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S E PTE M B E R 2021
T H E M AGA Z I N E YO U C O M E H O M E TO
Always
remember
Legacy of Flight 93
lives on 20 years later
PLUS
Festival foods at home
Electric trucks and SUVs
Graduating to Grandma
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SEPTEMBER 2021
Contents
Vol. 56 • No. 9 4 Keeping Current
Editor
News from across
Peter A. Fitzgerald the Commonwealth
Senior Editor/Writer
Katherine Hackleman 6 E nergy Matters
Working together to combat
Associate Editor cyberattacks
Michael T. Crawford
Layout & Design 8 eature: always
f
W. Douglas Shirk remember 8
production coordinator Legacy of Flight 93 lives on
Michelle M. Smith 20 years later
Contributing Columnists
John Kasun 12 Time Lines
Anne M. Kirchner Your newsmagazine
Yvonne Butts-Mitchell through the years
Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazine 12a Cooperative
of Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is published Connection
monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Associa- Information and advice from
tion, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg,
your local electric cooperative
PA 17108-1266. Penn Lines helps 166,000 house-
holds of co-op consumer-members understand issues
17
that affect the electric cooperative program, their local
co-ops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops are not-
16 S mart circuits
for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed, and tax-
Get charged: Electric trucks
paying electric utilities. Penn Lines is not responsible and SUVs are coming
for unsolicited manuscripts. The opinions expressed
in Penn Lines do not necessarily reflect those of the
editors, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, or 17 rural views
local electric distribution cooperatives. Grand promotions
Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.39 per and a purple crayon
year through their local electric distribution coopera-
tive. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg,
PA 17107 and additional mailing offices. POST-
18 COUNTRY KITCHEN
MASTER: Send address changes with mailing label Bring festival foods to your home
to Penn Lines, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, 18
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. 19 ECH TRENDS
T
Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks prior to Efficient and safe farming
month of issue. Ad rates upon request. Acceptance technologies
of advertising by Penn Lines does not imply endorse-
ment of the product or services by the publisher or
any electric cooperative. If you encounter a problem
with any product or service advertised in Penn Lines,
20 Classifieds
please contact: Advertising, Penn Lines, P.O. Box
1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines reserves 22 Punch Lines
the right to refuse any advertising. ‘Put your pants on’
23 R ural Reflections
The last glimmers of summer
23
ON THE COVER
Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural Electric
Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls; Vice Chairman,
Summer visitors tour
Tim Burkett; Secretary, Barbara Miller; Treasurer, the Flight 93 National
Rick Shope; President & CEO, Frank M. Betley Memorial in Shanksville.
© 2021 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association. Photo by Jill Ercolino
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part
without written permission is prohibited.
Visit with us at Penn Lines Online,
located at: www.prea.com/penn-lines-
magazine. Penn Lines Online provides an
email link to Penn Lines editorial staff,
information on advertising rates, and an
archive of past issues.
| SE PTE M B E R 2021 3
keepingcurrent
News from across the Commonwealth
Long-term state park plan pandemic,” Gov. Wolf said during a
emphasizes inclusion and visit to Pine Grove Furnace State Park
improvements in Gardners, where he unveiled the
Pennsylvanians rediscovered state blueprint. “As we get back on track, we
parks during the COVID-19 pandemic, need to ensure generations to come will
and now officials have come up with a have the same opportunities, and that
new strategic plan to adapt these out- all Pennsylvanians feel connected to
door spaces to meet the public’s growing their state parks.”
demand and changing recreation needs. The state Department of Conservation
In July, Gov. Tom Wolf announced and Natural Resources has already started
the long-term effort, which focuses on implementing some of the 87 strategies,
improving facilities and services and which address such issues as over-
promoting equity and inclusion. The crowding and funding, along with trail
25-year initiative is known as “Penn’s and concession improvements.
Parks for All — A Plan for Pennsylva- The plan also includes eight specific
Raptor recovery: Peregrine nia’s State Parks of Tomorrow.” strategies for ensuring diversity, equity
falcons make a comeback “The opportunity to enjoy the beauty and inclusion.
The peregrine falcon may be the and recreational opportunities in state To learn more about “Penn’s Parks
world’s fastest animal but it’s taken parks and forests was critical to our for All,” go to dcnr.pa.gov and click on
more than 40 years for the raptor to mental and physical health during the “State Parks.”l
make a comeback in Pennsylvania.
Now, however, the Pennsylvania Seek and destroy: Join the fight to prevent
Game Commission is on the verge the spread of the spotted lanternfly
of reclassifying the bird’s status from As the spotted lanternfly continues to spread through-
threatened to protected. The final vote out the state, many people may be seeing them in their
on the proposal is expected this month. area for the first time.
“There is no question the population The state Department of Conservation and Natural
has recovered to the point where it is Resources is encouraging Pennsylvanians to take the
secure and is stable,” Art McMorris, the following steps to prevent the spread of the insect on
commission’s peregrine falcon coordi- your property and in your community:
nator, said at a recent board of commis- k L earn to identify and remove egg masses at extension.psu.edu/how-to-remove-
sioners meeting. spotted-lanternfly-eggs.
k If you are in a quarantine area, “look before you leave” to avoid transporting lan-
There were about 44 pairs of pere-
ternflies to new locations. A helpful resource is the state Department of Agricul-
grine falcons before they disappeared
ture’s “resident checklist,” which you can follow to thoroughly inspect vehicles,
from Pennsylvania in the first half of trailers, and other outdoor items before moving in or out of quarantine locations.
the 20th century. The Commonwealth To download a copy of the checklist, visit agriculture.pa.gov, go to the “Plants,
has at least 73 pairs now, including a Land & Water” tab and choose “Spotted Lanternfly.” You can also sign up for “The
population of peregrines in southwest- Spotted Lanternflyer” e-newsletter at the website.
ern Pennsylvania, where they didn’t k R eport spotted lanternfly sightings online at extension.psu.edu/have-you-seen-a-
exist before. spotted-lanternfly or call 888-4BAD-FLY (888-422-3359) between 8 a.m. and
“We have brought the population 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
back to the point where it is secure and k A pply for a spotted lanternfly permit, which is mandatory for businesses, agen-
it has recovered,” McMorris said. “They cies, and organizations that move regulated articles, including live and dead trees,
garden plants and produce, construction materials, and wooden boxes and crates
don’t need extra help from humans
in and out of quarantine areas.
anymore.”
4 | SE PTE M B E R 2021
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energymatters
Working together to combat cyberattacks
By Paul Wesslund
C
omputer hacking is a top news notebook can also work as long as
story these days, and for years, you’re certain you’ll never lose it, and
electric cooperatives have no one else has access to it. And be
focused on blocking cyber threats from aware that every major internet-con-
interfering with the nationwide electric nected appliance comes with its own
grid of wires and poles that keeps our factory-installed password that you
lights on. should change right away. The pass-
word for my smart TV was — you
You can also help to defend against guessed it — “123456.”
that electronic mischief. And you Stay vigilant.
should. Because when using inter- If you receive an email with an
net-connected devices like your smart- attachment you weren’t expecting,
phone, you’re instantly connected to don’t open the attachment. If you get
the grid. a message with a link you didn’t know
The network of power lines, trans- was coming, don’t click it. Even if it’s
formers and substations adds up to an from a friend, phone them and ask
incredibly complex system that reliably if they sent it since hackers can send
brings us the conveniences of modern messages using your friend’s email
life. That network is transforming into address.
a “smart grid” that does an even better protect yourself and the electric grid. Stay state-of-the-art.
job of delivering electricity. It’s adding Because the power grid uses the inter- Your computer and other devices will
renewable energy sources like solar net, that means that your internet-con- regularly offer updates — install them.
and wind power, which call for sophis- nected devices are also part of the grid: They often contain security updates to
ticated software to figure out how to computers, security cameras, printers, protect against the latest cyberthreats.
keep power flowing at night or when smart TVs, health monitors –– even They will come to you directly through
the wind isn’t blowing. Computer cars and lightbulbs can be connected your computer, phone, or printer, so
algorithms make plans for the most to the internet. don’t be fooled by an email or message
efficient and reliable operations when Here are the top tips experts advise saying it’s an update. You can also go
forecasts call for storms, wildfires, or to defend against hackers: online and search for news about any
increased power use. Lock the front door. updates to your device.
Making such modern miracles hap- If you have wireless internet in your October is National Cybersecurity
pen means joining with another domi- home, the traffic comes in through the Awareness Month, and the U.S. Depart-
nant part of today’s world: the internet. router. If you take just one step, create ment of Homeland Security has titled
The blink-of-an-eye speed of balanc- a strong password for that router and this year’s theme, “If you connect it,
ing the generation of electricity with set a reminder to change the password protect it.” That’s good advice for your
your flip of a light switch relies heavily regularly. home — and for the electric grid. l
on the electronically connected world. Use a secret code. Paul Wesslund writes on consumer and
The internet is not only incredibly Weak passwords make things easier cooperative affairs for the National Rural
useful, but it’s also a target for trouble- for hackers. A study found the most- Electric Cooperative Association, the
makers, from lone, self-taught experts used password in 2021 was — you national trade association representing
to international crime rings. guessed it — “123456.” A more secure more than 900 local electric cooperatives.
Electric utilities know this and work option uses a combination of upper- From growing suburbs to remote farm-
every day through their own offices case and lower-case letters, numbers, ing communities, electric co-ops serve
and national organizations on cyber- and special symbols like “&” or “!.” as engines of economic development for
safety. There are apps to help you remem- 42 million Americans across 56% of the
You can take smart steps, too, to ber passwords. A simple, old-fashioned nation’s landscape.
6 | SE PTE M B E R 2021
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Always remember
Legacy of Flight 93 lives on 20 years later
T
he smoke may have cleared, but By Jill M. Ercolino HALLOWED GROUND: The final resting place
20 years later, the memories of the 40 passengers and crew on Flight 93
Senior Editor/Writer is considered to be hallowed ground. The site
linger. in Shanksville is now home to a 2,200-acre
national memorial that ensures America always
Dave Dovala recalls walking out of Dovala would cross paths with the remembers the heroism these strangers dis-
New York City’s Penn Station into the towers again. This time, he would played on Sept. 11, 2001.
bright sunshine. For reasons he still narrowly escape death.
doesn’t understand, Dovala was drawn Roxanne Sullivan and her family Overcome with grief and relief, she
to a street artist who was recreating were spared, too. remembers cradling her dog and cry-
the city’s skyline and landmarks with United Airlines Flight 93, one of ing for three days.
a trio of unusual tools, a belt buckle, four commercial airliners that terrorists “How do you handle an airliner
a can opener and spray paint. On one hijacked and used as weapons that day, crashing in your backyard?” Sullivan
completed canvas, tiny lights glittered crashed in the reclaimed strip mine wonders now. “You don’t.”
in the windows of the World Trade behind her Stonycreek Township Steve Aaron was with then-Gov.
Center’s twin towers. home, killing everyone on board. Tom Ridge when he flew to Somerset
Dovala, a member of Bedford Rural Sullivan, a member of Somerset County to view the Flight 93 crash site
Electric Cooperative (REC), plunked REC, was visiting a friend when she and meet with family members and
down $30 for the art and left to enjoy heard the news. Panicked, she jumped news crews in nearby Shanksville, a
the weekend with his family. in her SUV and sped home, hoping she quiet, rural community of 250.
Two days later, on Sept. 11, 2001, still had one. She did. It wasn’t until the governor’s heli-
8 | SE PTE M B E R 2021
copter lifted off for Harrisburg that developed a deep connection to They succeeded on one front: nearly
Aaron, Ridge’s deputy communications Flight 93 and dedicated the past two 3,000 innocent Americans died.
director, had a moment to reflect on decades to protecting, preserving, and The first hijacked plane, out of
the day’s events. telling its story. Boston, hit the north tower of the World
The roar of the helicopter made Their work, they say, was born out of Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. The second,
it impossible to have a conversation respect and gratitude for the 40 heroes also out of Boston, struck the south
with anyone. Instead, Aaron stared at aboard the plane and their families, tower at 9:03 a.m. The third plane, leav-
the horizon, awash in brilliant streaks and it ensures that future generations ing Washington, D.C., slammed into the
of color — blues, reds, pinks and will always remember what happened Pentagon at 9:37 a.m.
yellows. in the skies over Pennsylvania, where News of the errant airliners spread
“In that silence,” he says, “I noticed many believe the war on terror began. quickly, and like much of the world,
the beautiful sunset. It was so striking Flight recordings indicate that some Shanksville’s residents were glued to
compared to the ugliness of that day.” 30,000 feet in the air, the passengers the live TV coverage. Somerset REC
and crew fought four extremist hijack- employees were among them.
Shanksville becomes a ers with makeshift weapons to retake “I remember looking around at my
household name control of Flight 93, en route that staff and seeing the fear in their eyes,”
America — and Americans — morning from Newark, N.J., to San says Rich Bauer, then-general manag-
changed on Sept. 11, 2001, something Francisco, Calif. Calls made from the er of Somerset REC who now serves
those who are old enough to remem- flight to loved ones on the ground had as president & CEO of Valley REC
ber the attacks will understand. The confirmed the worst: The terrorists on in Huntingdon. “One of them even
nation’s sense of security was shat- board were part of a coordinated effort thanked God that we lived in rural
tered, but from that loss, unity and to kill thousands while crippling the America because things like this don’t
patriotism emerged. U.S. government. happen here.”
Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the
USA” became the anthem, and one
verse in particular, “I’m proud to be an
American,” captured the spirit of the
time.
Since then, however, 75 million
people have been born in the U.S.,
which means that a third of the popu-
lation has no tangible ties to the single
deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
This raises a concern. Will this pivotal
point in history — and the bravery
that defined it — fade into obscurity?
The phrase “never forgotten,” which
pops up in unexpected places in and
around Pennsylvania’s Flight 93 Na-
tional Memorial, indicates otherwise.
Those words and variations of them
appear on handwritten notes to the
passengers and crew that are tacked
to a bulletin board near the Wall of
Names and on plaques at the local fire
company.
And for many, the phrase has
become a promise — and a pledge.
“Forty people died in my backyard,”
rich bauer
Sullivan says, “and I have a need to
take care of them — probably until the
day I die.”
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON: Flames from the downed airliner melted nearby power lines. Initially,
A volunteer ambassador at the
federal officials told the staff at Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative that it would be several weeks
memorial, she is among a group of before the co-op could repair the damage, but employees persevered: They restored members’
Shanksville area residents who have electricity within eight hours of the crash, instead of the predicted eight weeks.
| SE PTE M B E R 2021 9
Or so they thought.
At 10:03 a.m., Flight 93 came
screaming out of the sky at 563 miles PAYING TRIBUTE: As news spread that
per hour and slammed into a grassy Flight 93, one of four airliners hijacked by
terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, had crashed in a
field about a mile outside of town.
field in Shanksville, visitors and media flocked to
In that moment, Shanksville became the scene. Mementoes for the 40 passengers
a household name, and Flight 93 and crew, above, were left behind at several
became the only hijacked airliner to be temporary memorials. Terry Shaffer, left, now-
retired chief of the Shanksville Volunteer Fire
diverted from its target, thanks to the
Department, opened the fire company’s doors
passengers and crew. to the grieving families as the small, rural com-
“Around here, we measure time two munity was thrust into the international spotlight.
ways: before the plane crash and after Shaffer is a member of Somerset Rural Electric
Cooperative.
the plane crash,” says Terry Shaffer,
the now-retired chief of the Shanks-
ville Volunteer Fire Department and a co-op could repair the damage, but the Shaffer also talks about the fire sta-
member of Somerset REC. staff persevered: They restored mem- tion, which became a gathering place
The massive disaster would put bers’ electricity within eight hours for grieving families and inquisitive
people like Shaffer and Bauer to the of the crash, instead of the predicted out-of-towners, the bumper-to-bumper
test. Among the first on the scene, the eight weeks. traffic, and the stress of it all on locals.
pair say nothing could have prepared “Truly, it was a miracle; things just Mostly, though, the former fire chief
them for what they found: death, de- fell into place,” Bauer says. “Going prefers to focus on the passengers and
struction and heartbreak. into it, the Somerset staff all had the crew of Flight 93, a group of strangers,
“We relied a lot on instinct and com- same attitude: This was for America, ranging in age from 20 to 79, who
mon sense,” Shaffer says. so it was all hands on deck. And we would make history.
Bauer, a young manager at the time, did what we do best: improvise, over- Forty-six minutes after take-off from
agrees: “You can’t plan for this. You come, and adapt.” Newark, the hijackers commandeered
just react.” Looking back, Shaffer says that the cockpit, herded the travelers to the
some things have changed, but others rear of the plane, and turned the airlin-
‘They’re the heroes’ haven’t. For instance, curious reporters er around toward its most likely target,
Flames from the downed airliner still ask him to relive the day’s events, the U.S. Capitol Building.
melted nearby power lines, one of usually as Sept. 11 draws closer. So he What the hijackers didn’t count on
many challenges the co-op’s team tells them about the smoldering crater was a mid-air rebellion, which resulted
would overcome, Bauer says. The left behind by the flaming wreckage, in the plane nosediving into a vacant
crash site also had been declared a the blank faces of the firefighters who field, just 20 air minutes from Washing-
federal crime scene, which also threat- had never experienced anything like ton, D.C., and a mere mile and a half
ened to slow the co-op’s response. this, and the media outlets that came away from a local school. Miraculously,
Initially, federal officials told Bauer from around the world to tell the no one on the ground was killed.
it would be several weeks before the Flight 93 story. There’s evidence that the passengers
10 | SE PTE M B E R 2021and crew had voted to launch a coun- ‘We will remember’ had a place in her heart for the
terattack, one that required them to Today, the final resting place of Flight 40 heroes, and calls the Flight 93
sacrifice their lives so that many others 93’s passengers and crew is hallowed Memorial “a sad, but beautiful place.”
could be spared. ground and home of the Flight 93 Na- The acres of grassy fields, trees and
“The real story isn’t about our tional Memorial, a 2,200-acre landscape wildflowers, and the reverential trib-
response,” Shaffer says. “That plane tribute that ensures America never utes to the passengers and crew, which
never would have crashed and ended forgets, National Park Service Superin- include the Wall of Names and the
up here if the people onboard hadn’t tendent Stephen Clark says. Tower of Voices, are a stark contrast to
fought back. They’re the heroes.” “Every Sept. 11, we will remember,” the scorched land of 20 years ago.
“They realized their fate and took he says. “We will never let that day go Then, it was swarming with inves-
action; they weren’t paralyzed,” says by without honoring those 40 passen- tigators and police, who were reluc-
Shaffer’s wife, Kathie, who became gers and crew.” (To learn more about tant to allow Sullivan and her family
Flight 93’s oral historian and knows the Flight 93 National Memorial and to stay in their home, which abutted
more than most about the people this month’s observance of the crash, the crime scene. Eventually, officials
and their actions. “Who wouldn’t be go to nps.gov.) relented under three conditions:
inspired by their story?” Roxanne Sullivan says she’s always The Sullivans had to check in with
police when arriving and leaving, they
couldn’t have visitors, and when home,
they couldn’t go beyond their property
line.
“The first night was really horrible
with all of the helicopters,” Sullivan
recalls. “All I could think about was
what was going to happen to us.”
She says curious onlookers would
gather in her neighborhood, leaving
Bibles, letters, stuffed animals and
other mementoes. Touched by the
trinkets, Sullivan created a makeshift
memorial on her land for the Flight 93
dead. It eased her sadness.
“I was doing something for them,”
she says. “I wanted to help.”
On a hill closer to the crash site,
the Stonycreek Township supervisors
erected another temporary memorial,
a chain link fence lined with ply-
wood. Over time, they added benches,
flagpoles and a maintenance shed to
(continues on page 14)
THE CARETAKERS: Residents of Shanksville
have developed a deep connection to Flight 93,
and many have dedicated the past two decades
to protecting, preserving, and telling its story.
Their work, they say, ensures that future gener-
ations will always remember what happened in
the skies over Pennsylvania, where many believe
the war on terror began. They include Roxanne
Sullivan, top photo, who catalogued thousands
of mementoes left behind. In the bottom photo,
Kathie Shaffer, left, conducted nearly 900 inter-
views, the basis for Flight 93’s oral history, while
her sister, Donna Glessner, was instrumental
in recruiting the first local “ambassadors” to
greet and educate crash site visitors. All three
women are members of Somerset Rural Electric
Cooperative.
| SE PTE M B E R 2021 11timelines
Your Newsmagazine Through the Years
2011
2001
New state regulations
replace the traditional
two-week antlered
deer season and
subsequent two-day
doe season with a
concurrent antlered
and antlerless deer
season.
1991
Pennsylvania has
many rivers and
streams that provide
excellent conditions
for whitewater
rafting, an exciting
way to see some of
the Commonwealth’s
more rugged regions.
T
he Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission
releases a report assessing the impact of the natural gas
industry in Pennsylvania. The group studied several 1981
major areas, including infrastructure, economic and workforce Economite Hill in
development, local impacts and emergency response, and public Warren County
occupies a small
health, safety, and environmental protection. chapter in the story
Some of the most intense development during the gas rush of the Economites
has been occurring in Bradford, Susquehanna and Tioga coun- (also known as the
ties, where drilling permits have been skyrocketing. In Bradford Harmonists) and
County’s Asylum Township, for instance, strips of rural land are their radical social
experiment.
turning into industrial parks.
The commission’s report reveals benefits: Unemployment has
been dropping rapidly in counties with a high concentration of
natural gas drilling activity. In addition, more than 500 shale-
related businesses have been created. The average wage for core 1971
Marcellus Shale industries is $73,150, and $63,871 for ancillary Articles and an
industries. Meanwhile, the average wage in Pennsylvania is editorial examine
$45,747. the U.S. educational
system and wonder
“Quite frankly, there are a lot more high-paying jobs,” says
why young people
Craig Harting, CEO of Sullivan County Rural Electric Coopera- fresh out of high
tive. “And it’s a rising tide that has lifted all boats.” school and college
are having trouble
finding jobs.
12 | SE PTE M B E R 20212020 Annual
Report
(Photo Credit: REA Lineman)rea energy cooperative, inc
2020 Executive Report
We are very pleased to report to you, our cooperative’s social media pages, Penn high-efficiency products, which saves them
member-owners, on the condition of your Lines articles and printed material. money on monthly energy bills.
cooperative. The year 2020 was a good but k Fairly maintained our accounts re- Our electrical contracting business
challenging year for the cooperative due to ceivable levels to make our cash flow line continues to provide safe electrical
the pandemic. The cooperative’s financial more predictable, thus reducing costs upgrades to our residential consumers
performance during the year allowed us for all members. and provides solutions for commercial
to continue improving our system and k Continued promoting Touchstone consumers. Our load technicians play a
reliability. Energy®/TSE Services, a national pivotal role in increasing electric sales by
Following are some of our 2020 accom- cooperative that provides benefits providing services at a competitive price.
plishments: for our members. Members who take This service makes it easier for commercial
advantage of the Co-op Connections and industrial accounts to locate on coop-
Finance programs enjoy numerous discounts. erative lines, which increases sales.
Financially, REA Energy experienced an k Further promoted and enhanced the REA Energy Services recorded approx-
overall increase in revenue in 2020. How- “Members Sharing with Members” imately $740,065 in revenue for 2020.
ever, despite an average 5% rate increase, fund to help members in need due to The solid sales numbers were due to great
our electricity sales of $44,866,837 only unemployment or financial hardship. customer service, honesty and exceptional
increased 2% due to a decrease in commer- k Further developed our Match Assis- value, making REA Energy Services the
cial consumption. tance Fund to help members in need company of choice for many people.
Our cost of power totaled $22,071,267 with bills and faulty services. REA Energy Services will be offering
due to the competitive wholesale rates we k Encouraged large commercial mem- more convenient and energy-efficient
received from Allegheny Electric Cooperative, bers (key accounts) to expand on our products and services in the future. Think
Inc., our power supplier, and the benefits system, which may reduce costs for all of us for any future contracting jobs and
provided by our load management system. members. tell a friend about our excellent products
This combination of decreased kilo- Adhering to our core principles, REA and services.
watt-hour sales, reduced expenses due to Energy will continue to enhance existing
COVID-19, reasonable power costs and a programs and offer new technology to Rights-of-way
$1.9 million patronage allocation from our better serve our members. REA Energy constantly monitors the re-
wholesale electric power supplier allowed liability of our power system. Each year, an
us to record a net margin of $6,083,146, REA Energy Services outage summary report identifies areas that
which met the requirements of our mort- REA Energy Services, our for-profit sub- need attention and, based on past history,
gage holders. REA Energy also retired sidiary, continued to be successful in 2020 where future outages are most likely to
$367,781 of capital credits. due to an increase in commercial customers. occur. Tree-related outages accounted for
Detailed financial statements can be REA Energy Services had solid sales in 28.5% of all outage hours in 2020.
found on subsequent pages of this issue of all four business lines, including heating, Last year, the cooperative spent more
Penn Lines. The cooperative’s records were ventilation and air-conditioning products than $4.5 million on cutting rights-of-way
audited by an independent accounting (HVAC), electrical contracting, generators, for line extensions to serve new customers,
firm, which issued a clean audit opinion. and tree trimming. as well as on regular cutting and herbicide
REA Energy Services installs most types treatments for existing rights-of-way. Con-
Member services of HVAC systems, such as electric boilers tributions for rights-of-way were made by
REA Energy Cooperative continued to and three major heat pumps, including various companies and members in 2020.
expand member services in 2020, including: ductless, air-source, and geothermal. By Areas we focused on in 2020 were:
k Communicated regularly to member- keeping an emphasis on education and k L ocust Substation – cut 82 miles.
ship regarding COVID-19 information. cost-saving benefits of these products, we k L atimer Substation – cut 26 miles.
k H eld first virtual annual meeting due continue to install many of these systems k L ivermore Substation – cut 108 miles.
to COVID-19 safety concerns. and anticipate future interest from mem- k F airview Substation – cut 69 miles.
k H eld a Member Appreciation Month bers due to volatile fossil fuel prices versus k Georgeville Substation – cut 124 miles.
in October. low REA Energy electric rates. Since profits Maintaining rights-of-way remains a very
k C ontinued enhancements to the coop- from this for-profit subsidiary go back to time-consuming and labor-intensive task.
erative’s website, reaenergy.com. the cooperative, the subsidiary’s success If you notice trees that present an immedi-
k B egan offering the ability to sign up helps to keep rates low. ate threat to the cooperative’s power lines,
for service online. Most of our products, such as heat please contact us so we can investigate.
k I ncreased the use of mobile devices in pumps, provide direct profits to the
field vehicles for up-to-date informa- cooperative and also increase electric sales, Reliability/system
tion flow. which helps to keep rates low. Not only improvements
k C ontinued communicating with our does the cooperative benefit from the sub- REA Energy strives to provide reliable
members via regular posts to the sidiary, members benefit from purchasing electric service to members. This past year,
12b | SE PTE M B E R 2021the cooperative rebuilt 27.4 miles of line on our system improvements and work Meeting Registration” button before
across the system. Rebuilding, relocation closely with our transmission and whole- 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16, 2021. This will admit
and upgrading of electric lines included: sale power suppliers to improve transmis- you to the virtual annual meeting and
Overhead – 27.4 miles sion reliability. entitles the named member(s) to a chance
k B elsano Substation, Bechel Lane Tap to win a door prize. Informational videos,
– 0.4 miles. Annual meeting along with a list of “Frequently Asked
k B irtle Metering Point, Mac’s Tire Cir- REA Energy has decided to cancel our Questions” on how to register and log in
cuit – 1.5 miles. in-person annual meeting for 2021. The for the meeting, are posted on our website.
k B rowns Crossroads Metering Point, 2021 annual meeting will be held online The cooperative has made this decision
Streams Nursery – 2.1 miles. (virtual) only. Instructions for signing in the best interest of the members’, board
k C herryhill Substation, Apache Drive up and viewing the annual meeting were of directors’, and REA Energy employees’
to Geesey Road – 1 mile. included in the official notice. health and safety. We appreciate your
k C lyde Substation, Boliver Y Circuit – To register for the annual meeting, go understanding and cooperation and look
6.8 miles. to reaenergy.com and click on the “Annual forward to seeing you again in 2022. l
k G eorgeville Substation, Wells Road –
1.2 miles.
k G eorgeville Substation, Route 210 to
Plumville – 2.2 miles.
k I ndiana Substation, North Martin
Road to St. Clair Road – 1.9 miles.
k L aurel Substation, King’s II Ridge
Road Rebuild & Relocation – 3.3
miles.
k L aurel Substation, King’s II Gwizdak
Michael J. Bertolino Chad Carrick, MBA,CFPC
Hollow, Section 2 – 0.9 miles.
Chairman, CCD, BLc, Gold President & CEO
k P arkwood Substation, Cunningham
Road – 0.4 miles. Board of Directors Staff
Wayne Farabaugh, Vice Chairman, Barry Baker, Indiana Operations Manager
k R eese Substation, Vale Wood Circuit CCD, BLC, GOLD Erin Bauer, SHRM-CP, ACRE Coordinator
Larry Stem Rebuild – 1.1 miles. Robert Neese, Secretary/Treasurer, Shane Cribbs, Network & Systems Manager
k S t. Augustine Substation, Nagles Allegheny Director, CCD, BLC, GOLD Dave Daugherty, CSP
Thomas Aurandt Safety & Right of Way Manager
Crossroads to CH School – 2 miles. Thomas Beresnyak Jr. Jeff Dishong, Ebensburg Operations Supervisor
k St. Augustine Substation, Nagles Cross- Sandra Dill, CCD Lisa Gardill, CFPC, Accounting & Finance Manager
roads to St. Augustine – 1.8 miles. Anthony Enciso, CCD Stacy Hilliard, CCC, CKAE
John R. Learn, CCD, BLC Communications & Marketing Manager
k W ashington Substation, Redding Run Rick Shope, PREA Director, CCD, BLC Local Pages Editor
– 0.8 miles. Patrick McAndrew, PE
Manager of Engineering
Substation/metering point Bryon Roland, CPSM, C.P.M.
k G eorgeville Substation – Rebuild fail- Purchasing & Facilities Manager
ing retaining wall around Georgeville Renee Spalla, Supervisor of Consumer Services
Chris Weller, Load Management Supervisor
Substation.
REA Energy is in the fourth year of its
four- and 10-year work plans. The four-
year work plan ran from 2017 through Headquarters Office — District Office —
June 2021 and included approximately Indiana, Pennsylvania Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
15 to 30 miles of re-conductoring projects Physical Location: 75 Airport Road Physical Location: 127 Municipal Road
each year. We have started designing our Address: P.O. Box 70, Address: P.O. Box 273,
new four-year work plan that will run from Indiana, PA 15701-0070 Ebensburg, PA 15931-0273
2021 to June 2025. 724-349-4800 or 800-211-5667 814-472-8570
REA Energy had 222,802 total mem-
ber outage hours for 2020 compared to Emergencies/Outages - 724-463-7273 or 800-332-7273
347,018 in 2019. REA experienced two Email - reaenergy@reaenergy.com Homepage - www.reaenergy.com
major-event storms in 2020, which ac- Office Hours - Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
counted for 36,598 outage hours compared Facebook: www.facebook.com and search for REA Energy Cooperative, Inc.
to three major-event storms, totaling
99,392 outage hours in 2019. Outages on 2020 Statistics
the transmission system owned by inves- Number of Services - 24,860 Est. Gross Load Mgmt. Savings - $209,284
tor-owned utility, FirstEnergy, were Miles of Electric Line - 2,901 Water Heaters Controlled - 5,780
61,276 member hours in 2020 compared System Peak (January) - 67,385 kW Controlled Electric Heat - 144
to 92,638 member hours in 2019. FirstEn- Kilowatt-hours sold - 373,620,544 kWh Round-Up Participants - 1,898
ergy is the cooperative’s power supplier. Net Plant Value - $100,428,496 Full-Time Employees - 69
Management and staff continue to focus
| SE PTE M B E R 2021 12crea energy cooperative, inc
24,816 24,860
25,000 23,935
21,473
20,000 18,990
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
400,000,000 374,718,894 373,620,544
350,000,000
300,000,000 283,924,255
250,000,000 231,792,380
191,250,257
200,000,000
150,000,000
100,000,000
50,000,000
0
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
$120,000,000
$100,428,496
$100,000,000
$80,000,000 $73,316,244
$60,000,000
$46,447,196
$40,000,000
$27,097,505
$15,768,983
$20,000,000
0
Photo Credit: Touchstone Energy 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
12d | SE PTE M B E R 2021Nuclear - 10 percent
ownership of the
Susquehanna Steam
Electric Station
(54.8%)
Consumer-Member
Interconnections (0.1%) Open Market
Purchases - Mix of
Hydro - Raystown coal, natural gas,
Hydroelectric Project nuclear, and oil
and New York Power (35.1%)
Authority (10.0%)
Purchased
Power
(55.5%)
Operations &
Maintenance
(19.5%)
Taxes
(0.1%) Administration
Other Sales Depreciation & General
(1.7%) (1.9%) Consumer (9.4%) (9.8%)
Accounting
(2.1%)
Residential
(67.1%)
Public
Authorities
& Lighting Commercial
(0.3%)
Other (31.1%)
(1.5%)
| SE PTE M B E R 2021 12erea energy cooperative, inc
2020 Financial Report
Note: The capital credits from Allegheny Electric Cooperative,
Inc., and other cooperatives, represent patronage capital credits allo-
cated to us, but not paid.
The accounts of our cooperative for 2019 and 2020 have been
audited by Buffamante, Whipple, Buttafaro, P.C., Jamestown, N.Y.
The auditor’s complete report is on file in the office of the cooperative
and is available for inspection by members of the cooperative.
12f | SE PTE M B E R 2021Causes of Outages in 2020
CAUSES OF OUTAGES TOTAL OUTAGE HOURS PERCENTAGE OF
(Hours out multiplied by the number of consumers affected) ALL OUTAGE HOURS
Trees or Limbs 63,519 28.5%
Power/Transmission Supplier 61,726 27.7%
Major Storm 36,598 16.4%
Distribution Line Equipment 21,306 9.6%
Pre-Arranged 18,601 8.3%
Customer Caused 8,889 4.0%
Lightning 4,641 2.1%
Animals 3,473 1.6%
Unknown 2,365 1.1%
Weather, Other 1,684 0.8%
TOTALS 222,802 100%
Important annual meeting news
REA Energy has made the decision to can- REA Energy Cooperative, Inc.
cel our in-person annual meeting for 2021. The
2021 annual meeting will be held online (virtual)
Annual Meeting
only. Instructions for signing up and viewing Sept. 16, 2021
the annual meeting were included in the official
notice.
6:30 p.m. Call to Order and Statement of a Quorum
To register, go to reaenergy.com and click on
the “Annual Meeting Registration” button before Reading of Notices
3:30 p.m. Sept. 16, 2021. This will admit you to Action on 2020 Minutes
the virtual annual meeting and entitles the named Election Results
member(s) to a chance to win a door prize. Infor-
Chairman’s Report
mational videos, along with a list of “Frequently
Asked Questions” on how to register and log in President & CEO’s Report
for the meeting, are posted on our website. Unfinished Business
The cooperative has made this decision in the New Business
best interest of the members’, board of directors’,
Questions & Answers
and REA Energy employees’ health and safety.
We appreciate your understanding and coopera- Adjournment
tion regarding this matter. Awarding of Prizes
| SE PTE M B E R 2021 12grea energy cooperative, inc
October is National Cooperative Month
Being a part of a cooperative means being a part of something special. REA Energy will cel-
ebrate National Cooperative Month in October, along with more than 40,000 other cooperatives
serving more than 140 million people nationwide.
This year, REA Energy will be holding a Member Appreciation Month throughout October. Mem-
bers who were not able to participate in the online annual meeting will need to present their annual
meeting member card, which is the bottom
portion of their annual meeting notice, to re-
ceive a gift packet. The packet, which includes
a hat, calendar and outdoors kit, will be given
on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one
gift packet per membership will be given while
quantities last. *If you participated in and re-
ceived the $10 bill credit for the online meet-
ing, you will not be eligible to get a gift packet.
In the event that the COVID-19 situation
in our area requires us to close our lobbies,
members will be able to receive their gift
packet at the Indiana office drive-thru window.
At our Ebensburg office, members will need
to come to the front entrance, and an employ-
ee will set the packet outside.
If you have any questions, please visit our
website, reaenergy.com, or call 724-349-4800
or 800-211-5667.
Right-of-way management/facility construction news
REA Energy contractors will be completing tree-trimming work in the following areas in September:
k Contractor crews from Penn Line Tree Service will be trimming the rights-of-way of the Amsbry, Belsano, Reese,
Smithport and Wilmore Substation areas in addition to emergency maintenance areas.
Notification of work will be made via a letter to members in the areas affected. Contractors will perform all right-of-way
work per REA Energy specifications. If you have any questions, call 724-349-4800, or you can view the specifications
online at reaenergy.com. All crews will carry identification.
Your Board of Directors
Michael J. Bertolino Wayne Farabaugh Robert P. Neese Sandra Dill Tom Beresnyak Anthony Enciso Thomas Aurandt John R. Learn J.R. “Rick” Shope
Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary/Treasurer District 9 District 1 District 7 District 4 District 6 District 2
District 3 District 8 District 5
REA Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
12h | SE PTE M B E R 2021always remember
(continued from page 11)
protect volunteers from rain and snow.
“We maintained the property until
the Park Service took over,” says
former supervisor Doug Custer, also a
member of Somerset REC. “It’s hard to
believe it was 20 years ago.”
His wife, Natalie, agrees.
“It’s a scene you don’t ever erase
from your mind, but one you don’t
want to remember either,” she says. LINGERING GRIEF: At the entrance to the Wall of Names at the Flight 93 National Memorial in
Shanksville, visitors can leave messages for the 40 heroes who went down with a fight on Sept. 11,
2001. Although it’s been 20 years since the terrorist attacks in Pennsylvania, New York City and
The caretakers Washington, D.C., the grief still lingers for the 3,000 innocent Americans who died that day.
Early on, as the township super-
visors tended to the land, roads, and Kathie Shaffer, a registered nurse, toughest days of their lives.
traffic, other caretakers stepped up to would change careers to preserve the “It did get very emotional, and there
preserve the legacy of the Flight 93 Flight 93 story. She’s conducted nearly were tears,” she says, adding that some
passengers and crew. 900 interviews, the basis for the me- of those interviewed have passed on,
They included Sullivan, who volun- morial’s oral history project, and says making the oral history project even
tarily preserved, photographed, and it’s the most important work of her more important. “As time passes, there
catalogued thousands of mementoes professional life. The audio-recordings will be fewer and fewer people with
left behind at her memorial and others took 12 painstaking years to gather us who knew the passengers and crew
in Shanksville. Eventually, the project and were invaluable when the NPS be- members, but their recorded memories
turned into a part-time job with the gan developing the permanent exhibit and voices will continue to speak to
Somerset Historical Center. at the Flight 93 Visitor Center. future generations.”
“It became a mission for me,” she Shaffer says it was difficult to remain Her sister, Donna Glessner, helped
says. stoic when people shared details of the with the interviews and was instru-
Schweiker: Where’s the justice?
Seventeen years after being captured, the terrorist who
orchestrated the Sept. 11 attacks and his co-conspirators still
sit in a federal prison, awaiting trials that have been repeatedly
delayed, most recently by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker says the inaction
boggles his mind.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he says, “and I promised
the families I would never let this drop. This is what they want.”
In a recent editorial, Schweiker, who befriended many of the
families of Flight 93’s heroes, implored the Biden Administration
to finally prosecute the terrorists.
“Once upon a time, we made a promise that we would seek
— and secure — justice,” he wrote. “Now, as we approach the
solemn 20-year mark of these attacks, our work remains alarm-
ingly incomplete. … It’s time for justice.”
Schweiker’s life, like many others, changed dramatically
after the attacks. In the span of a month, he went from being
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor to governor when then-Gov.
Tom Ridge was tapped to oversee the new U.S. Department of
Homeland Security. JUSTICE FOR THE DEAD: Every year, the families of Flight 93’s
heroes hold a candlelight vigil in their honor. Meanwhile, the terrorist
After all of these years, Sept. 11 still stings, and Schweiker
who orchestrated the Sept. 11 attacks and his co-conspirators still sit
refuses to call its annual arrival an anniversary. in a federal prison, awaiting their trials. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark
“This is nothing to celebrate,” he says. “It’s a gut punch … it Schweiker says it’s time for justice to be served.
underscores man’s inhumanity to man.” NPS Photo/ Flight 93 National Memorial
14 | SE PTE M B E R 2021MEANINGFUL MEMORABILIA: Dave Dovala, a member of Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative, bought this painting of the World Trade Center’s twin towers
from a street artist minutes after arriving in New York City in 2001. Days later, on Sept. 11, he would have another close encounter with the towers. This
time, Dovala would narrowly escape death. Today, the Reynoldsdale resident has a large collection of 9/11 memorabilia that he takes on the road to ensure
people, young and old, always remember the events of that day.
mental in recruiting the first local went to the Statue of Liberty instead. the collection was done on the hood
“ambassadors,” who greeted and edu- Several blocks away when the first of an S-10 Chevy pickup and features
cated crash site visitors. The program, plane hit the north tower, the couple the World Trade Center, Pentagon
now managed by the NPS, continues was knocked to the ground by the im- and Flight 93. The artist was a friend’s
today with many of the original volun- pact. Minutes later, another low-flying 15-year-old daughter. The extensive
teers. Glessner was also vice chair of plane cruised in front of them on its collection also includes a piece of the
the federal commission that oversaw way to the south tower. World Trade Center.
the memorial’s design competition. “I could count the windows; that’s Dovala travels with the memora-
All three women, members of Somer- how low it was,” says Dovala of Reyn- bilia and gives free presentations. On
set REC, believe they’ve been called to oldsdale. Sept. 11, for instance, he’s bringing the
keep the memories of Flight 93’s heroes The father of three is still amazed — display to the Duncansville VFW for
alive. and thankful — that he made it out of an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Those
“This is the story of 40 people work- Manhattan alive. interested in scheduling something
ing together in ways we will never “When we left Johnstown on the similar can call him at 814-839-2156.
know,” Glessner says. “They were or- train that Saturday, it never entered And when he’s not doing that, the
dinary people, but what they did that my mind that we might not be coming 73-year-old is singing with his oldies
day was extraordinary.” back,” he says. “That’s why I live every band, “The Past-Tymes.” September 11
day like it’s my last.” will always be a part of him, so he ends
Grateful to be alive It has taken time to heal, but Dovala each performance the same way: with
September 11 is an emotional day finds solace in his collection of Sept.11 “God Bless the USA.”
for Dave Dovala, too. memorabilia, which started with “At times, I wonder: Why was I
In 2001, while on that trip to New the unique twin towers painting he spared?” he says. “There had to be a
York City, he and his then-wife were bought minutes after arriving in the reason … maybe the good Lord wants
supposed to tour the World Trade city by train. me around to play some good old rock
Center the morning of Sept. 11. They Another one-of-a-kind painting in ’n’ roll, and I’m happy to oblige.” l
| SE PTE M B E R 2021 15smartcircuits
Get charged: Electric trucks and SUVs
are coming
By Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen
D
ear Pat: I was an electric vehi-
cle (EV) skeptic, but I just
saw an announcement of the
all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. I
didn’t realize electric pickups could
be this compelling or competitive. Are
there other electric pickups or SUVs
coming out soon? — Mike
Dear Mike: The Ford F-150 Light-
ning is changing minds across America
about what an electric vehicle can do.
In fact, Ford declared this is its best
truck to date –– not best electric vehi-
cle, but best truck. Period.
Electric SUVs are available now, and
pickups will be soon. This development
has been anticipated for years. Electric
vehicle sales are about 24 times higher
than they were 10 years ago, with sev-
eral factors driving demand: respectable towing and payload capaci- now with a range of up to 305 miles,
k The instant torque from electric ties. The Lightning is also equipped to starting at $45,000. Volkswagen’s ID4
motors boosts acceleration. provide 9.6 kilowatts of home back-up CUV starts at $40,000, and is available
k The low center of gravity improves or portable power. with all-wheel-drive options.
handling and reduces roll-over risk. Tesla has more than 1 million pre-or- And it’s not just vehicles that are
k The superior traction control of ders for its new cybertruck, which will shifting to electric. Electric snow
electric motors can increase off-road likely arrive in 2022. The 250-mile machines and jet skis are arriving soon.
capability and safety in winter. range, two-wheel-drive model starts Even large construction equipment will
k The upfront cost of an EV purchase under $40,000 and steps up to $50,000 have electrically fueled models.
is now more competitive with simi- for the 300-mile-range, four-wheel-drive One remaining hurdle for increased
lar internal combustion models, and model. Tesla plans to offer a 500-plus- EV adoption in rural areas is fast, suffi-
most EVs qualify for a federal tax mile-range version for $70,000 that can cient charging for longer trips. Most EV
credit of up to $7,500. tow more than 14,000 pounds. owners charge at home, but more fast-
k The cheaper operating fuel cost per GMC has announced a late 2021 charge stations on rural highways will
mile (for electricity) compared to release of an electric Hummer with be helpful. l
gasoline or diesel is another attrac- 1,000 horsepower and additional fea- Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Col-
tive feature for drivers. tures for off-road performance. laborative Efficiency write on energy effi-
Rivian, a startup backed by Ford and ciency topics for the National Rural Elec-
Ford’s electric F-150 Lightning Amazon, is planning to unveil its R1T tric Cooperative Association, the national
is scheduled to arrive in the spring electric pickup later this year. trade association representing more than
of 2022 with a starting price under Crossover SUVs (CUVs) are one of 900 local electric cooperatives. From
$40,000 for the commercial trim the most popular types of vehicles, and growing suburbs to remote farming com-
package (230-mile range model). A a number of manufacturers say they’ll munities, electric co-ops serve as engines
300-plus-mile battery is an option, and have electric models available soon. of economic development for
all models are four-wheel drive with Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is available 42 million Americans.
16 | SE PTE M B E R 2021You can also read
