A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION OF MIDLAND POWER COOPERATIVE WWW.MIDLANDPOWER.COOP |SEPTEMBER 2019

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 21 Iowa Falls, IA

50126

Inside this issue...New Midland Power team members . . . . . . . . . . .2

Harvest safety tips . . . . . . .2

Guest column . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Co-op month crossword . . . .3

Iowa Home Energy Assistance program info . . .4

His job is dangerous enough. The last thing heneeds is for you to drive into his utility truck because you ignored theflashing lights, cones and signs. When you see utility crews at work, slow down and move over. You have the power to protect a life.

But right now it’s YOU I’m worried about.

2 Kids in College $115,000 Mortgage

Restoringpowercommunity

to The

00773_IAEC_MoveOver_Ads_horizontal_v04.indd 2 6/6/19 3:56 PM

Do you SmartHubTM?

Learn more about this easy way to monitor your

energy use, pay your electric bill, report power

outages, and more at www.MidlandPower.Coop!

Download the free app today!

Roger Hammen joins Kris Lager and a therapy horse under One Heart’s new arena lighting.

Member non-profit participates in energy-efficiency program

Members to be surveyed in NovemberIn November, a minimum of 250 Midland Power Cooperative

members will be contacted by e-mail, postcard or phone to complete a survey.

Why does the co-op survey?Accessing member feedback through surveys is a crucial element

of any organization’s strategic plan. Surveys help management teams align organizational goals and objectives with member perceptions and also benefit the cooperative by:• Identifying trends in member attitudes and interests

• Giving insight on effective communication and messaging• Providing early detection of negative or positive trends in

member perceptions• Benchmarking performance from past surveys and offering

comparative data to other cooperatives• Providing statistically accurate reports which are valid across

the membership as a whole

Participants will be randomly selected and individual responses are anonymous. Participation is greatly appreciated.

One of Midland Power Cooperative’s newest business members, One Heart Equestrian Therapy, Inc, is a unique organization specializing in equine assisted activities and therapies. They work with a variety of clients with special needs including physical, occupational, and speech/language disabilities. Utilizing horses, One Heart provides a comprehensive service package including therapeutic riding, therapeutic driving and equine-facilitated learning.

One Heart Executive Director and co-founder Kris Lager established the non-profit in 2001. With the help of many generous donors, they recently purchased an existing, yet modern, stable and arena facility in north Ames located on Midland Power lines.

Midland Power Member Services Representative Roger Hammen worked with Lager to retrofit lighting for the riding arena. “I was very pleased to work with Kris and their ONE HEART » PAGE 2

The Energy InsiderPAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 2019

inspiring organization. We were happy to assist them with lighting rebates to enhance the riding arena and help to make the therapy experience for their clients even more enjoyable,” said Hammen.

The new, highly efficient LED lighting is equipped with dimmer capabilities and has greatly enhanced the atmosphere for all program participants.

“We were so excited to have a local leadership group select our arena lights as a project. It was a pleasure working with Roger and having Midland Power readily become part of the team to assure an upgraded lighting

solution. It is very difficult to describe the impact of this project on the quality of our services and, as a non-profit, efficiency and cost effectiveness is vital,” said Lager.

The non-profit organization operates with a highly qualified staff and a wide range of volunteer help. If you are interested in learning more about One Heart Equestrian, Inc, go to www.onehearthorses.org.

Rozenbeck-Beste, Johnson join Midland Power team

Melanie Rozenbeck-Beste

Jordan Johnson

Melanie Rozenbeck-Beste joined the Midland Power Cooperative team in July as an accountant in the Jefferson office.

Originally from Georgia, Rozenbeck-Beste moved to Boone in the 90s. She has a Bachelors in accounting from AIB College of Business, Des Moines, Iowa, as well as work experience as an accountant with a business

solutions company and as a business operations manager for a plumbing company.

When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with family, being outside - hiking, swimming, and traveling to a beach whenever possible. She also enjoys coaching little league softball.

She and her husband Kyle have a 7 year old daughter and a shih tzu dog.

Jordan Johnson of Ames has been a part of the Midland Power team since November 2018. He became a full time apprentice lineman at Midland Power’s Boone service center in May.

He grew up in the small town of Cooperstown, North Dakota, and has prior work experience working for Montana Dakota Utilities.

When he’s not at work, Johnson enjoys hunting, fishing, and tinkering in the shop.

Welcome Melanie and Jordan!

Safe Electricity offers the following harvest safety tips:

Learn more at:

Fall harvest is the most likely time of year for farm-related accidents and fatalities. The number one factor in electrocution on the farm is an auger that hits a power line when being moved. Be aware of your surroundings and look up often.

MAKE TIME FOR SAFETYAVOID HAZARDS WITH OVERHEAD POWER LINES

1. Check the height of the farm equipment to determine clearance.2. Be aware of the location of power poles and lines, including field entry and exit points, and plan a safe equipment route.3. Always keep a minimum 10-foot safety radius around an electric line.4. Use a spotter when moving tall loads near electrical lines.5. Lower extensions to the lowest setting when moving equipment.6. Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.7. Know what to do if your equipment does make contact with a power line. It’s almost always safest staying in the cab. Call 9-1-1, warn others to stay away, and wait until the electric utility says it’s safe to get down.

ONE HEART CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

From left, Colleen Newell and Colleen Radebaugh of Midland Power join Teresa Lansman of New Opportunities in displaying some of the co-op’s school supply donations. Through employee donations and matching funds from Midland Power, more than $200 worth of school supplies were donated for the 2019-2020 school year.

Successful school supply drive

Replacements and upgrades have recently been completed west of Ogden, where four and a half miles of single phase power lines were replaced with three phase power lines, and a 1500 kVa substation transformer was replaced with a 5000 kVa transformer, as well as other maintenance at the substation.

Out with the old, in with the new

the same 10 cents per kWh price, penny electricity allows you to fully charge your iPhone more than 18 times for a penny. You can charge it once every day of the year for about 20 cents total.

Not impressed? Well, how about these other examples of what you can do with just a penny’s worth of electricity: power a 1,000-watt microwave on high for 6 minutes; run a 200-watt desktop computer for 30 minutes; watch 2.5 hours of your favorite shows on a 40-watt, 32-inch, LED television or 1.3 hours on a 75-watt, 75-inch mega TV.

The examples are endless. We are fortunate electricity is such an

excellent value because we have a huge appetite for it. We tend to forget that.

Electricity is not expensive. It’s that we use it for so many different things: lighting, heating, cooking, cooling, refrigeration, cleaning, washing, pumping, entertainment, communications—even transportation these days.

Few corners of our lives are left untouched by electricity.

Unfortunately, we don’t always appreciate it. When our monthly electric bill comes, we open it and may complain about the cost. It’s a knee-jerk reaction ingrained in us as consumers. We don’t stop to think about the value we received for the money.

Early in my career, I had the pleasure to interview an elderly woman who vividly remembered the day electricity came to her farm. Her name escapes me, but I do remember she proudly showed me the worn, dog-eared membership certificate the co-op issued to her husband.

“You young people will never know what it was like to have electricity for the very first time,” she said. “It was glorious. Nowadays, you take it for granted.”

Her farm was energized in 1940. She said the price of electricity at the time was slightly less than a penny a kilowatt-hour—true penny electricity.

A lot has changed since then. Wages and

the cost of living today are a far cry from 1940, when the average annual wage was less than $150 a month and the average cost of a house was $3,920.

But one thing that hasn’t changed is the value of electricity. In 77 years, its price has risen much slower than the rate of inflation.

A penny in 1940 had as much buying power as 18 cents today, which means the

residential price of electricity—which now averages 13.3 cents a kWh nationally—is actually a better deal today than it was in 1940.

So to my way of thinking, the value of electricity is like the bygone days of penny candy, and it’s OK to indulge yourself a little. But, unlike penny candy, penny electricity won’t rot your teeth out.

The Energy InsiderSEPTEMBER 2019 PAGE 3

I’m old enough to remember when penny candy actually cost a penny. For a nickel, you could buy enough candy to rot your teeth out, as my mother used to say.

But what does a penny buy

these days? Not much. The government can’t even make a penny for a penny anymore. According to the U.S. Mint, it now costs 1.5 cents to produce one.

About the only thing of value you can still get for a penny is electricity. You might call it “penny electricity.”

No, I’m not kidding. Think about it. To make the math easier, let’s say

the average rate for a kilowatt-hour of electricity is 10 cents. That is 60 minutes of 1,000 watts of electricity for a dime, so a penny of electricity equates to 100 watts. It’s enough to power a 9-watt LED lightbulb—the equivalent of a 60-watt incandescent bulb—for 11 hours, all for only a penny.

Where else can you get that kind of value?

How many eggs will a penny buy? How much milk, bread, coffee, medicine or gasoline?

Gas has come down from its stratospheric levels of several years ago, but there is still no comparison to the value of electricity. For example, if a gallon of gas costs $2.50 and your car gets 25 miles to the gallon, you can drive 176 yards—about two blocks— on a penny’s worth of gas.

I will take 11 hours of lighting for a penny over a two-block drive any day.

The value is just as evident when powering things other than lighting. Take, for instance, your smartphone. Using

Guest Column

Appreciating electricity a penny at a time Electricity is about the only thing you can buy and still get value for just a penny’s worth

Average Annual Price Increase 2013-2018

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsConsumer Price Index

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0Percent

ELECTRICITY REMAINS A GOOD VALUEThe cost of powering your home rises slowly when compared to other common expenses. Looking at price increases over the last five years, it’s easy to see electricity remains a good value!

Rent

3.6%

Cable/Satellite TV

3%

Education

2.8%

Electricity

1.1%

DANGERHIGH

VOLTAGE

DANGERHIGHVOLTAGE

Did you know?Your co-op serves an average of 3.1 consumers per mile of distribution power lines, while Iowa’s investor-owned utilities (IOUs) average 27.5 consumers per mile. This is trumped by municipalities in Iowa; they serve 55.9 consumers per mile.

3 consumers/mile with residential

access charges of $34.25 result in $102.75/mile

Utilities averaging 28 consumers/mile with

residential service fees of $9.25 result in $259/mile

Utilities averaging 56 consumers/mile with

residential service fees of $12.95 result in $725.20/mile

$103/mile $259/mile $725/mile

How much does a utility receive in residential access charges each month?

YOUR CO-OP IOWA’S IOUS IOWA’s MUNICIPALS

By Curtis Condon, editor of Ruralite magazine in Hillsboro, Oregon

The Energy InsiderPAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 2019

A bimonthly publication of Midland Power Cooperative Headquarters: 1005 E. Lincoln Way, Jefferson, Iowa

Humboldt Office: 1210 13th St. North, Humboldt, Iowa Service centers: Boone, Humboldt, Iowa Falls, Jefferson

Mailing address: P.O. Box 420, Jefferson, IA 50129-0420Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. weekdays

515-386-4111 or 800-833-8876, Calls answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Web Site: www.midlandpower.coop E-mail: mpcrec@midlandpower.coop

Facebook: www.facebook.com/midlandpower

Bill McKim, CEOBruce Keeney, VP of Operations

Norm Fandel, VP of Business Development & Member Services

Board of Directors: James Byriel, Randy Christensen, Michael Coleman, Charles Gilbert, Bill Harleen, Paul Heineman, Tom Ingebritson,

Kim Rinker, Tom Ross, Jack Runge, Joel Skow, Rick Thompson

The Energy Insider Editor: Abbey Sprague

This institution 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 in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Midland Power has always extended a helping hand to people in need. That’s why we have established RECare, a program of members helping members.

You can help those in need to weatherize

their homes and pay winter heating bills. If you are interested, please complete and return this form to our office.

Any amount you give will be greatly appreciated!

RECARE CONSUMER AUTHORIZATION FORM - Yes, I want to contribute to RECare.

____ I will make a one-time contribution to RECare. My check is enclosed.____ I will contribute $________ per month for ________ months to RECare. I understand this amount will be automatically added to my monthly electric bill.

Name: _______________________Signature:________________________

Address: ___________________ City: ______________ State/Zip: ________Please mail to: RECare, Midland Power Cooperative, PO Box 420, Jefferson, IA 50129-0420

Extend a Helping Hand with RECare

Peak hours are the busiest times for your local electric cooperative, since many people are using electricity at the same time. In addition, it costs more to generate electricity when demand soars during peak periods—and the cost of your electricity also

may rise. Obviously, using less electricity during peak periods can save your co-op—and you—money.

Here’s how you can help during peak hours, which generally are on the coldest winter days between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.:

• Shift household chores and activities away from peak periods. Wait to run your dishwasher until you go to bed, for instance.

• Use the most energy-efficient appliances you have. Your microwave oven, for example, uses considerably

less energy than your stove or cooktop.• If you’re buying a new appliance, make

sure you get a highly efficient one. Look for “Energy Star” labels when you’re evaluating different models.

• Be aware of your energy consumption, and try to get in the habit of using energy efficiently year round.

Use the energy you need, but use it wisely! You’ll help your co-op avoid building expensive new power plants—and that, in turn, will help keep your electric rates stable.

Reduce energy use during peak hours

If you have a gasoline or liquid propane (LP) tank located on your property, you should always be concerned about its safe operation.

The image above shows the recommended locations for a gas or LP tank from a meter pole.

Maintaining safe distances will help to prevent fuel vapors from collecting in the conduit or electrical box. If fuses were to blow or an electrical arc to occur, a lethal explosion could result. Contact your local electric cooperative if you have any questions or need more information.

24-HOUR

PAY-BY-PHONE

SECURE

Try our automated 24-Hour Secure Pay-by-Phone system to pay by electronic check or credit card* over the phone

Looking for a way to pay your Midland Power Cooperative bill 24-hours a day, without a computer or mobile device?

(888) 470-4623*VISA, Master Card, and Discover Card accepted for residential accounts.

WHEN TO APPLY: Elderly (60 & over) and/or disabled:

October 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020 All other households:

November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020

WHAT TO TAKE: Proof of Income (for all household members age 19, and

over) Check stubs from the previous 30 days, award letter from Social Security or 2018 tax return

Social Security numbers for all household members (documentation required)

Recent heat bill Recent electric bill

WAGE EARNERS: Please bring copies of your check stubs for the 30-day period preceding the date of application, or a copy of your federal income tax return. FIXED INCOME: This income may include: Social Security Benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Family Investment Program, Veteran's Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, and pensions. Please bring copies of your check stubs from the previous 30 days. SELF-EMPLOYED/FARMERS: Please bring a copy of your most recent federal income tax return. FIP RECIPIENTS: Please bring your current DHS Notice of Decision or contact your local office for acceptable document information.

If you receive alimony or child support, it will also need to be verified.

WHEN TO APPLY: Elderly (60 & over) and/or disabled:

October 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020 All other households:

November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020

WHAT TO TAKE: Proof of Income (for all household members age 19, and

over) Check stubs from the previous 30 days, award letter from Social Security or 2018 tax return

Social Security numbers for all household members (documentation required)

Recent heat bill Recent electric bill

WAGE EARNERS: Please bring copies of your check stubs for the 30-day period preceding the date of application, or a copy of your federal income tax return. FIXED INCOME: This income may include: Social Security Benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Family Investment Program, Veteran's Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, and pensions. Please bring copies of your check stubs from the previous 30 days. SELF-EMPLOYED/FARMERS: Please bring a copy of your most recent federal income tax return. FIP RECIPIENTS: Please bring your current DHS Notice of Decision or contact your local office for acceptable document information.

If you receive alimony or child support, it will also need to be verified.

WHEN TO APPLY: Elderly (60 & over) and/or disabled:

October 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020 All other households:

November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020

WHAT TO TAKE: Proof of Income (for all household members age 19, and

over) Check stubs from the previous 30 days, award letter from Social Security or 2018 tax return

Social Security numbers for all household members (documentation required)

Recent heat bill Recent electric bill

WAGE EARNERS: Please bring copies of your check stubs for the 30-day period preceding the date of application, or a copy of your federal income tax return. FIXED INCOME: This income may include: Social Security Benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Family Investment Program, Veteran's Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, and pensions. Please bring copies of your check stubs from the previous 30 days. SELF-EMPLOYED/FARMERS: Please bring a copy of your most recent federal income tax return. FIP RECIPIENTS: Please bring your current DHS Notice of Decision or contact your local office for acceptable document information.

If you receive alimony or child support, it will also need to be verified.

ATTENTION: RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS NEED HELP WITH YOUR HEATING BILL?

The 2019-2020 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and type of housing.

If you are not sure where to apply, Dial 2-1-1, or visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply to contact your local community action agency, or write to: LIHEAP Iowa Department of Human Rights Capitol Complex Des Moines, IA 50319

ATTENTION: RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS NEED HELP WITH YOUR HEATING BILL?

The 2019-2020 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and type of housing. If you are not sure where to apply, Dial 2-1-1, or visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply to contact your local community action agency, or write to: LIHEAP Iowa Department of Human Rights Capitol Complex Des Moines, IA 50319

ATTENTION: RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS NEED HELP WITH YOUR HEATING BILL?

The 2019-2020 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and type of housing. If you are not sure where to apply, Dial 2-1-1, or visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply to contact your local community action agency, or write to: LIHEAP Iowa Department of Human Rights Capitol Complex Des Moines, IA 50319

INCOME MAXIMUMSHousehold Annual

Size Gross Income 1 $21,858 2 $29,593 3 $37,328 4 $45,063 5 $52,798 6 $60,533 7 $68,268 8 $76,003

For households with more than eight members, add $7,735 for each additional member.

INCOME MAXIMUMSHousehold Annual

Size Gross Income 1 $21,858 2 $29,593 3 $37,328 4 $45,063 5 $52,798 6 $60,533 7 $68,268 8 $76,003

For households with more than eight members, add $7,735 for each additional member.

INCOME MAXIMUMSHousehold Annual

Size Gross Income 1 $21,858 2 $29,593 3 $37,328 4 $45,063 5 $52,798 6 $60,533 7 $68,268 8 $76,003

For households with more than eight members, add $7,735 for each additional member.