January 2023 Highline Notes

HIGHLINE notes

A family tree - where apples grow, page 4

Understanding your bill, page 6

Staying safe during an outage, page 8

As the 2023 legislative session approaches, will a significant leadership change impact the focus of the legislature?

During the 2023 session, there will be 39 new faces in the North Dakota Legislature. In the House, 28 new members, including 24 republicans and four democrats, led by Mark Lefor (Dickinson), newly appointed House Majority leader. In the Senate, there will be 11 new members, 10 republicans and one democrat, led by David Hogue (Minot), newly appointed Senate Majority Leader.

The state is in excellent financial health, with nearly all revenue sources exceeding expectations. Along with a slew of federal money, the legislature will have the challenge of figuring out how to best use the funds.

“All politics is local.” This observation by the late Thomas P.

Working with Local Legislators

“Tip” O’Neill Jr., former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, means that even national politics have a local impact, and people care most about issues that directly affect them. Indirectly, this famous adage underscores the importance and value of local politics.

At Cass County Electric, we think it’s critical to develop and cultivate relationships with local legislators because they craft, introduce and vote on legislation that impacts the local business climate, the residents, and the quality of life for our community. After all, our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity, but helping our communities thrive is one of our core values. That’s why we work closely with our local elected officials.

Cass County Electric powers economic development and prosperity by engaging with the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, the West Fargo Economic Advisory Committee, the Valley Prosperity Partnership, the Barnes County EDC, and the area Chambers of Commerce. As a cooperative, we have deep roots here and listen closely to our members to better understand the community’s needs. Our leadership, board members, and employees live and work here in our community.

We strive to advocate for our community, ensuring local legislators know, understand, and act on the issues important to our area, including workforce

challenges, education, childcare, water supply, and support for business retention, expansion, and attraction.

As a practical matter, we recognize that most legislators are “generalists,” yet they vote on a wide range of issues. Their expertise may not include the changing energy industry, so Cass County Electric meets with local legislators and provides guidance and expertise from subject matter experts who’ve been in the energy industry for many years.

Today’s energy landscape is an increasingly complex topic covering not only the industry’s traditional and vegetation management aspects but also encompasses power supply, transmission, engineering, resource adequacy, on-demand availability of power supply, technology, cybersecurity, the electrification of the transportation sector, and more.

Our experts provide briefings and backgrounders to legislators, committees, and staff, and we offer expert testimony for hearings and other legislative or regulatory meetings or gatherings. And because we’re involved in economic development and know local community leaders, we can provide insight into how issues and policies under discussion might impact our region.

Thank you to all our legislators as you craft and pass laws for the good of the state and the constituents you represent.

Marshal Albright, Cass County Electric Cooperative president & CEO

9Content in every issue 11 12 13 15 impact safety recipes safety ads

Board Meeting Highlights

November (unapproved)

The Cass County Electric Board of Directors met in person on Nov. 29, 2022, and discussed the following topics:

• Moved to approve the November 2022 consent agenda of the regular board meeting consisting of minutes, monthly department reports, director expense report, and the October Purchased Power Adjustment (PPA).

• President/CEO Marshal Albright gave the President’s Report reporting on updates from conferences attended and gave a preview of the 2023 Business Plan.

• Moved to approve the 2023 Annual Meeting voting options, including absentee ballot by request and inperson voting.

• Received the October 2022 financial report.

• Received the 2023 preliminary budget preview from each department.

• Approved the 2023 IT Audit - Scope of Work Agreement with Eide Bailly, LLP.

• Approved the 2023 Letter of Engagement for the 2022 Financial Audit with Eide Bailly, LLP.

• Received a report from Federated Insurance.

• Received a report from Mac McLennan, CEO of Minnkota Power.

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

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

• The board elected Director Seymour to serve as NDAREC director and Director Berg as the alternate.

• Reviewed upcoming meetings and events.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.

Help keep transformers clear of snow

With winter in full swing, we encourage you to be aware of where your “big green box” or padmounted transformer is. In the event of a power outage, our line crew needs to locate the transformer as quickly as possible. Having the transformer readily available allows our crews to speed up the process of safely restoring your power.

We operate and manage nearly 11,000 pad-mounted transformers, which step down high voltage to lower voltage that is safe to use. A single transformer can be vital to providing electricity to several homes and businesses, so be mindful when moving snow. If you notice damaged equipment, please contact us at 701-356-4400.

Communications: Jocelyn Lura Hovland Kaitlyn Hartman

Printer: Forum Communications Printing

Board of Directors: Terry Kraft Paul White Douglas Anderson

4 - Open Tom Seymour

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.

Cottonwood Cider House is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in March through October. Visit it on Facebook at facebook.com/cottonwoodciderhouse or online at cottonwoodciderhouse.com.

A family tree – where apples grow

Cottonwood Cider House nourishes

Cottonwood Cider House is rooted in family – both blood relatives and the family that exists only in rural America.

For Stacy Nelson-Heising and her husband, Dan Heising, the fourthgeneration farmstead provides for their family. It also provides a place for the community to gather and connect.

Located near Ayr, about 20 miles northeast of Tower City, Cottonwood Farm is an 11-acre orchard with thousands of semi-dwarf apple trees. The couple planted 100 apple and 50 cherry trees there in 2012. Since then, they’ve planted thousands more. Organically, both the apples and the business grew. Organic farming is what Stacy’s dad, Charles, started when he grew grain crops there in the 1980s.

The Nelson farm was the first certified organic farm in Cass County, with more than 2,000 certified acres of farmland. At Cottonwood Farm, the apples grow alongside alfalfa, native prairie flowers, and grasses. This assorted plant life attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees. Birds make nests in the apple trees, too, and offer natural pest control.

“We will have a peck on an apple from time to time, but we don’t have

bellies, souls

chemical residue on our apples,” Stacy writes on her website.

“I wouldn’t know how to do it any other way,” Stacy says. “We grow organically to give back to the earth that’s given to us for years and years.”

The farm supported the Nelson family for generations, and Stacy is proud of her family history.

“Growing up, I spent most of my time with my family,” she says. “These people made me who I am today.”

Stacy’s great-great-grandparents, Karolius and Olianna Nelson, moved to the Dakota Territory from Norway in 1884. They farmed in Ransom and Sargent counties. By 1910, one of their sons, Nels, had moved to Cass County, settling near Ayr. There, he and his wife, Nellie, and their children raised animals.

In 1938, during the Great Depression, Nels planted cottonwood trees that continue to tower over the family home and outbuildings. These trees are one of the reasons the couple named their business Cottonwood Farm.

Nels’ son, Norman, took over the family farm in 1952. Norman transitioned the farm from animals to

grain crops until the early 1980s, when his sons, Charles (Stacy’s dad) and Larry, took over. Together, the brothers converted the land from conventional farming to using organic-only methods. When they retired from farming in 2006, they sold the machines and equipment and rented out the land.

No machinery meant grain farming was no longer an option. Then, one day, Stacy and her mom had an idea to continue the farming heritage. The Nelson family farm legacy could continue if they transformed the grain farm into an apple orchard.

Stacy calls these leaves of change “innovative reshaping.” The transformation tradition is one she continues into the 21st century.

Branching out

Today, the orchard includes a cidery and family- and pet-friendly restaurant. Cottonwood Cider House is Stacy’s full-time job. The Cider House is also a part-time job for Dan and about eight others who help serve and cook at the restaurant, as well as sell cider at vendor shows across the state.

“Pride of Dakota definitely made a difference,” Stacy says. “The people at those vendor shows want to

purchase North Dakota products and support North Dakota businesses.”

Cottonwood teams often sling cider at two to three vendor shows each weekend. Cottonwood creates more than a dozen cider varieties, with names like “Ayr Mule” and “Peach Me.”

“Because we are so secluded, we take Cottonwood Cider House all over the state,” Dan says, adding the couple usually runs out of product each year. Connoisseurs won’t find it in liquor stores. “I can’t make enough to do that,” he says.

The operation is mostly by hand. Stacy picks apples from August to November. Since the trees are semidwarf, she can reach them from the ground. No ladder or equipment is needed. From there, she collects the apples in a picking apron and then stores them in totes loaded in the back of a pickup. The biggest challenges are the late-season varieties.

“These last few years, I’ve dug through snowbanks to get apples,” she says.

More than 40 apple cultivars grow in the orchard, creating a variety of tastes and textures. No two apple trees or apples are alike, and each apple has its own special flavor. The variety creates a more complex fermented cider.

The couple built the cidery in 2017, renovating one of the farm’s old Quonsets. The Cider House experienced significant growth in 2020. With outdoor seating, Cottonwood could accommodate guests and visitors throughout the pandemic. “People actually came out,” Dan says. “We didn’t think they would.”

Residents often utilize the space, too, for bridal showers and birthday parties. Sometimes, the school’s parent-teacher association or individuals just wanting to play cards and board games use the space, too. In the winter, the couple also offers one Sunday brunch a month.

On any given Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, more than 70 people spend their suppers at Cottonwood. That’s a hearty number – considering the town of Ayr ranges in population between five and 12 residents.

“They usually come for the cider and stay for the food,” Stacy says. Residents of nearby towns also swing through, along with guests from larger areas like Fargo, Casselton, and Valley City.

Stacy’s background is in the culinary arts. She was a professional chef, specializing in desserts, before operating her own orchard.

“Her meals are great. First class,” says Bruce Hagen, Ayr resident, and former mayor.

Meals range from tater tot hotdish to coq au vin, a French-style, hearty chicken stew, to queso fundido – all in the same weekend. Desserts that same weekend included a peanut butter mousse tartlet and apple bread pudding with ice cream and caramel sauce.

Hagen and his wife dine at the Cottonwood Cider House almost every Friday. The portions there are generous, though he has one complaint.

“The helpings are too much,” he says with a smile. “It’s really critical that I get my dessert.”

Community to the core

The restaurant nourishes the region’s belly and its soul. Ayr no longer has businesses like a grocery store, bar, or even a church.

“When you come here, you see people you may otherwise not see,” Hagen says, as people who do live there often work in larger towns.

Cottonwood sometimes supplements the farm’s apples with what it calls “found” apples. These are apples they harvest from family, friends, and neighbors’ trees. This helps them meet demand and complements their own supply.

Stacy and Dan say they are grateful for the community and the opportunity. “We just have great customers. People are so supportive,” she says. That’s why the Cottonwood Cider House logo is shaped like it is – the leaf of the cottonwood tree supports the apple the way the community and their families supported the farm.

As for the future, the couple says they’ll stay the course for now. They don’t plan too far ahead, knowing that times could change. “We pay attention to what the world is saying to us at each particular moment,” Stacy says.

Story and photos by Katie RyanAnderson. Ryan-Anderson is a freelance writer and former co-op communicator. She is a Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative member and lives in Marion with her husband and two boys.

- Understanding your bill -

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give a second thought to your bill’s itemized charges, merely glancing at the total figure, paying it, and getting on with your life. But even if you did take the time to study the invoice, would you understand what each section means?

There are plenty of benefits to taking a closer look at your energy bill. You can learn how much electricity you use each month, view the breakdown of charges, and compare the prior month’s energy use to recognize patterns. Getting familiar with your bill is especially useful if you’re looking to conserve energy and lower your bill. To find out more about your bill and how to decipher it, we broke down the main sections you’ll want to look at next month.

Statement Date: The information found in the upper right corner is relevant to understanding your bill because we bill in roughly 30-day increments for electricity already consumed.

Account Number: Your account number can be found on the top right corner of your bill and is your key to billing and member support. This number is vital when signing up for an online account or downloading the Cass County Electric mobile app. The mobile app provides numerous account management benefits and indepth consumption analytics.

Important Messages: This section will contain important information regarding your bill, along with useful tips from Cass County Electric.

Service Information: Your location, address, and rate class (RC) are located here. This is the location where you will find the dates of service being billed, along with your meter reading(s).

kWh Usage History: This charge makes up the bulk of your bill. You can use this chart to view prior months’ energy usage and track fluctuations – such as usage increases during the winter and

summer. These comparisons over the past year include the number of days in the billing period, average costs, temperatures, and kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Details of Charges: Basic Charge: This is a fixed monthly connection charge that helps recover the cooperative’s fixed costs of serving a member.

Energy Charges: These charges represent the cost of the electricity you used in the last billing cycle. They include both a kWh charge and purchased power adjustment.

kWh Charge: The cost of power you used plus the costs to deliver power, measured in kilowatt-hours. To calculate energy charges, multiply your rate (unit cost) by your usage (quantity).

Purchased Power Adjustment: This charge accounts for the variable cost in wholesale power.

Other Charges and Credits: This area includes all additional charges and credits. Here is where you will see your monthly donation to the Operation Round Up program. The yearly per-

member contribution averages less than $6 a year.

Also included in this section are franchise fee charges. Several cities have imposed franchise fees on the cooperative that are passed through to the member, collected by the cooperative, and dispersed directly to those cities. Franchise fees can be a way to help the town offset future property tax or special assessment increases.

Other miscellaneous charges or credits found in this section may include renewable energy credits from Prairie Sun Community Solar, demand waiver, connect and disconnect fees, deposits, credits for going paperless or signing up for autopay, and more.

Remittance Slip: Paying by mail? Be sure to include the bottom portion of your bill with the appropriate side facing out. Current contact information is the key to receiving automated outage information and essential account alerts. Download the Cass County Electric mobile app to manage your account settings, billing preferences, report outages, set usage thresholds and alerts, and more.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/ parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program. intake@usda.gov.

Cass County Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

New federal energy incentives to roll out in 2023

When Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022, it authorized billions of dollars in consumer programs to help install energy efficient technologies, purchase an electric vehicle, or electrify other processes in your home. The average homeowner could qualify for more than $10,000 in tax credits or other incentives, meaning there’s no better time to start planning for energy upgrades.

What you need to know

• Most of these programs will not be implemented until sometime in 2023. Once the programs kick in, most will last at least 10 years.

• Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) already offers a robust set of rebates for electric heating systems, water heaters, and vehicle chargers. Call our offices or visit our website to learn more!

• You’ll unlikely qualify for all the tax credits and incentives at once. If you’re looking for energy-related purchases or home improvements, come up with a long-term plan that will allow you to take advantage of the incentives over time.

• While CCEC knows energy efficiency, heating and cooling systems, and electric vehicles, we’ll leave tax advisement to the professionals. Consult with a tax/ financial advisor and ensure you know the income limits and other requirements before making any major decisions.

• CCEC has a team of energy experts

to provide information and help you make the best decision for your home. Just because a tax credit is in place doesn’t mean a specific system or technology is right for your unique needs. If you have a question, ask us!

6 upcoming incentives to consider

Incentive levels and availability are dependent on income. Other requirements may be applicable.

Heat pumps

There are massive incentives for households to install air-source heat pumps. Up to $8,000 in upfront discounts and up to $2,000 in tax credits are available. Geothermal heat pumps qualify for a 30% tax credit.

Weatherization

Weatherization efforts may qualify for up to $1,600 in upfront discounts and $1,200 in tax credits, depending on income. This includes air sealing, ventilation, and upgrades to insulation, doors, and windows.

Electric panel

Upgrading your electrical panel (sometimes called breaker box) could qualify for up to $4,000 in upfront discounts and up to $600 in tax credits, depending on income levels.

Electric wiring

Electric wiring upgrades could qualify for up to $2,500 in upfront discounts depending on income levels.

Electric vehicle

Thinking of purchasing an electric vehicle (EV)? You may qualify for up to $7,500 in tax credits for a new EV or up to $4,000 for a used EV.

Electric stove

Up to $840 is available to purchase and install an electric stove.

There are many other rebates and tax credits, including whole home energy reduction efforts, battery storage installation, electric stoves, rooftop solar, and more!

2023 Director Elections

Cass County Electric Cooperative’s directors serve as liaisons between fellow members and the cooperative executive staff, providing guidance and oversight on cooperative operations. Directors provide the vital service of voicing the membership’s needs and upholding the cooperative value of democratic member control.

CCEC members in Districts 1, 4 (open), 5, and At-large interested in becoming a director should contact our executive assistant at 701-356-4405 or srhea@kwh.com for a 2023 director election petition packet.

Interested members must return all required paperwork to the cooperative by Jan. 18, 2023. The membership will vote for new board members at the cooperative’s annual meeting in April 2023.

Scan the QR code to learn how to run for the board or to view the district map in more detail.

save

North Dakota households that relied on natural gas or propane to keep them warm through last year’s cold season faced volatile prices that sent their heating bills soaring unexpectedly. One year later, fuel oil and propane costs remain high – with the potential to climb higher through the winter.

If the possibility of another price spike has you nervous, there’s an easy way to prepare now. Simply incorporate electricity into your heating system and enroll in CCEC’s voluntary off-peak program. You’ll receive electric heat at nearly half the standard electric rate, bringing your heating cost below fuel oil or propane costs. Plus, the off-peak electric rate has remained stable for almost a decade, so there are no worries about sudden swings in the market that you didn’t work into your budget.

How the valuable off-peak program works: CCEC members voluntarily sign up for off-peak, which allows Minnkota (CCEC’s wholesale power provider) to temporarily turn off electric heating, water heating, vehicle chargers, and commercial account service during times of high regional demand. During these “control periods,” most consumers are automatically switched to a backup heating system, generator, or stored heat, so there is no interruption in comfort.

Electric heat system

An electric heating system on the off-peak program consists of an electric heat source as its main component and a supplemental heating source (such as fuel oil or propane) that will typically operate 250-300 hours per year during times of peak electrical demand in the region. The program can also be utilized in storage heat technologies,

in which heat is collected and stored during lowdemand times and deployed when needed.

Water heater

A water heater on the off-peak program will warm the contents of the tank during lower-demand times of day (often overnight), and that water will remain hot until it is needed in the home.

Popular electric options eligible for the off-peak program:

Air-source heat pump

• Can be used with a backup fuel source for the off-peak program

• Eligible for low off-peak rate

• $150 per ton rebate

Electric plenum

• Backup energy source is necessary for the off-peak program

• Eligible for low off-peak rate

• $25 per kW rebate

Thermal storage

• Backup fuel source is not needed for the offpeak program

• Eligible for low off-peak rate

• $45 per kW rebate

Electric water heater

• Backup fuel source is not needed for the offpeak program

• Eligible for low off-peak rate • Up to $500 in rebates

qualifies. Stay comfortable and cozy with safe, energy efficient electric heating systems

Check with CCEC to ensure that the equipment

Check

Fall is in (the) Ayr!

Stacy Nelson-Heising was a professional chef before operating her own orchard, cidery, and restaurant on her family’s fourthgeneration farm near Ayr, about 20 miles northeast of Tower City. These apple-forward recipes are perfect for winter, and trust us, Stacy’s apple cranberry crisp belongs on your table! Recipes by Stacy Nelson-Heising, Cottonwood Farm and Cider House

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

Apple cranberry crisp Ingredients: Fruit base: 2 Cups fresh cranberries 1 Cup sugar 1 Cup hard cider, such as Cottonwood Cider House’s “The Action,” cranberry or apple juice 4-5 Pounds room-temperature apples, about 1215*

Cup flour 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cup sugar Oat crumble topping: 1 Cup regular old-fashioned oats 1 Cup flour 1 Cup sugar 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda

Preparation:

Combine cranberries, 1 cup of sugar, and hard cider over medium heat. Cook mixture until cranberries begin to burst and thicken a bit, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Peel, core, and dice apples. Toss apples with flour, cinnamon, ½ cup sugar, and cranberry mixture. Pour into a 9x13-inch baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. Stir, then bake for an additional 15 minutes.

While the apple-cranberry mixture is baking, prepare the topping. Combine all topping ingredients together, mixing until crumbly. Put on top of pre-baked fruit. Bake an additional 20-30 minutes until the topping is browned and crispy. Serve warm or at room temperature with real whipped cream or ice cream.

* Try Haralson, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith varieties.

Cider House grilled cheese

Ingredients:

2 Slices crusty bread, like sourdough

3-4 Slices Black Forest ham

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons apple butter ½ Cup grated sharp cheddar

cheese or sliced cheese

¼ Thinly sliced apple Softened butter

Preparation:

Warm pan. Butter two slices of bread. In between the nonbuttered sides of the bread,

layer apple butter, Dijon mustard, apple slices, cheese, and ham. Don’t be stingy with the ham! Grill until the cheese is melted and both sides are toasted.

safety

Stay safe during severe winter weather: Ice and other severe winter weather can result in power outages

When severe winter weather hits, power outages can occur. Roadways can be dangerous. Do all you can to prepare your pantry, home and car for the next severe winter storm. Once you are ready, watch and listen for weather bulletins mentioning winter storms, blizzard warnings, or windchill dangers.

At home, have enough nonperishable food, water and medical supplies/ medicines for 72 hours. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest storing one gallon of water per person per day. Have cellphones and chargers, as well as backup charger sources, ready. Also have these items ready: a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, hand sanitizer, blankets, and warm clothing.

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home. Protect pipes from freezing.

Pack an emergency kit - check out the graphic for details. Complete annual maintenance, test the car battery and cooling system, use winter tires and replace them if the tread is less than 2/32 of an inch, check tire pressure and wiper blades, add wiper fluid rated for less than minus 30 degrees and keep the gas tank at least half full.

Know that when the power goes out, we work hard to restore it safely and efficiently. To submit an outage or view our outage map, download the Cass County Electric mobile app.

Motion sensor lights are lights that turn on automatically when you walk by or when a car drives into the driveway. Motion sensor lights activate by movement within a specific range of the sensor. Many people place them outdoors as security lights; however, they can also be used indoors as regular light fixtures.

These lights are becoming increasingly popular as a way to save money on your electricity bill. But do they really work? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of motion sensor lights to see if they’re worth the investment.

There are a few reasons why motion sensor lights can be beneficial: Save Money: One of the main reasons people use motion sensor lights is to save money on their electricity bills. With a motion sensor light, you only use electricity when the light is actually required, which can lead to significant savings over time.

The pros and cons of motion sensor lights

Eco-friendly: In addition to saving money, using less electricity helps reduce your carbon footprint. So, if you’re looking for ways to be more eco-friendly, motion sensor lights are a great option.

Safety and security: Another benefit of motion sensor lights is that they can make your home or business more secure. If a potential intruder sees that a light comes on automatically whenever someone approaches, they’re more likely to move on to an easier target. So not only can motion sensor lights save you money, but they can also help keep you safe.

Of course, there are also some drawbacks to using motion sensor lights:

Unreliability: Motion sensor lights can be unpredictable. Wind, pets, and other objects might trigger the light, even when you don’t want them to. So, if you’re looking for a

light that will stay on all the time without fail, a motion sensor light might not be the best option.

They might not turn off: Another complaint about motion sensor lights is that sometimes they don’t turn off when they’re supposed to. This can be frustrating if you’re trying to sleep, but the light keeps coming on whenever someone walks by outside. So if you’re looking for a light that will stay off until you need it, a motion sensor light might not be ideal.

So, should you purchase motion sensor lights? That depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking to save money and be more eco-friendly, motion sensor lights might be a good option. But if you need a light that will stay on all the time without fail, you might want to stick with traditional lighting options.

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

For Sale

42” or 48” round Lifetime folding table. 701-799-6420

4 tires, less than 11,000 mi, size 275/55 R20 $100/ea, Bridgestone Dueler H/L. 701-6802144

Spode China Christmas tree pattern service for 12. 701-367-9168

Grass or alfalfa hay, mid or small square bales. Inspected bison meat by the pack of ¼ or ½. 701-238-1893

2 Ariens snow blowers, elec. start, tire chains, 24” wide, $300/ea. 701-318-9480

Red Jazzy Select Elite battery-operated wheelchair, toggle switch steering, good wheels, needs new battery, $500. 701-3611937

Raw honey, 8 oz. $6, 16 oz. $12, 32 oz. $22. 1 lb comb honey, $15. While supplies last. PU in Colfax or call for meet-up. 662-251-5954 or 662-386-3286

ccec@kwh.com

Sears model 1803 zig zag sewing machine, exc. cond., $200. 701-219-4988

Electric food bath w/ 6 settings. Currier & Ives homestead & wilderness plates. New art easel. Workman 3-wheel bike. New laminator. 701-282-8127

Martha Stewart 9 ½” pan, $15. Walker, new, $25. Loveseat w/ pillows, $70. 701-866-0218

Thomasville dining table 60”x42” with 3 12” leaves, 4 chairs, & protectors. $275 OBO. 701-293-9441

2021 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige AWD. Silver w/ dune leather int., 17,500 mi, clean title. 919-274-5554

3, 7”x7” Fir timbers 16’ long. 701-371-7087

Lacrosse 800-gram Thinsulate Real Tree camo boots, size 10 ½, $100. 701-840-1094

Wanted: “Scandinavian flatware” late ’40s or ’50s, prefer full sets. 701-212-8200

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

CO-OP YOUTH TOUR JUNE 18-23, 2023

Please submit your essay addressing the following question:

If chosen as a Youth Tour delegate, you will be traveling to Washington, D.C., with other co-op representatives from across North Dakota to experience and learn about America’s rich history. What moment in American history do you wish you had been a part of and what would you have contributed?

The quality of work is more important than the quantity. Submit entries by Jan. 20, 2023 at CassCountyElectric.com/youthtour.

Requirements: Must be a sophomore or junior in high school You and your parent(s) or guardian(s) must be served by Cass County Electric Questions: Communications Team, 701-356-4400 or ccec@kwh.com