Business with a buzz Beekeepers share lessons on starting, maintaining hives - PLUS - REA Energy Cooperative
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J U LY 2 0 2 1
TH E M AGA Z I N E YO U C O M E H O M E TO
Business
with a buzz
Beekeepers share
lessons on starting,
maintaining hives
PLUS
All-season window film
Celebrating friendship
CLMS 35th anniversary
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JULY 2021
Contents
Vol. 56 • No. 7 4 Keeping Current
Editor
News from across
Peter A. Fitzgerald the Commonwealth
Senior Editor/Writer
Katherine Hackleman 6 E nergy Matters
Four keys to understanding
Associate Editor the new electric grid
Michael T. Crawford
Layout & Design 8 eature: Business with
f
W. Douglas Shirk a buzz 8
production coordinator Beekeepers share lessons on
Michelle M. Smith starting, maintaining hives
Contributing Columnists
James Dulley 11 S mart circuits
John Kasun All-season window film saves
Anne M. Kirchner energy, improves comfort,
Yvonne Butts-Mitchelll reduces glare
Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazine
of Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is published 12 Time Lines
monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Associa- Your newsmagazine
tion, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg,
through the years
PA 17108-1266. Penn Lines helps 166,000 house-
holds of co-op consumer-members understand issues 14
that affect the electric cooperative program, their local
co-ops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops are not-
12a Cooperative
for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed, and tax-
Connection
paying electric utilities. Penn Lines is not responsible Information and advice from
for unsolicited manuscripts. The opinions expressed your local electric cooperative
in Penn Lines do not necessarily reflect those of the
editors, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, or
local electric distribution cooperatives. 14 COUNTRY KITCHEN
Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.39 per
Celebrating friendship
year through their local electric distribution coopera-
tive. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg,
PA 17107 and additional mailing offices. POST-
15 r ural views
Newcomers, superheroes visit
MASTER: Send address changes with mailing label
to Penn Lines, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266,
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266.
the Path Valley Hotel 16
Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks prior to
month of issue. Ad rates upon request. Acceptance
16 eature: Coordinated
f
of advertising by Penn Lines does not imply endorse-
effort
ment of the product or services by the publisher or Cooperative program celebrates
any electric cooperative. If you encounter a problem 35 years of savings
with any product or service advertised in Penn Lines,
please contact: Advertising, Penn Lines, P.O. Box
1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines reserves 19 TECH TRENDS
the right to refuse any advertising. Top-performing electric vehicles
20 Classifieds
22 Punch Lines
23
I have become my mother
ON THE COVER
Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural Electric 23Rural Reflections Honeybees fly in and
Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls; Vice Chairman, Celebrate the Fourth of July out of hives on an
Tim Burkett; Secretary, Barbara Miller; Treasurer,
Rick Shope; President & CEO, Frank M. Betley apiary.
© 2021 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part
without written permission is prohibited.
Visit with us at Penn Lines Online,
located at: www.prea.com/penn-lines-
magazine. Penn Lines Online provides an
email link to Penn Lines editorial staff,
information on advertising rates, and an
archive of past issues.
| J U LY 2 0 2 1 3
keepingcurrent
News from across the Commonwealth
Giving kids hands-on offer opportunities in science, tech- Wild plant sanctuaries
agricultural experiences nology, engineering, management and designated in state forests
The state Department of Agricul- traditional farming. The state Department of Conserva-
ture and state Department of Edu- Opportunities department officials tion and Natural Resources (DCNR)
cation have teamed up to stress the are encouraging parents and caregivers has designed 35 areas of state forest
importance of cultivating the next to consider this summer include: land as wild plant sanctuaries.
generation of agriculturalists through k Visiting one of Pennsylvania’s more “Whether tucked into forest hollows
encouraging hands-on agricultural than 100 county agricultural fairs with rich soils, growing in mucky
activities for kids this summer. k Enjoying ice cream on a farm at a peatlands, or rooted in dry, rocky
Pennsylvania Ice Cream Trail cream- barrens, some of the state’s rarest plant
ery or ice cream shop populations are now protected in
k G rowing young minds with a visit to wild plant sanctuaries established in
a Pennsylvania garden or arboretum state forests across Pennsylvania,”
k Enrolling the child in 4-H activities DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn said.
k Buying food at a farmers market, “Designation of sanctuaries assists
many of which also offer agritour- DCNR in carrying out its mission
ism experiences to conserve native wild plants and
k Picking your own fruit and vegeta- ensures the protection of some of the
bles most botanically diverse sites in the
Other ways to explore opportunities Commonwealth.”
to engage children in agriculture are The sanctuaries are located in 12
In making the announcement, Secre- available at agriculture.pa.gov/kidsare- of the state’s 20 state forest districts.
tary of Agriculture Russell Redding thefuture. Specific locations are not being shared
said, “Kids are the future of the indus- to prevent illegal poaching. Some
try that we all rely on for three meals CDC releases vaccine sanctuaries also
a day and the clothes on our backs. It’s information represent habitats
all of our responsibility to show them A Centers for Disease Control and with high plant
the value of farming and agriculture, Prevention report released in mid-June species diversity
to grow an interest in being a part of notes that as of June 10, Pennsylva- or sites with large
this meaningful industry.” nia ranked ninth among states for populations of host
Agriculture is an important part of first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine plants for rare pollinators and terrestrial
Pennsylvania’s economy, contributing administered by percentage of popu- invertebrates.
more than $135 billion annually to lation with 59.9% of the population The newly designated sanctuaries
the state’s economy, with more than having received first doses. range in size from 5 to 700 acres and
593,000 jobs tied to the industry. To Among Pennsylvanians age 18 and cover a variety of habitats, including
ensure the industry continues to grow older, 56.4% of the population was fully islands, glacial wetlands, and a wide
so that food remains available, acces- vaccinated while 72.6% had received range of unique, forested habitats.
sible and affordable, new agriculture their first dose as of June 10. Pennsyl- Set forth by Section 10 of the Wild
workers will be essential. vania ranked fifth among all 50 states Resource Conservation Act, the wild
Parents and caregivers of children in terms of total doses administered. plant sanctuary designation allows
are encouraged to seek out oppor- All Pennsylvanians 12 and older for the protection, management, and
tunities for hands-on agriculture are currently eligible to schedule a scientific monitoring of plant species
experiences over the summer to foster COVID-19 vaccine. For more infor- populations in the Commonwealth that
an early appreciation of this life-sus- mation, go to health.pa.gov/topics/ are designated as rare, threatened, or
taining industry. Careers in agriculture disease/coronavirus/vaccine. endangered. l
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energymatters
Four keys to understanding the new
electric grid
By Paul Wesslund
A
merica’s electric grid is often of the electric grid.
called the most complex 3. More power to consumers
machine in the world. That’s Many utilities have voluntary pro-
not a stretch when you think about grams that manage electric loads by
what it does: it runs your refrigerator turning off water heaters or air condi-
Dennis Gainer, NRECA
and charges your phone, all from a tioners for short periods of time. Those
ray of sunshine, a lump of coal, falling programs add another layer of coordi-
water, or a mountain breeze. nation. Additionally, homeowners are
installing solar panels on their roofs or
In between those starting and ending in their backyards, with some even sell-
points are 160,000 miles of high-volt- ing excess electricity back to the utility
TRANSMITTING POWER: With thousands
age transmission lines, millions of miles of miles of power lines, nearly 200,000 utility
— over the electric grid.
of low-voltage power lines, 7,300 power employees and 7,300 power plants, America’s 4. Utilities keeping up with the
plants, nearly 200,000 electric utility electric grid and all of its parts must work change
employees, thousands of electrical sub- together to keep power flowing smoothly. Large fields of wind turbine farms
stations and transformers that adjust and solar power arrays require building
voltage for the cross-country trip along tic Coast. Wildfires are increasingly transmission lines to new locations, and
transmission lines, then back down intense, especially in the West, and ice planning for a kind of power that might
before it enters your house –– and storms and cold weather surprised the only operate when the sun shines or
all these parts must work together to South this winter. the wind blows. These changes are
keep power flowing safely. In addition, Electric utilities are increasing grid necessary and helpful, but they are also
this complex network is adapting to resilience by integrating weather fore- expensive. Annual spending on the U.S.
weather patterns, increasing cybersecu- casting with other smart technologies transmission system has increased from
rity threats, consumer expectations and that monitor electric current and ana- $9 billion a year in 2002 to $40 billion
additional decentralized power sources lyze how to respond. Banunarayanan in 2019.
like rooftop solar panels. calls this “predictive technology.” But that spending is paying off.
Those are big changes for such a vast By knowing how weather will affect In 2017, Americans on average expe-
and intricate system, “But the silver power equipment, he says, “An electric rienced about eight hours of power
lining is that technology is available to co-op can preposition work crews so interruptions, according to the Energy
help address that,” says Venkat Banun- they can quickly respond to the outage, Information Administration. By 2019,
arayanan, vice president of Integrated and they can redirect the flow of elec- that was down to five hours.
Grid Business & Technology Strategies tricity to take an alternate route to min- “Power outages have been going down
with the National Rural Electric Coop- imize the duration of a power outage.” because there’s investment being made
erative Association. 2. Strengthening cyber safety to increase the robustness of the grid,”
For all its complexity, the electric grid Cybersecurity measures have become Banunarayanan says. “I expect the reli-
can be described in three major parts: a standard operating procedure for util- ability of the grid to increase.” l
power source (like a nuclear or hydro- ities to protect against cyberattacks. Paul Wesslund writes on consumer and
electric plant); the wires and equipment Electric co-ops and other utilities work cooperative affairs for the National Rural
that deliver power; and a home or busi- closely with the U.S. Department of Electric Cooperative Association, the
ness that receives the power. Homeland Security to monitor and national trade association representing
Here are four ways the grid is adapt- strengthen defenses. more than 900 local electric cooperatives.
ing to the world’s new realities: Electric co-ops also urge consum- From growing suburbs to remote farm-
1. Resilience in the face of more er-members at home to protect them- ing communities, electric co-ops serve
severe weather selves from hackers. When devices like as engines of economic development for
Last year was the busiest recorded printers and smart TVs connect to the 42 million Americans across 56% of the
hurricane season along the Atlan- internet, that actually makes them part nation’s landscape.
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BEE BOXES: Gerald Weber,
co-owner of Rathbun & Weber
Maple & Honey Products and a
member of Tri-County REC, lifts
a bee-covered frame from one
of the hives he keeps on his
family’s farm.
Business with a buzz
Beekeepers share lessons on starting, maintaining hives
F
or six weeks, bees zip back and By Michael T. Crawford Pennsylvania produced approximately
forth, laboring for a delicacy Associate Editor 912,000 pounds of honey from about
they’ll never taste, fostering 19,000 hives in 2020. Averaging $4.74
growth they will never see. When their Maple & Honey Products and a mem- per pound, the report values the crop
time comes, all their work will have ber of Mansfield-based Tri-County at more than $4.32 million.
been for future generations — not Rural Electric Cooperative (REC). “It’s Money isn’t the only thing about
just for the benefit of the bees, but for all what you’d call ‘raw honey,’ and bees that entices aspiring keepers. Tra-
every other creature that enjoys fruits, people really go for that kind of stuff vis Paul, family member of Paul Fami-
vegetables and breathing oxygen. these days.” ly Farms and a member of Tri-County
Indeed, Pennsylvanians’ appetite for REC, became fascinated with bees
And, yes, honey. honey hasn’t faltered. According to a and beekeeping while living in Puerto
“I can usually sell as much honey as March report from the U.S. Depart- Rico. There, Paul met some beekeep-
I can get my hands on,” says Gerald ment of Agriculture’s (USDA) Na- ers who showed him what they do,
Weber, co-owner of Rathbun & Weber tional Agricultural Statistics Service, sparking his interest in apiculture.
8 | J U LY 2 0 2 1
“Every bee in the hive has a job,” contribute $20 billion each year to
says Paul, who has kept bees on his agriculture and to industries that de-
family’s farm since 2016. “You have pend on agriculture. In Pennsylvania,
undertaker bees that take care of the pollinator-dependent crops contribute
dead. You have guard bees, nurse bees $260 million to the economy annually,
and foraging bees. You have robber according to the Center for Pollinator
bees that travel to other hives to steal Research at Penn State University.
honey from them. Every time we open If bee stings, gardening and bears
the hive, we’re learning something aren’t a turnoff, Perkins recommends
new and seeing something new. It starting with a class on beekeeping,
became addictive, and now the whole many of which are offered through
family is involved.” local Penn State Extension offices. He
also advises finding a mentor.
Getting started Whether or not you’re out to earn
Is beekeeping right for you? Consider, SWEET NECTAR: Travis Paul, of Paul Family money, be prepared to spend it — be-
first, how your body handles bee stings. Farms and a member of Tri-County REC, holds tween $600 to $1,000 for starter bees
up a wax-and-honey-covered frame from one of and equipment, Perkins says. Even
“Anytime I got stung by a wasp or
the hives he keeps on his family’s farm.
some sort of bee, I would swell up,” if you’re just beekeeping for its own
recalls Weber, who has been beekeep- Perkins adds, “Without the bees pol- sake or making honey for personal
ing for more than 24 years. “Before linating, you can’t grow vegetables and use, you’ll still need to register the hive
I got into this, I had a series of tests fruits. A third of what you eat is based with the state Department of Agricul-
done to find out if I was allergic to on the bees pollinating it. If you like ture’s Apiary & Pollinator Services — a
them or not. It turned out I wasn’t fruit, you’d better have bees to get it $10 fee that covers two calendar years.
allergic to honeybees.” pollinated. Most vegetables, you have The registering of hives goes back
Like any agricultural endeavor, eval- to get pollinated by the bees.” 100 years. The practice helps prevent
uate your willingness to contend with outbreaks of parasites and contagious,
the local wildlife, both plant and an- Billion dollar buzz lethal diseases like American Foul-
imal. In terms of animals, the stereo- The American Beekeeping Federa- brood, which can quickly devastate
type of bears sniffing out hives is spot tion estimates bees’ pollination efforts infected hives. Diseases can easily
on, and while they’re more than likely
after the larvae (it’s good protein), a
determined bear can easily destroy
several hives before getting its fill.
“If you’re anywhere in Pennsylvania,
put electric fencing up,” Paul advises.
“We’ve had friends who have lost
15-20 hives when a bear comes.”
In terms of plants, a fondness for
gardening pairs well with beekeeping.
Jim Perkins, a member of Wysox-based
Claverack REC who has been beekeep-
ing for more than 20 years, recom-
mends keeping some common plants
like white clover or goldenrod nearby,
not only to keep honeybees well fed but
to also modify the honey they create.
“Knotweed — that awful invasive
species that grows in the lowlands
along streams — the bees love that,”
says Perkins, who teaches beekeeping
SWARM SEASON: Jim Perkins, a member
at Montrose Adult School every Sep- of Claverack REC who has been beekeep-
tember. “It makes a super dark, sweet, ing for more than 20 years, cuts a tree limb
fall honey. In the fall, asters are great covered in a bee swarm. Bees swarm before
flowers for the bees. And in the spring, looking for a new hive but can be guided
into a new hive if spotted early.
they’ll work all the different fruit trees.”
| J U LY 2 0 2 1 9
spread to other hives by beekeepers or
robber bees. Plant pollinator-friendly gardens at your home
Whether disease strikes or not, be Penn State Extension offers sev- ness of your pollinator habitat,
prepared for hard lessons. About 40% eral suggestions for planting polli- have a variety of plants in bloom
of colonies managed by Pennsylvania nator-friendly gardens, including the throughout the season.
beekeepers die every winter, accord- following: k P
lant in drifts. Pollinators are more
ing to the Bee Informed Partnership. k Choose plants native to your likely to find plants in gardens that
region. Native plants share a long provide larger drifts of color. When
Nationwide, beekeepers have lost
evolutionary history with their pol- you purchase plants, get at least
approximately 30% of their colonies
linators, so including a wide variety three or more of one kind — more
every year since 2006.
of natives will make your garden a if you have the room — and plant
Over the past decade, Pennsylva-
favorite destination for pollinators. them near one another.
nia’s honeybee population has been Choose carefully to match the site k A
void landscape fabric and mulch.
hit hard by an increasing combination conditions; natives will flourish Instead, place plants closer to-
of new pests, pesticides and diseases. without the addition of fertilizers gether. Plants of varying heights
According to the USDA, the Com- and pesticides. planted close together will form a
monwealth lost approximately 7,000 k C hoose nectar- and pollen-rich weed barrier far superior to a bed
honey-producing hives between 2011 flowers with a range of shapes, of mulch. The bonus is that you will
and 2012 — dropping from 24,000 to sizes, and colors. Diversity is the have room for many more blooms
17,000 — and then lost roughly 3,000 key to a good pollinator garden. Be- for pollinators.
between 2016 and 2017 — dropping cause each pollinator has its own k S
ave perennial garden cleanup for
from 19,000 to 16,000. While still techniques for sourcing nectar and spring. Pollinators overwinter in
below 2011 levels, hives have held at pollen, flowers should be as varied different life stages: eggs, larvae,
19,000 since 2018. as the pollinators that visit them. pupae and adults. Some overwin-
“You’re probably going to lose k Avoid modern hybrids. Many gar- ter in hollow stems, while others
hives — that’s still a struggle for us den plants have been manipulated attach to plants or overwinter in the
today,” Paul says. “You’re going to go for larger blooms and a show of leaf litter. To protect overwintering
out there, do all these things and your color and may have lost their ability pollinators, don’t cut down your
hives are going to look great going to produce nectar and pollen. In the perennial gardens until spring, and
into the winter. Then come the spring, breeding process, some flowers keep beds of leaves intact through
the hive may be dead. That’s really may become so complex that the winter.
pollinators can’t locate the nectar.
difficult. You start to repair yourself,
When buying annuals, purchase Because the majority of plants
you do something differently.”
older heirloom varieties known to sold at garden centers come from
He adds, “We try to make sure our
have nectar and pollen. Europe and Asia, you may have to
hives have as much honey as possi-
k Have several different plants in do a little searching if you choose
ble and keep them small going into bloom from early spring through to purchase native plants that are
the winter so the bees stay closer and late fall. Some pollinators emerge pollinator-friendly. Call the Master
keep warm. We put our hives on stone in early spring, while others don’t Gardeners at your local Penn State
benches to limit water entering the appear until mid-summer, but they Extension office or go to the Pennsyl-
hives following winter.” all need pollen and nectar while vania Native Plant Society’s website
Depending on your vision for your they are active and rearing their at panativeplantsociety.org for a
bees and their honey, you may need young. To maximize the effective- resource list.
to pay for additional registrations
and inspections. The Pennsylvania
State Beekeepers Association can offer
guidance on what regulations beekeep-
ers should keep in mind for specific
circumstances, as well as a list of local
beekeeping groups across the Com-
monwealth.
“Beekeepers are very open with
how they do things,” Paul says. “If
you’re looking to become a beekeeper,
read a couple books, find a local club
and just ask another beekeeper ques-
BE A POLLINATOR: Consider the different ways you can help pollinators do their job.
tions.” l
10 | J U NE 2 0 2 1smartcircuits
All-season window film saves energy,
improves comfort, reduces glare
By James Dulley
D
ear Jim: The sun blasts in my
single-pane windows making
it hot and creating annoying
glare. Will applying window film help
and will it lower my cooling costs? —
Sandi H.
Dear Sandi: The short answer to
your question is “Yes.” By selecting
the proper types of window film for
various windows of your house, it may
also reduce your heating costs.
Applying window film yields the
greatest percent efficiency benefits on
single-pane windows because their
efficiency is so low to start with. Some
types of all-season efficiency films can
be applied to double-pane windows.
Check with your window manufac-
turer for its recommendations.
When the sun shines on a window
with tinted film applied, several things ically-thin layer of metal atoms depos- Most of the summer sun’s intense
happen. Some of the sun’s heat and ited on the film surface. You cannot heat comes in the western windows.
glare is reflected. The majority of the see it and the majority of the visible Here, a darker tinted film is most
heat is absorbed by the film and glass light passes through it, but it will effective. In colder climates, one with
and is lost back outdoors. Overall, you reduce heat flow both ways to save a low-e coating helps year-round.
will be cooler indoors. energy in summer and winter. A moderately tinted low-e film is
The reason I mentioned “some Window film is not difficult to install ideal for southern windows. During
types” of film for double-pane win- yourself especially on smaller windows. summer, the sun is from the south and
dows is that heating the glass may be a DIY film kits are available at home cen- very high in the sky around noon, so
problem. If it gets too hot and warms ters. Large picture windows are best left the roof overhang often helps shade
up the air inside the gap between the to a professional installer. these windows for several hours.
panes, it may cause leaks in the seal. The typical steps to install film are to Also, an often forgotten benefit
Over time, this can allow moisture in first clean the indoor glass surface thor- of film is it helps hold glass shards
between and a fog may form. oughly. Use distilled water in a spray together if the window gets broken.
All-season window films usually bottle to wet the cleaned glass and the This is a plus around children. Totally
have very light tints; and other than water-activated adhesive on the film. clear films are available for just this
slight reflectivity from outdoors, are Place the adhesive side of the film purpose. l
barely noticeable once applied. These against the wet glass. Run the squee-
films have a low-e coating similar to gee from the kit over the film from
Have a question for Jim? Send
high-efficiency replacement windows. the center to the edges to force out air inquiries to James Dulley,
The low-e coating also blocks some of bubbles and excess water. Cut off the Penn Lines, 6906 Royalgreen
the UV rays to reduce fading of furni- excess film at the edges. It may take Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or
visit www.dulley.com.
ture and carpeting. several days to dry completely and for
The coating actually is a microscop- most bubbles to disappear.
| J U LY 2 0 2 1 11timelines
Your Newsmagazine Through the Years
2001
J U LY 2 0 1 1
Playing a 2011
community role
Volunteers keep local theater
vibrant, vital
Community theaters
offer a chance for
participants to expand
their acting horizons
and have fun at the
same time.
1991
Rural electric
cooperative
lineworkers focus
on safety and
providing the best
possible service
to cooperative
members.
P resident George W. Bush announces a sweeping national en-
ergy strategy in appearances in St. Paul, Minn., and Lancast-
er County, Pa. 1981
The 163-page action plan drafted by a task force headed by County fairs provide
Vice President Dick Cheney relied heavily on long-term solu- gathering places
tions, such as increased domestic production of fossil fuels, where people
can meet friends,
broader use of nuclear power, expanded transmission line devel- learn new things
opment and energy conservation. and participate in
Cooperatives in Pennsylvania and New Jersey assisted in competitions.
drafting the official resolution that guided cooperative lobbying
efforts nationally. The statement called for Congress and the Bush
Administration to promote diversity in electric generation (a
balance of coal, nuclear, natural gas, wind and other renewables),
take into account both production and environmental objectives,
and provide financing for research into new energy technologies 1971
(such as clean coal initiatives) that benefit rural residents. John Lindberg
Soon after this article appeared, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, awaits directions
and ultimately the War on Terror shifted the administration’s from the conductor
focus to national security. during the
Kennerdell Music
Twenty years later, the Biden Administration is also discussing
and Art Festival
development of a national energy policy. concert.
12 | J U LY 2 0 2 1BE PREPARED FOR A
POWER
OUTAGE
Extended power
outages may impact the
whole community and
the economy.
FEMA V-1008/May 2018
A power outage
is when the
electrical
power goes out
unexpectedly. May disrupt May close retail businesses, Can cause food Can prevent
communications, grocery stores, gas stations, spoilage, water use of medical
water, transportation ATMs, banks, and other services contamination devices
PROTECT YOURSELF DURING A POWER OUTAGE
Disconnect appliances and
Keep freezers and
electronics to avoid damage
refrigerators closed.
from electrical surges.
Only use generators Use alternate plans for
outdoors and away refrigerating medicines or power-
from windows. dependent medical devices.
Do not use a gas stove If safe, go to an alternate
to heat your home. location for heat or cooling.
Check on neighbors.cooperativeconnection
REA Energy
Guest Column
Cooperative, Inc.
REA
Affordable electricity
ENERGY
powers quality of life
By Stacy Hilliard, CCC, CKAE
One of 14 electric cooperatives Communications & Marketing Manager
serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey
REA Energy Cooperative, Inc. Most of us use electricity, either di- electricity. Let’s take a look at how the
75 Airport Road • P.O. Box 70 rectly or indirectly, at almost all times. value of electricity compares to other
Indiana, PA 15701-0070
724-349-4800 • 800-211-5667 Because electricity is so abundant common expenses.
Ebensburg District Office and available with the simple flip of a Over the last five years on average,
127 Municipal Road switch, it’s easy to take it for granted. the cost of rent increased 3.4%; medical
Ebensburg, PA 15931 According to the Energy Information care increased 2.8%; and education in-
814-472-8570
Website: www.reaenergy.com Agency (EIA), the typical U.S. house- creased 2.2%. But the cost of electricity
Email: reaenergy@reaenergy.com hold now uses more air conditioning, only increased 1%. Considering all the
Staff appliances and consumer electronics ways we depend on electricity, it still
Barry Baker than ever before. The average home remains a great value.
Indiana Operations Manager also contains 10 or more internet-con- So, the next time you’re enjoying
Erin Bauer
ACRE Coordinator nected devices. Considering everything your favorite podcast, TV series, or
Shane Cribbs that is powered by electricity, it’s no movie, consider the value of electricity
Network & Systems Manager wonder we occasionally might wince at and how it enhances your quality of
Dave Daugherty
Safety & Right of Way Manager our monthly bill. But keep in mind, it’s life.
Jeff Dishong no longer just the “light bill.” We care about you, the members we
Ebensburg Operations Supervisor serve, and understand that electricity
Lisa Gardill
Accounting & Finance Manager Electricity powers quality is more than a commodity –– it’s a
Stacy Hilliard, CCC, CKAE of life necessity. That’s why REA Energy will
Communications & Marketing Manager continue working hard to power your
Local Pages Editor
Electricity powers our quality of
Chris Masterson life. From the infrastructure of your life, reliably and affordably. l
Reliability Supervisor home (appliances, water
Patrick McAndrew
Manager of Engineering
heater, and HVAC system) to
Bryon Roland charging your smartphones,
Purchasing & Facilities Manager computers, TV, and Wi-
Brendan Short
Right-of-Way/Forestry Supervisor
Fi router, your energy bill
Renee Spalla covers so much more than
Supervisor of Consumer Services lighting.
Chris Weller
Load Management Supervisor
Today, there is more
demand for electricity than
Outages & Emergencies
1-800-332-7273 ever before. At home, in
724-463-7273 schools and business, and in
Office Hours commercial sectors such as
Indiana Office: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. transportation, the need for
Ebensburg Office:
7 - 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. electricity is increasing.
Monday - Friday Typically, when demand
goes up, so does the price, as
is the case with most goods
or services, like cable or even
your favorite specialty coffee.
However, that’s not true with
| J U LY 2 0 2 1 12area energy cooperative, inc
2021 annual meeting update
At the core of every electric coop- information in mind on Sept. 16: will still be able to participate in the
erative is its members. Contributing NO voting for directors will be held quorum, ask questions and be entered
to the uniqueness of a cooperative is at the meeting. for door prizes. In lieu of attendance
that they are not only consumers of Only members residing in Districts 5 gifts, members who participate for a de-
electricity, but they are also owners of and 6 will receive election information termined length of time on the virtual
the company that provides the power. for their district. platform may receive a bill credit.
One Member = One Vote. Attendance gifts and door prizes for Following is the order of events at
Each year, REA Energy holds an an- members will be given at the meeting; the annual meeting:
nual meeting of its membership in the an admittance card will be mailed. k E ntertainment (only if an in-per-
early fall. Any member can attend to Parking will be available in the lot son meeting is conducted)
learn more about his or her cooperative behind the complex and in the lot to k Call to Order and Determination of
and participate in the question-and-an- the left of the complex. REA employees a Quorum
swer session. In fact, it is vital that will be present in each lot; a van will k R eading of Notices
members are present at our meeting to also be available for transportation to k A ction on 2020 Minutes
meet a quorum of a majority present so the building from the parking lots. k E lection Results
the business meeting can be conducted As in the past, the 2021 annual k C hairman’s Report
according to the cooperative’s bylaws. meeting is scheduled for the doors to k P resident & CEO Report
The 2021 REA Energy Cooperative open at 4:30 p.m., with entertainment k U nfinished Business
Annual Meeting is currently set to be beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the k N ew Business
held at the Kovalchick Convention business meeting at 6:30 p.m. k Q uestions & Answers
Complex at 711 Pratt Drive, Indiana, If the situation with COVID-19 k A djournment
Pa., on Thursday, Sept. 16. warrants that we are unable to conduct k A warding of Prizes
Currently, your cooperative is plan- the meeting in person, we will conduct Please keep watching for additional
ning on conducting an in-person meet- it solely on the virtual platform. If this information regarding the 2021 annual
ing along with a virtual meeting, with is the necessary course, the Annual meeting in upcoming issues of Penn
the proper guidelines and distancing in Meeting Notices will be sent with the Lines, on Facebook and in the official
place for our members. information to sign up for each mem- Annual Meeting Notice. We look for-
Please keep this annual meeting ber. By joining the virtual meeting, you ward to meeting with you! l
Director Sandra Dill earns
Credentialed Cooperative Director
certification
District 9 Director Sandra Dill was recently recognized
for earning her Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD)
certificate for coursework completed with the National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
In order to obtain the CCD, directors must take courses
that focus on basic governance knowledge and essential
skills required of cooperative directors.
Once the CCD courses are complete, a director can
work toward the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC). The
BLC courses focus in greater depth on specific industry
and governance issues. Directors who have earned both
the CCD and BLC are eligible to work toward the Director
Gold certification, which was created to recognize direc-
tors who are committed to continuing their education be- HONOR EARNED: District 9 Director Sandra Dill, left, is congratulated
by Chad Carrick, president & CEO of REA Energy Cooperative, for com-
yond the first two certification levels. pleting the coursework necessary to earn the Credentialed Cooperative
Congratulations, Sandra, on a job well done! Director certificate.
12b | J U LY 2 0 2 1Understanding power surges and blinks
Have you ever noticed your lights blink during a thunderstorm? Or perhaps you’ve noticed a blinking microwave clock
when you arrive home. When this happens, you’ve likely experienced a brief disruption to your electric service, which could
result from a power surge or blink. While the symptoms of surges and blinks can appear similar, what’s happening behind the
scenes can be quite different.
What’s a power surge?
Power surges are brief overvoltage spikes or disturbances of a power waveform that can damage, degrade, or destroy electronic
equipment within your home or business. Most electronics are designed to handle small variations in voltage; however, power
surges can reach amplitudes of tens of thousands of volts –– and this can be extremely damaging to your electronic equipment.
Surges can be caused by internal sources, like HVAC systems with variable frequency drives, or external sources, like lightning
and damage to power lines or transformers.
REA Energy Cooperative, Inc. encourages all members to install surge protective devices (such as surge protector power
strips) to safeguard your sensitive electronics. If you’re experiencing frequent surges in your home or business and you believe
the cause is internal, contact a qualified electrician to inspect your electrical system.
What’s a power blink?
Power blinks are also brief service interruptions, but they’re typically caused by a fault (short circuit) on a power line or a
protective device that’s working in reaction to the fault. Faults can occur through a variety of instances, like squirrels, birds, or
other small animals contacting an energized power line, tree branches touching a power line, lightning, and other similar events.
In fact, when it comes to power disruptions caused by critters, squirrels reign supreme. In 2019 alone, squirrels were responsible
for more than 1,200 outages.
Any of the events noted above can cause your power to blink, but you may also experience a brief interruption when pro-
tective devices that act like circuit breakers are working to
detect the fault. Believe it or not, these brief power blinks
caused by protective devices are actually good because that
means the equipment is working as it should to prevent a
Photo Credit: Pat Gaines
prolonged outage.
Regardless of the cause, REA Energy crews will be on their
way to inspect the damage and make necessary repairs after
a power outage. And you can help, too! Any time you expe-
rience repeated disruptions to your electric service, please
let us know by calling 724-463-7273 or 800-332-7273. l
Help save money by doing the ‘Electric Shift’
This summer we are asking members to be mindful of their use of electricity by shifting electric consumption to the morn-
ing or later evening hours. By shifting your electric consumption to the morning or evening, you can help to keep wholesale
power costs as low as possible, especially during the hottest days of summer.
Doing the ‘Electric Shift’ is simple
During the hot and humid weekdays of summer, shift your electric consumption to before 1 p.m. and after 6 p.m. by doing
these simple steps:
k Set your air conditioners at 78 degrees or use fans instead.
k Close your curtains and blinds to keep things cooler inside your home.
k Operate washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, and other major appliances in the early morning or evening, but not
during the middle of the day.
k Limit the number of times you open your refrigerator and freezer doors, as well as your exterior doors.
k Instead of using your oven, fire up the grill or use your microwave.
k Turn off non-essential lights and appliances, such as DVD and VCR players.
k Run pool pumps at night.
k Use energy-efficient lightbulbs, such as compact florescent or LED lights.
By working together, we can help keep power costs and consumer retail prices low now and into the future. So remember
to do the Electric Shift during the hot days of summer. Another way you can help is by joining our load management water
heater, duel fuel and ETS heater programs. Call today to join at 724-349-4800.
| J U LY 2 0 2 1 12crea energy cooperative, inc
Right-of-way management/facility construction news
REA Energy contractors will be completing tree-trimming work in
the following areas for the month of July:
k Contractor crews from Penn Line Tree Service will be trimming the
rights-of-way of the Amsbry, Belsano and Smithport Substation
areas, in addition to emergency maintenance areas.
Notification of work will be made to members in the areas affected.
Contractors will perform all right-of-way work per REA Energy spec-
ifications. All contractor employees will carry employee identification
cards and their vehicles will display their company name.
If you have any questions, call 724-349-4800, or view the specifi-
cations at reaenergy.com.
Your Board of Directors
Michael J. Bertolino Wayne Farabaugh Robert P. Neese Sandra Dill Tom Beresnyak Anthony Enciso Thomas Aurandt John R. Learn J.R. “Rick” Shope
Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary/Treasurer District 9 District 1 District 7 District 4 District 6 District 2
District 3 District 8 District 5
REA Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
12d | J U LY 2 0 2 1countrykitchen
Celebrating friendship
By Anne M. Kirchner
I
n 1998, my husband and I were expecting our first child. As we prepared for our
new family member, we were blindsided when my mother-in-law passed away Trained in public relations, Anne
M. Kirchner focuses her writing
unexpectedly and tragically. The months of May and June were a blur as we said on human connections, travel
our farewells and traveled to Minnesota to help run the family resort. While we were and culinary arts. She enjoys
away, our circle of friends supported us by house sitting, mowing our lawn, collect- researching food origins,
exploring cooking techniques
ing the mail and offering words of encouragement. When we returned home, we and creating new recipes.
were blessed with many heartfelt hugs.
As the Fourth of July quickly approached, we decided to host a party to thank our friends. The event featured a festive meal,
games and fireworks. The gathering of friends gave us the boost we needed to move forward. Three months later, we welcomed
our baby boy. We will never forget the support we received from our friends before and after his birth.
Our Fourth of July gathering became an annual celebration. Each year presents a creative theme, flavorful foods and lightheart-
ed conversation. The following recipes represent some of our favorites from the past 20-plus years. Chimichurri chicken offers a
“bang” of flavor. Bursting with color, black bean and corn salad is the perfect side dish. And combining strawberries with blueber-
ries and raspberries makes the perfect patriotic dessert.
Black Bean and Corn Salad In a large serving bowl, combine black beans, celery,
red pepper, frozen corn and cilantro. In a small sepa-
4 (15.5 ounce) cans 1/4 cup extra virgin rate bowl, combine remaining ingredients and whisk
black beans, rinsed olive oil
and drained well to make a dressing. Pour the dressing over the
1/2 cup lime juice
2 cups celery, diced black bean mixture and stir to combine well. Refriger-
1 tablespoon sugar
1 red pepper, diced ate overnight and serve as a side dish or with tortilla
2 cloves garlic, minced chips. Makes 15-20 servings.
1 pound frozen corn 2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped 1 teaspoon coarse
cilantro black pepper
Chimichurri Chicken Combine marinade ingredi-
ents and pour over chicken;
2 pounds boneless 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
skinless chicken chopped cover and refrigerate for 4 to
1 teaspoon coarse 6 hours. Meanwhile, place
breasts Chimichurri: black pepper
chimichurri ingredients in
Marinade: 2 tablespoons cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon ground
cumin a food processor and blend
1/2 cup olive oil chopped
2 tablespoons red wine to make a coarse sauce;
4 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons parsley,
chopped vinegar refrigerate for 2 hours. Cook
2 tablespoons lemon marinated chicken on the
juice 1/4 cup yellow onion, 1 teaspoon red pepper
chopped flakes grill. Place cooked chicken
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup red pepper, 2 tablespoons olive oil on a serving plate and top
1 teaspoon kosher salt
chopped with chimichurri sauce.
1 teaspoon coarse
black pepper 4 garlic cloves, minced Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Tri-Berry Shortcake Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut butter into one-half
inch pieces. Sift together flour, salt, baking powder and
1 1/2 cups butter 2 1/4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sugar. Using a pastry blender, combine butter
6 1/2 cups flour 2 pounds fresh
strawberries, sliced and flour mixture. Stir in the milk with a fork until
1/2 teaspoon salt the mixture forms a soft, sticky dough. Drop dough in
2 tablespoons plus 2 2 pints fresh blueberries
mounds about one inch apart onto a greased baking
teaspoons baking 1 pound fresh
powder raspberries sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer shortcakes to
3/4 cup sugar, divided 2 pints whipping cream cooling rack. Meanwhile, combine strawberries, blue-
berries, raspberries and 1/4 cup sugar in a large bowl.
Lightly stir the berries; refrigerate until serving time.
Whip cream and add powdered sugar; refrigerate until
serving time. Place shortcakes in dessert bowls. Top with
berry mixture and whipped cream. Garnish with fresh
mint if desired. Makes 15 to 20 servings.
14 | J U LY 2 0 2 1ruralviews
Newcomers, superheroes visit the
Path Valley Hotel
By Mitchell Kyd
“News from the Path Valley Hotel”
L
oosened travel restrictions have have carried in the 1960s.
finally reached the Path Valley The rest of that opossum story
Hotel, and our summer guests should be left for another day, but
have included a first-timer. I heard him here’s what I learned as a result. Opos-
shuffling along our nature trail but sums are active community volun-
thought he was a regular. teers. They not only clean up carrion,
they crunch on other pests like rats,
When I glimpsed his little face mice, and cockroaches, and that helps
behind the woodpile, I remember with disease control. They also eat
thinking: “Universe, please! Do not send slugs, snails and 95% of the ticks they
me an abandoned puppy!” My son had encounter — as many as 5,000 ticks
a different vantage point. Between his in a season. As a family who has lived
animated gestures and loud whispers, I with the ravages of Lyme disease, we
was advised that our guest was a mem- think that makes them superheroes.
ber of the R.O.U.S. family (rodents of the problem for predators. They have other superpowers, too.
unusual size). That darling face was We watched our visitor for 30 min- They are resistant to snake venom and
backed up by 30,000 prickly spines; utes as he ambled up a nearby tree, find northern copperheads and timber
the PVH was hosting a porcupine. found a comfy branch and proceeded rattlers pretty tasty. Their low body
Here’s what I learned by running to groom that little face. If you’ve never temps make them resistant to rabies,
his background check and photo ID. seen how adorable that face can be or and their open-minded menu means
Porcupines are the third largest species how charming his social chatter, search they help control that disease as well.
of rodents. Despite their reputation for “talking porcupine” online. Cau- We catch an occasional late-night
as bad actors during encounters with tion: be prepared for extreme cuteness. sighting of our two guests munching
dogs or livestock, they are peaceful As a thank-you for visiting and pos- on whatever leftovers I have on hand.
critters that prefer to mind their own ing for celebrity photos, I laid apple They’re also happy to dispose of most
business. When threatened, they are slices at the base of his tree. I’m hop- food that has gone south if it’s been in
like skunks and send out several early ing he’ll visit again. the back of the fridge too long.
warning signals, including stamping In truth, I’ve been serving meals Our welcome sign at the PVH
their feet. Porcupines will also release around that tree all year for two of reads: All of our guests bring us hap-
more of their musky scent, chatter my regular guests, my opossums. The piness. And in fine print below: Some
their big orange teeth and rattle their “o” is important; it is their Australian by coming, others by leaving. When it
quills as their way of advising an cousins who are simply possums. I comes to our visiting wildlife, almost
approaching stranger: “Your behavior is had reason to research them decades everyone is welcome, especially our
not cool, dude, not cool. Step back.” ago when I rescued five babies from opossums and the occasional rodent of
Despite the myth, porcupines don’t their dead (not fake dead) mama’s unusual size. l
throw their quills, but their battle pouch. She had been hit on the road
strategy does include a quick shift and when I lifted her out of our yard, Yvonne Butts-Mitchell
it was obvious her belly was wriggling writes and blogs (deadmousedi-
into reverse to present a nearly impen- aries.com) under the pen name
etrable shield. Their barbed armor — vigorously. Mitchell Kyd. The “News from
detaches easily, making quill insertion Have you ever had your hands the Path Valley Hotel” series
inside a marsupial’s pouch? I have. was inspired by her encounters
painful and even more painful during with contractors, critters and
removal. Oddly, the quills themselves It’s not as creepy as you think. It’s dry assorted creepy crawlies while
are coated in a penicillin-like grease, and warm and cozy, much like a furry rehabbing her family cabin after
purse with a leather pocket I might its 17-year stint as a giant closet.
so infection from an encounter is not
| J U LY 2 0 2 1 15CHECKING IT OUT: Load control operators
in Harrisburg, Pa., analyze data to determine
the monthly load control set-point.
Coordinated effort
Cooperative program celebrates 35 years of savings
I By Kathy Hackleman
f you could save around $155 million this effort, cooperatives in Pennsylvania
in 35 years, you would undoubt- Senior Editor/Writer and New Jersey formed Allegheny in
edly jump at the chance. Work- 1946 to be their wholesale generation
ing together, that’s about how much ciple of cooperation among coopera- supplier.
money the 14 electric cooperatives tives, and this is the perfect example Long before “energy efficiency”
across Pennsylvania and New Jersey to demonstrate that principle,” says turned into a popular catch phrase,
have saved their members since 1986 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Associa- Allegheny and its member cooperatives
when they established the Coordinated tion (PREA)/Allegheny President & realized the cheapest kilowatt-hour of
Load Management System (CLMS) in CEO Frank Betley. “Cooperatives work electricity is the one that is never gener-
conjunction with their wholesale power together through the CLMS program ated, so they took steps to establish the
supplier, Allegheny Electric Coopera- to serve their members in the best way CLMS program to cut down on costly
tive, Inc. (Allegheny). possible. This program was developed purchases of electricity in a way that
for only one reason: to help keep the seldom, if ever, disrupts their members’
The CLMS program shifts the use of cost of energy as low as possible for lives.
electricity by residential water heaters the electric cooperative members. This Despite efforts to develop practical
and other electric equipment from times year, as we are observing the 35th anni- ways to store electricity, technology still
of peak demand during hot, humid sum- versary of the program, it continues to requires most electricity to be pro-
mer afternoons or cold winter mornings save money for the members.” duced for immediate use, which means
— when electricity prices are at their Load management — sometimes generation plants must be able to meet
highest — to off-peak hours in order to known as “demand response” — is a the needs of all electric consumers at
save money for cooperatives. When elec- natural fit for not-for-profit coopera- all times.
tric cooperatives save money, they pass tives, which exist to provide their own- Allegheny meets the electricity needs
those savings along to their members. er-members with reliable electricity and of all of the members of the electric
“Cooperatives are based on the prin- services at an affordable cost. As part of cooperatives across the two states
16 | J U LY 2 0 2 1You can also read
