Light Reading - May 2021

Inland Power is my cooperative!

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10110 W Hallett Rd. Spokane, WA 99224 MAIN OFFICE

(509) 747-7151 TOLL FREE

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Clearing the path O

ne of the many great things about living in the Pacific Northwest is we have an abundance of greenery all around us. We are fortunate to have so many trees that offer beauty, shade and a habitat for all sorts of birds and other wildlife.

At Inland Power we strive to balance maintaining our beautiful surroundings and ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in rights of way (ROW).

While we recognize and appreciate the beauty of trees, there are three main benefits to tree trimming in ROW areas.

However, before touching on the main reasons, let’s look at what a “right of way” is and how it may impact you. A right of way is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. Rights of way enable your co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operation.

Of course, one of the largest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees do not fall on power lines, and clear lines do not cause problems. Proactive trimming and pruning keeps lines clear to promote reliability.

Affordability

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Safety First and foremost, we care about our members and put your safety and that of our lineworkers above everything else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose grave danger to families. If children

We appreciate the beauty trees afford, but we also know our community depends on us to provide reliable energy. Through vegetation management, we are better able to keep the power lines clear, prepare for future weather events and secure the reliability of your power.

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Seal it up

SAFETY

Right of way clearing

Reliability

ROW areas are typically on public lands or located near a business or home.

Regardless, Inland must maintain the power lines above and below the ROW. Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways.

ENERGY CONSERVATION AND REBATES

ENERGY

can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor like a tree. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power.

As you know, Inland Power is a not-forprofit cooperative, which means we strive to keep our costs in check in order to keep your rates affordable. This extends to our approach to vegetation management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases.

Effective tree trimming and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone.

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SAFETY

Extension cord safety

Grid pressure

Racing to firm up power supply as regulations push for more renewables

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ou expect reliable and affordable electricity from Inland Power, so how do we deliver on that promise?

A complex network of electricity generators and thousands of miles of electrical lines work together to ensure that enough electricity is available on the coldest winter morning and during the dog days of summer.

What happens when the demand for power overwhelms the ability to provide it? That is a particularly vexing question given the transition taking place in how electricity is

produced and shared across the network.

The key to meeting the energy needs so essential to our quality of life is balancing electricity supply with demand.

While that may sound simple, there is a complex web of facilities and organizations that work together to make it happen each moment of every day.

Regional transmission organizations coordinate, control and monitor the electric grid across several states in a region. Think of them as energy traffic

managers on an interstate highway system, regulating the number of cars – in this case, electricity – and their destination.

Even so sometimes there is an imbalance in that system, which leads to rolling power interruptions or blackouts—socalled “max-gen” events. In those cases, supply simply cannot keep up.

In the Mid-continent region comprised of 15 states, there were six max-gen events from 2006-2016. Since 2016, there have been 15, including three last Continued inside

OUR

mission

IS OUR

members.

– M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T

Weather stripping doors

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July and August alone, with one of them occurring in southern California last August. Plus, we cannot forget the deadly blackouts in Texas and Oklahoma during the beginning of this year.

This is due in large part to electric generating facilities being shut down faster than new energy producers come online. In most cases, traditional largescale power suppliers such as coal and nuclear plants are being closed and replaced by alternatives on a much smaller and unreliable scale.

In the Pacific Northwest, our hydro system is a clean, reliable way to ensure our lights stay on. This power source produces energy 24 hours a day–even when the sun is not shining or the

Capturing energy savings by sealing air leaks.

wind is not blowing. According to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the Pacific Northwest can generate enough hydroelectricity to power 14 cities the size of Seattle.

rocket as power demand would largely outweigh the supply. Our region could also experience rolling blackouts as the power supply will not be there. So, what is the answer?

BPA also states that hydropower plants at dams convert about 90 percent of the energy in falling water into electrical energy. By comparison, a wind turbine is only 50 percent at times of peak wind. Furthermore, solar power is only operational when the sun is shining.

Inland Power and others in the energy sector will continue to develop renewable options and pursue new technologies. But absent new largescale alternatives and advances in energy storage, hydropower must continue to operate throughout the Pacific Northwest.

As Washington state continues its quest for zero- or low-carbon emissions by 2035 and beyond, this challenge will grow more complex. Should dams on Columbia or Snake rivers be removed?

No, we would lose this major asset to our power supply and rates would sky-

S

ave energy and seal air leaks by weather stripping exterior doors. How do you know if you need to weather strip? If you can see any amount of light between the door frame and the floor, weather stripping should be applied to eliminate energy waste. This DIY energy-saving project is relatively easy and inexpensive depending on the type of materials selected. The most common weather stripping material is self-adhesive foam strips, although rubber, vinyl, metal, or a combination of materials may also be used.

Without it, we could be paying much more for our electricity and could easily even be left in the dark.

Your Co-op Connection | Getting to know who works for you

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yle Hasenoehrl has been with Inland Power since 2007. Prior to joining Inland, he worked in agriculture and worked as a lineman.

“I love working at Inland because it feels like a family,” Kyle said. “It is small and personal. I am able to make relationships with the members as I work to help them.”

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1 CLEAN SURFACES – Clean the door and door jamb to be weather stripped. For best results, weather stripping should be applied to clean, dry surfaces above 20°F. MEASURING DOOR & DOOR JAMBS – To ensure greater accuracy, measure your space twice before cutting the material. It is best to plan for one continuous strip for each side of the door and door jamb.

The first step to using extension cords safely is to make sure you have the right one for the job. Cords must be large enough to support the electrical needs of the equipment they power. Using an undersized extension cord can lead to excess heat and cause fires.

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16 gauge cords up to 100 ft. long can safely handle loads up to 10 amps.

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14 gauge cords up to 50 ft. long can handle 10-15 amps.

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A 12 gauge cord is needed for 10-15 amp loads of 50-100 ft.

Here are some additional extension cord safety tips to consider: •

Inspect cords before use and don’t use if the insulation is damaged. Don’t try to fix cords with electrical tape.

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Extension cords are meant for temporary use. Hire an electrician if you need a permanent power solution.

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Don’t run cords through doors, under rugs, or in other places where they can become damaged or where damage may be hidden.

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Don’t run cords through standing water.

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Never cut the grounding prong off a cord to make it fit!

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CUTTING FOAM – Cut long pieces of self-adhesive weather stripping material (foam, vinyl, etc.) for each side of the door jamb and door.

Outside of work, Kyle enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, golfing, yard work and anything else that allows him to be outside.

Kyle Hasenoehrl - Area Service Representative

Extension cords are a necessity for many of us, bringing power to wherever it’s needed around our homes. Used unsafely, extension cords can lead to fires or electric shock. Check out the following tips to make sure your cords are safe.

Length of the cord is also important. Extra length can create excessive heat, so try to use the shortest cord possible.

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Extension Cord Safety

4 APPLYING WEATHER STRIPPING – Peel back the self-adhesive foam. Apply one continuous strip of material snugly along each side. Make sure the weather stripping meets tightly at the corners and is pressed firmly onto the door and door jamb. The material should compress tightly between the door and door jamb, without making the door difficult to shut.

SOURCE: Dept. of Energy VISIT INLANDPOWER.COM FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIPS