Y-W ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

[Y-W News]

coloradocountrylife.coop 7JANUARY 2016

WWhen winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Winter storm sever-ity varies depending on where you live, but nearly all Ameri-cans are affected by extreme winter storms at some point. Y-W Electric Association cares about your safety and wants you to be prepared. Heavy snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without power. Dur-ing extremely low temperatures, this can be dangerous. During a power outage our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself. ❅ STAY WARM — Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove. These are great options to keep you and your loved ones warm, but exercise cau-tion when using an alternate source and never leave the heating source unattended. If you are using gasoline-, propane- or natu-ral gas-burning devices to stay warm, never use them indoors. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should always be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s

directions before using. ❅ STAY FED — The Centers for Disease Con-

trol and Prevention recommends having sev-eral days’ supply of food handy that does not

need to be cooked. Crackers, cereal, canned goods and bread are good options. Five gallons of water per person should also be available in the event of an extended power outage. ❅ STAY SAFE — When an outage occurs,

it usually means power lines are down. It is best not to travel during winter storms, but if

you must, bring a survival kit along and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines, always

assume they are live. Stay as far away from the downed lines as possible and report the situation to our dispatchers by calling 970-345-2291, if possible. Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous and planning ahead can often be the difference between life and death. Y-W Electric is ready for what Mother Nature has in store and wants you to be ready, too. For more winter safety tips, visit ready.gov/winter-weather. (Glen and Louise Rask, Acct. # 2023006005)

Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

A WORD TO THE WISE DURING WINTER STORMSBY ABBY BERRY

If you only want to heat or supplement inadequate heating in one room, small space heaters can be less expensive to use than your central heating system.

Source: Energy.gov

Wherever different building materi-

als meet or wiring comes out of a

wall, there are gaps that may con-

tribute to the loss of heat in your

home. Use caulk or foam sealant

to seal those gaps and stop cold air

from entering your home.

DODGE DRAFTS

[Y-W News]

coloradocountrylife.coop4 JANUARY 20168

A

BILLING DATES WILL CHANGE THIS MONTHBILLING CORNER

FFor January 2016, the billing date will be changed to January 15 with a due date of February 5. This will shorten the time span between the usage period and the billing period and will provide Y-W with a clearer representation of cash flow and financial conditions. (Dan Fonte, Acct. #1143303901 )

Whether you are on the normal billing program or on another program, such as budget billing, automatic bank pay or positive pay, please take the time to adjust your records and payment dates. If you have any questions or comments, please call our office at 970-345-2291.

2016 Y-W ELECTRIC SCHOLARSHIPS

GGet your applications in prior to the deadline to compete for the following scholarships:

Y-W Electric* $1,000 per year schol-arships, renewable up to $4,000

Y-W Electric* $1,000 scholarshipsBasin Electric $1,000 scholarshipsY-W Electric* $500 scholarshipsY-W Electric* $500 continuing

education scholarshipTri-State G & T $500 scholarshipsY-W Electric* $1,000 line technician

training scholarship *Y-W Electric scholarships are funded by

unclaimed capital credits account

To qualify for these scholarships:• Your parents or guardians must receive

electric service from Y-W Electric• You must be a graduating student from

a local high school or approved home schooling program or be a continuing college student

• You must maintain full-time resident student status

• Semesters must be continuous exclud-ing summer

• You must provide copy of grade transcript to Y-W at the end of each semester to receive renewable funding for specific scholarships

• You must maintain minimum grade point average requirements

Applications are available on our website, www.ywelectric.coop.

Applications must be delivered to Y-W prior to 5 p.m. February 1, 2016. Applica-tions received after February 1, 2016, will not be considered, regardless of postmark.

For more information, please see your guidance counselor or call Andy Molt at Y-W Electric Association at 970-345-2291. He will be happy to answer any questions.

Attention high school juniors: If you are interested in an intriguing, all-expenses-paid experience this summer, please obtain and fill out an application for the Leadership Camp. The application deadline is February 1, 2016.

Six junior students will be selected from applicants to attend the Leadership Camp July 17-22, 2016, at the Glen Eden Resort north of Steamboat Springs. About 100 stu-dents are chosen and sponsored by rural electric cooperatives from Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and Oklahoma to attend this camp beside the Elk River. Designed to provide a better understanding of cooperatives, legislative processes, energy prices, power generation and the rural electric cooperative program, the camp also concentrates on developing leadership skills.

The camp, run by students (with adult chaperones), is fun and provides an excellent learning experience. Field trips are planned to tour a large open-pit coal mine and an electric generation power plant. Various committees are responsible for planning a hot springs swimming party, a dance, a banquet and other evening entertainment.

All expenses for the camp are covered by Y-W Electric. The parent or guardian of an applicant must be a member of and/or directly receive electric power from Y-W Electric Association. (Patricia L. Humphrey, Acct. #951200502)

The selection process is conducted similar to a job interview, so you will gain ex-perience in that area. Attendance at the seminar will look good on your scholarship applications for college, and you will get to meet 100 students your own age and make lifetime acquaintances. For years, this camp has been known as the premier summer camp experience.

• Applications are available on our website, www.ywelectric.coop.• For more information, ask your guidance counselor or call Andy Molt at Y-W Elec-

tric Association at 970-345-2291. He will be happy to answer any questions.

Leadership Camp for Juniors Is BIG FUN All-expenses-paid week of adventure

Y-W Electric new billing date in effect.

[Y-W News]

coloradocountrylife.coop 9JANUARY 2016

IInstall all your double-throw generator transfer switches and col-lect a sizable rebate as a reward for safety. Y-W Electric reminds those members using standby generator sets how important it is to connect them into the electrical system correctly.

Since 2001, the Y-W directors have sponsored a rebate program to encourage all members with standby generators to install the proper double-throw transfer switches.

The program was initiated to provide safety for linemen work-ing on downed power lines following storms.

For a number of years before that, Y-W Electric provided double-throw transfer switches at cost for members. However, even at cost, the purchase price discouraged members from installing the safety devices. The Y-W board reasoned that pro-viding a rebate that covers approximately two-thirds of the cost of the panel would encourage members to install the switches for safety. (Akron Public Library, Acct. #2035005500)

The provisions for receiving the rebate are as follows:1. A member may purchase a double-throw transfer switch

with Underwriters Laboratories approval rating for service entrance equipment from any source and present the pur-chase invoice within 180 days of purchase.

2. A member may install the equipment or hire others to install the equipment.

3. Switch installation must be inspected and approved by a Y-W Electric employee.

4. Rebate is to be paid based on the schedule shown above.Y-W Electric contacted the electrical contractors in the area

and discussed the program with them. All of them expressed support for the program. Y-W Electric has no intention of com-peting with the contractors. Y-W Electric will gladly advise the consumer who wishes to do his or her own work, but Y-W will not install any of the equipment.

If you have any questions, you may call your electrical contrac-tor or Y-W Electric Association at 800-660-2291 or, in the Akron calling area, 970-345-2291.

RECEIVE REBATE MONEY FOR BEING SAFESAFETY REBATES FOR DOUBLE-THROW SWITCHES

• 100 ampere, single phase ..........................................$250• 200 ampere, single phase ......................................... $325• 400 ampere, single phase ........................................$600• 100 ampere, three phase ...........................................$425• 200 ampere, three phase ......................................... $500• 400 ampere, three phase .......................................$1,300

Y-W Electric Service Awards

Terence J. Hall Jr.General Manager

40 years

Howard Rick EskewLine Superintendent

40 years

Shane WeaverJoes Area Foreman

25 years

Rocky KraichApparatus Technician

25 years

Nicki AndersonMeter Technician

20 years

Bradley HagemanStaking and Engineering

Technician — 15 years

Andrew MoltMember Service

Director — 15 years

Anthony J. McCaffreyAkron Area Foreman

15 years

Scott PorteusStaking and Engineering Technician — 10 years

Tanner HayesHot Line Foreman

5 years

[Y-W News]

coloradocountrylife.coop JANUARY 201610

SIGN UP FOR GREEN POWER

Name

Address

City, State, ZIP Code

Signature

Number of Green Power blocks of 100 kWh

SIGN UP FOR GREEN POWER

I have committed to this purchase. This rate shall qualify on a month-to-month basis.

Y-W Electric is offering a renewable energy pro-gram subject to renewable energy being available from Y-W’s wholesale electric power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.

Members may sign up for a set amount of re-newable resource power in 100-kilowatt-hour per month increments. There will be a small premium of 9 cents per 100-kWh block in addition to the present rate. Tri-State Generation and Transmis-sion Association has purchased output electricity from wind farms, hydropower projects and solar power to provide this service.

Guidelines for Green Power RateAvailability — To all Y-W Electric members in 100-kWh per month blocks.

Eligibility — Any Y-W Electric member, who must complete and return to Y-W Electric an Intent to Purchase Renewable Generated Power Application. This form will indicate the number of 100-kWh blocks the member intends to purchase monthly. (Joni Turvey, Acct. #4401005004)

Rate — The rate will be a renewable power premium (added charge) for all renewable power delivered to the member participant as committed in the Intent to Purchase Renewable Generated Power Application. The renewable rate will be 9 cents per 100-kWh block in addition to the present rate applicable to the member.

Duration — Once the member has committed to the purchase, this rate shall qualify on a month-to-month basis.

Each month, Y-W Electric offers members a chance to earn a $20 credit on their next electric bill. If you recognize your name and account number in this magazine, call 800-660-2291 and ask for your credit. It couldn’t be easier.

Members claiming their $20 credit from the November 2015 issue were Allen and Edith Hussey, Jeanne L. Wagner, Michael J. and Lisa Y. Turvey, Ethan and Stephanie Merritt and Roger Koenig.

Get acquainted with your account number, read your Colorado Country Life magazine and pick up the phone. That’s all the energy you’ll need to claim your energy bucks.

You must claim your credit during the month in which your name appears in the magazine (check the date on the front cover).

CLAIM YOUR CREDIT — Find Your Name

TThe financial industry is keeping a close eye on how the U.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency’s Clean Power Plan will affect electric co-ops.

The plan released last year proposes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions largely by cutting back on the use of coal to gener-ate electricity. And that, says one of the leading Wall Street investment rating firms, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, “could hit some electric cooperative utilities hard-est: As the National Rural Electric Coopera-tive Association reported, these utilities rely on coal for an average of 70 percent of their energy needs, compared with a national average for all utilities of less than 40 percent.”

The emission reductions are scheduled to begin in the year 2022 and be completed by 2030. Those deadlines could be delayed by lawsuits that were filed challenging the plan.

On the positive side, co-op leaders and the financial industry agree that coopera-tives showed good decision making that has put them in a strong financial position. They kept electric rates low but raised them

when necessary, and they took advantage of the low interest rates of the past several years to lock in low rates for the future.

“From both a credit quality and manage-ment perspective, there’s a lot of strength in the electric cooperative program — a huge asset in the current regulatory envi-ronment. We’re positioned well for future stability,” says Sheldon Peterson, CEO of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation. “Our business motiva-tion is different. Our objectives are not to maximize the rate of return, our objectives are to minimize costs to the members. That’s very positive for us and leads to competitiveness.” (James Nagel, Acct. #741902100)

The S&P report states, “We expect them to use similar methods to maintain their credit quality as the EPA finalizes regula-tions that could, in our view, significantly influence the cost of providing electric service — and we’ll be watching to gauge their success.”

Paul Wesslund writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Investors Concerned About EPA Plan’s Effect on Co-opsBY PAUL WESSLUND

Outage SupportIf you’re experiencing a power outage and neighbors do not have electricity, call us at Y-W Electric. A repair person will be dispatched as quickly as possible. We can also tell you if it will be an extended outage.