Access Energy Cooperative announces director election results Destructive derecho wallops Iowa Favorite apple recipes for fall
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Access Energy Cooperative 2021 calendars available See Page 5
Access Energy Cooperative
announces director
Visit our website at www.accessenergycoop.com election results
Destructive derecho
wallops Iowa
Favorite apple
recipes for fall
Iowa Association of
Electric Cooperatives
Volume 73 • Issue 9
EDITOR
Ann Thelen
ART DIRECTOR CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2020
Joel Clifton
________________________
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Features
Chuck Soderberg
D I R E C T O R O F C O M M U N I C AT I O N S 6 Celebrating the career of an
Erin Campbell Iowa co-op attorney
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve Seidl, Coon Rapids – President Attorney John Ward retired in August
Don Shonka, Independence – Vice President
after a 56-year career serving Iowa’s
6
Roger Solomonson, Leland – Secretary/Treasurer
Darrell Jensen, Menlo – Asst. Secretary/Treasurer electric cooperatives. Look back at his
Gordon Greimann, Hampton
Neal Heldt, Mallard amazing career.
Kenneth VandenBerg, Albia
Marion Denger, Dows – NRECA Representative
Jeff Ten Napel, Sibley – Managers’ Representative 8 Apple recipes for fall
________________________
Crisp and delicious apple dishes are on
Living with Energy in Iowa magazine (ISSN: 1935-7176) is published
monthly by the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, a not-for- the menu for fall, and co-op cooks share
8
profit organization representing Iowa’s member-owned local electric
cooperatives. Association address: 8525 Douglas Ave., Suite 48, Des their favorite recipes. PLUS: Find out
Moines, IA 50322-2992. The phrase Living with Energy in Iowa is
a mark registered within the state of Iowa to the Iowa Association of
how you can receive a $25 credit on your
Electric Cooperatives. The magazine does not accept advertising. power bill!
Editorial Office: 8525 Douglas Ave., Suite 48, Des Moines, IA
50322-2992. Telephone: 515-276-5350. E-mail address:
editor@livingwithenergyiniowa.com. Letters may be edited for clarity 10 Destructive derecho wallops Iowa
and length before publication. Living with Energy in Iowa magazine
does not assume responsibility for unsolicited items. On Aug. 10, a derecho left its destructive
Website: www.livingwithenergyiniowa.com impact on Iowa. Learn how Iowa’s
10
Postmaster: Send address changes to Living with Energy in Iowa electric cooperatives came together
magazine, 8525 Douglas Ave., Suite 48, Des Moines, IA 50322-2992.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Des Moines, Iowa, and at additional to restore power following the
mailing offices.
unprecedented wind storm.
Change of Address: Every local electric cooperative maintains
an independent mailing list of its members, so please send your
change of address directly to your local electric cooperative’s
office. Living with Energy in Iowa magazine cannot make an
address change for you.
Favorites
© Copyright 2020, Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives. 3 Statewide Perspective 14 Energy Matters
No portion of the editorial, photographic or other content of Living
with Energy in Iowa magazine or its website may be reproduced
without written permission of the editor.
Help keep Iowa’s roads safe Low-income heating
this season assistance guidelines
3 Editor’s Choice Contest 15 Out Back
Win an All-Clad® Students: As you go
Slow Cooker! forward ...
ON THE COVER
This month’s cover photo was
taken on NW 72nd Street,
west of Sheldahl in rural
Polk County, just days after
a destructive derecho hit
Iowa. The toppled pole is a
69 kV transmission structure
owned by Central Iowa Power
Cooperative (CIPCO), which
provides energy to a Midland
Power Cooperative substation.
Photo taken by Sarah Heggen,
communications content
supervisor, CIPCO.
800-292-8989
2 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA September 2020
S TATE WIDE PE R S PEC TI V E
Help keep Iowa’s roads safe this season
B Y S CO T T M EI N EC KE
As director of safety at the Iowa
Association of Electric Cooperatives,
I routinely conduct safety visits and
site inspections for Iowa’s locally
owned electric cooperatives. As I
talk with lineworkers, there’s one big
safety concern that always comes
up: They are worried about being
hit by motorists when working near
roadways. You can play a major role in
keeping lineworkers safe on the road
by moving over and slowing down. Pictured by the stop sign is Mitch Banes, and left to right in the group are Colton
The recent Iowa derecho showed Stephens, Bob Ruby and Zac Green – all are lineworkers with Access Energy
Cooperative based in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
us all the power of Mother Nature,
and it served as a strong reminder
of the important work lineworkers safely. Get in the habit of moving over remain stopped until the stop arm
undertake. Over the next several and slowing down every time you see a is retracted and the school bus
months, you may see more electric stopped vehicle on the side of the road. starts moving again. Proceed with
cooperative line crews along roadways Iowa’s lineworkers and their families caution.
as they work to make permanent thank you; their jobs are dangerous Meeting the bus from the
system repairs from the storm. enough already. front: When you see amber
Please keep these timely safety warning lights flashing, you must
Stop for school buses
reminders top of mind this fall: slow your vehicle to no more than
Many students are back in school,
20 mph and be prepared to stop.
Slow moving vehicles which means you’re going to
Stop in front of the school bus
As farmers transport equipment encounter school buses. Follow these
when the school bus stops and its
to the fields for harvest season, be rules on two- or three-lane roads:
stop arm is extended. Remain
prepared to reduce speed quickly. Approaching the bus from the
stopped until the stop arm is
Remember that slow moving vehicles rear: When you see flashing red
retracted. Proceed with caution.
may have blind spots that make it or amber warning lights, you are
difficult to see you, and many can’t not permitted to pass the school Scott Meinecke is the director of safety
go any faster than 25 or 30 miles per bus. Stop no closer than 15 feet and loss control at the Iowa Association of
hour. Remain patient and wait for a from the rear of the bus and Electric Cooperatives.
clear line of sight before passing.
EDITOR’S CHOICE CONTEST
Obstructed intersections
Win an All-Clad®
Approach rural intersections and
railroad crossings obstructed by tall
Slow Cooker!
corn with caution. Wet weather and
smaller vehicles like ATVs can hold
down the dust on gravel roads, so don’t
solely rely on dust trails. Approach Just in time for National Family Meals Month,
uncontrolled intersections blinded by win an All-Clad® Slow Cooker! The polished
crops as a stop sign. stainless steel cooker houses a 4-quart ceramic insert that travels from cooker
to table. Features include programmable timer with audible alerts, automatic
Move over or slow down and individual keep-warm functions, and a glass lid that allows viewing of
Iowa has a move over or slow down contents without releasing heat.
law that says motorists must move
over or slow down if they approach Visit our website and win!
any vehicle stopped on the side of the Enter this month’s contest by visiting www.livingwithenergyiniowa.com no later than
road with its flashing lights activated. Sept. 30, 2020. You must be a member of one of Iowa’s electric cooperatives to win. There’s
Even with this law in place, our no obligation associated with entering, we don’t share entrant information with anyone
lineworkers still encounter drivers and multiple entries from the same account will be disqualified. The winner of the meat
thermometer and beef and pork certificates from the July issue was Donna K. Bennett, Pella
who are distracted or simply fail to Cooperative Electric Association.
give them room on the road to work
September 2020 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA 3
ACCESS ENERGY COOPER ATIVE NEWS
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE
Providing a balanced mix of power generation
B Y K E V I N WH EEL ER
For most things in life, balance is gas units, members receive electricity
healthy. The same is true of the power
generation mix that delivers electricity
reliably from generators designed to
run around-the-clock. These plants
A mix of
to your home, farm or can increase or decrease generation means
business. Balance is a key part their power output to serve reliable power
of the reliability Associated members when they need 2019 AECI GENERATION RESOURCES
Electric Cooperative – electricity.
the power generation
cooperative for Access Energy “Keep the turbine turning
Cooperative – works toward so we can keep the lights Coal
every day. burning”
Associated’s balanced Associated’s maintenance
generation mix, featuring programs ensure these power
different fuels and ways generators are efficient and
to generate electricity, ensures available when they’re most needed. If Natural Gas
lights come on when you flip the one unit stops operating, others make
switch. Coal, natural gas, wind up the difference.
and hydropower generation mean Joe Bader, an Ozark Border Electric
flexibility to meet members’ needs. Cooperative member, is one of many
Wind
This mix lets Associated focus on Associated employees tasked with
reliability, along with providing keeping plants running. Joe is a
electricity that is affordable. journeyman machinist/mechanic
By using coal and natural at the New Madrid Power Plant. He
works on equipment that supports Hydro
power production, including turbines.
Access Energy Cooperative is
His motto? “Keep the turbine turning
dedicated to exceeding members’ so we can keep the lights burning.”
expectations for safe, reliable and
efficient service, while being a
Joe says being a co-op member having a diverse power supply,
good citizen in our communities. drives him to diligently serve. He with a foundation of around-the-
Office: Access Energy Cooperative knows families like his depend on his clock resources like coal and gas, is
1800 W. Washington St., P.O. Box 440 work for the electricity that powers important.
Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641 their lives.
Phone: 319-385-1577 or 866-242-4232
Fax: 319-385-6873 “That inspires me to do the best It’s a balance
Call Before You Dig (Iowa One Call): 8-1-1 I can,” Joe says. “No one likes to A balance of generation sources
Website: www.accessenergycoop.com be without electricity for even a means the lights will keep burning
Facebook: facebook.com/AccessEnergyCoop
Twitter: twitter.com/AccessEnergyC
minute. My job is to ensure every for members throughout Access
E-mail: contactus@accessenergycoop.com piece functions so these power plants Energy Cooperative’s system. More
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. stay online.” than 700 employees like Joe work for
Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Call our office 24/7: 319-385-1577. Associated at its power plants and
Payments can be placed in dropbox under flag pole.
Why members benefit from a headquarters in Springfield, Missouri.
Visa and MasterCard accepted. diverse supply Each is a critical part of the power
General Manager/CEO: Kevin Wheeler Wind and hydropower also supply picture, and each is devoted to
Editor: Kimberly Davis are important parts of Associated’s ensuring you have affordable, reliable
Assistant Editor: Cherity Wibben generation mix. But there’s a electricity when you need it.
Officers and Directors:
Marvin Newton District 3 President difference. They only produce This is the second in a series
Marvin Larson District 1 Vice President electricity when wind and water are of four perspective articles about
Robert Chesnut III District 3 Secretary plentiful enough to make turbines power generation, transmission and
David Hollingsworth District 1 Treasurer
Fred Hickenbottom District 1 Director spin. Generation from renewable distribution. In next month’s issue,
Jerry Barker District 2 Director sources, like solar, typically don’t we’ll explore how Associated works to
Robert P. Smith District 2 Director match members’ peak use times – keep costs low.
Larry White District 2 Director
Michael Holtkamp District 3 Director early in the morning on a winter
day or late in the day during the Kevin Wheeler is the general manager/CEO
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
summer. This mismatch is why of Access Energy Cooperative.
4 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA September 2020
ENERGY NEWS
Electric vehicle charging station installed at
cooperative office
Access Energy Cooperative has charging station, visit Access Energy
installed a Level 2 Chargepoint electric Cooperative’s website or https://bit.
vehicle charging station in the parking ly/31Rqx8z
lot in front of our office in Mount
Pleasant, Iowa, and it is available for How much does it cost?
use. The current rate to use the charging
station at Access Energy Cooperative
Who can use it? is our regular single-phase rate for
The charging station is available electric service at $0.10 per kWh.
for public use, but you must have a Vehicles may park for up to four hours
Chargepoint account. If you do not while charging. Vehicles parked in
have a Chargepoint account, it is easy designated charging spots longer
to download the app and set one up. than four hours will be charged an
Or you can call the number on the “escalation fee” of $5.00 per hour for as
screen at the charging station, and they long as they are parked in the charging
can remotely set things up for you and spot. The Chargepoint app can be set
remotely start a charge. up to notify you when your four hours
Any electric vehicle can charge are close to being up and when your
at a Chargepoint charging station, car is done charging.
including a Tesla vehicle with the
adaptor that came with the vehicle. Additional information is available
on our website
How does the charging on the screen to start a charge. Or just If you have questions about charging
station work? call the 800 number on the screen, and electric vehicles, or whether or not an
It’s easy! Simply swipe your a Chargepoint team member will help EV is right for you, visit our website at
Chargepoint card or the app on your get you started. www.accessenergycoop.com, click on
mobile device across the screen of the To watch a video that shows just the “Going Green” tab, and then on
charging station and follow directions how easy it is to charge with our the “Electric Vehicles” link.
ANNOUNCEMENT
2021 calendars
ready to be Get notified
picked up of power
Members
outages on your
can pick up
the 2021
mobile device
Access SmartHub App is available to notify
Energy you if your power is out. If you have an email address
Cooperative stored on your account with Access Energy Cooperative, iOS Android
calendar at our office. You can also you will receive an email notification if your power
find them at these local chamber of experiences a service interruption. If you don’t have an
commerce offices: Mount Pleasant, email address on your account and want to add one,
Fairfield, Ft. Madison and Washington please call our office at 866-242-4232.
as well as the Burlington Welcome Members can also arrange to receive a text message
Center at the Port. alerting you of any service interruptions. Just call our office
Next year, we will return to handing and we will update your account to receive a text message.
them out at our annual meeting, You can opt out of this program at any time. Just call us
which is scheduled for Aug. 3, 2021. and let us know you would like to be taken off the list.
September 2020 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA 5
Celebrating the venerable career
B Y E R I N C AM PBELL
We want to introduce you began working at Wisdom, Sullivan
to a steadfast professional who & Golden as a clerk. Bill Wisdom,
has advocated for the electric who was a senior partner at the law
cooperative business model for over firm, suggested that John attend
half a century. And this co-op hero electric co-op board meetings
doesn’t wear a cape; he carries a and become familiar with co-op
briefcase. operations. John’s first electric
John Ward, president and CEO of co-op client was Clarke Electric
Des Moines-based law firm Sullivan Cooperative in Osceola. He learned
& Ward, P.C., retired in August after a great deal from the co-op General
a 56-year career serving electric Manager N.T. Miller and the Clarke
cooperatives. Many of our readers board of directors.
likely have seen John at their local A few years later, John was
electric co-op annual meetings, selected by the National Rural
ensuring proper protocol was Electric Cooperative Association
being followed as the cooperative’s (NRECA) to serve as a national
attorney. In fact, John has attended instructor for legal seminars
more than 500 electric cooperative and continued in that role for
annual meetings over the decades. 15 years. NRECA is the national
John grew up in rural Iowa five trade association for America’s
miles west of Knoxville in Marion electric cooperatives and provides
County, served by Pella Cooperative educational and training resources
Electric Association. He worked 30 students of various ages and skill to its members, among other
hard on the family farm milking 30 levels. John stayed on the farm until services. John was also published
Holstein cows, feeding sheep, and he enrolled at Drake University. several times in the pages of
raising hogs and Hereford cattle. After earning his Bachelor of Arts the Iowa Association of Electric
John recalls attending a one-room degree, he went on to Drake Law Cooperative’s monthly newsletter
country school where a single School where he worked for the and magazine where he provided
teacher had to manage more than Iowa Legislative Service Bureau legal advice for farmers and co-op
and clerked for Wisdom, Sullivan member-consumers.
& Golden Law Firm, which is now Throughout five decades, John
“I had the opportunity to have known as Sullivan & Ward. served as counsel to many electric
lunch with John when I first After graduating from Drake Law generation and transmission utilities
joined CIPCO. John’s knowledge School in 1964, John immediately and distribution cooperatives across
of CIPCO and advice were very
helpful to me starting in the
cooperative world. As I learned
more about John, I was amazed
at how much he had supported
and influenced the co-op
development in Iowa, through
some pretty big milestones,
including supporting CIPCO’s
investment in the Duane Arnold
Energy Center in the 1970s.”
– Bill Cherrier, executive vice
president and CEO, Central Iowa
Power Cooperative
6 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA September 2020
of an Iowa co-op attorney
America in the development of
power supply and transmission
arrangements and agreements.
He has also provided primary
representation of electric utilities
in the development of financing
agreements with Rural Utilities
Service (RUS), National Rural
Utilities Cooperative Finance
Corporation (CFC), Co-Bank and
other lending institutions to build
and develop power supply and
transmission facilities.
When looking back on his career
of serving electric cooperatives,
one project John is most proud
of involved licensing the Duane
Arnold Energy Center near Cedar
Rapids. Iowa’s only nuclear power
plant was commissioned in 1975
and is scheduled to cease operations
later this year after 45 years of
service. John is also proud to
have assisted electric cooperatives
with mergers and consolidations
that continue to benefit member-
consumers today. “John has served Corn Belt Power
He notes that locally owned and our members for many years. He’s
electric co-ops across the country a champion of cooperative values. For
face significant challenges decades, he has been someone we can
today with new technology and count on in times of need. We wish him
competition. But he’s confident that the very best in retirement. We will miss
the cooperative business model his presence in our boardroom.”
can continue to provide low-cost,
dependable power for members into – Ken Kuyper, executive vice president
and general manager, Corn Belt Power
the next century. Cooperative
On behalf of Iowa’s electric
cooperatives, we wish John a healthy
and blessed retirement. He and
his wife Dana hope to travel and
volunteer. We wouldn’t be surprised if
John attends a co-op annual meeting
from time to time to keep in touch
with the many co-op friends he has
made over the years.
Erin Campbell is the director of
communications for the Iowa Association
of Electric Cooperatives.
September 2020 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA 7
Knobby Apple Cake
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter or margarine
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2½ cups chopped apples
1 cup chopped nuts, optional
Cream sugar and butter together. Mix in eggs,
then add vanilla and stir well. Add dry ingredients
and mix well. Mix in apples and nuts. Pour batter
into a greased 9x13x2-inch pan. Bake at 350
degrees F for 40-50 minutes.
Lois Middlekauff-Kepple • Greene
Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative
Cinnamon Apple Salad
12 Jonathon apples, sliced thick
3 cups sugar
3 cups water
½ cup cinnamon candies
Cook sliced apples in syrup of sugar, water and
candies until tender.
Marilyn Hoffmann • Carroll
Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative
Easy Slow-Cooker
Apple Butter Texas Apple Bars
1 cup vegetable oil
12 cups apples, peeled and sliced 2 cups sugar
2 cups sugar 2 eggs
1/3 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla
LEAVE THE 1/8 teaspoon ground all-spice 3 cups flour
PEEL 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Don’t peel 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda
your apple. ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon salt
Two-thirds 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 3 cups apples, diced small
of the fiber ½ cup nuts
and lots of Place apples in slow cooker. Mix remaining ½ cup coconut
antioxidants ingredients and stir into apples. Cover
are found in
and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours, stirring Beat oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla in mixing bowl on
the peel. One
apple has five
occasionally. Let cool completely. Put in medium speed until combined. Sift flour, cinnamon,
APPLE FACTS
grams of fiber. small freezer containers to freeze. If it is a baking soda and salt together; add to oil and sugar
Antioxidants bit chunky after cooking, put it through a mixture. Stir in apples, nuts and coconut. Spread
help to reduce colander or use an electric mixer on low to batter in a greased 15½x10x1-inch jelly roll pan. Bake
damage to smooth. at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes until done.
cells, which
can trigger Vicki Jonker • Orange City Christine Schiedel • Fairfield
some diseases. North West Rural Electric Cooperative Access Energy Cooperative
8 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA September 2020
Fresh Apple Fried Apples THOUSANDS
Bundt Cake 4 granny smith apples
OF APPLES
2,500
½ cup unsalted butter varieties of
4 cups apples, finely diced ½ cup sugar apples are
2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon grown in the
1 cup nuts, chopped U.S. and 7,500
3 cups flour Peel, core and slice apples. Melt butter in a varieties
½ teaspoon salt skillet, can use cast iron pan. Once butter is of apples
2 teaspoons soda are grown
melted, whisk in sugar and cinnamon. Add
1 cup vegetable oil throughout
APPLE FACTS
1 teaspoon vanilla
apples, stir and cook for 6 minutes.
the world.
2 eggs, well beaten Some apple
Rebecca Darrington • Persia
trees will
Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative
Mix apples and sugar, then let stand 1 hour to grow over 40
make its own juice. After 1 hour, add nuts and feet high and
dry ingredients to apples. Add oil, vanilla and live over 100
eggs. Stir by hand, do not use a mixer. Pour
batter into floured Bundt pan. It will be thick
Freezer Apple Crisp years.
like fruitcake batter. Bake at 325 degrees F for 4 cups apples
1 hour and 15 minutes. Serves 15. ½ cup sugar APPLE ADAGE
¼ teaspoon cinnamon The old saying,
Carole Ristau • Eagle Grove 1 cup brown sugar “An apple a
Prairie Energy Cooperative 6 tablespoons butter or margarine day, keeps the
¼ teaspoon baking powder doctor away,"
¾ cup flour comes from
APPLE FACTS
Apple Crisp for One
¾ cup quick oats an old English
adage, “To eat
Peel core and slice apples. Mix apples, sugar and an apple before
1 tablespoon butter cinnamon in an 8x8-inch aluminum disposable going to bed,
2 tablespoons brown sugar pan that has been sprayed with vegetable oil. will make the
2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats doctor beg his
Mix brown sugar, butter, baking powder, flour
1 tablespoon flour bread.”
and quick oats. Put mixture on top of apples.
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Bake fresh at 350 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes
1 medium apple, peeled and sliced
ice cream or whipped cream
or freeze. To freeze: cover with one layer of
plastic wrap then one layer of aluminum foil. RIPENS
Place in one-gallon size freezer bag. Prior to FASTER
Place butter in 1 cup glass measure. Microwave AT ROOM
on high for 10 seconds. Stir in sugar, oats, flour baking remove all coverings. Bake frozen, do
TEMPERATURE
APPLE FACTS
and cinnamon. Place apple slices in small bowl not defrost, at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes or Apples ripen
and sprinkle oat mixture over apple. Microwave until tender. six to 10 times
on high for 2½ minutes or until apple is tender. DeeAnn Paulsrud • Danbury
faster at room
Garnish with ice cream or whipped cream. temperature
North West Rural Electric Cooperative than if
Darlene Thomas • Somers they were
Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association refrigerated.
A BUSHEL
Wanted: Super Soups! AND PECK
A bushel
The Reward: $25 for every one we publish! of apples
weighs about
42 pounds
When January’s winter chill blankets Iowa, nothing tastes better EMAIL:
and will
APPLE FACTS
than a bowl of hot soup. Share your delicious, savory soup recipes! If recipes@livingwithenergyiniowa.com
(Attach your recipe as a Word document or yield 20-24
we run your recipe in the magazine, we’ll send a $25 credit for your
electric co-op to apply to your power bill. Recipes submitted also may PDF to your email message.) quarts of
be archived on our website at www.livingwithenergyiniowa.com. MAIL: applesauce.
The deadline is Sept. 30, 2020. Please include your name, address, Recipes A peck
telephone number, co-op name and the recipe category on all Living with Energy in Iowa of apples
submissions. NEW: Please also provide the number of servings per 8525 Douglas Ave., Suite 48 weighs about
recipe. Des Moines, IA 50322-2992 10.5 pounds.
September 2020 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA 9
Destructive derecho wallops
Iowa’s electric cooperatives come together to restore power
Iowa
following unprecedented wind storm
B Y A N N T H EL EN
Iowans are familiar with
destructive storms. From tornadoes The Iowa Association
of Electric Cooperatives
and flooding to ice storms and maintains an outage map
blizzards, the Midwest is a mecca for (www.iowarec.org), which
Mother Nature’s fury. However, on automatically updates every
Aug. 10, an unprecedented weather 15 minutes and
event left its destructive impact on displays outages
by co-op and
Iowa. A derecho – the equivalent of county. The
an inland hurricane – became a new map shows
household word for Iowans in this the destructive
monster storm’s path. path of the
Packing winds up to 140 mph, storm.
the derecho left more than 500,000
people statewide without power, tore business structure, we were able to wishes and additional assistance to
up buildings and severely damaged quickly deploy crews to areas without co-op staff for more than a week.
nearly 14 million acres of corn power,” says Scott Meinecke, director “Although electric service was
and soybeans – totaling billions of of safety and loss control for IAEC restored to most members within
dollars of damage throughout Iowa. and coordinator of the cooperatives’ a week, the impacts of the storm
Immediately after the storm, mutual aid effort. “All of Iowa’s will last for months and possibly
Iowa’s electric cooperatives reported electric cooperatives offered mutual years,” Meinecke adds. “Because
nearly 60,000 outages within their aid to those in need. In addition, many of the repairs were temporary
service territories, with three co-ops electric cooperatives from Missouri, to get power restored as quickly
reporting 90% of their member- Minnesota and Wisconsin helped as possible, crews will need to go
consumers lost power. To restore with the restoration effort.” back and make permanent repairs.
power as safely and efficiently as As electric cooperative linemen Iowa’s electric cooperatives are
possible, the Iowa Association worked to restore outages, the power resilient and will do what they do
of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) of community was on full display. best – work every day to serve our
coordinated mutual aid support Despite dealing with their own member-consumers with safe and
for the affected distribution unfortunate situations – including reliable power.”
cooperatives, and the response was massive debris cleanup efforts and
immediate. property damage – many co-op Ann Thelen is the editor of Living with
“Because of the cooperative members provided meals, well Energy in Iowa.
Staff from East-Central Iowa REC
monitor the radar as the derecho
sweeps across Iowa and enters the
co-op’s service territory.
Midland Power
Cooperative works on
power restoration.
10 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA September 2020The stunning radar path of the massive derecho.
Downed poles line a road in East-
Central Iowa REC’s service territory.
A Consumers Energy member-
consumer left an encouraging note
outside the co-op’s Nevada outpost.
Corn Belt Power Cooperative, Central Iowa Power
Cooperative and contractors rebuild a downed
line near Homer in Benton County.
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
MOST SEVERELY IMPACTED
Generation and Transmission
Cooperative
Central Iowa Power Cooperative
Distribution Cooperatives
Consumers Energy
East-Central Iowa Rural Electric
Cooperative
Eastern Iowa Light & Power
Cooperative
Grundy County Rural Electric Cooperative
Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative Co-ops like Farmers Electric
Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative Cooperative, Inc. sent linemen to
Midland Power Midland Power Cooperative heavily affected parts of Iowa as
Cooperative linemen. T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative mutual aid for electric restoration.
POWER RESTORATION
BY THE NUMBERS
With power outages affecting services The following data applies to
area-wide, meals were brought in for Iowa’s electric cooperatives.
East-Central Iowa REC lineworkers. Power outages nearly 60,000
Linemen working on 478
power restoration
Support staff 183
Broken poles more than 2,000
Digger trucks 87
Damage in Maquoketa Valley Poles and lines down in East-Central
Electric Cooperative’s service territory. Iowa REC’s service territory. Basket trucks 133
September 2020 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA 11ACCESS ENERGY COOPER ATIVE NEWS
ME MBE R S HIP M AT TE R S
2020 Annual Meeting of Members
Meeting of District 2 and Michael Holtkamp
District No. 1 District No. 2 District No. 3 Members was elected to replace retiring
was held as director Marvin Holtkamp and
a virtual live represent District 3.
broadcast
on the The election was held by mailed-in
cooperative’s and online balloting. Each active
Facebook member who submitted a vote,
page at either online or by mail, will receive
7 p.m., a $10 bill credit. Members will see
the bill credit either on their August
David Jerry Barker Michael Aug. 4, 2020. or September bill, depending on
Hollingsworth Holtkamp The only when their billing cycle falls.
business
conducted
Members of Access Energy was the election of directors. Following the annual meeting
Cooperative celebrated ”Power On!” Facebook Live was used to share of members, the board met for
as the theme of the 2020 Annual the election results with members. the annual meeting of directors to
Meeting of Members on Aug. 4, in The video has been saved to our elect the executive committee. The
an unusual format. Facebook page for members who are following board members were
In light of COVID-19 and interested in watching the meeting. installed as officers for the board
uncertainty surrounding the ability of directors: Marvin Newton –
of large groups to gather – and Election results and bill credit President, Marvin Larson – Vice
for the health and safety of the David Hollingsworth was re- President, David Hollingsworth
members and employees – Access elected to represent District 1, – Treasurer and Bob Chestnut –
Energy Cooperative’s 2020 Annual Jerry Barker was re-elected to serve Secretary.
CONCERN PROCEDURE
How do you process T hank You
a concern? Thank you for
the opportunity
of being placed in
As a member-owner of nomination as a
Access Energy Cooperative, delegate for director
assistance is available to in the 1st District.
you in resolving questions, I have heard from
comments or complaints many supporters and want
about your electric service. you to know I appreciate your
Access Energy Cooperative confidence in voting for me. The
has trained representatives annual election was held Aug.
available to answer your 4, 2020. David Hollingsworth
questions and address was elected for District 1,
any concerns you may Jerry Barker for District 2 and
have. Here is how you can Mike Holtkamp for District 3.
contact our office: Access Congratulations! I am proud to
Energy Cooperative, P.O. request assistance from the Iowa be a member of Access Energy
Box 440, Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641; Utilities Board by calling toll-free and look forward to being of
call 866-242-4232; or email to 877-565-4450, by writing to Iowa service in the future.
contactus@accessenergycoop.com. Utilities Board, 1375 E. Court
If your question is related to our Avenue, Room 69, Des Moines, Sincere appreciation,
service, rather than rates, and your IA 50319-0069, or by email to Carol M. Wisecarver
concern is not resolved, you may customer@iub.iowa.gov.
12 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA September 2020PHOTO CONTEST IN THE COMMUNITY
Enter for a chance Help others by
contributing
to win $50! to RECare
For the 2022 calendar, we are Entries must include RECare is a program where
looking for more of those fantastic the following information: members help other members in
photos of rural settings in southeast – Entrant’s name, address, phone need. You may make a one-time
Iowa that we have received in number. contribution to the RECare program,
previous contests. We will choose – Title of the photograph. or you may enclose an amount each
13 photos as winners to be placed – County in which photo was taken. month with your monthly electric
in the large photo areas above the All entries will become the property bill. Just one dollar a month will help
calendar pages. Each of the 13 of Access Energy Cooperative and others.
winning entrants will receive $50. may be used by Access Energy This program is administered by the
Please submit entries by March 31, Cooperative for any purpose Iowa Community Action Program,
2021, to: Access Energy Cooperative deems and recipients must meet their
valid. (We can return them upon guidelines.
Photo Contest your request when the contest is
c/o Access Energy Cooperative complete.)
P.O. Box 440 Entrants agree to authorize Access
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641 Energy Cooperative to announce
OR email them to contactus@ and publish their name, address
accessenergycoop.com and photograph in any forthcoming
publicity without further
CONTEST RULES remuneration, other than the prizes
Full color photos are encouraged. awarded in this contest. To have an amount deducted from
Entries must be in a horizontal By submitting an entry in the your monthly bill, send the form
layout. contest, you agree to grant Access below to:
DIGITAL IMAGES ONLY WILL Energy Cooperative permissions RECare
BE ACCEPTED IN ORIGINAL and all rights to use the photo entry c/o Access Energy Cooperative
FILE SIZE. indefinitely for marketing purposes, P.O. Box 440
– Minimum size requirement is which include but is not limited Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
3300 x 2550 pixels. to a calendar or other printed
– Photocopies and digital pictures materials promoting Access Energy Member Authorization
printed from a computer/printer Cooperative. Form
will not be accepted. All entrants must have sufficient
– If an entry is received that permission of any recognizable I would like to make a (check one):
does not meet the minimum persons appearing in the photograph One-time contribution of
requirements, it will be to be able to grant to Access Energy $________________
disqualified from the contest. Cooperative the right to display their
Entrants may enter more than photographic submission online or Monthly contribution of
one photo. in printed material. $_________________
(That will be added to my bill)
THANK YOU Name___________________________________
Address_________________________________
July 30, 2020 _______________________________________
We had a power outage last evening that apparently involved the fuse(s) on City____________________________________
our feeder pole. Becky and I would like to thank everyone involved for the ZIP Code________________________________
quick response in getting the issue resolved and our power restored. We
definitely have the best working on our behalf! Phone #_________________________________
Email___________________________________
Dennis Swartout Access Energy Cooperative member Account # (if known)_______________________
September 2020 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA 13E NE RGY M AT TE R S
Details released for Iowa Home Energy
Assistance Program
The 2020-2021 Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) has been established to
help qualifying low-income Iowa
homeowners and renters pay for a
portion of their primary heating
costs for the winter heating season.
The assistance is based on household
income, household size, type of fuel
and type of housing.
Besides meeting the income
guidelines, you must furnish the
Social Security numbers of all
household members and a copy of of check stubs from the last 30 days.
For FIP recipients, bring your current
Income Maximums
recent heating and electric bills. You
also must show proof of income for DHS Notice of Decision or contact Household Size Annual Gross Income
all household members age 19 and your local office for acceptable
over. If you receive alimony or child document information. 1 $22,330
support, it will need to be verified too. In Iowa, applications for the 2 $30,170
If you’re a wage earner, you should program will be accepted on a first-
bring copies of your check stubs for come, first-served basis from Nov. 3 $38,010
the 30-day period before the date of 1, 2020, through April 30, 2021.
4 $45,850
application or a copy of your federal The start date is Oct. 1, 2020, for
income tax return. If you’re self- elderly (60 and over) and/or disabled 5 $53,690
employed or a farmer, provide a copy applicants. If you’re not sure where
of your most recent federal income to apply, visit humanrights.iowa. 6 $61,530
tax return. And if you’re on a fixed gov/dcaa/where-apply to contact 7 $69,370
income – Social Security Benefits, your local community action agency,
Supplemental Security Income, call 2-1-1 or write: LIHEAP, Iowa 8 $77,210
Family Investment Program (FIP), Department of Human Rights,
Note: For households with more than eight
Veteran’s Assistance, Unemployment Capitol Complex, Des Moines, IA members, add $7,840 for each additional
Insurance and pensions – take copies 50319. member.
Inspired by someone making a difference in your community?
Tell their story and they could win a cash prize.
Visit whopowersyou.com between 9/8/20 and 10/9/20 and submit
a photo of your nominee. Then tell us why that person inspires you
and how they make a difference in your co-op community.
$5,000 GRAND
PRIZE $2,000 SECOND PLACE $1,500 THIRD PLACE $500 HONORABLE MENTION
Visit whopowersyou.com for full contest rules Sponsored by Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Inc.,
4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203. © 2020.
14 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA September 2020OUT BACK
Students: As you go forward ...
B Y VA L ER I E V AN KO O T E N
A lot of kids missed their
graduations this year. Some school
districts created memorable ways to
hold ceremonies, while others simply
“released” their kids like pieces of
confetti into the world.
While we think of graduations
as an ending, the word
“commencement” means “to go
forward” or “to begin.” Whether
you’re going forward into college
or the work world, you need a
commencement speech. After all,
you’re going from a core curriculum
into the supreme elective – life.
Here’s the advice I’d give to those
stepping out into that adventure:
Give the gift of experiences, not
things. Most of us don’t need
more things, unless we’re setting
up a first household. What will
you, as a graduate, remember 25
years from now –the sweatshirt
with your school mascot on it?
Or the tickets to a favorite
sporting event or concert? As
you move on in life, give
memories to those you love, and
that includes your time. Visit
your grandparents. Take your
niece or nephew for the day. Go
fishing with your dad. Then you might want to take it. Go to bed with clean kitchen
Life is too short for bad Don’t quit learning. Whether counters every night. You will
underwear. No matter how poor you are continuing your be so much more pleasant in the
you are, throw out underwear education or not doesn’t matter. morning.
that rides, pinches, chafes or You quit learning when you are Cultivate the joy in life: the
slips. Dump the unmentionables no longer interested in anything sunset, the baby kittens, the
that are torn, faded or dyed pink. new. And I’ll tell you something: family around the table, the
A dream will remain a dream Bored people are always boring scrapbook of memories. They
until you put a timeline on it. people. cost nothing but pay everything.
Don’t be one of those folks who, You will learn something in I do not propose to have given you
after 50 years, says, “I always every job you hold. And the the key to life, but I hope these few
wanted to go there ….” Or “I most precious of those lessons suggestions will smooth the way. Feel
always wanted to do that.” Go will be from jobs you hated. It free to add your own. And know one
there. Do that. Put together a will help you decide what work thing: I’m serious about the kitchen
timeline that will allow you to you want to do in the future, counters.
save for it and accomplish it. what kind of boss you want to be,
For Pete’s sake, be yourself. how you’re going to treat your Valerie Van Kooten is a writer from Pella
who loves living in the country and telling
Forge your own path. Unless, of co-workers, what the priorities its stories. She and her husband Kent have
course, you’re lost in the forest are in your life. The jobs you love three married sons and two incredibly
and there’s a path in front of you. will be a reward in themselves. adorable grandsons.
September 2020 LIVING WITH ENERGY IN IOWA 15BATMOBILE?
BUCKET TRUCK.
We’re not your typical energy company, we’re a local, not-for-profit electric cooperative.
That’s because we don’t have customers, we have members. Putting people first is our super power.
To learn more about the cooperative difference, visit TouchstoneEnergy.com
YOUR SOURCE OF POWER. AND INFORMATION.You can also read
