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

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 21 Iowa Falls, IA

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

Midland Power Community Project . . . . . . . .2

A message from CEO Bill McKim . . . . . . . . . .3

Security Light Repair & Green Pricing Programs . . .4

Members of the Boone City Council and Chamber join Midland Power directors and CEO for a symbolic toss of dirt during the official groundbreaking ceremony for the future Boone office.

Co-op breaks ground in BooneOn the afternoon of Oct. 23, local

leaders joined representatives from Midland Power Cooperative for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the co-op’s Boone administrative office and power line training facility to be located at 2005 South Story Street, Boone - southwest of the intersection of Story Street and Hwy 30.

While the electric co-op has had power line crews stationed near Boone for many years, in October 2018 the cooperative announced its intentions to expand its office locations to include an office at Boone. The addition of this facility will improve office access to many Midland Power members.

“We are excited that by expanding on our existing presence in the Boone area, we will increase our accessibility to a larger number of our members and be able to better support our future growth in this area,” said Midland Power Board President Jack Runge.

Forty-five percent of the cooperative’s membership is within twenty miles of Boone. The addition of an administrative office will allow the cooperative to enhance

services and convenience to a large percentage of its membership. Increased access to workforce will be another advantage, as the cooperative will be able to draw from the Boone, Story and Greene County labor markets to meet its future workforce needs.

The location of the future office and training facility was selected with safety in mind. “Having a facility that is a quick turn off of Hwy 30 yet located at a controlled intersection was appealing for convenience

and safety of all facility visitors and employees,” said Runge.

The new all-electric facility will feature energy efficient technologies, including a geothermal heat pump and high efficiency air conditioning unit, LED lighting with occupancy sensors and natural light through efficient low E windows, and wall, foundation and roof insulation exceeding code minimums.

Components of the geothermal heating and

ELECTRIFY IOWA » PAGE 2

Your cooperative takes great pride in helping develop rural leaders in our region. Therefore, we offer scholarships to recognize academic and community achievements made by young people in the communities we serve. Midland Power Cooperative will soon be accepting applications for two $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to 2019 college students that are dependents of members.

These scholarships are considered an investment in the economic future of rural areas. One will be sponsored by Midland Power Cooperative, and the other by wholesale power supplier Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Applicants only need to apply once to be considered to win either of these scholarships, as well as a third $1,000 scholarship, to be awarded to a dependent of a Midland Power member, or a dependent of a member at a neighboring electric cooperative.

Recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, potential to succeed, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, and a statement of education and career goals.

The scholarships must be used for educational costs, and the student must attend college in the fall of the school year for which the scholarship is awarded. Checks will be made payable to the school and distributed directly to the school from the electric cooperatives.

Find more information and the application at www.midlandpower.coop. If you have any questions, give us a call at (800) 833-8876.

The application deadline (postmarked or dropped off at a Midland Power Cooperative office or drop box) is Feb 1.

Scholarships available

Happy Holidays Midland Power Offices

will be closed Nov. 28 & 29, Dec. 24 & 25, & Jan. 1.

Do you know about patronage dividends?

Midland Power Cooperative belongs to the community it serves, and we are committed to returning part of your investment. This is done in the form of patronage dividends, also known as capital credits.

We are proud to have a history of returning patronage dividends annually, and encourage you to watch for your portion of the 2019 patronage retirement in the coming months. Most members will receive either a check in early November or a credit on their bill that is mailed in mid-November.

We hope that you enjoy the benefits of personalized and reliable electric service from your cooperative today and look forward to a return on your investment in the future.

How do Capital Credits Work?

Your co-op tracks how much money you pay for electricity throughout the year.

Because electric co-ops operate at cost, excess revenues are returned to members in the form of capital credits, also known as patronage dividends.

At the end of the year, your co-op completes �financial�matters�and��determines�whether�there� are excess revenues, known as margins.

Your co-op allocates, or designates, the margins to members as capital credits based upon how much they spent with the co-op during the year.

When�the�co-op’s�financial�condition��permits,�your board of directors decides to retire, or pay, the patronage dividends to you.

You receive a check or bill credit for your portion of the patronage dividends being retired.

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To ensure receipt of patronage dividend payments, keep Midland Power informed of your

mailing address, especially when you are no longer served by the co-op.

The electric grid has been called the most important engineering achievement of the 20th Century. What if the grid can also transition us to a clean energy economy in the 21st Century?

This concept was at the center of discussion at the Electrify Iowa! Summit, held on September 5 in West Des Moines and hosted by the Iowa Rural Power Education Foundation and

the Iowa Environmental Council. Special thanks to the Beneficial Electrification League, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Iowa Association for Energy Efficiency,

the Iowa Geothermal Association and others for their

involvement and support of the summit. Sessions at the summit centered on

environmentally beneficial electrification,

which means that electrical appliances and devices like water heaters, ovens, clothes dryers and vehicles have the potential to become greener over time without any additional action from the consumer. “As electric generation becomes more renewable and environmentally responsible, the devices that use electricity automatically become greener compared to those that use fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and natural gas,” says Chuck Soderberg, executive vice president and general manager for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.

Cooperatives participate in Electrify Iowa! SummitGROUNDBREAKING » PAGE 2

Chase Bachman joined the Midland Power Cooperative team in September as a safety coordinator.

Bachman grew up in Chetek, Wis. and has prior work experience as a safety manager at Superior Silica Sands and a field safety representative at Northern Clearing Inc.

When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family including his wife Teresa and two young daughters, as well as fishing, hunting and spending time on the lake.

Christian Cryder joined Midland Power in October as an IT coordinator.

Cryder grew up in Iowa, spending time in a few different north-central communities.

He has prior work experience as an IT specialist at Woodruff Construction, DMACC and at the City of Ames.

When not at work, he enjoys sports, video games and fantasy sports. He and his wife Michelle have a dog named Frankie and a cat named Buzz.

Noah Snyder joined Midland Power as an IT specialist in October. He was born and raised in Ames, Iowa.

Snyder has a degree in management information systems from ISU. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, sports and music.

He and his wife Hayli have been married for a little more than a year.

Welcome Chase, Christian and Noah!

The Energy InsiderPAGE 2 NOVEMBER 2019

Bachman, Cryder, Snyder join Midland Power team

Chase Bachman

ELECTRIFY IOWA! CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Giving back to the community

Christian Cryder Noah Snyder

Beneficial electrification isn’t a new concept; electric water heating was really the first technology that introduced the concept back in the 1980s, along with the introduction of geothermal heating and cooling technology. But the movement is picking up steam in recent years as renewable electric generation and electric transportation gain momentum.

Midland Power Cooperative’s VP of Business Development and Member Services ,Norm Fandel, was a guest speaker at the summit. Presented on technologies and investments being made by Iowa co-ops like Midland Power, such as programs that support energy efficient products, geothermal and heat pump technology and

electric co-op load management programs made possible by technology that allows co-ops to interrupt electric storage water heaters and community solar programs. He also discussed Midland Power involvement as an Iowa Choice Renewables cooperative, offering solar array installations and education to members as well as researching the capabilities and advancement of battery storage technology.

It is a busy time in the electric cooperative industry, but rest assured your co-op will continue to learn and research advances in technology that helps us to fulfill our mission to safely provide reliable, affordable and responsible electric service while enhancing the communities we serve.

cooling system will be supplied by B & D Mfg, Inc., Scranton, Iowa.

“Midland Power Cooperative has been a long-time supporter of energy-efficient geothermal technology, and we’re excited to have a geothermal system that will be manufactured right here in Iowa,” said Norm Fandel VP of Business Development and Member Services.

Open office hours and services, such as making payments and signing up for electric service will continue to be offered at the cooperative’s offices in Jefferson and Humboldt. Moreover, the cooperative will continue to have line crews working out of its Service Centers in Jefferson, Humboldt, Iowa Falls and Boone.

GROUNDBREAKING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Half of the Midland Power Cooperative team each spent one day in September making improvements and repairs at a Girl Scout Camp northwest of Boone. Improvements included cutting and clearing trees as well as painting the interior of multiple buildings.

Midland Power Cooperative is committed to the communities it serves, making a difference for the youth that are our communities’ future leaders and creating unique team building experiences for our employees while continuing to serve our members.

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!

The Energy InsiderNOVEMBER 2019 PAGE 3

Today, in addition to a fixed charge known as the Access Charge, most Midland Power members are simply billed for the amount of energy they use each month, or energy “consumption.” But did you know that the way you and your neighbors use electricity is just as important as how much electricity you use each month? The higher the “demand” for energy placed on Midland Power and its power providers during peak times of the month, the higher the expenses are for your cooperative. This in turn drives up the cost for all members.

Energy Consumption vs. DemandConsumption is measured in kilowatt

hours (kWh). Demand is measured in kilowatts (kW). A lightbulb “consumes” a certain number of watts, let’s say 100 watts per hour. If that lightbulb stays on for 10 hours, it “demands” a certain number of kilowatts (in this case, 1 kW)

By Bill McKim CEO, Midland Power Cooperative

from the generation station producing electricity. Now, if you turn on ten, 100-watt lightbulbs in your home for one hour, you are still consuming the same number of kW. However, you are placing a demand

on the utility to have those kW available to you over the course of one hour, instead of ten. This requires the generation and transmission plant to produce more power in less time in order to meet your demand.

Midland Power purchases kilowatt hours from our generation and transmission cooperatives based on the average demand of our members. Peak demand refers to the time of day when the demand for electricity is highest. This is typically during the evening, from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., when families return home from work or school, cook dinner and use appliances the most. Using electricity during this peak demand period often costs more to both Midland Power and our members.

How could this impact a member in the future?

In the past you have been able to save money by turning off the light or taking advantage of our energy efficiency programs. In the future, you may be able to lower you bill by coordinating the number of appliances you operate at once. Staggering the use of major

appliances throughout the day reduces the demand on the cooperative system.

Understanding energy demand and purchasing

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appliances at once.

������ ������ ������The member starts the oven, the clothes dryer and the dishwasher at 6 pm. All run for 60 minutes.

������The member starts the oven at 6 pm, the clothes dryer at 7 pm and the dishwasher 8 pm. Each runs for 60 minutes.

������Both homes have the same total energy consumption in kilowatt hours (8.5 kWh), but Home A used all of the appliances at once, creating higher demand.

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������These two homes are putting a di�erent demand on the cooperative’s distribution system. If the co-op charged $1/kW for demand, Home A would be charged $8.50 and Home B would only be charged $4.00.

Big companies spend millions of dollars each year trying to convince consumers to buy their product. Advertising attracts customers to a business and increases sales. The company makes money, and shareholders are satisfied.

What Makes Cooperatives Different?Whether you have lived on co-op lines for a long time

or you are new to the Midland Power service territory, you likely know that there are designated territories that define the service area of each of Iowa’s electric utilities. If you live in Midland Power’s service territory, you not only receive your electricity from the co-op, but you are also a member-owner of the cooperative. Unlike investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives are not-for-profit. Co-ops don’t have far away shareholders seeking to make a profit. They have local members that are stakeholders (that’s you!) with an interest in the success of the co-op.

So why do electric cooperatives advertise if the end goal of most advertising is to increase sales?

Electric cooperatives like Midland Power are different because we advertise to educate and inform listeners or viewers. Our focus in commercials is about safety, new technology, energy conservation, state or federal policies

that could affect rates, to inform consumers about using energy wisely, and to raise awareness of how cooperatives are different. This is consistent with the fifth cooperative principle — member education, training and providing information to the general public.

Recently, a few Midland Power employees and family members spent a morning creating some short, informative videos. The theme of these “Get To Know” videos is Move Over and Slow Down. Iowa’s Move Over/Slow Down law is extremely important at your cooperative. It is important to our employees, and it is important to their family members. We want

everyone working on the side of the road to get home safely at the end of the day.

You can find a full 60 second video online at midlandpower.coop/moveoveriowa, or you just might see a short video while you’re browsing online or visiting your local movie theater.

We’re on a mission to kindly remind everyone, if you see any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road please Move Over and Slow Down. It just might save a life.

Why do cooperatives advertise?

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.

GRAND Kids 2 YEARSFROMRETIREMENT

4Feet in the air

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The Energy InsiderPAGE 4 NOVEMBER 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.

Voluntary Contribution FormMidland Power’s Green Pricing Program

Participation in Midland Power Cooperative’s Green Pricing Program is strictly voluntarily. This form is not a solicitation but rather a form to allow members the opportunity to voluntarily contribute to this program.

Name: ______________________________ Date: ________________

Address: _________________________________________________

Account Number: ________________ Telephone Number: _______________

E-mail Address: _____________________________________________

Type of Contribution: One-time Amount: __________ Monthly* Amount per month: _________

____Cash ____Check ____Monthly Bill *Your participation will continue at the same level until you notify us that you wish to change the amount of your contribution or end your participation in the program. To change your contribution level, please contact Midland Power Cooperative by calling (800) 833-8876 or (515) 386-4111.

Midland Power Cooperative offers a green pricing program to co-op members. This program allows individual customers the ability to voluntarily contribute to a fund. All of the money collected from customers will be used for the development of alternate energy production facilities in Iowa. Alternate energy production facilities may include wind energy, biomass, solar and other nontraditional generation technologies.

Through this program, customers will not be directly purchasing alternate energy, but rather participating in the development of these resources. Contributions may be retained until they reach a sufficient level to pursue a particular development, make a grant to another entity pursuing alternate energy development in Iowa, or arrange for purchases from alternate energy production facilities.

Once you have signed up, your participation will continue at the same level until you notify us that you wish to change the amount of your contribution or end your participation in the program.

If you have questions, would like to sign up, or would like more information about this program, please log onto www.midlandpower.coop or call our office at (800) 833-8876 or (515) 386-4111, or return the form below.

Green Pricing Program - Alternate Energy Sources

To apply for a rebate, purchase LED holiday lights, complete this coupon, attach your original sales receipt showing the number of strings purchased, and return toMidland Power by January 31.

Rebates will be credited to yourMidland Power account.

Member Name ___________________

Address ______________________

City _________________ Zip ______

Phone Number ___________________

Account # _____________________(Account number as listed on your electric bill where the credit is to be applied.)Number of LED holiday light strings ______

(maximum rebate is for 5 strings, which totals $10)Mail to: Rebates

Midland Power CooperativeP.O. Box 420, Jefferson, IA 50129-0420

$2/STRING LED HOLIDAY LIGHTS REBATE COUPON

(Up to 5 strings per member)

Before winter arrives, review generator and space heater safety information at www.SafeElectricity.org!

Annual Reminder: Customers of Midland Power Cooperative may direct inquiries for information or complaints to: Midland Power Cooperative, P.O. Box 420, Jefferson, IA 50129, or (515) 386-4111 or (800) 833-8876. If your complaint is related to Midland Power Cooperative’s service rather than its rates, and Midland Power does not resolve your complaint, you may request assistance from the Iowa Utilities Board by calling (515) 725-7321, or toll-free 1-877-565-4450, or by writing to 1375 E. Court Ave., Room 69, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0069, or by E-mail to customer@iub.iowa.gov.

Iowa farmers may qualify for a state sales tax exemption on electricity consumed for processing and production by filing an exemption certificate with Midland Power Cooperative.

Fuels, including electricity, used directly in processing and production on the farm are exempt from state sales tax. Also included under the definition of agricultural production is the production of flowering, ornamental and vegetable plants in commercial greenhouses or other places for sale in the ordinary course of business.

Electricity used for the home, farm shop,

recreation, hobbies or outdoor lighting is taxable.

The key to receiving the exemption is documentation. If having a separate meter for farm use is not practical, a list of the equipment used for farm production is necessary. Visit Midland Power’s web site at www.midlandpower.coop and click on the Iowa Sales Tax Exemption Form under “My Membership” for the required sales tax exemption form. We also can help you determine what information is needed.

Information also is available on the Iowa Department of Revenue’s web site, www.state.ia.us/tax/.

Sales tax exemption for Iowa farmers

Are you enrolled in the security light repair agreement program?

The security light repair agreement is $2.00 per month/per light. For example, if you have one light, you would pay $2.00 per month, two lights would be $4.00 per month, and so on. This is a great value, as the monthly charge covers the trip charge, repair parts and total light replacement if, or when, needed for repair and/or replacement of a security light. Without a security light repair agreement in place, a member could spend anywhere from $60 to $125, plus tax, to have a broken security light fixed or replaced.

The security light repair agreement is only available for lights purchased from

Midland Power Cooperative. Member-consumers that participate in the security light repair agreement program continue to own the security light(s), and Midland Power will not remove used items from the member-consumer’s property.

If you're interested in signing up for the security light repair agreement, please download the form at www.midlandpower.coop or call (800) 833-8876.