October 2008
Let Your Voice Be Heard
We've all heard these phrases: “the silent majority” and “the squeaky wheel gets greased.” Unfortunately, these are two phrases have dictated the actions of America 's elected officials. Through the years, most of us have voted, but then sat silently by while our congress enacted legislation that would negatively impact our lives. Many feel it is just too time consuming to send that email or make the phone call to let our representatives know how we feel. In addition we think, “who the heck listens to us anyway?”
On the other hand, politicians react to a relentless squeaky wheel. These are the folks that get out there and make themselves heard. They don't contact their legislatures just once a year, they have a well orchestrated agenda to ensure their representatives know what they want and hear it often. Today, these squeaky wheels are pushing for limited power plant construction, more climate change policy constraints and a greater reliance on wind and solar for our power – a very limited and costly source of energy. But they are being heard over the silent majority. They are getting greased.
Now is a chance for that silent majority to get involved, band together and speak out. The cost of the fuels we use to make electricity is rising. Natural gas prices have tripled since 2002 and jumped 93 percent since August 2007. The price of coal has risen as well. On top of this, between now and 2030, consumer demand for electricity is expected to increase by 30 percent. According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which oversees the reliability of the bulk power grid covering the United States, electricity use nationwide will grow more than twice as fast as committed power generation resources over the next 10 years. Unless additional power plants are brought into service quickly, NERC predicts that many parts of the country, including Colorado, could fall below targeted capacity margins within two or three years, setting the stage for frequent brownouts and blackouts.
Energy efficiency and conservation will play a major role in meeting our energy challenge. To meet America 's rising demand for electricity we need to use all our energy resources, from wind and solar energy to nuclear energy, natural gas and coal. And to meet climate change goals, we need new technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make all forms of power generation as clean as possible. But we must start now. Siting and erecting transmission towers are a challenge. Planning and permitting approvals take many years and run a gauntlet of not only federal, state and local governments, but also citizen and environmental activists. No one wants a transmission line in their backyard. To fully utilize the potential of renewable energy, at least 30,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines will need to be constructed to move energy generated at remote wind farms and other facilities to urban load centers. This will cost billions and take time – possibly falling behind electricity demand and leaving some areas literally in the dark.
We, as consumers must also tighten our belts and become more conservative in our use of electricity. I urge you to utilize the compact florescent bulbs, look for Energy Star ratings before buying new appliances, turn off completely TV sets, computers and other electric items that have a standby mode. Do you really use that old refrigerator in the garage or basement enough to let it run constantly? These are things we all can do to help cut our energy usage.
As I have stated in previous articles, other than our own conservation efforts, it is vitally important that you make yourself into that squeaky wheel so this silent majority can be heard. Through the electric cooperatives' grassroots campaign, “Our Energy, Our Future,” we need all of our members' support to make ourselves heard and get real answers to our concerns. Pressure is mounting in congress to do something about climate change. While political debates in Washington, D.C., may seem far away, the outcome will have a direct impact on our cooperative and, consequently, your wallet.
But it is not just at the federal level that I am asking you to act. We need to ensure that our Colorado legislators understand the questions we want answers to. We don't want arbitrary laws made because the squeaky wheels out there have certain agendas, we need legislation that will get us the energy we need at a reasonable price. Balancing electricity needs and environmental goals will be difficult. How much will this increase my electric bill and what will they do to make electricity affordable? Far too often questions don't get asked of policy makers until plans go wrong. I believe it makes sense to know the answers before the laws are passed. You can make sure these are the answers you want by contacting these policy makers and having a conversation with them. The electric bill you save will be your own. Get involved and let your voice be heard!
Grants Help Local Organizations
MVEA's Operation Round-Up board has selected several non-profit organizations and individuals to receive funds from its grant program this past month. The Round-Up fund has awarded more than $1 million in grants to individuals in emergency situations and support to local organizations that benefit the members in our territory. This program exists through the generosity of our members who round-up their monthly bill to the next dollar. The maximum tax-deductible contribution in a year is $12 per member, but when combined with the 70% of members who participate in this program; this amount goes a long way in supporting our communities.
In addition to those recipients pictured, organizations that received also received funds in this go-around were: Maternity of Mary – to purchase wood pellet stoves for their homes and Pikes Peak Firefighters Association to assist in equipping another response vehicle. Several families also received funds to assist with emergency situations.
If you would like to jump on board and see your dollars at work in your community, call or email MVEA today to start rounding-up. It is small change that makes a BIG difference!
MVEA Sponsors Home Lighting Contests
MVEA will provide credit on electric bills as prizes for organizations wishing to organize home lighting contests over the holidays. The organization must be a non-profit to qualify. Homeowners' organizations are also eligible for the sponsorship. For more information on sponsoring a contest, contact Deborah Skillicorn at either MVEA office.
Kids----Enter our holiday drawing contest!
Each year MVEA sends out season's greetings to our associates. This year we would love to send a card with a drawing from one of the children in our territory. So…we're having a little contest.
To enter:
• You must be between 6 and 12 years of age
• Your parents or legal guardians must be members of MVEA
• It must be an original drawing
• It must be a holiday picture (whatever holiday your family celebrates in December)
• Picture must be in color on a piece of white paper 5.5 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall or 8.5 wide and 5.5 tall (your option).
• You must have fun while drawing this picture.
All entries must be received or postmarked by November 16, 2008. The winner will receive a stuffed McGruff, the Crime Dog and $50 cash.
Send your entries to MVEA, Attn: Deborah Skillicorn, PO Box 1600, Limon, CO 80828.
It's MVEA Scholarship Time
Don't miss out on the cash!
Don't miss out on the 14-college scholarships available through MVEA.
10 - $1,000 MVEA Scholarships
1 - $1,000 MVEA Vocational/Technical Scholarship
1 - $1,000 Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship
1 - $1,000 Basin Electric Scholarship
1 - $1,000 E.A. “Mick” Geesen Memorial Scholarship
To qualify for these scholarships
- Your parents or guardians must receive electric service from MVEA
- You must be a graduating high school senior
- You must meet ACT or SAT and GPA requirements (these vary according to which scholarship you apply for).
- Applications must be received by January 15, 2009
Applications are currently available from your high school counselor, or by calling Deborah Skillicorn at (719) 775-2861 or (719) 495-2283. Click here to download applications.
Don't miss out on the cash!
High School Juniors - - Winning the MVEA essay contest can send you to Washington DC or Leadership Camp!!
Give the Gift of Life
The holiday season is sneaking up on us and it's time to start thinking about gifts. MVEA can help you give a gift guaranteed to be used and appreciated and you don't have to fight the holiday shopping crowds to buy it! Give the gift of light!
MVEA's gift certificate program makes it easy for you to provide a credit on a friend or relative's MVEA electric account. Simply fill out the form and return it, along with your check, to either MVEA office or in an MVEA dropbox. To simplify things even more, instead of filling out the form, you can call us with the information and we'll charge your credit card. How easy is that for holiday shopping!
- The recipient's electric account will be credited in the amount of your gift;
- The recipient will receive a certificate listing your name and the amount of credit they receive (you can remain anonymous if you wish).
Click here to download the form.
School Scores Big On Energy Efficiency!
At a time when every kilowatt counts, one school district has stepped up to the plate and hit a home run on energy efficiency. Lewis Palmer School District 38 has installed the largest ground source heat pump in the state to heat and cool its new 216,000 square foot Palmer Ridge High School in Monument. Besides saving money with their new system every month, the district also received over $190,000 in rebates from Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association and Mountain View Electric Association. The two cooperatives have programs in place that assist in the cost of installing certain energy efficient systems.
James Carter, District Maintenance Supervisor said, “The heat pump system we installed in the District's administration building was so successful, we thought it would be a perfect fit for the new school. We realized an energy savings of around 61 percent and I am hoping for a significant savings for this school.” Brian Burt of H&L Architects and Pete Jefferson of ME Group also felt this was a perfect fit for the school. Both companies were very pleased to be a part of the project.
A geothermal heat pump system taps into the ambient temperature of the earth. In contrast to the large temperature swings on the earth's surface, the underground temperature a few feet below the surface remains relatively constant. In our area it is approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit, which is an extremely efficient operating temperature for heat pumps. Geothermal heat pump systems circulate water between an underground water loop, called an earth heat exchanger, and water-to-air heat pumps located throughout the building. During winter months, the heat pump removes heat from the earth and delivers it inside and during the summer months delivers cool air.
Contractors installed 200 wells to feed the circulating water loop, each 400 feet deep and about 20 feet apart. The number of wells is determined by the thermal conductivity of the soil. Fortunately, this area has excellent conductivity so the number of wells was reduced from what was originally planned. The constant temperature of the earth heats or cools the circulating water loop as needed to balance the building's year-round heating and cooling requirements. Each room is individually controlled via computer which can also be accessed remotely. Thermostats and lights are operated on a sensor system so that the rooms are lit, heated or cooled only if there are people present. Circulating air is cleaned by energy recovery ventilators to prevent a “sick building” and to utilize the energy in the air rather than reheating or re-cooling it. This saves a great deal of money on wasted energy.
Pete Jefferson from ME Group, the company that designed and installed the system stated “A great aspect of this system is the reliability and ease of repair. It is digitally controlled and all 160 heat pumps are located in the hallways outside of the rooms. If one pump has a problem, it can be repaired without impacting the rest of the building. The equipment also lasts longer because it is not exposed to the elements as are the conventional systems you see mounted on the tops of buildings.” The entire system is also housed in a much smaller space than is needed by a conventional boiler/chiller system. It would have cost about $225,000 more in construction costs to build the extra space needed for a conventional system.
District administrators know Palmer Ridge will need to expand in the future to accommodate more students so the school and its geothermal heat pump system are designed to grow also. The existing system is designed for anticipated growth. The Faculty plans on using the system as a teaching tool for science students in environmental technology. Since cooling units are not installed on the roof of the school, some of the area is being utilized as green gardens with plans to expand the gardens.
MVEA's master electrician, Ray Singmaster, worked with the district throughout the project. Ray is one of MVEA's energy efficiency experts and assists members in choosing the right systems for their needs. “We hope more businesses and residences will consider installing geothermal heat pumps,” says Ray. “It is very cost effective and a great energy saver. Working with District 38, the engineers and architects on this large of a project has been a great learning experience.”
MVEA encourages all its members to practice energy conservation. We congratulate District 38, the architects and engineers on this great example of energy efficiency and conservation.
2009 Photo Contest Calendars Available
We are pleased to announce the 2009 MVEA Photo Contest Calendars are now available. We have a limited number of calendars so restrict them to one per family. You can pick up your calendar at either MVEA office or give us a call and we will mail a copy to you. Thank you to all the members that sent in photos this year. The pictures were exceptional and the calendar is beautiful. Our 2010 contest will be starting in January, so watch your Colorado Country Life Magazine for the details.
Your Share of MVEA
As a member-owner, you have a share in the earnings of your not-for-profit electric cooperative. MVEA's rates are set to generate revenue to cover operating costs, pay debt service on loans and provide an emergency reserve. Revenues in excess of the cost of doing business are returned to MVEA's members as “patronage capital” or “capital credits.”
Capital credits are equally allocated to all participating consumers based upon annual total dollar billing and usage. MVEA allocated $11,349,250.00 for 2007. This amount is not yet scheduled for refund, but will be applied to your capital credit account. Capital credits are returned to our members when financial conditions allow and bylaw provisions are met. MVEA is currently refunding patronage capital on a 15-year rotation.
To ensure that you receive your capital credits check when the time rolls around for your refund, keep the Association informed of your current address. Capital credits are just another advantage of being a cooperative member.
Touchstone Energy Resources - Save Money and Energy
Visit the Touchstone Energy site to get the latest in energy saving advice. The website also has a great Kids Zone with not only fun and games, but also information geared towards children on energy efficiency, energy facts and renewable energy. CFL Charlie is a great new character to help your child understand the importance of saving energy. To access the site, you can go to the MVEA website at www.mvea.coop and hit the Touchstone Energy link at the very top right of the page or just go to www.touchstoneenergy.cooperative.com .
MVEA's website also offers an energy calculator and an energy library to help you get your home ready for winter. These links are displayed right on the front page. Take advantage of the information out there to help you save energy and money.
Need Help Paying Your Utility Bill? Click Here
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.
