Rural Electric Nebraskan

February 2013

WE’RE NOT JUST PROVIDING ELECTRICITY.

WE’RE HELPING LOCAL ECONOMIES

THRIVE. Reliable,

affordable

electricity

is

vital to prosperity in the West. From small businesses and farms to large industry, we all depend on it. Every day, your local electric co-op and its power

supplier,

Tri-State,

provide

the power to grow our rural economy.

At Tri-State, we’re doing our part to ensure businesses receive value for the power they use, while providing incentives

through

our

member

co-ops to help businesses manage electricity use – which helps reduce all of our costs. Learn more about where we’re headed at www.tristate.coop.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association • P.O. Box 33695 • Denver, CO 80233 • Wholesale power supplier to 44 electric cooperatives in Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska and Wyoming.

Volume 67, Number 2, February 2013

“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”

Staff Editor Wayne Price Editorial Assistant Kathy Barkmeier

Contents Features

The Power of Grassroots

6

Published by the

Visit us at www.nrea.org General Manager Troy Bredenkamp President Gary Dill, Roosevelt Public Power District Vice President/Secretary Randy Papenhausen, Cedar-Knox Public Power District Treasurer Ron Jensen, Loup Valleys Rural Public Power District Published monthly by the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln, Nebraska 68501, (402) 475-4988.

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

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

The Rural Electric Nebraskan is printed by Jacob North Companies, Box 82046, Lincoln, NE 68501. Form 3579 should be sent to the Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

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

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

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

February 2013

What exactly does it mean to be part of a grassroots movement?

It can be as simple as sending an e-mail on an important issue to a state legislator or member of Congress. Learn how the Nebraska Rural Electric Association is creating a grassroots movement to benefit public power.

Summer exemplifies public power at work

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Three months with no precipitation and temperatures bordering triple digits delivered the worst July drought on record and created a critical situation for customers across the state. Public power districts and electric cooperatives worked with their member-owners to reach a solution.

Departments EDITOR’S PAGE

4

SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy

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CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by James Dulley

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RECIPES

20

ADULT PEN PALS

21

MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS

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On the cover The landscape of Nebraska is home to abandoned windmills like this one in Thayer County. Photograph by Wayne Price.

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EDITOR’S PAGE

Lineworkers never far from the hearts of loved ones ebraska’s public power district and electric cooperative lineworkers don’t work alone on the power lines.

Whether they are climbing 35 foot poles, restoring power, or clearing tree limbs to prevent future outages, they are never far from the hearts of the people who love them.

At this time of year, stores seem flooded with hearts, candy, and cards professing true love. But to be honest those sentiments pale in comparison to the bonds of love I see every time a storm sweeps through our state.

If the lights go out, our lineworkers’ wives and families send their loved ones out into the elements. It doesn’t matter if it is day or night, freezing rain or sweltering heat. It doesn’t matter if it is the weekend or a holiday. When other public power districts or electric cooperatives are in trouble after devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods, our lineworkers have traveled as far as New Jersey and Louisiana to bring the lights back on for complete strangers.

Each time these brave people leave home to help those in need, their families are left behind, praying for a safe return.

Working with high-voltage electricity, lineworkers find themselves in life and death situations on a regular basis. Their job is an extremely dangerous one. That’s why the Nebraska Rural Electric Association focuses on safety first. NREA offers a comprehensive Job Training and Safety Education program (JT&S) for our member-systems’ employees. It is this training that allows our member-systems' employees to work safely and productively every day of the year. Operated under a contract with the Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, the JT&S program has three full-time electric safety professionals working with our member-systems on a continuing basis.

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by Wayne Price

Follow me @RENeditor 4

Bob Cooper, of York, is the Job Training and Safety Coordinator for our program. Bob is a Certified Loss Control Professional with over 28 years in the electric utility business.

Our job training and safety instructors are Kory Hildebrand and Greg Nelson. They both are Certified Loss Control Professionals with extensive electric utility experience.

For example, employees at Loup Valleys Rural Public Power District in Ord, Neb. attend monthly safety meetings. Tom Schimenti, Loup Valleys RPPD safety director, said the lineworkers receive training and information on many different topics including work zone protection and traffic control, meth lab detection and pole-top and bucket truck rescue procedures. Office employees also receive safety and first aid training.

We know the folks who love our lineworkers appreciate the time we take to make sure our employees get home safe every night.

Marrying into this profession isn’t easy. Lineworkers are often on call, and must be ready to respond at a moment’s notice if our community needs them. This makes children’s sporting events and family get-togethers hard to pull off sometimes. But the valuable employees who keep the power flowing do so because they know without their commitment, many of the things we’ve come to expect—cold food, lights, entertainment—wouldn’t be possible.

By devoting their lives to working on utility lines, they connect all of us to a better way of life.

This Valentine’s Day I’d like to take a moment to thank the men and women who support and love the dedicated employees who brave the elements and work long hours to keep power flowing to our homes each and every day. Thank you for putting your love on the line—we’re committed to making sure the men and women you love return home safe.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

It's good to be home! or those of you who have ever been on a long, extended trip you know how good it feels when you get back home. Home to family, friends and those surroundings that are so familiar to you. Now imagine that trip lasting 12 years. That, in a way, is what it feels like for me and my family.

We left Nebraska in 2001 on a grand advenTroy ture that took Bredenkamp use to NREA General Colorado, Manager Washington, D.C., back to Colorado before our permanent return to Nebraska this month.

The true adventure started growing up on a small diversified farm near York, Neb. We didn't have much but we managed to get by during those lean farm times of the late ‘70s to mid ‘80s. Through it all we could always count on our public power providers in York County to keep those rural farm lights on.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska, I worked with an environmental consulting firm and as a state regulator with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality before returning to policy work within agriculture as Vice President of Technical Services with the Nebraska Cattlemen. There, I was one of two registered lobbyist for Nebraska's leading commodity in Nebraska's largest economic sector.

I continued my service to agriculture as CEO of Colorado Livestock Association before an opportunity with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in Washington, D.C. became an offer I could not refuse. For nearly four years, I served as Director of Congressional Relations where my primary responsibilities

F

February 2013

were energy related policies for the organization including: renewable energy production, electrical generation issues including the promotion of clean coal, greenhouse gas regulations along with cap and trade legislation, to name a few.

After working on the successful passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the opportunity to return to Colorado as the Executive Vice President of Colorado Farm Bureau presented itself and we jumped at the chance to get closer to “home”. I spent the next seven years managing all aspects of Colorado's largest grassroots organization.

It is my assessment that Colorado could certainly be viewed as a microcosm of the entire United States in many ways. Many of the issues facing our neighbors to the southwest are being dealt with on a strong partisan basis; with the state evenly divided much like the United States seems to be. In many cases, the margins are razor thin with the debate and rhetoric becoming more and more hostile and certainly trending toward the political extremes. This is worth mentioning simply because trends such as these seem to always start in another state or a different region but can ultimately spread. One we can avoid in Nebraska if we are guarded, vigilant and ever striving for non-partisan solutions to our problems.

When it was announced that Jay Holmquist, General Manager at Nebraska Rural Electric Association would be retiring, I did not hesitate at the chance to throw my name in the hat.

At the end of the process, I was honored and humbled to be the Selection Committee’s choice to be the next General Manager of NREA. I would be remiss if I did not thank my predecessor for his 24 years of service and dedication to NREA, its issues, the member-systems and the rate payers.

Jay has done an exemplary job as the steward of this organization and I now know first-hand the big shoes that I have to fill.

While my background in agriculture and rural policy issues, energy and non-profit organizational management gives me a great foundation to step into this new role, I will be the first to admit that I have much to learn regarding public power districts, rural electric cooperatives and the business of providing and transmitting the power for distribution across rural Nebraska. I am grateful for the excellent NREA staff that has been assembled; all working on the behalf of member-systems, the rate payers and our power providers. I am also humbled by the leadership that abounds throughout NREA at the executive and state board level and throughout our member-systems. It truly is an honor for me to be working with so many wonderful leaders at this great organization.

And the work has already begun.

The Nebraska Legislature has convened and is in full swing. Your statewide organization is at the Capitol every day, engaged in the process and watching out for your best interest. If an issue arises or is proposed that we think will impact rural electricity, our member-systems and our rate payers, you can rest assured knowing that NREA staff is on the job affecting public policy changes on your behalf.

I look forward to meeting many of you in my travels this year as I plan to visit each and every member-system across this great state. It is important for me to learn this industry from the inside out, thus the reason I am committed to spending time with each of NREA’s member-systems, learning their business, issues and what they need from us in order to be even more successful.

My passion is to serve you, this organization and to once again be a contributor to this great society that we call “Nebraska – The Good Life”.

On behalf of my wife Karol and our three kids – Tate, Truman and Karsyn, I want to thank you for the path forward and for this unbelievable opportunity to be part of the industry and community that powers and makes all things possible for rural Nebraska. It truly is good to be home.

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Power Grassroots Public power districts and electric co-op member-owners can help shape rules and laws that keep electricity reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible

by Magen Howard

n the months leading up to the November 2012 election, electric co-ops and a multitude of other organizations in Michigan campaigned against Proposal 3, which would have amended the state’s constitution to require that 25 percent of the state’s electricity be generated by in-state renewable sources by 2025. The electric co-ops were joined by the Michigan Farm Bureau, chambers of commerce, churches, labor unions, and newspapers across the Great Lakes State.

The proposal drew criticism for a host of reasons—from politicians saying the state constitution was not the place for enacting energy policy, to reminders that the state already had passed a renewable portfolio standard that required electric utilities and competitive electric generation suppliers to have 10 percent renewables in their gen-

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eration mix by 2015. The estimated $12 billion price tag for fulfilling the constitutional mandate didn’t help matters, either.

The grassroots groundwork paid off for Michiganders who wanted renewable energy but in a more responsible manner. On Election Day, Proposal 3 was rejected by 63 percent of the voters.

Nebraska YLC Representative Justin Korth signs people up for a grassroots program at the NRECA Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif.

Michigan’s Proposal 3 is just one recent example of the electric cooperative network working with its grassroots base to ensure an affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy future and improved rural quality of life.

Nationwide, public power districts and electric co-ops boast one of the largest potential grassroots bases, with 42 million people spread across 75 percent of the U.S. receiving electric service.

“We at the Nebraska Rural Electric Association do our part to work with lawmakers on policies that are fair to electric utility member-owners,” says NREA Government Relations Director Kristen Gottschalk. “But our member-owners provide the real legislative muscle, and we need them to flex it now more than ever.”

What exactly does it mean to be

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Left: NREA Government Relations Director Kristen Gottschalk, left, discusses upcoming legislation with District 33 Senator Les Seiler of Hastings and Legislative Aide Ashley McGrain.

Below: Lobbyists meet with state senators in the Rotunda of the state capitol to discuss key issues.

part of a grassroots movement? It can be as simple as sending an email on an important issue to a state legislator or member of Congress. From time to time Nebraska’s public power districts and electric co-ops have asked their member-owners to get involved when it comes to laws and regulations that will affect the affordability or reliability of electric service.

Mobilizing member-owners It’s easy to see why electric utility member-owners should be involved, says Randy Dwyer, director of grassroots at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the trade organization that represents more than 900 not-for-profit, member-owned public power districts and electric co-ops in the U.S. “Public power districts and electric co-ops should include their

February 2013

member-owners in the political process because they provide the real voice,” Dwyer stresses. “The electric utility looks out for them, but if they’re going to speak on behalf of their member-owners, they must be engaged in the process.”

To that end, Nebraska’s public power districts and electric co-ops are working with their member-systems to create political action plans.

The Nebraska Rural Electric Association has launched a grassroots initiative that is based in education.

“Nebraska’s public power districts and electric cooperatives are facing growing uncertainty over the future of America's energy policy,” said NREA Grassroots Coordinator James Dukesherer. “As we focus our efforts to ensure Nebraska continues to provide affordable, reliable, and safe electric power, we are turn-

ing to the member-owners for help.”

No one understands your electric bill better than you; and the NREA Grassroots Initiative provides direct communication between elected officials and those they are elected to represent.

All member-owners are encouraged to take an active role in the Grassroots Initiative and to take advantage of the opportunities presented. Rather than a single voice, the Grassroots Initiative will mobilize a movement of Nebraskans concerned about energy issues and affordable electric rates. With your active involvement, we can be a powerful voice in Lincoln and Washington.

“As Congress and the State Legislature continue to debate energy issues, we all have a responsibiliPlease turn to page 8

7

The Power of Grassroots From page 7 ty to ensure the concerns of electric providers and consumers are heard by our representatives,” Dukesherer said. “Now is a historical time for Nebraska's electrical industry, and we must work together to ensure elected officials understand our issues and a balanced debate occurs.

By increasing the dialog between representatives and constituents, the Grassroots Initiative will build strong relationships with policy makers, increase education of the issues, and raise awareness of the concerns of rural America.”

Why we care We all are owners of Nebraska’s notfor-profit public power districts and electric cooperatives—which means your rural electric utility isn’t interested in creating excess revenue for far-away investors. The rural utility business model also requires utilities to enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve. That mission naturally extends to statehouses and to Washington, D.C.

The NREA office is located in Lincoln, Neb. near the state capitol allowing staff members to provide daily representation while the Unicameral is in session.

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Custer Public Power District General Manager Rick Nelson discusses electric issues with Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine, Neb.This kind of contact strenghtens the NREA Grassroots Initiative program.

Lobbying—aka “advocacy”— involves citizens talking directly with legislators. It’s one of the five freedoms enshrined by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

NREA staff members represent the rural electric point of view on a variety of issues. The NREA has the strength of 34 member-systems behind us when we represent the Association before Congress, the Unicameral, or state and federal agencies. Staff members provide daily representation while the Unicameral is in session. They appear before legislative committees, draft legislation, and carry the rural electric message to the 49 members of the Unicameral.

While NREA staff members are able to have a daily presence at the Unicameral, it is the grassroots support from our individual membersystems, their directors, employees, and customers that leads to our ultimate success. We encourage all of our members’ directors and employees to stay in close contact with their state senators and members of Congress throughout the year.

Where you come in Electric utilities can’t go it alone.

CEOs and utility boards are doing everything they can to keep electric costs affordable. And they do a great job of it. But there are things outside their control, like regulations that affect prices and electric service. By having a strong political action plan and an engaged membership, each utility can help drive these concerns home. And when lawmakers hear from the folks—voters—back home, they listen.

If you would like to be included in the NREA Grassroots Initiative and receive notice of important energy initiatives, you can sign up to receive email alerts at www.nrea.org/grassroots2. By signing up to stay informed you will join thousands of Nebraskans already involved in the NREA grassroots movement.

Magen Howard writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit public power districts and electric cooperatives.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Safety after the storm has passed nlike a tornado dropping from a spring thunderstorm, there is usually more time to prepare for a winter storm. Paying attention to the National Weather Service and local media can help keep those in the path of a winter storm aware of impending severe weather. Hopefully steps have been taken to winterize homes, get emergency kits together, and make emergency plans as these measures will help during storm recovery.

After a winter storm has delivered snow, ice, wind, snow drifts, and subzero temperatures and power outages, do you know what to do? What steps should be taken to keep everyone safe and warm as recovery begins?

Molly Hall, executive director of the Energy Education Council’s Safe Electricity program says, “The Federal Emergency Management Association tells us that winter storms are deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to storms. Many hazards can remain after the storm is gone.”

Dangers that might have to be dealt with after a winter storm can include power outages, downed lines, fallen limbs, and obscured hazards from snowfall, which can keep downed lines from being seen. Here are some steps that Safe Electricity recommends you take after the storm is passed: • If you have lost power, contact your provider as soon as you are able so that they are aware of your outage.

• Check on neighbors and loved ones to make sure they are safe and warm.

• If you are using a secondary heat source such as a propane or kerosene heater, or a fireplace, make sure you follow manufacturer’s safety instructions and take precautions against unintentional fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Similar advice pertains to portable stand-by generators if using one for temporary power.

• Be on guard against hypothermia and frostbite. To avoid these, dress in layers, stay dry, stay hydrated and fed, and limit time spent out-

U

doors.

• Stay indoors if possible, and use caution when venturing outside.

Remember, downed power lines could be hidden under limbs or snow, and there is no way to tell if a line is energized. If you see downed power lines—stay away, and keep others away. Notify authorities as soon as possible.

• If you need a shelter, text SHELTER plus your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area.

A winter storm brings a multitude of ways to sustain an injury as snow, ice and cold temperatures might linger for days. Hall adds, “Other ways that injuries occur after the storm is gone are car accidents on slippery roads, back injuries and heart attacks from shoveling snow, and bruises and broken bones from falls on icy sidewalks.”

Source: SafeElectricity.org

Set your thermostat back to save energy and money ou can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit while you are awake and setting it lower while you sleep or are away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours, you can save 5 to 15 percent a year on your heating bill. That is a savings up to 1 percent for each degree if the setback period is at least eight hours long.

It is a common misunderstanding that heating systems work harder than normal to warm the space back to a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set back, which will result in little or no savings. In reality, as soon as your house drops below its normal temperature, it will lose energy to the surrounding environment less quickly. The lower your interior temperature is, the slower heat escapes through walls, floors, ceilings and roofs. Therefore, the longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy you save, because your house has lost less energy than it would have at the higher temperature. The same concept applies to raising your thermostat setting in the summer—a higher interior temperature will slow the flow of heat into your house, saving energy on air conditioning.

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Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, you will find that programmable thermostats help avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal before you wake or return home. Once they are properly set, you will not have to remember to adjust the setting before leaving or going to bed. Most programmable thermostats cost between $30 and $250. Through proper use, you can save this cost through energy savings in less than a year in some cases.

Most programmable thermostats have separate programs for heating and cooling, and may feature a switch to turn on the furnace blower for air circulation, even when the system is not heating or cooling. More sophisticated models may be programmed to run the circulating fan for brief 5 to10 minute periods in the event a heating or cooling cycle has not taken place during the previous hour. This is particularly useful in homes where, without frequent air circulation, hot air rises and separates from the cooler air that falls, creating uneven temperatures throughout the home.

Programmable thermostats may also have an air filter change reminder. This feature counts the accumulated run-time of the system and reminds you when it is time to

change the filter. Dirty filters can cause systems to run longer and be less efficient. Some digital thermostats have the capability of being programmed using a touch-tone telephone or over the Internet. This is a convenient way to change your heating or cooling system when you are away from home and cannot physically touch the thermostat.

Some people suggest that setback is inappropriate for homes with heat pumps because the backup heat, which is usually more expensive to operate, comes on shortly after the temperature setpoint rises and negates savings. That is not necessarily true. Many thermostat manufacturers have specially designed programmable thermostats for heat pumps, which make setting back the thermostat cost-effective. These thermostats typically use special algorithms to minimize the use of backup heating systems while maximizing the efficiencies of the heat pump.

Keep in mind that the best place to install a thermostat is on an interior wall, away from vents and other sources of heat and drafts that could distort temperature readings. If you are doing more than a simple replacement, consider calling a heating and cooling professional for assistance.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

The Jacuzzi Walk-In Hot Tub… your own personal fountain of youth.

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The moment you step into your Jacuzzi Walk-In Hot Tub you’ll see the superior design and the quality of the craftsmanship. The entry step is low and the door is 100%

guaranteed not to leak. The high 17” seat enables you to sit comfortably while you bathe and to access the easy-to-reach controls. Best of all, your tub comes with the patented Jacuzzi PointPro™ jet system– which gives you a perfectly balanced water-to-air ratio to massage you thoroughly but gently. These

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high-volume, low-pressure pumps are arranged in a pattern that creates swirls and spirals that provide both a total body massage and targeted treatment of specific pressure points. The tub features a high gloss acrylic coating which is more durable, scratch resistant and

Why Jacuzzi is the Best ✓ Easy and Safe Entry Low entry, leakproof door allows you to step safely into the tub. ✓ Durable and Easy to Clean State of the art acrylic surface. ✓ Comfortable Seating Convenient 17 inch raised seat. ✓ Worry Free Enjoyment Thanks to Jacuzzi's Lifetime Limited Warranty. ✓ Maximum Pain Relief Therapeutic water AND air jets. ✓ Relax Fully - All controls are within easy reach. ✓ Personalized Massage Adjustable back jets for pinpoint control. ✓ No Hassle Installation Designed to fit in your existing tub space. easier to clean than traditional gel-coat surfaces. It’s American made with full metal frame construction and comes with a lifetime warranty on both the tub and the operating system.

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emember the feeling you had the first time you got into a hot tub? The warm water, the energizing bubbles and the gentle hydrotherapy of the jets left you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

Aches and pains seemed to fade away, and the bubbling sound of the water helped put you in a carefree and contented mood. The first time I ever got in a hot tub at a resort, I said to myself “One of these days I’m going to have one of these in my home– so I can experience this whenever I want.” Now that I’m older, I’d still like to have the pain relief and relaxation, but I have to be careful about slipping and falling in the bathroom. That’s why I was thrilled to find out that Jacuzzi had combined the safety of a walk-in bath with the benefits of a hot tub.

Now that I have one in my home I can have that luxurious resort experience… whenever I want.

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SAFETY BRIEFS

Safe use of electric heating products add winter warmth

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hen used properly and safely, electric blankets and other heating devices can help keep you toasty during cold winter months. Here are a few safety tips for electric blankets and heating pads to keep in mind: • Purchase items only if they have been approved by an independent testing facility, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

• Inspect all cords and connections for cracks and frayed edges, which are a huge fire and injury hazard.

Replace blankets or heating pads with faulty cords.

• Discard your blanket or heating pad if you see dark or charred spots on the surface.

• Do not put another cover on top of an electric blanket unless the safety instructions included in the packaging specifically state it’s safe to do so. Some newer models protect against overheating.

• Once your electric blanket or heating pad is switched on, keep it laid flat—a folded device can cause a fire, as can a blanket that’s been tucked in (which can bend wires).

• Never use heated bedding while asleep—look for a model with a timer

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that switches off automatically.

Space heaters If you choose to use a space heater to supplement your home’s heating system, some of the same rules of thumb apply, including purKeep your space heater at least 3 ft. away from yourself chasing a safeand flammable items like blankets, drapes, and rugs. ty-certified Photograph provided by U.S. Fire Administration model and reading the included socket that can handle the load. safety instructions. More tips for • Check safety instructions before space heaters: using a space heater around water— • Keep units three feet away from some models are not intended for use combustible materials—such as bedin bathrooms. ding, drapes, clothes, and rugs. Space • Be sure children are supervised heaters also have parts that can around space heaters. Curious explospark, so avoid using them in areas ration can lead to electrical shock where you store flammable liquids and burns. like kerosene and gasoline.

• Finally, unplug and store the • Plugging space heaters directly space heater in a safe place when into a wall outlet is best. If you must you’re not using it. use an extension cord, make sure it’s Sources: Electrical Safety Foundation the correct type and boasts the right International, U.S. Consumer wire gauge size for your particular Product Safety Commission space heater. Otherwise, use a wall

Rural Electric Nebraskan

The Invention of the Year is Great News for your Ears Perfect Choice HD™ is easy to use, hard to see and doesn't cost a fortune… it’s like reading glasses for your ears™!

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doctor who leads a renowned hearing institute, there is Perfect Choice HD. It’s a PSAP designed to accurately amplify sounds and deliver them to your ear. Because we’ve developed an efficient production process, we can make a great product at an affordable price. The unit has been designed to have an easily accessible battery, but it is small and lightweight enough to hide behind your ear… only you’ll know you have it on.

Perfect Choice HD is NOT a hearing aid. Hearing aids can only be sold by an audiologist or a licensed hearing instrument Now we’ve made Perfect Choice HD better than ever! specialist following hearing tests and Original Design New Perfect Choice HD fitting appointments.

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CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS

Upgrade garage door for comfort, efficiency, safety

by James Dulley

: I do projects in my garage, Q which also has a bedroom above it. The garage door is an old metal one with no insulation, so I think I should replace it. What type of garage door is best? : It sounds like you definitely

A need to make some efficiency improvements to the garage door, for both your comfort while working and for the energy losses from the bedroom floor above it. If the builder installed an inexpensive, inefficient garage door, as many do, or it’s an older building, it’s likely the bedroom floor above the garage isn’t well-insulated either.

When evaluating energy efficiency projects, keep in mind: Hot air goes up, but heat energy moves in all directions, including down. If your garage doesn’t have a furnace duct going to it, but it stays reasonably warm, it’s getting heat from somewhere. It’s probably from an adjacent house wall and down from the bedroom floor above it.

Before you invest in a new, efficient garage door, inspect your existing door. If it’s in relatively good condition and there are no significant drafts coming from the joints between the panels, consider installing a garage door insulation kit. Some kits provide an insulation value as high as R-8, but they won’t seal air leaks through the joints between the door panels.

Owens-Corning makes an easy-toinstall garage door insulation kit. It includes vinyl-backed fiberglass insulation batts, retaining clips, and tape. Cut the batts to fit the door panels. Apply strips of double-sided tape on two spots on each panel.

Stick the retaining clips on the tape and push the insulation over them.

18

A top clip snaps over each clip to hold the insulation securely in place.

Several other advantages of installing an insulation kit are reduced outdoor noise and lower lighting costs. The exposed white vinyl backing reflects light so you need fewer lights on in the garage.

If you decide you need a complete-

After clips are stuck to garage door, the fiberglass batts are pressed over the clips. Photograph provided by Owens Corning ly new door, there are several options. The most common garage door materials are wood, insulated steel, insulated fiberglass, and aluminum/glass. Of these, the insulated steel or fiberglass offer the best efficiency because of the insulation value and the rigidity of the door to remain airtight over its life.

Many insulated steel doors are “wind rated” for severe weather.

Even if your area doesn’t have frequent high-wind storms, install the horizontal galvanized steel supports across the inner surface of the door if they were included with it. As the door rolls up to open, the edges are not interlocked to support each other. Without the supports, the panels may flex and begin to form cracks over time.

If you prefer the appearance of

wood but want higher efficiency, select a clad-insulated steel garage door. Clopay developed a method to apply a one-half inch-thick polymer coating on the exterior steel skin. It has authentic wood grain molded into the surface so it looks identical to real stained wood. Another option is an embossed simulated wood finish that’s painted on.

A very popular garage door style today is a simulated swing-open carriage type. It still rolls up like a typical panel garage door, but from the street it appears that two doors would swing open. These attractive doors often have some type of decorative glass across the top panel for aesthetics and for natural light in the garage.

An insulated steel door is probably the least expensive design to meet your efficiency and comfort needs. Some foam insulated steel doors, such as the Clopay Gallery Collection double-wide door that I installed at my home, have insulation values as high as R-19. The foam inside the door can be either glued-in rigid polystyrene or blownin urethane foam. Urethane foam has a higher insulation level, but either should be satisfactory.

When choosing a steel door, look for one with a thermal break separating the outdoor and indoor metal skins to reduce heat loss. This is not a factor on a fiberglass door. If you have children, look for pinch-resistance panels. These are designed to push a finger out of the panel joints as the door closes. If you want glass in the door, make sure it’s at least double-pane, insulated glass or lowE for better efficiency.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Rural Electric Nebraskan, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

CFL cancer scare debunked f the story appeared in a supermarket tabloid you’d probably chuckle, shake your head, and then pay for your groceries. But when stories about compact fluorescent bulbs posing health risks turn up in Scientific American, you have to take notice.

Not to worry, says NRECA’s Cooperative Research Network. But electric cooperatives will want to be aware of what’s going on, because some members are asking questions.

“About a year and a half ago, there were some reports in the European media that CFLs cause cancer and there was a university study. It was picked up by a lot of reputable media outlets in Europe and the United States,” said Brian Sloboda, CRN senior program manager.

“And then one day, a reporter called the university to interview the researcher. And the researcher said he had no clue because he’d never

I

done any work like that. It was a total fabrication,” Sloboda explained.

Fast forward to July of this year, when Scientific American and others picked up on research conducted at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Sloboda said some co-ops received calls from members asking about this story, which suggested the university found some correlation between skin cells in a Petri dish and ultraviolet radiation emitted by some CFLs. “The details are different,” said Sloboda, who took a closer look. “The simple answer is that there is, for most people, not too much to be concerned with.”

For starters, some of the cells used in the SUNY study are not normally exposed to sunlight. So it’s worth looking at research by others, including the Food and Drug Administration.

That found that while CFLs do pro-

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duce UV light, it is a small amount “equivalent to just being outside in the sunlight for a minute or two,” Sloboda said. “So it doesn’t cause direct damage.”

The only eyebrow-raising finding by the FDA concerns people with preexisting conditions, such as lupus, that cause the skin to be hyper-sensitive to UV light. And in those situations it’s only people who are “using the CFL very, very close to your skin for an extended period of time,” Sloboda said. “Most people are not doing that.” FDA recommends keeping the CFL at least a foot from your skin.

Co-ops can advise members to talk to their physician, and if they’re still worried, to buy LEDs which don’t emit UV light.

But Sloboda said the bottom line is: “You’re far more at risk for skin cancer by going outside and never using sunscreen for several years. That’s what puts you at risk—not having a CFL in a table lamp.”

Source: Electric Co-op Today

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DOWN HOME

RECIPES

Moist Banana Cake with Coffee Frosting 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour

2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana, (about 3) 1 cup (8 oz.) sour cream

In large bowl cream butter & sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda & salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with bananas & sour cream, beat well after each addition. Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely on a wire rack.

Coffee Frosting: 1/3 cup butter, softened 2 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar

New South Stir-Fry 1 teaspoon ground thyme 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup thinly sliced onion 1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper 1 package (8 ounce) frozen baby cob corn, thawed, drained 1 package (10 ounce) frozen sliced okra, cooked & drained 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh celery heart leaves 1–2 drops hot pepper sauce 2 cups hot cooked rice In small bowl, combine thyme, salt and pepper; blend well. Set aside. Cut pork tenderloin lengthwise into quarters; cut each quarter into 1/4-inch slices. Sprinkle pork slices with seasoning mixture. Heat in oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork slices and garlic; stir-fry 3 to 4 minutes or until pork is tender. Add onion, red pepper and corn; stir-fry for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in okra, parsley, celery leaves and hot pepper sauce; cook just until mixture is hot, stirring frequently. Serve with hot cooked rice.

Recipe provided by the National Pork Board 20

2 teaspoon instant coffee granules 2-3 tablespoons milk

In a small bowl, beat butter & confectioner’s sugar until smooth.

Dissolve coffee granules in milk; add to butter mixture & beat until smooth. Spread over cake.

Bonnie Swendener, Mullen, Nebraska

Salmon Roll 1 pkg. (10 ounce) pie crust mix 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs 1 can (3/4 oz.) salmon (use red salmon) 1 hard-cooked egg, chopped

1 1 1 1 2

tablespoon chopped parsley cup sour cream teaspoon onion salt tablespoon butter, melted tablespoon lemon juice

Roll out dough in oblong piece about 7 x 9 inches. Sprinkle bread crumbs evenly on dough to 1/2 inch from edges. Drain salmon, reserving 1/4 cup of liquid. Flake salmon, removing any bones or membrane, add reserved liquid, and spread on top of crumbs. Follow with egg and parsley. Mix sour cream with salt and spread 2 tablespoons over the top. Dampen edges with water.

Roll up like jelly roll. Cut. Brush with butter and bake in moderate over (350 degrees) for 20 minutes or until brown. Serve on warm plates, topping with remaining sour cream - to which lime juice has been added. Serves 4 to 6.

Emogene Burt, Gretna, Nebraska

The Rural Electric Nebraskan will pay $25 to any reader who submits a recipe which is selected for publication in the magazine.

Be sure to include a mailing address for payment purposes and a phone number in case we need to contact you.

Recipes will not be returned and not all recipes will be used. Recipes should be submitted in typewritten or printed form.

Send recipes to the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, Rural Electric Nebraskan Recipes, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

FEB - 1: DWM, 38, Good guy looking for Good lady, 30-46, to share Good times. Send phone number, email or just write, I’ll do the same.

FEB - 2: SWM, 67, looking for lady with same interest. Hunt, fish, CW music, outdoors, Husker volleyball, dancing, & love Golden Retriever.

FEB - 3: 43, SWM, NS, social drinker farmer from central Nebraska who likes Husker football & basketball, traveling, camping, slow dancing, playing cards, dining out, and likes dogs. Looking for a young lady to enjoy life with. Phone and email, please.

fishing, camping, and cooking. Please send full photo and phone number.

FEB - 6: SWM, 5’9”, 170 lbs, 57, from eastern Nebraska, employed, who likes country living and having a good time. Looking for female companionship. Photo please.

FEB - 7: WidWCM, early 60s, professional businessman, central Nebraska. Dog lover, very musically inclined. Looking for woman 50s60s who likes sharing interests and activities. Phone please; photo appreciated.

To appear in print The Rural Electric Nebraskan Adult Pen Pal Service is exclusively for member-readers ages 18 and over.

To be considered for use, submissions must: (1) Identify rural electric system providing magazine; (2) Include $6 to cover mail forwarding costs; (3) Be 25 words or fewer; (4) Include full name and mailing address (will not be used in magazine); and (5) Be first person, submitted directly by person to receive responses. Acceptance, editing and issue scheduling is at editor’s discretion.

Address all submissions to Rural Electric Nebraskan Adult Pen Pal Service, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501. All responses received by the Adult Pen Pal Service are routed directly, postage paid, to the response number assigned to each submission.

FEB - 4: DWM, NS, 49, looking for a nice honest woman, 39-55. Love to go fishing, boating, hunting, camping, walking, talking and cooking. Please send full photo and phone number.

FEB - 5: WidWF, NS, 55, looking for nice honest guy, 49-61. I love to go

To write To respond to one of the adult pen pal requests, write letter, place in envelope, seal and affix first class postage. Address to full, correct response #, c/o Rural Electric Nebraskan Adult Pen Pal Service, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

Your letter will be forwarded unopened. Do not send money or additional postage; forwarding is prepaid. Enclose your full mailing address for return correspondence.

Once again . . . it is very important that all responses carry the full response number—both month and number—to be properly forwarded.

Abbreviation Code C — Christian; C/W — Country-western; D — Divorced; F — Female; M — Male; NS — Non-Smoker; ND — Non-Drinker; R&R — Rock and roll; S — Single; W — White; Wid — Widowed

February 2013

21

MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS Gascosage Electric Cooperative (GEC) seeks General Manager Headquartered in the city of Dixon, Missouri, the cooperative serves approximately 9,700 consumers located in Pulaski, Miller, Maries, Phelps, and Camden counties. The city of Dixon, with a population of 1,547, is located 45 minutes from Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, the Midwest's premier lake resort destination that offers world-class boating, golfing, shopping and fishing and a wide variety of lodging, restaurants, state parks, and other recreational activities.

The General Manager of GEC is responsible for the day to day management of the cooperative and reports directly to a board of directors.

Applicants should possess a broad knowledge of rural electric cooperative distribution system management with an emphasis in the areas of long-range planning, financial management, budgeting, human resources, and fostering positive long-term relationships with the GEC board of directors, members and the public at large.

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Applicants should hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree from a four-year accredited college, or alternatively, have at least 10 years experience at a senior staff/managerial level.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years experience in the rural electric cooperative industry sector at a senior staff/managerial level.

Please provide a complete application package, including cover letter, resume and recent salary history, along with 6 verifiable business and 3 personal references, no later than March 1, 2013 to: Andrew Sporleder Johnson & Sporleder, LLP 304 E. High St., Suite 200 P.O. Box 1670 Jefferson City, Mo. 65102

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