Volume 63 Number 1, January 2018Baudette, Minnesota

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MANAGER’S REPORT

Board highlights/Prevent fires - use light bulbs safely 2Outage brownies recipe/Unclaimed capital credits donated 3Ways to save energy and money 4Staff Report/Scholarship sneak peek 5Understanding differences between AFCIs and GFCIs 6LED lighting rebate form/Help with your bill 7Save money and energy in 2018 8

In this issue:

NO RATE INCREASE PLANNEDBecause sales in November were really good, and

December is shaping up to be more normal than the past two years, we are hopeful that the rest of the winter will bring good sales. What this means to you is that your rates should remain unchanged. When you choose electric, you are helping to keep your rates stable.

VACANCIES FILLED

It’s a fresh new year, and we have some new faces governing your rural electric cooperative. After a two-month application period, the board appointed Shelley Spears from Baudette and Bruce Sampson from Ray to complete the terms of Mike Trueman and Julian Brzoznowski. Director Spears is already busy delivering donations to local organizations so important to our communities.

Director Sampson’s career started with the Navy and then a few decades working for Minnesota Power. Director Spears has broad business experience ranging from owning/managing a resort to her current job in human resources at Border State Bank. Both new directors will bring fresh, new perspectives to the boardroom and will complement

Shelley SpearsDistrict 2

Bruce SampsonDistrict 7

The Baudette Fire Department was one of 31 local organizations and scholarships that received donations totaling $23,344 in 2017. These donations are funded with unclaimed capital credits from North Star Electric Cooperative, and the board of directors sees that the donations are spread evenly across all seven districts of the cooperative. Above, new board member Shelley Spears presents a $1,250 donation to Baudette Fire Department Chief Brad Levasseur.

Ann Ellis General Manager

the knowledge of our seasoned directors. They are looking forward to contributing toward achieving the cooperative’s mission, which in a nutshell, is to improve your lives.

2 North Star Enlightener • January 2018

EnlightenerJANUARY 2018

The Enlightener (USPS 024959), Vol. 63, No. 1 is published monthly by North Star Electric Cooperative, Inc., 441 St. Hwy 172 N.W., Baudette, MN 56623-0719. Subscription price $1/year. Periodicals postage paid at Baudette, MN 56623. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The Enlightener, North Star Electric Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Baudette, MN 56623-0719.

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORSPresident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve ArnesenVice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Hanson Secretary-Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine NygaardDirectors . . . . . . . . . . Shelley Spears, Randy Bergan, Tom Smith, Bruce SampsonGeneral Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Ellis Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne Haukaas

Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

Baudette . . . . . . . . . 218-634-2202 or 888-634-2202Littlefork . . . . . . . . . 218-278-6658 or 888-258-2008

For credit card payment, call 855-874-5354.Online billing information available via SmartHub app.

Electrical after-hours emergencies 1-888-6OUTAGE (1-888-668-8243)

or 634-2603e-mail us at nsec@wiktel.com

Visit our website at www.northstarelectric.coop

North Star Electric Cooperative, Inc.MISSION STATEMENT

To improve the lives of our member-owners and

community by responsibly providing clean, affordable, electric energy and other beneficial services while

maintaining the very highest standards of performance and

member satisfaction.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

DIGGING SOON?

One free, easy call gets your utility lines

marked AND helps protect you from injury

and expense. Safe digging is no accident:

ALWAYS CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG.

Highlights from the BoardroomThese are the highlights from the board of directors’ Nov. 1, 2017, board meeting. All board members were in attendance. In addition to routine motions, the board voted to accept Shelley Spears and Bruce Sampson to represent Districts 2 and 7, approved the 2017 Electric Load Forecast Study, to approve delegate and committee appointments for 2018 and to set the 2018 annual meeting date for Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.

Staff reports included the financial report, a summary of the first draft of the 2018 budget, projected sales for 2018, winter load control, off-peak load control testing, dual heat sales, Conservation Improvement Plan (CIP) low income rebates, distributed generation, Operation Round Up, fall right-of-way

(ROW) mowing and widening, progress on work plan projects, after-hours dispatching services, pole testing, outages, meter testing and safety.

Auditor Brian Stavenger from Eide Bailly was welcomed to the meeting to present the audit report for the year ending July 31, 2017. Board reports included an update from the Minnkota board meeting.

Detailed minutes are available at the cooperative for member review (111-11-002-03, Allan Johnson). Regular board meetings are generally held the first Wednesday of every month. If you wish to speak with the board, or have an item that you would like to have placed on the agenda, please contact Manager Ann Ellis at least two weeks in advance to be included on the agenda.

T he science of electricity led to the development of a very practical and convenient home lighting device – the

light bulb. Ever since, light bulbs have been lighting up our nights and allowing us to work, read and see for longer periods of time. They are such an integral part of our everyday lives that it is all too easy to forget important safety precautions.

Safe Electricity has the following safe lighting reminders to help you and your family stay safe:

• Closets and storage areas are especially dangerous for light bulbs. Light bulbs could easily start a fire when clothing, boxes and other stored goods are in contact with them. Keep everything 12 inches away from surface-mounted lighting and 6 inches from other types of lighting. Do not use uncovered light bulbs.

• Use only bulbs that match the wattage of a lamp or outlet. A bulb with a higher wattage than is specified is a fire hazard.

• Lamp cords should be kept in good working condition. Damaged, worn, cracked or frayed cords and power plugs with the third grounding pin removed should be repaired or replaced.

– Prevent fires – use light bulbsSAFELY

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North Star Enlightener • January 2018 3

Highlights from the Boardroom MANAGER’S REPORTAnn Ellis General Manager

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Outage Brownies(aka Margaret Talassen’s Brownies, as shared by Verna Pieper of Williams)Mix in the order listed:2 cups sugar • ½ cup cocoa • ½ cup melted butter • 1 scant tsp. salt • 4 eggs •2 tsp. vanilla • 1 ½ cup flour • 1 cup nuts (optional – Verna uses pecans)

Bake in a buttered 9x13 pan at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.Frosting: (When the brownies come out of the oven, start the frosting.) Over medium heat bring to a boil:½ cup butter • ½ cup milk • 1 ½ cups sugarBoil for 2 minutes, remove from heat and add:½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips • 1 tsp vanillaStir for a few minutes until silky smooth and quickly pour onto warm brownies.

• Do not place lamp cords under rugs or in high-traffic areas, and do not tack them to a wall.

• Turn off the lights before you switch out a bulb. • Secure light bulbs tightly in their sockets. • Lights that flicker or light switches that are discolored or hot to the touch

should be immediately shut off. Have a qualified professional replace them.• Be especially careful using halogen light bulbs. They run hotter than any other

type of light bulb.• Consider using LEDs. They do not give off as much heat and last much longer

than incandescent bulbs, so you will not have to replace them as often. For more tips on electrical safety around the home, visit SafeElectricity.org.

Prevent fires – use light bulbs SAFELY(article continued from following page)

Chocolate!If you know me, you know that

I love fudgy, chocolately things, so when members Verna and Ken Pieper showed up at the office the day after

the Oct. 26 storm with a pan of still-warm, to-die-for brownies, it made me more than smile (556-41-078-10, Barbara Kelly). They had been affected by recent outages and were appreciative for how North Star had responded. We had to have that recipe, I’ve made them and we’ve printed it in this issue (below) to spread the JOY.

Making a difference I’d like to close by thanking all of the wonderful

volunteers in our communities who put in oodles of hours to help neighbors AND folks they don’t even know. This selfless motivation is heartwarming, and I hope, contagious. You don’t have to be Mother Teresa to make a difference, you just have to care enough to take some action. If you’re not already an action-figure, give it a try! I’ll bet you a pan of brownies that you’ll find it rewarding.

At your service we remain… Ann

Unclaimed capital credits donated to more local nonprofit organizations

Carrie Davidson, from the Lakewood Regional Healthcare Foundation, receives a check from Shelley Spears, board member from District 2.

Cassie Maurer, from the Lake of the Woods Humane Society, receives a check from Shelley Spears, board member from District 2.

4 North Star Enlightener • January 2018

Save some green by going green. The Energy Education Council provides a checklist for those who want to make their home a green one with no cost, low cost and higher cost options.

Ways to SAVE energy and money

There are many ways to make your home more efficient that do not cost a dime: • Turn off lights when you leave a room.• Set ceiling fans to rotate clockwise in

cold months and counterclockwise in warmer months.

• During the winter, open up curtains on sunny days to let the warm sunlight in. At night, make sure to close the curtains. In the summer, keep your curtains closed.

• Set your water heater temperature to no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

• When cooking, match the pot size to the burner size. Also, do not unnecessarily open the door to the oven while cooking or baking. Heat escapes, and the oven will have to reheat.

• For laundry, wash clothes in cold water. Hang clothes to dry when you can.

• Only start the washing machine or the dish washer when loads are full.

• Turn off electronics and unplug chargers when they are not in use.

Here are some low cost ways to boost your home’s efficiency that will quickly pay for themselves:• Replace old incandescent light bulbs

with more efficient and longer-lasting LED bulbs.

• Install a programmable thermostat to make automatic changes to your home’s temperature.

• Replace furnace and air conditioning filters on a monthly basis.

• Caulk cracks between windows/doors and walls.

• Purchase an insulating blanket to use on your hot water heater.

• Install motion sensors, dimmers and timers for indoor and outdoor lighting.

• Plant trees to shelter your home from the elements.

• Invest in low-flow showerheads to save water.

• Fix leaky faucets.

Here are some suggestions that cost more up front, but will pay for themselves over time: • Upgrade an older

furnace, HVAC system, water heater and other large appliances to updated high-efficiency models.

• Invest in double-pane windows with low e-coating to reflect thermal radiation.

• Upgrade insulation in the attic, exterior walls, basement and crawl spaces.

For more information on home efficiency, visit EnergyEdCouncil.org.

North Star Enlightener • January 2018 5

As we wrap up 2017, I’m pleased to report that we are ending the year on very

solid ground. Although it is only mid-December as I write this, enough of the year is behind us to project that our final year-end margins should be at or ahead of budget. This is despite the fact that we sold less kWh than we had projected throughout the year. With thanks to all of our employees who helped keep a

watchful eye on expenses, we were able to stay on track to reach that year-end margin goal. Those margins will eventually be returned to you, the member-owner, through capital credits.

November billsWere you surprised when you opened your electric

bill in early December? I know I was! My bill was definitely higher, due to the extra off-peak electric heat our home used. And from what I hear from my co-workers, I’m not the only one who was seeing higher usage. Because I like to compare numbers, I looked back to see what other years my home used as many kWh as it did this November. I’ve lived in my home for 14 years, and while November 2014 was very comparable, there was no other November where I used more off-peak kWh than I did this recent November. The cold snap we had early in the month, along with very little load control, contributed to my higher usage. Perhaps you are seeing the same thing for your home.

Sales tax exemptionSpeaking of heating your home, if you heat your

home primarily with electricity, residential electric heat usage is exempt from Minnesota sales tax during the months of November through April. If you have off-peak electric heat, the off-peak portion of your bill is tax exempt during those months. Most likely, we currently have a sales tax exemption form on file for you, so you don’t need to send us one. If you haven’t ever given us a sales tax exemption form, please let us know. We can mail you one, or you can find it on our website under the Forms tab. If you have questions on this subject, please call Patsy at 218-634-2202.

Knowledge scholarship I know it is only January … but if you are a current

member and a parent or guardian of a high school senior, trust me, graduation will be here before you

know it! Along with encouraging your student to enjoy their last moments of high school, encourage them to participate in our Knowledge Scholarship competition this spring. This scholarship competition is funded with unclaimed capital credits and is a great way for

North Star to support the youth throughout our service area. North Star Electric will award one $1,000

scholarship and four $400 scholarships to the students who score highest on the test. Students scoring 60 percent or better on the test will be entered into a drawing for eight $100 cash prizes. Testing information and study materials for eligible students will be available at the Warroad, Lake of the Woods, International Falls, Indus and Littlefork-Big Falls Schools in mid-April.

This month’s sneak peek question is a fill-in-the-blank type question:

Staff Report

Robyn Sonstegard Manager of Finance & Administration

Question: Name one of the seven directors, who are elected by everyone who buys electricity from North Star Electric Cooperative (the member-owners), to govern North Star:

Answer: Any of these seven member-owners:

Steve ArnesenDistrict 1

Roosevelt, Minn.

Shelley SpearsDistrict 2

Baudette, Minn.

Randy BerganDistrict 3

Williams, Minn.

Michael HansonDistrict 4

Birchdale, Minn.

Tom SmithDistrict 5

International Falls, Minn.

Lorraine NygaardDistrict 6

Big Falls, Minn.

Bruce SampsonDistrict 7Ray, Minn.

6 North Star Enlightener • January 2018

‘LIKE US’ ON FACEBOOK TO STAY UP-TO-DATE!Like your cooperative at www.facebook.com/NorthStarElectric for outage updates during winter storms and other useful information.

AFCIs & GFCIsWhile arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) both provide protection, they are each designed for different purposes. AFCIs are designed to protect against electrical fire, and

GFCIs are designed to protect against electrical shock and electrocution.

AFCIs help protect wiring from unwanted arcing, which could lead to an electrical fire. Dangerous arcs are created when an electrical current ignites with surrounding materials at very high temperatures. If an AFCI

is installed, it monitors current flow and can distinguish between normal, working arcs and unwanted, dangerous arcs (362-19-001-09, Paul Hilbrand). When the AFCI detects dangerous arcing in the electrical system, it shuts off the electricity before the wiring overheats and starts a fire.

Damaged wires from nails driven into the walls, wiring that has deteriorated from aging, cracked insulation on wires due to stress, damage to wires at stress points (such as cords caught under furniture), loose/improper connections, faulty electrical equipment and overheated electrical wires are all risk factors for electrical arcing.

There are different types of AFCIs available: branch/feeder, combination and outlet circuit. There are differences among these types, including installation location and arc detection level. Since 2008, combination AFCIs have been required for new residential constructions.

GFCIs prevent electric shocks from ground faults, which occur when electricity travels outside its intended path to a grounded surface. As the U.S.

Consumer Product Safety Commission explains, “If your body provides a path to the ground for this current, you could be burned, severely shocked or electrocuted.”

A GFCI constantly monitors the flow of electricity through a circuit and will shut the circuit down if it senses a ground fault. By doing so, this device reduces electrocutions, electrical burns and shock injuries. If an electrical current makes

contact with a person, the GFCI is designed to shut down the power within 1/40 of a second to prevent shock.

After first being introduced in the 1970s, GFCIs have become a standard requirement in the new construction of all outdoor electrical outlets and in all areas near water sources. GFCIs come in the following forms: receptacles, portable devices and circuit breakers.

Contact a qualified electrician to install AFCIs and GFCIs. Both devices should be tested regularly after installation, espe-cially after a power failure. For more information visit SafeElectricity.org.

Understanding the differences between

AFCIs

GFCIs

Notice to cogeneratorsIn compliance with Minnesota Adopted Rules Relating to Cogeneration and small Power Production, chapter 7835, North Star Electric Cooperative is required to interconnect with and purchase electricity from cogenerators and small power producers that satisfy the conditions of a Qualify Facility.

North Star Electric has available and will provide free information to all interested members regarding rates and interconnection requirements. An application for interconnection is required for a Qualifying Facility to interconnect and operate in parallel with the cooperative’s distribution system and is subject to approval by the cooperative.

For more information, please call Wayne Haukaas at 218-634-2202.

State law offers active military person-nel additional payment options for their electric bills. The law covers disconnec-tion, payment arrangements, appeal and annual notice to cooperative members. Similar to the State’s Cold Weather Rule, an application must be completed and income guidelines exist. It’s available for active duty military personnel, deployed or a permanent duty station change.

State law for active duty military personnel

North Star Enlightener • January 2018 7

LED lighting rebate formENERGY STAR® bulbs highly recommended(Rebates will not exceed 50 percent of purchase price)

Complete this form, attach a copy of your purchase receipt and mail to: North Star Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 719, Baudette, MN 56623 Attn: Wayne

(Rebates will be in the form of a credit on your electric account)

Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone #: Other Phone #:

North Star Electric account number:

Name of retailer:

Replacing 40-60W bulb: ($4/bulb rebate) Number of bulbs:

Replacing 75-100W bulb: ($8/bulb rebate) Number of bulbs:

If you are receiving a low income or suffering from a temporary financial shortfall, the following agencies may be able to assist you with your electric bill. We urge you to contact them immediately to avoid disconnection if you feel you are eligible for aid.

Problems paying your electric bill?Energy assistance may be available!

Lake of the Woods County Social Services

206 8th Ave. SE, Suite 200 Baudette, MN 56623

634-2642

Northwest Community Action Council

P.O. Box 67 Badger, MN 56714-0067

800-568-5329

Koochiching County Community Services

1000 5th St. International Falls, MN 56649

283-7000

Kootasca Community Action, Inc.

2232 2nd Ave. E. P.O. Box 44

International Falls, MN 56649 283-9491 or 800-559-9491

Kootasca Community Action, Inc.

Grand Rapids, MN 55744-3984 Toll free 877-687-1163 Direct 218-999-0800 Fax 218-999-0220

Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency

702 3rd Ave. S. Virginia, MN 55792

800-662-5711

Incandescent LED100-watt 15-watt8 hours/day 8 hours/day31 days/month 31 days/month

Equals 24,800 watts (24.8 kWh)

Equals 3,720 watts (3.7 kWh)

At 12.2 cents/kWh + 6.875% sales tax

At 12.2 cents/kWh + 6.875% sales tax

Equals $3.23 per month

Equals $0.48 per month

Savings per bulb per month with LED = $2.75

Cost of LED bulb after rebate = $4 (at either North Star Electric Cooperative office)

If you know of any other energy-saving device that will pay for itself this quickly, please let North Star know about it and we will have it in a future Enlightener.

Energy saving comparison(Incandescent vs. LED light bulbs)

State law requires that every new electrical installation in any construction, remodeling, replacement or repair shall file a certificate for inspection and be inspected by a Minnesota electrical inspector. For more information, go to Minnesota Department of Labor and Industries website (dli.mn.gov) and go to the electrical page.

Current electrical inspectors

• Lake of the Woods, St. Louis and Koochiching counties: Curt Collier (cgcollier67@gmail.com) Phone: (218) 966-5070 Call to set up an appointment between 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. (Mon. thru Fri.)

• Roseau county: Bryan Holmes Phone: (218) 686-1413 Call to set up an appointment between 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. (Mon. thru Fri.)

Save money and energy in 2018

with energy efficiency rebates!

Sample 2018 Residential Electric Rebates for Members(Incentive shall not exceed 50 percent of project costs)

Please see the chart for a sample of

residential incentives. All incentives, criteria and

guidelines for resident and business members can be found at

www.northstarelectric.coop

or by calling

888-634-2202 All criteria are listed on the rebate form.

Equipment Specifications Rebate

LED Screw-In Bulb 40-60W equivalent incandescent. ENERGY STAR® recommended.

50% of the purchase price up to $4/bulb

LED Screw-In Bulb 65W or greater equivalent incandescent. ENERGY STAR recommended.

50% of the purchase price up to $8/bulb

LED Fixture Complete fixture or replacement kit. ENERGY STAR recommended.

50% of the purchase price up to $8/fixture

LED Outdoor Fixture

LED Outdoor Fixture Wattage of <40 Watts. Dusk to dawn operation required. DesignLights™ Consortium or ENERGY STAR recommended.

50% of the purchase price up to $20/fixture

LED Outdoor Fixture

LED Outdoor Fixture Wattage of >40 Watts. Dusk to dawn operation required. DesignLights™ Consortium or ENERGY STAR recommended.

50% of the purchase price up to $40/fixture

Clothes Washer Must be ENERGY STAR approved. $50/unit

Clothes Dryer Must be ENERGY STAR approved. $50/unit

Refrigerator or Freezer Must be ENERGY STAR approved. $25/unit

Electric Water Heater

Minimum 80-gallon total capacity, EF >0.91. Must be controlled under the utility’s load management, also known as demand response, program.

$150/unit

Programmable Thermostat $25/unit

Tune-Up for Central AC Not valid on window AC units. Checklist on form must be completed with application. $25/unit

Tune-Up for Air-Source Heat Pump or Mini-Split Ductless Air-Source Heat Pump

Checklist on form must be completed with application. $25/unit

Supplemental Heating Source Air-Source Heat Pump

Must modulate to allow ENERGY STAR-rated Air-Source Heat Pump to operate down to 5º F and be on load control.

$500/unit

Air-Source Heat Pump 16 SEER or less $200/ton

Air-Source Heat Pump 17 SEER or greater $400/ton

Furnace (Air Handler) with ECM Blower Furnace with an ECM Blower $100/unit

Mini-Split/Ductless Air-Source Heat Pump

16 SEER or less17 SEER or greater

$200/ton$400/ton

Ground-Source Heat Pump Open Loop <135,000 BTUH @ 59º F

16.2 EER/3.6 COPMaximum incentive $2,500/home $200/ton

Ground-Source Heat Pump Closed Loop <135,000 BTUH @ 77º F

14.1 EER/3.3 COPMaximum incentive $5,000/home $400/ton