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July 2015

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Volume 69, Number 7, July 2015

“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”

Staff Editor Wayne Price Editorial Assistant Kathy Barkmeier Published by the

Visit us at www.nrea.org General Manager Troy Bredenkamp President Randy Papenhausen, Cedar-Knox Public Power District Vice President/Secretary Ron Jensen, Loup Valleys Rural Public Power District

Contents Features

Nebraska rural health care initiatives Freelance writer Peter E Mayeux explores the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP), a University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) program that recruits high school students wanting to practice in several rural medical specialties. Most states recruit only college students for rural health care positions and offer only a few specialty areas.

Below the soil

Advertising in the Rural Electric Nebraskan does not imply endorsement for products by the Nebraska Rural Electric Association. Correspondence should be sent to Wayne Price, Editor, Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501. The Rural Electric Nebraskan is printed by Quad Graphics, 2300 Brown Ave., Waseca, MN 56093. Form 3579 should be sent to the Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

This month marks the five-year anniversary of the start of operations of the first phase of Keystone Pipeline. As Keystone reaches that milestone, Rural Electric Nebraskan is taking a look at the preparation, construction and operation of the pipeline, as well as exploring its environmental and economic impacts during the last five years.

Treasurer David Keener, Niobrara Electric Association, Inc. Published monthly by the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln, Nebraska 68501, (402) 475-4988.

Departments EDITOR’S PAGE

SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by James Dulley

RECIPES

MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS

Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Neb. POSTMASTER: send address changes to the Rural Electric Nebraskan, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

On the cover

Publication numbers are USPS 071-630 and ISSN 0193-4937.

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July. Photograph by Wayne Price.

Rates: $10 for one year; $15 for two years; $20 for three years, plus local and state tax.

July 2015

EDITOR’S PAGE

Celebrating July 4th and declaring our energy independence he Fourth of July is a time of fireworks and flying the American flag. Many of us celebrate with family and friends, grilling burgers and brats, and enjoying a nice, cold drink. Normally, the 4th is not a day for quiet reflection. We typically spend a lot of time and energy in having a good time but don’t give much thought about our founding fathers and their determined efforts to bring about our nation’s independence. So before we head out to set off all those little celebratory explosives, I want you to pause for a moment and think about how this uniquely American spirit of independence remains part of our collective DNA more than 200 years after the independent nation of the United States was formed and the Declaration of Independence was created. Think about how this sense of independence has served us all these years. For example, more than 70 years ago, an independent streak inspired groups of farmers across America’s countryside to band together and improve their quality of life. Aside from President Franklin Roosevelt’s promise of federal aid in the form of lowinterest loans and engineering expertise, rural Americans had little help in bringing electricity to their homes. So, they did it themselves by pulling together and working cooperatively – a shining example of American determination and ingenuity. For the past 40-plus years, nearly every president since Richard Nixon, during the time of the Arab oil embargo, has talked about the goal of U.S. energy independence – reducing our reliance on imported oil and other forms of foreign energy. Today, while we still have a ways to go, we are closer to that goal than ever before. We are exporting more gas and importing less foreign fuel than in recent memory. American ingenuity in the form of new technology and innovation is opening up more options and spurring greater efficiency across all forms of energy. According to the Energy Information Agency, energy expenditures as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) are forecast at 6.2 percent in 2015, their lowest level since 2002, reflecting both lower oil prices and ongoing increases in energy efficiency.

T by Wayne Price

Consumers have an important role to play in the road to energy independence. They don’t have to wait for Democrats and Republicans to agree or environmentalists and fossil fuel advocates to reach consensus on a path to energy independence. Consumers can play a part in moving us toward national energy independence by taking action in simple, practical ways – insulating and caulking around windows, doors and electrical outlets; washing clothes in cold water instead of hot; replacing air filters; installing a programmable thermostat; and using more energy efficient appliances and home heating and cooling systems. Efficiency efforts can cut costs for individual households, but the collective benefit to our country is even greater. If we all work together to achieve increased energy efficiency and reduce our overall energy consumption, we can make even more progress on our road toward energy independence. Contact your local public power distrist or electric cooperative to receive energy-saving tips tailored for your unique household needs. In addition, your local public power district or electric cooperative, along with other utilities across the country, have been actively engaged in promoting renewable energy resources like wind, solar, hydropower and biomass (including landfill gas, livestock waste, timber byproducts and crop residue). Today, nearly 95 percent of the nation’s 900plus public power districts and electric cooperatives provide electricity produced by renewable sources, all playing a key role in powering rural America while fostering our nation’s energy independence. Recent advances in technology are transforming how we make and move electricity, and over time, these changes will greatly improve not only the efficiency but the reliability of electric power. So this Fourth of July, as you gaze up at the fireworks lighting up the night sky, reflect on the enduring spirit of independence that is integral to our American character. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

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by Peter E. Mayeux

Nebraska rural health care initiatives continue to thrive ebraska is unique in many ways. The state values hardworking, industrious citizens and a lifestyle that promotes strong family values and good health. After several decades, Nebraskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rural health care commitment continues to thrive with programs aimed at improving rural health care in the state. One program in particular is unique: The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) coordinates programs that recruit high school students wanting to practice in several rural medical specialties. Most states recruit only college students for rural health care positions and offer only a few specialty areas. The Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) will be featured in this article. Nationally, primary health care in rural areas is a critical issue. According to a recent National Rural Health Association study, 80 million Americans living in frontier and rural homes rely on the safety net offered by rural healthcare providers whose numbers continue to decline. An

agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates rural residents tend to be poorer, older and with fewer medical facilities than urban residents. Rural risk factors include limited job opportunities,

Kyle Klammer has been involved in UNMC and RHOP activities since his elementary and high school years in Ainsworth, Neb.

risky health behaviors, and limited employer-provided healthcare and Medicaid coverage. Rural health care remains a critical national and Nebraska issue. Over the last few decades, several UNMC programs have helped recruit and educate future rural medical providers. In 1991, the UNMC Dept. of Family Medicine developed the Family Medicine Residency Program Rural Training Track program that allows Family Practice residents to train near key educational sites across Nebraska -- from Scottsbluff to North Platte, Norfolk, Kearney and Grand Island. Another program (KHOP), based at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, offers programs in Clinical Laboratory Science and Radiography. There is now the Public Health Early Admission Student Track (PHEAST) program which fosters public health careers at Peru State College. The Rural Pharmacy Practice Educational Initiative (RPPEI) encourages students in rural Nebraska to practice pharmacy in rural Nebraska. The goal of these

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Left: Niki Salomon has worked at Barmore Drug in Lexington, Neb. and lived in Gothenburg, Neb. Right: Chadron State College RHOP students take a break from their studies. programs is to populate rural Nebraska with a team of health professionals. Another initiative, RHOP, is unique and has developed a high quality legacy. RHOP allows high school seniors who are rural Nebraska residents and who plan to practice in rural areas of the state to simultaneously apply for undergraduate and graduate level health professions studies at UNMC. RHOP standards define rural residency as communities outside of the metropolitan areas of Omaha and Lincoln. Once accepted, they receive full-tuition scholarships at one of the schools and are guaranteed entrance to medical school once undergraduate requirements are completed. Although there is no obligation for graduates to practice in rural areas, building on the findings of studies which show that individuals from rural areas are more likely to return to practice in rural areas, the underlying premise of RHOP includes a rural residency requirement of applicants. These Nebraska rural health initiatives are very successful. Almost 200 RHOP and KHOP students are in the pipeline to attend UNMC. The Rural Training Track program is one of the largest and most successful of its kind in the U.S. Since 1990, UNMC administrators and faculty members have partnered with three state colleges to develop the RHOP program. Annually, it coordinates up to 28 student applications in nine career tracks offered at Wayne State College and Chadron State College; these include

July 2015

medicine, clinical laboratory science, dental hygiene, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant and radiography. Peru State College offers only nursing and pharmacy programs. The RHOP eligibility and selection requirements vary based on medical specialties and location. Each fall students from UNMC’s three rural health education pipeline programs (RHOP, KHOP and PHEAST) visit the Omaha campus to learn about health care professions, options for housing and financial aid and keys to success at UNMC. Each summer more than 60 elementary

and high school students from over 25 schools participate in the UNMC Health/Science Meet. Graduates of RHOP, medical personnel and administrators value RHOP’s contribution to their professional lives and the rural communities where they work. Candice Dziowgo joined the RHOP program early in life, beginning in her hometown of Inman, Neb., population 150. She is committed to rural health practice in radiography. “I think that it's unfortunate that small, rural communities don't have the healthPlease turn to page 8

Health care initiative From page 6 care services that they need," Dziowgo said. "It's important that health-care providers are in those towns, too." She appreciates the automatic medical school admission feature of the RHOP program. "It's pretty tough competition to get into the radiography program. Being in RHOP alleviated some of the stress and let me focus on studying," Dziowgo said. “Being a participant in the [RHOP] program helped me keep my longterm focus on returning to a rural area,” says Niki Salomon who studied pharmacy in the RHOP program. The Brule, Neb., native says her RHOP experiences helped her to become a better pharmacist. “I have developed strong relationships with those patients who are dealing with a long-term illness. As a mother, I think I have a better understanding of the challenges that parents face and I have learned to be a better counselor to parents,” she says. Her husband, Aaron Salomon, a Scottsbluff native, became a physician assistant via the RHOP program. Both credit the RHOP program with helping them reach their professional and personal goals of working in rural health care in Nebraska. Over the years, St. Paul, Neb., physician assistant Roger Wells has referred between 15-20 rural Nebraska students to the RHOP

program. Two of his children completed the RHOP program and are now working in Omaha. He believes the opening this fall of UNK’s Health Science Complex and the continuing development of the RHOP program will create new health care careers and infuse economic growth in Nebraska. Marty Fattig, CEO of Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, Neb., appreciates “the impact and assistance provided by UNMC,” an impact he says that “cannot be overstated.” Fattig worked with others to bring the RHOP program to Peru State College. Despite the success and promise of programs such as RHOP, there

continues to be a shortage of health care professionals in rural areas. 2013-2016 strategic goals for the UNMC College of Medicine include expansion of RHOP and KHOP initiatives and related activities to improve primary care in Nebraska’s rural areas. According to Dr. Jeffrey Harrison, a UNMC family medicine professor involved in supervising the RHOP effort, Nebraska medical retirees are being replaced by RHOP graduates but the pool of RHOP applicants is decreasing as small towns and rural areas lose population. Nebraska’s rural health needs continue to increase. RHOP is one program working to meet those needs.

Internet links for additional information about RHOP: • RHOP contact information: (email UNMC Recruitment & Student Engagement: rse@unmc.edu) • RHOP Application requirements: (http://www.unmc.edu/studentservices/rse/enrichment/undergraduate-enrichment/rhop/Rural-Residency-Eligibility.html) • UNMC campus visits for prospective RHOP students (http://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=15787) • Wayne State College RHOP guidelines (http://www.wsc.edu/rhop/guidelines.php) • Chadron State College RHOP guidelines (http://www.csc.edu/sci/rhop/) • Peru State College RHOP guidelines (http://www.peru.edu/rhop/) • Univ. of Nebr. At Kearney (UNK) RHOP/KHOP guidelines: (http://www.unmc.edu/alliedhealth/admissions/pathway/khop.html)

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Load Control

Keeping the lights on isn’t a cakewalk lectricity, unlike other commodities, must be consumed on the spot. Technology that will store it for future use, especially on any large scale, is still largely under development. And if the electricity being produced can’t keep up with what’s needed in real-time, brownouts or blackouts will follow. Many electric utilities work to avoid such problems through energy efficiency initiatives most often called load control management or demand response. These programs allow the utility to reduce power consumption–and keep the lid on wholesale generation costs–by controlling when electricity gets used. On the residential side, utilities can interrupt electric service to water heaters, air conditioners, electric thermal storage units, and other specialized appliances in the homes of volunteer consumers. On the commercial and industrial side, service gets cut off to irrigation pumps, manufacturing equipment, and even entire businesses, some of whom have installed backup generation. In most cases, control takes place for a brief period (typically just a few hours) during times of peak demand–the electric utility industry’s equivalent of rush-hour traffic. It’s then that demand is at its highest, and power costs

skyrocket because natural gas and other pricey standby generators are used. According to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, electric cooperatives and public power districts can shave 6 percent of their peak demand — including about 1,440 megawatts of residential load — through programs known variously as demand-side management, load management, or demand response. These measures help keep electric bills affordable.

Rates paid by end-use irrigators in load control programs vary by the amount of time customers are willing to be controlled off at peak times.

Nebraska’s electric rates are among the top 15 lowest in the U.S.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the nation’s bulk power grid watchdog, estimates America needs to build 135,000 MW of new generation by 2017 to meet growing demand for electricity. Power plants on the drawing board, however, will only deliver 77,000 MW. To fill the generation gap, a 2009 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission assessment found approximately 150,000 MW could be offset by conservation and energy efficiency measures or by lowering peak demand. Efforts by engaged rural electric customers to curb energy use during peak times may provide a handy detour to new plant construction, at least temporarily. We use a steady amount of energy, regardless of whether we’re at home or away. Refrigerators, air conditioning and heating systems, and appliances create base load power requirements — the minimum amount of electricity your public power district or electric cooperative needs to reliably supply all of its customers. Lots of consumers tend to use electricity at the same time — in the morning to warm up the house and get kids ready for school, and later in the day after work when making dinner and settling in the for evening. The price for power rises and falls depending on the type of fuel (coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, etc.) used to generate electricity, and the fuel used often depends when power is needed. For example, generating a steady flow of power with a baseload coal, nuclear, or hydro facility costs far less than starting up a natural gas peaking plant on a hot, humid summer weekday afternoon or

Visit the website at: www.workingfornebraska.org Rural Electric Nebraskan

extremely frigid winter morning. As a result, when power is required during demand peaks, rural electric utilities — and by extension, customers — pay a steep toll. Up to 75 percent of your monthly electric bill goes directly to purchase power — the rest must be stretched to cover bucket trucks, poles and wire, right-of-way trimming, payroll, and other operating expenses. The easiest way to cut power costs is to use less energy. In Nebraska peak demand typically takes place at 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in winter (October to May), and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in summer months (June to September). Some rural electric utilities ask customers to stop using energy when electricity use surges. Some public power districts and electric co-ops take peak shaving a step further by installing load control equipment. Devices attached to irrigation motors, electric water heaters, air conditioners, and other special appliances can cut demand by briefly switching them off — an action generally unnoticed by the homeowners who volunteer to take part. Dawson PPD, headquartered in Lexington, Neb., offers a load management program for irrigation customers. It allows these customers to choose their electric rate by selecting a level of control that suits their needs. Control options range from “no control” to a few days of

July 2015

Cornhusker Public Power District Plant Cost Analyst David Fritz (seated) and IT Supervisor Brett Olson review load control numbers. Photograph by Karen Schlautman. control up to a seven-day option. Rates decrease as the amount of control increases. The program is administered by Nebraska Public Power District. During times of high demand for power, NPPD will request that certain utilities control their customers’ electric usage. Radiofrequency devices are used to turn off the power to wells, which can be controlled up to 12 hours per day, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. Dawson PPD started its load management program in 1982. Today, there is over 148,000 horsepower of irrigation wells

enrolled in load management. Norris PPD offers residential customers an incentive to customers who allow the district to control electric water heaters. The program has approximately 2,300 water heaters under control year round, said Dave Brauning, manager of Network and Information Systems at Norris PPD. “Customers receive a monthly bill credit for being part of the program,” Brauning said. Control of water heaters are tied to NPPD’s billable demand hours during the summer months. Control times are often so brief that customers hardly notice when they are under control. The Nebraska Rural Electric Association and your local rural electric utility remain committed to providing you with affordable power, but there are some costs we can’t control. Our energy efficiency programs help you manage your energy use, and we’re deploying state-of-the-art solutions to help us control operating costs and improve service reliability.

BELOW THE

SOIL

A pipeline pumping station near Steele City, Neb. is powered by Norris Public Power District.

A look back at five years of operation of Keystone Pipeline verlooked in the debate about the Keystone XL Pipeline is the five-year anniversary of the start of operations of the first phase of Keystone Pipeline, which has been operating in Nebraska since July 2010. As Keystone reaches that milestone, Rural Electric Nebraskan is taking a look at the preparation, construction and operation of the pipeline, as well as exploring its environmental and economic impacts during the last five years. To put Keystone in context, it’s one of four crude oil pipelines operating in Nebraska, one of which has been in service since the early 1950s. All cross at least a portion of the Ogallala High Plains Aquifer. In fact, according to the Nebraska Pipeline Association, there are more than 20,000 miles of liquids and natural gas pipelines crisscrossing the state. With that history in mind and given the scope of pipelines in Nebraska, the first five years of Keystone operations offer lessons on several topics important to electric providers, their customers and all Nebraskans. Much like electric transmission lines, constructing a linear, stationary infrastructure asset project like

Keystone required an enormous number of moving parts. Pipelines also share a common stakeholder constituency with transmission lines: landowners. Not only did TransCanada work with hundreds of landowners to obtain easements for the pipeline right of way, but it also collaborated with Nebraska Public Power District and local public power districts to coordinate thousands of technical details required to provide service to five pump stations in areas served by Cedar-Knox Public Power District, Stanton County Public Power District, Butler Public Power District and Norris Public Power District. Working with landowners to acquire easements or property is often a complex and sometimes emotional process, especially for infrastructure that does not provide local service. For public power districts and pipelines alike, good faith negotiation and communication with landowners are tools of first choice. That philosophy had practical benefits in that TransCanada reached voluntary easement agreements with more than 98 percent of landowners in Nebraska on the first phase of Keystone.

It’s worth noting that even with the controversy about Keystone XL, TransCanada has obtained voluntary easements from more than 90 percent of landowners on the proposed route in Nebraska, and it has secured 100 percent of easements with private landowners in South Dakota and Montana. For public power districts, the working relationship with TransCanada yielded positive results as they collaborated to deliver power to pump stations in Nebraska. Said Bruce Hoehne, Operations Manager at Stanton County Public Power District: “We held numerous meetings with TransCanada to discuss power requirements for Keystone pump stations and what SCPPD could provide. And for a company as large as TransCanada, we found their team easy to work with and flexible.” Cedar-Knox Public Power District General Manager Dan Liese echoed that assessment, saying the reports he received from his team were positive from day one. “Our experiences with TransCanada were very good,” he said. “Feedback I got from Cedar-Knox employees is that the Keystone people were always professional, friendly and responsive.”

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Meticulous planning sets the table for an emphasis on safety during construction, which, Hoehne observed, was a priority on Keystone and for PPDs in Nebraska. “TransCanada’s pipeline contractors on Keystone had strict safety requirements they had to follow as they moved through our area. In some places, we had to relocate poles and increase clearances at several crossings, all of which TransCanada paid for so as not to impact our ratepayers,” Hoehne said. And as those safety measures were implemented, he said service impact was kept to a minimum to prevent inconvenience to SCPPD customers. As various phases of Keystone construction moved forward, restoring land as close as possible to its original condition was an important issue, which is another similarity that links pipeline and transmission line projects Before construction begins, Keystone brought in experts to conduct surveys on biological and cultural resources and to identify wetlands and waters. They also performed threatened and endangered species habitat assessments, species-specific surveys, bird surveys, land use classifications and noxious weed assessments. During construction, the Keystone team worked with landowners to coordinate work and minimize impacts of construction on agricultural operations. After construction, work isn’t finished. As is the case with electric transmission lines, those building pipelines work closely with environmental experts and landowners to restore land to its original state and productivity levels and monitor environmental reclamation for years following construction. Liese said during and after Keystone construction, landowners he spoke with in the Cedar-Knox service territory “generally had good things to say about their Keystone experiences. “As for environmental issues or concerns, I simply have not heard of anything negative in our area,” said Liese.

July 2015

The photographs above were taken in Butler County. The “during construction” shot (left) was taken near David City, Neb. on June 15, 2009. The “after” shot (right) was taken on August 25, 2010. That experience extended into Stanton County, where Hoehne said Keystone “did an excellent job in bringing all the land back to preconstruction condition. Well-timed rains helped, but in most cases you couldn’t tell where the pipeline had passed through.” Randy Evans, Operations Manager for Norris Public Power District agreed. “The whole project went very smoothly and efficiently,” he said. The before-and-after pictures above of Keystone are worth a thousand words, but leave it to someone who works with the land every day to summarize the environmental impact and Keystone’s reclamation program. “The ground doesn’t look any different than it did beforehand,” said Charles Barber, a farmer whose property is located near Keystone’s Steele City Pump Station. “You don’t even know the pipeline is there. This hasn’t changed any of our process on the way we farm,” he says. While Keystone’s land impact has been minimal, its economic impact during construction and operations has been significant. In Norfolk, for instance, the local economy experienced notable gains. “We proactively recruited TransCanada and Keystone to bring their base camp to Norfolk and Madison County,” said Dennis Houston, former President and CEO of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce in 2011 testimony to a Nebraska Legislature committee. “The positive economic impact of the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline in

the Norfolk area was nothing short of amazing,” he told lawmakers. “They brought 750 new jobs into the area. TransCanada became our third largest employer in our area for the five months their full staff was working on the project. “At the end of the day, we experienced a $10 million economic impact in Norfolk and the Madison County area,” he said. “Keystone was about building a rural economic development success story in northeast Nebraska. It was about new job creation in our part of Nebraska.” For PPDs and their ratepayers, Keystone offered a solid, long-term economic foundation as a reliable customer for years to come. While electric rates are designed to cover cost of service, all customers benefit from adding a Keystone pump station to the mix of load served. In particular, the high electric load-factor associated with pump station operations helps distribute a utility’s system expenses across a larger base of electric sales, applying downward pressure on electric rates. According to Gary Westphal, General Manager of Butler Public Power District, system-wide improvements in load factor can also help reduce wholesale power costs. “There is a mutual benefit to all of our customers that is associated with serving Keystone pump station load.” Others offered similar comments. “TransCanada is now our largest customer and has become a stabilizing Please turn to page 14

Below the soil From page 13 force that benefits all of our customers,” said SCPPD’s Hoehne. For Cedar-Knox PPD customers, Liese estimates the mutual benefit to customers at more than 3 percent, a sizable cost-savings that helps all of its ratepayers, thanks to the Keystone pump station. Expanded transmission infrastructure necessary to feed Keystone pump stations can also provide mutual benefits to other customers. Don Veseth, Asset Value Consultant for Nebraska Public Power District, who coordinated NPPD’s transmission system expansions to serve the Keystone Pipeline, commented: “The 115 kV line that was added in Jefferson County to help Norris Public Power District provide service to the Keystone Steele City Pump Station also serves to interconnect the new Steele Flats Wind Farm.” Steele Flats, a facility owned by NextEra Energy Resources, spans the Gage and Jefferson county lines and began operating in October 2013. “The line also is part of a new network interconnection which enhances reliability and access to a broader mix of generation resources that can, in the long run, help reduce costs,” Veseth said. One area where Keystone was immediate boon to Nebraskans is in payment of property taxes. Since construction, Keystone has paid $20 million in property taxes to counties, townships, and to school, fire and natural resource districts along the route. The pipeline is centrally assessed by the state, with valuations provided to local tax jurisdictions. Gary Westphal summed up: “From planning to construction to operation, from load impacts to tax benefits to good people, after five years of operation, Keystone Pipeline has been a benefit to our customers and to communities.”

Rural Electric Nebraskan

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SAFETY BRIEFS

Protecting your new home from electrical fires f you are the proud owner of a brand new home, your to-do list is probably pretty long. One item you might consider moving a little closer to the top of that list is making sure your brand new investment is electrically sound. Your home’s electrical system is one of its most crucial elements and can be one of its biggest hazards if it isn’t in proper working order. Getting the proper permits is a critical step in maintaining a safe home and work environment. When it comes to getting your new home’s electrical system checked out, it is a good idea to get an electrical inspection from the authority having jurisdiction. While it is recommended to get a qualified electrician to thoroughly check the system and make sure it is safe, there are some things that you can yourself do to make your home safer: • Check for outlets that have loosefitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fires. • Replace any missing or broken wall plates. • Make sure extension cords aren’t

being used as “permanent” wiring solutions. • Be sure there are no cords stapled to the wall, baseboard, or other surface. • Make sure there are ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the proper locations — kitchen, bathrooms, garage, laundry room, outdoors — and that they work properly. If not, have a qualified electrician install or replace them. • Check to see that the wattage of

all bulbs in light fixtures is the correct wattage for the size of the fixture — and that the bulbs are screwed in tightly. Loose bulbs can overheat. • Be sure that appliance cords are not cracked or frayed, are placed out of high traffic areas, and do not run underneath carpets or rugs. Help make your new home safe and enjoyable by keeping its electrical system in good shape. For more information on electrical safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.” — J. Fitzgerald, VA

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And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the dozens of massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! Shipping charge includes white glove delivery. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! Includes one year service warranty and your choice of fabrics and colors. If you’re not 100% satisfied simply return the chair within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. – Call now! ®

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CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS

Stay comfortable with less air conditioning by James Dulley

My family is trying to use less Q :air-conditioning this summer to save electricity. Do you have any good tips for us so that we are not terribly uncomfortable in our home? There are quite a few free, lowA :cost improvements and simple lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the amount of air-conditioning needed. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to keep in mind that initially your family will likely be a bit less comfortable but should become accustomed to the changes quickly. The simplest method to run the airconditioner less is to set your thermostat a few degrees higher. The savings should be from 1 to 3 percent for each degree you raise it. This lessens the amount of outdoor heat that transfers into your home, which your air conditioner has to remove. There is a limit to how high you can raise your thermostat without becoming too uncomfortable â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and instigating a rebellion by your family. Other ways to reduce air-conditioning are to reduce the amount of heat that leaks into your home, reduce the amount of heat generated inside your house, control humidity levels, increase indoor air movement and use natural ventilation when possible. Avoid sitting near a sun-exposed wall or window during sunny afternoons. Wall insulation is effective for blocking conductive heat gain, but not for radiant heat. When the outside wall gets hot in the sun, particularly a brick or masonry wall, the radiant heat comes right through the wall to your skin. It can make you feel a couple degrees warmer than the actual room air temperature. Window and door awnings can be helpful in blocking direct sunlight.

Most energy efficiency improvements, such as caulking, weather stripping and insulation, are made to reduce heat loss during winter. They also reduce heat gain during summer. Check the insulation in your attic to make sure there are no voids or thin areas where it may have loosened or blown around, and ensure all attic vents are not blocked by the insulation.

Partially opened windows on the windward side of the house increase the air speed into the home. Photograph by James Dulley A great deal of heat is generated inside a home from cooking, bathing and running electric appliances, causing the air conditioner to work harder to remove the additional heat. When cooking or bathing, run the range hood or bath exhaust fan to remove the extra heat and moisture. During the summer, use countertopcooking appliances, such as a slow cooker, in the garage or outdoors to reduce indoor heat and humidity generation. Remember to unplug phone and computer chargers and

other electrical items when they are not being used. Even though each device uses a small amount of electricity, they generate heat, which can add up quickly. Wash dishes and clothes at night; avoid washing in the afternoons during peak heat. The heat given off from the hot water and electricity used by the motors will stress your air conditioner less at night. This also reduces the peak electricity demand for your utility provider. Keeping air moving inside your home increases evaporative cooling from your skin to keep you comfortable at a higher indoor temperature. Running a ceiling paddle fan is very effective for this. Keep in mind the electric motor in the fan actually heats the room air, so turn it off when the room is unoccupied. Set the ceiling fan on medium to high speed and the rotation switch so it blows the air downward. During winter, change the switch setting so the air blows upward and set it on slower speed. On a breezy, not excessively hot day, try opening some windows. Widely open several windows on the downwind side of your home, and slightly open windows on the windward side. Due to the pressure difference, this causes the air to blow in the partially opened windows much faster, creating a breeze in that room using no electricity. A whole-house ventilation fan, often located in a hall ceiling, can draw huge amounts of air through your house. For times when the air is not excessively humid, run the fan at night. This can cool down the entire house and delay the time in the morning when the air conditioner has to come back on.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Rural Electric Nebraskan, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

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Down Home Recipes

Fruit-filled Summer Celebrations hether you anticipate funfilled pool parties, laid-back picnics at the park or casual dinner parties at home, summer entertaining gets a little sweeter when you serve up the right desserts. When the weather warms up, let the flavors from your kitchen reflect the bright tastes of the summer season. From cherries to blueberries, Lucky Leaf Premium Pie Fillings come in a variety of flavors to perk up your outdoor menu. Ending your summer event with a sweet finale is important, but you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to spend all your time preparing it. The best desserts are effortless, and can be whipped up quickly. This recipe for Cherry Pineapple Cabana Cake can be baked up in just one hour and combines the flavors of pineapple and cherries, topped with shredded coconut and macadamia nuts. Lemony Blueberry Layered Pie takes only 20 minutes to prepare, one hour to chill and serves up the crowd-pleasing flavors of cream cheese, zesty lemon and blueberries on a graham cracker crust. For more ways to amaze your summertime friends and family with fruity and fun recipes, visit www.LuckyLeaf.com.

Cherry Pineapple Cabana Cake 1 1 1 1 1 1

Preheat oven to 350Â°F. Lightly grease 9-by-13-inch baking

pan. In prepared baking pan, layer undrained crushed pineapple, then pie filling. Sprinkle dry cake mix over top, smoothing evenly and covering top. Pour melted butter or margarine over top, covering evenly. Top with coconut and nuts. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until brown on top and bubbly. Let cool 30 minutes. Serve warm or cooled.

2 1/4 1 1

Lemony Blueberry Layered Pie 1 1 1/4 1

can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple in juice (do not drain) can (21 ounces) Lucky Leaf Regular or Premium Cherry Pie Filling package (18.25 ounces) yellow cake mix cup butter or margarine, melted bag (7 ounces) coconut, shredded cup macadamia nuts, chopped

package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk cup powdered sugar box (3.4 ounces) instant lemon pudding mix

teaspoons fresh lemon zest cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed can (21 ounces) can Lucky Leaf Premium Blueberry Pie Filling 9-inch graham cracker crust

Combine cream cheese, condensed milk and powdered sugar in large bowl. Using electric mixer, mix at medium speed for 1-2 minutes, until smooth. Add pudding mix, lemon zest and lemon juice; mix until well blended. Spoon about half of pie filling evenly into bottom of graham cracker crust. Spoon lemon-filling mixture on top and spread evenly. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Spoon remaining pie filling on top just before serving. Garnish with fresh lemon zest if desired.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Reader Submitted Recipes

Spiral Pasta Salad 1 2 1 1 1/2 1 1

Italian Herb Corn and Rice Zucchini Boats 4 1 1 1/4 1/4 1 3/4 1 1/4 1

medium zucchini tablespoon olive oil clove garlic, minced teaspoon salt teaspoon ground black pepper package (12 ounces) Alexia Italian Herb Corn with Sun dried Tomatoes cup cooked white basmati rice (or quinoa for added protein and fiber) cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese cup grated Parmesan cheese tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional

Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using melon baller or spoon, scoop out zucchini flesh, leaving about 1/4inch border. Brush zucchini halves with oil. Sprinkle with garlic, salt and pepper. Place zucchini on parchment paperlined baking sheet. Bake 13–15 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, prepare corn according to package directions. Toss corn with rice and cheeses. Spoon mixture evenly into zucchini halves. Return to oven. Bake 8–10 minutes more or until filling is hot. Place zucchini under broiler for golden brown top. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Source: Alexia Foods

July 2015

pkg. (16 oz) tri-color spiral pasta medium carrots, shredded large red onion, chopped medium green pepper, chopped teaspoon celery seed or 2 celery ribs, chopped can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk cup vinegar

Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse pasta in cold water, drain, and place in large bowl. Add carrots, onion, green pepper and celery. In another bowl combine remaining ingredients. Cover, refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Servings 12-14. I usually make 1/2 of this recipe. Still a lot!

Joan Beutler, Pender, Nebraska

Bread for Bread Baker 1 1 1 1 3 1/4 1 2 1/4

cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey teaspoon salt cups flour (Bread or all-purpose works) tablespoon powdered buttermilk (I use powdered milk) teaspoon yeast

Place ingredients in order from above. Set machine on French or Italian mode. Yields 1 – 1 1/2 pound loaf.

Sue Killinger, Wolbach, Nebraska

Rainbow Slaw 5-6 1/3 3 1 2 1/4 1/4 6

radishes, thinly sliced cup sliced Mt. Olive Pepperoncini, finely chopped green onions, coarsely chopped bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped Juice of 1 lime tablespoons canola oil teaspoon kosher salt teaspoon pepper cups coleslaw mix

Slice radishes (1/2 cup); chop pepperoncini. Chop onions and cilantro (1 cup). Squeeze lime for juice (2 tablespoons). Whisk lime juice, oil, salt, pepper and pepperoncini until blended. Stir in remaining ingredients just before serving.

Judy Piasecki, Kearney, Nebraska

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