VOLUME 50NUMBER 10

OCTOBER 2019Monthly Publication of Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative

NATIONAL COOPERATIVE MONTHCelebrate National Cooperative Month in October!Minnesota was one of the first states to enact a law authorizing Cooperative Month and the first to officially declare October Co-op Month. Cooperative Month was recognized nationally in 1964. In honor of the wonderful things that differentiate the cooperative business model, it gives a nod to more than 40,000 cooperative businesses serving more than 120 million people nationwide.By the Community, For the Community is the theme of this year’s celebration. MLEC is a member-owned and member-controlled business and committed to meeting the needs of our members and communities, rather than generating returns for distant investors. Profits are reinvested to insure that the MLEC members we serve have reliable power at a competitive price. The rest is returned to members. Those dollars circulate close to home, helping to strengthen the local economy. As we celebrate, MLEC would like to thank our members for their patronage, our board for their guidance, our employees for their commitment, and our fellow cooperatives for their services.

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Questions or concerns?MLEC’s Board of Directors represent you!

Barbara Welty - District 1320/692-4800bwelty@mlecmn.comSecretary/Treasurer

Bill Bernard - District 2218/678-3911bbernard@mlecmn.com

Harold Harms - District 3 218/232-2935 hharms@ mlecmn.comPresidentAileen DeMenge - District 4218/768-4900ademenge@mlecmn.comAssistant Secretary/Treasurer

Don Appel - District 5218/927-4134dappel@mlecmn.comVice President

Bruce Robinson - District 6218/851-4760brobinson@mlecmn.com

Michael Reem - District 7218/839-5697mreem@mlecmn.com

Sarah Cron - CEO218/927-8224scron@mlecmn.com

Find minutes fromMLEC Board meetings at: http://www.mlecmn.netunder My Co-op 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. Managing Editor: Kassie Kokesh, Communications Specialist

SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVEFive boxes of supplies, from notebooks and pencils to backpacks and hand sanitizer were delivered to Rippleside School in Aitkin. MLEC employees donated these items to benefit students in our service area.Pictured, accepting for the school, are Ashley Beck (1st grade teacher) and Brittney Galbraith (secretary). We wish all students and staff a terrific year ahead!

Rippleside Elementary received this year’s school supplies donation.

WHY XSTREAM FIBER INTERNET?Speeds up to 1 Gbps – download and upload

Managed wifi – no worries, we will get you connected with a router and support.

Whole-house extended wifi – enjoy fast speeds throughout your home.

Local service, technicians, and customer support

Packages start at just $50 per month

Help us expand our fiber area!

Enter your information at www.mlecmn.net/xstream-fiber to help us bring fiber Internet to more members. Showing your support helps us choose project areas and attain funding for fiber Internet expansions.

Sign up now in our Phase I or Phase II areas. Find maps and the fiber agreement on our website or contact our office at (218) 429-0433.

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Dear Member:I was inspired to write this month’s column after receiving a message from a member. I have spent half of my life working in the energy industry, and I am still fascinated with the complexity of our business.There is the foundation, or the business side of MLEC. The office staff, billing, finance, buildings, maintenance, technology, planning, and education. These are all of the things that go into keeping the doors open.There is the operations side of MLEC. The operations staff, poles, wires, transformers, meters, trucks, warehouse, mechanics, line maintenance, and outage repairs. These are all the things that go into keeping your lights on.There are external forces that impact MLEC. Legislators, legislation, Great River Energy (our wholesale power supplier), and natural disasters. These are things that produce outcomes we need to plan for but have very little control over their actions.Finally, there is the heart of MLEC. You, the member. The number one reason we exist. It is with that end that a member, Gary, reminded me that when I am in the depths of the complexity of our business, I can’t forget about the simple things. Things like: how can Gary and the rest of our members save money on their energy bill?

SIMPLE THINGS TO HELP YOU SAVE

Sarah CronCEO

Saving money on your energy bill can be as simple as changing your behavior or as complex as major home improvements. It can also be brought on by different motivations. Are you simply wanting to save money, or is your goal to protect the environment? Regardless of the effort or motivation, there are a variety of things you can do that can have a positive green impact.

Simply changing these behaviors can put some green back in your pocketbook. Turn off lights when you leave a room. Turn off water when you are brushing your teeth. Turn your thermostat down in the winter. Hang clothes to dry. Use less AC in the summer. Close shades or drapes during the day to keep summer heat out. Turn water heater temperature down to 120 degrees. Wash clothes in cold water. Routinely clean dryer vent and make sure hose is not kinked or clogged. Unplug electronics during vacations or long periods without use. Did you know that 75% of the power used to charge electronics is consumed when they are in the off position? If it has a light, or is warm to the touch, it is consuming power. Unplug it!Investing a little will save a lot. Change HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) filters monthly. Replace all incandescent and CFL bulbs with high-efficient and long-lasting LED bulbs. Caulk around all outside penetrations (telephone, electrical, cable, gas, water, and dryer vent).

Use outdoor security lights with a photocell or motion sensor. Plug electronics into a smart strip that will turn all electronics off. Install water-saving shower heads. Install programmable thermostats that work for you when you are gone. When used properly, a programmable thermostat can save as much as $180 per year.Go big and love your home. When you replace your appliances, make sure to buy EnergyStar. Dump the window air conditioner for a high-efficient and versatile mini-split air source heat pump. Replace single pane windows with double or triple pane windows. Make sure you have the proper level of insulation in your walls, attic, basement, and crawlspace. Weatherize air leaks around doors, windows, vents, and cracks. HVAC can account for as much as 50% of your energy bill and sealing those gaps will offer a big return on your investment.It doesn’t matter if you want to save money on your energy bill, increase your property values, or protect the environment, these tips can help you reach your goals. As always, keep watching your MLEC Outlet for information on energy savings information.

Until next month,

“Saving money on your energy bill can be as simple as changing your behavior or as complex as major home improvements. It can also be brought on by different motivations.”

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LET’S DISHSEND US YOUR RECIPES!We’ll credit your account $10.00 if it’s printed in THE OUTLET

MAIL TO: Kassie Kokesh Mille Lacs Energy, P.O. Box 230 Aitkin, MN 56431

OR E-MAIL: kkokesh@mlecmn.com

Thank you to Clarice Pohl of Isle for sharing this month’s recipe.

CRANBERRY KRAUT MEATBALLS

2 lbs. hamburger1 pkg. onion soup mix1 cup oatmeal3 eggs

16 oz. tomato sauce16 oz. sauerkraut16 oz. whole cranberry sauce1/2 cup brown sugar1/2 cup water

Mix hamburger, onion soup mix, oatmeal, and eggs in a large bowl. Form into balls and put in a 9x13 inch pan. In another bowl, mix tomato sauce, kraut, cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and water. Pour the mixture evenly over the meatballs. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Enjoy!

TAX EXEMPTIONWith the start of another heating season, we would like to remind our residential consumers who have electric heat as their primary heating system that their electric bills are exempt from Minnesota sales tax from November through April. All certificates signed during the past years are ON FILE and NO REFILING is necessary. If you have a signed certificate on file, the bill you receive will not include sales tax.

If you qualify and are charged sales tax, complete the form at the right and return it to our Aitkin office. You can either drop it off, scan and email to mlec@mlecmn.net; fax to 218-927-6822 or mail to : MLEC - PO Box 230, Aitkin MN 56431.

ELECTRICALLY HEATED RESIDENCES

CERTIFICATE OF SALES TAX EXEMPTION

I ______________________________________________do certify (please print name) that the primary energy used for residential heating at account number ______________________________is electricity. As the occupant and/or owner of this residence, I am responsible for the electric bills incurred for this electric account and do hereby request the Minnesota Sales Tax Exemption as provided by state statutes. I also acknowledge that I am responsible to notify Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, Aitkin, Minnesota if and when electric energy is no longer used as the primary heating source. The undersigned hereby claims sales tax exemption for the purchase of electric energy used as a primary source for residential heating.

__________________________________________________ (Authorized Signature) Date__________________________________________________ (Address)__________________________________________________ (City) (State) (Zip Code)

Off Peak, Dual Fuel, and Freedom Heat programs are already tax exempt, so there is no need to file this form.

COLD WEATHER DISCONNECTSMinnesota residential cold weather law (MN Statute, Ch 235, sec.216B.097) provides that cooperative utilities cannot disconnect a residential consumer between October 15 and April 15 if the disconnection affects the primary heating source, provided that certain conditions are met. These conditions include that the customer must declare on forms provided by the cooperative an inability to pay, the household income of the customer must be less than 50% of the state median income level for their family size, and the customer enters into and makes timely payments under a mutually accepted payment arrangement. There are several agencies that provide financial assistance to qualifying households. We urge you to check with them for details on available programs.

Aitkin Co Health & Human Services218- 927-7200Crow Wing CountyCommunity Service218-824-1250Mille Lacs Co Family Service320-983-8208 or 888-270-8208

Lakes & Pines Community Action Council(serving Aitkin & Mille Lacs Co)320-679-1800 or 800-832-6082 Lutheran Social Services(serving Crow Wing County) 218-829-5000 or 800-829-5902

To avoid electric service disconnection, arrangements for bill payment need to be made before the line crew is sent to collect. Do not disregard your bill; it is your responsibility. If you have financial difficulties, please contact our billing team to discuss payment arrangements at 218-429-0430 or 877-634-4314.

(or substitute for jellied cranberries)

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Regular office hours are Mon-Fri 8:00 to 4:30

927-2191 or 800-450-2191 (toll free)

48 hours before you dig Dial 811 - Gopher State One Call.or log on to: www.gopherstateonecall.org

Then contact a licensed electrician to locate your secondary wires.

MN Electrical InspectorsAitkin County &South East Crow Wing CountyMike Wenzel 218/270-2265

Northern Crow Wing CountyBradley Rasmussen 218/543-1023

Mille Lacs CountyTim Emery 320-692-4104

Off-peak and dual fuel system consumers should call anelectrician or heating contractor for service or repairs.

Find load control schedule at www.mlecmn.net under Quick Links.

Visit our website - www.mlecmn.net E-mail us - mlec@mlecmn.net

What is Off Peak Heating? It is a heating system that draws energy during off-peak hours (night time) while electricity is in lower demand, and, therefore, less expensive. Heating systems that work for this would be highly efficient furnaces or room units that generate the heat at night and store in ceramic bricks to distribute the heat when needed throughout the day. When the room thermostat calls for heat, the stored heat in the bricks is discharged into the area to satisfy the heating requirements. The amount of heat stored in the brick core of the heater is regulated in relation to weather conditions. With this heating system, you can take advantage by being on a lower kilowatt-hour rate of 5.35¢ and putting in a separate meter and radio receiver controls for the furnace or room units.

OFF PEAK HEATING

By participating in your cooperative’s Off Peak program, you not only realize savings on your own monthly bills, but you also contribute to the overall vitality of the cooperative and allow it to maintain delivering on its mission of providing affordable, reliable electricity.

Larger rebates of $100 per kw on the new heating systems are good through 2019.

For more information on which home heating system will work best for you, contact the Energy Services Team to assist you 888-433-4279.

Your thoughts and opinions about Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative help us to serve you better. In October, MLEC will be working with National Rural Electric Cooperatives of America (NRECA) Market Research Services to complete a member satisfaction survey.

The survey will be short.

It will be by both phone and email.

People are randomly selected and not everyone will be contacted.

Calls will be coming from area code 844, 712, or 507.

We are not trying to sell anything.

All information is confidential and only reported in total.

If you are contacted, we would appreciate a few minutes of your time to share your opinions. This will help us make decisions that benefit you, your family, and your neighbors. Thank you!

SURVEY NOTICE

What you should know:

Safe form of heating

Stable and predictable rates

No need to remember to fill a tank

Pay for consumption after using it

No need for a carbon monoxide detector

Clean and reliable, no house chimney or exhaust required

More than just lowering your bills:

36559 US Highway 169, Aitkin, MN 56431 • (218) 927-2191 / (800) 450-2191 • www.mlecmn.net

MILLE LACS ENERGY COOPERATIVE

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Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

MILITARY PROTECTIONUtility Payment Arrangements for Military Personnel, section 325E.028, was added to Minnesota Statutes effective August 1, 2007. This law provides that utility service providers must not disconnect the utility service of a residential customer if a member of the household has been issued orders into active duty, for deployment, or for a permanent change in duty station during the period of active duty, deployment, or change in duty station if such a residential customer:

1. Has a household income below the state median household income or is receiving energy assistance and enters into an agreement with the utility service provider under which the residential customer pays 10% of the customer’s gross monthly income toward the customer’s bill and the residential customer remains reasonably current with those payments.

2. Has a household income above the state median household income and enters into an agreement with the utility service provider establishing a reasonable payment schedule that considers the financial resources of the household and the residential customer remains current with payments under the payment schedule.

If you feel you qualify for this disconnection protection, call the Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative billing department and ask for the Military Personnel Protection Form. Do not disregard your bill; it is your responsibility. If you are having financial difficulties, please contact our billing team to discuss payment arrangements at 218-429-0430 or 877-634-4314.

SYSTEM-WIDE METER UPGRADEMLEC is in the process of making a substantial investment in infrastructure, building one of the most technologically advanced power control systems. MLEC plans to implement AMI and install an MDMS throughout 2019. The new meters will improve reliability and give you more tools and opportunities to manage and save energy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION(218) 927-2191 • (800) 450-2191 • www.mlecmn.net

The deadline for the 2020 Photo Calendar is quickly approaching!

Submit your photos by October 28th for your chance to be featured in the calendar and win a $10 credit on your electricity bill! To view the photo guidelines, visit our website at www.mlecmn.net/photo-contest