Jan. Newsletter - Cuming County Public Power District

Cuming
County
Connection
January 2015
Manager’s Report
By: Chet McWhorter
The least popular word in the vocabulary of anyone whose
vocation is in the utility business is “rate”. I’m convinced that rate
is a four letter word for a reason! Especially when coupled with a
description such as “adjustment” “adjudication” or my least
favorite “increase”, the word rate can cause fear and trepidation
in the heartiest of individuals. With recent news stories and
associated reactions to rate increases, I felt it appropriate to
share some thoughts on this important issue.
A fair question, with all that stated, is: What goes into an
CCPPD GM, Chet McWhorter
electric rate? There are several layers to the rates that we each pay
for electrical service. There are capacity charges. Capacity charges
essentially pay for the poles, wires, substations, transformers, and service wires that carry the
current to each customer and are generally referred to as base charge. There are also energy
charges that encompass the cost to transmit the energy to Cuming County Public Power District
(CCPPD), the cost of generating the power, along with capacity (the overall capacity of the regional
grid), and demand components. Because CCPPD does not own generation or large scale
transmission lines, we are obligated to purchase the generation, transmission, and capacity from a
wholesale provider. In our case the provider is Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). Just as each
of you is a customer of CCPPD, we are customers of NPPD.
NPPD has undergone some changes in their rates and how they are structured in recent years. They
operate under the philosophy that each customer should pay as close as possible their actual costs
for their piece of the energy pie, which is the same philosophy that we utilize at CCPPD. One of the
outcomes of this restructuring of rates is a realignment of their transmission rates. In the case of
CCPPD, this has equated to an overall increase in the price we pay to have the power transmitted to
our District.
One of the core values of CCPPD is Service. We, the board and employees of CCPPD, are proud of
the service that we provide to our customers. We aim to provide an excellent experience with each
customer that has contact with us. Whether in the area of power delivery, rates, outages, load
control, or security lights, we exist to serve our customers and intend to do so with integrity, common
sense and an understanding of the impact that our decisions have on your everyday lives.
Cuming County Public Power District ~ January 2015
Page 1
F i g h t t h e Wi n t e r C h i l l s
By: April Lollar, APR, CCC
Another colder-than-normal winter is
predicted for much of the country this year.
Frigid temperatures can cause heating systems
to work over time, and since heating and
cooling can make up nearly half of your
electric bill, you may experience sticker shock
when you open that bill. Instead of waiting
until after a potentially high bill is in your
mailbox, be proactive. There are things you
can do now to help ensure you are managing
your energy use and spending less.
These simple steps can help you manage
your use:
* Wrap exposed pipes and water
heaters that are in unconditioned spaces.
* Make sure to change your air lter
once a month.
* Keep drapes closed at night and keep
those that don’t get direct sunlight closed
during the day, too.
* Keep the replace damper closed
when it is not in use. Keeping it open can
bring cold air into the room.
* Caulk around the replace hearth,
and caulk or weather strip around doors and
windows.
* Log on to your CCPPD account to
keep up with your use. If we’ve had a few
days of frigid temperatures, see how you can
try to save on days that are milder.
* Dress for the weather, even if you are
inside. Wearing proper
clothing like long sleeves and
pants, or wrapping up in a cozy
blanket will help combat the
January Calendar
temptation of bumping up the thermostat.
So, when temperatures fall this winter
and you hear your weatherman talking about
bringing in pets and plants, take the steps
above to help manager your use.
Using the tips above can certainly help
you manage your energy use, but your bill may
still be higher than normal in winter months.
Why?
* The weather makes a big impact on
electric bills, accounting for nearly half of your
bill.
* Even those with the most efcient
HVAC systems will see more use in extreme
weather.
* When extreme cold temperatures hit,
our heaters work overtime.
* For example, even if you set your
thermostat to our recommended 68 degrees
in the winter, when it is 19 degrees outside,
your system has to work hard to make up that
49-degree difference.
* Your heater works harder and cycles
on and off more often, making your use much
higher. That means your bill will be much
higher.
* Remember, there is value in comfort.
For us to be comfortable in our homes, our
heaters are going to work harder, but it may be
worth the additional cost to you.
April Lollar writes on consumer and cooperative
affairs for the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.based service organization for the nation’s
900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-prot
electric cooperatives.
January 1st ~ New Year’s Day! Office Closed!
Cuming County Public Power District ~ January 2015
Page 2
Around the Area...
Helping with Bancroft
Christmas decorations.
Helping with the
West Point
Christmas Tree.
Helping with Dodge
Christmas decorations.
Substation Changes...
Transformers from Substation 1 (near Snyder)were
moved and transported to Substation 6 (near Wisner).
The transformers were tested and a few have to be
replaced. The others were moved from different
substations to handle larger loads. The transformers
weigh from 12,000 lbs. up to 32,000 lbs.
Page 3
Cuming County Public Power District ~ January 2015
Osmose Pole Testing
Osmose Utilities Services is a professional
firm that is an expert in pole evaluations. They tested
poles in the Lincoln & Monterey townships in Cuming County; Webster township (including the village of
Dodge) in Dodge County; the northern Lincoln township of Colfax County and the eastern Maple Creek
township of Stanton County in the Cuming County
Public Power District
area.
Most utility poles
are made of wood and
their constant exposure
to the environment
takes a toll. Wind, moisture and soil conditions
all can distress or decay
wood. Regular pole inspection and treatment
helps to spot and take
care of any problems
before they become
critical situations.
MANAGEMENT
Chet McWhorter ................ General Manager
Kari Haase ........................... Chief Financial Officer
OFFICE SERVICES
Donna Feldhaus ................. CSR 1
Sheena Kampschneider ..... CSR 1
Nicki White ......................... CSR 2
Mary Troyer ........................ Accountant
OPERATIONS
Duane Lammers ................. Const. & Maint. Supv
Scott Haber ......................... Working Foreman
Jim Yosten ........................... Working Foreman
Willy Anderson .................. Journeyman Lineman
Scott Case ............................ Journeyman Lineman
Gene Cihacek ...................... Journeyman Lineman
Jess Hunke ........................... Journeyman Lineman
Brian Throener ................... Journeyman Lineman
Tristan Bettenhausen ........... Part Time Intern
Tisha Alfson ........................ Operations Services Supv
Sarah McGill ....................... Dispatcher/Mapping Tech
Monte Draper ..................... Technology Supervisor
Tip of the Month
They’re out of sight, but don’t forget about
your air ducts. Taking care of them can save
money and energy. Check ducts for air leaks.
Take care of minor sealing jobs with
heat-approved tape, especially in attics and
in vented crawl spaces. Call the pros for
major ductwork repairs.
BOARD MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the CCPPD Board are normally held on the second Wednesday of each month
at the office. Notice of times and date changes are
published monthly.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Leroy Mostek, President ..... 402-528-3872
Danny Kluthe, Vice Pres.... 402-693-2833
Rollin Bremerman, Sec ...... 402-528-3521
Ed Kaup, Treasurer ............. 402-372-2966
Dennis Weiler ...................... 402-372-2713
Greg Strehle .......................... 402-372-5065
CONTACT US:
PO Box 256/500 S. Main • West Point, NE 68788
402-372-2463 or toll free 877-572-2463
24-hour answering service
E-mail: ccppd@ccppd.com
Online: www.ccppd.com
Source: U. S. Department of Energy
Office hours
Cuming County Public Power District ~ January 2015
Page 4 Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm