June 2008
Crisis-crash syndrome
Don't let it happen to you
It seems like every time America finds a crisis on its hands, our government jumps into action and proposes a crash program to fix it. Henry Ford was one of the first to observe it and even coined the term: crisis-crash syndrome.
As policymakers in Washington begin the daunting task of trying to reduce greenhouse gases, we need to look at their track record concerning other crises. During Arab oil embargos, the first being in 1973, each time we were inconvenienced at the pump – often with no gas available at any price – we heard our leaders pledge to develop a national energy policy that would free us from the sword that foreign oil producing nations held over us and our economy. However, every attempt to formulate a serious national energy policy fizzled under the stress of competing special interests pulling policy makers in first one direction, then another.
As Congress considers various approaches to dealing with climate change, special interests are once again influencing lawmakers. True leadership requires balancing competing goals so that all of the public interest is served, not just special groups who make the most noise. Keeping electricity affordable and reliable is just as much in the public interest as mitigating climate change. As we race to develop the technology to limit carbon dioxide, we must also ensure that Americans have the energy they need, not just in their homes, but also to grow the economy.
Some lawmakers have proposed legislation that puts at risk the current system that gives nearly every American access to dependable electricity. With the proposed limitations on generation, it is quite possible that in the not too distant future the only people that will be able to afford electricity are the people willing and able to pay for what may become a valuable and scarce commodity.
What has become very disturbing is the fact that legislators are concentrating on climate control in a reactive way and not looking at the future impact of their decisions. Yes, carbon dioxide will be reduced. No, people will not have enough electricity. When we get to the point of rolling black-outs and decide that an error in judgment may have been made, it will not be an immediate remedy. It will take years to build the generation and to change legislation that originally caused the problem.
There is a way to avoid this train wreck; we all need to start taking an active interest in our energy future and that of our children's. Each of us must play a role in influencing the debate that will likely result in new laws on climate change soon after the new administration and Congress begin their work in 2009. Each of us must make sure our elected officials do not just listen to special interest groups, but instead remembers their obligation to protect everyone's interest in maintaining affordable, reliable electricity.
Responsible leadership on energy and climate change means first answering hard questions about the economic impact on all of us. Our lawmakers must not only examine all the consequences, but should also engage in honest conversation about those consequences with their constituents before taking action.
The insert in this month's magazine is a tool we can use to get our legislator's attention. I urge you to read it and consider giving CREA your permission to speak on your behalf. If we remain silent and let special interests do the talking, our children will regret us not speaking up when we had the chance. Don't let it be a crisis-crash policy. Please take the time to read and respond. It is your energy and your future.
Colorado Electric Co-ops Urge Consumer Perspective in Federal Energy Debate
Armed with a forceful charge from national electric co-op officials, Mountain View Electric Association board and staff members joined more than 3,000 electric co-op leaders as they fanned across Capitol Hill in early May to press lawmakers on the need to keep reliable, affordable electricity at the forefront of their energy policy deliberations.
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Glenn English told participants at the annual Legislative Conference, May 4-7, that they have a unique obligation to speak up on behalf of consumers whose voices have so far been silent in the debate on climate change legislation.
"Unless we focus our elected officials' attention on this issue, there is little hope of avoiding the kind of catastrophe that many see for us," English said in a speech to the co-op leaders. "We must urge our members of Congress to listen to us on those matters in which we have great expertise: how to keep the lights on and how to keep the cost of electricity affordable."
The conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, brought together co-op directors, managers and staffers for briefings by NRECA lobbyists on key issues before one-on-one meetings with their congressmen and senators.
The message participants heard had two parts: a general call to alert lawmakers to a looming crisis in capacity and a request for action on specific legislative items. Because of the urgency and complexity of the issues, Colorado Rural Electric Association Executive Director Ray Clifton called this year's conference the most important in his four decades in the co-op movement.
"We have got to present this problem of capacity in a real way,” he said. “Our elected officials have got to understand that there is a real crisis coming when it comes to the generation and transmission of electricity.”
English reiterated his belief that Congress is devoting attention to vague climate change targets and goals for 75 to 100 years from now at the expense of fundamental, immediate issues. He said that threatens to leave "an entire segment of our society" unable to pay skyrocketing bills. For example, the Department of Energy forecasts that the nation will need almost 120,000 megawatts of additional power in the next 10 years, English said. Yet experts agree that two important elements in most climate change proposals, nuclear power and commercially available carbon capture and storage technologies, will not be ready by then. That could mean blackouts, brown outs or higher prices for power that does exist, he cautioned.
"We're standing at the edge of a cliff and our lawmakers are oblivious to the fact the cliff even exists. It's your job to tell them to look down," English told the co-op leaders.
When MVEA representatives met Sens. Ken Salazar (D) and Wayne Allard (R), and their congressional representatives, that was their message. They also pointed out that there are immediate actions that could help ease the problem. They included energy efficiency credits for low-income families, an upgrade of the federal hydropower systems and a federal commitment of $2 billion annually for research and development.
MVEA representatives also pushed for congressional action in four major areas: access to tax incentives for clean-coal technologies, changes in a climate change bill pending in the Senate, support for the Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants program and reform of the freight rail industry.
"Others will not speak out," MVEA General Manager Jim Herron said. "But electric cooperatives in this nation have a long history of looking after our members. They have a long history of doing what's right for our country. Mountain View Electric is proud to speak up for its members.”
2008 MVEA Annual Meeting
Scholarship Winners
For this year only, the MVEA scholarships were awarded through Operation Round-Up and funded by the E.A. “Mick” Geesen Memorial Scholarship fund. For this reason, we are awarded 22 scholarships this year. With the exception of one scholarship, the rest of chosen through a computer generated lottery system. 121 students applied for scholarships from 31 schools this year. We will introduce them to you over the next month or so since we do not have enough space to list them all at one time. Congratulations to our recipients and we wish them the best in their studies and future. All of the following students will receive $1,000 scholarships:
Brett Bakemeyer is the daughter of Lance and Marcia Bakemeyer in Elbert and a graduate of Elbert High School. Brett was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council vice president, 4-H president, and a member of the volleyball and cheerleading team. She plans to major in pre-law.
Allison Benkert is the daughter of Thomas and Jean Benkert of Colorado Springs and a graduate of Pine Creek High School . She was on the varsity softball team, an member of DECA and receives awards from public speaking. Allison plans on majoring in business or education.
Amy Clark is the daughter of Michael and Vi-Nell Clark and of Colorado Springs . She is a graduate of Widefield High School and participated in the Link Crew, Humane Society Volunteer and Student-to-Student. She plans to major in psychology.
Rae Carlson is the daughter of Richard and charlotte Carlson of Peyton. She is a graduate of Peyton High School and was a member of the Nation Honor Society and FBLA. Rae is undecided on her major.
Desireé Floyd is the daughter of Earl and Lucy Floyd of Peyton. She is a graduate of Peyton High School and was on the Principal's Honor Roll, a member of the National Honor Society, varsity volleyball team and student council. She plans on majoring in pre-med.
Tessa Feng is the daughter of William and Dollie Vanfossen of Simla. She is a graduate of Big Sandy School and was a member of the National Honor Society, Matchwits team, Student Council, Basketball team, Fellowship for Christian Athletes, FBLA and on the National Honor Roll. Tessa plans to major in veterinary medicine.
Mindy Gaddy is the daughter of Monty and Becky Gaddy of Calhan and a graduate of Calhan High School. She was a member of the volleyball and basketball team, yearbook staff, student aide and on the Gold Honor Roll. Film Studies is her chosen major.
Douglas Gagne is the son of Remi and Charlotte Gagne of Black Forest and a graduate of Pine Creek High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society, the cross-country team and Colorado Springs Teen Court. Alexander plans to major in political science.
Brooke Howard is the daughter of Larry and Janie Howard of Monument and a graduate of Lewis-Palmer High School. She was a member of the varsity soccer team, a peer counselor, and on the principal's student advisory program. She proposes to major in integrative physiology.
Tyler Kron is the son of Dennis and Pamela Kron of Monument. He is a graduate of Lewis-Palmer High school and was an AP Scholar and member of the technology club, Mo Alpha Theta mathematics honor society, billiards club and science Olympiad. He plans to major in computer engineering.
Nicholas Oligmueller is the son of Daniel and Suzy Oligmueller of Elbert and a graduate of Falcon High School. He was on the varsity tennis and ice hockey teams, the Honor Roll, the Link Crew, the jazz band and chamber/
jazz choir. Nicholas plans to major in business.
Colleen Pierce is the daughter of Richard and Cherylyn Bennett of Pueblo and a graduate of Hanover High School. She was on the superintendent's Honor roll, and a class officer. She plans to major in psychology.
MVEA Board of Directors
Being a director takes time and dedication. Directors not only attend day-long board meetings each month, but also serve as directors for other related organizations, attend seminars, conferences and classes to better serve the cooperative.
As of the June Annual Meeting, Duane Steinke and Naomi Malcom are resigning their seats on the board. Duane joined the board in 1983 and served as president from 1988-1994. Naomi Malcom joined the board of directors in 1977 and has served as Secretary/Treasurer for 17 years. A more in-depth article on Duane and Naomi will be included in the June issue.
The members thank all of these people for their years of service and for stepping up to the plate to ensure that the cooperative gives the best possible service to the members.
Edith Says Good-bye!
The baby boomers are definetly moving into the retirement stage and the latest to join their ranks from MVEA is Edith Marchbanks. Over 19 years ago, she started with MVEA as the receptionist in the Falcon Operations Center . She quickly moved to cashier and then on to consumer relations representative. Many of our members will remember her as the lady that signed them up for service or helped them with their billing problems. Over the past few years, Edith has been the Consumer Relations Team Leader. In this position, Edith worked directly under the Falcon office supervisor and supervised the consumer relations specialists, meter readers, consumer relations clerk and data entry clerk.
Edith is a Colorado native and grew up on her dad's farm east of Rush. She graduated from Miami-Yoder School and married her high school sweetheart, Stan “Sonny” Marchbanks. After they married, they moved to Colorado Springs. The couple has two daughters, Debbie and Janice, and four grandsons and four granddaughters. Before coming to work at MVEA, Edith worked in the distribution office of Tupperware and then for a landscape contractor.
Sonny has also recently retired, so the couple plans on doing some camping in their 5th wheel, riding ATV's, fishing and a little traveling. Edith says, “I really enjoyed working with our members all of these years and will miss talking to them. It goes without saying that I will definitely miss my co-workers. But, I will certainly not miss having to come into work!”
Since Edith came to MVEA, the co-op has tripled in size. The good thing is that the people, that work for MVEA, like Edith, still care about the members and their problems. Members are not just account numbers, but friends and neighbors. Edith has always held to that philosophy and will be very much missed in our organization. We congratulate her on her retirement and wish her and Sonny the very best.
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
Eastern Plains Relay for Life
Sponsored by Touchstone Energy
On July 4, 2008, families, friends and coworkers will join together in Limon to CELEBRATE the lives of those who have battled cancer, REMEMBER those who lost and FIGHT BACK against a disease that has touched nearly everyone. Sharing the power of purple. The Eastern Plains Relay for Life will be a life changing event for those that participate. Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated.
For the Eastern Plains Relay, teams of 8-11 people will walk from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. around the Limon School track raising money for cancer awareness and research. Why walk through the night? Because cancer never sleeps. Fighting cancer is a team effort. The strength of people coming together for a common cause is greater than the strength of one. Relay For Life is a great way for corporations, schools, and businesses to demonstrate their commitment to fighting cancer in their community. The Relay is also a community gathering. The Eastern Plains encompasses a lot of small communities that we hope, for one night at least, will become one.
If you are a Survivor, join us as an honorary guest for the Survivors' Lap, which begins the Relay For Life. Your strength and courage will help the community see that cancer survivorship is real – that we are making progress in the battle against cancer.
Luminaries will be available for those who wish to remember someone special and a special ceremony will take place during the evening. And, activities will be going on through the night – fireworks, music, information booths, and food.
Get a team together and come out and join us on July 4 in the fight against cancer. For more information call Deborah Skillicorn at 2577 or 719-641-6539. Join the fight!
2008 Photo Contest Begins
Get those cameras out and for that perfect picture in our service territory. Maybe you will be one of the lucky winners to have their pictures on the MVEA calendar. For instructions and entry forms for the 2008 photo contest, click here.
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.
Need Help Paying Your Utility Bill? Click Here
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.
