Rural Electric Nebraskan - 06/16

June 2016

ONE FFA AMILY PO OWERED BY MANY. At Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, we believe affordable and reliable power, responsibly generated e and delivered, is the lifeblood of the rural West. The farms, ranches, small towns and resorts that our members serve are closely tied to the landscape and their power supply.

TRISTATE.COOP

Contents Volume 70, Number 6, June 2016

“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”

Staff

Editor Wayne Price

Editorial Assistant Tina Schweitzer Published by the

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

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

Features

Youth Tour inspires students

Every June, nearly 1,700 students from public power districts and electric cooperatives across the country, including 23 from Nebraska, converge in our nation’s capital for the Youth Tour.

Each state selects a representative to serve on the Youth Leadership Council.

A few facts regarding the “Electricity of Things”

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 Quad Graphics, 2300 Brown Ave., Waseca, MN 56093.

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.

June 2016

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Pat Pope, president and CEO of Nebraska Public Power District, shares a look at various aspects of NPPD that you may not know. He explains how the electric industry in Nebraska works hard to provide power 24/7 while some groups are becoming more actively engaged in what we do and how we do it.

Vice President/Secretary Greg Weidner, Elkhorn Rural Public Power District

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

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Departments GUEST EDITORIAL

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SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy

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CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by Pat Keegan

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RECIPES

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MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS

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On the cover Hannah Smith of Brunswick, Neb. was selected last summer to represent Nebraska on the Youth Leadership Council. See the related article on Page 6. Photograph by Wayne Price.

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Nebraska’s electric power model means local control GUEST EDITORIAL

ebraska is known for a lot of things. Without a doubt, this state is home to one of the most storied college football programs of all time.

Nebraska also has the only Unicameral (one legislative body) form of legislature in the country. Many know Nebraska for being centrally located, flat and having a lot of cows and corn. If you ask someone who is not from Nebraska to tell you something about Nebraska, usually one of these things will come to mind and be mentioned.

Another thing that is unique to our great state is that Nebraska is the only state in the union where our electricity is provided entirely from either a publicallyowned utility or a member-owned electric cooperative. This means that 100 percent of the power you use at your home or business is provided by a public power district (PPD) or an electric cooperative.

In 1936, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, sitting beside Nebraska’s own Senator George Norris, signed into law the Rural Electrification Act. At that time, only 7 percent of Nebraska’s farms had access to electrical service due primarily to the fact that investor-owned utilities (IOUs) saw no profit in bringing electricity to rural areas. The leadership that it took to establish Nebraska’s rural electric utilities still exists today. The decisions governing your not-for-profit public power district or electric cooperative are made just as they were more than 75 years ago; by member-owners and locally elected board members.

With local control also comes access for you; where you have a voice on electric related issues that are important to you.

In Nebraska, whether your power is delivered by a PPD or electric co-op, you have the right to decide who represents you on your utility’s board of directors. If you have a question or concern, as a cooperative member or PPD customer, you have the ability to attend a regularly scheduled board meeting and speak with your utility’s decision-makers. No issue is too big or too small. If it’s important to

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Troy Bredenkamp NREA General Manager

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you, your local board takes your issue seriously.

Try doing that at an investor-owned utility. As a customer of an IOU, there is no convenient or regular access to the decision-makers of that utility. Unlike Nebraska’s public power utilities and cooperatives, investor-owned utilities are driven primarily by profitability for the utility.

An IOU board of directors convenes privately and behind closed doors. They are elected by the company’s shareholders, not its customers or member-owners. Business decisions are based on what is best for the IOU’s bottom line and what will maximize profits and dividends to shareholders, and not necessarily what is best for that utility’s customers.

In short, investor-owned utilities operate and are governed very differently than how the public power district and electric cooperatives that delivers reliable and affordable electricity to your home and business is governed.

Local control of your public power district or electric cooperative also means that they know you well, have your needs and best interests in mind, and they have deep roots in your community. It is members of your family, or your friends, and most certainly your neighbors that work for and operate your electric utility.

NREA’s rural electric member-systems deliver service to over 230,000 meters over 87,000 plus miles of distribution lines and employ more than 1,100 individuals across some of our state’s most rural areas. Members of your utility’s board of directors are customers just like you.

They have a stake in every decision that your utility makes and they take a sincere interest in the local economy and welfare of the community they serve.

The bottom line is this: In Nebraska you are an important owner of Nebraska’s allpublic power utility model and through local control, you have a strong voice on electricity-related issues.

The same cannot be said if your power did not come from a public power district or rural electric cooperative.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Bob Cooper retires after 42 years in electric industry

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obert J. Cooper, NREA Job Training and Safety Coordinator, will retire on June 30, 2016, bringing an end to 42 years working in the electric industry.

Cooper holds a bachelor of arts degree in education and a master of science degree in education from Wayne State College. He has worked in all areas of public power district work, including ground work, line construction and maintenance, service removal, tree work, meter reading, substation, electrical devices and equipment operations.

He began his career with York Public Power District on October 1, 1974. He served in several positions during his time there including ground man, second class lineman, customer services director and safety coordinator.

Cooper was named the first Job Training and Safety Coordinator at Northeast Community College in

partnership with the Nebraska Rural Electric Association in 1992.

Cooper has conducted an estimated 190 on-site safety observations as the JT&S coordinator for the NREA. He was influential in crafting the Job Training and Safety program for the NREA and its members over the past 23 years.

He became the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program’s Area Administrator for Nebraska in 1992.

Bud Branham, Safety Programs Director at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, said Cooper has been one of the hardest working area administrators in the program.

“Bob’s experience and dedication has always made him one of the most respected safety professionals in the program,” he said. “When Bob speaks, everyone listens.”

He served as Assistant Camp Director of the NREA Youth Energy Leadership Camp since 1997.

Cooper is based out of York where he lives with his wife, Konda. He has been active in his community and involved in several youth organizations including Boys Scouts.

The NREA Board of Directors and staff extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Cooper for his service, commitment and dedication to the NREA member-systems.

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Youth Tour inspires students and fosters leadership

by Justin LaBerge

n a mild Monday evening less than a week after Mardi Gras, 18-year-old Collin Craig was sitting in a downtown New Orleans hotel room talking to himself. He wasn’t having some sort of psychological episode; he was practicing an important speech.

The next day Collin would stand on a stage in a giant exposition hall at the New Orleans Convention Center. Behind him would be a dazzling array of video screens, some projecting his image larger than life.

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In front of him would be a sea of 6,000 faces, all several decades older than him, and all quietly waiting to hear what this high school senior from Slocomb, Ala., had to say.

Tuesday morning arrived, and Collin stood backstage in the green room waiting. The emcee called his name, music started playing, and Collin climbed up the steps and into the spotlight. He stood at the podium, and, reading from the kind of teleprompter that’s typically reserved for presidents, told the

crowd gathered for the 74th annual meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) about the journey he’d taken in the past year.

A year earlier, Collin had been selected by Wiregrass Electric Cooperative to participate in the 2015 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

This June, nearly 1,700 students from public power districts and electric cooperatives across the country, including 19 from Nebraska,

Rural Electric Nebraskan

converge in our nation’s capital for the Youth Tour. Students spend the week visiting monuments and museums, meeting Senators and members of Congress from their state, learning about leadership and the cooperative business model, and forging lifelong friendships with fellow Youth Tour participants from far-away places who were strangers just a few days before.

Each of the 44 states that participate in the program selects one member of their delegation to represent it on the Youth Leadership Council. Members of the council come back to Washington for additional leadership development experiences, serve as youth ambassadors at events hosted by their state’s rural electric utilities and represent their states at the annual meeting of America’s public power districts and electric cooperatives.

Hannah Smith of Brunswick, Neb., was selected to represent Nebraska on the Youth Leadership Council.

Smith, daughter of Dean and Jenny Smith, was chosen from among the 20 students that attended Youth Tour last June.

As the YLC delegate she has attended the YLC Conference in Washington, D.C., and participated in the 2016 NRECA Annual Meeting in New Orleans. At the meeting she provided assistance to the NRECA staff and delegates and participated in the Parade of Stars during the opening General Session.

“I have never been with more wellrounded, goal driven and successful students,” she said.

“NRECA continues to impress me with their selfless service and unique approach for a better tomorrow. The Youth Leadership Council is truly America's future.”

She attended the NREA Youth Energy Leadership Camp where she was selected as an Ambassador to represent Nebraska at the 2015 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

Hannah is currently attending Wayne State College.

The Youth Leadership Council

June 2016

Hannah Smith proudly displays the state flag of Nebraska. elects one of its members to be the group’s spokesperson and deliver an address at the annual meeting. Last year, they selected Collin.

In his speech, Collin told the audience, “there is a bigger picture that can only be reached through the actions we take to make the world a better place. We can’t do that by ourselves. It’s a collective effort from the leaders in our community who take action and look beyond their own lives.”

When he concluded his remarks, he was given a standing ovation and NRECA President Mel Coleman praised Collin and his 43 fellow More on Page 8

Hannah and Collin Craig attended a baseball game with the other YLC delegates in Washington, D.C.

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Collin Craig, national Youth Leadership Council spokesperson, addresses more than 6,000 attendees at the 74th annual meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Youth Tour inspires From page 7 members of the Youth Leadership Council.

Though Collin was the man in the spotlight at the annual meeting, all Youth Leadership Council members are leaders in their schools, communities and extracurricular activities.

Collin recounted the many spirited conversations he had with other YLC delegates on important issues.

“There were times when we might have different opinions, but there were never any fights, rivalries or hatreds. In fact, we used these debates to strengthen each other. We learned how to unite. Diversity doesn’t cause adversity, it can demolish it,” he said.

Collin plans to attend the University of Alabama this fall and study Computer Science.

Youth Tour is a joint investment made by your local electric utility,

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The Youth Leadership Council members participate in a flag ceremony at the 74th annual meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. the Nebraska Rural Electric Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

When Youth Tour participants arrive in Washington, D.C., each June, they learn from our political leaders and

return home inspired to do great things in their communities. For more information about the NREA Youth Tour program, visit www.nrea.org or www.nreca.coop/youth-programs.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

EPA offers cooling tips for every budget this summer he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program offers low to no-cost energy-efficient cooling tips to beat the heat. A typical household spends almost 20 percent of its utility bill on cooling, and by taking steps this summer to improve energy efficiency, you can save energy, save money and help fight climate change.

Try these tips to start saving today:

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No-Cost • Program your thermostat to work around your family’s summer schedule—set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home, so your cooling system isn’t cooling an empty house. With proper use, programmable thermostats can save you about $180 a year.

• Check your HVAC system’s air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it, but change the filter at least every three months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool, wasting energy.

• Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower

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cooling costs by up to 14 percent.

Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the fan.

• Pull the curtains and shades closed before you leave your home to keep the sun’s rays from overheating the interior of your home. If you can, move container trees and plants in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade.

Low-Cost • Remember to have your HVAC system serviced annually to ensure it’s running at optimum efficiency for money and energy savings.

• Swap out incandescent bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices.

Energy Star qualified lighting not only uses less energy, it also produces about 75 percent less heat than incandescent lighting, so cooling bills will be reduced, too.

• Seal your air ducts. As much as 20 percent of the air moving through your home’s duct system is lost due to leaks and poor connections. Seal duct work using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulate all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements,

and garages).

• Make sure that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet floors, walls, and ceilings. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork.

Other Tips • When buying a room air conditioner, look for one that has earned EPA’s Energy Star. If every room air conditioner in the United States were Energy Star qualified, they would prevent 900 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually—equivalent to the emissions from 80,000 cars.

• Add insulation to your attic to keep cool air in. If every American household did so, Americans would collectively save more than $1.8 billion in yearly energy costs.

• If your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with a model that has earned EPA’s Energy Star could cut your cooling costs by 30 percent.

Discover more information about keeping cool and comfortable while saving money this season at www.energystar.gov

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Solar power growth stirs questions about operation and maintenance he phenomenon of solar photovoltaics (PV) is gaining more momentum than ever. In fact, by the time you finish reading this article, a new solar project will have been deployed somewhere in the U.S. In 2015, the deployment of solar arrays increased by 16 percent when compared to 2014 – that’s the largest increase of any prior year. With more consumers installing solar panels on their rooftops, there are more questions about their basic operations and maintenance.

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What is the life expectancy of a PV system?

The life expectancy of a PV system depends not just on the panels, but on the inverter as well. PV panels have a life expectancy of about 30 years. However, the power rating of PV modules tends to degrade slowly over time due to such factors as higher temperatures and the aging of materials.

For crystalline silicon panels, the loss in power ranges from 0.5 percent to 1.0 percent a year. Inverters have a life expectancy of approximately 15 years, but in some cases, they must be repaired or replaced sooner.

How reliable are PV systems?

Certified PV products and systems generally are reliable.

Manufacturers test PV panels for hail impact, high wind and freeze-thaw cycles that represent year-round weather conditions. Unless your PV system uses a tracking device, it has no moving parts, but be sure to pay attention to the warranty. Many manufacturers offer 25year warranties for their PV panels, and most offer at least a 20-year warranty. Inverters, with capacities specified in kVA, usually have warranties of between five and 10 years, with extended warranties of 15 to 20 years available at an extra cost. Some PV rebate programs are required to carry a full two-year warranty in addition to any manufacturers’ warranties on specific components.

This warranty should cover all parts and labor, including the cost of removing any defective component, shipping it to the manufacturer and reinstalling the component after it is repaired or replaced.

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What kind of maintenance is required?

In most regions, PV modules require little maintenance.

If regular rainfall is not sufficient to eliminate accumulated dirt, customers occasionally can rinse the modules off with water. In some conditions – for example, in desert regions – soil accumulation on the module surface has been observed to reduce energy generation by up to 25 percent, but in most locations the effect will be much smaller—typically no more than a few percent.

In northern latitudes or at higher elevations, snow cover can significantly reduce system output for long periods.

In such locations, higher tilt angles allow snow to slide off the modules more readily, thereby minimizing its effect on generation. Where manual snow removal is feasible, this will also obviously improve system performance—although the value of the additional kWh generated may in some cases be insufficient to justify the trip up to the snow-covered roof.

Experts suggest periodic maintenance checks of system components (such as tightening physical connections) and completion of any preventive maintenance as needed. Talk with your system installer about routine and periodic maintenance.

Although inverter reliability has improved dramatically since the 1990s, the inverter still requires maintenance far more frequently and has a shorter projected life than the modules. The industry standard warranty for inverters is five years, with inverter mean time between failures in the range of five to 10 years. A new style of inverter, micro-inverters (so named because there is one on every module, instead of one inverter for the whole system), typically have a longer life and warranties of 20 to 25 years. Although some fault modes can be cleared by simply cycling the AC (alternating current) power to the inverter, maintenance usually requires the services of a trained electrician and involves replacement or repair at an authorized service facility.

This limits the maintenance role of the system owner to regularly monitoring the status indicators on the inverter or identifying a sharp decline in system output that cannot be explained by factors like snow cover.

Several software packages are available that allow homeowners to easily monitor their PV system’s output and identify problems with the modules or inverter, and with micro-inverters can narrow the fault down to a single module.

Rooftop solar can be a great way to reduce your monthly energy bill and help the environment, but be aware of the costs and responsibilities involved. Talk to your local public power district or electric cooperative before installing solar PV on your home. They may offer a community solar program, which eliminates the hassle of maintaining a system yourself and may cost less than rooftop PV.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Stay safe exploring the great outdoors this summer SAFETY BRIEFS

ummer is in full swing, and that means it is time for fun in the sun! As you find yourself spending more time outdoors, remember to stay safe.

Planning a home improvement project? When working outdoors, you may be using tools, such as ladders, power tools, shovels – or even paintbrushes with extendable arms.

These items help you get the job done but have the potential to be dangerous if used improperly.

Pay attention to where you place metal ladders or dig for fence posts.

Before you start any project, always look up and avoid overhead power lines. Keep a minimum of 10 feet between you and overhead lines.

If you are planning a project that requires digging, remember to dial “811” first to find out if the area you will be working in is clear of underground power lines. Power tools should be kept away from wet surfaces, and outlets should not be overloaded.

Exploring the great outdoors is a great way to spend time with the family, but keep these safety tips in mind.

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Children should never climb trees near power lines – always assume a wire is live. Fly kites and drones in large open areas like a park or a field, safely away from trees and overhead power lines.

Planning to take a dip in the pool?

Electrical devices, such as stereos, should be kept at least 10 feet away from water sources, and outdoor electrical outlets should always be covered. If you hear a rumble of thunder, exit the pool right away.

Speaking of thunder, summer storms can be dangerous if you’re caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you find yourself outdoors during a storm, move toward suitable shelter with covered sides, and stick to low-lying ground if possible.

These are just a few tips to remember when you are spending time outdoors this summer with your family. Have some fun out there, and always keep safety in mind!

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Being safe means being alert — all the time ven in familiar surroundings, we need to constantly be looking for dangers around us throughout our day. Keeping an eye out for hazards can help you identify and avoid them before an injury occurs. Looking at the world through this safety lens can help you protect yourself and those around you.

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Watch Where You’re Going Distracted walking is on the rise for people of all ages. With so many things competing for our attention, safety needs to be a priority.

• Check your emails and send your texts before you start walking • Duck into a doorway or move off to the side to make a call, send a text or answer emails • Never cross the street while using an electronic device and make sure you can hear traffic and sounds around you • Scan ahead for cracks on the ground, spills or changes in elevation Protect the Older Adults in Your Life Falls are a leading cause of death for older adults. There are changes we can make to protect ourselves at any age.

• Use non-skid mats or appliques

in the bath and shower • Install grab bars in the tub, shower and near the toilet, and railings on the stairs • Provide adequate lighting in every room and stairway • Place nightlights in the kitchen, bathroom and hallways • Keep often-used items like clothing and food easily accessible to avoid using stools or ladders • If necessary, provide older adults with personal walking devices such as canes or walkers

Protect the Children in Your Life More than a third of child injuries and deaths happen at home. Parents or guardians should be on the lookout for potential sources of injury. According to the CDC, most incidents occur where there is: • Water: in the bathroom, kitchen, swimming pools or hot tubs • Heat or flame: in the kitchen, fireplace or at a barbeque grill • Toxic substance: under the kitchen sink, in the medicine cabinet, in the garage or garden shed, in a purse or other place where medications are stored • Potential for a fall: on stairs, slippery floors, from high windows or from tipping furniture

Take Safety With You Wherever you are, consider the hazards unique to the location. A fun outing could turn stressful quickly if you are injured.

• Going to a ballgame? Watch for foul balls!

• Heading to a concert? Consider ear plugs, and check for cables that may run along floors.

• Visiting somewhere new?

Designate a meeting place in case you get separated.

• Whether in your home or visiting others, be aware that seemingly harmless electronic devices (remote controls, keyless entry devices, toys, watches and more) may contain coin lithium batteries or “button batteries” which can cause serious injury or death if swallowed.

Source: National Safety Council

Get Trained in First Aid and CPR

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ven the fastest paramedics could take 8 to 12 minutes to get to a patient after calling 91-1. Being trained in first aid and CPR could mean the difference between life and death.

When trained in first aid, the following steps are helpful in the event an emergency: • Recognize the emergency • Check the area for safety (If it’s not safe, don’t enter) • Check the victim and ask for

June 2016

permission to provide assistance • Call 9-1-1 when appropriate • Care for the person • Have the person seek medical attention when needed

First aid and CPR training gives you the skills you need to handle life’s everyday bumps and bruises, and the confidence to respond quickly and correctly to more serious injuries and life-threatening situations that can occur.

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CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS

Can you have a Zero Net Energy Home?

by Pat Keegan I am considering installing Q :rooftop solar for my home, and a neighbor asked if I was going to have a “Zero Net Energy” home. Can you explain what this means?

A Zero Net Energy (ZNE), or A :Net-Zero, Home is one where all of the energy that is used in the home is completely offset by the production of on-site power, such as through rooftop solar photovoltaic panels.

Having a ZNE Home does not mean that you are “off-grid” —your home still uses electricity from your public power district or electric co-op for daily needs, especially when the sun isn’t shining. A ZNE Home also means you can supply power back to the electric grid from your solar panels. If you are considering rooftop solar panels for your home, you should talk to your rural electric utility first.

Usually, the term ZNE Home describes a newly built home, as it is easier to custom-build an energy efficient home and properly size solar panels that will match the expected energy use. However, existing homes can also be retrofitted to be ZNE. But before you go out and buy a solar panel system that will cover every inch of your roof, remember this mantra: “Reduce before you produce.”

Efficiency options like heat pumps and increased insulation may not seem as exciting as solar panels, but they can produce a better return on your investment. Before you purchase and install solar panels, make all the cost-effective energy efficiency improvements you can. You will likely be able to reduce the number of solar panels you need, while also seeing sustained energy savings over time.

An energy audit is the first step to

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learning how to make your home as efficient as possible. An energy auditor will walk through your home and perform tests to find out where air is leaking. An energy auditor can also perform energy modeling to tell you how much energy you would save by implementing certain improvements. If you are interested in

are smaller investments but can also help you reach ZNE. Behavioral changes, such as turning down the heat when you leave for the day, using your solar clothes dryer (a clothes line!) and turning off electronics and lights when you leave a room are also small and easy ways to reduce your energy use.

Once you have reduced your energy use as much as you can, you can now think about producing. Solar photovoltaic panels are the most common residential renewable energy installation, though a small wind energy system could be a good choice

Other than solar panels, a Zero Net Energy Home may not look different from other homes. an energy audit, talk with your electric utility. They may offer an audit or have names of trusted energy auditors.

Retrofitting a home to be ZNE will likely require investments—large and small. Upgrading your HVAC system to something more efficient is a large investment, but, as heating and cooling usually makes up half of the average home’s energy use, the upgrade will have a substantial impact on your home, especially when combined with insulation improvements. Sealing up air leaks and replacing lightbulbs with LEDs

if your home is on one of the rare sites that is windy enough.

There are also other ways to harness the power of the sun. For example, solar water heaters can be cost-effective. Or you can use passive solar techniques, like strategic window placement, landscaping and shading, and specific building materials to heat certain areas of your home in the winter or reduce sun and heat exposure in the summer.

Remember to talk with the energy experts at your rural electric utility before making any major upgrades, like rooftop solar, to your home.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Trees: Even greener than before

any people do not realize that the simple act of planting a tree can result in energy savings. How much? Three trees in the right location can save the average household between $100 and $250 annually in energy costs.

Deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves each fall) save energy in the summer by shading houses, paved areas, and air conditioners. After the leaves drop, the bare tree allows winter sunlight through to help heat and light the home. Evergreen trees and shrubs save energy by slowing cold winter winds. So, where should your trees be planted?

Shade trees reduce air conditioning needs by blocking and absorbing some of the sun’s radiant energy. Therefore, plant deciduous trees in two general areas: 1) so they will protect the eastern side of the house during the morning hours and 2) to shade the west side in the afternoon during the

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months of June, July, and August.

Trees with mature heights of at least 25 feet should be planted 10 to 20 feet east and west of the house. Try planting smaller deciduous or evergreen trees with lower limbs northwest and northeast of the home to provide late afternoon and early morning shade.

Trees planted to the southeast, south, or southwest will shade a building in the summer only if they extend out over the roof. But in the winter, when maximum sun is desired, such trees will provide too much shade. Even deciduous trees that have dropped their leaves cast quite a bit of shade in the winter. To avoid over shading in the winter, locate trees no closer than 2-1/2 times their mature height to the south of a building. Trees planted to the southeast or southwest should be about four times their mature height from the building.

Trees should also be planted to shade paved or asphalted areas. Light energy striking dark asphalt is absorbed, causing the air above to be heated. Light colored pavement absorbs less energy, but can reflect it toward the home. Tree leaves absorb light energy and use it to evaporate water reducing both heat absorption and reflection below the tree.

Air conditioners should also be shaded from mid-morning through evening. Shrubs and trees should not be planted near the air conditioner or they will reduce and the unit’s cooling efficiency. Prune branches to allow at least several feet clearance around air conditioning equipment to encourage air flow.

Trees that grow into power lines are dangerous, and they can cause electrical outages and increased line maintenance costs. They also can end up in poor health, themselves, because of severe pruning that is sometimes necessary.

Source: Nebraska Public Power District

Nebraska Eye Doctor Helps Visually Impaired To See Advanced Technology Allows Many To See Better or Drive Again

Grandchildren as viewed by a person with Macular Degeneration

Same scene of Grandchildren as viewed iewed through telescope glasses.

For many patients with macular degeneration or other eye diseases, the loss of vision can signal the end of independence and the joy of life. Nebraska optometrist, Robert Stamm, prescribes miniature telescope glasses to help people who have reduced vision see better.

“Some of my patients consider me their last chance for vision improvement” said Dr. Stamm, one of few doctors specially trained by

the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists.

Imagine special glasses that can improve your vision enough to change your life. Custom designed telescope glasses are an optical technology that can give you back your independence. ³0\ MRE LV WR ¿JXUH RXW HYHU\WKKLQJ and anything possible to allow a person to see better” says Dr. Stamm.

Call For a Free Telephone Consultation n with Drr. Stamm and to schedulee an appointment.

Dr. Robert Stamm Low Vision Optometrisst

(877) 393-0025 5

www.NebraskaLowVisionDoctor.com June 2016

19

Down Home Recipes

Quick-fix dinners that are good for you ow more than ever, food choices matter. People want healthy, environmentally friendly foods without sacrificing flavor. Substituting the traditional protein in your favorite dishes with seafood is one deliciously smart way to satisfy these demands.

Seafood offers numerous health benefits. In fact, because seafood is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals, but low in saturated fat and calories, several health organizations recommend two servings per week.

When it comes to the environment, seafood offers an advantage as well – it’s the most environmentally friendly of all the animal proteins. In a comparison of environmental costs, wild-capture fisheries have a miniscule cost compared to foods such as beef, chicken, pork and dairy.

Changing up traditional meals to incorporate the goodness of seafood is easier than you may think. Just pick a non-seafood protein dish that you regularly enjoy, and replace the protein with one of Alaska’s many species of seafood. For example, replace veal in veal parmesan with delicious Alaska cod or the chicken in chicken Marsala with flavorful Alaska salmon.

Find more easy, meatless recipes and inspiration at wildalaskaseafood.com.

N

Cod Parmesan with Zucchini Noodles 2 medium zucchini (5-6 ounces each), thinly sliced 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 teaspoon olive oil salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon dried basil 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano 1/8 teaspoon onion powder 4 Alaska cod fillets (4-6 ounces each) 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

mayonnaise, lemon juice, basil, oregano and onion powder together.

Add salt and pepper, to taste. Divide and spread topping onto the top of each fillet.

Place fillets on foil-lined broiler pan. Broil 5-7 inches from broiler element for 3 minutes, or until top is browned and bubbly. Reduce heat to 300 F and cook 3-5 more minutes.

Cook until fish is opaque throughout.

To serve, place 1/4 of zucchini on each plate. Top with cod fillet and garnish with 1/2 tablespoon shredded cheese.

In nonstick skillet, saute zucchini slices in butter and oil just until soft.

Add salt and pepper, to taste. Keep warm.

Heat oven to broil setting. Mix grated Parmesan cheese,

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Rural Electric Nebraskan

Reader Submitted Recipes

Smothered Cod or Pollock 1/4 1/2 2 1/2 1/2 4 2 1/2

2 4 2

4

cup olive oil cup red onion teaspoons garlic, chopped cup red bell pepper, diced cup green bell pepper, diced salt and pepper, to taste tablespoons flour cups chicken stock cup tomato, seeded and chopped teaspoons fresh thyme wild Alaska cod or pollock fillets (4-6 ounces each) cups mashed potatoes, warmed fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish

In hot saute pan, cook olive oil, onion and garlic for 1 minute. Add both peppers and salt and pepper, and saute 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until flour turns light brown. Add chicken stock and stir until liquid smooths and starts to thicken. Add tomato and thyme.

Season fish with salt and pepper, to taste, and place into simmering sauce and cover. Cook 3-4 minutes, carefully turn, cover and continue to cook until done, 3-4 minutes.

To serve, place 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes on 4 serving plates.

Carefully remove each piece of fish and place on top of mashed potatoes.

Evenly divide sauce over each piece of fish. Garnish each plate with 1 sprig of fresh thyme, if desired.

June 2016

1 1/2 1/2 2 2 1/2 1 2 1/2 2 1/2

Zucchini Brownies

cups sugar cup oleo eggs cups of flour teaspoon cinnamon teaspoon baking soda tablespoons cocoa teaspoon salt cups chopped zucchini

Topping: 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup of nuts (optional)

Cream sugar and oleo. Add eggs and mix well. Combine flour, baking soda, cocoa, cinnamon and salt. Add to the first mixture. Pour into a 15 1/2 x 18 1/2 greased and floured pan. Sprinkle with topping and bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Mary Wright, Columbus, Nebraska

2 3 1/8 2 1 1 1 1 1/4 4 1

Strawberry Bread

cups fresh strawberries cup all-purpose flour cups white sugar tablespoon cinnamon teaspoon salt teaspoon baking soda cups vegetable oil eggs beaten cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Butter and flour 2 loaf pan. Slice strawberries and place in medium sized bowl. Sprinkle lightly with sugar. In large bowl combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda, mix well. Blend oil and eggs into strawberries, add to dry ingredients, blending until dry ingredients are just moistened. Stir in nuts. Divide into pans. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Turn loaves out and cool completely.

Jean Wilson, Linwood, 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 or emailed to Tina Schweitzer at tschweitzer@nrea.org.

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

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MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS GENERAL MANAGER McCOOK PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT McCOOK, NE The Board of Directors of the McCook Public Power District is seeking qualified candidates for the position of General Manager for the District.

Candidates are expected to have 10 years of electric utility experience with at least five of those years in a manager/supervisory role. A bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field is highly preferred. The board seeks candidates with broad electric utility experience in areas such as electric operations, finance, planning, and customer service.

Experience working with a board is preferred. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, proven leadership ability and a strong commitment to teamwork with proven emphasis in safety.

McCook Public Power District has 27 employees serving approximately 5000 meters and 2,600 miles of sub-t and distribution lines. The District’s annual revenue is approximately $18 million. The District is a member of the Nebraska Rural Electric Association and has a full requirement wholesale power contract with the Nebraska G&T. The MPPD office is located in the City of McCook.

McCook PPD offers an excellent benefit package and salary commensurate on experience. Please send resume, three professional references, and salary history by July 15, 2016 to: McCook Public Power District Board of Directors John Scharf, President P.O. Box 1147 McCook, Nebraska 69001

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OUR SUCCESS IS ROOTEDD IN COOPERAATION T Tri-State Generation and T Transmission ransm mission Association is proud to stand with Nebraska farmers rmers and ranchers as they uphold a rich agricultural tradition. radition. The reliable and affordable power we provide e helps you get the job done today and lets you plan forr tomorrow.

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