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Watch Out for Electrical Hazards on the Farm Crisp, fall weather means harvest time on the farm. Don’t let this harvest turn dangerous when electrical hazards are overlooked. On average, 62 farm workers are electrocuted annually in the United States. We don’t want you to be one of them. Imagine driving a combine to your field through a back gate when things come to a screeching halt. You look back to see what’s stopping you only to discover that you’re tangled in an overhead power line! What do you do? First, DON’T climb out. Unless you’re in immediate danger, stay where you are and call for help. Most utility lines are uninsulated, bare wires. Do not let your body become a direct link between the power line and the ground. If you must leave the combine, jump as far away as you can, making sure that no part of your body touches the combine and the ground at the same time.
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Once you’re off the combine hop or take small steps away, do not go back until Inland Power disconnects the power. Also, following these tips will help keep everyone on the farm safe: • Look over work areas carefully for overhead power lines and utility poles. • Make sure there are ample clearances of power lines when moving large machinery such as combines, grain augers, pickers, bailers and front end loaders. Be cautious of equipment heights if you purchase new machinery. • When planning new construction, consider existing power lines. • Be extra careful when working around trees and brush that often obstruct power lines. • Train all farm workers on how to properly operate machinery near overhead power lines.
Your safety is important to us at Inland Power! For more safety information visit our website at www.inlandpower.com.
WE ARE A MEMBER-OWNED ENERGY COOPERATIVE COMMITTED TO SAFE, RELIABLE SERVICE AT COMPETITIVE RATES.
GIVE TO PROJECT SHARE
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GIVING TO PROJECT SHARE WARMS HANDS AND HEARTS During difficult times, it’s good to know that there are neighbors you can count on. Just a little bit goes a long way to helping those in need. On your Inland Power statement, please consider adding a donation amount for Project Share. Project Share will distribute money to the community support agencies throughout Inland’s service area. Project Share provides one-time energy assistance. It’s that safety net for when the unexpected happens - a job loss, sudden illness or an unplanned hardship.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY T O D D A N D L I N D S E Y, YO U R E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y T E A M
Energy Efficiency 101: Where Do I Begin?
By Todd Williams and Lindsey Hobbs The Energy Conservation Pyramid is a simple guide to help you save money and energy. Read from the bottom up. Each layer should be completed before moving to the next. Start small beginning with behavioral changes, converting lights, sealing gaps, etc. Make your home as efficient as possible with a budget that works for you. While some members are interested in solar, wind or self generation options, there are several steps to do first to make sure you are using energy as efficiently as possible. For more specific tips, visit our conservation tips on the Inland website at www.inlandpower.com.
Please consider giving from your heart to keep others warm.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AGENCIES FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE • Adams County - Opportunities Industrialization Center • Bonner County - Community Action Partnership • Columbia and Garfield Counties - Blue Mountain Action Council • Lincoln and Steven Counties - Rural Resources Community Action • Spokane County - Spokane Neighborhood Action Program (SNAP) • Whitman County Community Action Center
This is the third article in a five-part series. Stay tuned for the fourth piece in Energy Efficiency 101: How do I manage my energy use? If you have a topic you would like to know more about, we would love to hear from you! Our mission at Inland Power is to be a resource center for our community. We are here to help you achieve your goals, provide access to a network of contractors and engineers, and provide education on conservation and efficiency topics to our residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial members. To contact Todd or Lindsey, call 509-789-1801 or email conservation@inlandpower.com. VISIT INLANDPOWER.COM FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIPS
BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION RAISING INLAND RATES On October 1, 2017 our power supplier, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), increased the cost of power we receive by 5.4 percent. Since 2010 BPA has increased Inland’s rates by close to 33%. BPA’s overall rate increase is primarily due to a lower-than expected regional demand for power, a declining forecast of surplus power sales revenues due to lower market prices and escalating costs of BPA programs driven by legal requirements and needed maintenance. BPA is working with regional partners to identify new revenue streams and cost-containment strategies that will mitigate these rising cost pressures into the long-term future. Due to the financial strength of Inland Power and by maintaining a tight operating budget, we are 10110 W HALLETT ROAD
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able to hold off any rate increase to our members until next spring to prevent an increase during the high heating season. In April 2018, Inland Power anticipates that we will need to have an approximate 5.5 percent rate increase due to these BPA power cost increases and then we do not anticipate any additional rate increases will be needed prior to 2022. While none of us enjoy raising rates, your cooperative continues to serve you with rates that are amongst the lowest 1% in the country. We continue to work to keep your rates low and service reliable. As a cooperative utility, you are an owner and member of Inland Power. We appreciate the opportunity to be your utility company and to serve you.
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