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EMPIRE ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

[Echoes of the Empire]

In 2011, Empire Electric Association began building its Solar Assist Cooperative Garden, which contains 48 panels in two 24-panel arrays. Twenty-four of the original panels are either leased or available for lease by EEA members. The remaining 24 panels are set aside to help bring community solar to low-income families. A collaborative effort between three renewable energy supporters is making this a reality.

The story of the partnership between Empire Electric Association and GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit from Cal-ifornia, started when GRID reached out to EEA through the Colorado Energy Office. GRID received $1.2 million in grant money from the Colorado Energy Office to partner with Colorado co-ops and bring community solar to low-income families. GRID made a proposal to EEA for the installation of the 70 solar photovoltaic panels that will produce 21.35 kilowatts in these arrays. In addition, GRID promised to be on site to train and lead teams of community volunteers and job trainees installing the solar structure. Through this program, five to 10 qualifying EEA members will see a reduction on their electric bills depending on how much energy the arrays generate.

General Manager Josh Dellinger said, “The board feels that projects like this that benefit our community are in the best interest of our members as a whole. EEA has a long history of donating to organizations with various needs in our community and is glad to support our members.”

By February 2016, the agreement was in place between EEA and GRID and construction began. The arrays were completed in April, thus making EEA the first system in the state of Colorado to partner with the Colorado Energy Office and GRID.

The volunteer solar installers included three Empire Electric employees: Josh Dellinger, Clint Rapier and me. We were joined by Montezuma-

EMPIRE ELECTRIC PARTNERS TO BRING COMMUNITY SOLAR TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIESBY DENISE MOORE, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

I

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Denise Moore

Cold, wet and job complete: The volunteers pose for a group photo.Josh Dellinger (foreground) and Clint Rapier measure the framework that will hold the solar panels.

Denise Moore (second from left) helps carry the next solar panel to be in-stalled on the bottom row.

coloradocountrylife.coop JULY 20168

[Echoes of the Empire]

New Co-Op Employee

Rebate Program

July 1 PHOTO CONTEST ENDS

July 4, Independence Day EEA OFFICE CLOSED

July 8 EEA BOARD MEETING, 801 N. BROADWAY, CORTEZ

July 17-22 CEEI LEADERSHIP CAMP, STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO

My Co-op Calendar JULY 2016

EEA offers rebate programs for residential and commercial members. Visit EEA at www.eea.coop or call 970-565-4444 or toll free at 800-709-3726 for details.

Cortez High School senior students, potential solar subscribers, student trainees from the Navajo Technical University in New Mexico and residents from Cortez.

The preparation for the expansion was com-pleted and ready for the volunteers to finish the project in two days. Upon arrival, the vol-unteers were issued a hard hat, safety glasses, work gloves and a reflective vest. GRID divided the community volunteers into work teams headed by a GRID team leader. The volunteers got to work and eagerly helped assemble the arrays.

Josh volunteered on the first work day, help-ing install the framework for the solar panels to rest on. As Josh described his experience, he stated it was great to see potential subscrib-ers contributing to the project. “It was also good to see volunteers from the high school participate,” he said. “It is nice when people come together on a project that will benefit

members of our community.”I signed up to volunteer on the second day.

I loved the thought of a hands-on experience and always had an interest in solar. It was simple to get started after reading the volunteer guidebook and viewing an orientation video.

Day two included a dismal forecast of rain and snow. The job for the day was to secure and connect solar panels to the gleaming double tracks that were installed the previous day. I attached the panel cables to the inverters and secured the panels using special fasteners. Once the cables were attached, a light flashed on the inverter, completing the connection and added to the feeling of accomplishment.

Clint, our system engineer, volunteered to help on both days. He was impressed by the preparation GRID Alternatives made: the pre-assembled tool kits, personal protective equip-ment, safety plan, briefing and organization. “It was apparent GRID had done this before and

had refined the process,” Clint said.From Clint’s point of view, the majority of

the volunteers were into it. “I heard no com-plaints even as we worked through the rain and sleet,” he said. “Many of those were there for hands-on training and asked quality questions.” He was impressed with how well the aesthetics of the module mounting went. Although Clint was the person responsible for overseeing the project, he felt little need to micro-manage and was pleased with the experience. Clint will have the capability of monitoring the system, includ-ing the individual modules, throughout the day when necessary.

Volunteering brings a sense of pride when working on projects for our community. Even though it was cold and we were soaking wet, everyone was there to get the job done. Work-ing with such positive people made the job go quickly, and it was an inspiration to be involved in this uplifting community project.

COMMUNITY SOLAR TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

Welcome to Shawna McLaughlin, who started with Empire Electric on May 23, 2016, as consumer service coordinator. She has lived in the Cortez area most of her life and brings her many years of experience in the banking industry to the co-op. Married for 29 years, Shawna and her husband raised two daughters and are

the proud grandparents of two granddaughters. In her spare time, she loves the outdoors and spending time with her family.

The July 2016 photo contest winner is “Wheat Harvest” submitted by Tiffany Hartsoe

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[Echoes of the Empire]

MONTEZUMA-CORTEZ HIGH SCHOOL

Nathaniel Baker Stevee Brenner (Tri-State)

Abriana Conklin Julia Damore-Rome

Judy Ha Zachary Hartle (Home schooled)

Colton Reynolds Brian Romine

Photo Not Available

Photo Not Available

2016 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTSBOARD MEETING MARCH 11, 2016

DOLORES HIGH SCHOOL

Teegan Hite Elizabeth Loschert Nichole Kibel Larissa Umberger

DOVE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Case Baughman Shane Fury Spencer Gatlin Victoriah Riggs

Nicolas Archuleta Anna Cox

Zane Goodell (Home schooled)

Jessica Gutierrez

VOCATIONAL Bryce Hobbs

MANCOS HIGH SCHOOL

MONTICELLO HIGH SCHOOL

Molly Anderson LaShay Lewis

Amy Rogers Anna Rowley (Tri-State)

ADULT SCHOLARSHIPS

Tiffany Cross Ellen Davis Laura Graf Robin Jensen

Robert Ower Mersadez Wilcox

BASIN SCHOLARSHIP

Jennifer SturmanMontezuma-Cortez High School

Photo Not Available

Photo Not Available

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[Echoes of the Empire]

BENEFIT FROM THE ENERGY NOT USEDThe cheapest, cleanest and greenest energy is the energy not used. There are many ways to be more energy efficient, from equipment upgrades to things that don’t cost a cent.

Let nature do some of the work. Consider leaving your windows open and cut-ting the air conditioner at night, when temperatures are much more moderate. Then keep the windows shut during daylight hours to help keep that cooler air inside. You can also install window coverings, which can block sunlight and heat during the day. Also, increase insulation and seal cracks that may let out cold air.

For more information on energy efficiency, visit EnergyEdCouncil.org.

AAs you find yourself spending more time outdoors this summer, Empire Electric Association reminds you to exercise cau-tion near electrical equipment maintained by the co-op.

Substations and power lines carry extremely high voltages, and if contact is accidentally made, the results can be dangerous — or even deadly.

Never climb trees near power lines. If you make contact with a tree that is touching a power line, your body could become the path of electricity from the line to the ground. If you encounter an animal trapped in a tree near power lines or inside a substation, do not attempt to remove it, no matter how furry and cute. Call EEA or call 911 for assistance.

Here at Empire Electric, your safety is important to us. We hope you will share the message of electrical safety so that you and others can enjoy plenty of summer days filled with fun. Visit eea.coop for more electrical safety tips.

Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

USE CAUTION NEAR CO-OP EQUIPMENTBY ABBY BERRY

IIn hot, dry climates, you battle the blazing hot sun, which heats up the surface of your home. As the heat beats down on your home’s roof, windows and walls, the heat con-ducts to the inside. However, there are some basic steps you can take to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient in hot, dry climates.

Starting from the top, it makes sense that light-colored roofs reflect the sun’s heat away from the home, whereas a dark color absorbs the heat. Make sure you have a vented area directly under your roof to allow some of the heat to dissipate and reflect back. A vented roof effectively shades the rest of the home. It is also important to properly seal your home’s thermal envelope. Leaky ducts, windows and doors can cause energy loss, making the cooling system work much harder and drive up your energy costs. It pays to seal windows, doors and ductwork.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, on average, households lose approxi-mately 20 percent of their heated and cooled air through the duct system to the outside. Homes that are “sealed tight” are easier to keep cool and dry.

Energy Efficiency When it’s Hot and Dry