RHARNEYuralite ELECTRIC JUNE 2021

INSIDE >> High-Speed Internet Arrives in Rural Areas Energy Myths Busted Circles in the Sand

In 2017, MiWave Internet, operated by Jeff Graham and Justin Chase, began providing high-speed internet to rural residents in Harney County, where internet service is either unreliable or unavailable. PHOTO COURTESY OF JUSTIN CHASE High-Speed Internet Arrives MiWave Internet provides broadband access to rural residents and schools

By Lauren Brown

Thanks to a grant from the CARES Act, MiWave Internet was able to install cell towers near four rural schools to give students access to high-speed internet. PHOTO COURTESY OF JUSTIN CHASE

4 JUNE 2021 HARNEY ELECTRIC

In a world increasingly driven by streaming services, social media and the internet, it is hard to believe there are places in Harney County without reliable internet access. MiWave Internet, run by Jeff Graham and Justin Chase, is trying to change that. Jeff is a Burns High School graduate. Justin grew up in Bend. Both served in the military and then worked for cell phone companies after leaving the service. In 2015, Jeff moved back to Burns, where he discovered limited internet coverage for rural residents in Harney County. With encouragement from former County Judge Steve Grasty and former Harney County Economic Development Coordinator Randy Fulton, Jeff decided to start a company to solve the problem. He contacted his friend Justin, an entrepreneur with experience in business start-ups. MiWave Internet was up and running in 2017. In 2018, Jeff and Justin acquired the Education Service District’s wireless network and its customers through a bidding process. The two immediately upgraded the system. MiWave Internet has partnered with the county and state to build a fiber-to-home network in Burns and Hines to provide residents “We went back and removed all the old equipment and with internet speeds of 100 megabits per second to up to 1 gigabit modernized everybody,” Justin says. “We got them from 1-megabit per second. A newly acquired bucket truck, here next to employee connections up to 10- to 15-megabit connections. We were able Taron Case, will help with that construction. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF GRAHAM to get a lot higher speeds out to those rural places, and that has created its own momentum.” MiWave installed new cell towers near Suntex, Double O, Justin says that historically, when telephone landlines were built Drewsey and Pine Creek elementary schools. and installed, the Universal Service Fund—a tax paid by everyone “It’s going to give 100-megabit service to all four of those with a phone line—subsidized telephone service to low-income schools as well as give us the ability to serve a lot of the residents households and high-cost areas. in those areas with high-speed links with broadband,” Justin says. “From a commercial standpoint, there’s no way that building When local schools turned to distance education as a result out to cover 10 residents in a rural area would ever pay off, of the state’s COVID-19 shutdown, MiWave worked to provide but that Universal Service Fund money paid communication low-income households within Burns and Hines with broadband companies to build infrastructure into those areas,” Justin says. internet so students could finish their school year from home. Building infrastructure took decades. Fortunately, the rules have “During the middle of the shutdown, we installed 25 customers changed for internet service providers. with broadband who normally wouldn’t get it because they “It took a generation for phone lines to be built out to couldn’t afford it,” Justin says. everybody,” Justin says. “We’re now trying to do the same thing MiWave’s coverage area is from Riley east to Drewsey and south without that Universal Service Fund money, and we’re trying to do to Frenchglen and everywhere in between, including Burns, Hines, it in a very compressed time frame. It creates a unique challenge Crane and Diamond. There is a $99 installation fee. The average of getting access to funds to support the areas where there is not a plan costs $50 a month. return on the investment for the commercial community.” The business employs four people—all of whom are Burns MiWave has sought alternative funding sources to achieve its High School graduates—and is part of an internship program that goal of getting broadband internet to rural residents. provides a Burns High School student with practical on-the-job In August 2020, MiWave struck a partnership with the county experience. and state to begin construction on a fiber-to-the-home network in After a recent MiWave rural installation, a resident told Jeff Burns and Hines. This service will provide residents with internet they were able to use FaceTime—an application that allows users speeds of 100 megabits per second up to 1 gigabit per second. to make video calls—from their home for the first time. MiWave expects to offer this service to some Burns and Hines “This is stuff that a lot of people take for granted in bigger residents this year. cities,” Justin says. “We’re able to help support the rural The COVID-19 pandemic has provided MiWave with another community so residents are able to do more things than they opportunity to help the community in the form of a grant through could before. That’s been a big part of the job satisfaction that I the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also know Jeff and I both have. It is a service to the community.” n known as the CARES Act. The grant allows MiWave to extend its microwave radio network to support four rural schools without For more information about MiWave Internet, call 541-413-3900 broadband internet access. or go to miwaveinternet.com.

JUNE 2021 5 NORTHWEST GARDENING

For best results, fertilize throughout the season. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY GLEBCHIK

been amended with organic material such as compost or well-rotted manure. • Pluck off leaves at the bottom of the stem and bury in soil 5 to 10 inches deeper than it came in the pot. Additional roots will form along the stem. • As the plant grows, remove branches To successfully grow tomatoes, plant starts where they will get a good six hours of sun. The and leaves close to the ground to help plants also need plenty of room for air to circulate. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY DIEDOVSTOCK prevent soil-borne diseases. • Give plants plenty of room so air can circulate and sunlight can penetrate. This Learn to Grow Big, will result in more vigorous plants that can more easily fight off diseases or pests. • Use a strong tomato cage or trellis for Beautiful Tomatoes support. • Start fertilizing about two weeks after Nothing drives vegetable gardeners to Tomatoes are either indeterminate planting with a 5-10-10 or 5-10-5 mixture. distraction like the elusive quest for a ripe or determinate. The former ripens Feed according to package directions about crop of tomatoes. There’s the fickle weather throughout the season, while determinate every three weeks until fruit ripens. to consider, diseases to battle and insects can be harvested all at once for making • Don’t wait for soil to dry out to thwart. such things as sauces and salsas. completely between waterings. Irrigate “Everyone wants to grow tomatoes,” In colder climates, growing tomatoes deeply every two to three days, more often says Amy Jo Detweiler, a horticulturist with protection is necessary because of the on particularly hot days. with Oregon State University’s Extension possibility of frost at any time of year. • On side stems with no blossoms, Service. “It’s a universal food people tend If you don’t have a greenhouse, use pinch them off at the V where they meet a to like.” a cloche or row cover. When plants are main stem. This forces energy to develop Wanting to grow them and actually young, use water rings, found at garden the fruit rather than plant foliage. n doing it are two different things. centers. Water rings have channels of water For detailed information and canning recipes, When shopping for tomatoes for shorter that collect heat during the day and reflect refer to OSU Extension’s guide to canning growing seasons, Amy Jo recommends it to plants at night. Covering the soil tomatoes and tomato products at https:// catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw300. buying those with 60 to 70 days to matu- around plants with plastic sheeting also rity rather than 70 to 100. will help. Kym Pokorny “Some of those are Legend, Early Girl Amy Jo offers these tips for growing is a communications and Siletz, all developed by OSU,” she says. tomatoes: specialist for Oregon State Cherry tomatoes such as Sun Gold, Select sturdy plants. University’s Extension • Service. Previously, Kym Gold Nugget and Sweet Million ripen early • Put in a plot that gets a good six worked for The Oregonian, and are a good bet for beginners. hours of sun. most notably covering Big, beefsteak types can be challenging. • Plant in well-drained soil that has gardening and horticulture.

8 JUNE 2021 CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY JENKOATAMAN Drilling Down: Four Cordless Gifts for Dad If the dad in your life enjoys Power Drill If your family uses an old gas sink. A flashlight often comes home projects, rechargeable As one of the most used power trimmer around the yard, it’s as part of a cordless tool set, or tools are an excellent gift idea. tools, a drill should be every- time for a change. Two-stroke you can buy a single unit that Rechargeable cordless tools one’s first cordless tool. Using engines pollute the air and charges using a USB cable. are worth the investment when a corded drill can mean con- require regular maintenance. the corded version is incon- stantly moving the cord around Electric trimmers are quieter Batteries venient. For example, a power furniture, other tools or your and more energy efficient. Batteries make cordless tools drill is something you usually own feet, which can be danger- Models range in price from possible. Lithium-ion batter- move around with and often ous. Cordless drills are easy to $50 to $150. It’s worth paying a ies are more expensive, but use outside. use, and the technology has little more to get a highly rated are gaining popularity because On the other hand, a table improved so they have more model that will last longer. they hold a charge longer. saw is usually not the first power and hold a charge longer. They have a longer life, but choice of cordless tools because Light-duty drills are smaller Flashlight still degrade over time. it doesn’t need to be moved and less powerful but easy to Today’s LED flashlights pro- It’s worth buying cordless repeatedly during a project. use for smaller projects. duce up to 20 times as much tools from a reputable brand Quality cordless tools are light as incandescent ones. so you can be confident you generally less expensive if Leaf Blower They come in a variety of will be able to find replace- you buy them as part of a set If the father in your fam- options, from tiny keychain ment batteries. instead of one at a time. Since ily uses a gas-powered leaf lights to headlamps to water- It goes without saying, each line of tools uses a unique blower, you can do him—and proof spotlights. but these cordless tool gift battery, you can’t mix and your neighbors—a favor by A flashlight usually gives ideas aren’t just for dads. All match between brands. giving him a cordless leaf better light than a cellphone, do-it-yourself enthusiasts It may cost less in the long blower, which is more energy especially if you’re working in could put any of these gifts to run to buy a cordless starter efficient, quieter and less a tight space, such as under a good use. n kit with a few helpful tools polluting. This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and a battery, then add tools and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative to the set. String Trimmer Efficiency. For more energy tips, go to Here are a few cordless A string trimmer is a quick way collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips. tools the father in your family to trim weeds and grass near should love. walls, bricks and rocks.

JUNE 2021 25 ENERGY MATTERS

A Major League Climate Plan When it comes to President Joe Biden’s and still move the needle on climate.” President Biden and his landmark efforts on climate and energy Nonetheless, the administration is team of climate all-stars issues, it has been said success will hinge on arguably swinging for the fences. his talented group of advisers and finding In April, Biden pledged to slash U.S. swing for the fences consensus on policies that can win the emissions of greenhouse gases in at least with an emissions approval of Congress. half by 2030. One approach to meet that Apparently, it also will feature a healthy pledge is a clean energy standard that reduction plan some dose of baseball metaphors. As an article requires electric utilities to shift toward claim is out of reach in the Wall Street Journal noted, the Biden lower-emission power sources. administration is stocked with climate “all- “The United States has set a goal stars,” which is tantamount to having Babe to reach 100% carbon pollution-free By Ted Case Ruth, Ted Williams and Willie Mays on the electricity by 2035, which can be achieved same team. through multiple cost-effective pathways, Many of the president’s so-called climate each resulting in meaningful emissions all-stars are alumni of the Obama admin- reductions in this decade,” a White House istration who joined the Biden team at an fact sheet states. inflection point for climate change. Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Biden’s top foreign and domestic climate Rural Electric Cooperative Association— aides, John Kerry and Gina McCarthy, both which represents more than 900 electric accepted less prestigious positions than they cooperatives nationwide—is not convinced had as secretary of state and Environmental multiple pathways exist to meet this target. Protection Agency administrator, respec- “‘Zero carbon by 2035’—we think that’s tively, to work on carbon reduction. an overly ambitious goal,” Matheson says. The White House team also includes America’s electric cooperatives lowered Jane Lubchenco, a well-known marine their carbon emissions by 18% between scientist at Oregon State University and 2005 and 2019, but Matheson believes the former head of the National Oceanic and president’s target is aspirational, at best. Atmospheric Administration. “We’re having trouble seeing how we The Biden administration is not only get there,” he says. “Where’s the technology getting noticed for its many high-powered today that can allow that to happen, to get resumes, but for how attention to climate is all the way to zero?” permeating all levels of government. The cost of renewable energy may have “The Biden Cabinet is focused on plummeted, but according to Arne Olson, climate from Transportation to Energy to senior partner at the energy consulting the State Department,” says Chaz Teplin firm E3—Energy and Environmental of the Rocky Mountain Institute, a clean- Economics—getting to zero is still a steep energy think tank. “This is something that climb. Despite advances in technology, hasn’t been the case before.” “The cost of achieving the last percentage The Biden administration’s “all-of- points of carbon emission reduction government” approach to climate change becomes very, very high,” Olson says. makes it easier to avoid the pitfalls of a Undeniably, the focus will be on new Senate filibuster. technologies that can bridge this gap, but “With their approach, they don’t have the Biden administration is also relying to hit a home run with a 1,000-page on some stalwarts that have a new level climate bill to get things done,” says Marty of appreciation. A critical resource in the Kanner, a Washington, D.C., lobbyist who Pacific Northwest—hydropower—has represents public power clients before often taken a backseat when it comes to ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY SILVIO Congress. “They can hit a bunch of singles renewable energy sources.

28 JUNE 2021 President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have made climate change a priority for nearly every Cabinet agency, including that of Secretary of State Tony Blinken, shown here walking left of the duo. OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY ADAM SCHULTZ

Under President Barack Obama, the While Granholm and Hairston believe aging electrical grid and pummeling many push for renewables was largely focused on hydropower will be part of the clean of the areas devastated by 2020 wildfires. wind and solar. Under the Biden adminis- energy future, Republican Congressman U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon tration, hydropower seems to be making a Mike Simpson of Idaho has generated Democrat, has pressed the Biden comeback. considerable attention—and controversy— administration to work with him on his That is confirmed by Energy Secretary with his $33 billion plan to “end the salmon Disaster Safe Power Grid Act. Jennifer Granholm in her policy statement, wars” and breach the four lower Snake “Last year, wildfires hit Oregon like “Deploying the Clean Energy Revolution.” River dams in Eastern Washington. a wrecking ball, and winter storms “Whether it’s solar, hydropower, carbon Simpson’s proposal—which is not left thousands of Oregonians without capture or batteries, the clean energy presented in legislative form—envisions power,” Wyden told David Turk of the technologies of the future are going to bring replacing the 1,000 average megawatts the U.S. Department of Energy during his you affordable, reliable power and protect dams produce with other renewable, non- confirmation hearing. “I have legislation to our planet in the future,” Granholm wrote. carbon-emitting sources and energy storage. make utility lines more resistant to these John Hairston, administrator of the Despite the national attention, regional major weather events—undergrounding Bonneville Power Administration—which reaction has been measured. Oregon and clearing away brush so expense is not markets electricity from 31 federal hydro Congressman Earl Blumenauer announced borne by rural ratepayers.” projects in the Northwest—believes his support for the proposal, while U.S. A major challenge for the Biden hydropower is a critical component of the Reps. Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris administration will be implementing its administration’s clean energy goals. Rogers of Washington have spearheaded ambitious climate programs by loading “Part of the equation is ensuring the opposition. renewable resources onto the grid without resource adequacy—that is, having enough Notwithstanding its climate all-star team incurring electric reliability issues that generation to meet peak demand in the and sweeping emission goals, the Biden left Texas and other states in the dark this region as it continues to reduce fossil administration already has been buffeted winter. If they can, Biden could claim a fuels and add cleaner, intermittent power by events it cannot control. Winter storms landmark legislative achievement that is as resources,” Hairston wrote in an article for in February battered Texas and the western rare as, say, the Chicago Cubs winning the The Seattle Times. United States, exposing the fragility of an World Series. n

JUNE 2021 29 Harney Electric Cooperative

OR-27 Manager’s Message Dear Members,

We had a great annual meeting in Crane on May 1 with the help of the Crane Trap Team members. They did an outstanding job as hosts. Zach Sword and Hank Dufurrena were reelected to three-year 277 Lottery Lane terms on the board of directors. Members in attendance were Hines, OR 97738 given an update on the financial health of the cooperative and the 541-573-2061 projects the cooperative is working on this year. [email protected] Capital credit allocation notices were sent in May to members who bought power in 2020. At year-end, if Harney Electric Orovada, Nevada Cooperative has collected revenue in excess of expenses, it is 775-272-3336 posted as margins. Margins are allocated to each member in [email protected] proportion to the amount of electricity that member bought during the year. The more electricity purchased, the greater the www.harneyelectric.org share of margins allocated to the member’s capital credit account. The cooperative maintains a capital credit account for all members, past and present. Capital credits accumulate for each member until it becomes financially feasible to return them. When the cooperative disburses capital credits, it is referred to as a retirement. Be sure to keep us updated with your current Board of Directors address so these retirements reach you. President John Ugalde Capital credits provide a major source of equity to the Vice President Joe Cronin cooperative. Our lenders require us to maintain a certain level of Sec./Treasurer Gary Miller equity to borrow money. Capital credits are also used to minimize Frank Albisu debt financing and reduce your cost of service to help keep Rod Hoagland electric bills affordable. Hank Dufurrena For more information about capital credits, visit our website at Zach Sword www.harneyelectric.org or call us at 541-573-2061. I would like to remind everyone that fire season is here. Be General Manager careful and make sure you have a defensible space around your Fred Flippence homes and buildings. Please be safe. Operations Manager If you have questions, please feel free to contact me. Jason Hill Line Superintendent Fred Flippence Jason Radinovich General Manager Electrical Engineer Shane Sweet Office Manager Stephanie Bowen Attorney Raymond S. Kindley

32 JUNE 2021