NewsLiNeSeptember 2019

Seeking Applications for Community AwardItasca-Mantrap is seeking applicants for the Touchstone Energy Community Award, which recognizes community groups or businesses that have shown a strong commitment to the community. The winning organization that has helped make the Itasca-Mantrap Cooperative service area a better place to live and work will receive a plaque and a $500 cash award for its cause.

Community members may nominate an organization, association or business by completing an application form, available at our office or online at www.itasca-mantrap.com. The application requires a description of the project, program, or event and the positive impact it brought to the community. Completed applications must be received at Itasca-Mantrap’s office by Oct. 31, 2019.

The award recipient will be announced in November and will then compete for the statewide Touchstone Energy Community Award, which has a cash prize of $1,000. The statewide award winner will be recognized at the Minnesota Rural Electric Association annual meeting in 2020.

The Minnesota Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are part of a national alliance of more than 700 electric cooperatives in 46 states that adhere to the values of integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.

2018 Touchstone Energy Award winners: ACES Initiative.

DOES YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER AREA TO LIVE AND WORK?

APPLY FOR THE TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COMMUNITY AWARD

Your chance to receive a plaque and $500!

*Applications must be received by Oct. 31, 2019

The Touchstone Energy Community Award highlights the Seventh Cooperative Principle - Concern for the Community.

September 2019 Itasca-Mantrap newsLIne Page 2

Several recent conversations have got me thinking about how strongly we rely on electricity and how we expect it to be available with every flip of the

switch. Here, at Itasca-Mantrap, one of our commitments is to provide reliable energy to our members. We keep detailed records and statistics on how well we perform regarding reliability. We use these statistics to learn and to continually make things better. This data will help us to prepare our short- and long-term work plans, it is used in our decision-making regarding right-of-way clearing and “animal-proofing”, and it is used as a measure of how well we are doing.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee 100 percent reliability. There are times when our very own linemen need to perform maintenance or repairs on a line which we need to de-energize in order to keep everyone safe. There are times when others will ask us to de-energize a line in order to keep their workers safe. And, of course, there are those storms that take us all by surprise.

Most of the time when we have a “planned outage” as described in the first two scenarios, we are able to notify you in advance, and the length of the outage is relatively short. But in the case of a storm, there is no telling how long you will be out of power. I encourage all of you to plan so

CEO Update - By Christine Fox, President-CEO

when a severe weather event strikes, you have the tools and resources to effectively weather the storm. The Department of Homeland Security offers several resources to help you prepare for major weather events and natural disasters. Visit www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Some of their ideas:

• Stock your pantry with a three-day supply of non-perishable food, such as canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee, water and other essentials.

• Confirm that you have adequate sanitation and hygiene supplies including towelettes, soap and hand sanitizer.

• Ensure your First Aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages and other medical essentials and make sure your prescriptions are current.

• Set aside basic household items you will need including flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener and portable, battery-powered radio or TV.

• Organize emergency supplies so they are together in an easily accessible location.

In the event of an outage, turn off appliances, TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. This will help avert damage from a power surge and will also help prevent overloading the circuits during power restoration. If utilizing a small household generator, consider using LED

holiday lights to illuminate a living area. A strand of 100 white lights draws little energy yet produces considerable light. Solar lights also work well, if they can receive some sunlight during the day for charging. During thunderstorms, the American Red Cross recommends avoiding electrical equipment and land-based telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead. Keep away from windows. Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates.

After the storm, avoid downed power lines and walking through flooded areas where power lines could be submerged. Allow for ample room for utility crews to safely perform their jobs – including on your property. Also check our website www.itasca-mantrap.com for restoration updates.

Advance planning for severe storms or other emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety caused by the weather event and can lessen the impact of the storm’s effects. Sign up for NOAA emergency alerts and warnings, and check out our website and/or Facebook page to stay abreast of restoration efforts and other important co-op news and information. Act today, because there is power in planning.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you,

September 2019 Itasca-Mantrap newsLIne Page 3

Military AssistanceUtility payment arrangements

When a household member has been ordered into active duty, for deployment, or for a change of duty station, some members may find it hard to pay their utility bills. Minnesota law protects these military personnel from shut-off if they cannot pay their utility bills in full.

How to apply

Contact Itasca-Mantrap to obtain an application and make a payment plan, which you must keep to qualify for protection.

Payment plans

• If your household income is below the state median household income, pay ten percent of your household’s gross monthly income toward your electric bill; or

• If you receive energy assistance, pay ten percent of your household’s gross monthly income toward your electric bill; or

• If your household income is above the state median household income, make and keep a payment plan.

Team Member Spotlight

TIM HUWE

Job Title: Journeyman Lead Lineworker

How I serve the Co-op: I build and maintain lines, and restore power.

Started at Itasca-Mantrap: April 1990

Where I live: Park Rapids, MN

Hometown: Frazee, MN

Education/ Training: Journeyman Lineman

Prior Experience: Dairy Farming

Why I like working at Itasca-Mantrap: I like working outdoors and serving our members.

Community Involvement: St. John’s Lutheran Church

Family: Married with four children and two grandchildren

Hobbies: Woodworking, trapping, tree cutting, camping

Fun Fact: I like to visit National Parks.

AARON TOMPKINS

Job Title: Accounting Clerk

How I serve the Co-op: Complete financial entries and reporting

Started at Itasca-Mantrap: July 2004

Where I live: Park Rapids, MN

Hometown: Park Rapids, MN

Education/ Training: Bachelor Degree in Accounting at North Dakota State University, GRE Leadership Training, NISC Module Training

Prior Experience: Cash Accounting at Kmart

Why I like working at Itasca-Mantrap: Great co-workers

Family: Married with two sons

Community Involvement: Church Finance Committee

Hobbies: Fishing, Golf, Football, Most Sports

Fun Fact: I proposed to my wife in front of 17,000 people!

September 2019 Itasca-Mantrap newsLIne Page 4

HEATING: Outdoor warmth is transferred into the home COOLING: Heat transferred from indoor air to the outside

Heat and Cool the Home with One Solution - An Air Source Heat PumpThe air source heat pump (ASHP) is a smart solution available for members seeking to efficiently heat and cool their home year-round.

How it Works ASHPs use the same technologies found in refrigerators and air conditioners. During the summer when cooling your home, the ASHP works just like a central air conditioner, moving heat from inside your home and transferring it outside. An ASHP has the ability to reverse this process for heating: the ASHP harvests heat from outside air and transfers it into your home. The result is that homeowners are able to run their furnaces less and get extremely efficient heating from their ASHP. Some ASHP systems can provide heating in temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Both of these options can be controlled from a thermostat. The home heating function is also able to work in tandem with conventional gas or electric furnaces. The product will automatically select the most ideal balance between the two sources to maintain the most efficient heating combination based on a homeowner’s desired indoor temperature.

ASHPs have two sets of coils, a compressor, and a fan. The fan helps to circulate the cooled or warmed air. A special reversing valve changes the refrigerant flow’s direction, allowing the unit to seamlessly switch between air conditioning and heating.

Benefits to members According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an ASHP can reduce electricity use associated with home heating and cooling by up to 72 percent. Since heating and cooling account for more than half of the average home’s energy usage, switching to an ASHP can make an immediate impact on home energy costs.

Part of Itasca-Mantrap’s mission is to help you use energy wisely by offering a variety of programs, resources and products to make this possible. The ASHP can help you make the most out of your energy.

For more information on the energy efficient ASHP or other equipment, call our office at (218)732-3377 or toll free at (888)713-3377.

September 2019 Itasca-Mantrap newsLIne Page 5

Electrical InspectionsGenerally, Minnesota requires all electrical work to be performed by licensed, bonded and insured electrical contractors and their employees. Homeowners, with strict limitations, are exempt from licensing, but not from inspection. A separate request for electrical inspection form with the required fees must be submitted to the Department of Labor and Industry at or before the commencement of any electrical installation. If you have had electrical circuits added, extended or altered you should have also had a visit from your local electrical inspector.

To find out more about the requirements for electrical inspections, how to file a request for electrical inspection, or to find your local electrical inspector, visit: www.dli.mn.gov.

Electrical Inspectors in your area:

Becker County: Terry Lane - 218-237-8467

Hubbard and Cass Counties: Steven Schauland - 218-652-2213

Bull Moose Township in Cass County: Bradley Rasmussen - 218-543-1023

Wadena County: Gary Zacharias - 218-631-1392

Electrical inspectors can be reached by phone Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

16930 County 6, Park Rapids, MN(218)732-3377 - (888)713-3377

www.itasca-mantrap.com

Co-op Connections Card• Local and national discounts!

• Prescription discounts!• Earn cash back on online purchases!

• Download the free app!

September 2019 Itasca-Mantrap newsLIne Page 6

Download the SmartHub App

Pay your bill, check your electricity use, report an outage and more!

To access the SmartHub App:• Visit App Store/Marketplace

• Search for NISC SmartHub

• Follow installation instructions

ITASCA-MANTRAP COOPERATIVE16930 COUNTY 6, PO BOX 192

PARK RAPIDS, MN 56470

OFFICE HOURSMonday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Phone: 218-732-3377 or 888-713-3377Fax: 218-732-5890

Email: itasca@itasca-mantrap.comwww.itasca-mantrap.com

GOPHER STATE ONE CALL1-800-252-1166

www.gopherstateonecall.org

OFFICERS & DIRECTORSDistrict 1 - Brian Behrens, DirectorDistrict 2 - Patricia Roehl, DirectorDistrict 3 - Terrence Cook, TreasurerDistrict 4 - Al Czeczok, Asst. Sec-TreasDistrict 5 - Nancy M. Utke, ChairDistrict 6 - Tim Kivi, SecretaryDistrict 7 - Dan Breitbach, Vice ChairPresident-CEO - Christine Fox

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Cookware Tip: Copper-bottomed pans heat faster on the stove. In the oven, ceramic and glass dishes are better than metal. With ceramic and glass dishes, you can turn the oven down about 25 degrees, and your meal will cook just as quickly.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy

Life-Support ListWe understand that electricity is a lifeline for family members or friends who use medical life-support equipment such as respirators, oxygen concentrators, home dialysis, or other equipment for human life-threatening medical conditions. Itasca-Mantrap maintains a listing of Members who require medical equipment to sustain life and will attempt to notify them prior to a planned outage.

Call our office or stop by and pick up the form to give to your doctor or medical provider. After we receive the form back with documentation, such as a letter or prescription from your doctor, you will be added to the list.

Please also let us know if you no longer need this special consideration so our list remains current.

Application Deadline Monday, Sept. 16

To be considered at the October Trust Board Meeting, grant

applications must be received in the Itasca-Mantrap office by

September 16.

Download the application form at www.itasca-mantrap.com or pick one

up at our office.