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Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC. Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative CURRENTYour Touchstone Energy Cooperative Serving Morton, Grant and Sioux counties FEBRUARY2016 white NEWS type >>> Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Rime Ice Stunning scenery, significant outages

In this month’s local pages, nd out how rime ice (commonly mistaken for surface hoar frost), has been causing power outages across the Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative service area, and what factors help determine the restoration process.

Mor-Gran-Sou Lineman Blake Reis

In this issue: PHOTO BY CARMEN DEVNEY

• El Niño’s mild weather pattern contributes to power outages • Mor-Gran-Sou offers student scholarships; holds safety poster coloring contest • Serve your cooperative as a board director • Meeting minutes and more

www.morgransou.com MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC NEWS , FEBRUARY 2016 C1 MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.

The Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative service area experienced heavy frost in December, as a result of El Niño — a climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean that has a global impact on weather patterns. When mild temperatures, high humidity and freezing fog form rime ice on power lines, it can provide stunning scenery — and a significant amount of power outages.

WHEN THE ENEMY ATTACKS … ‘Doing the most amount of good for the most people in the shortest amount of time’ STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARMEN DEVNEY

n December, Kevin Lawrence several power outages this winter and burn the line down. If that happens noted North Dakota’s mild caused by rime ice, which forms when and there is ice on the other spans, then temperatures on Facebook, stating liquid water droplets in the air freeze the poles have so much tension they Ithey were common during an El onto a surface, growing into combs, just start breaking,” Begger describes. Niño pattern. Lawrence, KFYR-TV’s needles or feathery forms. “There are a lot of factors, including the chief meteorologist in Bismarck, said Clint Begger, lead man with direction and speed of the wind, that residents may experience outbreaks of Mor-Gran-Sou in Mandan, says can cause power outages in these types cold in the coming months, but will outages related to rime ice can occur of conditions.” likely continue to see above-average when the weight causes tree branches Ressler says there isn’t anything the temperatures in February as a whole. above the power lines to break and fall, cooperative’s linemen can do to prevent Randy Ressler isn’t an expert on snapping the wire. Outages can also ice build-up on the lines. While they weather patterns, but he knows happen when the heat from the ground can attempt to remove the rime ice if it firsthand what can happen when causes the rime ice to fall from the hasn’t frozen and adhered to the power mild temperatures, high humidity bottom wire. With the weight removed, lines, the cooperative has 4,800 square and freezing fog form a heavy layer the wire may bounce into the line miles in its service territory. on power lines and poles. Ressler, above, which still has the ice. “It’s not humanly possible to go the manager of operations for “When the wires come together, it out and knock the ice off every span,” Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, can either kick out the breaker because Ressler says. “It’s a battle similar to a says the cooperative has experienced it’s a dead short, or it can arc together military operation. Where the enemy is

C2 FEBRUARY 2016 , MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC NEWS www.morgransou.com MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.

Mor-Gran-Sou Leadmen Gary Fitterer While lineman can attempt to remove (left) and Clint Begger replaced a the rime ice if it hasn’t frozen and broken anchor that was damaged adhered to the power lines, the by rime ice and no longer holding a cooperative has 4,800 square miles in pole. Within minutes, they removed its service territory. It’s not possible the broken anchor, spun a new one to knock the ice off every span. When in and jacked the pole back so the a Mor-Gran-Sou line crew repaired distribution lines were no longer a broken anchor north of Glen Ullin, sagging. Lineman Blake Reis used his hot stick to remove ice from a distribution line that was sagging. In this instance, the ice fell like snow. attacking us the most, that’s where we doesn’t hold, we have a good idea of him. El Niño, which originates in the send our linemen — to where they can where the problem is,” Ressler explains. Pacific Ocean, typically occurs every do the most good for the most people “We can isolate that piece and reroute five to seven years. A KXMB-TV in the shortest amount of time. It’s a power from another direction to feed news story reported this is the second- judgement call.” that portion, and re-energize the other strongest El Niño on record, according When an outage occurs, the portion. Once we’ve narrowed down to Michael Mathews, meteorologist restoration process begins immediately. the area, we have to physically go out at the National Weather Service Mor-Gran-Sou works with its power and look for it — and that can take in Bismarck. providers, Basin Electric Power some time.” So, like any military operation, Cooperative and the Western Area Thankfully, the outages caused by Mor-Gran-Sou prepares for the worst Power Administration, to reconfigure rime ice this winter haven’t been nearly — and counters the ice with all of the system by identifying and isolating as bad as they were in 2010 — when our available resources and outside transmission line sections that have snow and ice storms hit the Mor-Gran- resources when necessary. We thank been affected. Sou service area in January and April, our member-owners for their patience, “To figure out where the problem causing severe and widespread damage as lineworkers repaired power lines and is, we break the system down into to the electrical system. poles that have been damaged by rime pieces. We try a breaker. If it holds, Ressler says this year’s weather ice. And we hope El Niño has mercy, it’s not that piece. We close a switch patterns remind him of what was and we don’t experience the system and open another, and try again. If it experienced in 2010, and that concerns damage that occurred in 2010. n www.morgransou.com MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC NEWS , FEBRUARY 2016 C3 MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.

Mor-Gran-Sou line crews patrol power lines s time allows, the Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative line crews set aside time to patrol line. Our linemen concentrate on certain areas of the Mor-Gran-Sou power system and look for possible line maintenance issues, safety hazards or other problems that may affect the Adistribution lines that bring power to your home or business. Line crews are currently patrolling line throughout the system. Because power lines are on and off the beaten path, you may see employees in a Mor-Gran-Sou truck, an all-terrain vehicle or a snowmobile. When you see them out and about patrolling line, thank them! They are out there for your safety. n

Keeping our electric system as reliable as possible ree trimming is a regular part of your electric cooperative’s operations. Mor-Gran-Sou, like all electric utilities, is required Tto maintain appropriate clearance between trees and electric transmission and distribution lines. Trees need to be trimmed, and in some cases removed, to minimize potential power outages and to eliminate fire and safety hazards due to trees contacting energized electric lines. Mor-Gran-Sou typically uses local contract tree-trimming crews to perform this task. Bullinger Tree Trimming will have crews operating within our service area again this year. Please know that they are working on your cooperative’s behalf to help keep our electric system as reliable and safe as possible. ¢

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GROUPS ABUSE 211 24 HOURS PASS IT ONTRANSPORTATION BY MEAL listening ears and information about MILITARY SUPPORT PARENTING MEDICATION ASSISTANCE SITESUNITED WAY ABOUT community programs statewide. To reach the RELATIONSHIPS IT 7 EMPLOYMENT helpline dial 2-1-1 or 701-235-7335. ADDICTION THERE DAYS A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SUBSTANCE ABUSE HERE EMERGENCY ISHELP WEEKWE’LL BE SHELTER COUNSELING MENTAL HEALTH WHEN TIMES MEDICAL ARE ROUGH FRIEND In 2015, First Link handled DISASTER DURING TIMES SUICIDE OF CRISIS YOUTH almost 53,748 calls, and 3.5 percent of those calls were HELPLINE suicide-related.

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C4 FEBRUARY 2016 , MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC NEWS www.morgransou.com MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.

Managers’ Message BY CHRIS BAUMGARTNER AND DON FRANKLUND, CO-GENERAL MANAGERS

BAUMGARTNER FRANKLUND Mor-Gran-Sou’s power suppliers joined a Regional Transmission Organization. What does that mean for the member-owner?

After many years of discussion apply to wheeling power across the 2016, the member-owner is front- and analysis, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric high-voltage transmission system. and-center in our decision-making. Cooperative’s power suppliers, Even though we are considered You can expect that Mor-Gran-Sou Basin Electric Power Cooperative, a distribution cooperative, Electric Cooperative will continue to Inc. and the Western Area Power interestingly enough, Mor-Gran- provide safe, reliable and affordable Administration (Western), have Sou also provides transmission electric service. We have — and joined and successfully integrated service to other utilities such as will continue — to work hard to into the Southwest Power Pool Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU). accomplish that goal. n (SPP), a Regional Transmission While Basin Electric will operate its Organization (RTO) based out of transmission facilities under SPP Little Rock, Ark. guidelines, we are also considering The SPP is charged with operating our transmission facilities ensuring a reliable supply of in the same manner. Your board electric generation, transmission of directors and management are infrastructure and competitive currently weighing the possibility of wholesale electricity prices to their this commitment. members, throughout the Upper In addition, Mor-Gran-Sou Great Plains, on behalf of utilities receives some of its power over Basin Electric marketing room and transmission companies in 14 transmission lines we do not own. states, which now include Basin This sharing of lines is known as FAST FACTS Electric and Western. The SPP wheeling and a wheeling fee is A Regional Transmission Organization is one of several other RTOs that charged. We understand this fee may (RTO) operates bulk electric power systems blanket the country and operate increase and are currently preparing across much of North America. RTOs are for this possible escalation. Of independent, non-profit and membership- under the oversight of the Federal based, that ensure reliability and optimize Energy Regulatory Commission, of course, that affects the bottom line at supply and demand bids for wholesale which Tony Clark, a North Dakota your cooperative. electric power. Southwest Power Pool is native and former Public Service Although a complicated and one of seven such organizations. RTOs first Commissioner, is a member. philosophical change, the Mor- developed in the 1990s to accommodate Gran-Sou board of directors the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) policy. So how does this affect and management believe that FERC is the U.S. federal agency with our business? Basin Electric and Western have jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, When participating in an RTO, made the right move to join the wholesale electric rates, hydroelectric Basin Electric and Western can SPP. We will keep you informed licensing, natural gas pricing and oil more economically purchase power as we learn more about the pipeline rates. FERC also reviews and authorizes liquefied natural gas (LNG) from other regional utilities in time evolving electric generation and terminals, interstate natural gas pipelines of need and sell power in time of transmission environment. and non-federal hydropower projects. excess. It also allows them to adopt Please understand, no matter what http://www.spp.org/ standardized rules and tariffs that issues your cooperative will face in http://en.wikipedia.org/

www.morgransou.com MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC NEWS , FEBRUARY 2016 C5 MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.

The deadline for college scholarships is approaching!

or-Gran-Sou Electric college, university or vocational/ a high school or college counselor or Cooperative takes pride technical school. Th ey must be adviser, instructor or a work supervisor in assisting with the U.S. citizens and dependents of who knows the student well. Mdevelopment of rural leadership Mor-Gran-Sou members. Th e scholarship will be awarded through our scholarship program. We As in past years, Mor-Gran-Sou will during the 2015-2016 school year. feel it’s important to help fi nance our off er four scholarships. Two of the four Applications are available at area local students’ educational journeys are designated for qualifi ed applicants schools, co-op headquarters in Flasher, by off ering four $500 scholarships to who plan to attend a certifi ed vocational or online at www.morgransou.com. qualifying seniors. or technical school. We ask that the Applications are due no later than Th e scholarship program, sponsored applicant specify which scholarship 4:30 p.m. CT (3:30 p.m., MT) on by Mor-Gran-Sou and Basin Electric award he or she is requesting. Wednesday, Feb. 17. Please deliver Power Cooperative, is designed Recipients will be chosen on a or mail all necessary information to to encourage and recognize the combination of SAT/ACT scores and Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative at achievements of the children of overall grade point average; activities, P.O. Box 297, Flasher, ND 58535-0297. cooperative members. To qualify, achievements and honors; work If you have questions or would like students must be enrolled or plan to experience; a personal statement of further information, please call Julie or enroll in a full-time undergraduate career goals; an essay question centered Jackie at 701-597-3301, 701-663-0297 or graduate course of study at an on local cooperatives and how they or 800-750-8212. n accredited two-year or four-year serve the area; and an appraisal from Mor-Gran-Sou announces annual safety poster contest

ids, we need your help! Grab RULES: your art supplies and draw a • Posters must be poster that tells our readers on white, 8.5- by Khow you play and work safely around 11-inch paper. • electricity. Th is poster should display Posters must depict the a clear, creative picture of this year’s theme, “How do you stay safe at your home theme: “How do you stay safe at or farm when around your home or farm when around electricity?” and display electricity?” All posters should display the Touchstone Energy the Touchstone Energy® logo on their logo. Be creative! entries. No matter what you draw, • Print the child’s name, have fun! We can’t wait to hear from address, age and you. Cash prizes will be awarded in parent’s names on the each division. back of the posters. • Enclose a photograph DIVISIONS: of the child for publishing purposes. place prizes of $10; and three, third- Preschool to kindergarten place prizes of $5. First grade to third grade • Only dependents of current Fourth grade to sixth grade Mor-Gran-Sou members are eligible for this contest. WINNERS: Winning posters, along with the DEADLINE: child’s photograph, will be featured Posters must be received at the PRIZES: Each division will be awarded three in the Mor-Gran-Sou local pages of Flasher office no later than 4:30 p.m. n CT (3:30 p.m., MT) on Monday, prizes (nine prizes total): three first- the North Dakota Living magazine. Feb. 29. place prizes of $15; three, second-

C6 FEBRUARY 2016 , MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC NEWS www.morgransou.com MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.

Mor-Gran-Sou’s annual meeting scheduled for July 15, 2016

re you looking for a way to willing candidates to the board for Jackie at Mor-Gran-Sou by calling serve the people of central approval and inclusion on the ballot 800-750-8212, 701-663-0297 or southwestern North Dakota? at the board of directors’ meeting 701-597-3301. You can also email ALook no further, as Mor-Gran-Sou scheduled for March 30. This date Jackie at [email protected]. Electric Cooperative can help you has been set so there is adequate time The Nominating Committee fulfill that desire. Why not serve as a for each candidate’s biographical members or Jackie can provide board director for the cooperative? information to be included with you or the potential candidate with The initial commitment is a three- the notice of meeting sent to the the declaration of candidacy form. year term, with provisions in the members in June, along with the It is also located on Mor-Gran- bylaws limiting a director to serving mail-in ballot for those who are Sou’s website at www.morgransou. six consecutive three-year terms, unable to attend the annual meeting com. To download the form after which time the director is not in person. electronically, click on the link eligible for another six consecutive The Nominating Committee has entitled Find the Declaration of three-year terms until one year been appointed by the board and Candidacy form on the home page. has elapsed. has met, on Jan. 13. The members of Candidate qualifications can be At the annual meeting, the the Nominating Committee include found on the website under Home/ following three board positions will Leslie Dirk, Mandan; Glenda Gross, Cooperative/Articles and Bylaws/ be elected: Selfridge; Kathy Hoff, Leith; Jim Board of Directors/402 Director • The Grant County Hopfauf, Flasher; Andrew Holle, Qualification or on the declaration of position presently held by Mandan; Lisa McLaughlin, Fort candidacy form. Vern Frederick; Yates; Rodney Nelson, Almont; If you have questions about • The Mandan Area position Jim Neubauer, Mandan; and Travis the process, give Jackie a call. All presently held by Wilkens, New Salem. qualified and willing candidates who Leland “Judge” Barth; and For a person to be nominated, the have completed and forwarded the • The Morton County position member vying for a board seat must written declaration of candidacy presently held by Pam Geiger. submit the completed declaration form to the Mor-Gran-Sou office Under the bylaws and due to of candidacy form to Mor-Gran- by the March 10 deadline will be the use of a mail-in ballot, no Sou by 4 p.m. CT (3 p.m. MT) on included in the list the Nominating nominations are accepted from the Thursday, March 10. The completed Committee will provide to floor at the annual meeting. Instead, form must be mailed to Mor-Gran- the board. n the bylaws require the board of Sou Electric Cooperative, Attn: directors to appoint a Nominating Jackie Miller, P.O. Box 297, Flasher, Committee of five to nine members ND 58535-0297. If you or someone who geographically represent you know is interested in being the cooperative. These members nominated, please contact one of the will provide a list of qualified and Nominating Committee members or

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, Inc. 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 on the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax at 202-690-7442 or by email at [email protected].

www.morgransou.com MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC NEWS , FEBRUARY 2016 C7 MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE board meeting highlights

• Appointed voting delegates and alternates for Upcoming regular Meeting date: various upcoming meetings board meeting dates: • Heard results of Innovative Energy Alliance, Feb. 24 at Mor-Gran-Sou in Flasher Dec. 21, 2015 LLC (IEA) Board of Directors election at 10:30 a.m. CT • Heard Co-General Managers/Chief Executive • Approved the Nov. 23, 2015 regular Board March 30 in the board room meeting minutes Offi cers’ update and reports from events attended at NDAREC in Mandan • Approved two work order inventories and a at 10:30 a.m. CT special equipment inventory • Heard update on IEA • Approved capital credit refunds to estates and • Heard updates on all entities of WDUS Members are welcome to attend the board meetings those age 80 and over Holdings, LLC at any time. Please contact Mor-Gran-Sou at [email protected], or call 1-800-750-8212 • Approved increase to 2015 funding for capital • Reviewed and discussed senior staff department updates or 597-3301, to confi rm the meeting date and credit refunds for estates and age 80 and over location you wish to attend. • Heard update on the Environmental • Reviewed safety meeting minutes and safety reports To place an item on the agenda, please contact Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan Board Chair Leland “Judge” Barth or Co-General • Approved 2015 revenue deferral • Reviewed and accepted director’s and Manager/Chief Executive Offi cer Donald Franklund • Approved Mor-Gran-Sou application for attorney’s fi nancial report for November at least one week in advance. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Business License • Heard director reports and held discussion Members may obtain a copy of approved Board • Approved legal counsel retainer agreement on meetings attended minutes by completing and returning the “Request • Held Executive Session for Information or Data” form. You can fi nd this form • Approved rate adjustment for rural and town at www.morgransou.com, or contact the offi ce for residential accounts eff ective April 1, 2016 a copy.

BYLAW/RESOLUTION MEETING SET A bylaw/resolution meeting will be held in conjunction with the regular board meeting scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. CT (9:30 a.m. MT) on Mor-Gran-Sou Wednesday, March 30. Th e meeting will be held in the board room of the Electric Cooperative North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, located at 3201 Nygren Dr. N.W., Mandan. MOR-GRAN-SOUYour Touchstone Energy Cooperative If you have a bylaw/resolution to propose at the 2016 cooperative’s annual ELECTRIC meeting in July, but cannot make the scheduled meeting on March 30, please COOPERATIVE INC. submit your information in writing to Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative before March 30. Th ank you. 202 6th Ave. W. - PO Box 297 Flasher, ND 58535-0297 Phone: 701- 597-3301 Flasher 701- 663-0297 Mandan Toll-free: 800-750-8212 Fax: 701-597-3915 Email us: [email protected] UNDERGROUND LINE LOCATES HOLIDAY 800-795-0555 OR 811 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS CLOSING Chair ...... Leland “Judge” Barth Vice Chair...... Casey Wells Presidents Day: Secretary-Treasurer ...... Pam Geiger Monday, Feb. 15 Directors ...... Mark Doll, Vernard Frederick, Lance Froelich, In observance of Presidents Chad Harrison, Bob J. Leingang, Day, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Bonnie Tomac Cooperative will be closed MANAGEMENT Co-General Mgr./CEO ...... Chris Baumgartner Monday, Feb 16. Line crews Co-General Mgr./CEO ....Donald A. Franklund will be available in case of www.morgransou.com an emergency outage. Sunday, Feb. 14

C8 FEBRUARY 2016 , MOR-GRAN-SOU ELECTRIC NEWS www.morgransou.com