February 2023 Highline Notes

HIGHLINE notes

February 2023

Hospice of the Red River Valley prepares for new hospice house in South Fargo, page 4

All-of-the-above strategy ensures the best energy value, page 8

The balance of reliability and affordability in a carbon-managed future

It may sound like a broken record when we bring up the words “reliable and affordable.” Those words are the “foundation” of our business model. They are being threatened as power supply volatility is increasing rapidly while the nation transitions to a carbonmanaged future, straining the grid and impacting the cost of electricity.

The future is here regarding volatility in power generation and delivery. On the morning of Dec. 23, 2022, the power market was, on average, around $50/ MWh, a typical wholesale market price with supply and demand in check; in the afternoon, everything changed. If you recall, Dec. 23 was a frigid (-8 degrees in midafternoon) and windy day in the Upper Midwest, creating a high demand for natural gas heating and power generation. As the day progressed, the need for more natural gas increased, causing a spike in demand and straining the natural gas supply for power generation. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) issued a max generation event to all cooperatives, municipals, and utilities in the MISO region to keep the lights on. Surprisingly, the wholesale power market started to increase substantially in the afternoon; at 3:40 PM, the market peaked at $3,500/MWh or $3.50/kWh. On average, you pay about $0.11/kWh.

As more intermittent sources like wind energy are added, and baseload power from coal and nuclear are retired, power market volatility will only increase, resulting in higher energy costs for consumers. Fortunately, Minnkota Power Cooperative’s generation resources were all functioning as expected during the cold weather event. Minnkota also initiated it’s demand response system to reduce consumer load to help stabilize the grid to avoid controlled outages (rolling blackouts).

Nationally the balance of reliability and affordability is at center stage. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) recently published an article in the RE Magazine sharing similar concerns with cooperatives across the nation.

Here are some highlights from the article:

The acceleration and often chaotic energy transition away from always-available generation in favor of intermittent renewable resources is concerning. “Fuel diversity is critical to reliability, and co-ops have been raising the alarm about compromising reliability by moving too quickly on any energy transition from the beginning,” says NRECA CEO Jim Matheson.

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. again warned of

reliability challenges this winter – an assessment that NRECA’s Jim Matheson called “a clear and constant warning about the nationwide consequences of continuing a haphazard energy transition.”

Matheson said that this assessment paints a stark and disheartening picture of the reliability challenges facing much of the nation this winter. As the demand for electricity risks outpacing supply availability during peak winter conditions, consumers face an inconceivable risk of rolling blackouts; it does not have to be this way.

The energy transition from fossil fuels can and likely will happen, but not soon. It is overly ambitious to believe this can happen by the current federal target of 2035. Still, we must consider the threats to reliability and focus on the importance of allowing adequate time for technology development, including zero-carbon power supply like advanced nuclear, the use of carbon capture and sequestration, and the construction of desperately needed transmission lines to move electricity within regional markets.

Minnkota Power Cooperative will remain focused on balancing reliability and affordability in a carbon-managed future.

Marshal Albright, Cass County Electric Cooperative president & CEO

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Content in every issue

safety recipes impact tech ads

GIVING HEARTS DAY

FEBRUARY 9

Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour fundraising event for charities in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

Cass County Electric will be donating nearly a third of our donations budget to local organizations on Giving Hearts Day! Join us in scheduling your donation in advance at givingheartsday.org

Together we are becoming the most generous region on the planet.

Highline Notes

Volume 81, Number 2

Communications:

Jocelyn Lura Hovland

Kaitlyn Hartman

Printer: Forum Communications Printing

BOARD MEETING

HIGHLIGHTS

DECEMBER 2022

The Cass County Electric Board of Directors met in person on Dec. 22, 2022, and discussed the following topics:

• The board held a reorganization meeting following Director Triebold’s resignation, with the following officers elected:

o Board Chair, Glenn Mitzel

o Vice Chair and Secretary, Terry Kraft

o Treasurer, Kalvin Hoff

• Moved to approve the December 2022 consent agenda of the regular board meeting consisting of minutes, monthly department reports, director expense report, and the November purchased power adjustment (PPA).

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

• President/CEO Albright gave a presentation of the 2023 business plan.

• Received the November 2022 financial report.

• Received the 2023-2024 budget presentation and moved to approve the 2023-2024 budget.

• Received reports from the NDAREC Strategic Planning meeting, Minnkota Power Cooperative, and Square Butte Power Cooperative board meetings.

• Moved to approve the December 2022 capital credit estate payments.

• Reviewed upcoming meetings and events.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.

Board of Directors:

Paul White

Douglas Anderson

Sid Berg

District 4 - Open

Tom Seymour

Glenn Mitzel

Wendy Loucks

Kalvin Hoff

Terry Kraft

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 2023. 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.

Heart of the community

Hospice of the Red River Valley prepares for new hospice house in South Fargo

Two years ago, Tracee Capron was spending Christmas in a situation for which no mother is truly ready. She needed elevated hospice care for her son during the last moments of his life. As the executive director of the Hospice of the Red River Valley (HRRV), Capron knew intimately what a hospice house stay would mean for her family.

“I could not have done it at home. I needed support for my grandchildren. I also knew his symptoms were too out of control, and even as a nurse I couldn’t necessarily get everything I needed as quickly as I needed it,” Capron explained. “He didn’t want to be kept in a box in a hospital. He would literally go outside and watch snow fall every night. It was great. We were able to be a family.”

Capron has experienced firsthand what a hospice house provides a patient and their loved ones. That’s why she’s thrilled that in 2024, HRRV will open the doors of the first freestanding hospice house in North Dakota, located at 3800 56th Ave. S. in Fargo.

The facility – named Heather’s House after Heather Butler, through a generous gift providing the naming opportunity – will have 18 beds with the capacity to serve more than 1,200 patients a year, along with their families. Ground was broken in May 2022 for the $28 million project, which will include 49,000 total square feet of patient rooms, common areas, child/teenfriendly spaces, a kitchen, a chapel, a library and much more. The house will be surrounded by water features, walking paths and natural spaces for a full “prairies to the lakes” feel.

Capron says Heather’s House was the next necessary level of service HRRV could offer to the communities in its 55,000-squaremile footprint across North Dakota and Minnesota. The communityowned nonprofit has already been providing hospice service in the region’s homes for decades.

“We are the people who will drive the 2-4 hours to see a patient and a family. It’s us or no one. We’re built on infrastructure to support rural farm America – truly the breadbasket of the country,”

Capron said. “It is so important to support people in these rural communities, these farmers and businesses and others. We need to make sure people have the care they need to stay in those homes in those communities.”

Hospice’s goal is to allow people to remain at home. However, there are times a patient is faced with uncontrollable symptoms or a need for extra medical support. That’s where a facility like Heather’s House can offer a Medicare-certified space for an average five-day, five-night stay in a place with private rooms and a setting for every member of the family, at no cost. Heather’s House will be able to tailor itself to the wants and needs of the patient, whether that’s special foods, experiences, pets or requests as simple as a shower.

“Hospice is about living – it’s not about dying. It’s about finding how you can live every day as well as you can. We want to take all of our resources and everything we do and wrap them around your family to support you through this journey,” Capron said.

HRRV is more than end-of-life care. Twelve percent of the organization’s population is graduated out of care, meaning their symptoms have improved and their life expectancy is no longer limited to six months. Bereavement services are also a large part of Hospice’s offerings, connecting with families, youth and businesses who have suffered a loss.

“I’ve worked in hospice forever, and I’ve seen the beauty of what it can do and how it can support the patient and the family,” Capron beamed. “It is powerful, it is humbling, and I’m grateful to be a part of that. I think we all are. In the work that we do, we are blessed every day by those that we serve.”

Community care

HRRV is a member of Cass County

Electric Cooperative (CCEC), and Business Accounts Manager Chad Brousseau has served as Hospice’s point person for energy information for several years. Brousseau feels a special connection to the cause. His grandmother received hospice care and was able to pass comfortably at home with her husband.

“As we talk about the hospice story, my mind can’t help but see the parallels to the electric cooperative story; serving those underserved parts of rural America,” Brousseau told Capron.

“Amen, hallelujah,” Capron replied. “We were built that way and we, and our board, have chosen to remain independent and community owned for one reason alone. We knew we needed to serve these rural communities and we

couldn’t be restricted.”

CCEC and HRRV have become partners on many levels, from energy support to fundraising support. Hospice’s current facility is on CCEC’s voluntary off-peak generator program, which saves the organization 25% on its electric bill. The employees of CCEC have also adopted Hospice as one of their featured nonprofits, advocating for Hospice in the form of fundraising efforts, discounted Aid-to-Construction costs for the new facility, and an employee-sponsored solar panel credit from CCEC’s Prairie Sun Community Solar array (which will be transferred to Heather’s House when it opens in 2024).

CCEC will be shining an extra light on Hospice for Giving Hearts Day on Feb. 9, hoping to help garner extra

Story continued on page 6

donations and volunteers. Capron says volunteers are always needed and will be especially important when Heather’s House opens. She adds that volunteerism isn’t just sitting at a patient’s bedside. Volunteers can bring their personal gifts of quilting, youth group assistance, delivering medication, tending to the grounds, even simply spreading the unknown story of what Hospice does –offering peace, comfort and joy.

“One of our primary core values is ‘Patient and Family First,’ which means community first,” Capron said. “And that’s really Cass County Electric’s core value, too.”

Brousseau nodded in agreement. “That’s why we’re here.”

Story by Kaylee Cusack. Cusack is the Senior Communications Specialist at Minnkota Power Cooperative, CCEC’s power supplier.

Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) is an electric cooperative built by the communities we serve with a mission to deliver reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy. And, because we answer to local members like you rather than out-of-town shareholders, our electric cooperative has a unique understanding of our local needs. We continue finding new ways to make a difference beyond delivering electricity as a local business staffed by your friends and neighbors.

Roughly a third of CCEC’s annual nonprofit giving takes place on Giving Hearts Day. CCEC is proud to announce that we will participate in the Giving Hearts Day Employee Match Program for the second year. A portion of the dollars spent will be earmarked to match funds for Giving Hearts Day gifts up to $50 per employee. This match stipulates that the organization is a Giving Hearts Day charity participant and provides services in our 10-county service territory.

To make our donations go further, CCEC encourages its employees to pledge to volunteer at these worthy organizations. The opportunity to create something new here while embracing traditional community values has never been greater. It’s a passion we share with you, our members, for making our community a place we’re all proud to call home. That’s the source of our new energy at Cass County Electric Cooperative. We are here powering your life.

HRRV Volunteer Info

HRRV Donate

Donate

WAYS TO PAY

PAPERLESS

Mail checks or money orders payable to Cass County Electric Cooperative using the return envelope and remittance included with your monthly bill statement. Please do not send cash via the Postal Service. 4100 32nd Ave S, Fargo, ND 58104

MOBILE APP

The Cass County Electric mobile app is a powerful engine to make your life easier. View and pay your bill, sign up for alerts, report power outages, and more! The mobile app is available for Apple and Android devices.

AUTOPAY

CCEC will automatically draft your checking account or credit card, for the amount of your monthly electric bill. You’ll still receive monthly statements, but you won’t have to write a check! Accounts signing up with a checking account will receive a one-time $10 account credit.

PAY NOW

If you do not want to create an online account, you can simply “pay now” for a one-time online payment. Simply enter your account number and last name to pay your bill. No registration is required.

Call 701-356-4400 to pay your bill using a checking account or credit card by talking with a local member service specialist during business hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

ONLINE ACCOUNT

Cass County Electric’s online account platform puts the analysis of your account at your fingertips. You can pay your bill, view electricity usage, make a payment, manage account settings, set up autopay and paperless and more. All you need is your account number to sign up today!

PREPAY

PrePay puts you in control of when you pay for your electricity. Instead of receiving a paper or electronic bill each month, your usage is calculated daily, allowing you to pay as you go. As you use electricity, your credit balance is reduced.

PHONE IVR

Call 701-356-4400 to make a payment 24 hours a day with a debit or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover) or by entering your checking or savings account information. Please have your account number available when calling our automated system.

BANK DRAFT

Payments can be drafted from your checking or savings account automatically or on an individual basis for the amount of your monthly electric bill. Contact your financial institution for more information.

IN PERSON

Payments can be made in person at our Member Services building:

Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 4100 32nd Ave S, Fargo, ND 58104

Mail checks or money orders payable to Cass County Electric Cooperative using the return envelope and remittance included with your monthly bill statement. Please do not send cash via the Postal Service. 4100 32nd Ave S, Fargo, ND 58104

DROP BOX

A payment drop box is located in the parking lot roundabout at the cooperative’s Member Services building. Payments placed in the drop box will be processed by the end of the next business day. Be sure to include account number, name, and address. 4100 32nd Ave S, Fargo, ND 58104

SIMPLIFY & SAVE.

1. Download the Cass County Electric mobile app

2. Go paperless - $10 bill credit

3. Enroll in autopay - $10 bill credit*

*One-time credit through checking account only.

ALL-OF-THE-ABOVE STRATEGY ENSURES THE BEST ENERGY VALUE

It’s a familiar saying, and believe it or not, that age-old piece of wisdom is used by electric cooperatives to make sure you receive a reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible supply of electricity. Each of the primary generation resource options across the country has both advantages and disadvantages. This is why an all-of-the-above energy strategy is so crucial. If a utility ties itself to one resource, it is exposed to all the

risks associated with that resource. By diversifying, utilities are able to take advantage of the pros and limit their exposure to the cons.

Cass County Electric Cooperative receives a diverse mix of coal, wind and hydro from its wholesale power supplier, Minnkota Power Cooperative, to meet your 24/7 electricity needs. Future power supply decisions take into account numerous factors, including permitting; capital, operating and maintenance costs; existing generation mix; reliability and

resiliency; and projected member demand for electricity.

Decisions to build or purchase from new generation resources are carefully considered. Building any new generation resource at grid scale can cost hundreds of millions of dollars and require decades of investment and commitment. That makes it uneconomic to switch back and forth between power supply options over short periods of time.

What is considered when power supply decisions are made?

Advantages

• Abundant, domestic fuel source

• Stable pricing

• Can reliably run 24 hours per day

LIGNITE COAL

• Technology has been developed to address emissions (exploration of Project Tundra)

Advantages

• Lower CO2 emission levels than coal

• Can be ran 24/7 or used during peak events

• Can respond rapidly to dispatch

Disadvantages

• Extraordinarily difficult to permit

• Cannot economically rail lignite coal due to high moisture content

• Can be difficult to ramp up and down to accommodate renewable production

• Releases CO2. Anticipate CO2 regulations, although CO2 capture technology is rapidly advancing

Disadvantages

• Fuel costs can be volatile and impacted by events outside of the U.S.

• Pipeline infrastructure not adequate for projected demand

• Still releases CO2 emissions

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

NUCLEAR HYDRO

Advantages

• No air emissions

• Can reliably run 24 hours per day

• Smaller, modular reactors are in development

Advantages

• No fuel cost

• Low-cost energy to consumer

• No air emissions

• Can respond rapidly to dispatch

Advantages

• No fuel cost

• No air emissions

• Cost-competitive with other resources

WIND

Disadvantages

• High capital cost and increasingly expensive fuel

• Radioactive waste that must be properly disposed of and monitored

• Extraordinarily difficult to permit and build Cannot ramp up and down to accommodate renewable production

Disadvantages

• Nearly impossible to permit

• Affects fish and wildlife habitat

• Alters the natural flow of rivers

• Virtually no resources left to develop (some dams being removed)

Disadvantages

• Has intermittent production (produces about 45% of its potential on an annual basis)

• Requires investment in backup generation resources

• Grid-scale battery backup technology is still in its infancy

• Turbines take a larger footprint to produce the same energy as other resources and can impact bird and wildlife populations

• Cannot operate in extreme cold and ice conditions

Advantages

• No fuel cost

• No air emissions

SOLAR

• Costs are slightly higher than other resources, but are trending downward

Disadvantages

• Has intermittent production (produces about 15-19% of its potential on an annual basis)

• Requires investment in backup generation resources

• Grid-scale battery backup technology is still in its infancy

• Solar panels take a larger footprint to produce the same energy as other resources

• Production affected by clouds, snow and extreme cold temperatures

• Panel production degrades over time

Some smart devices for your home can help you save money. Others are designed for pure convenience – like phone apps you use remotely to close your garage door, unlock your door, or see who is on your front porch.

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Smart home devices that can save you money

Using smart devices that can impact your energy bill won’t make you rich, but they can help lower your bills each month, which adds up over time. Here are some devices to consider:

Smart thermostat

A smart thermostat studies your heating and cooling trends over time and can help reduce your energy bill by optimizing energy-saving tactics. You can also adjust your home’s temperature remotely and know how much energy you are using to heat or cool your home in real-time. So while a programmable thermostat can help you save money, a smart version earns its name by all the extra things it can do above and beyond programming.

In either case, adjusting your thermostat up (air conditioning) or down (furnace) just one degree can make a difference in your utility bill, according to Bob Miller, energy services supervisor with Cass County Electric. Miller says households can save 1% for each degree on the heating and cooling portion of their bill by making that simple adjustment. “So if your smart thermostat can shed a few degrees for a couple of hours or more, it should do nothing but save you money with the added convenience of peace of mind,” Miller said.

Smart light bulbs/lighting

The first way to save money on lighting comes from good old-fashioned smarts and not a literal smart bulb, per se. Look around and see what kind of light bulbs you have in your house. By replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with Energy Star versions, you can save $75 a year, according to energy.gov.

Upgrading your light bulbs can help you replace them less often as well. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb lasts an average of 1,000 hours, while a 12-watt LED bulb has an average life span of 25,000 hours.

Then there are actual smart light bulbs, which allow you to “schedule” lights and control them remotely. This could save you a little money if you or someone in your house always leaves the lights on.

Smart window coverings

Smart window coverings are pricey, but they can help you save money on your energy bills over time. For example, they allow you to lower blinds on a hot and sunny day even if you’re not home, which may prevent your air conditioner from kicking on.

About 76% of the sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters your home to become heat, according to energy.gov. Conversely, about 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows, and the efficient use of window coverings can reduce energy loss when cold outside.

Smart water valves

According to the U.S. EPA, an average household’s water leaks can account for 10,000 gallons of water wasted yearly. Collectively, that’s 1 trillion gallons of water each year in the U.S.!

Smart leak sensors monitor leaks under sinks, behind toilets, and near other water sources in your home. And, like most smart home devices, the sensors can be linked to your smartphone to alert you of leaks. There are also smart water valves designed for your main water line for catastrophes like bursting pipes, although these are pricey and require professional installation.

Your pet’s safety depends on you safety

For pet owners, playful dogs and curious cats become part of the family. Responsibility is an integral part of pet ownership, and your pet’s safety depends on you. You can help keep your furry friend safe by learning about and taking action on potential electrical hazards in your home.

“Puppies and kittens are naturally curious and tend to turn unexpected household items into play or chew toys,” says Mike Mead, safety manager for Cass County Electric Cooperative. “Puppy or kitten-proofing a home will help keep this new member of your family safe.”

Electrical cords can easily become an object of play for pets, but when sharp teeth clamp down on the cord, break through the rubber coat, and expose the wire, this can shock your pet and become a fire hazard in your home. Here are some tips to prevent cords from becoming chew toys:

• Wind up excess cords and hide them from view or place cords out of the pet’s reach. This could be done by hiding them behind furniture or hanging them off

the floor.

• Coat cords with a bitter substance to make them undesirable to pets. Appropriate and safe products can be purchased online or at pet stores.

• Reprimand pets for playing with electrical cords. Pets need to learn these are not toys.

• Remember to continuously check cords for fraying or bite marks and replace them accordingly.

“It may only take one bite with sharp teeth to create a shock or start a fire,” Mead warns. “Provide your pet with new and different chew toys to keep them entertained, so electrical cords do not become a dangerous replacement.”

Make sure plugs are completely plugged into outlets. Partially exposed prongs are a hazard for curious pets. Remember to unplug all appliances and electronics not in use to cut electric current.

Discourage pets from sleeping near or behind electronics or appliances. Many pets are attracted

to the warmth, but this is a potential fire hazard. Pets need to be kept away from all electrical connections.

All outlets near sinks or bathtubs should be equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Playful pets can knock radios, curling irons, and other electrical devices into water, creating a dangerous situation. GFCIs stop the flow of electricity instantly if there is a problem and can save lives.

For those with fish, ensure that cords attached to an aquarium have a drip loop—cords that slack below the outlet—to ensure water does not run into the outlet.

If a pet should receive a shock, never touch the animal until you know it is away from the power source or the electric current is shut off to prevent injury to yourself. Once it is clear to approach the pet, give it medical treatment immediately.

For more pet safety information, visit SafeElectricity.org or CassCountyElectric.com/SafetyBlog.

Check out our Pinterest page for more member recipes!

Kaye Lynn Meyer

Michael Meyer’s wife – HRRV Director of Philanthropy

When I bring a meal to a grieving friend, I try to take into consideration that they may not be hungry at mealtime for a traditional dinner, so I bring things that are easily heated up when they realize they haven’t eaten all day and really need something. I always try to include some fresh fruit cut up and ready to eat because it is healthy and sounds good when nothing else does. One of my first choices is a tub of homemade soup and some good crusty bread to dip in it. Soup is one of the ultimate comfort foods. This chicken wild rice soup recipe is generally a hit with most people. It is hearty but not too rich.

Chicken and wild rice soup

Ingredients:

½ cup butter

1 medium diced onion

1 stalk celery, diced

½ cup carrots, diced

½ pound mushroom slices (I slice them up very thin and even chop them, so they cook down nicely)

½ cup flour

6 cups chicken broth

1 cup cooked wild rice (1/2 cup wild rice, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt, bring to boil, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes). You can also find a can of wild rice in the rice section if you want to save time.

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon curry powder

½ teaspoon dry mustard

¼ teaspoon pepper

2 cups half and half

2 cups chopped up left over chicken breast, rotisserie chicken works great

Preparation:

1. Melt butter, sauté onions, mushrooms, celery and carrots. Cook and stir for 15 minutes or until veggies are tender and mushrooms are cooked way down.

2. Stir in flour and seasonings and cook and stir for 2 minutes.

3. Slowly stir in broth and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often.

4. Stir in rice and chicken and simmer for about 20 minutes.

5. Stir in half and half and cook until heated through.

Operation Round Up Cass County Electric Cooperative Foundation

Members are helping members. For less than $1 per month, you can make a difference in your community. Participation is simple: Your monthly electric bill is rounded up to the nearest dollar, an estimated average of $6 per year. You can see a summary of contributions on your January electric bill. A volunteer board meets quarterly to distribute the funds used primarily within Cass County Electric Cooperative’s service area for charitable, educational, environmental, and emergency assistance purposes. The funds are never used for political purposes or utility bills.

In 2022, $253,499 in grants were approved by the Cass County Electric Foundation Board of Directors for the following organizations:

Abuse Resource Network & Therapy

Abused Persons Outreach Center, Inc.

American Red Cross

Barnes County Soil Conservation District

BIO Girls, Inc.

Box of Balloons-Fargo

Cass Clay Community Land Trust

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Fargo-Moorhead

Community of Care

Community Uplift Program

Down Home

Easter Seals Goodwill ND, Inc.

First Lutheran Sewing Ladies

FirstLink

Friends of the Children-FargoMoorhead

Friends of the Kindred Public Library

Great Plains Food Bank

Haley’s Hope, Inc.

Handi-Wheels Transportation, Inc.

HEART Program

HERO

HOPE, Inc.

Hospice of the Red River Valley

Jeremiah Program

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

Lutheran Church of the Cross (The Piece Makers)

Mapleton Volunteer Fire Department

Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc.

Matthew’s Voice Project

New Life Center

Nexus-Path

Nome Eweniversity

Nora Lutheran Church

Outrider Enterprises, Inc.

Prairie Public Broadcasting

Presentation Partners in Housing

Red River Human Services

Foundation

Riding for Dreams

Ronald McDonald House

Rural Cass Snowmobile Club

Scottish Rite Language Center

South Sudanese Foundation

Southeastern ND Community Action Agency (SENDCAA)

The Fargo-Moorhead Choral Artists

The Great North Pole

Verona Community Center

Village Family Service Center

Walcott Cemetery & Veterans’

Memorial

YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties

YWCA Cass Clay

Small Change. BIG IMPACT.

Heat Pumps

Heat Pumps

Widening consumer understanding of beneficial electrification is creating a groundswell of interest in everything from electric vehicles to induction stoves. Among the appliances getting particular attention are heat pumps, which can efficiently condition a space by transferring heat or cold from the air or ground. They’re not a new technology, but recent advances have made them even more efficient, versatile and easier to install. Here’s a look at the three primary heat pump types and how they're used.

Air-Source

Heat is extracted from the air using a fan and refrigerant-filled coils. A compressor turns the refrigerant into warm vapor, which is pumped to coils inside the building for use in a water tank or air handler. Air-handler systems can run in reverse to cool the building.

Ground-Source

Refrigerant-or water-filled tubing absorbs the relatively constant temperature found underground and transfers it to an indoor air handler. The flow can be reversed to cool the building.

Mini-Split

Air-source heat pump system that works with small indoor condenser units to heat or cool. Good for homes that don't already have ductwork.

Rebates for up to $250/ton are available through Cass County Electric. Scan the code to learn more or call our energy services department to ask how you can save on heating and cooling.

Source: NRECA; Design: Kevin Kepple

You can trust our technology articles to help you find the best product ideas to help you use electricity responsibly.

ads

Member market

All ads must be 40 words or fewer and will be abbreviated following our guidelines. No real estate or commercial ads will be accepted. Ads are published for members at no charge as space permits on a first-received, first-printed basis. Ads are due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Members may submit only one ad per issue. Editor reserves the right to edit or reject any ad. Email ads to: ccec@kwh.com

For Sale

Antique American-made toy soldiers & toy vehicles, all kinds, plastic, pot metal, paper, cardboard. 701-7994677

64” x 38” bumper pool table w/ slate bed, very solid, $149. 701-361-8659

Weatherby Mark V EruoMark

.378 mag. lazer ported brake, EuroDiamond 3-10x. $2,200 Text 701388-8789

New, unused set of 6 CENTIAR Dining Chairs, Ashley Furniture. Gray faux leather upholstery w/ contoured bucket seat & black tubular metal base. Perfect cond., $250. Call/text 919-274-5554

Black Snapper yard cart, needs tires, $25. Free Lifestyler incline treadmill 3800pi. 701-388-7696

Free kittens. Ask for Nancy. 218-7792882

Toolbox from 1993 F150, 69.5” top, 63” within box, 16.5” deep, $50. Baldwin Acrosonic walnut re-padded bench, 59” x 39”, $75. Springfield .22 Model 56, collectors, $150. 701-730-4521

Grass or alfalfa hay, mid or small square bales, horse & cow quality. Inspected bison meat by the pack or 1/4 or ½. 5250 Wesco 90” snowblower. 701-238-1893

Wanted

Short-term storage space in Kindred, Davenport, Walcott area, 10 x 40 to 40 x 40. 701-367-4239

Mower deck or spindles for a 76” JD F932 rear discharge. 701-238-1893

SAVE THE DATE

2023 ANNUAL MEETING

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 5:00 Doors Open | 5:30 Meal Served

6:00 Business Meeting

Delta by Marriott, Southwest entrance: 1635 42nd St SW, Fargo

SPEND MORE TIME LIVING.

1. Download the Cass County Electric mobile app

2. Go paperless - $10 bill credit

3. Enroll in autopay - $10 bill credit