THE Monthly Publication of Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative Volume 48, Number 8- August 2017 (USPS 711-080) OUTLET When the Power Goes Out - So Do Mille Lacs Energy’s Line Crews Lineworkers are the first to respond after an outage occurs, and they work tirelessly to restore power to the communities we serve. If you’re traveling and see one of our crews on the side of the road, we kindly ask that you move over, if possible, and give them a little extra space to work. We care about the safety of all and this extra precaution ensures just that. If you approach a crew while traveling on a two-lane road, moving over to the next lane might not be an option. In this case, we ask that you slow down when approaching roadside crews. If you approach a crew while traveling on a four-lane road, and safety and traffic conditions allow, move over into the far lane. Move Over for Flashing Lights - It’s the Law Utility crews aren’t the only ones who could use the extra space. Emergency responders, such as police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, often find themselves responding to emergency situations near busy roadways. Emergency responders working on the shoulder of the road have got your back. Do you have theirs? Minnesota’s Ted Foss Move Over Law was named in honor of the State Patrol trooper who was killed while on the shoulder of I-90 in Winona in 2000. The law states: When traveling on a road with two or more lanes, drivers must keep over one full lane away from stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated — ambulance, fire, law enforcement, maintenance, construction vehicles and tow trucks. Reduce speed if unable to safely move over a lane. Failing to take these actions endangers personnel who provide critical and life-saving services. Fines can exceed $100. We care about you and your safety. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe on our local roadways. Upload /Download Speeds Cost/month 50 MB $50 250 MB $85 500 MB $100 1 GB $300 • XStream Fiber Connection $50 (one time) • Unlimited data • Additional choice of XStream Fiber Wireless plan for $7.95/month (wireless router and support) If you have any questions or wish to sign up, please call or stop in the office! You can reach us at 800-497-5310. HIGH SPEED INTERNET BROUGHT TO YOU BY MLEC XStream Fiber Internet Service will soon be available to a portion of our members. It’s coming to Nord and Lone Lake areas, as well as parts of Ripple, Elm Island, Section Ten and Section Twelve Lakes, and some connecting locations. You can see the map on our website www.mlecmn.net or contact our office. Fiber-optic line is the best way to deliver fast and reliable Internet to your home, and this project will bring the fiber right up to your house. This technology far surpasses any DSL connection available in our area. It will offer speeds from 50MB to 1GB, upload and download. As mentioned in previous Outlet articles, this project became a reality earlier this year when Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC), in partnership with Consolidated Communications Company (CTC), was awarded a Minnesota State Border-to-Border grant providing a 50/50 match to MLEC. By utilizing the grant dollars, we are able to provide the service to those homes along the route for only a $50 connection charge and monthly charges for the package you choose. Telephone services will be an option offered by CTC over the fiber network and billed separately from CTC. It is important to pre-sign for service. If service is added after the grant project is completed, additional charges for the fiber construction to the home will apply. By pre-signing, you will only be charged the $50 for connection. This can be billed to your account or paid by check at the time you return the 2-year contract. Monthly charges begin when the service is available at your home. Construction is set to start on September 11th, with service to some homes available as early as November. A seasonal rate option is available. www.mlecmn.net and click on SHOP NOW Go to • Instant rebates • Top brands • Lasting savings You’ll find: • Smart themostats • Lighting • Connected home products • Advanced power strips • Water saving products
Transcript
the
Monthly Publication of Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative Volume 48, Number 8- August 2017
(USPS 711-080)
Outlet
When the Power Goes Out - So Do Mille Lacs Energy’s Line Crews Lineworkers are the first to respond after an outage occurs, and they work tirelessly to restore power to the communities we serve.
If you’re traveling and see one of our crews on the side of the road, we kindly ask that you move over, if possible, and give them a little extra space to work. We care about the safety of all and this extra precaution ensures just that.
If you approach a crew while traveling on a two-lane road, moving over to the next lane might not be an option. In this case, we ask that you slow down when approaching roadside crews. If you approach
a crew while traveling on a four-lane road, and safety and traffic conditions allow, move over into the far lane.
Move Over for Flashing Lights - It’s the LawUtility crews aren’t the only ones who could use the extra space. Emergency responders, such as police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, often find themselves responding to emergency situations near busy roadways. Emergency responders working on the shoulder of the road have got your back. Do you have theirs?
Minnesota’s Ted Foss Move Over Law was named in honor of the State Patrol trooper who was killed while on the shoulder of I-90 in Winona in 2000. The law states:When traveling on a road with two or more lanes, drivers
must keep over one full lane away from stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated — ambulance, fire, law enforcement, maintenance, construction vehicles and tow trucks. Reduce speed if unable to safely move over a lane. Failing to take these actions endangers personnel who provide critical and life-saving services. Fines can exceed $100.
We care about you and your safety. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe on our local roadways.
• XStream Fiber Connection $50 (one time) • Unlimited data • Additional choice of XStream Fiber Wireless plan for $7.95/month (wireless router and support)
If you have any questions or wish to sign up, please call or stop in the office! You can reach us at 800-497-5310.
HigH Speed internet brougHt to you by MLeC XStream Fiber Internet Service will soon be available to a portion of our members. It’s coming to Nord and Lone Lake areas, as well as parts of Ripple, Elm Island, Section Ten and Section Twelve Lakes, and some connecting locations. You can see the map on our website www.mlecmn.net or contact our office.
Fiber-optic line is the best way to deliver fast and reliable Internet to your home, and this project will bring the fiber right up to your house. This technology far surpasses any DSL connection available in our area. It will offer speeds from 50MB to 1GB, upload and download.
As mentioned in previous Outlet articles, this project became a reality earlier this year when Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC), in partnership with Consolidated Communications Company (CTC), was awarded a Minnesota State Border-to-Border grant providing a 50/50 match to MLEC. By utilizing the grant dollars, we are able to provide the service to those homes along the route for only a $50 connection charge and monthly charges for the package you choose. Telephone services will be an option offered by CTC over the fiber network and billed separately from CTC.
It is important to pre-sign for service. If service is added after the grant project is completed, additional charges for the fiber construction to the home will apply. By pre-signing, you will only be charged the $50 for connection. This can be billed to your account or paid by check at the time you return the 2-year contract. Monthly charges begin when the service is available at your home. Construction is set to start on September 11th, with service to some homes available as early as November. A seasonal rate option is available.
introducing
www.mlecmn.netand click on SHOP NOW
Go to
• Instant rebates• Top brands• Lasting savings
You’ll find:• Smart themostats• Lighting• Connected home products• Advanced power strips• Water saving products
Questions or concerns?MLEC’s Board of Directors represent you!
MinneSota LegiSLative SeSSion SHowS Support for Co-opS
The 2017 state legislative session provided electric cooperatives great support on multiple fronts. One priority the cooperatives were striving for was a law to change how funds are distributed in state-declared disasters. In the past, electric cooperatives were only eligible to receive disaster relief if a federal disaster was declared. Counties, cities, public entities, and investor-owned utilities were all eligible. Now, electric cooperatives can apply for assistance when state disasters are declared.
The bill, passed and signed by the governor, puts electric cooperatives on an equal footing with public and private entities and will help strengthen rural communities.
With last summer’s damaging storms, MLEC experienced a heavy blow financially, resulting in storm- related expenses of over $290,000. MLEC would have been reimbursed by the state had this law been in effect.
Another important piece of legislation was enacted that is key for electric cooperatives to maintain their unique cooperative form of business. The legislation excluded electric cooperatives from additional oversight by the Public Utilities Commission in regards to distributed generation. The legislation recognizes that member-owned cooperatives are governed by their own boards – which are comprised of members elected through democratic process. Legislators across the state recognize that local governance at the cooperative level has resulted in innovative electric cooperatives providing essential services for over 75 years.
MLEC’s board members make decisions based on what’s in the best interest of MLEC and its members. Maintaining local decision making by elected cooperative members is one of the core principles of being a cooperative. This legislation reinforces and protects that core principle.
Fortunately, MLEC’s service area in Aitkin, Mille Lacs and Crow Wing Counties has knowledgeable and supportive legislators. We are thankful and applaud them. They, along with legislators from across the state, work hard for electric cooperatives to maintain their local democracy and preserve the trusted voice of cooperatives.
Never connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to
connect a standby generator to your equipment.
Stationary Generator:An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.
Portable Generator: Plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on the generator.
Set up and run your generator in a well-ventilated area outside the home. Make sure it’s out and away from your garage, doors, windows and vents. The carbon monoxide generated is deadly.
Use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect electric appliances to the outlet on the generator.
Start the generator first before connecting appliances.
GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS
Source: SafeElectricity.org
Never connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to
connect a standby generator to your equipment.
Stationary Generator:An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.
Portable Generator: Plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on the generator.
Set up and run your generator in a well-ventilated area outside the home. Make sure it’s out and away from your garage, doors, windows and vents. The carbon monoxide generated is deadly.
Use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect electric appliances to the outlet on the generator.
Start the generator first before connecting appliances.
GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS
Source: SafeElectricity.org
Let’s Dish Send us your recipes!
We’ll credit your account $5.00 if it’s printed in THE OUTLET
Mail to:
Jan Moriarty Mille Lacs Energy, P.O. Box 230 Aitkin MN 56431
Add to pan and heat to bubbling:1 lb. ham (deli, packaged, or leftover baked ham slices)3/4 c. ketchup2 Tbsp. mustard2 Tbsp. brown sugar
Serve on your favorite soft rolls.
Thank you to Karen Carlson-Smith of Isle for sharing this month’s recipe.
BarBecue Ham SandwicHeS
EyeElectricMinnesota Valley Electric Cooperative
Summer Safety RemindersThe combination of waterand electricity is verydangerous. Awareness ofelectrical hazards aroundwater can help preventdeaths and injuries.
• Electrical devices andcords should be kept atleast 10 feet away fromwater sources such aspools and spas. Whenpossible, use batteryoperated electricaldevices outside.
• Never handle electricaldevices when you are wet– either from wateractivities or sweating.
• Have your boatinspected regularly by alicensed electrician andbe familiar with theelectrical system so youcan identify and correctany potential hazards.
• Make sure boatoperators and swimmersunderstand the hazard ofelectric shock drowning.
• Do not swim during athunderstorm.
July 2017
Additional resources available 24/7 atwww.mvec.net
You open your summer electric bill and are a bit surprised. MVEC’s summer electric rateshaven’t changed and you’re sure your usage hasn’t changed either, so it's understandable how ahigher-than-normal bill might not seem to make sense. Here are a few possible reasons why:
Beat the Peak events are not usually held on a Satur-day, but due to temps in the high 90s, June’s loneBeat the Peak event was held on June 10, resultingin a savings of 3.9 megawatt hours of electricity.
Those megawatt hours are the equivalent of run-ning an entire water park for 65 hours on a hot day.
There are nearly 3,000 households and 21 teamssigned up this year. Ten household prizes of $100each for energy reduction are awarded at the end ofJune, July and August. Team prizes are announcedat the end of the challenge in September.
In the 5-10 member category, the River Valley AllStars and the Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Volley-ball team are competing for $500-$1,000 in prizes.
Teams in the 11-25 member category ($500 -$2,500 in prizes) are: Belle Plaine High SchoolWeight Room, Czech Heritage Club, New PragueState Science Fair, Grassroots Government, JordanElementary School, Lonsdale Ambassadors, NewPrague Chamber of Commerce, Most Holy Re-deemer Catholic School, New Prague Rotary, OurCzech Heritage Club, Our Lady of the PrairieCatholic School, SnowDrifters of New Prague andSt. Wenceslaus Catholic School.
Teams with 25 or more members ($1,500 - $7,500in prizes) are Cystic Fibrosis, Minnesota MilitaryFamily Foundation, Operation RoundUp, RedtailRidge Elementary, River Valley YMCA and SavageArea Women of Today.
Beat the Peak 201721 teams, nearly 3,000 households competing
Four factors that can affect your summer bill
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3
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3Air Conditioning It may seem obvious, but summer weather plays a big role in your
electric bill. Air conditioning accounts for as muchas 50 percent of the average household electric bill.Maintenance and smart use of your cooling system(such as keeping your drapes closed or planting treesfor shade) will help keep your electric bill in checkwhile at the same time keeping yourhome the right temperature for you.
Fans Not hot enough for running the air conditioner, so you are using a fan or two in-
stead? That uses electricity, too. Fans can keep oc-cupants acceptably comfortable up to 85 degrees.Ceiling fans are an economical choice and can beused in conjunction with your air conditioningsystem to improve air flow. Make sure it is run-
ning in summer mode: usually a counter-clockwise direction as you look up at it.
Phantom Loads Coffee makers, the cable box and many
other appliances are always on, even ifthey are turned off. Though this occursall year-round, you may be using moreor different appliances, especially if youhave kids home for the summer or areentertaining more often.
11
Dehumidifiers Typical dehumidifiers cost about 6 to
10 cents each hour they’re on.Monthly costs of $15 to $35 arecommon in summer, but can ex-ceed $50 per month if the dehu-midifier runs a lot. ENERGY STARdehumidifiers save electricity by re-moving humidity more efficiently.
JulyEE_Layout 1 6/28/2017 2:30 PM Page 1
You open your summer electric bill and are a bit surprised. You’re sure your usage hasn’t changed - so it’s understandable how a higher-than-normal bill might not seem to make sense. Here are a few possible reasons why.
4 factors that may affect your summer bill
Upcoming Community Parades MLEC will be there for all the fun!
August 5 Riverboat Days in Aitkin
August 12 Riverfest Days in Palisade
September 2 Wild Rice Days in McGregor
4
This newsletter is the voice of your tax and interest paying RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, an organization which was formed to supply you with low-cost, dependable electricity when other sources failed to do so. Chris Perrine - Editor-in-ChiefJan Moriarty - Managing Editor
NOTICE TO POSTMASTERAddress All subscription correspondence and form 3579 to: THE MILLE LACS ENERGY OUTLET (USPS 711-080) P.O. Box 230Aitkin, Minnesota 56431Published monthly by Mille Lacs EnergyCooperative P.O. Box 230Aitkin, Minnesota 56431Office of PublicationAitkin, Minnesota 56431Periodicals Postage Paid at Aitkin, Minnesota 56431Additional Entry at Isle, Minnesota 56342Subscription RatesMembers-50 cents per year
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Your electricity is on almost all the time, you knew that. You might not know about the dedication, ingenuity and diverse resources that make that level of reliability possible.
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) employees work hard so the lights turn on, and stay on – in your home or cabin. It’s reliable so that schools and businesses can thrive. The conveniences we take for granted are there – without a second thought.
Over the last five years, the amount of time members went without power (an outage) is less than two hours a year — that means their electricity is on
99.9804% of the time.That number is even more impressive when you consider the journey electricity must make before it arrives at your outlet. Power flows through our lines at almost the speed of light, ensuring it is ready to use at a moment's notice. It may travel hundreds of miles in the blink of an eye before reaching your home.
The instantaneous nature of electricity requires your power provider to use a diverse mix of coal, wind, solar and hydroelectric power to meet your round-the-clock needs. Experts monitor the generation and transmission of electricity on the grid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If an issue does occur, line workers are ready to brave the elements and return service to homes, farms, schools and businesses throughout the area we serve.
It’s not just disasters that bring out their best. It’s the everyday effort they make in improving reliability and adding new technology to better serve you.
Pole TestingMi-Tech of Wisconsin will be testing
electrical poles near all circuits of the Glen and Malmo substations
and on the east side of Mille Lacs Lake.
The testers will have both their logo and the MLEC logo visible. If you have
any questions regarding the meter testing, please contact our office at
