Website at www.clearwater-polk.com

CURRENTA C T I V I T I E S

Phone 218-694-6241 or toll free (888) 694-3833 NOVEMBER 2016

–– OFFICE HOURS: 7:00 AM-4:30 PM, MONDAY-FRIDAY ––

––– CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 –––

...to our members who helped celebrate Co-op month

The winners of the Energy Certificates were: Matthew Wolden Bonnie Thompson Jerry Walvatne Betty Malm Owen Syverson John Friborg

Average number of load control hours expected this winter

Though a number of factors could raise or lower the number, Minnko-

ta Power Cooperative, your coop-erative’s wholesale energy supplier, estimates 190 hours of dual-heat load control this winter. This compares to the 10-year average of 210 hours and last year’s total of 16 hours.

The low number of control hours in 2015-16 show what extreme tem-peratures – in this case above normal – can do to the estimate. Minnkota was predicting 250 hours at this time

last year for the 2015-16 season.Minnkota should hit that 190 hours

mark or lower if the region has normal weather conditions, a soft energy market continues and forced out-ages at the Milton R. Young Station are infrequent.

“Really it’s the market volatility, it’s the weather and the forced outages that drive your control,” said Todd Sailer, Minnkota senior manager of energy supply. “Those three things drive if you’re going to be up in the

190, 200 range or if you are below 100.”

The longest scheduled outage at the Young Station is just four days in winter 2016-17, which helped to keep this year’s forecast lower than the 2015-16 projections.

During outages and periods of peak electric demand, Minnkota’s first option is to purchase power from the power market. If affordable pow-

Clearwater-Polk eleCtriC Newsletter, 2016 Page 2

er is not available, off-peak loads are temporarily controlled. The savings are passed on to retail consumers through the lower off-peak heating rate.

“Our projections show that afford-able power will be available for pur-chase throughout most of the winter to meet our members’ needs,” Sailer said. “Weather and the outages are going to be major factors in how many hours we actually end up with.”

“We’ve been fortunate in the last couple of years in that when we’ve had forced outages, the markets were low. If we had that during 20 below temperatures in the region and there was hardly any wind, that’s a different scenario. You could have more than 50 hours in a week.”

Sailer said when there is a combina-tion of low wind generation, unseasonal weather conditions and generator out-

ages in the region, Minnkota will see higher energy market prices and will need to control.

“Controlling load during these peri-ods protects consumers from the volatil-ity of the market and prevents the need to build new power plants just to serve peak loads,” Sailer said.

An off-peak system consists of an electric heating source as its primary component. A supplemental heating source must operate several hundred hours or more during the winter season. Sailer said members with a well-main-tained backup heating system should not notice a difference in comfort level when their off-peak heating system is controlled.

“The ability to manage costs and plan for the heating season is one of the many benefits of the off-peak electric heating program,” Sailer said.

Millions of dollars have been saved due to the successful operation of Minnkota’s load management system over the past 38 years.

Electric heating rebates availableGreat incentives are available for

the installation of qualifying electric heating equipment. (Randy Caskey) Cooperative members will receive $20 per kilowatt (kW) installed with a maximum rebate of $600 through at least the end of 2017. The system must be the primary heating source in the building and on the off-peak program with a qualified backup heating source. The system must be hard-wired; plug-in systems are not eligible.

Some restrictions apply. Please con-tact the cooperative’s member ser-vices department for more information.

AVERAGE NUMBER...continued from front page

The Clearwater-Polk Electric Trust Fund committee will soon be

holding a grant-funding meeting. Request for funds will be accepted until November 18, 2016. Applica-tion blanks can be picked up at our office, on our website clearwater-polk.com or from one of the com-mittee members, Glenn Rettmann, Larry Blasing or Mary Tronerud.

Donations from the Trust will generally be made to organizations which benefit the service area community of Clearwa-ter-Polk Electric Cooperative. Non-profit Organizations which have been granted IRS Code 501© (3) status and serve a large number of people will be given priority.

Donations from the Trust will generally not be made for:

A. Lobbying, political, and religious or-ganizations;

B. Veteran, fraternal, and labor orga-nizations;

C. Fund-raising dinners, raffles and other events;

D. Individuals;E. National fund drives;F. Advertising; andG. Economic development projects. The following factors will be considered

in the evaluation of all funding requests.A. Potential benefit to area residents and

the entire community;B. Level of community support for the

program or project or organization requesting the funds;

C. Fiscal and administrative capability of the organization to deliver a quality service or program; and

D. Results that are predictable can be evaluated.

All donations to organizations will be published in area newspapers and the Current Activities Newsletter.

All applications will be kept on hand for one year.

Clearwater-Polk Electric Trust Funding and Donations OFFICERS &

DIRECTORS

Leroy Riewer, President ...................BagleyVernon Hamnes, Vice President ......GonvickRobert Johnson, Secretary ...............BagleyHarlan Highberg, Treasurer ..............BagleyGary Mathis .....................................GonvickGreg Spaulding..................................BagleyKeith DeMaris ................................... Shevlin

Bruce Bjerke ........ General Manager

SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING

Held at the Clearwater-Polk Electric board room at 8:00 a.m. on the last

Wednesday of each month.

“Our projections show that affordable power will be avail-able for purchase throughout

most of the winter to meet our members’ needs.”

Clearwater-Polk eleCtriC Newsletter, 2016 Page 3

If you have a favorite recipe you would like to share with

Clearwater-Polk Electric members, please send to:

CLEARWATER-POLK ELECTRIC COOP.P.O. BOX 0

BAGLEY, MN 56621

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

INGREDIENTS2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice2 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt2 eggs2 cups white sugar1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree1/2 cup vegetable oil1 cup dried cranberries1 cup chopped walnuts

SWAP SHOP

RULES: Ads for Clearwater-Polk Electric members only.Ads received after the 15th of each month will be held over for the following month. Ads may be run consecutively for two months. Limit your ads to two items. No commercial ads, please.

FOR SALE: John Deere R, runs good, new tires, no reasonable offer refused. 218-776-3177 or 218-368-7717.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––WANTED: Used electric or telephone poles. 218-760-1567.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: Set of 4 floor mats for 2016 Chevy Impala, original equipment, in car for only 1,500 miles, perfect condition, $25.00 for the set. 218-694-2591.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 300 gal. fuel tank with 2 hand pumps, $50.00 OBO, 651-470-5553.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: Full size P.U. topper, nice, $25.00; rear 3-wheeler rack, nice, $25.00. 218-766-8176.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: Late Dec 1941 M1 Garand Springfield 30-06 rifle, CMP Service Grade (1.3 ME), SN: 429XXX, dates it as in the last half of the 900 produced 31 DEC 1941 American military history at $1,300.00 OBO. 218-694-6262.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 16’ Lund fishing boat with 16 HP Arctic Cat (Sprit Motor) and trailer. 218-968-2341.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 2000 GMC Jimmy, no rust, $1,400.00. 218-407-3176.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––WANTED: Snowplow for a 1995 Chev pickup. 956-254-9141.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––GIVE AWAY: Non-useable chest freezer (could be used for a feeder or smoker). 218-209-8098.

WANTED: Older snowplow & truck. 956-254-9141.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 1979 Corvette, $12,500.00, 218-657-2679.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––WANTED: Old McCulloch chain saws, 50’s, 60’s & early 70’s, any condition. 218-766-8373.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 2013 fish house, 20’ w/V-front, 8 holes w/catch covers, beds, gen. hookup, inverter, 18000 BTU vented fur-nace, gas alarm, LED battery indicator, 12V ceiling fan, stereo, DVD player, TV mount, 2 burner stove, microwave, lots of storage, excellent condition. Selling to get larger one for grandkids! $9,500.00. 218-760-1248.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: ’78 Lund 18’ fishing boat, carpeted floor, 4 pedestal bases, bow storage, yacht club roler trailer, $500.00. 218-760-1248.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: ’91 Tracker Pro-V deep 17, side console, 40 HP Johnson w/tilt/trim, Minnkota bow mount troll motor, livewell, baitwell, roller trailer, custom cover, 1 owner, stored inside, great condition, $1,950.00. 218-760-1248.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: Dog house, 4’1”x 3’1”x 39” high, $125.00. 218-766-3223.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 2004 Jayco JayFeather 29 ft. travel trailer, good condition, clean. 218-368-3606.

FOR SALE: 93 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 85,000 miles. 218-556-5166.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––WANTED TO BUY: Conversion van. 218-556-5166.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 1995 Polaris 250 Trail Boss 4-wheeler, very good condition; 1996 Ski-doo Touring E snowmobile, very good condition, $1,200.00. 218-407-4636.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 1st cutting hay, $25.00 for 4’x5’ bale. 218-776-2018.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 1994 Ford pickup, $1,200.00. 218-556-8548.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: Blizzak 8 (2 sets) Bridgestone snow & ice tires, 70R15, $15.00 each. 218-785-2452.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 1997 Oldsmobile ’98 Regency, runs good but some rust underneath, $500.00. 218-785-2452.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 1994 Oldsmobile ’98 Regency, runs good but some rust underneath, $500.00; Bridgestone tires with less than one thousand miles. 218-785-2452.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 1994 Toyota pickup, 2 WD, 4 cyl, with topper, 116,000 miles, $3,000.00 OBO. 218-776-3952.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: Small hay bales, no rain, $3.00 each. 218-266-3396.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––FOR SALE: 1966 4020 John Deere diesel tractor, good tires, cab, heat, 3 pt. with 158 John Deere loader, $10,000.00. 218-776-3177 or 218-368-7717.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––WANTED: Wood stove; wood cook stove; Willys or Renegade Jeep. 218-766-8176.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––WANTED: Men’s size 11-12 XC ski boots. 218-766-8125.

DIRECTIONS1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

(175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 - 9x5 inch loaf pans (or 4 mini loaf pans).

2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and salt.

3. Combine eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil in small mixing bowl, beat until just blended. Stir the wet mixture into the dry with a wooden spoon until bat-ter is just moistened. Fold the cranberries

and walnuts into the batter. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pans.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. (If using mini loaf pans, be-gin checking bread after 25 minutes.)

Clearwater-Polk eleCtriC Newsletter, 2016 Page 4

Cold Weather Rule Notification

216B.097 COLD WEATHER RULE; COOPERATIVE OR MUNICIPAL UTILITY.

Subdivision 1. Application; notice to residential cus-tomer. (a) A municipal utility or a cooperative elec-

tric association must not disconnect and must reconnect the utility service of a residential customer during the period between October 15 and April 15 if the discon-nection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit and all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The household income of the customer is at or below 50 percent of the household income. A municipal utility or cooperative electric association utility may (i) verify income on forms it provides or (ii) obtain verifica-tion of income from the local energy assistance provider. A customer is deemed to meet the income requirements of this clause if the customer receives any form of public assistance, including energy assistance, that uses an income eligibility threshold set at or below 50 percent of the state median household income.

(2) A customer enters into and makes reasonably timely payments under a payment agreement that con-siders the financial resources of the household.

(3) A customer receives referrals to energy assis-tance, weatherization, conservation, or other programs likely to reduce the customer’s energy bills.

(b) A municipal utility or a cooperative electric as-sociation must, between August 15 and October 15 each year, notify all residential customers of the provisions of this section.

Subd. 2. Notice to residential customer facing dis-connection. Before disconnecting service to a resi-

dential customer during the period between October 15 and April 15, a municipal utility or cooperative electric association must provide the following information to a customer:

(1) a notice of proposed disconnection;(2) a statement explaining the customer’s rights and

responsibilities;(3) a list of local energy assistance providers;(4) forms on which to declare inability to pay; and(5) a statement explaining available time payment

plans and other opportunities to secure continued util-ity service.

Subd. 3. Restrictions if disconnection necessary. (a) If a residential customer must be involuntarily dis-

connected between October 15 and April 15 for failure to comply with subdivision 1, the disconnection must not occur:

(1) on a Friday, unless the customer declines to en-ter into a payment agreement offered that day in person or via personal contact by telephone by a municipal util-ity or cooperative electric association;

(2) on a weekend, holiday, or the day before a holi-day;

(3) when utility offices are closed; or(4) after the close of business on a day when dis-

connection is permitted, unless a field representative of a municipal utility or cooperative electric association who is authorized to enter into a payment agreement, accept payment, and continue service, offers a payment agree-ment to the customer.

Further, the disconnection must not occur until at least 20 days after the notice required in subdivision 2 has been mailed to the customer or 15 days after the notice has been personally delivered to the customer.

(b) If a customer does not respond to a discon-nection notice, the customer must not be disconnected

until the utility investigates whether the residential unit is actually occupied. If the unit is found to be occupied, the utility must immediately inform the occupant of the provi-sions of this section. If the unit is unoccupied, the utility must give seven days’ written notice of the proposed disconnection to the local energy assistance provider before making a disconnection.

(c) If, prior to disconnection, a customer appeals a notice of involuntary disconnection, as provided by the utility’s established appeal procedure, the utility must not disconnect until the appeal is resolved.

Subd. 4. Application to service limiters. For the pur-poses of this section, “disconnection” includes a ser-

vice or load limiter or any device that limits or interrupts electric service in any way.

The Military Service Personnel, section 325.027 of the Public Utilities Act, provides:

Section 1. [325E.028] UTILITY PAYMENT AR-RANGEMENTS FOR MILITARY SERVICE PER-

SONNEL.

Subdivision 1. Restriction on disconnection; payment schedules. (a) A municipal utility, cooperative elec-

tric association, or public utility 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 sta-tion 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 municipal utility, coop-erative electric association, or public utility under which the residential customer pays ten percent of the cus-tomer’s gross monthly income toward the customer’s bill and the residential customer remains reasonably current with those payments; or

(2) has a household income above the state me-dian household income and enters into an agreement with the municipal utility, cooperative electric associa-tion, or public utility establishing a reasonable payment schedule that considers the financial resources of the household and the residential customer remains reason-ably current with payments under the payment schedule.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, “household income” means household income measured after the date of the orders specified in paragraph (a).

Subd. 2. Annual notice to all customers; inability to pay forms. (a) A municipal utility, cooperative elec-

tric association, or public utility must notify all residential customers annually of the provisions of this section.

(b) A municipal utility, cooperative electric associa-tion, or public utility must provide a form to a residential customer to request the protections of this section upon the residential customer’s request.

Subd. 3. Application to service limiters. For the pur-pose of this section, “disconnection” includes a ser-

vice or load limiter or any device that limits or interrupts

electric service in any way.

Subd. 4. Income verification. Verification of income may be conducted by the local energy assistance

provider or the municipal utility, cooperative electric as-sociation, or public utility unless the customer is auto-matically eligible for protection against disconnection as a recipient of any form of public assistance, includ-ing energy assistance that uses income eligibility in an amount at or below the income eligibility in subdivision 1, clause (1).

Subd. 5. Appeal process. (a) The municipal utility, cooperative electric association, or public utility shall

provide the residential customer with a commission-ap-proved written notice of the right to appeal to the com-mission or other appropriate governing body when the utility and residential customer are unable to agree on the establishment, reasonableness, or modification of a payment schedule, or on the reasonable timeliness of the payments under a payment schedule, provided for by this section. Any appeal must be made within seven working days after the residential customer’s receipt of personally served notice, or within ten working days af-ter the utility has deposited first class mail notice in the United States mail.

(b) The utility shall not disconnect service while a payment schedule is pending appeal, or until any appeal involving payment schedules has been determined by the commission.

Subd. 6. Enforcement. This section may be enforced pursuant to chapter 216B.The purpose of this notice is to inform you of your

rights and responsibilities under section 325E.027, Util-ity Payment Arrangement for Military Service Personnel. These rights and responsibilities are designed to help you meet payment of your utility bills. You must act PROMPTLY, if you choose not to assert your rights or choose not to enter into a mutually acceptable payment schedule, your service may be disconnected.

Your responsibility is to declare inability to pay by completing our inability to pay form and return it to Clearwater-Polk, within ten days.

Your responsibility to provide documentation to Clearwater-Polk that your household income is less than 50% of the state median level.

You have the right to a mutually acceptable payment schedule with Clearwater-Polk. This payment schedule will cover your existing overdue bill plus your estimated use during the payment schedule period. If you are able to pay but still wish to enter into a payment schedule, contact Clearwater-Polk to make such payment ar-rangements.

You have the right not to be involuntarily discon-nected on a Friday or the day before a holiday.

Your responsibility, if you choose to appeal, is to mail or hand deliver the letter of appeal stating your situ-ation and issues in dispute. Your letter of appeal must be in our hands before the day of disconnection. The Clearwater-Polk Electric Board of Directors will review your appeal after it is received. If you want to be present at the appeal, you must call the cooperative for the date and time of the appeal review.

If you need help paying your electric bill, you may qualify for state or federal fuel assistance. For complete qualifications, applications and information, contact your local county social services or community/citizens ac-tion council listed below. These organizations may also provide budget counseling.

Clearwater Social Services ........... 694-6164Polk County Social Services ......... 435-1585White Earth RBC ............................ 473-2711Bi County Cap .......................(800) 332-7161Red Lake Cap ............................... 679-1880Inter-County ................................... 796-5144

Clearwater-Polk eleCtriC Newsletter, 2016 Page 5

afelectricity®

Ah, the Digital Age. We have gadgets galore, the ability to

manage our homes in new and in-novative ways, brilliant images and captivating sounds of modern en-tertainment options and of course, the internet. Clearly, digital devices reign supreme. Yet these cool new capabilities come with a couple of pitfalls; vampire loads and the issue of “technology reincarnation.”

Over the course of the Digital Age, electricity use has continued to increase. Families have multiple televisions. Computer prices have plummeted, meaning many homes now have multiple computers. Every-one in the family needs a cell phone. Gaming consoles and set top cable/satellite boxes satisfy our desire for entertainment.

Major appliances aside, most digital devices do not use 120-volt power, which is the standard voltage of a home outlet. They actually use a lot less. So, trying to plug your brand new smartphone directly into an outlet is going to lead to a fried device and lots of tears from someone. This is why low-voltage devices come with a power adapter. These “wall warts” as some term them, take the 120-volt electricity supplied by Clearwater-Polk and convert it to say, five volts. Unfortunately, most folks leave their adapters plugged in to make recharging easier. The problem with this approach is that the seemingly innocuous wall wart uses power even when it isn’t charging a device.

This invisible energy consumption is often called “vampire load.” Studies show that 5 to 10 percent1 of the average

home’s energy use is from vampire loads. The only way to stop this is to unplug the power adapter when it is not in use or employ smart power strips. These look like the typical power strip but with a twist––only one socket gets power all the time. When the device or appliance connected to it turns on and starts using power, the remaining sockets receive power too. This is perfect for entertainment systems, computer set ups and a variety of other situations.

Technological advances have steadily increased energy efficiency and reduced purchase prices. On its face, this seems like a good thing. Unfortunately, when replacing a

product at the end of its life, the tendency is to go bigger, or continue to use the old tech. This is the second issue I noted––technology reincarnation.

For example, flat screen television prices have plummeted as technology has evolved––and so has the amount of elec-tricity they use. Consumers wander into the big box store and are dazzled by walls of giant, brilliant televisions. What they used to pay for the paltry 32” model now might net them a 50” giant. And who doesn’t want to see their favorite show or sports event in near life size? But if you spring for the bigger TV, you won’t benefit from the increased energy efficiency of the newer technology. The bigger model uses as much juice as the older, smaller TV, which likely ends up in another room (reincarnated in another setting) still using power.

Or refrigerators. These are the showpieces of the evolu-tion of smart appliances. Many new models include touch-screens and cameras; they communicate over the internet and probably even keep food cold and make ice. Yet what often happens is the old refrigerator ends up in the base-ment or garage, reincarnated as a dedicated beverage unit or overflow.

I’ll offer a couple words of advice to help you avoid––or at least reduce––the effects of vampire loads and technology reincarnation. Invest in smart power strips or make a point to use outlets where you can conveniently unplug power adapters when not in use. Don’t oversize your replacement appliances and entertainment gear unless family needs dictate the larger capacities. And recycle the replaced ap-pliances and equipment to stem technology reincarnation. You will enjoy the Digital Age for a lot less._______1 http://energy.gov/articles/are-energy-vampires-sucking-you-dry

GO PAPERLESSGO GREEN

Sign up for Bill4U and see your bill electronically instead of in your mailbox!

JUST GO TO www.clearwater-polk.com

AND SIGN UP TODAY!

DIGITAL DEVICES IMPACT ENERGY USE

By Tom Tate

Clearwater-Polk eleCtriC Newsletter, 2016 Page 6

DURING OFFICE HOURS 7:00 am-4:30 pm, Mon.-Fri.

CALL 694-6241 or 1-888-694-3833

** AFTER HOURS CALL

Cell # 1-877-881-7673** For after hour outages,

please contact the above cell #.

TR CO AU LB LL SE

To reward our faithful read-ers, one member’s name will be drawn at random each month and placed somewhere in the news-letter. If you should find your

name, let us know before the 15th and win $25 off your next bill.

YOU COULD WIN$25

OUR OFFICE WILL BE

H CLOSED HFRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 11TH

THURSDAY & FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24TH & 25TH

If you experience an emergency or power outage, please call

1-877-881-7673

– AND –

SIGN UP FOR AUTO-PAY AND YOU

WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN

$25.00EACH MONTH WE DRAW TWO MEMBER’S NAMES THAT HAVE CHOSEN TO PAY BY AUTO-PAY.

THEY WILL RECEIVE A$25.00 CREDIT TOWARDS

THEIR ELECTRIC BILL.

NOVEMBER WINNERS:

Phyllis TorgersonGordon Shelquist