Spray School in Oregon augments its enrollment by bringing in international high school students, creating an educational and cultural exchange.
PHOTO BY CHIARA PROFENNA
See You at
By Kevin Short
Most of us lead busy lives. We find ourselves multitasking—constantly checking our phones and email to keep up with the demands of modern life. Thanks to technology, we can accomplish many tasks electronically and remotely to be more efficient.
With so many pressing obligations, we like to protect our spare time. Invitations to attend in-person meetings and gatherings are weighed carefully as we decide whether or not our time and effort to attend is beneficial. The answer to the question, “What’s in it for me?” must be compelling. You may think attending Anza Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting would be easy to lump into the “no benefit to me” category. However, I’d ask you to think again.
Anza Electric Cooperative exists to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to its consumer-members (that’s you!). Equally important is our mission to enrich the lives of all members and to serve the long-term interests of our local communities. This is where you can help.
As a member of the community, you have a perspective that is valuable—and we invite you to share it with the co-op. At the annual meeting, co-op leaders discuss priorities and challenges
the Annual Meeting
and the co-op’s financial health and priorities for the coming years. Topics to be discussed this year include increased solar generation, infrastructure upgrades, vegetation management, wildfire mitigation, member rebates and energy-saving incentive plans. The annual meeting is also the time to vote for new board members who represent you, the members of the co-op. Board members are local consumers, just like you.
Anza Electric Cooperative is one of the few local organizations that is uniquely positioned to bring together all community members. It is worth noting the health of the co-op and well-being of the community are closely intertwined.
Perhaps you think you have nothing to add to the discussion, so there is no need to attend the annual meeting. However, every energy bill you pay to the co-op helps ensure better service and reliability for the whole community. Your dollars are reinvested locally into improvements that affect the reliability and affordability of your energy. We want to hear from you to better inform our decisions as we plan for the future.
While AEC provides convenient electronic options for bill pay and communication, there are times when there is no substitute for in-person engagement. When community members come together for a common purpose, we improve the quality of life for all in our corner of the world.
If you’ve never attended our annual meeting, or if it’s been a while, please stop by. Our co-op family looks forward to visiting with you! We’ll have food, fun and door prizes. Booths will be set up for local businesses and clubs.
Mark your calendar for this year’s annual meeting. n
Saturday, July 20, 2024
7:30 a.m. Registration and breakfast begin.
9 a.m. Meeting called to order.
Hamilton High School Gymnasium
Director Candidate Petitions Available
Three board member seats are open
Anza Electric Cooperative Inc. is governed by seven directors representing the three districts of the cooperative’s service area. Districts 1, II and III will have one seat available each, for a three-year term.
AEC’s democratically elected board of directors is responsible for setting policy for the only electric distribution cooperative in Southern California. Directors are committed to policies that result in a safe and reliable electric system, fair rates, financial responsibility and superior member service.
Each year, eligible AEC members can seek nomination for director positions up for election through the petition process established by AEC’s bylaws.
Each three-year term on the board of directors is held by a cooperative member.
The AEC board meets once a month. At times, directors are asked to represent the cooperative at additional meetings. Directors are expected to travel and attend educational seminars leading to board certification.
If you are interested in serving on the board, download a petition, candidate declaration of eligibility and resume form at www.anzaelectric.org.
Thirty valid member signatures are required for each candidate petition. If two names are listed on a membership account (e.g. John and Susan Smith), only one person is eligible to sign
the petition.
All AEC members in good standing and residing within the cooperative service area may become a director, except for employees of the cooperative and those who are in any way employed or financially interested in a competing enterprise or business selling electrical energy or electric or plumbing appliances or services, solar electric or thermal energy appliances or systems, or internet equipment or services to the cooperative.
If only one petition is received for a position in 2024, that candidate will be automatically seated for a three-year term. No election is needed if no other petitions are received.
The deadline for returning petitions is Tuesday, May 21.
Director positions will be filled when the election results are announced in July. n
Director Responsibilities
Mission and Purpose
The board regularly evaluates whether decisions and policies help the cooperative successfully further its commitment to serving our communities by providing excellent member services, and safe and reliable energy services at a competitive price.
Governance
The cooperative’s board of directors approves and may amend business rules and rates, which govern the cooperative’s dealings with members.
Legal and Ethical Accountability
AEC board members adopt and enforce policies, resolutions and actions governing ethical conduct, accountability and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Financial Oversight
The board of directors establishes financial targets and goals and approves the cooperative’s budget. Board members also review and approve significant investments, loans and acquisitions, and the rates and terms for providing electric service to cooperative members. The board is responsible for evaluating periodic financial statements, reports and information, and considering internal control procedures.
Operational Oversight
The board discharges its duty to manage the affairs of the cooperative by delegating day-to-day management responsibilities to the general manager. The general manager is hired by and answers to the board. Board members consider and approve AEC business initiatives. n
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY ANTHONY DELORENZI
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY FATIH AYDIN
Young
By Chiara Profenna
Ambitious youth entrepreneurs of the Pacific Northwest excel Big dreams: MINDS,
As the first days of summer emerge, countless youth eagerly embrace their newfound time for leisure and relaxation. But for a distinctive few, summer signifies an opportunity to refine their business skills and embark on entrepreneurial ventures.
Meet some youth entrepreneurs spending their free time blossoming small businesses in the Pacific Northwest. Spanning from the outskirts of Oregon to the northern reaches of Alaska, these young leaders are shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Fortitude Rural Youth Entrepreneurs
At 11 years old, Macy Richcreek, a fifth grader at McGovern Elementary School in Winston, Oregon, is taking over Fortitude Rural Youth Entrepreneurs from her brother, Ryder Sawyer.
The all-kids market operates out of Porter Creek Mercantile in Tenmile.
“My brother started it around 2020,” Macy says. “When he was little, he would sell stuff. He started doing adult events, but then he realized that kids should (be able to) make money.”
A seasoned entrepreneur, Macy began pastry and dessert venture Sassy Sweets when she was 6 years old. In addition to running her table, Macy oversees the market, which typically hosts about 15 children and their various goods.
“My brother has a Bigfoot section,” Macy says. “And we have a lot of different things, like wood carvings, shave ice, spray paint art, bath bombs.”
For the next step of her entrepreneurial journey, Macy is starting a new line—Sassy Sports—to sell sports-themed jewelry.
Managing all her business ventures has been a challenge, Macy says. However, the experiences have inspired her to continue branching out and trying new things.
Starting Sassy Sweets at 6 years old, Macy Richcreek is now ready to expand her business with a new line specializing in jewelry.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MACY RICHCREEK
Taking over the Fortitude Rural Youth Entrepreneurs from her brother, Macy steps into the larger role of managing a group of youth entrepreneurs while overseeing her businesses.
“I want to be a teacher,” Macy says. “I would like to do business and teaching when I get older.”
Alia’s Treasures Untold
Alia Halat, a sixth grader at Trailside Elementary in Anchorage, Alaska, was driven by her love of art to start her business, Alia’s Treasures Untold. She incorporates radio frequency identification locks built into painted boxes for a business that combines custom art with functionality.
Her magic boxes are hand painted and include an RFID lock with a key built into an outside item. After learning about RFID locks, Alia added one to a wooden box she had painted and made a key out of a toy wand.
“This was just something I had made for fun because I wanted to hide my treasures away from my sister,” Alia says. “I didn’t think of creating a business out of it or that anyone would be interested in having a painted magic box except for me.”
However, after Alia attended a summertime Junior Achievement Biz Camp, she decided to take her concept to the next level.
“During the camp, we worked on creating our own businesses,” Alia says. “At first, I didn’t know what to do my business on, but then I told my camp counselors about my magical treasure box I had made. They helped me come up with the idea to make Alia’s Treasures Untold.”
At the camp, Alia won the JA Biz Camp’s Shark Tank pitch competition.
“I won startup money and was able to invest it back into my business,” Alia says. “I used it to buy more supplies so I can sell more products, and I became a real entrepreneur.”
Contact Information
KB Pet Portraits
Krystal Beckman, a junior at Enterprise High School in the northeastern Oregon city of Enterprise, launched her business, KB Pet Portraits, in December 2023 with the support of Reinventing Rural’s Mentor Match Teen Entrepreneurship Program.
“I was very nervous to start a business, but I loved art so much,” Krystal says. “I was like, ‘OK, I’ll try to do this.’ And then I just went to bazaars, and I passed out info, and that’s how I started.”
Through the program, led by program founderStacy Green, Krystal and a group of teens learn the ins and outs of starting a small business. According to Krystal, the program has been helpful, teaching her about topics such as accounting and time management.
“One of the biggest things she told us was to be bold and don’t feel shy about sharing your business with others,” Krystal says.
Even though Krystal was unsure about starting a business, she was quickly encouraged by her customers and their willingness to pay for her art.
“They actually wanted (to pay) $50 more than I was offering,” Krystal says. “It just really brought up my confidence. I was just extremely excited and happy.”
With the support of the ongoing mentorship program, Krystal hopes to continue to improve and expand her custom pet portrait business. She encourages teens to delve into entrepreneurship in any way they can.
“It takes several times to fail before you succeed,” Krystal says. “That’s one thing we’re trying to focus on right now. And I think it’s a good lesson.” n
ALIA HALAT
KRYSTAL BECKMAN
Creating custom-painted boxes with radio frequency identification locks, Alia’s designs are unique and practical. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALIA HALAT
Krystal Beckman’s business, KB Pet Portraits, is a blossoming passion project that began in December 2023. PHOTO COURTESY OF KRYSTAL BECKMAN
the girls’ and boys’ dorms, respectively.
“Most of them by now call me Mom,” Crystal says. “It’s a good feeling to know that they’re really comfortable with me and that it feels like a home to them.”
The small town allows boarding students to blossom throughout the year and create meaningful connections with locals. The students say their experience has been nothing short of wonderful.
Lucia del Carmen Garrido Anton, a student from Spain, says living in Spray has been a great experience that has broadened her horizons. Other students agree their friendships have been lifechanging and given them a lot to be grateful for.
“A lot of them have said that they really like the close-knit of the community,” Crystal says. “Everybody’s super nice and super helpful. They don’t feel out of place when they come here.”
The students spend most of their time in Spray, they also have opportunities to explore Oregon through various trips, including regular visits to Bend, the nearest city for shopping.
At the start of the 2023 school year, Sadie organized a trip to Rockaway Beach for the boys, giving them a few days to soak in the beauty of the Oregon Coast.
A Year in Spray
Over the course of their year in Spray, the boarding students are intent on absorbing the language and culture in America so they can further their academic and career goals back home.
“When they leave here, their English language flows, and comprehension is so much greater,” Marc says. “They really are setting themselves up for what they want to do.”
The students also become more sure of themselves as the year progresses.
“It’s great seeing them kind of blossom,” Crystal says. “When they get here, most of them are super shy, super quiet, super unsure. And by the time they leave, it’s like they’re an American kid.”
However, according to Sadie and Crystal, one of the most
The international students in Spray enjoy trips around Oregon for various breaks and holidays. At the beginning of the school year, Sadie took the boys to Rockaway Beach. PHOTOS ABOVE AND RIGHT COURTESY OF SADIE GARRETT
The girls’ dorm, across the street from Spray School and overseen by Crystal Rey, houses up to six international students at a time. PHOTO BY CHIARA PROFENNA
International students bond in Spray.
International students spend the full academic year at Spray School. PHOTO COURTESY OF SADIE GARRETT
Grilled Apple Portobello ‘Burgers’
1 large sweet apple
2 portobello mushrooms
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup herbed goat cheese
2 brioche buns
2 large pieces butter lettuce
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Heat the grill to medium heat. Slice apples horizontally into thick round wedges. Remove seeds using a fork. Remove portobello stems.
In a small bowl, combine 1/8 cup olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and salt.
Using a basting brush, coat portobellos on both sides with the olive oil mixture. Grill stem sides down for 2 minutes, then flip. Add goat cheese to portobellos. Grill for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted. Remove from grill. Use remaining olive oil to coat apple rounds. Grill apple rounds for 1-2 minutes per side to lightly char.
Serve portobellos with apple rounds on brioche buns with lettuce and mayonnaise.
Source: Envy Apples
Golden Beet and Rice Burger Sliders
71/2 ounces white beans, drained and rinsed
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tablespoon water
14 ounces jasmine rice, cooked and cooled
4 ounces golden beets, cooked and grated
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled and divided
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
12 leaves bibb lettuce
1 cup arugula
2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
In a food processor, pulse beans, egg and water until mashed.
Transfer the bean mixture to a large bowl. Add rice, beets, 11/2 ounces goat cheese, dill, salt and pepper. Stir until combined. Divide the mixture into six portions. Shape into 1/2-inch-thick patties.
In a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Cook patties in two batches, 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and heated through. Add remaining oil, as necessary.
Place two lettuce leaves together, overlapping ends to form a pocket. Place a patty inside the lettuce pocket. Top with arugula and remaining goat cheese. Drizzle with Sriracha sauce. Repeat with remaining burgers.
Source: Success Rice
Pomegranate and Arugula Rice Salad
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons minced red onion
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups jasmine rice, cooked and cooled
5 ounces arugula
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
Crumbled goat or blue cheese, optional
In a large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, red onion, mustard, honey, salt and pepper.
Add rice, arugula and pomegranate seeds to the bowl. Toss to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle with almonds.
For added flavor, top the salad with crumbled goat or blue cheese.
Source: Minute Rice
Cheesy Asparagus Tart
5 cups water
1 pound asparagus
Ice water
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste, divided
1/4 teaspoon pepper, plus additional to taste, divided Flour, for dusting
Heat oven to 400 F.
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 cup grated fontina cheese
1 cup grated gruyere cheese
1 tablespoon shallot, minced
2 egg yolks
3 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 lemon, zest only
In a large skillet, add water and asparagus. Cook for 5-8 minutes until asparagus is bright green. Drain asparagus and soak in ice water.
In a large bowl, mix drained asparagus, vegetable oil, salt and pepper until combined.
Flour surface area. Using a rolling pin, roll out the pastry to a 10-by-16-inch rectangle. Transfer the pastry to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Prick the pastry with a fork. Bake for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly on the baking sheet.
In a large bowl, mix fontina cheese, gruyere cheese, shallot, egg yolks, milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper until combined. Spread cheese over the pastry, leaving 1 inch around the edges. Lay asparagus over the cheese mixture.
Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Sprinkle lemon zest over the tart before serving.
Source: Culinary.net
READER EXCHANGE
Books/Magazines
I’m looking for Ralph Compton’s “Trail Drive Series” books.
Elizabeth A. Samul P.O. Box 37 Antelope, OR 97001-0037
Crafts/Hobbies
We are gathering items again for Operation Christmas Child. If you sew, knit or crochet, we would love to have Barbie doll clothes, hats or finger puppets. We are also collecting Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars, cloth pencil pouches and Beanie Babies. Last year, we sent 558 shoeboxes worldwide. Our goal is to send as many or more this year. Many thanks to those of you who have sent items in the past, you have shared kindness and joy with children near and far, many of whom have never received a gift. If you have other gift ideas for children 3-14, let us know. Sometimes items are too large for the shoeboxes. We cannot send liquids or sweets.
Peggy Hodge 10106 Edgewood Drive Anderson Island, WA 98303 peggyocc2000@gmail.com
I’m requesting all types of yarn, old jewelry, cotton, fabric, buttons, wine corks and artificial flowers. I make things and donate to shelters, food banks, churches, pregnancy centers and anyone in need. Thank you in advance for anything you can send.
Christen Rath 6577 Lucky Lane #802 Brookings, OR 97415
I sew aprons, pot holders, etc. I would love to find an inexpensive source for fabric. Any good-sized scraps will work. Thank you.
Diane Sauer 17468 Auklet Drive Bend, OR 97707 dianelpn13@live.com
Milestones
Our amazing and precious mother, Verneil, is turning 100 years old in May. She has spent a lifetime helping others, never complaining, and always being there with a smile and a pleasant attitude. Please join us in celebrating this very special lady’s birthday. Send cards to Verneil Johnson, 611 S. Harriman Ave. #219, Amery, WI 54001.
Clayton Johnson Gold Beach, Oregon
At the end of May, mom will be 99 years old. I am thankful to still be able to receive her wisdom, reminisce memories and traditions, or sort buttons from the “purple tin” with great-grandkids. Birthday wishes from readers would be special. Betty Beckwith, The Forum at Town Center, 8709 SE Causey Ave. #226, Happy Valley, OR 97086.
Nancy Welfelt Redmond, Oregon
A very good friend of mine turns 97 in May. She would be tickled to receive a mailbox full of birthday wishes. She was a nurse for many years, raised her family and has always been a loving, giving person. Thank you so much. Send cards to Trudy Schoelkoph, 160 Joshua St., Grants Pass, OR 97526
Missy Murphy Bend, Oregon
Submitting Requests Is Free
Thanks
I would like to thank all the readers who sent crochet cotton to me. What generous members there are. I have more than enough to finish my tablecloth, and enough to do another tablecloth, plus place mats and a table runner. The colors are so bright and cheerful. Thank you all so much.
Patty Gassner Scio, Oregon
My mother, Gail Simmons, of Eugene, turned 80 in January. I requested birthday cards for her birthday and words of encouragement for still being a nurse in these difficult times. I was there when she checked her mailbox the first time, and the look on her face was priceless. She received more than 700 cards from all over the United States thanking her for her dedication to the medical field. I wanted to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for making her 80th birthday special. She read every one of the cards, some homemade and with hand-drawn pictures from children. What a blessing that something so small as a stamp and words of kindness go so far displaying the humanity left in the world. For those who wrote, God bless you, and thank you to the magazine for allowing us to share kindness in Milestones.
Robert Shafer Heppner, Oregon
Send your request—no attachments, please—to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange. Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates.
Submissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and as space allows. We cannot honor every request.
Please affirm you have authorization from all appropriate parties before submitting. By submitting, you indemnify Reader Exchange, Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., its officers, directors, employees, utility clients and insurers from all legal liability incurred by the publication of information.
We no longer accept pen pal requests. You may submit a pen pal request as a Marketplace ad. Marketplace pricing applies. When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone. Phone numbers will not be published. Email addresses will be published if part of the ad, but you must include a postal address. Requests also must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
We know you. You’re not interested in everyday, runof-the-mill, common cutlery. You want something with a story, a unique feature that you can brag about. We’ve got just the thing for you. Our Mighty Conifer Knife is a unique tool with a Damascus steel blade and a handle crafted from an enhanced and stabilized natural pinecone. Each pinecone — and therefore, each knife — has its own unique characteristics. And the back of the handle features hand tooling, a further demonstration of each piece’s individual nature.
Constructed of Damascus steel, a modern reworking of the legendary metal forged by ancient swordsmiths, this nearly 5-inch blade features 256 layers that have been folded on top of each other to increase its durability. Our competitors are charging hundreds for boring, run-of-the-mill knives with no features worth bragging about. We’re asking JUST $99 for a knife unlike any you’ve seen before!
With full-tang construction and a genuine leather sheath, it’s the choice for those who crave distinction. Call now and be among the first 700 587 callers to receive free Stauer 8x21 Compact Binoculars, valued at $99. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back!
*You must use Insider Offer Code: MCK179-01 to get this price. California residents please call regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.
Allied Electric (800) 305-0544
50-percent off regular service call.
Anza Community Broadcasting (KOYT) (951) 763-5698
10% off membership
Anza Pizza Factory (951) 389-6155
Free breadsticks with purchase of any pizza.
Anza Valley Outlook (951) 763-5510
50-percent off classified ads
Bodywork by Alyssa (951)5 41-7643
Free gift aromatherapy
Common Grounds (951) 744-0428
10-percent off any purchase (excludes promo items)
Dairy Queen Anza Buy 1 blizzard, get 1 for .99 of equal value or less
Danielle’s Skin Care (760) 567-0822
Buy one facial, 2nd one half-off
Dennis Does It Plumbing Repairs (909) 228-2178 15-percent off service call.
Desert Dough + Co. (619) 884-1350
Buy 2 specialty boules & get a free classic boule
Dr. Cox, Chiropractor (760) 898-3860
$10.00 off first visit
ERA Excel Realty (951) 763-2535
Free wine tasting at a Temecula Winery at closing ($100 value)
Local Participating Businesses
Visit www.connections.coop to get details on these great offers!
Freedom Electric (951) 763-0744
15-percent off service calls.
Gollery Electric (951) 763-0809
10-percent off service call of $250 or less
Heritage Well Service (951) 763-2210
$20 off any service.
High Country Mercantile (951) 234-1314
Free shipping on merchandise
High Country Nursery (951) 837-1905
10 or 15% off some purchases
Highway 371 Business Association (951) 763-8630
20% off membership renewals
Hoss Air HVAC Services (310) 982-9694
$30 off reg svc call. $50 off for seniors. $50 off 1st 2hrs of labor.
Hydrascope Engineering Co. (951) 763-4875
$1000 off engineering and design when we do the work or 10-percent off posted machinery rates.
Jacy Farm (Fruit Orchard) (951) 837-0536
10-percent off regular priced items.
JB Nursery (951) 763-7688
25-percent off all purchases
Lopez Becerra Cleaning Service (951) 599-3491
Free 1/2 hour on first cleaning.
Lorraine’s Pet Supply & Grooming (951) 763-0033
$5 off first groom. Save $1 on nail trims. $1.00 off 40# pet food.
Mountain Communities Telephone Directory (951) 492-9822
Free red or black SUPERBOLD listing
Mountain Man Firewood (951) 704-4175
Free stacking of 1st order
Mr. Happy’s Mercantile (951) 763-2692
Free cloth tape measure or can koozie with purchase.
Napa Auto Parts Anza (951) 763-1400 up to 45% off MSRP
Once Upon A Thread (951) 760-9829
10-percent off all sales excluding sale items.
Overland Realty (951) 763-2500
Credit to buyer or seller at close of escrow, $200 off closing costs for residential, $100 for vacant land
Packard Construction (951) 805-2340
5-percent off labor
Palms to Pines HVAC (760) 636-6933
$20 off service call. Free estimates.
Peoplepedigree.com (951) 763-9758
25-percent off regular rates and a referral incentive program.
Phatpuppy Art (949) 201-6499 (Digital Art & Photography) 15-percent off any digital art design or photoshoot.
Powers Up Hair Studio (951) 834-4917
10-percent off all services.
Progressive Land Surveying (951) 551-6830
15-percent discount
NEW: Raya’s Treats (951) 285-1052
10-percent off first order
Sage Mountain Farms (951) 663-3079
Join CSA to receive free honey and eggs.
NEW: Sandi’s BizAssist (951) 744-5011
10-percent off in-house products & services
Stone Equipment/TYM Tractors (951) 288-6548
3-percent off tractors
The Jam Lady (951) 763-9758 10-percent off regular priced items.
Unstuck Towing & Recovery (951) 852-9177
10-percent off hourly towing rate
Up in Smoke & Vape (951) 365-7043
15-percent off Glass
Yilberto’s Taco Shop (951) 763-4433
5% off any purchase of $10 or more
4
Steps to Electric Service
Connecting new electric service takes research and planning
David Herder
When a customer asks their utility for new electric service, it launches a detailed, diligent process into motion. Constructing an electric connection can run smoothly due to all the work done beforehand.
While every utility has its own customized process, a new connection almost always has four steps: application, engineering, permitting and construction.
Application
Typically, the journey of a thousand kilowatt-hours begins with a single application. This first step puts the project on the utility’s radar and begins the information-gathering process.
“If you’re thinking about building a house and you’re getting ready to build, go ahead and apply for new service,” says Kristin Burge, engineering and operations manager at Northern Lights Inc. in Sagle, Idaho. “Don’t wait until your house is built. Because you might come in, and we might not have the right transformer, especially if you need a special piece of equipment.”
Applications typically ask for an address, site plan—to give an idea of how the power will be connected—and a rough estimate of energy use. These questions help the utility plan for any engineering the project needs.
“Especially around here, you might have a 10-acre parcel,” Kristin says. “Well, where do you want power on that parcel?”
While customers can walk into utility offices to
Story and photo by
get help with new applications, the information can often be gathered elsewhere. Customers can call their utility or find application materials on utility websites.
Engineering
As with any construction project, before any tools are brought out, it is important to ask, “How are we doing this?”
That plan is the responsibility of the utility’s engineering department. At utilities such as Central Electric Cooperative in Central Oregon, a field engineer heads out to the soon-to-beelectrified site to get the lay of the land.
“Engineers then design the infrastructure, considering the specific requirements and site conditions,” says Brent ten Pas, CEC vice president of member and public relations.
Engineers consider the most efficient way to add the service and calculate the additional cost of providing that service. The best way to connect a location to the power grid varies based on location and terrain.
Sometimes, it can be as simple as running a short wire to connect houses in a new subdivision into a central hub. Sometimes, it could mean running miles of wires and poles through steep woods to reach an isolated barn. Each job has different engineering challenges and costs.
Similarly, if the new customer is building a subdivision, factory or a resort, their power needs may present larger planning questions for a utility, depending on whether or not the current infrastructure can handle the increased electric load.
“CEC engineers evaluate the projected loads to determine the potential impacts to the system and whether upgrades are needed,” Brent says. “If needed, the developers are responsible for the associated costs of upgrading the system to deliver the required power for their projects.”
Utilities are constantly monitoring their systems to make sure they are capable of delivering the full power demand. At Northern Lights, there is a five-year construction plan as well as a 10-year forward-looking plan.
“We’re always trying to look forward so that we’re not going to have a capacity issue,” Kristin says.
Lineworkers at Benton REA in Southern Washington string power lines to provide increased electric load to a local business.
Permitting
In a construction project, it is necessary to follow local laws, codes and guidelines.
Depending on the town, county and state, new service can require electrical permits as well as any easements needed for the property a power line would cross to reach the new service. While the customer must typically get all of these permits, utilities can often help point them in the right direction.
Construction
Once the plans have been developed, lineworkers head into the field, construct a connection to the customer’s meter, and soon enough, a lightbulb turns on for the first time.
“Honestly, that’s the short thing usually,” Kristin says.
At the construction phase, the biggest hurdle is ensuring all of the necessary building materials are on-site. The whole world has faced supply chain challenges during the past four years. For utilities, this has meant difficulties acquiring components, such as transformers and power poles.
“Things have cooled off a little bit, but compared to the pre-COVID supply chain, it definitely has changed things,” Kristin says. “Last year, we ran out of elbows for underground connections. It’s just the most bizarre thing.”
In Alaska, challenges can come even if the materials are on hand. Alaska Village Electric Cooperative has nearly 50 power plants serving 58 communities across western Alaska. In most of those communities, materials must be shipped by barge or airlifted, which requires months long planning.
“We’ve got to have every nut and bolt figured out in advance,” says Bill Stamm, AVEC president and CEO. “If a lineman gets there and is short on materials, it can scuttle the job until we can regroup and get materials out there, which isn’t going to be just a drive to the hardware store. It will be a couple days or a couple weeks.”
Bill says AVEC accountants and auditors came to a realization recently.
“They realize that we are kind of a construction company that does utility service on the side, just because we always have something that’s being built in one of our locations,” he says. n
Board of Directors
Ryall Stewart, President
Stephan Lauzier, Vice President
Chilli Ainsworth, Secretary
Harold Burdick, Treasurer
Steven Silkotch
Hope Adams
Diane Sieker
General Manager
Kevin Short
P.O. Box 391909
Anza, CA 92539
Phone: 951-763-4333
Fax: 951-763-5297 aec@anzaelectric.org www.anzaelectric.org
A Message From the Manager
Taking It All for Granted
A big part of how utilities work involves forward planning. Our cooperative is always looking ahead, forecasting our future load growth, upgrading existing infrastructure as it ages and complying with an ocean of ever-changing regulatory restrictions as we go. This process resembles a circus juggling act at times and can be complicated. Somehow, we usually manage to keep all the plates spinning at the same time.
For example, we have begun planning efforts for improvements to several critical portions of our electric system, including a sizable part of our main feeder from the outside grid. This is important because this line is our only connection to the outside world and is vitally important for us to maintain service reliability. Another recent improvement underway is an expansion of our microgrid system, along with more generation and energy storage. We have also started an aggressive fuels reduction plan throughout our territory, removing overgrown vegetation under our power lines to reduce wildfire risks.
I mention these specific programs because we have received grant funding for them. Regardless of the source, grants are critical for the operation of any nonprofit or not-for-profit entity. We have received grant approvals from a variety of governmental entities recently, including the California Public Utilities Commission, Riverside County and the U.S. Department of Energy.
h May 21–Director candidate petitions due.
h May 27–Memorial Day observed, office closed.
h July 20–Annual Membership Meeting.
Grants to the energy utility sector typically go straight to infrastructure improvements; our grants do just that. Receiving funds for such improvements is a perfect example of how tax dollars can be used effectively to upgrade and modernize the aging infrastructure we all depend on. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) is a bipartisan law signed by President Joe Biden that authorized $1.2 trillion for transportation and energy infrastructure. This is just one example of a grant our cooperative has received. Another is the California Advanced Services Fund, a technologybased fund administered by the California Public Utilities Commission. It is safe to say without grants from the CPUC our broadband project—and all the benefits we have received from it—would not exist.
Our programs for the next five years will include projects supported by these grant funds. By using this source of capital, we can invest in our infrastructure while saving money for our members. We continue planning upgrades and improvements and are confident that we can do so efficiently and economically, providing the lowest cost energy and broadband service possible.
Kevin Short
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