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Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 10, and as it approaches, set your clocks forward and use the opportunity to ensure your home is not only on time but also safe. This semi-annual ritual, often associated with adjusting watches and clocks, serves as a timely reminder to perform crucial safety checks in your home. One crucial aspect of home safety during this time of year is checking your furnace filters. As temperatures begin to rise, your heating system may not be the first thing on your mind. However, neglecting furnace maintenance can lead to decreased efficiency, higher energy bills and even potential safety hazards. A clogged or dirty filter can force your furnace to work harder, putting a strain on the system and increasing the risk of malfunctions. Before you bid farewell to winter, take a moment to inspect and, if necessary, replace your furnace filters to ensure optimal performance and safety. Daylight Saving Time is also an ideal occasion to address another critical aspect of home safety: smoke detectors. Use this semi-annual time change as a cue to check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are your first line of defense against fire-related emergencies, providing early warnings that can be the difference between life and death. A functioning smoke detector relies on a reliable power source, so ensure that the batteries are fresh and the device is operational. Take a moment to test each smoke detector in your home, creating a safer environment for you and your loved ones. Daylight Saving Time is more than just an hour lost or gained; it's an opportunity to invest a little time in ensuring the safety and efficiency of your living space. By incorporating these simple checks into your routine, you contribute to a safer and more comfortable home environment. Remember, as you welcome the longer days and brighter evenings, take a few extra minutes to brighten your home's safety measures. Your future self will thank you for the peace of mind that comes with a well-maintained and secure living space.

Reunions, birthdays, weddings, graduations, anniversaries—outdoor celebrations are about spending time with friends and family; recognizing accomplishments; and creating a festive atmosphere with food, music, and decorations. These decorations can include metallic balloons. Safe Electricity wants you to know about the potential dangers of metallic balloons so that you and your loved ones can safely enjoy outdoor celebrations. “Metallic balloons can destroy overhead power equipment. This causes power outages and creates a dangerous situation,” says Erin Hollinshead, executive director of the Energy Education Council’s Safe Electricity program. “If you use metallic balloons carelessly, you could literally be left in the dark.” These shiny, metallic-coated balloons are often filled with helium. The shiny coating is a good conductor of electricity. If a balloon encounters an overhead power line, it will cause a surge of electricity. These surges cause electrical arcs, explosions, and fires. This creates a dangerous situation for people and can cause power outages that require expensive repairs. With a little care, you can avoid the disastrous aftermath a metallic balloon can cause. Follow these tips from Safe Electricity: Keep metallic balloons weighted down or tethered far from power lines. When you are done, deflate the balloon and throw it away. Do not release metallic balloons. Never tie a metallic balloon to a person’s wrist. Don’t attempt to retrieve a balloon or any object that becomes entangled in electrical equipment. Contact your utility for assistance. To see a video of what happens when a metallic balloon comes in contact with overhead power lines, visit SafeElectricity.org and watch Steve Hancock’s Live Line Demonstration.

Cooperatives across the globe adhere to the same seven cooperative principles that guide our decisions––from how we run the co-op to how we engage with our local communities. With Valentine's Day approaching, we can't think of a better time to explain how the seven cooperative principles allow us to serve you, our member, with "L-O-V-E". L stands for Leadership. Our electric co-op is unique because we belong to the communities we serve. The co-op is led by its members, which gives us an exceptional understanding of the local needs of our communities. Many of our leaders and employees live here and are co-op members–just like you! Voluntary and Open Membership is the first cooperative principle, which means co-op membership is available to everyone who can use its services within our service territory, regardless of race, religion, age, disability, gender identity, language, political perspective, or socioeconomic status. Democratic Member Control, the second cooperative principle, allows members to make decisions about the co-op. Democratic control is what makes our cooperative, our community, and our country strong. Our board of directors, who help set long-term priorities for the co-op, also live on co-op lines. These board members have been elected by neighbors just like you. We know our members have a valuable perspective, and that's why we are continually seeking your input and encourage you to weigh in on important co-op issues and participate in co-op elections. The third cooperative principle is Members' Economic Participation. Members contribute money to the cooperative to ensure it runs smoothly now and in the future. As a co-op, we are also motivated by service to the community rather than profits. Members contribute equitably to and democratically control the capital of our cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for co-op programs, initiatives, capital investments, and supporting other activities approved by the membership...and what's left is returned to our members. O stands for Ourselves. The best thing about Autonomy and Independence, the fourth cooperative principle, is that members create the cooperative to provide a necessary service and ensure that it can operate successfully on its own to benefit the members. This means the co-op is not being influenced by leaders or shareholders several states away. Instead, it is led by the local members it serves. However, while we take pride that we can do it ourselves, Education, Training, and Information (the fifth cooperative principle) focuses on the importance of continued learning and training opportunities to ensure that employees and members have the information they need to make the co-op successful. By investing in continuous learning for our employees and board members, our co-op is committing to individual professional and personal growth, the future of the co-op, and the high quality of service our members expect and deserve. V stands for Versatility. Cooperation Among Cooperatives. Even though we're locally owned and operated, the sixth cooperative principle is evident when we cooperate with other electric cooperatives regionally and nationally to develop new technologies, invest in equipment and infrastructure that benefits multiple co-ops in a region, and assist with major outages. This type of collaboration allows us the versatility to address complex challenges while remaining true to our local roots. This breadth of resource-sharing provides cooperatives like us with various options to find solutions that better serve our members. E stands for Empower. The seventh cooperative principle – Concern for Community, goes beyond the fact that it takes more than poles and power lines to power a community. While our top priority is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy to you, it is equally vital that we empower consumer-members and their communities. Over time, our co-op has evolved to meet our community's changing needs, thereby enriching everyone's quality of life. And that can mean many different things. It can mean offering scholarships and educational programs for our youth, donating to area food pantries and other charitable organizations, delivering electric safety training and resources for local schools and first responders, providing access to low-interest loans for community and economic development projects, and contributing to other worthy programs. The seven Cooperative Principles are the heart of everything we do, and we "L-O-V-E" serving you with all our hearts. The cooperative way is a values-based business model that we take very seriously. So, during this month dedicated to showing our love, know that we serve with LOVE all year through! Happy Valentine's Day to our members!

Rise and shine! The start of your day is the perfect time to start saving energy. Make your mornings more efficient with these tips. Take a shorter shower There is no better way to start your day than a nice, hot morning shower. Try to keep it to 10 minutes or less, though. You'll save some time and avoid sending too much energy and water down the drain. Turn off the tap You need water when you're shaving or brushing your teeth, but you don't need to leave it running the whole time. Turn the water on only when you need it. Make the most of your breakfast Cooking eggs or oatmeal? Match the size of the pot or pan to the burner to avoid wasting energy. The microwave or toaster oven is an energy-efficient choice for heating many breakfast foods. Power down before you leave Don't waste energy on an empty house. When you're leaving for the day, make sure to turn off lights, adjust the thermostat, and unplug chargers and other unused electronics. Upgrade for savings A few simple upgrades can make saving energy easier. Water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, use less water, reducing the energy needed to heat that water. Wi-Fi programmable thermostats automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule. Smart models include advanced features, such as remote control and self-programming. Advanced power strips automatically shut off power to plugged-in devices when they're not in use. With these simple measures, you can wake up to lower energy bills this morning and all year.

Downed power lines can be deadly. ALWAYS assume a downed power line is live and avoid going near it or placing anything in contact with it. Use Precaution Downed power lines can energize the ground up to 35 feet away. Even more in wet conditions. Never drive over downed power lines or through water that is in contact with them. Never try to move a downed power line. Even using items that typically are not conductive may cause injury or death. If you see a downed line, call 911 immediately. It is helpful for you to provide your location as accurately as you can describe. If a Vehicle Contacts a Power Line or Utility Pole, Stay Away and Call 911 Consider all lines to be live and dangerous. Stay in place or inside your vehicle unless you see fire or smoke. Warn others to stay at least 35 feet away. Tell others not to approach the vehicle, downed lines, or anything that may be in contact with downed lines. In the Event of Fire or Smoke Do not touch the ground and vehicle at the same time. Jump from the vehicle with your feet together. Shuffle or hop away; avoid lifting your feet. When you are a safe distance away, proceed to call 911. Knowing what to do if you encounter utility poles or wires can be a matter of life and death for you, your loved ones, or anyone who responds to help.

We use electricity in our homes in lots of different ways to keep us cool, dry our clothes, cook our food, and even clean the house. Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about how much electricity it takes to run those appliances. Each time they turn on and off they create peaks and valleys in electrical demand. Why is understanding demand important? By working together, we can lower the demand for electric power. This teamwork is a win-win for the membership and the cooperative as the cooperative consistently works toward the goal of keeping the cost of power as low as possible. How do you reduce your demand? You do that by reducing your energy peak. What is a peak? It might help to think about electricity like the internet service you need to stream a movie at home. When just one device is streaming, everything works fine. But if two or three people start watching different movies on different devices at the same time, they’ve created a peak. Peaks cost utilities more because they put more strain on the grid, the network of power plants lines and other equipment that keeps you connected and your power on. Our cooperative must plan and prepare to meet each member’s demand needs, even when it’s not a daily occurrence. Equipment to meet your electrical demand must be on standby and ready to fill your increased need for electricity immediately. Think of it like filling a swimming pool. Imagine you want to fill the swimming pool with water. You could fill it in minutes using a firehose or you could fill it in hours with a garden hose. In both cases, you get the same amount of water, but how much water you get and how fast is quite different. That difference incurs cost to the system. To reduce your electricity demand and save money, think about your appliances. Take an electric range and dishwasher as an example. Make them take turns instead of running them at the same time. Or, take a hot shower when you’re not drying your clothes in an electric dryer. Keeping your demand for electricity at a trickle can help lower cost. At the end of the day, it’s simple. Lowering demand helps the cooperative and member-owners keep cost low. After all, that’s all a part of our mission: providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity. For more information, call our office!

In November, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released a report outlining its 2023/2024 Winter Reliability Assessment. The annual assessment garners a lot of attention from the media, and rightfully so, as the topic of power supply reliability is important. Americans want to be assured that their energy needs are being met, especially as weather forecasters are predicting an El Nino climate pattern that could produce impactful weather across the US in the months ahead. Electric utilities across the country are members of one of nine regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs), also called power pools. These entities are federally regulated by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and work on a regional scale to coordinate, control, and monitor supply and demand on the electric grid. RTOs do not own the power grid, but they work as “air-traffic controllers” of the grid to ensure reliable power supplies, adequate transmission infrastructure, and “day-ahead” electric market coordination of wholesale electricity prices on behalf of their members. The November 2023 NERC assessment report covers three months (December-February) identified as the winter period. Key findings in the report outline that Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the RTO that serves western and some central Iowa cooperatives, is at an elevated risk for insufficient operating reserves in above-normal conditions such as extreme weather. According to the report, “The Anticipated Reserve Margin (ARM) of 38.8% is over 30 percentage points lower than last winter; this is driven by higher forecasted peak demand and less resource capacity. While the reserve margin is adequate for normal forecasted peak demand and expected generator outages, higher demand levels and outages that have occurred during extreme cold weather result in shortfalls that can trigger energy emergencies. The vast wind resources in the area can alleviate firm capacity shortages under the right conditions; however, energy risks emerge during periods of low wind or forecast uncertainty and high electricity demand.” So, while our region is highlighted as an elevated risk, the report indicates expected generation resources will meet operating reserve requirements under normal peak-demand scenarios. What does this mean for you? Winter Storm Elliott, which brought extreme cold to our region in December of 2022, challenged power grids across the US as it produced double-digit sub-zero temperatures, high winds, and precipitation producing blizzard warnings and power outages impacting millions of people. Western Iowa felt the impact of Winter Storm Elliott as these conditions hung over the region for several days, including those leading up to the Christmas holiday. With families gathering to celebrate, water heating, appliances used for holiday baking and keeping up with laundry, coupled with record levels of home heating, pushed electric consumption in our service territory to all-time highs. NIPCO, our cooperative’s power provider, set a new all-time record peak of 269.36 MW (megawatts) at 5:30 pm on December 22, 2022. This value represents an 12.97 MW (5%) increase from the previous peak, recorded on February 16, 2021, of 256.39 MW during Winter Storm Uri. Demand for power reached a record-setting level, but the energy needs of western Iowans were met. And, while SPP and MISO, our neighboring RTO, continue to experience energy emergency alerts (EEAs) and resource advisories during events that test their limits, the nation’s BES continues to evolve and learn from the lessons taught to us during winter storm Uri in 2021. Why is “All-of-the-Above” Energy Important? Energy advisories and alerts further display what we already know: the energy transition must consider all forms of generation. More renewable energy sources like wind and solar are coming online, while traditional sources like coal, nuclear, and natural gas are retiring. While renewable energy has clear benefits, we believe and advocate for an all-of-the-above energy approach. All-of-the-above promotes the idea that the United States depends on a reliable and sustainable fuel supply that includes developing and incorporating domestically produced renewable energy resources to supplement baseload generation, including biofuels, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, and coal. We continue to work with policymakers and regulators on a state and federal level for a sensible “all-of-the-above” generation approach. While we support and encourage the development and use of renewable energy, the intermittent nature of renewables means there may be times when there simply isn’t enough of it to keep the lights on all the time. Its place is to supplement a reliable and affordable baseload generation mix. That’s why we must continue to recognize the value of and operate baseload generation plants now and into the future. Our mission remains the same. We are here to provide you with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity that is also environmentally responsible. We do not anticipate an energy shortfall in the coming months. However, as a member-owned electric cooperative, we will monitor and communicate energy supply updates as they arise. Learn More What is NERC? The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a not-for-profit international regulatory authority whose mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid. NERC develops and enforces Reliability Standards; annually assesses seasonal and long‐term reliability; monitors the bulk power system through system awareness; and educates, trains, and certifies industry personnel. NERC’s area of responsibility spans the continental United States, Canada, and the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico. NERC is the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) for North America, subject to oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and governmental authorities in Canada. NERC’s jurisdiction includes users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system, which serves nearly 400 million people. What is an RTO? Many electric utilities across the country are members of one of nine regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs), also referred to as power pools. These entities are federally-regulated by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and work on a regional scale to coordinate, control, and monitor supply and demand on the electric grid. RTOs do not own the power grid, but they do work as “air-traffic controllers” of the grid to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and “day-ahead” electric market coordination of wholesale electricity prices on behalf of their members.

Iowa-based builders and contractors are invited to learn about energy-efficiency technologies at the 2024 Momentum is Building Conference, scheduled for Feb. 8 and 9, 2024, at The Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa. A major draw for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC professionals is the opportunity to earn CEU credits at the conference. Momentum is Building attendees can also network with industry professionals, hear from recognized energy-efficiency and building trades experts, and gain insight on energy- efficiency regulations and incentives. Sponsored and organized by the Iowa Cooperatives for Energy Efficiency (ICEE), the annual Momentum is Building Conference also connects Iowa's construction industry with electric cooperatives' local services and resources, which serve nearly 650,000 Iowans across 99 counties. "Electric cooperatives have long supported energy efficiency efforts, and one of our goals is to help member-consumers use energy wisely," states Angela Catton, manager of member relations and development at Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative. "We invest in this conference to build relationships between cooperatives and the contractors who provide services to the members we mutually serve." "Informing contractors about cutting-edge energy efficiency and ensuring our building trades partners are up on the latest codes is important to Iowa-based electric cooperatives," said Ryan Cornelius, vice president of corporate relations at Corn Belt Power Cooperative. "For over thirty years, the Momentum is Building Conference has provided both electric cooperatives and contractors an opportunity to come together to provide rural Iowans with safe, efficient, and cost-effective home comfort solutions." Jay Gubrud, a catalyst for performance improvement who has provided insight on working together as a team, will kick off the conference by illustrating his powerful approach to improving personal and professional productivity while connecting with colleagues and clientele alike. The conference will close with inspirational speaker, Dr. Charlie Cartwright. Drawing on his deep understanding of what motivates and drives people, Dr. Charlie has uncovered the essential elements that pave the way for unlocking human potential. The Momentum is Building 2024 Conference will be held at The Meadows Events and Conference Center from 8:30 AM on Thursday, Feb.8, running through noon on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Early Bird registration is open until Jan. 26, 2024. For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.momentumisbuilding.com or call your electric cooperative.

Holiday lights can add to your seasonal celebrations, but they can also increase your risk of a house fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, holiday lights and decorations cause nearly 400 house fires each year. The following tips can help keep your family bright, happy, and safe this holiday season. Use holiday lights that are approved by a nationally recognized testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Before hanging your lights, inspect them for frayed wires, broken sockets, or other signs of wear and tear. Avoid connecting more than three strings of lights together unless the directions indicate otherwise. When using extension cords, avoid routing them under rugs or near walkways. If you decorate a real tree, water it every day and prevent the lights from coming into contact with tree branches. If you choose an artificial tree, make sure it's certified as fire-resistant. Look for the UL label. For outdoor decorating, only use lights and power strips that have been approved for outdoor use. Keep electrical connections off the ground and make sure wiring is clear of downspouts, railings, and aluminum siding. Fasten holiday lights securely to buildings, trees, and other outdoor surfaces to prevent damage from wind or jostling. Be careful when using metal staples or nails as fasteners. They can damage the protective insulation covering the wires. Turn off lights late at night or whenever you are away from home. Consider using a timer. While safety is your first concern, don't forget about energy efficiency. LED lights use up to 80% less energy than traditional lights, and they have a longer lifespan. LEDs are also cool to the touch, reducing the risk of fire. Look for LEDs that are ENERGY STAR® certified.

What causes energy bills to suddenly increase? Energy costs vary, but here are four common reasons why they may suddenly increase: Extreme weather. Sudden changes in temperature can put a real strain on heating or cooling system, and your energy bills. Change in occupancy. Kids moving back home or weekend guests bring unwelcome energy costs. Lights are left on longer, more devices need charging and more hot water goes down the drain. Equipment failure. If your heat pump compressor fails in the winter, it triggers back-up electric coils to provide heat, which is more expensive than using the compressor. A leaking water heater will also use more energy to heat the cold make-up water. Air leaks. Cracked caulking around windows or worn weatherstripping in exterior doors can create gaps that let conditioned air out, making your heating or cooling system work harder. What you can do to save: Install LED lights. They use less energy than conventional bulbs and last longer. Have your HVAC system cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional. Repair or replace any malfunctioning appliances or equipment. Air seal windows and doors with caulk and weatherstripping. Check for gaps in your attic and basement as well. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to reduce hot water consumption. Unplug unused electronic devices or plug them into an advanced power strip, which automatically switches off power to devices not in use. Consider a home energy audit. A qualified auditor will inspect your home and recommend measures you can take to lower your energy costs.

An expert explains the dangers of excess demand placed on electrical circuits. How many electrical cords can I plug into a circuit? Overloaded electrical circuits are more common than you might think. Overloads occur when more electrical demand is placed on a circuit than it can handle. Circuit overloads can cause nuisance tripping of breakers, a fire, or other serious safety hazards. Easy and inexpensive short-term solutions are tempting, but they can put your organization at risk. By understanding the causes of circuit overloads and how to prevent them, you can help ensure the safety of your staff and facility. The lowdown on overloads Wires in an electrical system or circuit have a maximum amount of current they can safely carry. If too many devices are plugged into a circuit, the electrical current will heat the wires to a very high temperature. If any one device uses too much current, the wires will heat up. The temperature of the wires can be high enough to cause a fire. If their insulation melts, arcing may occur, which can also cause a fire. The National Electrical Code Table 310.15(B) gives maximum amperage for various wire sizes at different temperature ratings. To prevent too much current, a circuit breaker or fuse is placed in the circuit. If there is too much current in the circuit, the breaker "trips" and opens like a switch. If an overloaded circuit is equipped with a fuse, an internal part of the fuse melts, opening the circuit. Both breakers and fuses do the same thing: open the circuit to shut off the electrical current. If any other device is powered by the same wiring, a larger wire gauge would have to be used. If the breakers or fuses are too big for the wires they are supposed to protect, an overload in the circuit will not be detected and the current will not be shut off. Overloading leads to overheating of circuit components—including wires—and may cause a fire. A circuit with improper overcurrent protection devices, or one with no overcurrent protection devices at all, is a fire and shock hazard. Preventing circuit overloading There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of circuit overloads in your home: Get an inspection. If circuits are continually tripping or fuses are blowing, hire a qualified electrician to inspect the system. The inspection will determine your electrical needs and identify any necessary modifications to the system. Replace fuses. The presence of fuses in your electrical system is a sign of older (and potentially hazardous) wiring. Consider replacing fuses with circuit breakers. Check for loose connections or corroded wires. Circuit overloads can result from loose connections or corroded wires. These could be at the circuit panel, junction box, or anywhere in the electrical system. If you suspect a problem, contact a qualified electrician. Keep temporary wiring temporary. Temporary wiring, such as extension cords and power strips, are not designed for long-term use. If this becomes the case, consider having additional outlets or electrical capacity installed. Adding new equipment. The addition of new equipment can put a strain on your electric system and cause circuit overload. When adding new electrical devices or reconfiguring existing equipment, consult with a qualified electrician about installing additional capacity. Ensuring your electrical system meets your needs can reduce the risk of fire or other safety hazards and eliminate costly or dangerous situations for your home and family.

Do you know how to get the most out of your holiday leftovers? Once dinner is done, it's "go time". Leftovers that sit out for longer than two hours after cooking are a food safety no-no. So, once you are finished eating, start cooling and storing leftovers as soon as possible. If anything is left out too long or looks questionable, play it safe and throw it out. Label everything with a date to remind you how long it's been in the refrigerator or freezer. Watch our video to learn more! (Click the Play arrow on the lower left-hand corner of the video below) When it comes to food storage, smaller, shallow containers work best. And store everything by itself. Turkey and stuffing last up to four days in the refrigerator; gravy lasts two days. This means turkey and stuffing, mixed WITH gravy, lasts only two days. Cut turkey into thin slices, wrap tightly in small portions, and place in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze it; frozen turkey should keep its flavor for up to four months. It's easy to simply top off the side dish bowls with plastic. If you do, you should eat them in less than four days. Instead, place them in small, shallow, air-tight containers so they cool down quickly. They'll last four days in the fridge, or you can freeze them and save them for up to four months. Now that you know how to store your leftovers safely, you can look up some creative leftover recipes.