that are affecting power reliability. As the pace of change in the energy industry continues to accelerate, so does the risk of rotating controlled power outages and other extended service interruptions. Minnkota’s eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota service area is no longer immune to the largescale grid challenges that have been experienced in Texas and California in recent years.

As CCEC’s wholesale power provider, Minnkota takes its responsibility to provide reliable, resilient and responsible electricity seriously. The cooperative has more than enough generating capacity to meet the demands of its members through its coal, wind and hydro resources.

But Minnkota does not operate on the grid alone. Utilities across the Upper Midwest are connected through Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). Emergency events experienced in other parts of the MISO region can and do have impacts back into the Minnkota system.

One of the most significant industry issues is the retirement of baseload and dispatchable power plants – including coal, nuclear and natural gas – without adequate replacements. Wind and solar make

up the majority of the new resources being added to the grid, but they are limited by the fact that they are only able to operate intermittently: when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining. While Minnkota supports moving toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, it is not something that can happen with the flip of the switch. It will take decades of planning and unprecedented technology development to achieve significant carbon reduction.

MISO expresses concerns Minnkota is not alone in coming to these conclusions. MISO issued a dire warning in April that it does not have enough reliable power plant capacity on its system to meet its projected peak demand this summer. The result is an increasing risk of power outage events.

Minnkota both buys and sells surplus power in the MISO system. MISO estimates a 1,230-megawatt (MW) shortfall in power plant capacity to meet its reserve margin. For context, one megawatt-hour (MWh) is enough electricity to serve more than 800 homes with an hour’s worth of power.

“Due in large part to decarbonization goals set by our members and the states in our region, our resource fleet is increasingly reliant on intermittent and weather-dependent resources,” said Wayne Schug, vice president of strategy and business development at MISO. “As this trend continues in the future, MISO needs to evolve the grid, our markets, and our operational capabilities, which is just as complex as it sounds.”

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In a recent interview in the Wall Street Journal, MISO CEO John Bear added to this point by saying, “As we move forward, we need to know that when you put a solar panel or a wind turbine up, it’s not the same as a thermal resource.”

MISO’s peak demand for electricity typically occurs in the summer months during the hottest days of the year. The organization is conducting training and exercises to prepare for worst-case scenarios and is also implementing lessons learned and best practices. Likewise, Minnkota’s energy marketing team is working to ensure it’s ready to respond to volatile market and reliability conditions.

NERC issues grim report The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) – the federal regulatory entity responsible for the reliability of the nation’s electric grid – is also expressing concerns heading into the summer season. According to NERC, MISO is in the “high risk” category, and has the potential of “facing capacity shortfalls in its north and central areas during both normal and extreme conditions due to generator retirements and increased demand.”

NERC’s Summer Reliability Assessment notes that reliability challenges are being compounded by evolving demands on the power grid, which has grown increasingly complex as renewable energy assets are added.

“There’s clear, objective, inclusive data indicating that the pace of our grid transformation is a bit out of

Training and education Minnkota’s employees are trained to respond to emergency grid events and continuously work to shield members from the volatility of the grid and markets.

The cooperative also invests significant time in helping member-consumers, lawmakers, business interests and others in the general public understand the challenges the industry faces and the complexity in providing reliable power to the region.

sync with the underlying realities and the physics of the system,” said John Moura, NERC’s director of reliability assessment.

Along with the changing power supply mix, NERC also identified extreme weather conditions, high seasonal demand for electricity, supply chain issues and cybersecurity threats as other risks impacting reliability.

What is Minnkota doing?

While there are challenges, Minnkota supports efforts to reimagine how electricity can be produced, delivered and consumed. But the implementation of these ideas must be met with caution and common sense. After all, there is a lot on the line. A resilient and reliable electric grid that affordably keeps the lights on is the cornerstone of the American economy and our national security. Any missteps in an energy transition of this magnitude can have irreversible consequences.

communities. New technologies are being added to Minnkota’s grid to provide enhanced data and communication capabilities, all in an effort to respond more quickly to issues and improve overall reliability.

Continuous cybersecurity evolution Minnkota continuously works to protect the electric grid from physical and cyber security threats. Energy experts in Minnkota’s Control Center monitor the grid 24 hours a day to ensure the safety of the cooperative’s employees, infrastructure and data.

Maintaining a diverse energy mix Minnkota’s energy portfolio consists of a diverse mix of coal, wind and hydro resources.

Working together, these facilities help ensure 24/7 reliability on the Minnkota system. Coal-based facilities remain the workhorse of the system and are routinely available to produce power during the vast majority of each year.

Strategically utilizing demand response Minnkota has one of the most robust and effective demand response (also called off-peak) programs in the country.

Through the program, Minnkota and its members can temporarily control electric heating, water heating and vehicle charging loads, shifting electrical demand when economical resources are not available.

Upgrading our power delivery systems Minnkota is building, upgrading and replacing the power delivery resources that connect its

So, what can be done? Minnkota is only one of thousands of utilities across the country, but it is taking its own steps to protect itself from power reliability challenges.

Understanding the grid Where you fit into the Minnkota Power Cooperative system

Where MISO fits into the nation’s grids NORTHWEST

SPP

MISO NYISO ISO-NE

Where Minnkota Power Cooperative fits into MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator)

CassCountyElectric.com

PJM CAISO SOUTHEAST

SOUTHWEST ERCOT

July 2022 | Highline Notes 7

driving Costs down through impeccable maintenance and precision

When Cass County Electric Cooperative built its Fargo Service Center in 1996, a long-time need was finally realized: CCEC’s own fleet shop. The same year, Steve Cossette was hired as the fleet supervisor, and in 1997 Darren Andersen came on board as a fleet technician. Now, they bring a combined 80 years of experience to the fleet. They are both ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certified and Master certified in many areas.

Cossette also recently achieved his Life-Time Certified Automotive Fleet Manager status through the NAFA Fleet Management Association. Cossette and Andersen work on everything from chainsaws to hydraulic tool repair to Class 8 trucks.

The fleet consists of 103 total units divided into four classes: power-operated equipment, such as digger

8 Highline Notes | July 2022

derricks, aerials, backhoes, and trenchers; heavyduty trucks; pickups, service trucks; and cars, vans, and SUVs. Over the years, CCEC has tried to replace old vehicles with more efficient vehicles. This includes investing in electric vehicles (EVs).

CCEC has purchased multiple electric vehicles and a hybrid vehicle to add to its fleet. In 2018, CCEC purchased an all-electric Chevy Bolt and a Mitsubishi Outlander, a hybrid vehicle that runs on both gasoline and an electric charge. These vehicles are utilized by CCEC employees and are used as an educational tool. By owning and regularly using electric and hybrid vehicles, CCEC can give members a first-hand look into the operation and upkeep of an electric vehicle. CCEC’s fleet shop does most of the maintenance in-house, although

CassCountyElectric.com

these vehicles require less maintenance than the other fleet vehicles. For example, the Chevy Bolt was driven 9,200 miles before it needed its first maintenance, which was a tire rotation.

Along with the Bolt and Outlander, CCEC also has placed a pre-order for the new Ford-150 Lighting, the electric version of the popular Ford F-150 pick-up.

This pickup truck offers a targeted EPA-estimated range of 320 miles on a full charge with the extended battery life package that CCEC purchased. Along with an impressive battery range, the promises made by Ford about the other capabilities of the truck make for an exciting wait.

The advent of the in-house fleet shop has brought convenience and savings in both time and money. “The fleet department has gained the ability to do everything here. These guys spend the time and know the equipment. They do such a good job of preventative maintenance.

CCEC has the specialized equipment, and our fleet shop has experience, knowledge, and talent to fix them up,” said Jodi Bollinger, vice president of engineering and operations.

When a vehicle needs repair, Cossette and Andersen can fix it and get it back to work. There is less downtime compared to the times when everything was outsourced. The vehicles would have to be out for extended periods, and as a result, jobs would be on hold. This way, the cooperative saves money on labor due to the fast turnaround.

The fleet shop maintains a minimal parts inventory, saving on overhead. The shop only inventories bulk oil, batteries, filters, and shop supplies. All parts are bought from local vendors.

But there are more than just savings in labor costs. CCEC’s fleet shop maintains a meticulous preventative care routine for the vehicles. “We’re controlling costs by extending our life cycles through excellent maintenance,” said Cossette.

Malfunctions and wear and tear are caught before they cause too much damage and added expense. This impeccable maintenance routine has enabled CCEC to hold on to vehicles longer than before. The schedule for oil changes is every 5,000 miles. Times have changed – it used to be every 3,000 miles, but with newer engines that run cleaner and oils that have come a long way, vehicles can go longer between oil changes.

Also involved in this maintenance operation is oil testing for diesel vehicles. An oil sample is taken from the diesel engines and sent to a lab. This step can catch potentially serious problems.

Minor problems can be detected and fixed before becoming severe and expensive problems that require significant engine work, saving CCEC time and money.

CCEC carefully tracks and monitors fuel use through a fuel card system. This way, CCEC can keep a 100% accurate record on fuel use with a spreadsheet report on the exact cost per mile. CCEC has placed governors on the big trucks so that they can only go up to a certain speed. This helps with tire wear, fuel consumption, and safety. In 2021, the fleet ran 649,857 miles and used 65,134 gallons of fuel.

The fleet shop has been a part of CCEC for over 25 years, and it’s hard to believe the cooperative survived at one time without it. It is a behind-the-scenes department that is vital to the organization.

CassCountyElectric.com

FACTS & FIGURES 80

Years of combined experience of CCEC fleet technicians

65,134

Gallons of fuel the fleet used in 2021

103

The total number of fleet units

649,857 Miles the fleet ran in 2021

9,200 Miles before the Bolt needed its first maintenance

$160

Electricity cost for a year of driving the Bolt (based on 10,000 miles driven a year) July 2022 | Highline Notes 9

program Levelized billing – A more manageable bill

What is levelized billing?

Levelized billing is a free program offered to CCEC members designed to help lessen the impact of higher seasonal electric bills. This billing system uses software that takes a rolling average of your electrical bill from month to month to create a payment that stays relatively consistent each month, regardless of how much energy you use. This type of billing is an excellent option for homeowners who use electric heat, members on a fixed income, or people who want to know what to expect from their electric bill each month.

This program does not reduce your overall electric bills but instead spreads your payments out to create a more regular billing amount. In the cold winter or hot summer months, when you tend to use more electricity, levelized billing can help keep the monthly bills within a stable range to help you better manage your money. There is no minimum amount of time that you must have been receiving service at an address to get started with levelized billing. This program can begin as soon as the month after you get set up.

Do I have to pay to enroll?

No. Levelized billing is a free program. It does not reduce or add anything to your bill.

How much is my bill going to vary each month?

If you are just starting out in the levelized billing program, you might find that your bill will vary slightly in the first couple of months that you use it.

Once you have been enrolled in the program for a year or longer, your energy bill evens or “levels out” month to month. Typically, if you have variation in your bill, you’ll find that it goes up or down in $5-$10 increments.

When can I start levelized billing?

Anytime! There are no requirements to enroll in levelized billing.

Why does my bill say I used less electricity than I paid for?

With levelized billing, you pay an average of your overall energy usage. So, when it’s springtime, and you aren’t using a lot of energy, you will probably have to pay more than what you’ve used. This is so that when the cold North Dakota winter hits and you have to heat your house and use a lot more electricity, you get to pay less than what you used.

The levelized billing program helps to make your payments more consistent. Rather than having the seasonal variation in your electric bill, you’ll have a consistent payment regardless of how much energy you use.

Who should enroll in levelized billing?

Levelized billing is an excellent option for a homeowner who uses electric heat in the winters, members on a fixed income, or anyone who would like to know what to expect from their electric bill every month.

How do I unenroll in levelized billing?

Tried levelized billing and decided it’s not for you?

That’s fine! Call member services at 701-356-4400 or email info@kwh.com and ask to stop the levelized billing program. Depending on when you stop service, you may have a balance or a credit leftover that will be added to your next month’s bill. After your account balance returns to zero, your regular electric bills without levelized billing will resume.

If you think levelized billing sounds right for you, contact us at 701-356-4400 or info@kwh.com to get enrolled in the program.

10 Highline Notes | July 2022 CassCountyElectric.com

impact

Operation Round Up Cass County Electric Cooperative Foundation

Cass County Electric Cooperative members that round their bills up, and employees that round down their paychecks, have raised more than $3.5 million for local nonprofit organizations. These funds benefit members within Cass County Electric Cooperative’s service area. If your nonprofit organization is interested in applying for funds, please visit CassCountyElectric.com/oru.

June 2022

Applications reviewed Organization Individual Emergency Applications approved Organization Individual Emergency Applications denied Applications tabled

13 0 0 13 0 0 0 0

$67,300 $0,000 $0

2022 Year-to-date summary Per member average contribution $2.47 Average member participation 81.5% Total income $100,222 (Includes contributions, interest earned, and donations/memorials.)

Applications approved

26

Featured recipient: Red River Human Services Foundation Activity Center The Red River Human Services Foundation Activity Center is a social, recreational, and leisure program for people with disabilities from the Fargo–Moorhead areas. The Activity Center offers learning and life skill development as well as a variety of options for community inclusion and just plain fun. There are programs in bike safety, fitness, health and nutrition, ceramics, darts, cards, games, camping, attendance at local events, restaurants, and more. Dances are held every Friday with a live band every few months.

The Activity Center provides people with intellectual disabilities opportunities for personal growth, social interaction, and recreational opportunities.

Through this program, participants can participate in recreational activities in various interest areas such as organized sports, arts and crafts, games, and community involvement. They also provide numerous life skills opportunities such as cooking classes, social skills, and personal safety.

The Red River Human Services Foundation Activity Center is a private, non-profit organization supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the Fargo, West Fargo, and Wahpeton areas. They provide individualized support to enhance people’s lives and promote community participation and inclusion.

CassCountyElectric.com

July 2022 | Highline Notes 11

tech

5 things you’ll love about electric lawn care

The warm weather has allowed flowers to finally bloom throughout your yard, but along with those flowers come weeds, thistles, and the crabgrass you swore you took care of last spring. Not to worry, you have some new tools in your tool kit that are going to help you maintain the best yard on the block – and, they’re electric!

No longer will you have to pull a stubborn cord on your grass trimmer to get it to start.

By going electric, you only need to pop in a battery and press a button to take on any yard challenge, big or small. Whether it’s a grass trimmer or a lawn mower, here are five things you’ll love about electric lawn care!

1. No harsh odor or chemicals - Fresh cut grass will be the only thing you smell with electric lawn care equipment.

Since there is no need for gas to power your equipment, you are not exposed to harsh odors 2. Easy to start and stop - Electric grass trimmers are equipped with a button or switch that turns on the machine faster and more quietly than a traditional twostroke or four-stroke grass trimmer.

3. Less noise - Electric lawn mowers are built with less rumbly machinery, so they make less noise than traditional gas-operated mowers. This means your lawn maintenance won’t bother your neighbors, no matter how close you are.

4. Lightweight - Electric grass trimmers are equipped with a button or switch that turns on the machine quieter and faster than a traditional two-stroke or four-stroke grass trimmer.

5. One battery does it all - One battery does more! Most electric grass trimmer brands have batteries that can be used in multiple tools, including leaf blowers, chainsaws and more!

12 Highline Notes | July 2022 CassCountyElectric.com

safety Summer storm Safety

Intense summer storms can be beautiful to watch, yet have the potential to be very destructive. They can arise quickly, and lightning strikes, booming thunder, and torrential rain are powerful forces that, when coming in contact with utility infrastructure, can lead to power outages and damage to equipment.

Head indoors at the first sign of lightning and invest in a surge protection device for your home electronics. Here are some lightning safety tips to keep you and your family safe: • Stay off corded phones, computers and other

electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.

• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets.

• Stay away from windows and doors and stay off porches.

• Immediately get off elevated areas.

• Never lie flat on the ground.

• Never shelter under an isolated tree.

• Immediately get out and away from bodies of water.

Backup generators are great during power outages, but please be sure a licensed professional installed it through a transfer switch. Improperly

Download the Cass County Electric Mobile App to report service issues and view the outage map.

CassCountyElectric.com

wired generators can result in electricity backfeeding onto power lines, which can be incredibly dangerous for co-op line workers and those inside your home. Never operate a generator indoors or in confined spaces.

A good tip to remember: keep fridges and freezers closed as much as possible during a power outage. An unopened refrigerator will safely keep food cold for about four hours; a full freezer will do so for about 48 hours.

For more information about how to protect your home electronics and appliances, visit CassCountyElectric.com.

CCEC Outage restoration steps:

1. In situations where substation control equipment notifies technicians of an abnormality, technicians communicate with meters to see which meters are “talking back.”

2. Outage Management Systems (OMS) can help us pinpoint the location of the problem based on calls.

3. Inbound calls and app submissions alert us of an outage and help narrow down the scope.

4. The outage viewer is continuously updating as technicians and linecrews work the outage(s).

5. Power control technicians may remotely reroute (switch) power in situations where this is possible.

6. During business hours, crews immediately proceed to the outage. After hours, linecrews are contacted and proceed to our service centers to get their vehicles.

7. As soon as the outage is verified, text/e-mail outage notifications are sent to affected members.

8. Crews investigate the cause of the outage and work with Power Control to determine the safest course to restore power.

9. Line crews are on-site and completing repairs.

July 2022 | Highline Notes 13

recipes

Planning the perfect 4th of July BBQ is a breeze with these summertime favorites. Now, we’re not going to tell you how best to prepare your brats or burgers, but these simple sides can help round out your cookout.

Email recipes to ccec@kwh.com or mail to: Cass County Electric; Highline Notes, 4100 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58104

Spinach and watermelon salad Dressing ingredients

1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon water 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon dried tarragon Dash of salt

Preparation

Combine dressing ingredients and set aside.

Salad ingredients

4 cups torn spinach 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce 2 cups cubed watermelon 1 cup sliced strawberries 1/2 cup sliced cucumbers 1/4 cup thinly sliced onion

Preparation

Combine salad ingredients. Toss dressing with salad and serve immediately. Yield: 10 cups

Peach pound cake

Calico beans

Ingredients

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened 2 cups sugar 6 eggs 2 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup sour cream 2 cups diced fresh or frozen peaches or other fruit as desired powdered sugar

Preparation

Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

Combine flour, soda, and salt with a whisk; add flour mixture to batter alternately with sour cream.

Fold in the peaches. Pour into a greased and flour 10-inch fluted tube or Bundt pan. Bake at 350° F for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool in pan for 15 minutes.

Invert the cake pan onto a wire rack, remove the pan, and let the cake cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

12-16 servings

14 Highline Notes | July 2022 CassCountyElectric.com

1 small onion, chopped 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup ketchup 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons white vinegar 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 (28 oz) can Bush’s baked beans 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 (15 oz) can butter beans, rinsed and drained 15 oz can tomato sauce, optional 1 pound hamburger, browned and drained 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled, optional

Preparation

Combine all ingredients.

Bake at 350° F for 1 hour, in a crockpot on low for 6 hours, or high for 3 hours.

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For sale: 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 red Convertible, 2 door, beautiful. $8,500/OBO. But not too much. 701-371-9392. Please leave a message.

Kitchen appliances for sale: Range – white, smooth top electric. Dishwasher – white, stainless-steel interior.

Microwave- white, convection. All in good condition. About 17 years old. $75 each. Call 701-429-7331.

1030 Case tractor and loader, needs work, weak power steering &hydraulics, $3,500. 701-840-4278 Free, steel and aluminum beer can collection, 12 & 16 oz. 218-790-8131 1432 New Holland discbine, 4430 John Deere tractor, 4020 John Deere w/ loader, New Holland baler BR-7090. Call 701.730.4084 or 701.730.3999

5-piece TV tray set, cherry color, great condition, $30. 701-282-0827 1997 Freightliner FL60 W/14’ ambulance body, 88,600 miles, good tires, no rust, $5,800. 16’ Weeres pontoon, 5 swivel chairs, 25hp 2 stroke Merc, brand new 22’ trailer, $3,700. 701-840-0138 Boys bike: 2013, white w/ grey markings, 15 – inch boys, pristine condition, $250 call 701-799-6968 for pictures/more info.

Coronado Radio Model c800, needs restoring, $50. Delta Band saw 3whell, Cat #28-160, $75. Delta 2 speed 16” scroll saw $50. Christmas tree stand, Brinks Safe model #5059 17x12x13 $75.

Chrome table 1950’s with six chairs, $250. Schwinn Air Dyne Bike $150. 701799-6661

100+ paperbacks by western authors, take all for $25, 701-237-5359

1938 unstyled JD AR. 1941 JD Model H. McCormick Deering horse mower. Two JD dump hay rakes (one 10’ one 12’) Photos available, 217-549-7846

Gladitor wet suit, size XXL, $20. Electric smoker, $10, Charcoal smoker, free. 701840-1094

Craftsman 30” cut snow blower, 357cc Tecumseh engine w/ electrical start, $300 cash, 701-388-2877

Fisher-Price infant swivel electric rocking cradle, $100. Bumbo infant chair, $10. DockATot deluxe with Dock 0–8 mo. $100. Halo Bassinet swivel sleeper, $200. Fargo area, 701-373-5939

Homegrown beef, quarters, halves, and wholes. Dale at 701-261-0671

New home health equipment. Transfer bench with back, $65. Bath bench with arms & back, $50. Blood pressure monitor, $60. Bathtub safety bar, $30.

Digital scale, $20. 701-235-4796

Used golf balls, as many as you need.

Antique American made plastic (Bergen Toy and Novelty) soldiers, civilians, and animals. Produced between 1938–58. 701-799-4677

2007 Wolfsburg Edition Jetta. <72,000 miles. Recently serviced & 4 snow tires. $5,400. Text 701-799-6420 and leave your name, #, and message.

Wanted: Roller boat trailer for 1675 Lund Impact.

Not more than 99 in. wide. Call 701-7993961.

2 Lazy Boy rocker recliners, $50 each, cash only. Call 701-566-7165

Rosemeade Pottery produced in Wahpeton, ND from about 1940 to 1961.

Pheasant trays, figurines, advertising pieces, dog head ashtrays, rare items, complete collections. Text or call 701405-3772

Kitchen Aid range convention, $75.

Kitchen Aid convection microwave, $75.

701-429-7331

Craftsman 10” table saw, good shape, $25 OBO. 701-866-6583

CassCountyElectric.com

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July 2022 | Highline Notes 15

800-248-3292 | CassCountyElectric.com 4100 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58104

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16 Highline Notes | July 2022 CassCountyElectric.com