LIGHTS July 2017 Beltrami Electric Cooperative conducts a number of school learning programs throughout the service area. From career fairs to electric safety programs, Beltrami Electric believes a strong presence in our local schools will strengthen our communities and bring leadership to future generations. Lineman Ron Komulainen and Master Electrician Dan Dudgeon present at the Bemidji Middle School’s Career Day on Friday, May 19. They spent time talking to students about the skills and education necessary for their fields, what types of classes that would be beneficial, salary ranges, why they chose their careers and more. Students also had the opportunity to see the tools and equipment they use as well as try on some of their safety gear while they explained how important safety is around electricity. Linemen Ron Komulainen and Kasey Kampfer talk with third and fourth Line workers Kasey Kampfer and Ron Komulainen represent Beltrami grade students about safety around electricity at the annual Mino-Ga- Electric at the ECFE Wheels event at JW Smith School on Tuesday, May Be-Shi-Win (Good Day Camp) held at Red Lake Elementary. Students 16. They visited with kids and gave quite a few rides in the bucket of witnessed what happens if a tree, ladder or vehicle comes in contact the line truck. with a power line. Students learned what to do if they are ever in a vehicle that comes in contact with electrical equipment or power lines. They also had the opportunity to don some of the protective gear that Unclaimed capital credits - pages 4-5 linemen wear, such as rubber gloves and sleeves. Scholarships - page 8 NORTHERN LIGHTS Local democracy and here Northern Lights (USPS 016488), Vol. 64, No. 7 is published monthly by Beltrami Electric Cooperative Inc., 4111 Technology Drive N.W., Bemidji, Minnesota 56619-0488. for our members Subscription rate $5. Periodicals postage paid at Bemidji, MN 56601. Jared Echternach, CEO Postmaster: Please send address corrections to Beltrami Electric Cooperative Inc., P.O. Box Local democracy and disaster relief Utilities Commission. This seems 488, Bemidji, Minnesota 56619-0488. like common sense to me, and I find Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. priorities signed into law Monday – Friday Last month Governor Dayton it somewhat ironic that we needed Member Service: 218-444-2540 signed into law the budget and omnibus legislative action to have the authority or 1-800-955-6083 bills, including the Jobs and Energy Bill to work with our own member-owners www.beltramielectric.com and the Public Safety Bill that contained on distributed generation issues. Board of Directors two of our legislative priorities as they The law requires electric cooperative President Rick Coe, DISTRICT 6 boards of directors to formally assume (Minnkota Director) relate to your cooperative. The Public Safety Bill included this authority from the PUC, if that is Vice President John Lund, DISTRICT 7 their desire. Your board of directors Secretary Murl Nord, DISTRICT 1 a provision that grants electric (Square Butte Director) cooperatives access to the state has discussed this issue at length and Treasurer Judy Honer, DISTRICT 9 disaster relief fund that previously intends to assume this authority at its Directors: Charlie Perkins, DISTRICT 2; Charles was inaccessible to us. This provision July board meeting. Parson, DISTRICT 3; Craig Gaasvig, DISTRICT 4; will provide Robert Wallner, DISTRICT 5; Sue Kringen, DISTRICT 8 Here for our members much-needed CEO Jared Echternach I’d like to remind our members Editor Angela Lyseng financial help when that we are here for them. Not only to keep the lights on, but for energy This institution is an equal opportunity dealing with provider and employer. devastating information as well. If you have natural questions or need information on Minnesota State Electrical Inspectors disasters energy efficiency, energy conservation, Beltrami and Clearwater Counties like we efficient building techniques, heating Davis Smid experienced and cooling systems, or anything 507-227-2772 - [email protected] in July 2016. in between, we are here to help our Cass and Hubbard Counties Damage to members. At the end of the day we Steve Schauland electric cooperative lines is included want our members to make informed 218-652-2213 or fax 218-333-0451 in the calculation that triggers Federal decisions on their energy use and These are the inspectors covering the area served Emergency Management Agency needs. There are no additional charges by Beltrami Electric. They can be reached by for these value-added, informational phone Monday through Friday between 7 and (FEMA) Disaster Declarations and 8:30 a.m. or by fax or email as indicated. co-ops are currently eligible for federal services. We simply do it because it’s assistance. This change provides the right thing to do for our members. Gopher State One Call access to state funds. We applaud our So, when you have an energy question, legislators for their support on the issue please contact our member services and 1-800-252-1166 or 811 energy services departments to learn www.gopherstateonecall.org and the governor for signing this into law. more. We’re here to help. Anyone who plans to dig is required by law to notify the state of their intentions at least 48 hours Our Local Democracy provision was Independence Day in advance. included in the Jobs and Energy Bill It’s hard to believe July is here All digging requires the 48-hour notification so that and solidifies our ability to self-regulate and with it comes the celebration of buried telephone line, television cable, pipelines, as a member-owned cooperative – and utility electrical lines, municipal water and sewer America’s independence. As you gather rightly so. Under the provision, electric lines can be located to ensure that none will be with family and friends over the Fourth severed or damaged. cooperative boards will have autonomy of July holiday, please celebrate safely. to work with their member-owners Thank you for being a co-op member as it relates to distributed generation ON THE COVER: If your school or organization and Happy Birthday America! is interested in an electrical safety presentation, systems connected to your distribution contact Beltrami Electric for more information. system. The provision also eliminates duplicative regulation by the Public 2 Northern Lights • July 2017 Systemwide meter upgrade – installing new meters to help Subscribe to locally produced, serve you better renewable solar energy today! Work continues on our systemwide eltrami Electric Cooperative is meter upgrade and to date we building an 80-kW community have installed almost 10,000 new B solar array at our headquarters. meters. Our existing metering Due to a delay in the delivery of the system was installed in the mid- equipment, construction of the array 1990s and has reached its end- Beltrami Electric Cooperative has been pushed back to the end of of-life, and the manufacturer is no July, with it completed in August. longer supporting this older equipment. The array will consist of 180 photovoltaic panels, with a projected annual BEC has contracted with a third party metering average of 450 kWh per panel or average production credit of 37.5 kWh/month. company, Allegiant Utility Services, which began work The array will produce more during the sunny days of summer and less during the in April, to assist in completing the remaining meter short days of our Minnesota winters. To provide a point of reference, a residential exchanges. Allegiant Utility Services’ vehicles have electric bill averages around 1,253 kWh/month. Members will see the actual kWh its logo, as well as signage designating that they are a production of their portion of the array credited on their electric bill at current contractor electric rates, so if/when electric rates increase, the value of your credit will too. for Beltrami Community solar gardens like Northern Solar provide interested members an Electric. The option to purchase renewable, locally produced, solar energy without the hassle contractors from Allegiant Utility Services also wear of installing, permitting, maintaining and insuring their own solar array. Members an ID badge with their name and photo. may subscribe to as many panels as they wish, up to the equivalent of their The new meters will improve reliability and give annual average usage. Members who wish to participate but may not want to you more tools and opportunities to manage and save commit to a subscription, may choose to simply purchase a set amount of kWh/ energy. The impact of the installation is minimal. month from Northern Solar, up to their average usage, for an additional charge on Co-op members can expect to lose power for a few their electric bill. minutes on the day of installation. You may need to As of May 30, we have 102 panels subscribed. If you have been thinking reset your electronic devices, such as digital clocks. In about subscribing but haven’t done so yet, the time is now! We have several addition, the next bill will show two meter readings: payment options, including options for members interested in subscribing to one from the old meter and one from the new meter. a panel(s) and members who simply want to purchase locally produced solar We will not need to access your home or business, energy on a Pay-As-You-Go basis with no contract. Contact our office today nor will you need to be on-site when this work is or visit our website at www.beltramielectric.com under Energy Services/ performed. Renewable Energy for more information. Northern Lights • July 2017 3 2017 Unclaimed capital credits list AASEN, EDITH, GRAND FORKS, N.D.