TRAVERSE ELECTRIC JULY 2021 VOL. 22 NO. 3 - Traverse Electric Cooperative
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TRAVERSE ELECTRIC
JULY 2021 VOL. 22 NO. 3
ERATIVE
CONNECTIONS
ATVs in SD
Summer fun on the
off-road trails
Page 8
Sensible solar
solutions
Page 12
MANAGER’S COLUMN
Tree trimming provides
a service to benefit of our members, our team members, and the
all Traverse Electric public, above all else. Overgrown vegetation
and trees pose a risk to power lines. For
members example, if trees are touching power lines in
our members’ yards, they can pose a grave
danger to families. If children can access those
trees, they can potentially climb into a danger
One of the things I love best about our
zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a
community is the natural beauty that
power line to a nearby conductor like a tree.
surrounds us. We are fortunate to have so
Our proactive approach to vegetation
many trees that offer beauty, shade, and a
management mitigates this risk and
habitat for all sorts of birds and other wildlife.
diminishes the chance of fallen branches or
We know that you appreciate our community
trees crossing our lines during severe weather
for many of the same reasons.
events, making it less complicated and less
At Traverse Electric, we strive to balance
Joel Janorschke
dangerous for lineworkers when restoring
maintaining beautiful surroundings and
General Manager
power.
ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping
Another benefit of a smart vegetation
power lines clear in rights of way (ROW). A
management program is reliability. Strategic
right of way is the land we use to construct,
tree trimming reduces the frequency of
downed lines causing power outages.
As you know, Traverse Electric Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall
on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause
is a not-for-profit cooperative, problems. Proactive trimming and pruning
and that means we strive to keep lines clear to promote reliability.
As you know, Traverse Electric is a not-for-
keep our costs in check to profit cooperative, and that means we strive
keep our rates affordable. to keep our costs in check to keep our rates
affordable. Our vegetation management
program helps keep costs down for all our
maintain, replace, or repair underground and
members. If trees grow too close to power
overhead power lines. Rights of way enable
lines, the potential for expensive repairs
the co-op to provide clearance from trees
increases.
and other obstructions that could hinder
Our community is a special place. We
the power line installation, maintenance, or
appreciate the beauty trees afford, but we
operation.
also know our community depends on us to
The overall goal of our vegetation
provide reliable energy. Through vegetation
management program is to provide reliable
management, we are better able to keep the
power to our members while maintaining the
power lines clear, prepare for future weather
beauty of our community. There are three
events, and secure the grid’s reliability.
main benefits to maintaining a ROW area:
safety, reliability, and affordability.
Safety is always our number one concern
at Traverse Electric. We care about the safety
2 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JULY 2021
BOARD REPORT
April 2021 Board Meeting Highlights
ERATIVE
CONNECTIONS The April board meeting was held on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 8 a.m.
TRAVERSE Absent: None.
ELECTRIC Staff members present were General Manager, Joel Janorschke and Karen
(USPS No. 018-903) Lupkes.
Board of Directors President Diekmann called the meeting to order.
President: Doug Diekmann, Beardsley, MN
Vice President: Russ Armstrong, Wheaton, MN
The agenda was approved.
Secretary: Mark Pearson, Rosholt, SD The minutes of the March board meeting and March 25, 2021 Annual
Treasurer: Michael Marks, Norcross, MN Meeting were approved.
Pat Homan, Beardsley, MN
Michael Gaulrapp, Breckenridge, MN The March check register was approved.
Terry Monson, Veblen, SD Discussed the East River & Basin video reports.
Tom Frisch, Dumont, MN
Matthew Glynn, Sisseton, SD
Homan reported on the East River board meeting.
Office Personnel Janorschke presented the Manager’s Report, which included:
Joel Janorschke – General Manager • Provided a Basin Electric update.
Karen Lupkes – Office Manager
Dale Schwagel – Operations Manager • Provided an East River update.
Stephen Powers – Member Service • REED Fund review.
Representative/Electrician
Melissa Przymus – Accountant
• NRECA update.
Susan Wilts – Billing Clerk • MREA and MN legislative update.
Operations Personnel • SDREA and SD legislative update.
Richard Davis – Foreman
Lonnie Tekrony – Journeyman Lineworker • Reported on inquiry regarding solar at dairies.
Joe Gahlon – Journeyman Lineworker Lupkes gave the Office Manager’s Report, which included:
Chris Falk – Journeyman Lineworker
Austin Reinke – Journeyman Lineworker
• March 31, 2021 accounts receivable balances were reviewed.
Colden Helberg – Journeyman Lineworker • A list of new members was reviewed.
Conner Bartz - Apprentice Electrician • Office is open. Summer office hours 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. beginning
Dennis Koch – Facility Technician
General Manager’s Contact Information May 1.
Joel Janorschke • Annual audit is scheduled for the week of May 17.
Cell: 320.304.1392
Direct: 320.563.1055
• Quarter 1 Budget & Sales Analyses were reviewed.
jjanorschke@traverseelectric.com Reviewed and approved the March Financial Report.
In case of a power outage call Janorschke gave the Operations Report. Items discussed included:
1-800-927-5443 • Annual OCR maintenance.
Traverse Electric Cooperative Connections is
published monthly by Traverse Electric Cooperative, • Crews have been doing pole changes, tree trimming, service
PO Box 66, 1618 Broadway, Wheaton, MN, 56296 for
its members. Families subscribe to Traverse Electric upgrades, light repairs and installations, and line maintenance.
Cooperative Connections as part of their electric
cooperative membership. Traverse Electric Coop-
• Pole testing has started in SD.
erative Connections’ purpose is to provide reliable,
helpful information to electric co-op members on
• Annual boom inspections are done.
matters pertaining to rural electrification and better • Will begin on new service for Dollar General soon.
rural living.
Subscription information: Electric cooperative • Reviewed our Safety Program.
members devote 50 cents from their monthly
electric payments for a subscription. Nonmember • Outages were reviewed.
subscriptions are available for $12 annually. Periodi-
cals Postage Paid at Wheaton Post Office, Wheaton,
Reviewed the 2020 State of Safety Report.
MN, 56296 and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Traverse
Discussed facility planning.
Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 66, Reviewed and approved revisions to Board Policy 122.
Wheaton, MN 56296; Phone (320) 563-8616; Fax
(320) 563-4863; Reviewed and approved revisions to Board Policy 123.
Web site: www.traverseelectric.com. This institution
is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Reviewed and approved revisions to Board Policy 203.
Our Mission: To provide dependable service at
the lowest possible rates, consistent with sound
Reviewed and approved revisions to Board Policy 204.
business principles.
Design assistance by SDREA.
Selected Frisch as our CRC voting delegate.
Discussed our 82nd Annual meeting to be held in March 2022.
Discussed legal counsel services.
Approved a loan to a member for a generator installation.
A list of upcoming meetings and attendees was reviewed.
Meeting adjourned.
JULY 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 3
FOOD SAFETY
Handling food
safely when grilling
outdoors
One of America’s favorite summer pastimes is grilling, and safe
grilling starts with with proper food handling. Here are a few
simple guidelines for grilling food safely:
• Wash away harmful sauce to a boil for at least three
bacteria. Avoid providing a minutes to kill harmful bacteria.
hotbed for bacteria. Unwashed • Use grilling shortcuts.
hands are a prime cause Pre-cooking food partially
• Our employees will never to the details they need to
of foodborne illness, also indoors before putting it on
show up at your door to service your account.
known as food poisoning, a preheated grill will give you
demand payment. • Demands for immediate
as are unwashed perishable quick results when your friends
• Never give personal payment by wire transfer,
foods such as meat, seafood, are hungry or your grill is slow information to an unknown cryptocurrency, gift cards
and peeled or cut fruits and or small. Conversely, flame-grill caller or visitor. Our or cash reload cards should
vegetables. meat for a smoky, charbroiled representatives have access immediately raise red flags.
• Keep perishable foods flavor, then bake in an oven
cold. If you’ll be meeting up until it’s cooked properly.
with friends away from your • Cook thoroughly and use a
backyard grill, it’s best to meat thermometer. It’s best to
transport all perishables in an cook food to the safe minimum
insulated cooler kept cold with internal temperature to destroy
ice or frozen gel packs. harmful bacteria. On the grill,
• Throw away any perishable meat and poultry will brown
leftovers that have been out of quickly, but the inside might
a refrigerator or cooler for more only be cooked partially. To be
than two hours—one hour if sure the food has reached a
the temperature is above 90 safe internal temperature, use a
degrees. meat thermometer.
• Keep coolers out of direct Here are some
sunlight and avoid opening safe minimum internal
them frequently, to keep the temperatures:
cold air inside. • Chicken: 165 degrees Don’t fly kites near trees
• Marinate safely. Marinated
meats should be stored
• Beef hamburgers: 160
degrees
and power lines
immediately in a refrigerator • Beef, veal and lamb Annette Tschetter, 7 years old
or cooler, not on the kitchen (steaks, roasts and chops):
counter or outside next to the medium-rare 145 degrees, Annette is the daughter of Elaine and Ryan
grill. As long as a marinade is medium Tschetter of Revillo. They are members of
stored in a cool environment, • 160 degrees Whetstone Valley Electric based in Milbank.
it can remain there safely for • Pork: 165 degrees
Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your
several hours or days. With proper refrigeration
local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your
• Do not use marinade and thorough cooking, your poster is published, you’ll receive a prize. All entries must
from a raw meat/marinade backyard barbecue will be a include your name, age, mailing address and the names of
mixture as a sauce on cooked tasty success. your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.
meat, unless you first cook the
4 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JULY 2021
RECIPES
SUMMERTIME
DESSERTS
PRALINE PECAN CRUNCH
Ingredients:
1 21 oz. box Quaker Oat Squares cereal (about 8 cups)
2 cups pecans
WHOOPIE PIES 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
Ingredients: 1 tsp. vanilla
1 box spice cake mix 1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups apple butter 1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup canola oil ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM 1/2 tsps baking soda
2 eggs Ingredients:
8 ounces cream cheese 1/2 cup cocoa powder METHOD
4 tablespoons butter 1 -14 oz. can sweetened con- Heat oven to 250 degrees. Mix cereal and pecans
3 cups powdered sugar densed milk in 9”x13” pan. Set aside. Mix corn syrup, brown
2 cup heavy cream sugar and margarine in glass bowl. Microwave on
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup half & half high 1-1/2 minutes. Stir, microwave 1 to 1-1/2
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 TBS vanilla
minutes more or until boiling. Stir in vanilla
METHOD and baking soda and pour over cereal mixture.
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Heat oven to 350 F. Line Stir to coat evenly. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 20
1 cup miniature marshmallows
baking sheet with parchment minutes. Spread on baking sheet to cool. Break
paper. In large bowl, whisk METHOD into pieces and store in air tight container.
spice cake mix, apple butter, In a small saucepan put in NANCY STENSON, FORT PIERRE
oil and eggs. With ice cream cocoa and whisk in sweetened
scoop or large tablespoon, condensed milk until smooth.
spoon batter into rounded Cook over low heat, whisking MAMA’S CARAMEL PUDDING
heaps, about 2-3 inches in constantly until slightly Ingredients:
diameter, onto parchment thickened, about 5 minutes. 1 cup sugar - melt in skillet until golden brown
paper. Space spooned batter Remove from heat. Transfer 2 cups milk - stir until sugar is dissolved
2 inches apart. Bake 14 to a bowl and stir in both 4 tsps. corn starch stirred into a little milk
minutes. Let cool. In large creams and vanilla. Pour
bowl, beat cream cheese, mixture into ice cream maker METHOD
butter and powdered sugar and freeze. Stir in pecans Cook until thickened. Serve with whipped
until smooth. Add milk and and marshmallows halfway cream.
vanilla; beat until blended. through freezing process. Elaine Rowett, Sturgis, SD
Frost flat sides of pie halves Transfer to airtight container
Please send your favorite dairy recipes to your local
and place halves together. and put in freezer to harden, electric cooperative (address found on Page 3).
Refrigerate and store in sealed about an hour. Makes 2 Each recipe printed will be entered into a drawing
container. quarts. for a prize in December 2021. All entries must
Culinary.net Joan Antonen, Arlington, SD include your name, mailing address, phone number
and cooperative name.
JULY 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 5
COLLABORATIVE EFFICIENCY
Dear Pat and Brad: We just purchased a
home and noticed the previous owner
installed an electric wall heater in the
outdoor shed. How much will our
should definitely insulate it.
electric bill go up if we use this heater An important consideration, unless you live
next winter? Should we consider in a desert-dry climate, is the effect moisture
can have in an outbuilding. Moisture enables
insulating the shed? – Lloyd rot, insects and mold to wreak havoc on
your structure, and rust to degrade tools
and other metals. Heating and insulating
Good questions! An uninsulated an outbuilding, if done right, can reduce or
outbuilding can be quite expensive to heat eliminate a moisture problem. But insulation
(or cool) depending on where you live. Even installed incorrectly can trap moisture and
though we’re currently experiencing July’s foster mold growth.
warmer temperatures, I’ll focus on heating Moisture in an outbuilding is usually caused
since your shed includes the wall heater. by three things: leaks where water can get
Years ago, I worked on a home energy through (typically through the roof, windows
contest that selected homes with the highest and doorway); seepage through floors and
Pat Keegan energy bills and helped the owners make walls; or condensation when nighttime
Collaborative efficiency improvements. One year, the temperatures drop. To prevent moisture
Efficiency home with the highest energy use had an buildup, you need to eliminate moisture
uninsulated shed that was heated in order sources and prevent condensation.
to keep several cans of leftover paint from As air cools, it cannot carry as much
freezing. The cost of heating the shed each moisture, and condensation occurs, usually
winter was more than it would have cost to on the coolest object at hand. Insulating
walls and ceilings can keep the interior wall
or ceiling surface from getting cold enough
The cost of heating and for condensation to occur. Insulated wall or
cooling an outbuilding can be ceiling cavities need to be carefully air sealed
so that condensation does not occur inside the
Brad Thiessen
much lower if the thermostat cavity.
Collaborative is carefully controlled. I should also note that the cost of heating
Efficiency and cooling an outbuilding can be much
lower if the thermostat is carefully controlled.
replace the paint. Only you can decide if the value of heating
The cost to heat or cool your outdoor and cooling your outbuilding is worth the cost
shed depends on your climate, the size of and effort to properly insulate and seal. Even if
the outbuilding and the price you pay for your shed is not heated or insulated, it’s worth
electricity. I conducted a quick calculation keeping an eye out for mold and mildew.
that showed heating an uninsulated 6 ft. by 8 We hope you enjoy your new home and
ft. shed could cost twice as much as heating an your outdoor shed!
insulated 900 sq. ft. home. Wow!
Some outbuildings are heated with wood, Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative
which is a sound choice if you have a free Efficiency write on energy efficiency topics for the
source of firewood. Another strategy often National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. For
seen in workshops is a radiant heater directed additional energy tips and information on Collaborative
at the work area, perhaps in front of a Efficiency visit: www.collaborativeefficiency.com/
workbench. But if you’re paying for your fuel energytips.
and decide to keep an outbuilding heated, you
6 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JULY 2021
LOGAN STORLEY
succumbing to the dreaded disease in
2019.
“It really hurts to see someone you’ve
love and cared about all your life being
sick like that and withering away,”
Storley said. “But he did a great job
keeping his spirits up. He never groaned
about how unlucky he was or how
unfair it was. He lived a great life, he
had a lot of good people around him
and I was fortunate to know him. Now
he’s in a much better place.”
Storley said that while hardships
in life and contrived combat in the
confines of a cage may be different types
of challenges, they require the same
determined mindset to overcome and
move beyond.
“When there’s a death in the family,
or a heartbreak or financial problems,
Logan Storley of Roslyn, SD, lands a kick against opponent Yaroslav Amosov at Bellator
you have to keep showing up no matter
MMA 252 last November. It was Storley’s first Bellator loss against 11 wins. Photo courtesy of
what life throws at you. You have to
BELLATOR MMA/Lucas Noonan
take the time to deal with it, control
LOGAN STORLEY
what you can control and then continue
to go on with life.”
As far as what it’s like to get physically
Former state champion wrestler seeks to punched in the head and body during
the heat of competition, Storley said it’s
make his mark in mixed martial arts important to first understand, as in real
life, there is going to be some adversity
Billy Gibson a record of 11-1 as a competitor in the and pain.
billy.gibson@sdrea.coop Bellator MMA program. “You go into the cage expecting that
And while he’s used to punching you’re going to get cracked. You know
There are many who know what it’s and being punched, Storley said he you’re going to be in a fight,” he said.
like to experience difficult emotional recruits the same mental and emotional “It’s a shock to your system when you
blows in life: broken relationships, fortitude to deal with any test of feel that thud, but you know you have
medical afflictions, financial hardships adversity whether it comes in the cage to respond and keep on fighting. You
and other misfortune. There are fewer of combat or in the cage of life. realize you can get past it and fight on.”
who know what it’s like to get physically Storley suffered his first loss last Storley’s loss in November hasn’t
punched in the face, choked, kicked in November when he dropped a split deterred him in the least. He stays
the jaw and thrown to the ground with decision to Yaroslav Amosov, a defeat focused on completing a task left
violent force. that was difficult for him to bear. The undone when he failed to win a national
And still fewer who have experienced post-fight video segment shows Storley title in college. His goal is to become
both. That’s Logan Storley. ripping his hand away from the referee the “best fighter in the world.”
Folks around Webster know Storley after the verdict was announced. “It’s important to me. My whole life
as a six-time state high school wrestling But the blows to the forehead and has been wrestling and competing,” he
champion and four-time all-American kicks to the ribs that rocked his body said. ”I want to win a title, defend it a
at the University of Minnesota. The that evening paled in comparison to couple of times and then move on.”
28-year-old is currently carving out a the pain of watching his beloved uncle
career in mixed martial arts, fashioning battle ALS for 10 years before finally
JULY 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 7
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Summer fun
awaits off the
beaten path
Off-road enthusiasts from far and wide come to ride the Black Hills. Photos by Billy Gibson
From the Black Hills to Avon, off-road Rentals in Nemo. Hilger does a
brisk business pairing up riders
ATV trails attract outdoor enthusiasts with fully licensed and permitted
machines that allow visitors to free-
Billy Gibson smattering of permanent residents range along the trails and take in the
billy.gibson@sdrea.coop who spend their days in unhurried breathtaking vistas. His fleet of more
leisure. But the warm summer than a dozen two-seaters and four-
months bring thousands of visitors seaters gets snapped up quickly as
Generations ago, folks flocked to seeking to explore the undulating the town is completely transformed
the tiny hamlet of Nemo to search wooded landscape on foot or on during the summer season, which
for gold buried deep in the nooks horseback, but most of all nestled in typically kicks off with the annual
and crannies of the Black Hills the seat of a side-by-side. Black Hills ATV/UTV Rally held in
region. The Black Hills area is widely mid-June.
Today they come in search of regarded as the state’s top draw for “There are so many people in
family outdoor fun and adventure all-terrain adventurists, and Nemo town it seems like it’s hard to get
along the hundreds of miles of stands smack dab at the center of around sometimes, but it’s very
nature trails that course throughout the action. family-oriented and everybody
the craggy terrain. One of the town’s busiest denizens gets along and has a good time
During most months of the year, during the summer crush is Dane getting out and enjoying the great
Nemo is a quiet outpost with a Hilger, who runs D&K ATV outdoors.”
8 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JULY 2021
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Vacationers and even day-trippers
have access to everything they need TOP ATV TRAILS IN SD
during a visit to Nemo with the 1. Centennial Trail
Brandin’ Iron restaurant, camping West of Rapid City
sites, a general store and lodging. 2. Northern Black Hills
Adam Rice, a native of Rapid West of Rapid City
City, owns and operates the 3. Southern Black Hills
Brandin’ Iron in addition to another Southwest of Rapid City
restaurant in Arizona. Soon after 4. Buffalo Gap National Grassland
high school, he headed to Arizona Southeast of Farmingdale
for culinary school and later opened 5. Bear Lodge Mountains
his business there. But two years North of Sundance
ago, Rice was lured back to South 6. Oahe Downstream OHV Area
Dakota and decided to resettle in North of Pierre
Nemo. 7. Talsmas ATV Trail Park
“The town just has an aura about South of Avon
it. It’s pristine and gorgeous. There’s 8. Reveheim Bay OHV Area
no better way to see the Black Hills. Southeast of Mobridge
You can get to a lot of cool places
through the trail system that goes
literally thousands of miles and you They bring their kids, the grand
never have to get on the road. You parents and the dog and they just
can get to Deadwood, you can get relax, unwind and have fun.”
to Mount Rushmore, you can go While Nemo may be considered
to Sturgis. I go out into the woods the mecca of ATV riders, there are
just about every day. There’s always several other prime spots in South
something interesting to see.” Dakota open to the public.
Larry Kaiser owns the In the southeastern
Nemo Merchantile “It’s just a lot of region of the state near
store where visitors fun. You meet the Avon, Jerry and Tina
will find fuel, snacks, most interesting Talsma welcome ATV Many ATV trails across the state have
beverages, clothing people and riders to their Trails access to fishing, scenic vistas and places
and an assortment of everybody’s End Ranch situated to pull over for refreshments such as the
dry goods. having a good alongside the Missouri Merchantile store in Nemo shown above.
He laments that time.” River.
during the summer he The third-generation as well as multi-day and seasonal
is often too busy to ride the land owners opened Talsma’s passes. Camp sites are available at a
trails, but he enjoys supplying the Trail Park in 2005 with several rate of $20 per night with electricity
provisions visitors need. hundred acres open to the public and $10 without.
“It’s just a lot of fun. You meet and trails that range from novice to The Talsmas have big plans for
the most interesting people and extreme. the summer with a Customer
everybody’s having a good time. There are climbing hills, creek Appreciation Day on Aug. 14, a
crossings, deep brush, open prairie fundraising event for Horse Haven
land, river bottom terrain and on Sept. 11 and a Halloween Scare
expansive scenic bluffs overlooking Ride on Oct. 9.
the Missouri. There are also several For more information on the
play areas for riders to kick up some private park, visit talsmastrailpark.
mud. com. For more information about
There are different fees to enter riding in the Black Hills, visit
the park depending on the mode of blackhillsatvrally.com and custersd.
transportation and special discounts com where you’ll find details about
for groups of 10 or more machines ATV activities in the Custer area.
JULY 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 9
CO-OP NEWS
Helberg completes Traverse Electric
journeyman lineman members say thanks
certification program Thank you for your generous donation. Because
of you, our Roaring 20’s Prom and Post Prom was a
night to remember!
W-H-N Juniors & Seniors, Wheaton, MN
I am sincerely honored to have been selected as
the recipient of the Traverse Electric Scholarship.
Thank you for your generosity, which will allow
me to attend Minnesota State University to
pursue my dreams of becoming a Family and
Consumer Science educator. As I have finished up
my education at Sisseton High School, I am very
grateful for receiving your thoughtful gift. Because
of your scholarship, I will be able to pay for my own
post-secondary education. Thank you again for
your thoughtful and generous gift.
Madeline Duffield, Browns Valley, MN
Thank you for changing our yard light. The new
light is so much brighter!
Dennis & Claudette Biel, New Effington, SD
Thank you so much! My 1st graders love these
books (My Favorite Book)! They are a great way to
end the year!
Tressa Lanter, Pearson Elem., Wheaton, MN
Thank you so much for donating to our Camp-
bell-Tintah-Fairmount 2021 Prom! This memorable
moment in our high school memories will stay with
us for our entire lives! Our Class of 2022 appre-
ciates all you have given to help make our Junior
Prom possible!
Junior Class of Campbell-Tintah & Fairmount
Schools, Campbell MN, Fairmount, ND
Recently, one of our Traverse Electric linemen,
Colden Helberg, completed the additional TEC April Financials
training and requirements necessary to obtain his April 2020 April 2021 YTD 2021
journeyman lineman certification. Total Revenue $878,028.07 $896,554.20 $3,834,291.73
Cost of Power $524,689.83 $571,720.63 $2,423,694.80
This means that in addition to graduating from Total Cost of Service $819,374.06 $865,393.04 $3,630,543.65
line school, Colden needed to have 7,500 hours Operating Margins $58,654.01 $31,161.16 $203,748.08
Total Margins $70,780.85 $29,783.43 $211,282.27
working on the job as well as take and pass 40
Kilowatt-Hours (kWh) Purchased 9,326,629 9,839,130 43,016,717
written tests. Kilowatt-Hours (kWh) Sales 8,888,738 9,414,674 41,019,200
Congratulations Colden on a job well done! Line Loss 4% 4% 4%
10 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JULY 2021CO-OP NEWS
Need a Qualified Electrician? Give Us a Call!
Traverse Electric
Electrician Services
Installations/Repairs/Maintenance
r Agriculture
r Residential Master Electrician
Steve Powers
r Commercial Apprentice Electrician
Conner Bartz
r Generator Installations
Call Steve Powers direct at 320-563-1057 or by cell phone
at 320-808-9104 to discuss your electrical needs!
Licensed and bonded in MN and SD
The Traverse Electric
office will be closed on
Monday, July 5, 2021 to
observe Independence
Day. Have a happy
and safe 4th of July
weekend!
JULY 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 11STRAP
SENSIBLE
SOLAR
has allowed new residential and
commercial solar owners to deduct
26 percent of their installation
costs from their federal taxes. The
ITC is set to be reduced to 23
percent in 2023 and eliminated
South Dakota’s electric cooperatives for homeowners by 2024. The
promote fair, sensible solar policies Biden Administration has proposed
extending the program for another
Billy Gibson Across the country, the solar two years.
billy.gibson@sdrea.coop market is facing what can be According to the Energy
described as growing pains. Those Information Administration, direct
With summer in full swing, the pains stem from the fact that the federal government subsidies for
sun is bearing down on South nascent stages of solar energy were solar alone totaled $34.4 billion
Dakotans. But that wasn’t the heavily subsidized through taxpayer between 2010 and 2019.
case just five months ago when an dollars, as early adopters benefited As solar subsidies decline, the
unexpected polar vortex covered from an array of state, federal and true costs for ratepayers to have
much of the country in a blanket of municipal government tax credits, 24-hour access to both intermittent
snow and ice. exemptions, incentives, rebates renewable power and more reliable
As co-op members now reach for and subsidies designed to get the traditional power at the same time
the sunscreen and a cold beverage, industry off the ground. Tapping are coming to bear.
it’s easy to forget that back in into these programs, owners of In Nevada, for example, incentives
February the same solar panels that solar installations have been able to for homeowners were phased out in
are streaming torrents of ions today deduct up to half of their costs. 2016 after the state’s largest energy
were reduced to a trickle when a But as more homeowners and company argued that its costs
convergence of circumstances caused businesses opt for solar and as the of creating and delivering power
a series of rolling blackouts. cost of solar has dropped 80 percent weren’t being fully covered and the
That historic event alerted since 2010, those subsidies are expenses of serving every home and
policymakers from Texas to the shrinking and the industry is in the business in the system were being
Canadian border to hit the pause process of having to eventually stand shifted to those exercising their right
button and take another look at on its own feet. At the federal level, not to have rooftop panels placed on
how renewable power fits into the for instance, the Investment Tax their homes.
national grid-based energy picture. Credit (ITC) established in 2005 Predictably, once the incentives
12 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JULY 2021A SOLAR SNAPSHOT
“WE RELY ON INTERMITTENT RENEWABLE
SOURCES TO CURB EMISSIONS AND MORE
RELIABLE FOSSIL FUELS TO DELIVER THE
BASELOAD POWER OUR MEMBERS NEED.”
ROBERT RAKER
West River Electric, to communicate with one another
characterized the state’s as each cooperative in the state
electric cooperatives has its own set of interconnection
as being neither requirements and policies
pro-renewable energy determined by their management.
nor anti-renewable “If one of our members wants to
energy. get involved in renewable energy,
“We’re pro-reliability we need to know about it so we can
and pro-affordability work with the member to make
for our members,” sure the process goes as smoothly as
he explained. “We possible,” Raker said.
rely on intermittent Chris Studer, chief member and
renewable sources to public relations officer at East River
curb emissions and Electric, echoed Raker’s comments
more reliable fossil fuels and emphasized another important
to deliver the baseload factor in open member-to-
power our members cooperative communication: safety.
were sun-setted and solar owners need. It’s like a parent trying to “Just make sure to call your
had to pay for maintaining the same determine which is their favorite kid. co-op. It’s a safety issue. Improperly
grid that they depend on when We favor both of them because we installed equipment could put
their panels aren’t producing power, need to help protect the planet but the homeowner’s property and
demand decreased. we also need to fulfill our obligation co-op employees who work on the
In South Dakota, where there to serve our members whether it’s infrastructure at risk and that’s what
are no state government subsidies, day or night, hot or cold, sunny or we want to prevent.”
investor-owned Black Hills Energy cloudy, windy or calm.” Studer said the state’s cooperatives
has followed Nevada’s lead by Raker noted that co-ops have will continue to play an active role as
proposing that the South Dakota embraced the integration of the renewable market evolves.
Public Utilities Commission renewable power into the state’s fuel “At this stage in the emergence of
institute tariffs on homeowners to mix. Electric co-ops were leaders the distributed generation market,
compensate the power company for in introducing wind power, which the fixed costs that electric utilities
those fixed costs required to keep the now makes up roughly 25 percent of have invested in their infrastructure
system functioning for all ratepayers the supply while 17 percent comes needs to be taken under
who use it. from hydroelectric dams along the consideration as more members
Opponents argue that the tariffs Missouri River. Co-ops are also bring localized solar installations
could potentially obliterate the involved in the construction of Wild into the system,” he said.
state’s growing solar market, which Springs solar farm, which is expected “Other states have addressed this
saw 462 MW installed through the to go on-line next year as the largest issue by establishing fixed charges for
first quarter of 2021. solar array in the western part of the distributed generation owners in a
As for South Dakota’s electric state. way that was fair for everyone, while
cooperatives, the system’s leaders Without a clear and complete also setting up a system to streamline
paid close attention to the polar set of rules in place for distributed the resolution of any disputes
vortex event and the lessons generation, Raker said it’s that may arise. We’ll continue to
learned in the aftermath. Robert paramount that members and serve as an advocate for all co-op
Raker, public relations manager at their cooperatives work together consumers.”
JULY 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 13LET THE GAMES BEGIN
LET THE
GAMES BEGIN that the primary goal would be to
protect the health of the students,
parents, coaches, referees and others
SDHSAA plans to resume normal activities involved in youth activities under
when the fall semester begins the association’s purview.
It was the responsibility of
Executive Director Dan Swartos
Billy Gibson executed a quick response by pulling to serve as head coach of the
billy.gibson@sdrea.coop together a premier task force with a campaign to draft and execute a
variety of participants to determine game plan before the fall 2020
Success on the field of play an effective plan of attack against season commenced even as many
often hinges on putting together the global menace. restrictions were still in force. He
a solid playbook to prepare for The A-team included officials credited all involved in the effort
the rigors of competition. Like from the state Department of for recognizing the importance of
many organizations, the South Health, Department of Education, “keeping kids active” while staying
Dakota High School Activities local school administrators, private focused on the goal of returning to
Association (SDHSAA) didn’t have medical practitioners, teachers, sports and extracurricular activities
a playbook designed to deal with coaches and parents. After using the in a safe manner.
the coronavirus pandemic that balance of the spring season to reset “There was never any pressure
interrupted the slate of sporting and regroup, members of the task placed on anyone to decide to play
events mid-stream in the spring of force spent last summer pursuing sports or not to play sports. Our
2020. their work without any preconceived goal was to keep everyone safe as
But just as it teaches student notions of where their efforts would we dealt with the pandemic and
athletes the merits of teamwork lead or how the future would look. determined the best way to respond
and perseverance, the association All were in agreement, however, and return to normal activities
14 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JULY 2021LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Officials at the
SDHSAA say they
plan to resume
a normal slate of
events this fall.
Photos by South
Dakota Public
Broadcasting
as the pandemic ran its course,” “SOMETIMES YOU DON’T FULLY APPRECIATE WHAT
he said. “We listened to those in
the health profession for their YOU HAVE UNTIL IT’S TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU.”
recommendations based on what DR. DAN SWARTOS
they were experiencing and balanced
that with recommendations and school population sizes and other to a fall 2021 semester that will
observations that were coming from variables,” Swartos said. “Things seem close to normal for students,
other quarters. The governor’s office were happening differently in Sioux parents, teachers and administrators.
trusted us and gave us the space we Falls compared to Lemmon. It “Our plan right now is to go
needed to make the best decisions.” was breaking out in some parts of full speed ahead as normal, but
Swartos also gave high praise to the state, but in Harding County we’re continuing to meet and take
leaders of the local school systems they didn’t have any coronavirus assessments of how things are going
for being flexible as the chain of cases until the fall. We had to look and receive the recommendations of
events unfolded. As an example, at things like some small schools the task force,” Swartos said.
he referred to Lance Christianson, having 500-seat arenas and others “One of the things we learned
the 2019 state golf champion. having 5,000-seat arenas. We is how important our sports and
Christianson was a student at decided not to place restrictions activities are to the development
Little Wound on the Pine Ridge on attendance and leave it up to of our students. Sometimes you
Reservation when the school was the systems to make those kinds of don’t fully appreciate what you have
forced to shut down due to the decisions. The way our members until it’s taken away from you. It’s
pandemic. Christianson was faced responded, it was extraordinary.” important physically, mentally and
with the prospect of not being able Swartos said he looks forward socially.”
to compete for another golf title in
2020.
Swartos explained that meetings
were held and an agreement was
hammered out to issue a waiver and
allow Christianson to participate in
the state tournament competition.
That kind of flexibility and
adaptability was paramount, Swartos
said, as the pandemic was impacting
local schools in different ways in
various parts of the state.
“The situation was different
from east to west, rural and urban,
JULY 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 15REGISTER TO WIN!
Bring this coupon and mailing label to the Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives
booth at Dakotafest, Farmfest or the South Dakota State Fair to win a prize!
Your Phone Number:__________________________________________________
Your E-mail Address: __________________________________________________
JULY 16-17
Storybook Land Festival
Wylie Park, Aberdeen,
SD, 605-626-7015
JULY 16-18
Gold Discovery Days
Various Locations, Custer,
SD, 605-673-2244
JULY 16-24
Senior Summer Tournaments
Rapid City, SD, Contact Lindsey
Meyers at 605-394-4175
JULY 23-25
Arlington Days
July 4
Various Locations, Arlington,
Independence Day SD, 605-983-5251
JULY 27-31
JUNE 19-20 JULY 4 Days of ‘76 Rodeo & Parades
Aberdeen Arts in the Park Fall River Fourth of July Various Locations, Deadwood,
Melgaard Park, Aberdeen, Various Locations, Hot Springs, SD, 605-578-1876
SD, 605-226-1557 SD, 605-745-4140
JULY 31
JUNE 25-27 JULY 4 Chislic Festival
Annual Main Street Arts Fourth of July Celebration Freeman’s Prairie Arboretum,
and Crafts Festival 703 Main Street, Deadwood, Freeman, SD, 605-496-9946
N River Street, Hot Springs, SD, 800-344-8826
SD, 605-440-2738 AUGUST 17-19
JULY 4 Dakotafest
JUNE 30-JULY 4 Fourth of July Parade 2300 E Spruce Street, Mitchell,
Annual Black Hills Roundup Kemp Avenue, Watertown, SD, 877-611-8161
To have your event 300 Roundup Street, Belle SD, 605-886-5814
listed on this page, send Fourche, SD, 605-723-2010 AUGUST 21-22
JULY 9-11, 16-18, 23-25 Annual Rosholt Threshing
complete information,
JULY 2-4 Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant Bee
including date, event, Custer’s Old Time Country The Threshing Grounds,
43379 Rose Lane, De Smet,
place and contact to your Fourth of July SD, 605-983-5251 Rosholt, SD, 605-537-4426
local electric cooperative. Various Locations, Custer,
SD, 605-673-2244 JULY 9-11 AUGUST 26-29
Include your name,
Annual Hot Harley Nights 58th Annual Steam
address and daytime JULY 2-4 Threshing Jamboree
J&L Harley-Davidson, Sioux
telephone number. Gold Camp Jubilee Days Falls, SD, 605-334-2721 Prairie Village, Madison,
Information must be Various Locations, Lead, SD, 605-256-3644
submitted at least eight SD, 605-584-1100 JULY 10-11
50th Annual Brookings
weeks prior to your JULY 2-4 Summer Arts Festival
event. Please call ahead Sitting Bull Stampede Rodeo W Highway 14 and 1st Note: Please make sure to
to confirm date, time and Rodeo Grounds, Mobridge, Avenue, Brookings, call ahead to verify the event
location of event. SD, 605-845-2387 SD, 605-692-2787 is still being held.You can also read
