Chimney Rock News

Choice is Local Control www.crppd.com October, 2016

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Manager Memos -by Diana Reich

Energy Efficiency Credits

Energy Efficiency Credits are available on electric motors, electric heating, electric hot water heaters, Energy Star appliances and LED lights. Efficiency Cred-its are available on new installa-tions only.

Certain standards of efficiency must be met to qualify depending on the type of electric equipment installed.

Some of the credits from Tri–State G & T are:*Electric water heaters - $50 - $100/unit*Heat pumps $125 - $150/ton*Electric motors 10-500 hp $8/hp*2 Ton or larger Energy Star air conditioners-$100-$150/unit*Energy Star Appliances (refrig, clothes or dish washer) $30-$40*LED lights - lesser of 1/2 cost of lights or $10 per lamp

Chimney Rock also contributes to some of the credit.

Please contact our office for infor-mation on requirements and credit amounts at 586-1824.

Let us help pay for your new elec-tric appliances and motors. Safe – Efficient – Electric

Dear Consumer,

In September one of the directors, Larry Fiscus, and Iattended the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Associa-tion, Inc. (Tri-State) board meeting. At Tri-State’s August board meeting it was announced that Tri-State staff recommended a 6.78% rate increase for 2017 in order to cover the budget and meet financial obligations. Tri-State’s member systems, including Chimney Rock, sent letters to Tri-State requesting they look at additional methods to reduce the rate increase or have a zero rate increase.

The Tri-State board was to approve the capital budget, operating budget and rate increase at the September board meeting. The Tri-State board approved the capital budget as presented. When it came time to approve the operating budget, Tri-State’s General Manager, Mike McInnes, recommended additional steps to reduce the rate increase. The board approved the operating budget with the recommendations of the General Manager.

The end result with the recommended steps to reduce the rate increase is an average rate increase for 2017 of 4.23% instead of 6.78%. This was approved by the Tri-State board.

I have sent this information to our engineer so he can look at our rates. We understand we are in a depressed economy right now and that commodity prices for the farmers and ranchers are at low levels. We will do what we can to keep a rate increase, if any, at a minimum as long as we can continue to meet our financial obligations.

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Public Power Week is October 2nd-8th

Chimney Rock PPD is proud to celebrate Public Power Week, along with more than 2,000 other community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 48 million Americans. Public Power Week is marked the first week each October throughout the United States.

Public power has a long track record of success in Nebraska regarding providing competitive, reliable electricity and allowing residents a local voice in how their rural electric utility operates.

Chimney Rock PPD is proud to serve our fellow residents, ensuring residents and business owners receive excellent customer service as we strive to continue to provide safe, reliable electric service throughout the year.

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Pumpkin Caramel Cream Cheese Poke

Cake

1 box, spice cake mix1 cup canned pumpkin1 cup water3 eggs1/2 cup vegetable oil3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping, divided1 (8 oz) pkg, cream cheese2 Tbsp. milk1 cup powdered sugar1 1/2 cup whipped topping

Pre-heat oven to 350.Mix together the cake mix, pumpkin, water, eggs and oil until smooth. Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 for 30-33 minutes. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, while it is hot, poke holes into the cake with the end of a wood spoon. Heat up caramel sauce for about 20-30 seconds in the microwave. Pour 1/2 cup warm caramel sauce over the top of the hot cake, making sure the sauce gets into the holes. Let cake cool. When cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Spread frosting over cake.Drizzle remaining carmel over top for a decorative effect.

Employees Attend Nebraska State Fair

The Nebraska State Fair was held August 26th through September 5th at Fonner Park in Grand Island. The Nebraska Power Association had a booth, employees Shauna Abbott and Kande Zuber helped man the booth. Several activities were in the booth such as a power line safety demonstration, lineman rodeo competition for the youth, solar demonstrations, educational displays and a Call Before You Dig display.

Two of our linemen, Chris Cox and Justin McAllister, competed in the Nebraska Lineworkers Rodeo held on August the 27th. The two linemen competed in four events with 10 other teams from across the state. The four events were: Down Primary, this event simulated a single phase primary line burned in two laying on the ground. Teams had to repair the wire and sag it back into the dead-end shoe. Single Phase Deadend Transfer, teams had to transfer wires from one single phase dead end pole to a new pole spaced 2 feet apart. Hurtman Rescue, a 180 pound dummy, who was simulated as injured, was placed at the top of a pole. The dummy had to be safely lowered to the ground using ahandline. Three Phase Cross Arm Change Out, in this com-petition the teams had to untie primary line from the old cross arm, lower it to the ground, raise it up to a new cross arm, and retie wires on the new cross arm.

CRPPD would like to congratulate Chris and Justin. They did an excellent job in the competition, receiving perfect scores on each event, 5th overall and third in the Hurtman Rescue competition.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

An average household dedicates about 4% of its energy budget to lighting. Switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. By replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with models that have earned the Energy Star rating, you can save $75 each year. Source: energy.gov

Useful Life of LEDs The illumination level of an LED becomes less with age, but will continue to operate even after its lumen output has decreased to very low levels. Experts say when light output drops to 70% consider replacing the bulb. For an LED, this “lumen depreciation” will occur faster as the bulb is subjected to high temperatures. Without a light meter, consumers will likely leave bulbs in place until the decreased illumination becomes an issue. One way to test your light output is by keeping a new LED on-hand as a “test bulb” to judge the difference between old and new.

How Does Geothermal Heat Pumps Work? There are two basic types of heat pump technology-air source and ground source. In an air source heat pump, the equipment uses the outside air to provide the means for heating and cooling your home. A ground source heat pump uses the earth. Once you get around four feet below the surface, the temperature of the ground stays a reasonably constant 50-55 degrees year-round. Ground source heat pumps use this temperature difference to heat and cool. These systems need some sort of heat exchanger installed underground, filled with a fluid. The equipment at the house itself resembles a typical HVAC system. It uses pumps and compressors to move the fluid through pipes inside the house and in the ground where it picks up or give off heat. This is a rather simple process, using a fluid to move heat from one place to another. Air source heat pumps take advantage of very small differences in temperature using the proper compressor and refrigerant mix. The air source heat pump moves heat from one spot to another. The difference is that the medium to exchange heat is the outside air, rather than the ground. Both air source and ground source heat pumps use refrigerant to capture the heat and carry it to where it is exchanged-either in the ground or using the outside air.

Chimney RockPublic Power District

128 W 8th St.P O Box 608

Bayard, NE 69334

Board of Directors

PresidentGary Kniss

Vice–PresidentKevin Stuart

Secretary/TreasurerRichard Kildow

Larry Fiscus

Travis Petersen

Stan Propp

StaffShauna AbbottChris CoxTina DouglasAlvin HarimonRon HubbardDJ KearnsJustin McAllisterScot OuderkirkDiana ReichBrandon WyckoffKande Zuber

During normal office hours and after hours call:(308) 586–1824 or(877) 773–6300

This institution is an equal oppor-tunity provider and employer.

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