Rising Sun MUNICIPAL Municipal Utilities

POWER NEWS Volume 22, Issue 2 | Fall 2016

Many of the poles seen along this alleyway will soon be replaced in an effort to update a portion of the city’s electrical infrastructure.

The Anatomy of a New Apprentice IMPA Solar Park Utility Pole Lineworker at Utility Update Page 2 Page 4 Page 6 City’s Electric Infrastructure Project in the Works

In an effort to continue updating much of the City of Rising Sun’s electrical infrastructure, the utility has plans to replace 39 utility poles located in the alleyway between Walnut Street and High Street, as well as along the length of Barnes Alley. Utilities Superintendent Shawn Guidice stated that many of the poles are aging, and in need of updating. In addition to the poles, much of the electric hardware attached to the utility poles will also be replaced in an effort to increase the electric system’s reliability and safety. -continued on page 4 MUNICIPAL POWER NEWS , Anatomy of an Electric Utility Pole Utility poles are a common sight throughout the , as they are located adjacent to many roadways that are visible while driving. While you see these poles every day, have you ever thought about the function of the poles and the lines and attachments that hang onto them? Utility poles play an important role in electrical distribution, which is a fancy term for how electricity travels to your home or business. All of the lines and attachments that sit on the utility pole play an essential role in this process. Read on to learn more about the different parts that make up your everyday pole.

Insulator: The prevents wires from coming into contact with 1. each other on the utility pole, which could cause fires, outages and other dangerous conditions. Guy wire: The guy wire is a tensioned wire that helps to stabilize the 2. utility pole to the . : An electrical device, typically in a metallic enclosure, that converts high 3. voltage electricity to a lower voltage for use in homes and businesses. A combination of a fuse and a , the fuse cutout is used to Fuse cutout: protect power lines and other equipment from surges or overloads 4. by disconnecting the power line from a transformer.

This horizontal piece of the utility pole is typically made of Crossarm: high-quality and holds power lines and other equipment, 5. such as , onto the pole.

The utility pole is typically made of wood or steel, and can Utility pole: range in height from 30 feet to more than 100 feet. The pole 6. serves as the backbone for the electric line and holds all of the components and equipment.

Primary wire: These wires are on the very top of the utility pole, and usually 7. carry high voltage electricity from a substation.

Utility poles don’t just hold electric wires; other wires, such Lowest as telephone or cable wires, are also attached to these poles. 8. Typically, these wires are found closest to the ground and are wires: the lowest wire on the utility pole.

This wire runs the entire length of the utility pole, directing 9. Ground wire: any electricity on the pole safely into the ground.

Secondary Once the high voltage electricity has been converted to a 10. lower voltage, the secondary wire carries that electricity to wire: homes and businesses.

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Your community’s lineworkers are highly trained individuals who are well-versed in repairing and maintaining all of the many complex components of an electric utility pole.

The job of a lineworker is not an easy one, and it’s not one that just anyone can do. It requires years of training and education in order to learn the 2. complex art of electricity. Each day, lineworkers put their lives on the line so that you - residents of 9. the community - have access to safe and reliable electricity. So, next time you see a lineworker working on a utility pole, stop and thank them for their service to the community.

MUNICIPAL POWER NEWSSummer 2016 3. Infrastructure -continued from page 1 The engineering work on this project has been completed, and Rising Sun Municipal Utilities recently hired the Indiana Municipal Power Agency’s engineering and operations subsidiary, IMPA Service Corp, to complete the construction of the project. IMPA Service Corp will begin working on the project this fall, and hopes to have it completed within a few months. Once the project is finished, the City of Rising Sun will have dozens of new utility poles, which will serve to provide a safer and more reliable power source for the community. Rising Sun Municipal Utilities Welcomes New Apprentice Lineworker

After Dale Turner was promoted to his new position as electric supervisor earlier this year, a lineworker vacancy was available within Rising Sun Municipal Utilities. After interviewing several candidates, Utilities Superintendent Shawn Guidice hired Isaac Crouch to serve in the position of apprentice lineworker. Crouch began working for the utility shortly after Memorial Day, and since then, has begun his training to become a certified journeyman lineman. In addition to Crouch, Rising Sun Municipal Utilities also employs another apprentice lineworker, Brandon Cappel. Cappel is in his third year of the apprenticeship program, and is on track to graduate in one year. Isaac Crouch is Rising Sun Municipal Utilities’ newest The lineworker apprenticeship program is a apprentice lineworker. rigorous four-year program that provides entry-level apprentice lineworkers with the necessary skills that are needed to become a certified journeyman lineman. With an emphasis on the importance of safety within the profession, the training is split into multiple phases where apprentices have a chance to learn the fundamental principles and groundwork of the profession. There are also many opportunities for hands- on training, allowing the apprentices to practice these important skills in real life settings. After completing the multiple phases of the four-year program, an apprentice officially graduates and receives his journeyman lineman license. Rising Sun Municipal Utilities appreciates all of the hard work of its lineworkers, and welcomes Isaac to his new position. Brandon Cappel, the utility’s other apprentice lineworker, is set to graduate from the program in one year.

MUNICIPAL POWER NEWSFall 2016 Rising Sun Municipal Utilities 4. Celebrate Indiana’s Bicentennial!

In an effort to celebrate Indiana’s Bicentennial all year long, IMPA is bringing readers of the Municipal Power News fun facts about Indiana history. Read on to learn more about the Hoosier state. Indiana’s state motto, “Crossroads of America,” has been in existence since the early 1800s when river traffic along the Ohio River was a major mode of transportation. Today, more interstates and highways intersect Indiana than any other state.

Southern and central Indiana contain an abundance of Indiana’s state flag was adopted in 1917 and was limestone, which has been used in the construction of famous designed by Paul Hadley as part of a contest buildings such as the Pentagon and the Empire State Building. celebrating the state’s 100th birthday. Source: Indiana Department of Education Tidbits & Trivia The Indiana Municipal

------Power Agency (IMPA) is a not-for-profit organization Question: Which type of that provides a low cost, reliable and environmentally- wire on a utility pole carries responsible power supply to its the high voltage electricity members.

from a substation? IMPA member utilities purchase their power through a) Secondary wire IMPA and deliver that power to the residents and companies

b) Primary wire within the community.

c) Ground wire d) None of the above ------

Send your answer to the question to IMPA, and we will randomly select winners from Substation all of the correct entries to receive an energy efficiency prize pack. Please send your noun. name, e-mail address and address with your answer to: A facility used for switching and/or changing or regulating the voltage of [email protected] electric energy. A substation may tie OR generating stations to transmission MPN Energy Efficiency Quiz systems or transmission systems to 11610 North College Avenue distribution systems. Carmel, IN 46032

MUNICIPAL POWER NEWSFall 2016 Rising Sun Municipal Utilities 5. IMPA Continues Building Solar Parks in Local Communities Throughout the last two years, the hits the solar panels, the panels convert that Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) has energy into direct current electricity. That constructed nine solar parks in large and small electricity is transferred to an inverter, located IMPA communities throughout Indiana. This within the solar park. The inverter then takes year, the Agency is in the midst of constructing the direct current electricity and converts it four additional solar parks in the communities into alternating current (AC) electricity. Once of Anderson, Huntingburg, Waynetown and converted to AC, the transformer steps-up Washington. These solar parks are all aimed at the voltage to the proper level, and is then adding more renewable and economical energy transferred to the interconnection point on the resources to IMPA’s power portfolio. distribution system. The AC meter measures When energy is created by the the energy from the solar park prior to its solar parks, it is then placed onto the local connection to the distribution system and distribution system in whichever town or city ultimately the customer. the solar park is located in. As the IMPA plans to add approximately 10 is produced, it becomes a part of all of the megawatts of solar capacity into its overall electric generation that is supplying the system, power portfolio each year, meaning more and which is typically a mixture of power produced more IMPA member communities will have via , , solar, wind and nuclear. solar parks within the coming years. For more The process of generating electricity information on IMPA’s solar parks, visit www. from the sun may seem to be a complex one, but impa.com. in reality, is really quite simple. When sunlight How does solar generate electricity?

Sunlight hits the photovoltaic panels, which convert the solar energy into direct current (DC) electricity.

The utility distribution system carries the generated electricity The transformer The inverter converts to be used. steps-up the voltage direct current (DC) to reach the proper electricity to alternating grid voltage level. current (AC).

The AC meter Direct measures the power current supplied to the electricity is distribution system. transferred to the Converted AC electricity is transferred inverter. to the AC Service Panel, which provides an interconnection point to the distribution system.

MUNICIPAL POWER NEWSSummer 2016 6. Cooking Corner For a chance to be featured in the newsletter and win a ------prize, send your recipe to: Chicken and Dumpling Casserole MPN Recipes Recipe submitted by Vicky Hicks-Spear of Tell City, Indiana. 11610 N. College Ave. Carmel, IN 46032 -1 pound chicken breasts -1 can cream of chicken soup or -2 cups chicken broth - 3 tsp. chicken bouillon [email protected] -1/4 cup butter -1/2 tsp. sage -2 cups Bisquick -1 tsp. black pepper -2 cups whole milk -1/2 stick butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9x13 baking pan, melt 1/2 stick butter. Shred chicken and spread over butter. Sprinkle black pepper and sage over the chicken. Do not stir. In a small bowl, mix milk and Bisquick. Slowly pour over chicken. In another The MUNICIPAL POWER medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of chicken broth, chicken NEWS is a periodic publication bouillon and soup. Once blended, slowly pour over the Bisquick of the Indiana Municipal layer. Bake casserole for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Power Agency and the 60 communities that it serves ------with wholesale power. Strawberry Delight Editor: Niki Dick Recipe submitted by Burdett Parsons of Washington, Indiana. Manager of Marketing Communications -1 pre-made angel food cake -16 oz. tub whipped cream [email protected] -8 oz. cream cheese -1 1/3 cup sugar Correspondent: -16 oz. strawberry glaze -1 qt. fresh strawberries Meredith Sauter Communications Specialist [email protected] Tear angel food cake into pieces and mix with 1/3 of the tub of whipped cream. Put whipped cream mixture into the bottom Send submissions and of a serving dish. Mix the rest of the whipped cream with the comments to: cream cheese and the sugar and place on top of the cake. Slice 11610 N. College Ave. strawberries into quarters and mix with the strawberry glaze. Carmel, IN 46032 or Then, spread the strawberry mixture over the top of the cake. [email protected]. ------Advance Columbia City Greendale Middletown South Whitley Anderson Covington Greenfield Montezuma Spiceland Argos Crawfordsville Huntingburg New Ross Straughn Bainbridge Darlington Jamestown Paoli Tell City Bargersville Dublin Jasper Pendleton Thorntown IMPA Blanchester, OH Dunreith Kingsford Heights Peru Tipton Bremen Edinburgh Knightstown Pittsboro Veedersburg Members Brooklyn Etna Green Ladoga Rensselaer Walkerton Brookston Flora Lawrenceburg Richmond Washington Centerville Frankfort Lebanon Rising Sun Waynetown Chalmers Frankton Lewisville Rockville Williamsport Coatesville Gas City Linton Scottsburg Winamac

MUNICIPAL POWER NEWSSummer 2016 7. PRE-SORTED MUNICIPAL STANDARD POWER NEWS U.S. Postage Indiana Municipal Power Agency PAID Indianapolis, IN 11610 N. College Ave. Permit # 9555 Carmel, IN 46032

The Municipal Power News is published by the Indiana Municipal Power Agency and Rising Sun Municipal Utilities.

IMPA Commissioner: Shawn Guidice Save Energy This Fall! As the summer months wrap up and temperatures begin to cool, take action to ensure that your house and habits are as energy efficient as possible. Read on for helpful tips to save money this fall:

Schedule regular maintenance for Take shorter showers. This can save hundreds your heating system. of gallons of hot water and also reduce water heating costs.

Replace the air filter in your furnace on a Turn off kitchen and bath ventilation fans monthly basis. A dirty air filter makes the after use. If left on, the fans can blow the heating and cooling system work harder, warm air from inside your home to the causing wear and tear on the equipment. outside.

The best way to reduce your electric bill is to do everything you can to make your home more energy efficient.

MUNICIPAL POWER NEWSFall 2016 Rising Sun Municipal Utilities 8.