July 2008
Thinking of Our Energy Future
We were very pleased at the great turnout at our Annual Meeting June 12 at Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument. Approximately 515 people attended the Thursday evening meeting and enjoyed a great meal by Troy 's Specialties and the wonderful singing of Woody Woodworth. I was very surprised at the large number of members who were attending the meeting for the first time. It is great to see people taking an interest in their cooperative.
Towards the end of the meeting, we have a question and answer session for our members. Usually this lasts around 20 minutes. This year, board president Joe Martin and I answered questions for approximately 45 minutes. The meeting ran over a bit, but we were very happy with the feedback our members were giving us.
One of the requests we had was to publish questions and answers from the meeting in this magazine. Since many of the questions addressed the same subject, we have capsulated them for you.
1. “When will you update your list of incentives in the DSIRE (Data Base of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency) database?" The last list of rebates that is on this site is from July of 2005. DSIRE generally checks its own information to see if it is current each year during the summer. We have notified them that we have new information on our website and they are updating. But, I encourage you to go to the MVEA website to get the current information.
2. “What is MVEA's management's position on customer solar and wind energy incentives – do you favor them?” At this time, MVEA does not offer rebates on the installation of renewable generation. The board of directors has discussed this issue and is considering partnering with the Governor's Energy Office.
3. “What is the status of LEDs (light emitting diodes) concerning cost, availability, savings, etc.?”) LEDs are currently more expensive than conventional lighting technologies. MVEA encourages you to replace your old Christmas lights with the new LED lights to save yourself some money and energy. We are also researching the possibility of using LED street lights. Tri-State has partnered with the town of Holly to replace their street lights destroyed in the tornado with the LED lights. We will be following that application and technology to see how successful it is. LED lighting is a very interesting topic and one that MVEA is currently examining.
4. “What is the status of the coal plant in Kansas ?” Currently the Holcomb plant has been postponed indefinitely. On May 1, the Kansas House of Representatives was four votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the governor's veto by an 80-45 vote. Even though this plant would be among the cleanest and most efficient coal plants in the nation, the Kansas governor is still concerned about carbon emissions. Lawsuits filed in the Kansas Court of Appeals have been transferred to the Kansas Supreme court. Sunflower Electric and Kansas electric cooperatives argue that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the secretary had no authority under the law to deny the Holcomb Station expansion an air permit. It will be interesting to see what develops with this project. We are nearing our generation capacity in this region and any new generation requires a 3 – 7 year lead time for construction.
5. “Your balance sheet shows a 40 percent increase in margin dollars and only 10 percent increase in revenues.” The reason for the 40 percent increase in total margins is due to the capital credit allocation from our power supplier, Tri-State G&T. The G&T allocation doubled from 2006 to 2007. This is a booked transaction recognizing the allocation; however, no cash payment was involved.
6. “We are paying more for our power, but how much of the extra we pay is subsidizing new developments?” In September, 2004, the Board of Directors approved a process to reduce construction allowances to zero by January 2007. Currently, all of the construction costs for new services are paid for in advance. This includes all services from single dwellings to multi-lot sub-divisions. This reduces the impact of growth for existing members.
7. “Why does MVEA not pay equal amount for power generated by residents – like Colorado Springs ?” Starting in August 2008, MVEA will be offering net metering in compliance with House Bill 08-1160.
I am very pleased that our membership is taking such an active interest in our cooperative and I hope you will continue to keep energy efficiency in mind in the future. It is our energy and our future and your cooperative.
Two MVEA Board of Directors Retire
Two Mountain View Electric Association directors felt it was time to relinquish their seats on the Board of Directors. It was difficult decision for both of these directors and a loss for the cooperative of two very dedicated and knowledgeable individuals.
Naomi Malcom joined the MVEA board of directors when she was in her twenties and expecting her first child. That was in 1977 and at the time there were very few women that served on electric cooperative boards not only in Colorado, but across the nation. She is one of the longest serving women directors in the state. With the whole-hearted support of her husband, Terry, Naomi stepped up to the challenge of serving on the board. Taking courses through NRECA and the CREA, Naomi worked very hard to learn the in's and out's of the electric distribution business. Says Naomi, “It was like getting a business and financial degree.”
Born and raised near Agate, Colorado , Naomi's father Walt Butler, was one of the original members of MVEA and served on the nominating committees for many years. Her parents were ranchers and farmers and Naomi, after graduating from college and marrying her high school sweetheart, Terry, followed that tradition farming and ranching in the same area. The couple has three children and two grandchildren.
Besides working on the ranch with her husband, being a mother and homemaker and serving on the board of directors, Naomi somehow found time to be an occupational therapist serving 21 school districts from Bennett to Burlington. In 1991, she left the school district and started a therapy clinic at the Lincoln Community Hospital were she continued working for 14 years until retiring.
Being a very spiritual person, Naomi felt that God called her to take a new direction in her life and is currently working with Safe Harbor, A Christian based women's resource center. One of the reason's Naomi is leaving the board is to have more time to devote to this very worthy endeavor. “Leaving the board is very difficult, but I am being called to another mission,” said Naomi. “I have always appreciated working with the men on the board and staff and they have always been gentlemen. They truly made me feel like an important part of the board.”
During her tenure, Naomi served as the secretary/treasurer of the MVEA board for the past 17 years and MVEA's representative to Western United Supply for 21 years. She also served as president for that organization. Naomi said about husband Terry, “Through all of these years, he has supported me in my work on the board. I want him to know how much I appreciated that.”
Our second board member to retire at the end of his term is Duane Steinke. Born in Hope, ND, he moved with his family to Bemidji, MN at a very young age. Seeing pictures of airplanes on the package of Wing Cigarettes that his dad smoked, Duane decided he wanted to be an aviator as a young child and never lost that vision. He attended the Minnesota State Teachers College, where he met his wife, Kathy, and then went on to Aviator school where he graduated in 16 months and was commissioned as a 2 nd Lieutenant. Included in his tours of duty were Japan and Vietnam.
Duane, Kathy and their three children moved to Monument in 1974 from Langley AFB, Virginia after Duane retired as a Lt. Colonel from the Air Force. What is interesting to note, unlike the majority of families that retire to the Monument area, the Steinke's had never lived in Colorado. Kathy had visited with a church youth group from Minnesota as a student and fell in love with area. Duane and Kathy later visited the Monument area, liked what they saw and decided they would one day retire there.
Duane went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in 1975. During this time, they built a home in Arrowwood. He had a medical retirement in 1981, but worked from 1982-88 as a part-time rural route carrier in Monument.
Duane served on the MVEA board since 1983 and was president from 1988-1994. Says Duane, “It was a hard decision to leave the board, but I feel it is time. The greatest satisfaction I had while serving on the board was working to meet the needs of the membership in a rapidly growing environment.” He also stated, “One of the best things about the MVEA board is that no matter how we may disagree on a subject, once a decision is made, everyone on the board supports that decision.”
When one considers that these two directors have 56 years of board experience between them, you realize just how much MVEA will miss them when they retire. They have helped guide this cooperative from being 80 percent rural to 80 percent urban in membership. They have strived to keep themselves informed on not only the financial aspects of this business, but also the many changes in technology that have occurred oer the years, while always staying abreast of our members' needs. They have done an excellent job representing the membership over the years and the cooperative will miss their knowledge and their presence on the board. MVEA thanks them for their many years of dedicated service and the membership wishes them the very best in their future endeavors.
More Scholarship Winners
Last month we introduced the first half of our scholarship winners. Here are the rest! Congratulations to all of these students and we wish them the very best in their studies and future.
Cassidy Woodard is the winner of the $1,000 E.A. “Mick” Geesen Memorial Scholarship. She is a graduate of Calhan High School and daughter of Rodger and Patty Woodard of Calhan. She was a member of the National Honor Society, FBLA, Student Council and lettered in Volleyball. Cassidy has also been very active in 4-H and competed at the state level. She plans to major in business.
Kathryn Horner is the recipient of the $1,000 Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Teresa Horner of Elbert and a graduate of Falcon High School. Kathryn was a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, Link Crew, cheerleading team and a baseball manager. She plans on majoring in Chemistry.
Theron Doig will receive a $1,000 MVEA Vocational Technical Scholarship. Theron is the son of Marc Doig and Teresa Salash. He is a graduate of Lewis-Palmer High School. He plans to earn his automotive associates degree from Pikes Peak Community College .
Carolyn Larsen is the recipient of a $500 Tri-State G&T Scholarship. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Cynthia Larsen of Colorado Springs and a Rampart High School graduate. Carolyn was a member of the National Honor Society, the International Thespians Society, a Girls State delegate and on the varsity swimming and dive team. She will be attending the University of Northern Colorado and majoring in Spanish and theatre.
Phillip Crews will also receive a $500 Tri-State G&T Scholarship. He is the son of Michael and Suzanne Crews of Colorado Springs and a graduate of Rampart High School. Phillip was a member of the Aviation Club and Swing Dance Club. He is attending Colorado State University and majoring in English.
Thomas Cummings will receive a $1000 MVEA Scholarship. He is a graduate of Limon High School and son of Warren and Judith Cumming of Limon. He was a member of the football, track, wrestling and baseball team, competed in Knowledge Bowl and member of the Honor band. Thomas plans to major in mechanical engineering at Colorado State University.
Jessica James will receive a $1000 MVEA Scholarship. She is the daughter of Louis and Sabrina James of Eads and graduate of Karval High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, FFA and 4-H. Jessica plans to major in biology at Colorado State University.
Amy Tronnier is the recipient of a $1000 MVEA Scholarship and a graduate of Rampart High School . She is the daughter of Peter and Kelly Tronnier of Colorado Springs . She was a member of the National Honor Society, marching band, FBLA, Link Crew, varsity soccer team and a Girl's State Delegate. She plans to major in kinesiology at the University of Colorado – Boulder.
Shane Simpson will receive a $1000 MVEA Scholarship. He is the son of Scott and Suzie Simpson of Black Forest and a graduate of Falcon High School. He was a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC and the snowboarding club. He plans to major in chemical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.
Morgan Pinto is the recipient of a $1000 MVEA Scholarship and graduate of Lewis-Palmer High School. He is the son of Paul and JoAnn Pinto of Monument. He was a member of the wrestling and Lacrosse teams. He plans to major in biology at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs.
Colleen Pierce will receive a $1000 MVEA Scholarship. She is the daughter of Richard and Cherylyn Bennett of Pueblo and graduated from Hanover High School. She has been a class officer and on the Superintendent's Honor roll for four years. Colleen plans to major in psychology.
Chelsea LeSage will receive a $1000 MVEA Scholarship. She is the daughter of Keneth and Brenda LeSage of Colorado Springs and a graduate Lewis-Palmer High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Link, and the psychology club. She plans to attend the University of Colorado – Boulder and major in psychology.
MVEA's Annual Meeting Addresses Our Energy Future
Mountain View Electric Association held their 67 th Annual Meeting of Members on Thursday evening, July 12 at the Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument. Nearly 500 people attended the event that included a barbeque dinner, entertainment by local singer Woody Woodworth, cash door prizes and a business meeting that included an election of a new director to the MVEA board.
Rick Gordon, incumbent director for district 2, ran unopposed for his board seat and was elected by a unanimous vote of the members. The race for the District 7 seat was a contested election between Sam DeFelice, Gary Martin and Nils Trulsson, all from the Monument area. The incumbent director, Duane Steinke, stepped down from the District 7 position at the end of his current three-year term after serving for 25 years on the board. Martin won the election by approximately 188 votes over DeFelice with Trulsson coming in third.
In addition to a television, gift cards, vacuums and a multitude of $25 cash prizes, three members went home with enough money to buy gas for a few weeks. Lance Bakemeyer of Elbert won the grand prize of $500; Laurie Ligget of Colorado Springs won $300 and Richard Wellsley of Colorado Springs left $200 richer.
Board president Joseph Martin and general manager Jim Herron teamed up to give members an overview of the current energy situation in regards to electricity and a glimpse into the future. They urged members to take a proactive approach with their national representatives in finding solutions to future energy shortages and the problems of climate change. They suggested members contact their representatives to ask questions and to find a balanced approach to solve these problems. They suggested members go to the Our Energy, Our Future website at www.ourenergy.coop.
MVEA scholarship and Youth Tour winners were also introduced during the meeting. Dispersed through Operation Roundup and funded by the E.A. “Mick” Geesen Memorial Fund, 17 MVEA $1000 scholarships and a Mick Geesen Memorial scholarship were awarded to area students. Tri-State G&T awarded two $500 scholarships; Basin Power Cooperative presented one $1000 scholarship and MVEA gave a $1000 vocational/technical scholarship. In all, 22 children of MVEA members received $21,000 in scholarships.
The Annual Meeting is an important part of the cooperative. It is what sets MVEA apart from other electric providers. Mountain View is a not-for-profit electric utility owned and governed by its members.
Cruisin' on the Plains!
Cruise out to Limon on September 6 to the 18th Annual Hub City Classic Car Show for a close up look at some beautiful cars and motorcycles and a whole lotta fun. The streets will be lined with roadsters, coupes, street rods, antique cars and motorcycles for you to drool over and vote on.
The day will also be filled with activities for the entire family. Entertainment will be going on all day. You can participate in a poker run and a scavenger hunt, try your hand in the horseshoe tournament, visit vendors or just hang out in the beer garden and relax. We won't leave out activities for the kids.
For those who wish to enter a car, registration is from 8-10 a.m. at Oscar's Grill located on Highway 24. A car parade from Oscar's to the downtown site will start at 10 a.m. The prison guard color guard will also be on hand to kick things off.
For more information, call 719-740-0520 or at www.limonchamber.com . See ya there Daddy'o!
MVEA Breaks Ground for New Building
The MVEA board of directors held a ceremonial ground breaking for the new Operations Center in Falcon at their May board meeting. The two-story office building is definitely needed to relieve the overcrowding in the current facility, which was originally constructed in 1980, renovated and expanded in 1985 and again in 1999. Since 1995, the number of MVEA members has doubled and so the number of employees has grown to provide necessary services to our members. When conference rooms and closets are turned into offices, you know you have run out of space!
The MVEA board debated at length before deciding that the most efficient and cost-effective solution was to remain at the existing location, construct a new building for offices, and utilize the current structure for warehouse space and the line department. When the new facility is connected to the existing structure, the total footage will increase to 86,000 square feet. Construction on this project will be complete by the summer of 2009. For our members interested in renewable energy, the new facility will include a demonstration area for wind and solar generation.
As with any on-site project, some inconvenience is anticipated during the construction. MVEA will strive to keep this to a minimum. Construction should be complete by the summer of 2009.
Mark your calendar for the Touchstone Energy
Cook-offs
Exciting Summer Planned for Limon Heritage Museum
All aboard for an exciting summer at Limon's ever-changing Heritage Museum! Located in the heart of downtown Limon, the museum complex is gearing up for Limon's centennial in 2009. The 1910 train depot is currently being restored and hopes to open soon, the rest of the complex is bursting with new displays and experiences. The railroad cars – a western boxcar of saddles, a 1914 dining car and a Union Pacific caboose are just a few of the railroad displays. In the exhibit building you'll find new displays in the 1900 Gates Mercantile, 1930 prairie home and the “Short Grass Prairie” photo exhibit by award-winning author-photographer Stephen Jones. An unusual display of ‘Limon, 1909-2009 – Celebrating a Century of History” is being developed providing insight into the development of Colorado 's Hub City.
The 17th Annual Heritage Celebration is August 2 and will welcome Western Music Association's Female Performer of the Year, Liz Masterson for a concert at 3 p.m. Among the events this year will be buffalo from Prairie Ridge buffalo company, a quilt show, historic tour of Pershing Cemetery, a youth musical, petting farm, antique machinery, cowboy lunch and the famous homemade pie sale on the rail dining car, just to mention a few. The museum has been called an “unexpected treasure” by visitors from around the world. Operating hours are Monday-Saturday, 1-8 p.m. and always free. So come on out and climb aboard for a glimpse of the past. For more information, call 719-775-8605.
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Spend a Day in the Forest
Saturday, August 9 you can travel a little ways for a whole lot of fun. The annual Black Forest Festival will fill your family's day with food, fun, music and games. Kicking off at 6:30 a.m. with the traditional pancake breakfast, the parade will start at 10:30 a.m. and be announced by Channel 13's news anchor, Jon Carroll. If you're looking for great music, the Air Force Academy 's Wild Blue Country band, just recently returned from a tour of bases in Iraq, will get your foot tapping with great Country Western music. Vendors, food booths, games for the kids and much more will be available until 3 p.m. So don't waste a tank full of gas looking for fun. Just come to the corner of Black Forest and Shoup Roads and have a great family day.
Get in the LOOP with compact florescent light bulbs
Fund raising opportunities!
MVEA urges you to join in conserving power by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in your home and business. The Energy Star© qualified bulbs can last up to 10 times longer than a standard light bulb and use 2/3 to ¾ less energy.
The first CFL bulbs were developed in the 1980's and were expensive. Many people complained about dim light output, flickering, noise, funny colors and sizes that were too big to fit in many fixtures. Today's CFLs cost much less while offering great performance. They have instant turn-on, quick warm-up and great light quality. They come in a wide variety of shapes, most of which are no larger than the standard bulbs they replace.
MVEA has joined the national Energy Star© campaign to encourage all Americans to install CFLs. A component of this effort is MVEA's CFL Fund Raiser in which non-profit organizations can sell CFLs as a fundraiser for their organization. MVEA will provide these light bulbs to the non-profit groups at less than wholesale cost. Groups can expect to make approximately $1 for every bulb they sell.
If you are a member of a non-profit group within MVEA's service territory and would like more information on how your group can participate, contact MVEA member services department at 719-495-2283 or 719-775-2861. Energy Efficiency today at MVEA!
DCP Utility Consulting
DCP Utility Consulting will be conducting an attachment audit of MVEA's overhead electric distribution system for approximately ten months (until summer 2007). The purpose of the audit is to insure that all joint use attachments to our poles are in compliance with applicable safety codes and that appropriate joint use agreements are in place for all attachments. DCP employees may require access to your property in order to complete their work on our system. They are only gathering data and should be able to complete their tasks at any given location very quickly. Please extend them the same cooperation you would extend to an MVEA employee. If you have questions please call Mike Garland at 719-495-2283 or 800-388-9881.
