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Spring is just around the corner, and there’s never been a better time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Perhaps you’re making plans for a new garden or a lawn makeover. However you’re planning to revamp your backyard oasis, remember to keep safety in mind for all projects––especially those that require digging near underground utility lines. Most of us never think about the electric, gas, water and other utility lines buried below the ground, but hitting one of these lines while digging is not the reminder you’ll want––trust us! If you are planning a digging project, call 811 at least three business days before you start. Or you can submit a request online by visiting www.call811.com/811-In-Your-State. Here’s how the process works: After you call 811 or submit your request online, all affected utilities will be notified of your intent to dig. It may take the utilities a few days to get to your request, so please be patient. The affected utilities will send someone out to mark the buried lines with paint or flags. Before you break ground, confirm that all the utilities have responded to your request. If you placed your request by phone, use the process explained by your 811 call center representative. If you submitted your request online, refer to your 811 center ticket to confirm everything. By taking this important step before you break ground on your project, you can help protect not only yourself but our community. Disrupting an underground utility line can interrupt service, cause injuries and cost money to repair, so remember to call 811 first and know what’s below.

The third week of March is National Poison Prevention Week, a perfect time to remember the dangers of poison and how you can prevent them. More than 90% of poisonings occur in the home, and these tips can help you and your loved ones stay safe. Do: Be prepared Keep the Poison Help phone number— 1-800-222-1222 — handy in case of an emergency, and immediately call your local poison center if you think you or someone you know has been poisoned. Prepare food properly Make sure raw meats, eggs and poultry are properly stored and fully cooked to prevent food poisoning. Then, refrigerate the leftovers within two hours. Avoid wild mushrooms unless you're 100% sure they're safe. Spread the word The best way to prevent poisoning is to learn about the risks and talk about them with others. Explain the potential dangers to your friends and family, and make sure everyone knows what to do if someone is poisoned. Don't: Ignore label directions Read and follow all medicine labels, especially before giving medicine to children. Never share your medicine with someone else or use medicine that's not yours, and always take the correct dosage. Leave chemical bottles open Storing dangerous chemicals properly is important to avoid accidental poisoning. Always keep chemicals in their original containers with the lids sealed tight. Store them up high and out of reach of children and pets. Forget to check detectors Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas, but it can lead to severe illness and even death. Protect your family by regularly testing your carbon monoxide detectors and changing the batteries. Almost everything can be poisonous if taken in the wrong amount, by the wrong person or in the wrong way. That makes it even more important for you and your family to fully understand the risks. See the Poison Prevention Week Planner — provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration — for more tips and ways to educate your community with a poison awareness event of your own.

Her first day at NIPCO began with a retirement reception. December 15, 2008, saw the retirements of two long-time NIPCO employees Jim Anderson and Mary's predecessor, Elvira Nielsen, but her journey was just beginning. Coming to NIPCO from Harker's Distribution, Inc., she was looking forward to the opportunity to administrate the comings and goings of the front office at NIPCO as the office receptionist. If you have ever called the NIPCO office or entered the front door, you have probably met Mary. "Most of my time in the beginning was answering phone calls and checking visitors in and out of the building," recalls Mary. Her job role quickly expanded as she requested to take on a few more tasks. Her responsibility grew to include data entry of invoices and purchase orders into the NIPCO accounting system, but everyone at NIPCO knows Mary's job goes far beyond those tasks. NIPCO Executive Vice President and General Manager Matt Washburn stated, "Mary serves as an extra hand on several NIPCO projects and is always willing to serve in any capacity." "I enjoy the personal relationships built over the years helping with special projects, being the welcoming face and listening ear," says Mary. Her centralized location in the NIPCO office provides her with a front-row seat to office activities, getting to know regular visitors by name and staying in the know of details of the staff's personal lives. Mary calls it "The Best Seat in the House". However, over the last fifteen years, Mary has seen those activities decrease, with the sharpest decline in vendor office visits and phone calls in the previous few years. With supply chain challenges like increased costs and expanding lead times for products and services used by NIPCO, Mary has noticed fewer 'cold calls' by vendors. "Businesses just don't seem to be sending salespeople out so much anymore." She recalls vendors who would come to NIPCO on a regular schedule donning suits and ties to maintain a physical presence with staff, whether any products were bought or sold. "I think businesses are just servicing customers differently these days…meeting online or doing business through emails, or just not soliciting sales as actively anymore." This decrease in foot and phone traffic has been the most significant change in her job scope. Even the number of phone calls has decreased, and with the incorporation of NIPCO's automated phone operator, the volume of calls Mary answers has dropped dramatically. With Mary eyeing her January retirement, she looks forward to seeing what her successor will do with the position in the new era of "gatekeeping" for NIPCO. With expanding security measures being considered by corporations with publicly accessible front offices and more people conducting business digitally, she feels that the role of office receptionist will evolve into something more administrative. In fact, Mary's position will now be titled Office Assistant to reflect the job responsibilities of this role better. Mary is confident that the individual who replaces her will be up to the task…why wouldn't that individual be? After all, Mary has trained her successor for almost three decades. Mary's daughter, Lauren Hannasch, will continue the family tradition of churning the wheels at NIPCO in The Best Seat in the House. Lauren will begin her career with NIPCO on December 11. Mary looks forward to spending more time with her three grandkids (Layla (8), Callie (5), and Eli (2)), who live in Waukee. Mary also hopes to improve her golf game and incorporate lots of biking and walking into her day. She also is excited to stake a claim in land ownership at the Iowa Great Lakes. Mary eagerly awaits rolling out the welcome mat of her new, seasonal "tiny house", which will give her a new and improved "Best Seat in the House" for viewing those fabulous Okoboji sunsets. Mary says, "I've been really fortunate to work at a company as great as NIPCO." In a recent memo penned by NIPCO Human Resources Administrator Jenni Mack, it was requested that NIPCO staff "…honor Mary and all that she has done for us by doing the following: Root for the Green Bay Packers just once (we know it won't be easy). Occasionally root for the Iowa State Cyclones football team (Again, just try). Golf a round at the golf course and wave hello when you pass Mary's house. And finally, raise a glass to a great career (preferably a Blue Moon with an orange wedge) and wish Mary the best in retirement!" Congratulations, Mary!

December Joint Meeting Promotes Partnerships NIPCO's Joint Legislative Meeting has become a powerful tool to educate state and federal lawmakers on the cooperative industry and the issues vital to serving members in western Iowa. On December 18, cooperative staff members and directors from NIPCO, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, North West REC, WIPCO, and Woodbury County REC met with national and state legislators to discuss issues and topics related to the rural electric cooperative industry. Legislators who were present included United States Congressman Randy Feenstra, a dedicated advocate for Iowa's electric cooperatives, Iowa Senator Kevin Alons (SD 7), and Iowa Representatives Jacob Bossman (HD 14), Ken Carlson (HD 13), Robert Henderson (HD 2), and Tom Jeneary (HD 3). Representative Bossman also represented US Senator Chuck Grassley, and Kolby DeWitt attended as the Regional Director representing US Senator Joni Ernst. Congressman Feenstra's Regional Director Wes Fopma and District Director Emily Schwickerath were also present. The primary message to lawmakers from Iowa's electric cooperatives centered on protecting service territory laws, preserving the current regulatory framework, and promoting legislation that ensures energy reliability. Annual legislative meetings have served as a valuable resource to deepen understanding and build lasting relationships with legislative partners. Local media covered the event and provided additional perspective from Congressman Feenstra and NIPCO Executive Vice President and General Manager Matt Washburn: Watch the coverage: KCAU-TV: Randy Feenstra attends Rural Electric Co-op roundtable KTIV-TV: US Rep. Randy Feenstra visits Rural Electric Cooperative legislative roundtable Iowa Co-ops Welcome Legislators Back to Session in Des Moines In January, NIPCO staff represented western Iowa cooperatives at the 2024 Welcome Back Legislative Reception in downtown Des Moines hosted by the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives in conjunction with the Iowa Biotechnology Association, the Iowa Communications Alliance, the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, and FUELIowa. The event provided a valuable opportunity to meet with state legislators at the beginning of the 2024 Legislative Session to discuss issues impacting rural electric cooperatives and the communities they serve. In the coming months, the Iowa General Assembly will address many issues, including energy-related matters central to Iowa's rural economy. Beginning with the Welcome Back Legislative Reception, Iowa electric cooperatives will again be influential advocates for a balanced approach to addressing energy issues to power lives and empower communities. To learn more about our advocacy efforts, visit www.iaruralpower.org

The world is witnessing a transformative shift in the energy generation landscape. Residential, commercial, and manufacturing consumers are increasingly interested in an electric generation mix that includes more renewables like wind and solar. In the United States, legislation and regulations are pushing the American economy toward a future that is working to reduce carbon emissions. Electric utilities are grappling with these impacts while also considering the reliability and affordability of electric service to users. At the same time, a new challenge to serve larger emerging electric loads is playing a pivotal role in reshaping our energy consumption patterns. While these emerging loads have been popping up nationwide, their presence in the Midwest is beginning to be felt. Within western Iowa, NIPCO member cooperatives are seeing increased interest from potential customers representing emerging loads, including cryptocurrency data mining, dairy digesters, and green ammonia production facilities. These seemingly unrelated sectors are converging to leverage the benefits of electric power (and competitive rates) in unique and sustainable ways while tapping large chunks of megawatts (MW). NIPCO's highest recorded peak, set on December 22, 2022, reached 269.36 MW. Discussions with potential projects in these sectors flirt with energy consumption levels ranging from a few megawatts to upwards of 10-20 MW or more. It is easy to see how securing just a handful of these new, emerging loads could significantly impact NIPCO's purchased power and other costs associated with expanding its infrastructure to serve them. NIPCO is working closely with its member cooperatives, serving as a resource for these new load prospects to answer questions regarding infrastructure needs, generation mix, and rate design. Additionally, discussions among NIPCO Member Managers, the Board of Directors, and NIPCO staff address serving these new types of loads. Basin Electric Power Cooperative, NIPCO's primary power supplier, is working to finalize a new High-Density Computing Rate and/or a Large Load Rate which would allow electric cooperatives like NIPCO and its members to serve these high-volume loads in a way that allows for load growth while maintaining reliability of power and cost-effectiveness of rates. This article will look at a few types of load inquiries members are seeing throughout western Iowa and will provide a little more detail about each type. Data Mining: The Digital Energy Quest Data mining is the process by which cryptocurrency is created, and transactions are added to the blockchain (a type of digital ledger that assigns a unique code to improve the security of digital currency transactions). It relies heavily on computational power, and miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles requiring significant energy input. Bitcoin, the pioneer of cryptocurrencies, has been making headlines for its dramatic (and, often unpredictable) rise and fall in value and energy consumption. The environmental concerns associated with cryptocurrency data mining arise because it often relies on fossil fuels, particularly coal, for electricity generation. However, there is a growing trend toward more sustainable data mining practices. Some miners locate their operations in regions with abundant renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric or solar power. NIPCO's generation mix includes nearly 23% hydroelectric and 19% wind, making locating a data center in western Iowa an attractive prospect. Data mining project requests range in load size. However, the projects that are looking to site in western Iowa average 5-10 MW. Dairy Digesters: Greening the Agricultural Industry The agriculture sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through methane released by livestock, particularly cows. However, emerging electric loads are offering a promising solution: dairy digesters. These systems capture methane emissions from manure and convert them into electricity. Dairy digesters feed organic waste into anaerobic digesters, where bacteria break down the waste and produce methane gas. Traditionally, this methane was released into the atmosphere, but now it can be harnessed for electricity generation. The generated electricity can be used on the farm, sold to the grid, or stored for later use. This technology not only reduces methane emissions but also provides a source of renewable energy. Farmers who implement dairy digesters contribute to environmental sustainability and benefit from reduced energy costs and/or potential revenue from selling excess electricity. With several large dairies located on member lines within the NIPCO service footprint, NIPCO Class A members are fielding more questions from operators about how digester technology can provide added value and sustainability to their operations. Digesters can consume upwards of 1.5-2 MW per system and can be interruptible during peak times of use. Green Ammonia: Western Iowa Landscape Offers Fields of Opportunity An innovative technology garnering increasing attention for its role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while producing zero-carbon fertilizers and a cleaner alternative fuel source is a product known as green ammonia. Since the early 1900s, commercial production of ammonia involves combining hydrogen extracted from natural gas or methane and nitrogen under intense heat and pressure utilizing the Haber-Bosch process. This product is known as "brown ammonia" because of its use of fossil fuels as the hydrogen and heat source. Conversely, "green ammonia" is yielded when its production relies on hydrogen inputs produced using renewable energy sources like wind and solar. The process and inputs are produced through a process that is 100% renewable and carbon-free. Thus, green ammonia holds promise for producing sustainable fuels and fertilizers, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation and agriculture sectors. The technology to produce green ammonia continues to evolve and remains complex and costly. However, manufacturers of green ammonia have confidence that the product benefits and long-term value outweigh its challenges. Developers siting potential locations for green ammonia production have approached some Class A Members of NIPCO, thanks to the reliability and competitiveness of its power supply and adequate electric infrastructure. Green ammonia production facilities can range in load capacities from 10-12MW for one production system, and some developers are considering locations for up to two systems. This load is a good candidate for being interruptible, meaning production can be scaled back when energy demand is high. In the global pursuit of products and processes that promote sustainability, and as international leaders seek to implement policies and incentives favoring such technologies, developers seek avenues for renewable energy and product innovation. Challenges and Considerations While these emerging electric loads offer promising solutions to environmental and energy challenges, they also impact increased sales and load growth to NIPCO. These loads also present unique challenges and considerations to electric cooperative systems like NIPCO. Discussions among NIPCO and its membership have included: Reliability and Affordability: The sustainability of these emerging electric loads depends heavily on the source of electricity and purchased power costs. Available generating capacity from NIPCO's power providers Basin Electric Power Cooperative and WAPA is limited, forcing them to tap the energy markets to access additional electricity. Market prices for power can be volatile, depending upon seasonal and situational conditions. Infrastructure: Infrastructure development to support these emerging loads can be costly and complex. Investments in new technologies, demand response programs, and grid upgrades may be required to serve the increased demand of electric service by these loads. Regulatory Hurdles: Regulatory frameworks may need to adapt to accommodate these new forms of energy consumption. Governments and regulatory bodies must balance fostering innovation and ensuring responsible usage. Additionally, incentives, subsidies, and market mechanisms may be needed to encourage their widespread adoption. Without these incentives, some projects could be abandoned, leaving stranded infrastructure in which member cooperatives must absorb investments and pass on to the end-users. Risk: As a generation and transmission power cooperative, we are a community-focused organization that works to efficiently deliver competitive, reliable, and safe energy that benefits the communities in western Iowa. Ensuring that emerging load prospects may be adequately served while protecting our members remains our top priority. Consideration of adopting a policy that balances load growth while protecting NIPCO's power supply requires transparency and thoughtful discussion between NIPCO and our Class A Members. NIPCO is grateful for the support our members have offered and received while navigating the risks associated with the rise of these new types of loads. Emerging electric loads are reshaping how we produce, deliver, and consume energy. As a generation and transmission electric cooperative, we are responsible for ensuring that NIPCO can respond and sustain load growth that doesn't compromise our ability to deliver on our mission to serve our member electric cooperatives and the communities they serve reliably and affordably. NIPCO continues to advocate for developing policies that serve a future where our energy needs are met in economically viable and environmentally responsible ways.

The journey to electrify rural western Iowa faced significant obstacles, but a grassroots movement emerged during the Great Depression to bring electricity to homes, farms, and businesses. Rural Electric Cooperatives (RECs) realized that forming a power supply cooperative was essential to provide affordable electricity, avoiding higher costs from original suppliers. On January 17, 1949, representatives from thirteen western Iowa RECs met at the Lewis Hotel in Cherokee, Iowa, marking the beginning of NIPCO's story, now celebrating its 75th anniversary. NIPCO's 2024 Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2, at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Sioux City, Iowa. The theme, "Many Facets. One Mission.," commemorates NIPCO's diamond anniversary, acknowledging its resilience and adaptability. Similar to diamonds forming under pressure, NIPCO has overcome challenges to provide reliable electricity. Looking to the future, the changing energy landscape and the need to reduce carbon footprints require adaptation. However, like diamonds symbolizing endurance and brilliance, NIPCO is ready to shine brighter in this new era. As we celebrate our diamond anniversary, we reflect on the rare gems' extraordinary formation—a result of the perfect convergence of time and pressure. The true value of our journey is evident in the clarity and brilliance of our meticulously crafted, multi-faceted design. As part of the NIPCO family of electric cooperatives, we are shaped by individuals who recognize that the radiance of our service shines brightest through the diverse facets of our employees' daily efforts in serving our members. We invite you to join us for this historic occasion and continue making history together. Register before Wednesday, March 26, by calling the NIPCO office at 712-546-4141 or via our Annual Meeting Page.

In November, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released a report outlining its 2023/2024 Winter Reliability Assessment. The annual assessment garners a lot of attention from the media, and rightfully so, as the topic of power supply reliability is important. Americans want assurance that their energy needs are being met, especially as weather forecasters predicted an El Nino climate pattern that would produce impactful weather across the US in the winter months. NERC's Winter Reliability Assessment NERC's Annual Winter Reliability Assessment looks at several factors when evaluating the generation resource and transmission system adequacy needed to meet consumer demand. The assessment considers weather, available energy generation resources, and electric demand forecasting. The evaluation establishes a risk level for the supply and demand for power within individual regional transmission systems throughout North America. Electric utilities nationwide are members of one of nine regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs), also called power pools. These entities are federally regulated by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and work on a regional scale to coordinate, control, and monitor supply and demand on the electric grid. RTOs do not own the power grid, but they work as "air-traffic controllers" of the grid to ensure reliable power supplies, adequate transmission infrastructure, and "day-ahead" electric market coordination of wholesale electricity prices on behalf of their members. The November 2023 NERC assessment report covers three months (December-February) identified as the winter period. It provides an evaluation of the energy resources necessary to meet projected winter peak demands across the entire US Bulk Electric System (BES) and identifies potential reliability issues of interest and regional risks. Key findings in the report outline that Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the RTO that serves western and some central Iowa cooperatives, is at an elevated risk for insufficient operating reserves in above-normal conditions such as extreme weather. According to the report, "The Anticipated Reserve Margin (ARM) of 38.8% is over 30 percentage points lower than last winter; this is driven by higher forecasted peak demand and less resource capacity. While the reserve margin is adequate for normal forecasted peak demand and expected generator outages, higher demand levels and outages that have occurred during extreme cold weather result in shortfalls that can trigger energy emergencies. The vast wind resources in the area can alleviate firm capacity shortages under the right conditions; however, energy risks emerge during periods of low wind or forecast uncertainty and high electricity demand." So, while our region is highlighted as an elevated risk, the report indicates expected generation resources will meet operating reserve requirements under normal peak-demand scenarios. What does this mean for NIPCO and its Member Cooperatives? Winter Storm Elliott, which brought extreme cold to our region in December of 2022, challenged power grids across the US as it produced double-digit sub-zero temperatures, high winds, and precipitation, producing blizzard warnings and power outages impacting millions of people. Western Iowa felt the impact of Winter Storm Elliott as these conditions hung over the region for several days, including those leading up to the Christmas holiday. NIPCO set a new all-time record peak of 269.36 MW (megawatts) at 5:30 pm on December 22, 2022. This value represents a 12.97 MW (5%) increase from the previous peak, recorded on February 16, 2021, of 256.39 MW during Winter Storm Uri. Power demand reached a record-setting level, but the energy needs of western Iowans were met. And, while SPP and MISO, our neighboring RTO, continue to experience energy emergency alerts (EEAs) and advisories during events that test their limits, the nation's BES continues to evolve and learn from the lessons taught to us during record-setting winter storms like Uri in 2021 and Elliot in 2022. Just weeks ago, in January of 2024, "life-threatening" cold and back-to-back storms blanketed much of the US, straining the electric grid's generation resources when consumer demand for electric power was at its highest. Arctic cold temperatures that hung around for days in the wake of these storms continued to place pressure on available generation resources in SPP's footprint. The RTO maintained its obligation to serve its member load thanks to higher-than-forecast wind resources coming online within its service territory. Why does an all-of-the-above energy strategy matter? Regular occurrences of energy advisories and alerts further display what we already know: the energy transition must consider all forms of generation. More renewable energy sources like wind and solar are coming online, while traditional sources like coal, nuclear, and natural gas are retiring. While renewable energy has clear benefits, NIPCO believes and advocates for an all-of-the-above energy approach. All-of-the-above promotes the idea that the United States depends on a reliable and sustainable fuel supply that includes developing and incorporating domestically produced renewable energy resources to supplement baseload generation, including biofuels, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, and coal. NIPCO and its Members continue to work with policymakers and regulators on a state and federal level for a sensible all-of-the-above generation approach. While we support and encourage the development and use of renewable energy, the intermittent nature of renewables means there may be times when there simply isn't enough of it to keep the lights on all the time. Its place is to supplement a reliable and affordable baseload generation mix. That's why we must continue to recognize the value of and operate baseload generation plants now and into the future. NIPCO remains dedicated to providing our Member Cooperatives with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity that is also environmentally responsible. NIPCO continues to monitor and communicate energy supply updates as they arise. What is NERC? The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a not-for-profit international regulatory authority whose mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid. NERC develops and enforces Reliability Standards; annually assesses seasonal and long‐term reliability; monitors the bulk power system through system awareness; and educates, trains, and certifies industry personnel. NERC's area of responsibility spans the continental United States, Canada, and the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico. NERC is the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) for North America, subject to oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and governmental authorities in Canada. NERC's jurisdiction includes users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system, which serves nearly 400 million people. What is an RTO? Many electric utilities across the country are members of one of nine regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs), also referred to as power pools. These entities are federally-regulated by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and work on a regional scale to coordinate, control, and monitor supply and demand on the electric grid. RTOs do not own the power grid, but they do work as "air-traffic controllers" of the grid to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and "day-ahead" electric market coordination of wholesale electricity prices on behalf of their members.

The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC), the trade association for Iowa's electric cooperatives, conducted its 2023 Annual Meeting at the Sheraton West Des Moines Conference Center on December 7 and 8, 2023, with more than 350 registered attendees. Board directors and employees from Iowa's locally owned electric co-ops received informative updates from statewide board and staff and learned about industry trends and best practices from invited speakers. During the meeting, IAEC celebrated the first 15 graduates of its new Cooperative Leadership in Iowa Program (CLIP) for emerging leaders. Participants committed to a yearlong calendar of in-person, virtual, and on-demand training sessions where they gained leadership skills and learned about various co-op roles. NIPCO's System Protection & Planning Engineer Chris Larson, and System Project Engineer Andrew Paulsen participated in the CLIP program. Vice President of Engineering and Operations Jayme Huber felt Larson and Paulsen would be good candidates for the program as their roles at NIPCO are instrumental to the operations of the G&T. "Chris and Andrew are assets to NIPCO's operations, and by gaining a deeper understanding of how their roles fit in with others in the organization and developing collaborative relationships with them will provide them bright futures as leaders within the cooperative." Congratulations to Chris and Andrew for their hard work and commitment to continued learning in these efforts!

NIPCO's annual Matching Donations Program was developed to support worthwhile civic and charitable projects and organizations in the communities where employees and directors of NIPCO and its member cooperatives live and work. NIPCO will match up to $50 for cash donations or service hours performed per employee or director per year to qualifying organizations. After each year's program, all participants are entered into a random drawing to receive one (1) of two (2) additional donations of $250 to be awarded to the charity they contributed to during that year's program. In 2023, nearly 900 service hours and more than $18,000 in cash donations were contributed by 30 individuals to charitable organizations providing services throughout communities in western Iowa. NIPCO's match contributed an additional $1,500 to these 30 organizations. Congratulations to Dave Johnson, WIMECA-Aurelia Municipal Utilities Director, and Jodi Emerson of NIPCO, who each received an additional $250 to donate to the organizations they contributed: Aurelia Fire Department and the Le Mars Public Library. Pictured: LEFT: Aurelia Fire Department's Dustin Wieland (left) accepts a NIPCO Matching Donations Check for $250 from Aurelia Municipal Board Member Dave Johnson and his wife, Aurelia Councilwoman Sue Johnson. RIGHT: Jodi Emerson (left) presents a NIPCO Matching Donation check for $250 to Le Mars Public Library Librarian Shay Gant (center) and Director Shirley Taylor. Four values: Innovation, Accountability, Integrity, and Commitment to Community are the foundation of every Touchstone Energy® cooperative's service to its members, and these values represent the cooperative advantage and how Touchstone Energy cooperatives earn the trust of millions of people every day.

Reunions, birthdays, weddings, graduations, anniversaries—outdoor celebrations are about spending time with friends and family; recognizing accomplishments; and creating a festive atmosphere with food, music, and decorations. These decorations can include metallic balloons. Safe Electricity wants you to know about the potential dangers of metallic balloons so that you and your loved ones can safely enjoy outdoor celebrations. “Metallic balloons can destroy overhead power equipment. This causes power outages and creates a dangerous situation,” says Erin Hollinshead, executive director of the Energy Education Council’s Safe Electricity program. “If you use metallic balloons carelessly, you could literally be left in the dark.” These shiny, metallic-coated balloons are often filled with helium. The shiny coating is a good conductor of electricity. If a balloon encounters an overhead power line, it will cause a surge of electricity. These surges cause electrical arcs, explosions, and fires. This creates a dangerous situation for people and can cause power outages that require expensive repairs. With a little care, you can avoid the disastrous aftermath a metallic balloon can cause. Follow these tips from Safe Electricity: Keep metallic balloons weighted down or tethered far from power lines. When you are done, deflate the balloon and throw it away. Do not release metallic balloons. Never tie a metallic balloon to a person’s wrist. Don’t attempt to retrieve a balloon or any object that becomes entangled in electrical equipment. Contact your utility for assistance. To see a video of what happens when a metallic balloon comes in contact with overhead power lines, visit SafeElectricity.org and watch Steve Hancock’s Live Line Demonstration.

Rise and shine! The start of your day is the perfect time to start saving energy. Make your mornings more efficient with these tips. Take a shorter shower There is no better way to start your day than a nice, hot morning shower. Try to keep it to 10 minutes or less, though. You'll save some time and avoid sending too much energy and water down the drain. Turn off the tap You need water when you're shaving or brushing your teeth, but you don't need to leave it running the whole time. Turn the water on only when you need it. Make the most of your breakfast Cooking eggs or oatmeal? Match the size of the pot or pan to the burner to avoid wasting energy. The microwave or toaster oven is an energy-efficient choice for heating many breakfast foods. Power down before you leave Don't waste energy on an empty house. When you're leaving for the day, make sure to turn off lights, adjust the thermostat, and unplug chargers and other unused electronics. Upgrade for savings A few simple upgrades can make saving energy easier. Water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, use less water, reducing the energy needed to heat that water. Wi-Fi programmable thermostats automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule. Smart models include advanced features, such as remote control and self-programming. Advanced power strips automatically shut off power to plugged-in devices when they're not in use. With these simple measures, you can wake up to lower energy bills this morning and all year.

Cooperatives across the globe adhere to the same seven cooperative principles that guide our decisions––from how we run the co-op to how we engage with our local communities. With Valentine's Day approaching, we can't think of a better time to explain how the seven cooperative principles allow us to serve you, our member, with "L-O-V-E". L stands for Leadership. Our electric co-op is unique because we belong to the communities we serve. The co-op is led by its members, which gives us an exceptional understanding of the local needs of our communities. Many of our leaders and employees live here and are co-op members–just like you! Voluntary and Open Membership is the first cooperative principle, which means co-op membership is available to everyone who can use its services within our service territory, regardless of race, religion, age, disability, gender identity, language, political perspective, or socioeconomic status. Democratic Member Control, the second cooperative principle, allows members to make decisions about the co-op. Democratic control is what makes our cooperative, our community, and our country strong. Our board of directors, who help set long-term priorities for the co-op, also live on co-op lines. These board members have been elected by neighbors just like you. We know our members have a valuable perspective, and that's why we are continually seeking your input and encourage you to weigh in on important co-op issues and participate in co-op elections. The third cooperative principle is Members' Economic Participation. Members contribute money to the cooperative to ensure it runs smoothly now and in the future. As a co-op, we are also motivated by service to the community rather than profits. Members contribute equitably to and democratically control the capital of our cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for co-op programs, initiatives, capital investments, and supporting other activities approved by the membership...and what's left is returned to our members. O stands for Ourselves. The best thing about Autonomy and Independence, the fourth cooperative principle, is that members create the cooperative to provide a necessary service and ensure that it can operate successfully on its own to benefit the members. This means the co-op is not being influenced by leaders or shareholders several states away. Instead, it is led by the local members it serves. However, while we take pride that we can do it ourselves, Education, Training, and Information (the fifth cooperative principle) focuses on the importance of continued learning and training opportunities to ensure that employees and members have the information they need to make the co-op successful. By investing in continuous learning for our employees and board members, our co-op is committing to individual professional and personal growth, the future of the co-op, and the high quality of service our members expect and deserve. V stands for Versatility. Cooperation Among Cooperatives. Even though we're locally owned and operated, the sixth cooperative principle is evident when we cooperate with other electric cooperatives regionally and nationally to develop new technologies, invest in equipment and infrastructure that benefits multiple co-ops in a region, and assist with major outages. This type of collaboration allows us the versatility to address complex challenges while remaining true to our local roots. This breadth of resource-sharing provides cooperatives like us with various options to find solutions that better serve our members. E stands for Empower. The seventh cooperative principle – Concern for Community, goes beyond the fact that it takes more than poles and power lines to power a community. While our top priority is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy to you, it is equally vital that we empower consumer-members and their communities. Over time, our co-op has evolved to meet our community's changing needs, thereby enriching everyone's quality of life. And that can mean many different things. It can mean offering scholarships and educational programs for our youth, donating to area food pantries and other charitable organizations, delivering electric safety training and resources for local schools and first responders, providing access to low-interest loans for community and economic development projects, and contributing to other worthy programs. The seven Cooperative Principles are the heart of everything we do, and we "L-O-V-E" serving you with all our hearts. The cooperative way is a values-based business model that we take very seriously. So, during this month dedicated to showing our love, know that we serve with LOVE all year through! Happy Valentine's Day to our members!

In November, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released a report outlining its 2023/2024 Winter Reliability Assessment. The annual assessment garners a lot of attention from the media, and rightfully so, as the topic of power supply reliability is important. Americans want to be assured that their energy needs are being met, especially as weather forecasters are predicting an El Nino climate pattern that could produce impactful weather across the US in the months ahead. Electric utilities across the country are members of one of nine regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs), also called power pools. These entities are federally regulated by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and work on a regional scale to coordinate, control, and monitor supply and demand on the electric grid. RTOs do not own the power grid, but they work as “air-traffic controllers” of the grid to ensure reliable power supplies, adequate transmission infrastructure, and “day-ahead” electric market coordination of wholesale electricity prices on behalf of their members. The November 2023 NERC assessment report covers three months (December-February) identified as the winter period. Key findings in the report outline that Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the RTO that serves western and some central Iowa cooperatives, is at an elevated risk for insufficient operating reserves in above-normal conditions such as extreme weather. According to the report, “The Anticipated Reserve Margin (ARM) of 38.8% is over 30 percentage points lower than last winter; this is driven by higher forecasted peak demand and less resource capacity. While the reserve margin is adequate for normal forecasted peak demand and expected generator outages, higher demand levels and outages that have occurred during extreme cold weather result in shortfalls that can trigger energy emergencies. The vast wind resources in the area can alleviate firm capacity shortages under the right conditions; however, energy risks emerge during periods of low wind or forecast uncertainty and high electricity demand.” So, while our region is highlighted as an elevated risk, the report indicates expected generation resources will meet operating reserve requirements under normal peak-demand scenarios. What does this mean for you? Winter Storm Elliott, which brought extreme cold to our region in December of 2022, challenged power grids across the US as it produced double-digit sub-zero temperatures, high winds, and precipitation producing blizzard warnings and power outages impacting millions of people. Western Iowa felt the impact of Winter Storm Elliott as these conditions hung over the region for several days, including those leading up to the Christmas holiday. With families gathering to celebrate, water heating, appliances used for holiday baking and keeping up with laundry, coupled with record levels of home heating, pushed electric consumption in our service territory to all-time highs. NIPCO set a new all-time record peak of 269.36 MW (megawatts) at 5:30 pm on December 22, 2022. This value represents an 12.97 MW (5%) increase from the previous peak, recorded on February 16, 2021, of 256.39 MW during Winter Storm Uri. Demand for power reached a record-setting level, but the energy needs of western Iowans were met. And, while SPP and MISO, our neighboring RTO, continue to experience energy emergency alerts (EEAs) and resource advisories during events that test their limits, the nation’s BES continues to evolve and learn from the lessons taught to us during winter storm Uri in 2021. Why is “All-of-the-Above” Energy Important? Energy advisories and alerts further display what we already know: the energy transition must consider all forms of generation. More renewable energy sources like wind and solar are coming online, while traditional sources like coal, nuclear, and natural gas are retiring. While renewable energy has clear benefits, we believe and advocate for an all-of-the-above energy approach. All-of-the-above promotes the idea that the United States depends on a reliable and sustainable fuel supply that includes developing and incorporating domestically produced renewable energy resources to supplement baseload generation, including biofuels, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, and coal. We continue to work with policymakers and regulators on a state and federal level for a sensible “all-of-the-above” generation approach. While we support and encourage the development and use of renewable energy, the intermittent nature of renewables means there may be times when there simply isn’t enough of it to keep the lights on all the time. Its place is to supplement a reliable and affordable baseload generation mix. That’s why we must continue to recognize the value of and operate baseload generation plants now and into the future. Our mission remains the same. We are here to provide you with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity that is also environmentally responsible. We do not anticipate an energy shortfall in the coming months. However, as a member-owned electric cooperative, we will monitor and communicate energy supply updates as they arise. Learn More What is NERC? The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a not-for-profit international regulatory authority whose mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid. NERC develops and enforces Reliability Standards; annually assesses seasonal and long‐term reliability; monitors the bulk power system through system awareness; and educates, trains, and certifies industry personnel. NERC’s area of responsibility spans the continental United States, Canada, and the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico. NERC is the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) for North America, subject to oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and governmental authorities in Canada. NERC’s jurisdiction includes users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system, which serves nearly 400 million people. What is an RTO? Many electric utilities across the country are members of one of nine regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs), also referred to as power pools. These entities are federally-regulated by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and work on a regional scale to coordinate, control, and monitor supply and demand on the electric grid. RTOs do not own the power grid, but they do work as “air-traffic controllers” of the grid to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and “day-ahead” electric market coordination of wholesale electricity prices on behalf of their members.

We use electricity in our homes in lots of different ways to keep us cool, dry our clothes, cook our food, and even clean the house. Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about how much electricity it takes to run those appliances. Each time they turn on and off they create peaks and valleys in electrical demand. Why is understanding demand important? By working together, we can lower the demand for electric power. This teamwork is a win-win for the membership and the cooperative as the cooperative consistently works toward the goal of keeping the cost of power as low as possible. How do you reduce your demand? You do that by reducing your energy peak. What is a peak? It might help to think about electricity like the internet service you need to stream a movie at home. When just one device is streaming, everything works fine. But if two or three people start watching different movies on different devices at the same time, they’ve created a peak. Peaks cost utilities more because they put more strain on the grid, the network of power plants lines and other equipment that keeps you connected and your power on. Our cooperative must plan and prepare to meet each member’s demand needs, even when it’s not a daily occurrence. Equipment to meet your electrical demand must be on standby and ready to fill your increased need for electricity immediately. Think of it like filling a swimming pool. Imagine you want to fill the swimming pool with water. You could fill it in minutes using a firehose or you could fill it in hours with a garden hose. In both cases, you get the same amount of water, but how much water you get and how fast is quite different. That difference incurs cost to the system. To reduce your electricity demand and save money, think about your appliances. Take an electric range and dishwasher as an example. Make them take turns instead of running them at the same time. Or, take a hot shower when you’re not drying your clothes in an electric dryer. Keeping your demand for electricity at a trickle can help lower cost. At the end of the day, it’s simple. Lowering demand helps the cooperative and member-owners keep cost low. After all, that’s all a part of our mission: providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity. For more information, call our office!

Downed power lines can be deadly. ALWAYS assume a downed power line is live and avoid going near it or placing anything in contact with it. Use Precaution Downed power lines can energize the ground up to 35 feet away. Even more in wet conditions. Never drive over downed power lines or through water that is in contact with them. Never try to move a downed power line. Even using items that typically are not conductive may cause injury or death. If you see a downed line, call 911 immediately. It is helpful for you to provide your location as accurately as you can describe. If a Vehicle Contacts a Power Line or Utility Pole, Stay Away and Call 911 Consider all lines to be live and dangerous. Stay in place or inside your vehicle unless you see fire or smoke. Warn others to stay at least 35 feet away. Tell others not to approach the vehicle, downed lines, or anything that may be in contact with downed lines. In the Event of Fire or Smoke Do not touch the ground and vehicle at the same time. Jump from the vehicle with your feet together. Shuffle or hop away; avoid lifting your feet. When you are a safe distance away, proceed to call 911. Knowing what to do if you encounter utility poles or wires can be a matter of life and death for you, your loved ones, or anyone who responds to help.

Iowa-based builders and contractors are invited to learn about energy-efficiency technologies at the 2024 Momentum is Building Conference, scheduled for Feb. 8 and 9, 2024, at The Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa. A major draw for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC professionals is the opportunity to earn CEU credits at the conference. Momentum is Building attendees can also network with industry professionals, hear from recognized energy-efficiency and building trades experts, and gain insight on energy- efficiency regulations and incentives. Sponsored and organized by the Iowa Cooperatives for Energy Efficiency (ICEE), the annual Momentum is Building Conference also connects Iowa's construction industry with electric cooperatives' local services and resources, which serve nearly 650,000 Iowans across 99 counties. "Electric cooperatives have long supported energy efficiency efforts, and one of our goals is to help member-consumers use energy wisely," states Angela Catton, manager of member relations and development at Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative. "We invest in this conference to build relationships between cooperatives and the contractors who provide services to the members we mutually serve." "Informing contractors about cutting-edge energy efficiency and ensuring our building trades partners are up on the latest codes is important to Iowa-based electric cooperatives," said Ryan Cornelius, vice president of corporate relations at Corn Belt Power Cooperative. "For over thirty years, the Momentum is Building Conference has provided both electric cooperatives and contractors an opportunity to come together to provide rural Iowans with safe, efficient, and cost-effective home comfort solutions." Jay Gubrud, a catalyst for performance improvement who has provided insight on working together as a team, will kick off the conference by illustrating his powerful approach to improving personal and professional productivity while connecting with colleagues and clientele alike. The conference will close with inspirational speaker, Dr. Charlie Cartwright. Drawing on his deep understanding of what motivates and drives people, Dr. Charlie has uncovered the essential elements that pave the way for unlocking human potential. The Momentum is Building 2024 Conference will be held at The Meadows Events and Conference Center from 8:30 AM on Thursday, Feb.8, running through noon on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Early Bird registration is open until Jan. 26, 2024. For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.momentumisbuilding.com or call your electric cooperative.

Holiday lights can add to your seasonal celebrations, but they can also increase your risk of a house fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, holiday lights and decorations cause nearly 400 house fires each year. The following tips can help keep your family bright, happy, and safe this holiday season. Use holiday lights that are approved by a nationally recognized testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Before hanging your lights, inspect them for frayed wires, broken sockets, or other signs of wear and tear. Avoid connecting more than three strings of lights together unless the directions indicate otherwise. When using extension cords, avoid routing them under rugs or near walkways. If you decorate a real tree, water it every day and prevent the lights from coming into contact with tree branches. If you choose an artificial tree, make sure it's certified as fire-resistant. Look for the UL label. For outdoor decorating, only use lights and power strips that have been approved for outdoor use. Keep electrical connections off the ground and make sure wiring is clear of downspouts, railings, and aluminum siding. Fasten holiday lights securely to buildings, trees, and other outdoor surfaces to prevent damage from wind or jostling. Be careful when using metal staples or nails as fasteners. They can damage the protective insulation covering the wires. Turn off lights late at night or whenever you are away from home. Consider using a timer. While safety is your first concern, don't forget about energy efficiency. LED lights use up to 80% less energy than traditional lights, and they have a longer lifespan. LEDs are also cool to the touch, reducing the risk of fire. Look for LEDs that are ENERGY STAR® certified.

What causes energy bills to suddenly increase? Energy costs vary, but here are four common reasons why they may suddenly increase: Extreme weather. Sudden changes in temperature can put a real strain on heating or cooling system, and your energy bills. Change in occupancy. Kids moving back home or weekend guests bring unwelcome energy costs. Lights are left on longer, more devices need charging and more hot water goes down the drain. Equipment failure. If your heat pump compressor fails in the winter, it triggers back-up electric coils to provide heat, which is more expensive than using the compressor. A leaking water heater will also use more energy to heat the cold make-up water. Air leaks. Cracked caulking around windows or worn weatherstripping in exterior doors can create gaps that let conditioned air out, making your heating or cooling system work harder. What you can do to save: Install LED lights. They use less energy than conventional bulbs and last longer. Have your HVAC system cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional. Repair or replace any malfunctioning appliances or equipment. Air seal windows and doors with caulk and weatherstripping. Check for gaps in your attic and basement as well. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to reduce hot water consumption. Unplug unused electronic devices or plug them into an advanced power strip, which automatically switches off power to devices not in use. Consider a home energy audit. A qualified auditor will inspect your home and recommend measures you can take to lower your energy costs.

In November, NIPCO will recognize twelve employees and one director celebrating milestone service anniversaries within the NIPCO organization in 2023. Service anniversaries include: Jason Stock, Relief Control Operator – 20 years Jeff Persinger, Apparatus Services Manager – 15 years Mary Livermore, Receptionist – 15 years Tom Wagner, NIPCO Director/Board Treasurer - 10 Years Angela Catton, Mgr. of Member Relations & Development – 10 years Chris Larson, System Planning & Protection Engineer – 10 Years Justin Ott, Senior Meter Technician - 10 years Josh Hewitt, Control Operator – 5 years Andrew Paulsen, System Project Engineer – 5 years Brett Washburn, Control and Relay Technician – 5 years Jenni Mack, Human Resources Administrator – 5 years Rachel Rogers, Communications Specialist – 5 years Nate Pauling, Substation Electrician – 5 years NIPCO employees and directors are passionate about their commitment to NIPCO’s “Members FIRST” promise and contribute in many ways to NIPCO’s mission to provide wholesale energy supply, communications, and related services for the benefit of the member cooperatives and the communities of western Iowa in a safe, reliable, competitive, and environmentally responsible manner. Congratulations, and thanks to all!

As we approach Veterans Day, we express our heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country. Your unwavering dedication, courage, and selflessness are the cornerstones of our nation’s strength and freedom. NIPCO would also like to recognize and thank the members of our own NIPCO family who have served: Chad Barthman, Right-Of-Way, Inspection & Safety Coordinator (U.S. Army National Guard) Kevin Hubbard, Substation Technician (U.S. Army) Jayme Huber, Vice President of Engineering & Operations (U.S. Army National Guard) Don Jennings, Senior SCADA Technician (U.S. Army National Guard) Jason Stock, Relief Control Operator (U.S. Army National Guard) Bill Thompson, Crew Foreman (U.S. Marine Corps) You can read more about our Veterans on our Vets Power Us Page. Happy Veterans Day!

The NIPCO Board of Directors approved a resolution setting NIPCO’s 2024 Wholesale Power Rate at 61.94 m/kWh at its meeting on October 31. This rate reflects a slight increase from the 2023 rate of 60.92 m/kWh. In her presentation, Jane Scheitler, NIPCO Chief Financial Officer (CFO), attributed current inflationary pressures, rising interest rates on long-term debt and short-term borrowing, and anticipated rate increases from our primary power providers as negative influences on rates moving forward. NIPCO’s ongoing construction efforts continue to rebuild and upgrade aging facilities, and these costs have been factored into the rate. NIPCO’s original 5-year accelerated construction plan started in 2017 to rebuild approximately 180 miles of transmission line and to upgrade various switches and transmission stations. NIPCO currently has 265 miles of 69kV line, 23 substations, and 64 switch station upgrades that are 50 years old or older, so these upgrades are necessary to keep the system reliable. This construction will affect NIPCO’s projected depreciation and interest costs. Current inflationary conditions and rising interest rates are causing additional upward pressure on these costs. Looking to the future and anticipated upward pressures on the NIPCO rate, NIPCO’s Renewal & Replacement Plan will slow in 2025. Approximately 76 percent of NIPCO’s total cost of service includes purchased power costs. While rates from Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and Basin Electric Power Cooperative are steady for 2024, both WAPA and Basin Electric have signaled additional rate increases to be put in place on January 1, 2025, and subsequent years. Scheitler cautioned: “We need to be prepared that rate increases from our power providers may have a significant effect on our wholesale rate.” Scheitler detailed other events that may impact rates that are not included in the 10-year forecast. These include: Federal legislation and regulatory impacts to NIPCO and/or our power providers An economic downtown or recessionary conditions Load growth within the NIPCO system to be more or less than forecasted Market conditions, specifically market prices for natural gas, electricity, and other commodities Unfavorable changes to the bio-energy industry Unfavorable weather conditions and Unfavorable changes to the farm and agricultural economy Executive Vice President and General Manager Matt Washburn offered some perspective on the increase to the 2024 power rate. “This increase signifies a modest uptick of just under 2 percent. When we look back to 2016, it’s evident that our power rates have remained relatively stable. It’s crucial to contextualize this rate increase against the substantial value that our members have consistently derived from NIPCO. Looking ahead to 2025, we anticipate considerable pressure on our rates due to various factors, including rising interest rates, an impending rate hike from WAPA, and heightened expenses linked to supply chain management,” stated Washburn, “Inflation is beginning to impact our operations here at NIPCO.” The new rates will be entered into NIPCO’s 2024 Policy and will go into effect on January 1.

Congratulations to NIPCO employees Eric Berkenpas and Brandon Brotherton, who are celebrating special days! Journeyman Lineman Eric Berkenpas married Morgan Erickson on September 16 in Le Mars, Iowa. Eric and Morgan have a son, Bentley, who will be two years old in January. NIPCO Journeyman Lineman Brandon Brotherton will marry Hannah Goldsmith on November 4 in Sioux City, Iowa. Best wishes to Eric and Morgan and Brandon and Hannah and their families!

Corn Belt Power and NIPCO held a joint meeting for energy advisors and communicators in Storm Lake Oct. 10-11. Touchstone Energy® national staff were on hand – both in person and virtually - to host a Member Engagement Summit. At the summit Scott Bialick, Touchstone Energy, presented on the following: Energy efficiency resources Touchstone Energy’s history and mission Cooperative Web Builder National surveys New advertising materials Social media resources Member action plans Community engagement The group also used the meeting to discuss the joint five-year energy study. The study, managed by Guernsey, a third-party consultant, is conducted every five years to ensure cooperative rebates are at the right levels. NIPCO, CBPC and L&O all take part in the study. The group also discussed heat rate promotion and other issues facing electric cooperatives. This is the first time NIPCO co-ops have been included in the event, conducted annually by Corn Belt Power. “As Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, it is beneficial to conduct regular educational sessions about the brand and its materials,” said Angela Catton, NIPCO Manager of Member Relations & Development. “We were excited for the invitation from the Corn Belt Power family of cooperatives to learn more about Touchstone Energy brand resources jointly and to collaborate on other impactful cooperative programs and best practices.” To learn more about Touchstone Energy, visit www.touchstoneenergy.com.

By Chuck Soderberg, executive vice president and general manager of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, and Congressman Randy Feenstra, representing Iowa’s 4th District. Editor's Note: NIPCO Executive Vice President and General Manager Matt Washburn adds, “NIPCO appreciates our legislative partners and statewide organization for keeping the mission-critical topic of reliability at the forefront of the decision-makers at the Federal level.” Supply chain delays. Disorderly retirements of dispatchable electric generation. Complex regulations on power plant emissions. Regional warnings about a lack of generation capacity to cover electric demand. Permitting delays for needed electric transmission infrastructure. Individually, any one of these issues is enough to seriously impact reliability of electric service. But all these scenarios are playing out simultaneously across the nation and a perfect storm may be on the horizon. Electric reliability across America is in serious jeopardy, and frankly, it’s unacceptable. Here are the facts: Dispatchable sources of electric generation like coal and nuclear are being retired far too early. And their generation capacity is being replaced by intermittent sources of generation like wind and solar. The downside: These intermittent sources only work when the wind blows and the sun shines. Battery storage is not yet feasible for longer durations on a utility-scale level. For all practical purposes, electricity must be generated as it is being consumed. This becomes a problem when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining and energy consumption is high. Demand for electricity continues to grow as our society becomes increasingly reliant on electricity. Locally owned electric cooperatives work hard to provide reliable and affordable electricity for the member-consumers they serve. Co-ops are mission driven to power lives and empower communities and they make long-term decisions to ensure power is available when it’s needed. That’s why we believe in a power generation strategy that prioritizes energy diversity. The same adage used for sound financial investing also applies to power generation: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Iowa’s electric cooperatives use dispatchable sources of power like coal and natural gas because they can control the output and ramp up generation when needed to match sudden increases in electric demand. But our ability to provide reliable electricity is in jeopardy. In May, the Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed rule to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing fossil-fuel-fired electric generating units. The proposal is part of the current administration’s misguided regulatory agenda to create a carbon-free power sector by 2035 and net zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050. We believe this proposal will further strain America’s electric grid and undermine decades of work to reliably keep the lights on across the nation. But that’s not the only threat we face. The 2023 NERC summer reliability assessment is just the latest in a series of alarming reminders about the new electric reliability challenges facing the nation. Nine states experienced power interruptions last December as the demand for electricity exceeded the available supply. It’s imperative that policymakers work to prioritize reliability in every energy policy discussion. Federal policies must recognize the compromised reliability reality facing the nation before it’s too late. The families, farms and businesses served by electric cooperatives deserve affordable AND reliable electricity to power their lives.

On January 5, 1949, representatives from thirteen western Iowa rural electric cooperatives met at the Lewis Hotel in Cherokee, Iowa, to form an electric transmission cooperative to source and deliver electric power to the homes and farms in rural western Iowa. While the obstacles that challenged the area’s electrification efforts were daunting, NIPCO’s founders envisioned creating an organization to secure a reliable and affordable power supply and construct and maintain a state-of-the-art electric transmission system that would serve the membership for generations. Seventy-five years later, the faces and challenges have evolved, but NIPCO remains focused on these core services while adapting to meet the ever-changing needs of our members. As we stand on the threshold of our seventy-fifth anniversary year, we take pride in our enduring commitment to the past, our dedication to the present, and our unwavering commitment to shaping a brighter future for our member distribution cooperatives and the communities of western Iowa. Throughout 2024, we will take some time to share highlights from NIPCO’s historic journey while debuting some bold ideas as we look to NIPCO’s future. Thank you for being a part of this historic occasion. Let’s continue to make history together.

An expert explains the dangers of excess demand placed on electrical circuits. How many electrical cords can I plug into a circuit? Overloaded electrical circuits are more common than you might think. Overloads occur when more electrical demand is placed on a circuit than it can handle. Circuit overloads can cause nuisance tripping of breakers, a fire, or other serious safety hazards. Easy and inexpensive short-term solutions are tempting, but they can put your organization at risk. By understanding the causes of circuit overloads and how to prevent them, you can help ensure the safety of your staff and facility. The lowdown on overloads Wires in an electrical system or circuit have a maximum amount of current they can safely carry. If too many devices are plugged into a circuit, the electrical current will heat the wires to a very high temperature. If any one device uses too much current, the wires will heat up. The temperature of the wires can be high enough to cause a fire. If their insulation melts, arcing may occur, which can also cause a fire. The National Electrical Code Table 310.15(B) gives maximum amperage for various wire sizes at different temperature ratings. To prevent too much current, a circuit breaker or fuse is placed in the circuit. If there is too much current in the circuit, the breaker "trips" and opens like a switch. If an overloaded circuit is equipped with a fuse, an internal part of the fuse melts, opening the circuit. Both breakers and fuses do the same thing: open the circuit to shut off the electrical current. If any other device is powered by the same wiring, a larger wire gauge would have to be used. If the breakers or fuses are too big for the wires they are supposed to protect, an overload in the circuit will not be detected and the current will not be shut off. Overloading leads to overheating of circuit components—including wires—and may cause a fire. A circuit with improper overcurrent protection devices, or one with no overcurrent protection devices at all, is a fire and shock hazard. Preventing circuit overloading There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of circuit overloads in your home: Get an inspection. If circuits are continually tripping or fuses are blowing, hire a qualified electrician to inspect the system. The inspection will determine your electrical needs and identify any necessary modifications to the system. Replace fuses. The presence of fuses in your electrical system is a sign of older (and potentially hazardous) wiring. Consider replacing fuses with circuit breakers. Check for loose connections or corroded wires. Circuit overloads can result from loose connections or corroded wires. These could be at the circuit panel, junction box, or anywhere in the electrical system. If you suspect a problem, contact a qualified electrician. Keep temporary wiring temporary. Temporary wiring, such as extension cords and power strips, are not designed for long-term use. If this becomes the case, consider having additional outlets or electrical capacity installed. Adding new equipment. The addition of new equipment can put a strain on your electric system and cause circuit overload. When adding new electrical devices or reconfiguring existing equipment, consult with a qualified electrician about installing additional capacity. Ensuring your electrical system meets your needs can reduce the risk of fire or other safety hazards and eliminate costly or dangerous situations for your home and family.

Electric heaters can make your home cozy, but they come with risks. Learn how to stay safe and warm. Many people rely on portable electric space heaters for supplemental heat when the cold weather arrives. This popular appliance comes with some risks, however. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires every year are associated with the use of space heaters, and 6,000 people end up in hospital emergency rooms from burn injuries they incurred by coming in contact with the hot surface of a space heater. This winter, protect your home and family with these safety tips. Look for the safety certification logo. Make sure the portable heater you purchase has been safety-certified by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). Commit to the 3-feet rule. Portable heaters should be positioned at least 3 feet from any combustible material, such as curtains, papers, clothes, and furniture. Place the space heater on a flat, stable surface. Position the heater on the floor rather than on a table to eliminate any chance that it could be knocked over. And keep it away from areas with high foot traffic. Keep children and pets away from your space heater. Never leave a child unattended in a room with a space heater. Look for safety shut-off features. Newer heaters are equipped with a smart sensor that automatically shuts off the heater when it overheats and a tip-over switch that does the same when the heater topples over. Plug the space heater directly and securely into the wall outlet. Make sure the cord is not frayed or damaged, and never use an extension cord or power strip. Keep an eye on your portable heater. Turn off the heater or unplug it when you leave the room or when you are sleeping. Avoid using a portable electric heater around water. Most space heaters don't have a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) plug, which prevents electrical shock. Touching the heater when you're wet could result in shock or electrocution. Keep portable heaters away from flammable liquids. This is especially true in the garage or other work areas where paint and gas cans may be stored. A necessary precaution It's important to follow the safety rules when using a portable space heater, but properly installed and well-maintained smoke and carbon monoxide detectors provide an additional, necessary layer of protection. If a fire breaks out, smoke from the fire ignites the alarm so you can escape safely. Similarly, a carbon monoxide detector alerts everyone in the home about the buildup of this dangerous gas. Space heaters can be an effective way to boost the heat in your home. Make sure safe, responsible use is a top priority.

Do you know how to get the most out of your holiday leftovers? Once dinner is done, it's "go time". Leftovers that sit out for longer than two hours after cooking are a food safety no-no. So, once you are finished eating, start cooling and storing leftovers as soon as possible. If anything is left out too long or looks questionable, play it safe and throw it out. Label everything with a date to remind you how long it's been in the refrigerator or freezer. Watch our video to learn more! (Click the Play arrow on the lower left-hand corner of the video below) When it comes to food storage, smaller, shallow containers work best. And store everything by itself. Turkey and stuffing last up to four days in the refrigerator; gravy lasts two days. This means turkey and stuffing, mixed WITH gravy, lasts only two days. Cut turkey into thin slices, wrap tightly in small portions, and place in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze it; frozen turkey should keep its flavor for up to four months. It's easy to simply top off the side dish bowls with plastic. If you do, you should eat them in less than four days. Instead, place them in small, shallow, air-tight containers so they cool down quickly. They'll last four days in the fridge, or you can freeze them and save them for up to four months. Now that you know how to store your leftovers safely, you can look up some creative leftover recipes.

High-performance clothes dryers save energy by only supplying the necessary amount of heat required by the load. What makes energy-efficient clothes dryers more efficient? High-performance clothes dryers save energy by only supplying the necessary amount of heat required by the load. Advanced features, such as moisture sensors and filter cleaning indicators, help save energy while ensuring performance. Moisture sensors determine what's required for each load then adapt the temperature and drying cycle duration to save energy. They also detect when clothes are dry and automatically shut the dryer off, as opposed to timed drying. A dirty air filter reduces energy efficiency. Filter cleaning indicators serve as a reminder to clean the filter before each load to maximize performance. Heat pump dryers are the most efficient type available. However, the surrounding air is cooled by the heat pump, potentially increasing energy use for space heating. Heat pumps also cost more to install than standard units and have longer cycle times. As a result of improvements such as these, energy-efficient dryers use about 20% less energy than standard models. Look for ENERGY STAR®-certified clothes dryers. ENERGY STAR models are independently tested to meet minimum efficiency and cycle time requirements.

Electric co-ops exist to serve our members, but our priority is to provide affordable, reliable energy to our communities, and like all cooperatives have 7 cooperatives principles. Throughout the month of October, you will be hearing a lot from us about cooperatives. That's because October is when cooperatives across the country celebrate National Co-op Month. Cooperatives are organizations owned and operated by their members for their mutual benefit. Cooperatives can take various forms, including consumer cooperatives, worker cooperatives, agricultural cooperatives, and more. We want to take just a few minutes to highlight the importance of cooperation, community involvement, and the positive impacts that cooperatives can have on local economies and societies. Electric co-ops, like us, exist to serve our members, but our priority is to provide affordable, reliable energy to our communities. Guided by The Seven Cooperative Principles, established by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), an organization that represents cooperatives around the world, cooperatives ensure they operate fairly, democratically, and sustainably. These Principles include: 1. Voluntary and Open Membership: Cooperatives are open to all individuals who can benefit from or contribute to the cooperative's activities, regardless of their background or status. Membership is a voluntary choice. 2. Democratic Member Control: Cooperatives are controlled by their members, who actively participate in decision-making and have an equal say in the cooperative's policies and operations. Each member typically has one vote. 3. Member Economic Participation: Members of cooperatives contribute to and democratically control the capital of the cooperative. Surplus funds generated by the cooperative are often distributed among members in proportion to their level of participation or contribution. 4. Autonomy and Independence: Cooperatives are independent organizations that are self-governed by their members. They may enter into agreements with other entities, but decisions are made in the best interests of the cooperative and its members. 5. Education, Training, and Information: Cooperatives provide education and training to their members, employees, and the broader community to enhance their understanding of cooperatives and their role in society. 6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives: Cooperatives work together in solidarity and collaboration to strengthen the cooperative movement and achieve common goals. This principle promotes mutual support and shared resources among cooperatives. 7. Concern for Community: Cooperatives contribute to the sustainable development of their communities by working for their social, economic, and environmental well-being. They prioritize the needs and aspirations of the community in their actions. These principles are a foundational framework for cooperatives worldwide, guiding their actions and ensuring that they operate in line with values of democracy, equity, and community development. This October, as we celebrate Co-op Month, we're focusing on all the ways "Co-ops Grow" for their members. Co-ops Grow Communities. Co-ops help communities grow by promoting economic empowerment, fostering community engagement and supporting the unique needs of co-op members. "Concern for Community" is one of our core principles––and being community-focused is essential to everything we do. Co-ops Grow Together. Co-ops are all about cooperation, not competition. That's why electric co-ops work together to share lessons learned, successful strategies, and better ways to serve our members. We're better when we grow together! Co-ops Grow Tomorrow's Leaders. Electric co-ops serve as fertile ground for growing tomorrow's leaders through various youth engagement programs. Whether through school demonstrations, community events, or the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program, we're committed to providing opportunities for local youth to learn and thrive in our community and beyond. Co-ops Grow for You. At our co-op, your satisfaction is our number one goal. It's why we were formed many years ago to fulfill a uniquely local purpose. We've come a long way since then, and your needs continue to evolve. That's why we'll never stop growing for you! The essence of a cooperative lies in its members, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such an engaged and supportive community. Your involvement, ideas, and feedback allow us to grow in our service to you through continued improvements and innovations that benefit us all. This National Co-op Month, as we celebrate the cooperative principles that underpin our shared journey, we want to extend our sincerest appreciation. It is your partnership that strengthens us, and it is your satisfaction that fuels our dedication. Thank you for entrusting us with your energy needs. We look forward to many more years of serving you, growing together, and contributing to the prosperity of our community.