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Ruralite
UNITED ELECTRIC
JUNE 2021
Circles
in the Sand
Labyrinth artist and Circles in the Sand founder
Denny Dyke inspires sand artists, volunteers and
visitors from around the world with large-scale,
fleeting coastal art in Bandon, Oregon. Page 12
PHOTO BY BRANDON POMRENKE
UNITED ELECTRIC
The Washington Auctioneers Association named rodeo announcer and auctioneer Kade Rogge its 2017 Northwest Champion Auctioneer.
Trade Secrets of a Vocal Vocation
Kade Rogge finds his voice at rodeos and auctions throughout the West
Story and photos by Dianna Troyer practices his chant twice a day, about 10 minutes at a time.
“I do it around the house or while I’m driving,” he says. “You
Rodeo announcer and award-winning auctioneer Kade Rogge have to keep up with livestock prices, too, so you can get a fair
makes his vocal vocations seem as natural as breathing. price for sellers and buyers.”
At rodeos, he smoothly blends play-by-play about split-second In preparation for rodeos, Kade researches for hours, learning
action with commentary about competitors, many of whom are about competitors’ accomplishments and personalities. He jots
old friends from his days competing on the circuit. At livestock down notes on a program.
sales, Kade shifts fluidly from normal conversation to his “No one would know what my scribbles mean—like the letters
rhythmic auctioneer’s chant of 200 to 400 words per minute. NC mean national champion,” he says. “For national competitors, it’s
“I’m grateful to make a living doing what I love,” says the easier to find information. For smaller rodeos, it’s more challenging.”
32-year-old Rupert resident who works at events throughout Kade says he looks forward to June.
the West. “My goal is to have my audience have as much fun “That’s when my rodeo season gets into full swing,” he says.
as I’m having.” “I’m booked every weekend.”
How does he make his jobs seem so easy? He will announce rodeos in southern Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.
Before his minutes at the microphone, he puts in hours of Kade says being flexible and willing to travel has helped
rehearsal and research. Plus, he always has cough drops to him succeed. Sometimes he fills in at the last minute for an
soothe his vocal cords. announcer who gets sick. He has worked on both coasts, in Cali-
“Most people have no idea what it takes to be ready,” he says. fornia and New Jersey.
To prep for weekly auctions in Burley and Blackfoot, Kade “Rodeo is a small world, and production companies know
4 JUNE 2021
LEFT: Kade says one of his favorite events to announce is Idaho’s oldest rodeo, the annual War Bonnet Round Up, every August in Idaho Falls.
Kade announces a rodeo while riding Zorro, a former bucking horse.
who to call if someone has to cancel,” Kade says. “Nationwide, Comfortable with public speaking, Kade enrolled at the Western
there are only about 100 of us with announcer credentials from College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana, in 2011. He had a
the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.” job lined up when he graduated, helping Merv at the auction.
At rodeos, he is not always perched in the crow’s nest at an Striving for personal improvement with his professions, Kade
arena. Sometimes his announcer’s booth is astride a horse. One competes in auctioneer contests.
of the most famous and a favorite is Zorro, a former bronc and “I have a competitive personality and am always working on
sturdy Percheron-cross. what I do,” he says.
“No one knows why he decided to quit bucking,” Kade says. He was encouraged when the Washington Auctioneers Asso-
“He’s solid and still loves being part of a rodeo.” ciation named him the 2017 Northwest Champion Auctioneer.
For Kade, it’s as natural and comfortable to sit on a horse as Kade hopes to eventually qualify for the prestigious World
on a chair. He has ridden horses since he was young—competing Livestock Auctioneer Championship hosted in conjunction with
in team roping, calf roping and steer wrestling. the Livestock Marketing Association’s yearly convention. He has
His flexible and willing personality started his career path. competed at two World Livestock Auctioneer Championship
While at the College of Southern Idaho, his rodeo club advisor Qualifying Events—one in Lewiston in 2017 and two years later
needed an announcer during a clinic. in Holdenville, Oklahoma.
“He asked me if a mic made me nervous,” Kade says. “When He has taken advice from judges.
I told him no, he said, ‘Good, you’re our announcer.’ ” “They said I pointed too much, which makes people feel
For Kade, being around a mic seemed natural. As a child, he uncomfortable,” Kade says. “Instead, I lift up my left hand, palm
tagged along with his fathers when they worked as auctioneers. His up, to show who’s winning a bid.”
father, Ron Rogge, specializes in farm equipment auctions, while Kade says he looks forward to rodeos and auctioneering con-
his stepfather, Merv May, owns the Burley Livestock Auction. tests resuming with the COVID-19 vaccination program under-
“Having seen and heard them work with an audience most way and restrictions lifted for public gatherings.
of my life put me at ease,” he says. “We still work together, and “There’s nothing I’d rather do,” he says. “I’m looking forward
they’ll sub for me if I have to be out of town.” to getting back to normal this summer.” n
JUNE 2021 5
UNITED ELECTRIC
Trade-A-Tree Program
Replace Tall
Trees With
Shorter Ones
United Electric Cooperative’s
Trade-A-Tree program helps
members remove trees from
areas where they could pose a
hazard to primary high-voltage
overhead power lines.
The aim is to replace taller
trees with shorter ones that will
not grow up into the lines.
For each tree removed,
United Electric reimburses
up to $50 of the cost of the
replacement tree if it meets
program guidelines.
Check www.uec.coop or
call the office, 208-679-2222,
to find out how you can
participate in the Trade-A-Tree
program. n
Recycle Old
Eyeglasses
Do you have a pair of unused
eyeglasses? Please consider
donating them to help those in
need of corrective glasses, but
unable to afford them.
A Lions collection box is
located just inside our lobby.
The program also collects
hearing aids.
Thank you to co-op mem-
bers who have contributed to
Lions Recycle for Sight. n
Call 811 Before Digging to Locate Buried Utility Lines
Office Closure Summer is a great time to start outdoor projects. Whether it is building your dream
deck, installing a fence or sprucing up your landscaping, calling 811 is a must.
United Electric is closed
Monday, July 5, in observance Although it is easy to see power lines above ground, you can’t see gas, water
of Independence Day. and electrical lines buried underground. Don’t guess where lines are located.
Call 811 at least two business days before your project, and local utilities will
In case of emergencies, the
mark these lines in the area you plan on digging. The service is free.
standby crew can be reached at
208-679-4444. n If a utility line is damaged while digging, it could disrupt service to you and an entire neighborhood, cause
serious injuries or death, and cost money in repairs and fines.
Happy Father’s Day! You can also visit the Dig Line website, www.digline.com, and submit an online locate request.
8 JUNE 2021
UNITED ELECTRIC
Lower Granite Dam in Southeastern Washington is one of four Snake River dams targeted for removal. PHOTO BY U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Dam Breaching Debate Ignores
Changing National Energy Policy
By Kurt Miller solar combine for an additional 15%. That leaves 35% that needs
to be replaced, assuming our electricity demand stops growing.
There has been much debate since Rep. Mike Simpson While that might not sound like much, it likely will take
hundreds of billions of dollars to achieve the president’s carbon-
proposed a $33.5 billion fund to remove the lower
free goal, as well as some significant technological breakthroughs.
Snake River dams in Eastern Washington state. Recently, Biden upped the ante when he announced the U.S.
The Idaho congressman has been censured by some and heralded will aim to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half from 2005
as a hero by others. Meanwhile, the Idaho Legislature passed a levels by 2030 to prevent the greatest harms of climate change.
resolution in support of the lower Snake River dams, and nearly In other words, U.S. energy policy just triggered a red alert
every op-ed in the state seems to be about the Simpson concept. calling all carbon-free resources on deck. We will need every last
For all of the hustle and bustle in Idaho, something behind the megawatt of our zero-carbon generation to meet these aggressive
scenes basically makes the Simpson concept a no-go. climate objectives.
Earlier this year, in an executive order, President Joe Biden Hydropower is especially important in this mix because it acts
established a requirement for the U.S. electric grid to become as a clean energy force multiplier, helping us add intermittent
carbon-free by 2035. renewables such as wind and solar power to the grid, balancing
To give you a sense of the magnitude, the greater Pacific out their ups and downs.
Northwest—Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Western Montana— While the Simpson concept may still get headlines in Idaho, it
has the highest percentage of clean electricity in the nation. We get is unlikely to get much traction elsewhere. U.S. energy policy is
about half of our electricity from hydropower. Wind, nuclear and headed down a different path. n
JUNE 2021 25
UNITED ELECTRIC
Keep Your Cool in the Summer Heat
Staying cool indoors when it is hot out-
doors can be an expensive proposition.
The sizzling sun causes indoor tempera-
tures to rise to uncomfortable levels.
Although air conditioning provides
relief, the cost of installing it and running
it can be high. The most effective way
to maintain a comfortable indoor tem-
perature is to keep heat from building up
in the first place. The primary source of
heat buildup is sunlight absorbed by your
house through the roof, walls and win-
dows. Secondary heat sources are heat-
generating appliances and air leakage.
To prevent heat gain, reflect heat away
from your house, block it, remove built-
up heat, and reduce or eliminate heat- Block the Heat Ventilating your attic greatly reduces
generating sources in your home. Insulation keeps your home comfortable accumulated heat, which eventually works
and saves on mechanical cooling systems. its way into the main part of your house.
Reflect Heat Away Shading devices—louvers, shutters,
Dull, dark-colored home exteriors absorb rolling shades, draperies, Venetian blinds, Reduce Heat-Generating Sources
70% to 90% of the radiant energy from and cellular or honeycombed shades with Often-overlooked sources of interior heat
the sun that strikes the home’s surfaces, mylar coatings—block the sun’s rays and are lights, ovens, dishwashers and clothes
while light-colored surfaces reflect most absorb or reflect the solar heat. dryers. To reduce heat from these sources:
of the heat. Well-placed trees, bushes or vines can • Use LEDs of compact fluorescents,
About one-third of the heat that builds deliver shade and add to the aesthetic. which use about 75% less energy than
up in your home comes in through the Use plants native to your area that can incandescents and emit 90% less heat.
roof. Applying a white latex or asphalt- survive with minimal care. • When possible, use heat-generating
based reflective coating or installing a appliances in the morning or late eve-
radiant barrier on the underside of your Remove Heat Buildup ning, when you can better tolerate the
roof will help. Radiant barrier materi- Nothing feels better on a hot day than extra heat. Cook outside on a barbecue
als—which can reduce heat gain by as a cool breeze. By encouraging cool air grill or use a microwave oven.
much as 25%—cost 13 to 30 cents a to enter your house, you force warm air • Seal off your laundry room and
square foot, depending on thickness and out and keep your house comfortably water heater from the rest of the house.
layers. cool. But this strategy only works when • When it is time to buy new appli-
While wall color is not as important as the temperature inside is higher than the ances, buy energy-efficient ones that not
roof color, it affects heat gain somewhat. temperature outside. Ventilate during the only use less energy but generate signifi-
White exterior walls absorb less heat and coolest parts of the day or night, and seal cantly less waste heat.
increase the longevity of siding—particu- off your house from the hot sun and air
larly on the east, west and south sides. during the hottest parts of the day. While these strategies will help, some-
Roughly 40% of the unwanted heat In areas with cool nights and hot days, times you have to use mechanical
that builds up in your home comes in use the night air to cool your house. In devices. Fans and evaporative coolers can
through windows. Reflective window climates with daytime breezes, open win- supplement your cooling, and cost less to
coatings help. It is a good idea to have a dows on the windward side and opposite install and run than air conditioners.
professional install the coatings—particu- side of the house. If your location lacks Remember, ceiling fans cool people,
larly if you have several large windows. consistent breezes, open windows at the not rooms, so use them when the room
Check your warranty first, since install- lowest and highest points in your house. is occupied. Evaporative coolers add
ing window film voids some window In hot, humid climates with steady tem- humidity to dry air and use about one-
manufacturers’ warranties. peratures, ventilate when humidity is low. fourth the energy of air conditioners. n
JUNE 2021 29
Directors ID-29
President David Phillips
Vice President Brent Bowen Can That Happen Here?
Sec./Treas. Cordell Searle Amid the various challenges and turmoil to data systems, lock them down and will
Bruce Beck our nation has seen the last many months, not release control until certain conditions
Dean Nielsen a couple events captured our attention are met.
Ronald Osterhout in the utility business. The first was the Can this happen here? I wish I could
George Toner Texas blackouts during record-setting cold say no. Cybersecurity is one of the biggest
David Hruza temperatures in February. The next was the threats to the electric industry. The
Board meetings are typically held ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline Colonial Pipeline attack certainly brings
the fourth Monday of the month. data systems that halted fuel delivery and this into perspective. What I can tell you
caused shortages along the East Coast. is that United Electric, the Bonneville
General Manager What happened in Texas in February? Power Administration and many of our
M. Jamie Stark Normally, as cold weather sets into any associations have been working on this
Engineering and Operations region, electrical demands increase with heat for years. Furthermore, the Department of
Trevor Parke loads. To compensate, utilities start gas-fired Energy realizes the threat and has increased
Line Superintendent generators known as peaking units to handle resources to protect our important power
Kay Hill the extra load. In Texas, these peaking units infrastructure. I cannot guarantee immunity
were not designed for cold weather since the from a cyberattack, but I can assure you
Executive Assistant/Billing Specialist Texas peaks are usually in the summer. Some everyone in our industry is doing their best
Trisha Moultrie of the units would not start. To complicate to guard our precious power system—and
Member Services Manager the problem, the natural gas supplies froze in will continue to do so.
Chris Seibold some areas, creating a fuel supply problem. I recently had the privilege to give a
Accountant/Controller According to the Electric Reliability Council presentation to the Burley Rotary Club. As I
Carla Beck of Texas, approximately 51,173 megawatts of gave updates about United Electric, I asked,
generation was offline when needed most. “Where does United Electric get its real
Mailing address: Can this happen here? According to power from?” The answer was our members
1330 21st St. Northwest experts, most likely not. Most of and our employees. Regardless of weather,
Heyburn, ID 83336 our resources are hydro based. Therefore, cyber-attacks or some other challenge, our
Phone: 208-679-2222 our fuel supply is ever flowing. Most true strength comes from being a member-
Fax: 208-679-3333 importantly, we are no strangers to cold based organization with great employees.
Email: uec@uec.coop winter conditions. Our generators, fuel In closing, I would like to share a favorite
Website: uec.coop supplies and power lines are designed to quote of mine, a traditional Irish blessing:
Office hours: Monday-Thursday, take the cold. Utilities across the Northwest “May the road rise up to meet you. May
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. have always battled winter conditions and the wind be always at your back. May the
Friday, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. outages, but these outages are usually small sun shine warm upon your face; the rains
After Hours: 208-679-4444 and localized—and not caused by the loss of fall soft upon your fields and until we meet
major generation units. again, may God hold you in the palm of
What happened to the Colonial Pipeline? His hand.”
On May 7, the Colonial Pipeline shut down
operations due to a cyberattack on its Cooperatively yours,
computer systems and data infrastructure.
The Colonial Pipeline provides M. Jamie Stark
approximately 45% of the East Coast’s fuel General Manager
supply—approximately 100 million gallons
For more information about UEC, please check
of fuel a day. The attack was ransomware, out our website at www.uec.coop, or follow us
which is when cyber criminals gain access on Facebook and Instagram.
32 JUNE 2021
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