monuments, museums and ‘all the bacon you can eat...

JULY 2016

• Annual meeting highlights• Safety training saves lives• Solar project update

JULY 2016 INSIDE

Monuments, museums and ‘all the bacon you can eat’: WHY WE YOUTH TOURHobie Bear, Montpelier, represented Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative on the Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Every June, North Dakota’s rural electric cooperatives send about 15 students to Washington D.C. The students join 1,600 students from around the country to learn about history, leadership and cooperatives.

www.dakotavalley.com DAKOTA VALLEY ELECTRIC NEWS , JULY 2016 C1

Rural electric cooperatives sent their best and brightest young people to our nation’s capital in June. It’s called the Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Every year, about

1,500 high school students visit Washington, D.C., as part of the Youth Tour experience.

Those students visit the veterans memorials, Newseum, Mount Vernon, the Holocaust Museum and other landmarks. They meet legislators and shake hands with local leaders working in Washington, D.C. They also make friends, build character and better their leadership skills. Most importantly, all meals are included. That’s why one former attendee joked that one of the best aspects of his Youth Tour was the hotel breakfast and its endless supply of processed meat.

WHY WE YOUTH TOUR Every year, North Dakota sends about 15 students to Washington, D.C., as part of the Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The 15 North Dakota representatives include, front, from left, Cassidy Schafer, McLean Electric Cooperative; Jessica Rosencrans, Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative; McKenzie Walters, Roughrider Electric Cooperative; second row, from left: Kyle Zimmerman, KEM Electric Cooperative; Riley Abrahamson, Slope Electric Cooperative; Madison Fritz, Capital Electric Cooperative; April Peterson, Cass County Electric Cooperative; Caitlyn Becker, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative; Kirstine Baker, North Central Electric Cooperative; back row, from left: Britton Bina, Nodak Electric Cooperative; Karena Verbitsky, Verendrye Electric Cooperative; Anne Johnson, Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative; Brad Schlitz, Cass County Electric Cooperative; Morgan Ziesch, Northern Plains Electric Cooperative; Hobie Bear,Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative.

C2 JULY 2016 , DAKOTA VALLEY ELECTRIC NEWS www.dakotavalley.com

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Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

Top 4 reasons to Youth Tour1). All-expense-paid travelRural electric cooperatives foot the

bill for all transportation, meals and lodging during the seven-day stay. You can see the country on someone else’s dime.

2). Bask in the big cityIf your electricity comes from a

rural electric cooperative, there’s a good chance you come from a three-stoplight (or so) town. Rural roots are a beautiful thing. Share that beauty with big city, and let the big city share its beauty with you.

3). Cooperatives are coolNo matter where you live, co-ops

touch you. Surprised? If so, you’re not alone. Small groups of people built co-ops when big investors wouldn’t. Today, co-ops provide electricity, sure. They also provide financing, information, farm supplies, sporting equipment and farm-to-table foods. One day, you may work with, for or on the board of one of the co-ops in your area. This is an opportunity to learn more about this essential business model and its effect on your community.

4). Build relationships, and resumesThe students on this trip are your

state’s future business and civic leaders. Now is the time to get to know one another. Put your heads together and see how you can make the world better. n

Katie Ryan-Anderson is the manager of member communications for Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative. As a chaperone for the 2016 Youth Tour, she shared the students’ experiences through social media. See more:

• Facebook.com/dakotavalleyelectric

• Facebook.com/northernplainselectric

• Twitter: @DakValElectric• Twitter: @NplainsElectric• Basin blog: https://basinelectric.

wordpress.com/




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Membership re-elects Rasmussen, Paulson, FuherMore than 300 attend annual meeting in Edgeley

Bounce houses, bucket truck rides, cra� show and a complimentary meal – it was

all free and for Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative members at the co-op’s annual meeting in June.

Members, not shareholders, own Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative. That’s why the membership gets to select its leadership. Members re-elected Arden Fuher, Kim Rasmussen and Dave Paulson to its nine-member board. Fuher, of Edgeley, has served on the board since1986. Rasmussen, of Havana, was first elected to the board in 2004. And Paulson, Hankinson, was first elected in 2013.

One of the biggest issues the board faces is rates. Keeping electricity affordable and reliable is a challenge with which co-ops across the country struggle. Adding to that challenge is the Clean Power Plan.

The Clean Power Plan aims to cut carbon emissions 32 percent nationwide by 2030. In order to accomplish this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set carbon emission reduction targets for every state. Of all the states, North Dakota is one of the hardest hit. North Dakota is required to cut its emissions by 45 percent.

“We have long acknowledged that we are moving to a carbon-constrained

future,” said Paul Sukut, Basin Electric Power Cooperative CEO. “Over the last decade, we’ve added close to 1,000 megawatts of wind generation to our

Lisa Heinert, right, registers Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative members at the co-op’s annual meeting June 9.

Power lineman Jon Coleman holds his grandson, Carter, at the co-op’s annual meeting in Edgeley. Coleman gave bucket truck rides to some of the meeting’s youngest attendees.




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system, invested more than $1 billion in natural gas resources and have invested more than $1.5 billion in emissions control technology to make our already clean generation fleet even cleaner. Sadly, the Clean Power Plan gives us no credit for the initiatives we’ve undertaken.”

The future is unknown when it comes to electrical generation. In the meantime, Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative is studying alternative ways to generate electricity. One of them is through solar.

Thirteen months ago, the co-op installed a small solar system in Carrington. That system is capable of producing 10,000 kilowatt-hours per year. That’s almost as much as an average American home. In the 13 months since the system went online, the system has generated more than eight megawatts of power. That’s the equivalent of about $1,000 worth of electricity.

“The cleanest kilowatt, however, is one that’s never used. A decrease in demand means co-ops don’t need to build new, expensive generation facilities,” said DVEC board president, Richard Schlosser.

In addition to a clean environment, Dakota Valley is also committed to its community. The co-op is one of the state’s leaders in terms of implementing economic development projects. Since 1992, the co-op has facilitated more than $9.8 million in low-interest loans to 43 small businesses and communities in the service area. Some of those projects include the city shop in Edgeley, the hardware and grocery stores in LaMoure and the Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative.

With the help of the Kulm Café and Edgeley Lions, the co-op also served a complimentary supper. The Kulm Community Band provided entertainment. Edgeley Ambulance offered complimentary blood pressure checks.

For more information, call 1-800-342-4671 or visit www.dakotavalley.com. n

More than 300 people attended Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting June 9. Among them was Bob Grant, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperative’s board president and Josh Kramer. NDAREC recently named Kramer its new CEO.

Nearly 20 vendors from the LaMoure County area sold their products, raised money and generated awareness about their business. Among them was the LaMoure County Relay for Life. Pictured from left are: Gracie Syversen, Nicki Wiederrich, Bridget Syversen, and Natalee Syversen.

Director Connie Bitz, right, and her husband Jim, LaMoure, applaud at Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting in Edgeley.




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Anderson, David..................................BismarckAnderson, Donald ...............................WahpetonAvco Financial Services......................FargoBauer, Rodger .......................................OakesBauman, William.................................LidgerwoodBehms Propane Inc. ............................MinotBobzien, Steven & Connie ................Aberdeen, S.D.Brady, Thomas......................................NapoleonBrandt, Deborah ..................................WahpetonBrandt, Troy ..........................................GwinnerBrenner,Ronda .....................................MilnorBruner, Douglas & Sandra Apache

Junction, Ariz.Byron Reed Company ........................Omaha, Neb.Cammarata, James & Michelle ........SanbornCarlson, Sharon ....................................Mellette, S.D.Carter, Roger & Judy ...........................WahpetonChuck’s Propane Sales & Service .....OakesColeman, Julie ......................................WahpetonCordite Inc. ............................................Canada Cornell, Beth .........................................West FargoCox, William .........................................FargoDanielson, Donald ..............................JamestownDenning, Carl .......................................AshleyDonovan, Mrs. George ......................FargoDunlap, Kevin .......................................AlfredEly, Douglas & Susan ..........................JamestownEngebretson, Lucille ............................MayvilleErbele, George ......................................Modesto, Calif.Feist ,Patrick & Paul Plath .................BismarckFelt, Raney & Laurie............................JamestownFraser, Gerald ........................................Loretto, Minn.Frederickson, Larry & Elaine ...........BismarckGarman, Martin ...................................Herreid, S.D.Gentz, Lenora M. .................................EllendaleGilley, Robert L. ....................................Boone, Colo.Goldade, Stanley & Connie ..............Aberdeen, S.D.Green, Ben .............................................FairmountGums, Phyllis ........................................Long Lake, S.D.Haakenson, Adella J. ...........................Tullahoma, Tenn.Hanson, Florence .................................FargoHarriman, Tim & Robin....................TappenHarrison, Western Corp. ...................Denver, Colo.Haws, Roni ............................................LaMoureHayen, Alphonse .................................CogswellHrdlicka, Mark .....................................HarwoodHuwe, Jeff ...............................................ColumbusJacobson, Jeffrey & Lynette ...............GackleJacobson, Siiri ........................................Vancouver, Wash.Jamestown Implement Ag Service ..FargoJob, Clayton & Sue ...............................JamestownJohnson, E.F. Company......................Fargo

Johnson, Gregory .................................GwinnerKing, Kelly .............................................OakesKnipe, Charles ......................................EllendaleKrueger, Bertha ....................................KulmLauer, Bill & Tracy ...............................GwinnerLawrence, William ..............................GeneseoLechner, Tom & Kristi ........................Bath, S.D.Leupp, Ronald & Mary ......................Aurora, Colo.Lickfelt, Vince .......................................ForbesLindgren, Harold .................................Choteau, Mont.Loeks, Darryl ........................................ Moorhead, Minn.Marlen, Phil ...........................................Tampa, Fla.Martin, Gladys ......................................JamestownMartinson, Michael .............................Galva, Ill.Mathieson-Nelson, Judith .................Sedona, Ariz.Matous, Leann ......................................St. Paul, Minn.Mayer, Herb & Cleo ............................Denver, Colo.McFarland, Jeff .....................................EllendaleMedenwald, Alice ................................FargoMeier, Andrew S. & Christel .............CourtenayMellum, Anna ......................................JamestownMetro Sales ............................................WahpetonMetropolitan Federal ..........................FargoMeyers, Melinda ..................................BismarckMidwest Federal Savings Bank ........OakesMillage, Robert Jr. & Beth..................Vermillion, S.D.Miller, Chris ..........................................BismarckMiller, Gail & Olivia ............................San Carlos, Calif.Moore, Harley .......................................LaMoureMorgan, Jerry ........................................GackleMotorola Inc .......................................... Schaumburg, Ill.Muellenberg, Dale ...............................LisbonNelson, John T. .....................................McLeodNelson, Ralph .......................................LaMoureNelson, Robert & Georgie .................JamestownNelson, Robert W.................................JamestownNyman, Thomas ..................................EllendaleOdegard, Corey ....................................DelamereOlson, John W.......................................Aberdeen, S.D.Olson, Lois .............................................FargoOsier, Jay .................................................TaylorPederson, Bert ......................................Phoenix, Ariz.Peterson, Dan .......................................WahpetonPeterson, Donald P. .............................Rosholt, S.D.Pherson, Brian & Rebecca .................Fort Collins, Colo.Quam, Alice ..........................................LidgerwoodQuam, Everett .......................................LidgerwoodQuestar Telecom Inc. ..........................Fife, Wash.Reece, Beatrice ......................................OriskaRemboldt, Craig ...................................FargoRetzlaff, Ardell Jr. .................................WahpetonRichards, Ron .......................................Ellendale

Ricker, Darryl & Laura .......................Phoenix, Ariz.Riepple, Lee & Ronda .........................Morris, Minn.Rowan, Cindy .......................................Fairmount, Minn.Rowan, Jeff .............................................McLeodRude, Leo ...............................................JamestownSandahl, Kevin ......................................Lisbon Schaunaman, Kristine ........................Aberdeen, S.D.Schaunaman, Lee & Christiana .......Warner, S.D.Schmahl, Robert ..................................Osmon, Neb.Schmitz, Charles B. & Bonnie ..........JamestownSchultz, Glen .........................................Kanawha, IowaSchultz, Jim & Kari ..............................EllendaleSchumacher, Donavon & Darin

Johnson .............................................FargoSchweigert, Anna .................................JamestownSherman, Albert ...................................Valley CitySiemieniewski, Gerald ........................WahpetonSire, Keith ...............................................FargoSmith, Elmer E. & Inez .......................OakesSmith, James ..........................................HankinsonSplickan, L. .............................................EdgeleySteel, John & Rhoda ............................HankinsonSterner, Ellen .........................................OakesStrutz, Steve ...........................................Thief River Falls, Minn.Sundlie, Allen ........................................FormanSwanson, Lloyd C. ...............................Hugo, Minn.Swift, Joel ................................................SheldonTarbell, David & Delores ...................JamestownTemanson, Jerry ...................................MonangoThiele, Eldon .........................................WahpetonTilus, Mike .............................................JamestownToyne, Gary ...........................................Hiawatha, IowaToyne, Sharon .......................................HarveyTreeby, Cameron ..................................Aurora, Colo.Triple H Dairy Inc ...............................EllendaleTrollope Lynne & Connie..................DickinsonVerke Arleigh ........................................MilnorVision Energy ND Inc ........................OakesWason Sunil & Sudir ..........................JamestownWawers, Gloria .....................................Stephenville, TexasWeixel, Robert Sr .................................JamestownWelch, Dean ..........................................HankinsonWellman, Gregory ...............................EllendaleWolf, Oscar & Erma ............................Twin Brooks, S.D.

Capital credit claims Notice of redemption by Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative

Listed below are the names of former Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative members who had capital credit checks mailed to them in 2009. These checks have not been cashed. Some have been returned by the postal service because it did not have a current address. If your name is on this list, or if you know the whereabouts of members on this list, please contact our office at 1-800-342-4671.

Some of the capital credits are not large. However, Dakota Valley would like to get the money to the people who have earned it. Dakota Valley will redeem capital credits for the members on this list who notify the co-op before Nov. 1, 2016. Notice is hereby given that after Nov. 1, 2016, any unclaimed capital credits outstanding will be forfeited pursuant to Section 10-15-34.1 and 10-15-23 of the North Dakota Century Code.




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Safety training saves lives16 DVEC lineworkers learn rescue techniques

In June 2008, the Stabroek News in Guyana reported an electric lineworker became stranded

on a pole when the support he was standing on gave way and wires began sparking. His thighs and lower right leg were burnt, and he was rendered unconscious. He hung limply in his safety belt, until one of his co-workers performed a pole-top rescue and lowered him to the ground.

Power lineworkers frequently find themselves in dangerous work environments. Danger lurks high above the ground and below it. Having a solid understanding of what it takes to get out of these difficult spots is wise.

One of the ways lineworkers practice staying safe is through their annual pole-top rescue training. In it, the lineworkers “rescue” a mannequin that is stuck on a power pole. The exercise requires strength, dexterity and a commitment to safety.

“If a lineman were to get shocked on a pole and become unconscious, our line crews need to know how to safely get that person to the ground. It doesn’t happen often, thankfully, but we

prepare in case it does,” said Assistant Operations Manager Danny Schuchard.

The injured lineworker was wearing the necessary personal protective gear, and thankfully he survived.

Accidents like this are not common, but they do happen. Lineworkers can also be stranded on a pole if they experience heat stroke, a heart attack or other condition that disables them and prevents them from climbing down. That’s why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires lineworkers to receive pole-top safety training on an annual basis.

Dakota Valley Electric lineworkers receive this refresher course from safety instructors with the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC). During this year’s training, held June 1-2 in Edgeley and Milnor, each lineworker had to climb a pole, secure a rope around the waist of a 200-pound mannequin and lower the “body” to the ground.

Staying on top of safety and regularly reviewing what they already know can make the difference between life and death.

Thanks to regular safety training sessions including pole-top rescue, Dakota Valley Electric’s lineworkers are better equipped to react quickly and efficiently, and hopefully bring their co-worker and friend home safely to his family, should an accident ever occur.

For more information, call 1-800-342-4671.

Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative wins award

Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative recently received recognition in the 2016 “Spotlight on Excellence” national awards program. � e Council of Rural Electric Communicators and the National Rural

Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) sponsors the awards. DVEC received the silver award for Total Communications Program. � e co-op won the award for its Cooperative Month Can and Coat Drive. With the help of students from Edgeley and Montpelier, as well as members across the service area, Dakota Valley, and its sister co-op, Northern Plains, gathered more than 800 winter apparel items for families in need. � e co-op also gathered nonperishable food items to donate to local food pantries.

The annual Spotlight on Excellence Awards competition recognizes the top-rated communication and marketing efforts by electric cooperatives and related organizations. Electric cooperative communicators and marketing professionals submitted more than 730 entries in the Spotlight on Excellence program, now in its 28th year. n

Montpelier and Edgeley students helped collect nonperishable food and winter apparel items as part of the 2015 Cooperative Month Can & Coat Drive. The drive won a national award from the Council of Rural Electric Communicators.

Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative’s 16 lineworkers practiced pole-top rescue safety training in June. The annual training teaches linemen what to do if a fellow lineworker becomes injured on the job.




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[email protected]

800-342-4671Edgeley O� ce:7296 HWY 281, Edgeley, ND 58433

Milnor O� ce:14051 HWY 13, Milnor, ND 58060

OFFICE HOURS:Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

BOARD & MANAGEMENT:Richard Schlosser, President .............. Edgeley

Arden Fuher, Vice President .............. Edgeley

John Hauschild, Treasurer ..............Wahpeton

Connie Bitz, Secretary ......................LaMoure

Richard Johnson ................................Cogswell

Kim Rasmussen ....................................Havana

Dave Paulson .................................. Hankinson

Matt � ompson ............................. Wyndmere

Blaine Lundgren ...................................... Kulm

General Manager ....................... Bruce Garber

Manager of Engineering ...........Seth Syverson

IT Manager ............................. Scott Buchholtz

Operations Manager .................. Craig Rysavy

Business Manager ...........................Kelly Wald

Sta� Assistant ...........................Michelle BerryDakota Valley

Services Manager .......................... Pat Scha� erDakota Valley

News Editor ..................Katie Ryan-Anderson

ELECTRIC WIRING, PLUMBING& HEATING SERVICES:

Dakota Valley Services–Edgeley800-726-8056 or 701-493-2283

[email protected]

800 342 4671

7296 HWY 281, Edgeley, ND 58433

14051 HWY 13, Milnor, ND 58060

OFFICE HOURS:Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

BOARD & MANAGEMENT:Richard Schlosser, President...........................EdgeleyArden Fuher, Vice President .............................EdgeleyJohn Hauschild, Treasurer ............................WahpetonConnie Bitz, Secretary....................................LaMoureRichard Johnson.............................................CogswellKim Rasmussen...............................................HavanaDave Paulson...............................................HankinsonMatt Thompson............................................WyndmereBlaine Lundgren...................................................Kulm

General Manager ....................................Jay JacobsonManager of Engineering........................Seth SyversonIT Manager...........................................Scott BuchholtzOperations Manager ................................Craig Rysavy

Staff Assistant........................................Michelle BerryDakota Valley Services Manager................Pat SchafferDakota Valley News Editor...........Katie Ryan-Anderson

ELECTRIC WIRING, PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES:Dakota Valley Services - Edgeley800 726 8056 or 701 493 2283

NOW THROUGH OCT. 31 WAYS TO GIVE2

As a co-op, Dakota Valley Electric is committed to community. That’s one of our principles. In celebration, we’re conducting a Can & Coat Drive through Oct. 31. Anyone willing to contribute may drop donations off at headquarter offices in Milnor or Ed-geley. Offices are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Questions? 1-800-342-4671.

Help celebrate Co-op Month!Total Energy Generated (kWh) 2015-16MAYMAYMAYMAYMAY JUN JULJULJUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

kWhkWhkWhkWh 530530 961961961 1,0651,065 1,019 861 607 413 101

$$$ $57.61$57.61 $104.46$104.46$104.46$104.46$104.46 $115.77$115.77 $110.77 $93.59 $65.98 $44.89 $10.98

JANJANJAN FEBFEB MAR APR MAY JUN (as of 6-7) TOTAL

kWhkWhkWh 325325325325 484 831 821 975 201 9,325

$ $35.33 $52.61 $90.33 $89.24 $105.98 $21.85 $1,013.63

BEWAREBEWAREof dangers above.

Your LIFE depends on it.

Look up and around for power lines.


monuments, museums and ‘all the bacon you can eat...

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