Beyond the WireCentral Valley Electric Cooperative Locally Owned Since 1937 January - March 2015

In this IssuePage 2 ......... Sign-Up For an Energy Audit

Page 2 ....8 Mile Hill Substation Complete

Page 3 ..Board Member Earns Credentials

Page 3 ...............Need Money for College?

Page 4 Save the Date for Annual Meeting

Page 4 ..................................Co-op Tidbits

Board of Trustees•Darrell Atkins, President

District 3 - Lake Arthur/Cottonwood•Chuck Wagner, Vice President

District 6 - North of Roswell•Wesley Pilley, Secretary/Treasurer

District 4 - Dexter/Hagerman•Jack Case, Trustee

District 1 - Artesia/Lakewood•Jason Ciempa, Trustee

District 2 - Loco Hills•Larry Benedict, Trustee

District 5 - South of Roswell•Michael Bennett, Trustee

District 7 - Hope

Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.

PO Box 2301403 N. 13th Street

Artesia, NM 88211-0230(575) 746-3571 Artesia/Dexter/Roswell

(575) 752-3366 Hagerman(575) 746-4219 Fax

www.cvecoop.orgOffice Hours

8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.(Monday - Friday)

Questions?You can find more information on our website at www.cvecoop.org or call

us at (575) 746-3571Monday - Friday

8 AM - 5 PM

In 2015, Central Valley Electric Cooperative will continue installing Automated Metering

Infrastructure (AMI) meters. An AMI meter is an electrical meter that records the consumption of electricity and sends that information back to CVE. These meters differ from traditional meters because there is a wireless module installed in the meter which allows for two-way communication (much like a cell phone) between the meter and the co-op. AMI meters will increase the efficiency and reliability of the co-op's electric system. Improving the efficiency of both operations and the delivery of electricity can help CVE keep costs down for members. Currently, 20 percent of the co-op's electric system is equipped with AMI meters.

The biggest change? With the new automated meters, CVE will be able to read meters remotely from the co-op's headquarters. Remote meter reading will save time, labor and money. Members' kilowatt hour rate will not change, and there is no expected additional cost to the member to install the AMI meter.

In addition to reducing operational costs, the AMI meters, which can receive and send informa-tion to computers at the co-op headquarters, will help improve the reliability of the electric system. The technology allows CVE to detect problems, such as hot sockets in the meter base more quickly and locate outages more precisely. AMI meters measure the temperature of the meter. This can help the co-op determine if the meter has a hot socket condition which could cause a fire if it's not corrected. These meters also alert the co-op immediately if the meter has been tampered with. Preventing theft of electricity helps CVE keep costs down.

The new technology can help CVE monitor the electric system in almost real-time. This informa-

tion will make the process of delivering power much more efficient.

With more data, the co-op can improve power quality by monitoring loads on transformers and service drops.

Members will also be able to use CVE's SmartHub, online bill pay service, to track their electric use, which might help diagnose problems leading to high energy bills.

The AMI meters will only register the amount of energy you use, not how you use energy, nor will it allow CVE to control any aspect of your energy use.

Members can find more information about the meters on the Frequently Asked Questions page on the website (www.cvecoop.org).

At Central Valley Electric Cooperative taking advantage of new technologies is one more way the co-op is serving you better.

New Meters to Serve You Better

TYPE ALFC FORM 2S CL200 240V 3W 60 Hz TA=30Kh 7.2

Central Valley Electric Cooperative 2

How Your Co-op Works

SIGN-UP FOR YOUR FREE HOME ENERGY AUDITBEFORE THE END OF MARCH.

What is a Home Energy Audit?It's an inspection and evaluation of a home's energy efficiency level.

What to expect during a Home Energy Audit.Rhoads Company, a licensed and insured professional home energy audit-ing company will …

• Perform an infiltration test to determine where air is leaking.• Perform a duct efficiency test to determine if the home's heating, venti-

lation and air conditioning system is working properly.• Make all reasonable efforts to correct problems identified such as seal-

ing plumbing penetrations, window caulking, weather stripping around doors, sealing cracks, and correcting leaks in air duct systems.

To sign-up call 575-746-3571, or e-mail us at mbrsvc@cvecoop.org

It's Not Too LateTo sign-up for your FREE HOME ENERGY AUDIT

A Blower Door Test being performed to determine where air is leaking from a home.

A contract crew from ARC Powerline tears down the old substation.

Construction crew building the new 8 Mile Hill substation located across the road from the old substation.

CVE crews string wire across Highway 82 to the new 8 Mile Hill Substation.

8 Mile Hill Substation CompleteIn 2013, Central Valley Electric Cooperative started construction on the

new 8 Mile Hill substation east of Artesia. Now complete, this substation replaces the original 8 Mile Hill substation that was built in 1958. The new substation is actually two substations, one transformer is for distribution and the other transformer is for transmission. The new 8 Mile Hill substation is four times larger than the old substation and was constructed to accommo-date the growth in the oilfield. This substation is capable of providing power to about 50,000 horsepower.

A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative 3

Applications due APRIL 15

CVE Board Member Earns CredentialsCentral Valley Electric Cooperative Board of Trustee, Larry Benedict

earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) certificate.

Today's electric utility environment imposes new demands on electric cooperative directors, particularly increased knowledge of changes in the electric utility business, new governance skills and a working knowledge of the cooperative principles. CVE has committed to work with the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NMRECA) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to sharpen this body of knowledge for the benefit of our members.

The NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director program requires atten-dance and demonstrated understanding of the basic competencies contained in five core courses:

• Director Duties and Liabilities

• Understanding the Electric Business

• Board Roles and Relationships

• Strategic Planning

• Financial Decision Making

CVE would like to congratulate Mr. Benedict for receiving his CCD certificate. Currently all seven members of CVE's Board of Trustees are credentialed through the NRECA.

Larry BenedictCVE Board of Trustees since 2011

Representing District 5South of Roswell

Need Money

for College?

The CVE Education Foundation offers college scholarships for up to eight semesters of undergraduate studies.

Scholarship Requirements:• Available to active metered CVE members and their immedi-

ate family who are in good standing and current (within 60 days) in the payment of all electric service.

• Available to students attending a recognized institution of higher learning in New Mexico.

• Applicants must maintain an accumulative GPA of at least 2.5.• Applicants must be considered a full-time student.

Get an application on our website at www.cvecoop.org, at CVE's office or at your high school counselor's office.

Did You Know?Benjamin Franklin didn't discover electricity – but he did prove that lightning is a form of electrical energy.

WelcomeNew Employees

Co-op Tidbits

Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Save theDATEYou’re Invited CVE’s 2015 Annual Meeting

Democratic Member Control

That’s what being a Central Valley Electric Cooperative member is all about. You are part owner and have a voice and vote in your co-op’s activities.

Each year CVE holds a meeting where you can learn more about how the business is doing, share your views on how things are going, and vote for trustees.

Whatever the business at hand, it’s your participation that keeps the co-op truly locally controlled. And, member involvement is the key ingredient for your co-op’s success.

So mark your calendar for CVE’s Annual Meeting, Saturday, March 14. Make it your business to know what’s happening at your co-op.

March 2015S M T W T F S1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 1315 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

14

CVE’s Annual MeetingSaturday, March 14 @ 1:30 PMArtesia High School Auditorium

Lunch:11:30 am to 12:45 pm

Park Jr. High

Registration:12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

AHS Auditorium

Great Door Prizeswill be given

Jorge SolisGroundman

Michael WidingApprentice Lineman

Ben ValenzuelaGroundman

Randy ScottWarehouse Asst.