GRAND VALLEY POWER LINES

[Grand Valley News]

coloradocountrylife.coop 7JULY 2015

FThe Power of American IndependenceCelebrating July 4th and declaring our energy independenceBY TOM WALCH || GENERAL MANAGER || TWALCH@GVP.ORG

Fireworks and flags. Cookouts and cold drinks. The Fourth of July is a festive day spent celebrating our nation’s independence with family and friends. Typically, this is not a day of quiet reflection. While we spend a lot of energy having fun, if we give any thought about our forbearers and their determined efforts to bring about our nation’s indepen-dence, it’s fleeting.

An independent spirit is a part of our DNAIt is worth reflecting that this uniquely American spirit of independence remains part of our collective DNA more than 200 years after the Declaration of Independence was crafted. And this sense of independence has served us well. For example, more than 70 years ago, an independent streak inspired groups of farmers across America’s countryside to band together and improve their quality of life. Aside from President Franklin Roosevelt’s promise of federal aid in the form of low-interest loans and engineering expertise, rural Americans had little help in bringing electricity to their homes. So they did it themselves by pulling together and working cooperatively — a shining example of American determination and ingenuity.

For more than 40 years — ever since the Arab oil embargo — energy independence has been one of our most critical national policy objectives. Every president since Richard Nixon has recognized that reducing our reliance on imported oil and other forms of foreign energy will strengthen our economy and enhance our national security. Today, while we still have a ways to go, we are closer to true energy inde-pendence than ever before. We are exporting

more gas and importing less foreign fuel than in recent memory. American ingenuity in the form of new technology and innovation is opening up more options and spurring greater efficiency. According to the Energy Informa-tion Administration, energy expenditures as a share of gross domestic product are forecast at 6.2 percent in 2015, their lowest level since 2002, reflecting both lower oil prices and ongoing increases in energy efficiency.

The road to energy independenceConsumers have an important role to play in the road to energy independence. We don’t have to wait for Democrats and Republicans to agree or environmentalists and fossil fuel advocates to reach consensus on a path to energy independence. As consumers, we can play a part in moving us toward national energy independence by taking action in simple, practical ways — insulating and caulking around windows, doors and electrical outlets; washing clothes in cold water instead of hot; replacing air filters; installing a programmable thermostat; and using more energy efficient appliances and home heating and cooling systems. Efficiency efforts can cut costs for individual households, but the collective benefit to our country is even greater.

If we all work together to achieve increased

energy efficiency and reduce our overall energy consumption, we can make even more progress on our road toward energy independence. At Grand Valley Power, we want to be a resource for you in this effort. We can provide energy-saving tips tailored for your unique household needs.

Electric co-ops provide renewable energy resourcesIn addition, Grand Valley Power along with other electric co-ops across the country, are actively engaged in promoting renewable energy resources like wind and solar. Today, nearly 95 percent of the nation’s 900-plus electric co-ops provide electricity produced by renewable sources, all playing a key role in powering rural America while fostering the nation’s energy independence. Grand Valley Power is an industry leader, with more than 25 percent of the energy procured for our members coming from renewable resources. And we just flipped the switch on a new solar array, developed in conjunction with nonprofit GRID Alternatives, which is the na-tion’s first community solar project dedicated to providing affordable renewable energy for low-income consumers.

Recent advances in technology are transforming how we make and move electricity, and over time these changes will greatly improve the efficiency and reliability of electric power. So this Fourth of July, as you gaze up at the fireworks lighting up the night sky, reflect on the enduring spirit of independence that defines our American character.

Tom Walch

Manager’sCorner

Grand Valley Power can provide energy-saving tips tailored for your unique

household needs.

[Grand Valley News]

coloradocountrylife.coop4 JULY 20158

GJACK BROUGHTON/CMU SCHOLARSHIP

$1,000 scholarship renewable for up to four-yearsSara Green

Graduated: Central High SchoolParents: Michael Green and Whitney Sutton

Attending: Colorado Mesa UniversityStudying: Biochemistry and violin performance

GRAND VALLEY POWER SCHOLARSHIP 6 — $1,000 one-time scholarships

Samuel GrafGraduated: Fruita Monument High School

Parents: David and Martha GrafAttending: Middlebury College

Studying: Biology and environmental science

Mariah KlinglerGraduated: Plateau Valley High School

Parents: Jevon and Monica KlinglerAttending: Colorado State University

Studying: Agriculture education

Ryland MahreGraduated: Grand Junction High School

Parents: Chris and Trish MahreAttending: University of Utah

Studying: Bachelor of fine arts in acting

Blaine McCormickGraduated: Fruita Monument High School

Parents: Matt and Cathy McCormickAttending: Arizona State University

Studying: Sports broadcasting and journalism

Monty MetzlerGraduated: Palisade High School

Parents: Donald and Diana MetzlerAttending: Colorado School of Mines

Studying: Mining engineering

Noah TurnerGraduated: Fruita Monument High School

Parents: Dennis and Melissa TurnerAttending: Oklahoma Christian University

Studying: Mechanical engineering

2015 Scholarships AwardedGrand Valley Power announces 2015’s scholarship recipients

Sara Green

Samuel Graf

Mariah Klingler

Ryland Mahre

Blaine McCormick

Monty Metzler

Noah Turner

Cong

ratula

tions S

tudent

sIn rural parts of this country, barn raisings were commonplace and still are in some locales. On May 29 and 30, Grand Valley Power experienced a “solar array raising” by numerous volunteers from the community and around the country.

This first-of-its-kind project by Grand Valley Power and GRID Alternatives Colorado is now supplying approximately 90 percent of the annual kilowatt-hour usage to eight GVP consumers. These are low-income qualified consumers.

This project was possible through solar equipment and material donations, monetary donations and volunteer labor to erect the array. Grand Valley Power directors and employees were part of the volunteer crew erecting the array. Local volunteers included those consumers who are part of the project as well as the local project partners. Volunteers from around Colorado and even some from California and Texas participated.

Local partners involved in the project included Housing Resources of Western Colorado, Alpine Bank, Atlasta Solar, Pacific Steel and Whitewater Building Materials along with national solar equipment manufacturers SunEdi-son, Enphase and Iron Ridge.

A dedication luncheon was held on May 30 with approximately 150 people in attendance. The following pictures are of the solar array raising event.

LOW-INCOME SOLAR PROJECT OPERATIONAL

GVP’s Saturday volunteer workers include (left to right) GVP attorney Gregg Kampf; directors John Gormley and Rod Martinez; Bob Fix, husband of GVP IT Manager Sherry Fix (next to him); and Office Services Manager Cathy Gledhill.

[Grand Valley News]

coloradocountrylife.coop 9JULY 2015

Before the last panels are put in place, some of the GVP consumers who qualified to participate in the program signed a panel during a brief dedication ceremony.

Friday and Saturday are a sea of activity; volunteers are well-coordinated and supervised by GRID’s personnel.

Member Services Manager Derek Elder welcomes the volunteers during lunch on Friday.

Eldon Krugman (left), executive director of Housing Resources of Western Colorado; and Diane Johnson, general manager of Yampa Valley Electric Association, run cables for the array.

GVP General Manager Tom Walch (left) and CREA Executive Director Kent Singer, work on Saturday’s volunteer crew.

GVP’s Friday volunteer workers include (left to right) directors Don McClaskey and Dennis Haberkorn and employees Jack Malone, Debbie Whiteside, Tony Ippolito and Matt Williams.

GVP’s Saturday volunteer workers include (left to right) GVP attorney Gregg Kampf; directors John Gormley and Rod Martinez; Bob Fix, husband of GVP IT Manager Sherry Fix (next to him); and Office Services Manager Cathy Gledhill.

Mark your calendar now! Grand Valley Power’s Annual Meeting will be held August 14, 2015, in the University Center at Colorado Mesa University. This year will be the 79th Annual Meeting of the cooperative. Reservation cards for the event will be included in the annual report that you will receive in late July.

More specific information about the Annual Meeting will be in the August issue of Grand Val-ley News. Mark your calendars now for a special day on August 14.

GRAND VALLEY POWERANNUAL MEETING

AUGUST 14, 2015•

Plan to attend

[Grand Valley News]

coloradocountrylife.coop4 JULY 201510

Tissaw, Sherry LTobin, DanTobin, TerrenceTodd, Becky JTodd, JeanTodd, Jolyn MToft, George NToft, PorterTomlinson, Dorothy Tomlinson, Thomas LTompkins, Brendon STonn, HowardToothpick Drive InnTornes, Mark DTorrez, CeceliaTotcky, StanleyTotzke, Teresa LTovrea, LeeTowles, LindaTowles, Myrna LTownsend, NolaTownsley, HarveyTracy, AlisaTravis, Brian ETravis, H LeeTreece, JackTrimble, JohnTrimble, LeeTrinklein, Paul GTripp, DeborahTripp, FlorieneTrogdon, T JTrosper, DonnaTrotter, Fred JTrout, JeanTrout, Michael LTrujillo, JohnTrujillo, JosephineTrumbo, Kevin MTrumpter, Larry CTucker, BillieTucker, Gail LTucker, RobertTucker, W BTurja, Roy WTurner, John ATurner, John KTurner, Robert VTuttle, James NTwilley, Carroll FTwinn, Jackie LTwo Rivers Land & CattleTyler, Ashley EUbillos, JulianUccardi, JessicaUhl, Dale LUihlein, Fred WUintah FarmsUllrich, Karen RUmberger-Jese, Kristie MUnaweep Charolais Ranch IncUnderwood, Betty MUnderwood, Doug E

Unfred, George LUnfred, LloydUnruh, KeithUs Dept Of AgricultureUtter, EvelynUtter, Jim SValdez, PaulValles, Thomas SValley Christian ChurchVan Dike, EffieVan Houten, RonaldVan Ligten, Connie LVan Vleet, SonyaVance, Blain AVancleave, ChrisVandeboogaard, SueannVander Kolk, JaneVanhook, Jesse LVanhorn, D FVanvalskenbur, JeanetteVarner, Thomas CVasicko, Steven MVaughn, James LVaughn, JimVaughn, T JVaughn, William RVeatch, Billie AVeatch, Crystal LVeatch, Jim WVecchia, Blaine CVeco CorporationVega LodgeVega ResortVelasquez, Carol LVelasquez, Monique DVelcich, James MVelez, ElenoVenoco IncVer Meulen, RobertVer Meulen, VeronaVergith, Joyce EVessels, Frank JVetco GrayVia, PeteVictory CommunicationsVidmar, Joseph JVigil, FlorenceVigil, Joe AViktor, JoeVilkofsky, Dan JVillage @ Ftn Greens LlcVincent, Terry LVintage 70Violett, RevaViray, Deborah AVisconti, Jason TVisitation, MonasteryVogt, Mark RVoltmer, Fred RVon Ehrenkroo, LynnVoorhees, MilesVosburgh, GustellaVrbas, Justin MVroman, Jason D

Waalkes, Adrian KWacker, Edward JWade, AngelaWade, WilliamWadkins, Harold RWadlow, MaryWagner, Lloyd PWagner, Marc CWagner, Mark MWagner, Robert LWahlmeier, SusanWalberg, Marcus AWalden, Sharon AWalker Investment CoWalker, Jack LWallace, Craig FWallace, DuaneWallace, Elsie PWallace, William JWalp, Char EWalter, Daniel SWalters, Dallas JWalters, MordekaiWaltman, James VWalton, Doug QWalton, G WallaceWalton, JulianWalton, Marjorie LWaltz, William GWard, Darla MWard, David FWard, Donald FWard, Roger NWard, Sharlene CWard, SteveWare, LarryWareham, Gerald LWargo, Ruth EWarner, James AWarner, MargaretWarnke, Donald EWarr, HazelWarren, GladysWarren, GuyWarren, Steve RWarren, Steven LWashburn, LarkWassam, Leona EWastren IncWatkins, JamesWatkins, WarrenWatson, AnalisaWatson, Dan JWatson, James MWatson, JanetWatson, JimWatson, Kandi LWatson, Lawrence EWatson, LeoWatson, Mark AWatson, Melissa RWatson, Michael JWatson, Paula SWatson, Richard

Watson, Teresa MWatson, TerriWatters, Phyllis EWatton, LadonnaWatts, Mira JWaughtel, Angela AWaynick, Andy LWeatherby, Evonne IWeaver, CelestaWeaver, LarryWebb Crane Service IncWebb, Jimmy LWebbe, Ken SWebber, Dennis EWebber, DonnaWebber, James DWebber, Ryan KWeber, Judith BWeber, Nancy JWebster, DonnaWebster, IvanWeddle, AnitaWegener, Paul EWeicker, Brian KWeil, B AWeiss, Keith MWeiss, Stan RWeller, Ronald LWellhousen, WayneWellman, BarbaraWells, A AWells, DavidWells, DorothyWells, LawrenceWells, Mark LWells, Robert DWells, Robert RWelp, DanWelte, Fred EWenzel, Kurt WWerman, SteveWerner, PamWerner, Patricia AWert, Robbie Wescourt Group IncWesfrac IncWesnidge, Thomas BWest, CharlesWest, GailWest, Kenneth PWest, TennieWestcott And AssociatesWestcott, Wayne AWestern Air DrillingWestern Diesel, Inc.Western Disaster ServicesWestern Slope Feeders IncWestern States RoofingWestway FeedlotWetzel, MelodyWeybright, NaomiaWhalin, Paul AWheeler, Carl JWheeler, Lillian L

Whitacre, LesleyWhite, Earl DWhite, John HWhite, JoshWhite, Nicole DWhite, OleedaWhite, Roger MWhite, Rusty LWhite, Wesley DWhite, William EWhited, Robert MWhiting, DonnaWhitledge, Sofie RWhitney, LymanWhitney, Robert BWhitney, SueWhitney-Grant, Beverly AWhittaker, BrettWhittaker, Steed NWhittier, Jay FWhittum, JackWhitworth, Mary SWick, ArnoldWicks, Elizabeth AWidhalm, Pat MWiederkehr, John CWiiest, Debbie LWike, Pat JWilder, Dave LWilkerson, Cassie RWilkerson, Howard DWilkie, A HWilkie, AlmaWilkie, AndrewWilkie, W RWilkins, C PaulWilkins, James EWilkins, WayneWilkinson, Mildred AWilkison, GeorgeWill, ArnoldWillcoxon, WandaWillden, LeeWilliams, ArnettWilliams, Chas WWilliams, David LWilliams, DoloresWilliams, Donald PWilliams, Dorothy CWilliams, Edie LWilliams, Frank LWilliams, Frank TWilliams, Jack DWilliams, JayneWilliams, Leona FWilliams, MelvinWilliams, OrvisWilliams, Rick DWilliams, Robert LWilliams, Russell JWilliams, Stanford LWilliams, Susan OWilliams, Teresa SWilliams, Walter R

Williamson, Nathan JWilliamson, PaulWilliford, Ronald JWillis, Dennis DWillison, L AWillsea, Charles AWillson, James KennethWilmer, RayWilpolt, Ralph HWilsford, Jodi AWilson Communication CoWilson, BrianWilson, David JWilson, Don CWilson, Donald LWilson, E EnosWilson, Frederick EWilson, George AWilson, GeraldWilson, Henry BWilson, Hunter PWilson, Jack SWilson, James EWilson, James RWilson, Juliet RWilson, Kerry TWilson, LauraWilson, LysleWilson, Otis LWilson, Peggy JWilson, RickWilson, Robin CWilson, StanleyWiney, PeggyWinfield, JimWingfield, TylerWinkelmann, Renatha JWinterhalder, Shirley AWinters, William CWise, Freida IWiseman, NorrisWisener, LeonWisenstine, John DWishart, Sherry NWitham, GarlandWithrow, Don MWolf, Donna MWolfe, Albertine AWolfe, J CWolfe, Kyle JWolfkill, William EWoll, Susan EWollner, NorbertWolverton, MargaretWolverton, MarvinWood, David LWood, David RWood, JoyceWood, Karl CWood, Michael JWood, Robert CWoodruff, John PWoods, James LWoodward, Vena

Woodworth, Paul AWooters, Rachel EWorkman, Farrell MWorley, Ralph EWren IndustriesWright, Clifford RWright, HerbWright, Lloyd VWright, LorineWright, Melissa AWright, Rodney HWright, SueWright, William JWulf, Marie HWurth, RichardWyatt, Loren LWyers, Lynn LWylie, Terri LWymore, Warren MWyndle, PatrickWynkoop, Doris JYant, W HYarbrough, Janice MYates, Duane LYeager, Adina MayYeager, Aleta LYeager, GeorgeYearout, GlennYehle, Tina MYenglin, MafordYnfante, PatYoast, LeonardYoung RanchesYoung, Dorothy IYoung, JoanYoung, Michael JYoung, TerryYoung, W JYoung, William NYoungberg, Elton AYoungblood, TroyYounge, Jean BYourdan, PatrickZabilka, RobertZamora, Loretta TZancanelli, Gary SZandofsky, MichaelZellmer, JuneZemel, Alisa DZeunen, Jon HZiegler Electric LlcZimmerer, Mary EZlomke, Randy TZoll, Sharron MZollinger, JohnZowada, SteveZumwalt, RogerZvirblis, MichaelZybura, Jere

CAPITAL CREDIT REFUNDS, CONTINUEDWe need your help! The following is the last installment of a list of those customers who did not claim their capital credit checks that were mailed in December 2013. Those checks reflect the margins that were made during 1998 as well as subsequent years after the board of directors changed the policy of how capital credits were being paid out.

These capital credit checks belong to you, the member-owners of Grand Valley Power. They are your pro rata share of the margins that are earned each year. In order for these refunds to be returned to you, Grand Valley Power needs to be apprised of any address changes that you make.