YAMPA VALLEY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

[YVEA News]

coloradocountrylife.coop 7JULY 2015

FTHE POWER OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCECelebrating July Fourth and declaring our energy independenceBY DIANE JOHNSON || PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER || DJOHNSON@YVEA.COM

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

An independent spirit is a part of our DNA. However, it is worth reflect-ing that this uniquely American spirit of independence remains part of our collective DNA more than 200 years after the independent nation of the United States was formed and the Declaration of Independence was crafted. And this sense of independence has served us well. For example, more than 70 years ago, an inde-pendent 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 work-ing cooperatively — a shining example of American determination and ingenuity.

For the past 40-plus years, nearly every president since Richard Nixon, dur-ing the time of the Arab oil embargo, talked about the goal of U.S. energy independence — reducing our reliance on imported oil and other forms of foreign energy. Today, while we still have a way to go, we are closer to that goal 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 across all forms of energy. According to the Energy Information Admin-

istration, 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. They don’t have to wait for Democrats and Republicans to agree or environmentalists and fossil fuel advocates to reach consen-sus on a path to energy independence. Consumers 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 program-mable 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 in-creased energy efficiency and reduce our overall energy consumption, we can make even more progress on our road toward energy independence.

Recent advances in technology are transforming how we make, move and use electricity. Over time these changes will greatly improve not only the efficiency but also the 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 indepen-dence that is integral to our American character and embedded in the electric cooperatives that serve their members.

Diane Johnson

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 with electricity.

[YVEA News]

coloradocountrylife.coop4 JULY 20158

SUMMER PROJECTS IN SOUTH ROUTTThe South Routt overhead reconductor project will encompass ap-proximately 5 miles of line starting at RCR 3 (Five Pine Mesa) to the town of Toponas following Highway 131. The contractor, High Voltage, Inc., began installing the 92 poles staked for the project.

RATE INCREASE EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2015How much will this increase my electric bill per month?

Residential Customer Charge Rate change from $21 to $24.50 per monthKilowatt-hour from .07998 to 0.08215 cents*(approximately $5.27 per month based on 900 kWh use)

Irrigation Customer ChargeRate change from $196 to $256 per seasonkWh from 0.08400 to 0.08807*(above tariff sheet details can be viewed at yvea.com/ electricservice/rates)

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION We want to ensure that we have your contact information so that we can provide members with our best possible service. It’s that time of year when members may be traveling or may be part-time residents

of the area. If you are a part-time resident, we can enter your seasonal address into our system. We also have other convenient ways to receive your bill. We have SmartHub — our mobile device applica-tion — or electronic billing or automatic recurring bank draft. Please update your contact information by email at billing@yvea.com or call 970-879-1160.

COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIPSJuly 4 — 112th Fourth of July ParadeJuly 17-18 — Hayden Daze July 24 — Relay for Life 6 p.m. to midnight

YVEA NEWS

SERVING OUR MEMBERS BETTER YYampa Valley Electric is embarking on a communications and technology plan that will bring us into the 21st century. New and updated versions of your personal mobile devices are released every year, yet the current electric grid is more than 74 years old. As YVEA works to modernize and upgrade the electric grid, along with many electric utilities across the United States, we want to give you a bet-ter understanding of the steps we are taking to accomplish this.

Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) has existed in one form or another since the mid-1980s. Initially, and for many subsequent years, it was simply a more efficient way to conduct monthly meter reading, reduce costs for reads and improve billing. AMR is a one-way limited system. Usually, automated meters are read utilizing a device that can pick up the read while walking, driving or even biking by.

Today, the collection of monthly meter reads is just the tip of the iceberg. Current two-way advanced metering infrastructure systems allow near-real-time communication between our offices, meters and system protection devices, enabling close oversight of system operations and a wider variety of member program offerings.

What is AMI? Advanced metering infrastructure is an architecture for automated, two-way communication between an advanced meter and an electric utility company. The goal of AMI is to provide Yampa Valley Electric Association with real-time data about power availability and allow members to make informed choices about energy usage.

How will this system benefit co-op members? AMI will improve reliability, allow for remote connections/discon-nections, enhance power quality monitoring and accelerate outage notification, which means quicker service restoration and fewer times when our employees face safety hazards. With many existing meters reaching end of life, it makes sense to improve our meter reading systems.

We are in the process of selecting a vendor to support the AMI project. We will be installing several test meters and associated equipment in the testing phase of the new system in the fourth quarter of 2015. After evaluating the results of the tests, new me-ters will be installed throughout the system over the next several months. As the project progresses, we will be keeping members well informed.

OPT IN TO OPERATION ROUND UP Help those in need of assistance. Visit www.yvea.com for our mission statement, goals, ORU guidelines and applications.

If you would like to round up your electric bill or if you have any questions, please send an email to ORU@yvea.com or call 970-879-1160. You may also check the box on the return portion of your payment.

[YVEA News]

coloradocountrylife.coop 9JULY 2015

CHASE WESTBERGAPPRENTICE JOURNEYMAN LINEMANChase Westberg is an apprentice lineman for YVEA. Chase is originally from Mount Vernon, South Dakota, and came to the area in 2013. He attended Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell, South Dakota. In his role as apprentice lineman, Chase assists in the construction and maintenance of the YVEA transmission and distribution elec-trical system. Chase enjoys what he does because he helps the entire community while getting to know different members YVEA serves.

KEVIN PRESTONJOURNEYMAN LINEMANKevin Preston is a journeyman line-man for YVEA. Kevin is originally from western Maryland and moved to the area in 2014. Kevin attended two years at Allegany County Vocational School in electrical maintenance. Kevin is part of the team that is responsible for installation, maintenance and repairs of the YVEA transmission and distribu-tion electrical system. Kevin has been in the electrical field for nearly 25 years. He enjoys his job because he meets and helps new people and is outdoors. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing and all-terrain vehicle riding with his girlfriend and two Laboradors. He also enjoys cooking and is a history buff. He and his girlfriend moved to Colorado together, and she works as a registered nurse.

MEET THE YVEA TEAM

Megan Moore-Kemp took the position of Key Accounts Representative with YVEA. Megan was born and raised in the valley. She graduated from Steamboat Springs High School and attended the University of Colorado, Boulder. Megan also attended Colorado State University’s Energy Master Program. Megan’s experience ranges from business owner to home builder to instructor of green building and remodeling, to energy auditing and energy technologies. Her first job was waiting tables at age 7 in her family’s pizza restaurant in Oak Creek. Megan is married and has two sons, ages 5 and 6. In her spare time she and her family and friends enjoy camping, biking, skiing and fishing.

MEGAN MOORE-KEMPKEY ACCOUNTS REPRESENTATIVE

NEW EMPLOYEE

MEMBER APPRECIATION DAYS Yampa Valley Electric is hosting Member Appreciation Day!

Fun and educational for the whole family!

AUGUST 172211 Elk River Road • Steamboat Springs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

AUGUST 193715 E U.S. Highway 40 • Craig from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Save the Date

[YVEA News]

coloradocountrylife.coop4 JULY 201510

CCamping is an outdoor leisure activity that many people take advantage of during the sum-mer season. As with all summer fun, being safe needs to be a priority. Safe Electricity wants you to stay safe and has some electrical safety tips to take along on any trip that involves recreational vehicle camping.

Tragically, last summer a 3-year-old boy was electrocuted as a result of faulty wiring that electrified the family’s camper. The child was touching a door handle of the camper while standing on wet ground when he was electrocuted.

Such a situation in which an RV frame is electrically charged is often referred to as “hot skin.” Improper wiring or connec-tion, no grounding, reversed polarity and loose or worn outlets are just some of the potential causes. If a hot skin hazard exists, simply opening the door or coming into contact with the hitch can cause shock or electrocution.

To help prevent hot skin, your RV’s electrical system needs to be regularly tested and maintained. A professional electrician can help you make sure the wiring in your RV is safe.

Perform a visual inspection of cords, plugs and outlets. If there

are cracked or frayed cords or bro-ken or discolored plugs or outlets, do not use them. Have them replaced or repaired. Make sure RVs are equipped with fire extinguishers as well as per-manently installed carbon monoxide and fire detectors.

Always use electrical cords rated for the use they will get. Make sure the power demand of the appliances that will be used does not exceed the cord’s rating. To plug your RV into a camp-ground power pedestal, use a heavy duty, four-wire cord with a grounding wire, not an extension cord.

Know the amperage your RV draws and the amperage available. If you try to draw more amperage than is available, you can cause serious damage to the electrical source and your RV or start a fire. Also, make sure you know where your electrical panel and major switches are.

Before using a campground hookup, do a visual inspection of the area. If a campground hookup appears to be damaged, put safety first and request another spot. Making the campground aware of the damage will also help future campers at that site. In addition, be sure to have the proper cord. Never plug more than one RV into a single hookup. As with a generator, plug your RV in before turning appliances on.

Electrical Safety Tips for RV Camping

Neighborhood WatchIf electric wires in your neighborhood are sagging or a tree limb is pushing the line out of place, keep your neighbor-hood safe by alerting your electric co-op.

Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from wet surfaces. Do not use electric yard tools if it is raining or the ground is wet.

NO TOOLING AROUND

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Clean your air conditioner’s air ducts and lower your energy consumption by between 5 and 15 percent.