kem country - kem electric cooperativeto kem electric. electronic submissions should conform to the...

OCTOBER 2014

LINESKEM Electric Cooperative, Linton, N.D.CountryKEM

KEM Electric Cooperative is inviting you to celebrate cooperatives during National Cooperative Month.

Every October, cooperatives are recognized for the qualities that make the business model unique. Seven cooperative principles set us apart from other businesses: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; members’ economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for community.

This Co-op Month, we’re focusing on “The Electric Co-op Connection: Discover the meaning of membership.” Co-ops exist to serve their members, but they also play a major role in their local communities.

Cooperative membership is unique. Electric cooperatives are committed to providing members with safe, reliable and affordable electricity, but there’s more to it than that. We’re local, and that means we care

about our community. This is why we participate in programs such as Operation Round Up, the Youth Tour and scholarship programs.

KEM Electric Cooperative is proud to be part of America’s cooperative network, which includes more than 47,000 cooperative businesses.

KEM Electric is one of more than 900 electric cooperatives, public utility districts and public power districts serving 42 million people in 47 states.

In the 1930s, rural America needed electricity just as much as anyone else. It was a major challenge that big utilities weren’t interested in tackling. So, the men and women of rural America banded together and made it happen. And that’s why we celebrate in October – we celebrate the power of working together for the common good and bettering the quality of life for our friends and neighbors.

Join KEM Electric Cooperative for an open house during Co-op Day Friday, Oct. 10. You’ll find more details inside. We’ll see you there! n

Celebrate your local cooperative

Baumgartner

BY CHRIS BAUMGARTNER

What’s Inside: • Join us for

Co-op Day!• We took the

challenge!

• More history sought

• Board highlights• And more

www.kemelectric.com KEM ELECTRIC NEWS , OCTOBER 2014 C1

• To enter the essay-writing contest, you must be a junior or senior in high school in the fall of 2014.

• You and your parents or guardian must be served by KEM Electric Cooperative.

• Essay is not to exceed two standard 8½- by 11-inch typewritten, double-spaced pages on this topic:

Many North Dakota electric cooperatives are or will soon be celebrating their 75th anniversaries. Describe how rural electrifi cation and rural electric cooperatives have contributed to the quality of life in North Dakota and your local community.

• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format to KEM Electric. Electronic submissions should conform to the two-page, double-spaced guideline described above. Include a cover page with your name, date of birth, school and grade in 2014, parent or guardian’s name, address and telephone number.

• The deadline is Jan. 31, 2014. Emailed entries should be directed to [email protected], and hard-copy entries mailed to: Youth Tour Essay Contest, KEM Electric Cooperative, 107 S. Broadway, Box 790, Linton, ND 58552-0790.

• If you have a question, contact Lisa Cross, KEM Electric, at the address listed above, or call 701-254-4666 during regular business hours.

• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format

• The deadline is Jan. 31, 2014. Emailed entries

• If you have a question, contact Lisa Cross, KEM

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE


• You and your parents or guardian must be served by

community.

• To enter the essay-writing contest, you must be a • To enter the essay-writing contest, you must be a junior or senior in high school in the fall of 2014.


• You and your parents or guardian must be served by

quality of life in North Dakota and your local quality of life in North Dakota and your local quality of life in North Dakota and your local quality of life in North Dakota and your local quality of life in North Dakota and your local quality of life in North Dakota and your local community.

CHECK IT OUT ATwww.ndyouthtour.com and www.youthtour.coop

HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVEELECTRIC COOPERATIVEELECTRIC COOPERATIVEELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

YOUTH TOUR




community.

• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format to KEM Electric. Electronic submissions should conform to the two-page, double-spaced guideline

• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format

described above. Include a cover page with your name, date of birth, school and grade in 2014, name, date of birth, school and grade in 2014, parent or guardian’s name, address and telephone number.

• The deadline is Jan. 31, 2014. Emailed entries should be directed to [email protected], should be directed to [email protected], and hard-copy entries mailed to: Youth Tour Essay Contest, KEM Electric Cooperative, 107 S. Broadway, Box 790, Linton, ND 58552-0790.

• If you have a question, contact Lisa Cross, KEM Electric, at the address listed above, or call 701-254-4666 during regular business hours.Electric, at the address listed above, or call 701-

described above. Include a cover page with your name, date of birth, school and grade in 2014,

to KEM Electric. Electronic submissions should conform to the two-page, double-spaced guideline described above. Include a cover page with your

• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format to KEM Electric. Electronic submissions should conform to the two-page, double-spaced guideline described above. Include a cover page with your name, date of birth, school and grade in 2014, parent or guardian’s name, address and telephone number.



• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format to KEM Electric. Electronic submissions should

• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format

name, date of birth, school and grade in 2014,

should be directed to [email protected], and hard-copy entries mailed to: Youth Tour Essay

• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format • Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format to KEM Electric. Electronic submissions should

described above. Include a cover page with your

• The deadline is Jan. 31, 2014. Emailed entries

name, date of birth, school and grade in 2014, parent or guardian’s name, address and telephone number.parent or guardian’s name, address and telephone



• Essay is not to exceed two standard 8½- by 11-inch typewritten, double-spaced pages on this topic:

If you were asked to infl uence other students your age to become more actively involved in their electric cooperative — including attendance at the electric cooperative annual meeting — what would you tell them and why?



• If you have a question, contact Kirk Praus, KEM Electric, at the address listed above, or call 701-254-4666 during regular business hours.

1. All-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., compliments of KEM Electric Cooperative.

2. A whole week to visit unforgettable historic monuments, museums and the U.S. Capitol.

3. A learning experience you’ll never forget.

TOP 3 REASONS TO ENTER THE ESSAY-WRITING CONTEST

June 13 to 19,

2015

June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June June 13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,13 to 19,

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WRITE A WINNING

ESSAY AND WIN A TRIP

OF A LIFETIME!

An all-expense-paid

trip to

WASHINGTON, D.C.

C2 OCTOBER 2014 , KEM ELECTRIC NEWS www.kemelectric.com

KEMElectric Cooperative

Join us for Co-op Day!Friday, Oct. 10

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Serving hot dogs and chips

KEM Electric Cooperative headquarters, Linton


Applying the basic cooperative principles, North Dakotans have worked together to bring the bril-liance of light to homes, farms and businesses across the state. The power of the people is exemplifi ed in the seven principles that guide all cooperatives:

1. Voluntary and open membership – Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2. Democratic member control – Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

3. Members’ economic participation – Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.

4. Autonomy and independence – Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled

by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

5. Education, training and information – Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

6. Cooperation among cooperatives – Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

7. Concern for community – While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members. n

KEM Electric Cooperative applies basic principles

Never enter a bin when unload-ing grain or breaking up a mass of grain.Anyone working around grain

bins needs to be aware of the dangers of stored grain, North Dakota State University Extension Service Agricultural Engineer Ken Hellevang warns.

“A lot of wetter-than-normal corn went into storage last fall, and wet corn is more prone to crusting or creating a wall of grain near the grain bin wall,” he says. “This increases the potential for bin unloading problems and getting trapped by the grain.”

People can become trapped in three ways: flowing grain, the collapse of a vertical wall of grain and the collapse of bridged grain.

Bridging occurs when the kernels stick together and form a crust. A cavity will form under the crust when grain is removed from the bin. However, the crust isn’t strong enough to support a person’s weight. Bridging also transfers more of the load to the bin wall, which may lead to bin failure as the bin is unloaded.

Hellevang offers these tips to help keep farmers and elevator personnel safe:• Never enter a bin while

unloading grain or to break up a grain bridge. A wall of grain can collapse without warning and cover a person. Flowing grain will pull a person into the grain mass, burying the individual in a few seconds.

• Look for a funnel shape on the surface of the grain mass after some grain has been removed. If the surface appears undisturbed, the grain has bridged and a cavity has formed underneath.

• Stay outside the bin and use a pole or other object to break bridged grain loose. Attach the pole or other object to the bin with a rope so you can retrieve the pole or other object if you drop it.

• Try breaking up a grain wall or other large mass from the top of the bin or through the bin door with a long pole on a rope. Do not remove more of the wall in

the door than necessary to insert the pole because the grain may crash into the wall or flow out the door.

• Do not unload grain from an opening in the grain bin door or the sump on the side of the grain bin. Unloading grain from the side can damage the bin and cause it to collapse.

• Do not allow people to work around stored grain until they are warned about the hazards.

• Never enter a grain bin without stopping the auger and using the “lock-out/tag-out” procedures to secure it. Use a key-type padlock to lock the auger switch in the “off” position.

• Never enter a grain bin alone. Have at least two people at the bin to assist in case of problems. Use a safety harness or line when entering a bin.

Here is what to do if someone gets trapped:• Shut off all grain-moving

machinery to stop the flow of grain.


Handle grain safely


• Contact your local emergency rescue service or fire department.

• Ventilate the bin using the fan.• Form retaining walls around

the person with plywood, sheet metal or other material to keep grain from flowing toward the person, then remove grain from around the individual.

• Don’t try to pull out anyone engulfed in grain up to the waist or higher. The grain exerts tremendous pressure on the body, so pulling a person out could damage his or her spine.

• Cut holes in the bin’s sides to remove grain if the person is submerged. Use a cutting torch, metal-cutting power saw or air chisel to cut at least two V- or U-shaped holes on opposite sides or more holes equally spaced around the bin. A bucket on a tractor also can open holes rapidly. Grain flowing from just one hole may injure the trapped person and cause the bin to collapse.

• For more information, check out the NDSU publication “Caught in the Grain.”

It’s available online at http://tinyurl.com/caughtingrain.

If the grain flow stops when you’re removing grain from the bin but the grain surface has a funnel shape and shows some evidence that grain has been flowing into the auger, a chunk of crusted grain likely has become lodged over the center sump and is blocking the flow. Grain handlers have had some success in breaking up the chunk with a Roto-Rooter type device. Hellevang recommends following these steps:• Remove the take-out auger.• Run a heavy cable inside a pipe

with an elbow at the end.• Attach cable clamps on the end

of the cable that will be in the center of the bin.

• Slide the pipe with the cable through the take-out tube to the center of the bin.

• Use a large drill to turn the cable while pushing it into the chunk of grain above the center sump.

• If the grain is “frozen” together and does not flow from the bin, warming the grain to just above freezing with a heater and the aeration fan has been somewhat

successful. Do not allow the heat from the heater to flow directly onto the fan motor or fan bearings because the fan motor relies on cool air flowing over it to keep it cool, and the heat may damage the bearings.

The warm air will pick up moisture from the corn as it heats the corn, which will condense on cooler corn in the bin and increase the moisture content of the cooler corn. Operate the aeration fan long enough to remove this moisture, and remove the corn soon after warming it.

Bin vents may frost or ice over if fans are operated when the outdoor air temperature is near or below freezing, which may damage the bin roof. Open the fill or access cover during fan operation to serve as a pressure relief valve.

Another potential safety hazard is ice accumulation on fans. This can lead to imbalance and vibration. Fans have disintegrated because of ice buildup. Hellevang recommends producers monitor fans for ice accumulation and remove the ice if it builds up. n


Grain kernels may stick together in a grain bin, forming a crust. When grain is removed, a hollow can form under the crust, creating a bridge. That bridge can collapse under a person’s weight and burying the person in seconds.

After some grain has been removed from a bin, some of the remaining grain can stick together and form a pile or wall. Trying to break this grain loose can be risky.



We took the challenge!

KEM Electric Cooperative Co-Managers Chris Baumgartner and Don Franklund took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, donating $1,000 to the worthwhile cause and standing under gallons of water being dumped on their heads from a bucket truck! See the entire video on KEM Electric Cooperative’s Facebook page.

Upon receipt of the donation, the ALS Association shared the following in a letter:

“Thank you very much for your contribution to The ALS Association. Your thoughtful gift will help us accelerate progress in finding treatments and a cure for ALS through our global research program, provide vital care to people living with ALS through our network of ALS certified centers and clinics, and sustain our public policy efforts. Your gift will also help us support our network of local chapters across the U.S. that provides essential support programs and care services to people living with ALS and their families. Thank you again for your generous gift. You have truly made a difference!”

ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

The ALS Association has garnered national attention with its “Ice Bucket Challenge” to raise funds to find a cure for the disease. n

More history soughtViola Wolf is looking for a copy of the December 1951 (Volume 1, No. 11) Kilowatt Kapers, which was KEM Electric Cooperative’s publication at that time. If you have that publication, please contact KEM Electric Cooperative. Recently, KEM Electric Cooperative received an October 1952 Kilowatt Kapers (pictured here) from the family of George L. Jackson, a former board member’s family. According to the publication, 3,000 people attended KEM Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting that year! n

You called! Tony Leier identified the person in the photo in the August issue of KEM Electric Cooperative’s pages in North Dakota Living. The photo is of Carl Leier from the 1950s.

KEM Electric’s Co-Managers, Chris Baumgartner, left, and Don Franklund

Join us on Facebook!Join KEM Electric Cooperative on

Facebook for important announcements, information about your electric

cooperative, photos and other information!

PHO

TO BY STEVE C

RAN

E, BASIN ELEC

TRIC


It’s time to decorate your yard and home as ghosts and goblins plan their invasion of the neighborhood looking for treats.

As you light Halloween night with elaborate decorations, KEM Electric Cooperative recommends some important safety tips:

• Use only lights that have been safety tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Look for the UL label on the box and on each string.

• Make sure extension cords are in good condition. Use only cords rated to carry the electrical load you will connect to them.

• Before plugging in the lights, check each string for broken sockets, frayed cords or faulty plugs. Replace damaged strings.

• Keep electric cords out of high-traffi c areas.

• Don’t staple or nail through light strings or electrical cords.

• Do not attach cords or lights to metal objects.

• Outdoors, use only lights and cords rated for outdoor use.

• Cords should be plugged into outlets equipped with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Use a portable GFCI if your outdoor outlets don’t have them. GFCIs protect you from electric shocks.

• Always unplug lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

• Do not run electrical cords across sidewalks or other walkway areas that could trip or endanger trick-or-treaters. Indoors, avoid stretching cords across a room where people or pets can trip over them or become entangled.

• Whether decorating or using extension cords in general, read the label on both the cord and the appliances that are plugged into it to make sure the cord can handle the load.

If it can’t, use a higher-rated cord or unplug some appliances. Remember that extension cords are meant for temporary, not permanent, use.

• Use fl ashlights or battery-operated candles when decorating the home, including to light walkways, jack-o’-lanterns and outdoor displays.

A safe celebration is the best celebration, and following basic electrical safety guidelines will help you avoid real scares and keep your memories “boo-tiful” and fun. n

Don’t let Halloween be Don’t let Halloween be Don’t let Halloween be Don’t let Halloween be Don’t let Halloween be Don’t let Halloween be Don’t let Halloween be

scary!scary!scary!scary!

the cord can handle the load.

Don’t let Halloween be

scary!



KEM ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.

DIRECTORS:Dean Dewald, Chairman ..................DawsonVictor Wald, Vice Chairman ..........NapoleonCarter Vander Wal, Sec.-Treas. ........ PollockCarmen Essig, Director ..........................LehrJohn Beck, Director .............................LintonDean Hummel, Director ..................... HagueMilton Brandner, Director ................Zeeland

MANAGEMENT:Don Franklund & Chris Baumgartner ........... Co-ManagersRoberta Nagel ......................Offi ce ManagerBair Law Firm, Atty. ........................ MandanInnovative Energy Alliance, LLCConsulting Engineers .....................Bismarck

Report outages to the followingtoll-free number: 800-472-2673

Hazelton, Linton and Strasburg exchanges’ phone number: 701-254-4666

OFFICE HOURS:Monday through Friday,

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Website: kemelectric.com

Email address: [email protected]

August 26, 2014• Approved the July regular board

meeting minutes• Heard department updates• Heard reports on

meetings attended• Approved two estate retirements• Heard Innovative Energy

Alliance update• Signed the special equipment

summary for July• Signed closeout for work order

562 and 562MP• Approved the Innovative Energy

Alliance budget

KEM Electric CooperativeBoard meeting

highlights

• Make sure you, your family and employees know the location of all overhead power lines and map routes to avoid them.

• Always lower portable elevators or augers when transporting them.

• New equipment may come closer to power lines. Pay attention to shifting soil conditions or other factors that may have changed your clearance levels.

See something unsafe? Contact KEM Electric Cooperative – either call 800-472-2673 or 701-254-4666 or take a photo with your smartphone and email it to [email protected]. Please include a general location description and/or your phone number so the cooperative can get in touch with you. n

Statement of nondiscriminationKEM Electric Cooperative Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and

employer. If you wish to file a civil rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested on the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, by fax 202-690-7442 or by email at [email protected]

Look up!Power lines may be overhead!

Moving equipment this fall?


kem country - kem electric cooperativeto kem electric. electronic submissions should conform to the...

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