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J U N E 2018
T H E M AGA Z I N E YO U C O M E H O M E TO
Electric avenue
EVs make charge
for mainstream
motorways
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Awnings
Going Electric
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JUNE 2018
Contents
Vol. 53 • No. 6 4 Keeping Current
Editor
News from across
Peter A. Fitzgerald the Commonwealth
Senior Editor/Writer
Katherine Hackleman 6 S mart circuits
Select proper size, design of
Associate Editor awnings for energy savings,
Michael T. Crawford comfort, privacy
Layout & Design
W. Douglas Shirk 8 cover: electric avenue 8
production coordinator EVs make charge for mainstream
Michelle M. Smith motorways
Contributing Columnists
James Dulley 12 Time Lines
Janette Hess Your newsmagazine
George Weigel through the years
Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazine
of Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is published 12a Cooperative
monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Associa- Connection
tion, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, Information and advice from
PA 17108-1266. Penn Lines helps 166,000 house-
your local electric cooperative
holds of co-op consumer-members understand issues
that affect the electric cooperative program, their local
16
co-ops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops are not-
for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed, and tax-
14 TECH TRENDS
paying electric utilities. Penn Lines is not responsible Meet the electric John Deere
for unsolicited manuscripts. The opinions expressed
in Penn Lines do not necessarily reflect those of the
editors, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, or
16 feature: going electric
local electric distribution cooperatives. Drivers share experiences with
EVs, hybrids
Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.42 per
year through their local electric distribution coopera-
tive. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg, 18 COUNTRY KITCHEN
PA 17107 and additional mailing offices. POST- Skewered!
MASTER: Send address changes with mailing label
to Penn Lines, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266,
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. 19 power plants 18
Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks prior to Pushing the shade envelope
month of issue. Ad rates upon request. Acceptance
of advertising by Penn Lines does not imply endorse-
ment of the product or services by the publisher or 20 Classifieds
any electric cooperative. If you encounter a problem
with any product or service advertised in Penn Lines,
please contact: Advertising, Penn Lines, P.O. Box
22 Punch Lines
1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines reserves Where there’s a will, there’s a way
the right to refuse any advertising.
23 Rural Reflections
It’s finally summer
23
Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural Electric
Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls; Vice Chairman,
Tim Burkett; Secretary, Barbara Miller; Treasurer,
Rick Shope; President & CEO, Frank M. Betley
© 2018 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association. ON THE COVER
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part
without written permission is prohibited. This Toyota Concept-i
is a hit at the 2017
Visit with us at Penn Lines Online, Consumer Electronics
located at: www.prea.com/Content/ Show in Las Vegas.
pennlines.asp. Penn Lines Online provides Photo by Kristen Hall-
an email link to Penn Lines editorial staff, Geisler
information on advertising rates, and an
archive of past issues.
Member Of:
| J U N E 2018 3
keepingcurrent
News from across the Commonwealth
State dedicates solar 29 public transit agency sites through a
installations at state parks 20-year, P3 agreement.
State officials are in the process The Pennsylvania Department of
of conducting a series of events to Transportation’s (PennDOT) overall P3
mark additions at state parks that are project includes CNG fueling accessible
designed to make the parks energy-in- to the public at six transit agency sites,
dependent. The state Department of with the option to add sites. PennDOT
Conservation and Natural Resources will receive a 15 percent royalty, exclud-
(DCNR) manages more than 4,700 ing taxes, for each gallon of fuel sold to
buildings within its system and strives the public at public sites, which will be
to follow practices that conserve and used to support the cost of the project.
sustain natural resources within those 41 percent in contiguous forest land-
buildings. scapes with no agriculture. For every ‘Big’ families make up
Small-scale solar array installations 10 percent increase in land area in 3 percent of rural families
are underway or already completed at farmland, fawn survival increased by The Center for Rural Pennsylva-
Fort Washington State Park in Mont- nearly 5 percent. Researchers classified nia, using data from the U.S. Census
gomery County, Mt. Pisgah State Park mortality in three ways: human-caused Bureau, recently studied “big” families,
in Bradford County, Presque Isle State (killed by machinery or vehicle colli- defined as having six or more members
Park in Erie County, Moraine State Park sions), natural (excluding predation) related by birth, marriage, or adoption,
in Butler County, Laurel Hill State Park and predation. Predation was the great- who are living together.
in Somerset County, and Caledonia est source of mortality in all areas. According to the 2016 data, big fami-
State Park in Franklin County. Using radio collars placed on 98 fawns lies made up 3 percent of rural Pennsyl-
from 2015 to 2016 in Susquehannock vania’s 1.06 million families. Nearly one
Fawns more likely to survive State Forest in Potter County and in a in three rural big families was multi-
in farmland than forest second area encompassing parts of the generational (three generations living
Penn State University researchers Rothrock and Bald Eagle state forests in together), while on average, the rural
have released the results of a study Centre, Mifflin and Huntingdon coun- big families included 3.6 children under
showing that while only about one- ties, researchers found fawn survival 18 years old.
half of all white-tailed deer fawns live rates were just slightly higher than in Center staff reports that across the
through their first year, they have a other parts of the United States. United States there were nearly
much better chance of surviving if they 3.89 million big families (5 percent of
are born in farmland rather than in a Another CNG fueling station all families) in 2016. The states with
forest. opens at public transit the largest percentage of big families
Working with Pennsylvania Game agency site were Utah, Hawaii, Alaska, California
Commission deer biologists, the re- A compressed natural gas (CNG) and Idaho. In each of those states, more
searchers studied fawn survival in four fueling station recently opened at than 6 percent of the families had six
areas of Pennsylvania, and also studied 13227 Dunham Road, Meadville, in or more family members living togeth-
published data on 29 deer populations Crawford County, marking the 12th of er. States with the lowest percentages
in 16 states. 29 planned fueling stations that have of big families were Rhode Island,
They found landscapes with mixed opened in Pennsylvania as part of a Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont,
forest and agricultural cover had lower public-private partnership (P3). all of which had fewer than 3 percent
rates of mortality due to predators Through the $84.5 million statewide of all families fitting the criteria for a
when compared to forested landscapes. P3 project, Trillium CNG is designing, big family. Pennsylvania ranked 32nd
The study showed an estimated average building, financing, and will operate among the states in the percentage of
survival to 6 months of age was about and maintain CNG fueling stations at big families. l
4 | J U N E 2018
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smartcircuits
Select proper size, design of awnings for
energy savings, comfort, privacy
By James Dulley
D
ear Jim: I have always liked the
appearance of window awnings.
The salesman told me installing
them can also save a lot of energy. What
choices are best? — Kathy F.
Dear Kathy: The awning salesman
was not just blowing smoke to get a
sale. Installing window awnings can
reduce summer energy use. There are
also other benefits, such as reduced
fading of furniture, drapes, and car-
peting, and protection of your primary
windows and doors from the sun and
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6 | J U N E 2018
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CHEVY VOLT: This 2017 model is popular
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is displayed at the Northwest Automotive Press
Association’s annual Drive Revolution event.
Electric avenue
EVs make charge for mainstream motorways
E
lectric vehicles, or EVs, are slowly By Kristen Hall-Geisler horses. In 1899, Camille Jenatzy was
gaining ground in the American Penn Lines Contributor the first man to reach 100 km/h (62
marketplace. The all-electric Tesla miles per hour), and he was driving a
Model S was the first vehicle of any kind Dawn of the ‘automotive age’ bullet-shaped, purpose-built electric
to earn a perfect score from Consumer In the late 1800s, everybody was car when he did it.
Reports, and nearly every major manu- building an automobile in his garage. In the early 20th century, automotive
facturer has added (or will soon add) an Karl Benz is credited with the first companies grew like seedlings in the
electric vehicle to its lineup. mass-produced, gasoline-powered ve- spring. Some would become mighty
hicle in 1897, while the first successful oaks of the industry, like Ford and
People often assume the drivers of electric vehicle in the United States Cadillac. Others would bloom for a
these vehicles are early adopters who was built by William Morrison in time before folding, like Auburn and
aren’t afraid of new, unproven tech- 1890. There were also steam-powered Duesenburg. Electric car companies fell
nologies. But it might be that they’re vehicles, though they ran out of steam into this second group. Riker Electric,
history buffs — or maybe futurists. as practical cars pretty quickly. Detroit Automobile, and others sprang
Let’s take a look at the history of the In these early years, electric cars up and flourished in the early decades
electric vehicle, the current state of the were among the quickest and quietest of the century. They were quiet, clean
technology and what’s headed our way vehicles on the road. They won races and easy to drive. Advertisements of the
in the near future. and were the least likely to spook the day suggested they were best for wom-
8 | J U N E 2018
en and doctors, neither of whom want- er: the GM EV1. Hardly anyone heard the early 2000s, so people were getting
ed to smell of gasoline and engine oil of it while it was available, let alone used to the idea of a car running at
when they arrived at their destinations. had one. It was only leased to owners least partly on electricity. A few small,
But their appeal wouldn’t last long. in California as a kind of experiment. low-powered, and frankly weird-look-
The manufacturer wanted to test its ing electric vehicles, like the Zap and
‘Dark ages’ of electric technology in the real world, and it Sparrow, were available. The technol-
vehicles wanted to gauge the public’s interest in ogy was improving, but the best tech-
By the end of World War I, most elec- an electric car. This is not uncommon; nologies — like lithium-ion batteries
tric car companies had folded. Internal Honda has tested fuel cell vehicles in — were prohibitively expensive.
combustion engines, both diesel- and California using this same model. But they weren’t too expensive for
gasoline-powered, had won this round. The reason many people have a an entrepreneur named Elon Musk,
The vast expanses of the American passing knowledge of the EV1 is due who had cofounded PayPal Holdings,
countryside were too much for the to the film Who Killed the Electric Inc. He used his wealth to next found
battery technology of the time, and the Car? It’s a question with an easy an- Tesla and create its first electric car,
infrastructure was not in place in rural swer: GM (General Motors Co.) ended the Roadster. This was a convertible
areas to support roadside charging. It the EV1 program and crushed all of two-seater powered by lithium-ion
was just easier to fuel up at a gas station. the experimental vehicles. batteries with a range of more than
Photo by Kristen Hall-Geisler
This era without electric cars lasted Just at this moment, the Toyota 100 miles. Most EVs had a third to
decades, with only a few attempts to Prius hybrid was making inroads in half that range, and they were basically
prove their worth in the middle of
the 20th century. In 1968, MIT (Mas-
sachusetts Institute of Technology)
and Caltech (California Institute of
Technology) held a cross-country race
using electric vehicles retrofitted by
their engineering departments. Even
auto shows didn’t feature very many
concepts as chromed cars of the 1950s
and 1960s reigned.
In the 1970s, a gasoline shortage in
the United States revived interest in
cars that could run without it. But man-
ufacturers were committed to internal
combustion, so few if any electric cars
were developed at this time. Instead,
smaller, more-efficient, gas-powered
models with few creature comforts
could be found at dealerships.
For the home-EV enthusiast, how-
ever, a bustling business in conversion
kits existed. Small, lightweight vehicles,
like the Porsche 914, were excellent
candidates for a swap. Those with the
know-how and a decently equipped
home garage could remove the engine
Photo by Kristen Hall-Geisler
and gas tank from an inexpensive car
and replace it with a DC motor and
the means to plug in and recharge the
lead-acid batteries. But the pool of
people with that kind of know-how and
garage space was small.
EVs back in the spotlight
In the late 1990s, there was one TESLA ROADSTER: This privately owned vehicle is designed for performance and aero efficiency. It
electric car from a major manufactur- was shown at an event in Portland, Ore.
| J U N E 2018 9
line and especially diesel — from sale
beginning in 2040. Many industry
experts suspect that China, a country
with massive pollution problems in its
cities, will follow suit.
Photo by Kristen Hall-Geisler
The automobile industry is global.
Vehicles are expensive to produce, and
creating a variant of a vehicle to sell in
one state or country but not another is
challenging. It’s far easier for a manu-
facturer to create one basic version of a
vehicle to be sold pretty much any-
where that can be customized for each
FORMULA E: The race director’s car at the 2015 Long Beach, Calif., Formula E event draws a crowd buyer in each location, whether that’s a
wherever it goes. speedometer in kilometers or miles, or
something as personal as leather seats
glorified golf carts. A fast, sexy electric wake of its diesel scandal, Volkswagen or cloth.
car was unheard of. has promised to have an electrified But the basic underpinnings of the
It was also very expensive, topping fleet by 2025. Even old-school luxury car, like the engine and transmission,
$100,000. Despite that price tag and stalwarts like Land Rover Range Rover will probably be the same for most
the low volume of Tesla Roadsters and Bentley are available as plug-in of the world. If enough markets ban
rolling off the California assembly line, hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) now. internal combustion engines, then car
it grabbed the public’s imagination Costs of electric vehicles are drop- companies will build more electric cars
in 2008. If you recall, things weren’t ping, technology is improving, and to sell everywhere.
going so great for the automotive in- ranges are getting longer and longer. There are a lot of variables that are
dustry in 2008, and gasoline was very Only 10 years ago, if your electric car up in the air. Will these EVs of the
expensive, with no price drop in sight. wasn’t a Tesla Roadster, you could ex- future be fully autonomous? Connect-
An electric car, especially one that was pect to see about 45 miles on a charge. ed to the internet? Shared, or privately
fun, was very appealing. That doubled in the early 2010s, when owned? These factors will be decided
Two seats and a tiny trunk, though, ranges expanded to 80 to 100 miles. by the speed of technological devel-
weren’t very practical. Major man- Now, manufacturers are pushing that opments and consumer demand — or
ufacturers stepped up their plans to envelope to 200 or 300 miles on a disgust. But EVs, and the infrastruc-
build electric vehicles, with the fami- charge, with a possible charge time ture to support their everyday use, will
ly-friendly Nissan Leaf EV and Chevy of less than an hour. Plug-in hybrids be coming to a town near you in the
Volt plug-in hybrid arriving around that use a small gasoline engine as a coming years. l
the same time as the Tesla Model S generator for the batteries can rival (Kristen Hall-Geisler, a freelance au-
Sedan in 2011. conventional cars for range. tomotive journalist and book editor from
Portland, Ore., has had articles published
Electric cars for modern Look into my crystal ball in the New York Times, TechCrunch,
mobility It’s not hard to see that, for urban How Stuff Works, Popular Science, US
In 2018, there are more than 30 areas at the very least, electric cars News & World Report, and more. She is
electrified models available nationwide. are going to be a major presence on the author of the recently published mono-
That includes everything from purely the roads. Just as they were 100 years graph Lightning in a Throttle: Three
electric vehicles, like the Chevy Bolt ago, EVs are clean, quiet, and easy to Early Electric Vehicle Victories.)
and Nissan Leaf, to plug-in hybrids like drive. There’s only three moving parts SOURCES
the Toyota Prius Prime and Chevy Volt, that make the car go, so maintenance https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/
to hybrids like the Kia Niro. And there is minimal. And they have immense mercedes-benz/classic/history/corpo-
are more on the way. Lots more. amounts of torque as soon as you step rate-history/
Every major manufacturer has on the accelerator, which makes the https://www.energy.gov/articles/his-
announced electrification plans for its morning commute more fun. tory-electric-car
fleet by 2030, if not sooner. Volvo will Besides these feel-good factors, a http://web.mit.edu/evt/CleanAirCar-
have electrified versions of all of its couple of hard truths will bring EVs Race.html
vehicles by 2020, and it created a new to more roadways. First, several cities http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls.
brand — Polestar — to build purely and even entire countries have banned com/zap-electric-cars.html
electric performance vehicles. In the internal combustion engines — gaso- http://sparrowcar.com/news/
10 | J U N E 2018KILL Never Lose Electricity Again!
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year White Bear Lake, MN 55110-0748timelines
Your Newsmagazine Through the Years
2008
1998
Penn Lines focuses
on wastewater woes,
and how testing
shows an experimen-
tal treatment system
is a possible solution
to rural Pennsylva-
nia’s wastewater
crisis.
1988
Some consumers
pay more for power
while others pay
less. Major factors
affecting the cost
of electricity are the
source of the supply
and the age of the
supply.
T
he Raystown Hydroelectric Project, which began opera-
tions in June 1988, continues to deliver enough electricity 1978
to power roughly 8,500 average rural homes in an envi- More than 2,000
ronmentally friendly manner. electric cooperative
The 21-megawatt, run-of-river facility is operated by Alleghe- board members and
key staff attend the
ny Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Allegheny), in close cooperation 1978 Legislative
with the Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Conference in
Allegheny is the wholesale power supplier of electricity to 13 Washington, D.C.
electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania and one in New Jersey.
Construction on the site in Huntingdon County began shortly
after a groundbreaking ceremony in August 1986. It involved
building an intake structure on the lake side of Raystown Dam, a
930-foot underground tunnel and a powerhouse for two turbine
generators. A 550-foot steel penstock (pipe) connects the tunnel 1968
to the powerhouse. Almost two-thirds of the powerhouse, which Dairy farmers are
has three levels, is underground. recognized during
The plant continues to be a reliable source of clean energy, “National Dairy
providing approximately 95.5 million kilowatt-hours of electric- Month.” In 1968,
many of the state’s
ity in 2017, representing 2.8 percent of members’ needs for the
67 counties relied
year. heavily on dairying
as their No. 1 agri-
cultural industry.
12 | J U N E 2018YOUR CO-OP
LOGO HERE
Working Touchstone Energy cooperatives work side by side
Side
with member owners to make decisions locally, that
best serve your area. That’s the way they’ve always
done it, and the way they’ll always do it.
by Side
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.
Your source of power. And information.cooperativeconnection
REA Energy
From the President & CEO
Cooperative, Inc.
REA
ENERGY
Look out for scams
One of 14 electric cooperatives By Chad Carrick, MBA, CFPC
serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey
President and CEO
Unfortunately, in today’s world, Energy who needs to collect money
scams seem to be inevitable. Scam- or inspect parts of your property,
mers can threaten you with everything call us to verify they are, in fact, an
from legal action involving the IRS to employee. If they are not, call local
turning off power to your home. REA authorities for assistance and do not
Chad Carrick Energy has informed you of scams that let the individual into your home.
President & CEO
have affected us in the past, and ones There are other types of scams con-
REA Energy Cooperative, Inc. that sometimes still pop up. We want sumers should watch out for:
75 Airport Road • P.O. Box 70
Indiana, PA 15701-0070 all members to be informed and be k Government agencies like the IRS
724-349-4800 • 800-211-5667 aware of any possible scams. will never call to inform you that
Ebensburg District Office Utility scams often involve an indi- you have unpaid taxes or other liens
127 Municipal Road vidual or group posing as an employee against you. You will always receive
Ebensburg, PA 15931
814-472-8570
of your electric cooperative. The scam- this type of information in the mail.
Website: www.reaenergy.com mer may use threatening language If someone calls claiming to be from
Email: reaenergy@reaenergy.com in order to frighten you into offering the IRS, hang up immediately.
Staff your credit card or bank account k If you receive an email from an
Barry Baker information. Don’t fall victim to these unknown sender; an email riddled
Indiana Operations Manager
Erin Bauer types of scams. Understand the threats with spelling errors and typos; or
ACRE Coordinator posed and your best course of action: an email threatening action unless a
Shane Cribbs k If someone calls your home or sum of money is paid, do not click
Network & Systems Manager
Dave Daugherty cellphone demanding you pay your any links provided within the email,
Safety & Right of Way Manager electric bill immediately, gather as and do not respond to the email.
Jeff Dishong much information as you can from Simply delete the email, or send it
Ebensburg Operations Supervisor
Lisa Gardill that individual, hang up the phone to your spam folder.
Accounting & Finance Manager and contact the local authorities. k If someone calls your home claim-
Stacy Patterson-Hilliard, CCC Scammers often use threats and ing to have discovered a virus on
Communications & Marketing Supervisor
Local Pages Editor urgency to pressure you into giving your computer, hang up. This
Chris Masterson them your bank account number caller’s intent is to access personal
Reliability Supervisor or loading a pre-paid credit or debit information you may be keeping on
Patrick McAndrew
Manager of Engineering card. If you have any doubts about your computer.
Bryon Roland your utility bill, contact our mem- REA Energy wants to make sure
Purchasing & Facilities Manager ber services representatives either you avoid any and all types of scams
Brendan Short
Right-of-Way/Forestry Supervisor in person, or over the phone at 724- that could put you or your financial
Renee Spalla 349-4800 or 800-211-5667. information in jeopardy. Please be
Supervisor of Consumer Services k If someone comes to your home aware and vigilant to any strange calls
Chris Weller
Load Management Supervisor claiming to be an employee of REA or emails. l
Outages & Emergencies
1-800-332-7273
724-463-7273
Office Hours
Indiana Office: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Ebensburg Office:
7 - 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
| J U N E 2018 12area energy cooperative, inc
2018 area meetings non-members.
Why do I only have REA for electricity?
Without competition, is REA free to (over-
By Stacy Patterson-Hilliard, CCC, member’s information to a third-party charge) its customers?
Communications & Marketing Supervisor group. These groups that call about In Pennsylvania, no alternative
REA Energy held its yearly area meet- lowering rates get their list from a general suppliers have ever entered cooperative
ings in May. This year, the cooperative database in a geographical area and call service territories to serve cooperative
held area meetings for members residing anyone. If you do get a call from one of consumers, due in large part to compet-
in board Districts 7 and 9 at the Koval- these companies, please tell them that itive cooperative rates. Recognizing that,
chik Convention Complex. Members you belong to an electric cooperative and in 2014, the General Assembly passed
in District 8 attended a meeting at the are unable to switch providers. legislation removing cooperatives from
Carrolltown Banquet Hall. I am looking to install a new electrical the retail market.
Board Chairman Michael Bertolino wel- panel at my home; how do I contact your Is there a site we can go to for tracking
comed members and talked about what it subsidiary? power outages when they occur?
takes to be a board member. To receive a free quote on the cost of The cooperative recently launched an
Following the board address, President upgrading your electric panel and more online outage viewer on its web page,
& CEO Chad Carrick gave a presenta- information, call our subsidiary, REA En- www.reaenergy.com. Members can see the
tion updating members on the financial ergy Services, at 724-349-4800, option 2. total number of outages, the number of
state of the cooperative, operations, new To learn more about all the products and outages per county, number of members
technology, REA Energy Services, and services that REA Energy Services offers, affected, and the cause, if known.
Touchstone Energy. visit www.reaservices.com. Why do we have to pay a monthly base
Members attending the meeting took Are the new meters considered to be charge?
advantage of the opportunity to look at smart meters? The service charge has been a part of
displays of the products that our for-prof- In 2009, REA Energy, in accordance members’ bills for decades. This service
it subsidiary, REA Energy Services, Inc., with Act 129, began to install automated charge is to cover the cost of providing
offers. This subsidiary was formed in meters, which are often referred to as electric service to our members, includ-
1999 to help offset cooperative costs, as “smart meters.” The meters REA Energy ing the upkeep of the electrical system,
well as give the members an opportunity uses allow us to read a member’s meter such as lines, poles, meters and substa-
to purchase quality products at excellent and check on voltage, ampere, and peak- tions.
prices. ing information. Our meters also help Why do our lights blink sometimes?
When members return their res- streamline our storm management pro- There are several reasons that may
ervations to attend the area meeting, cess by showing what members are out of cause your service to blink. These include
they have the opportunity to include a power and pinpointing outage locations. a tree on the line, failing equipment or an
question on the slip. Following are some Are all tree trimming services sub-con- increase in electrical load from a commer-
questions: tracted out to other agencies? cial account. If a problem persists, please
Why do we get calls on lowering our Yes, REA Energy’s trained tree con- call 724-349-4800.
electric bill and when I say we are on tractors are experienced with removing I want to pay my bill online, how do I
REA, they hang up? Did you give them and trimming trees to industry stan- set this up?
our phone number? dards. We offer competitive and safe tree To sign up for the online member
REA Energy will never provide any maintenance services to all members and portal, visit www.reaenergy.com and click
on the link for the member portal. From
there, you will be redirected to a page
that contains a link to click to “Sign Up.”
After filling in the information at the
bottom of the page and submitting valid
data, your User ID is created. You can
then log in using your User ID.
Is REA Energy exploring any possible
internet connections for members?
REA Energy is always looking for ways
to provide more value-added services to
our members. We are currently looking
to perform a feasibility study on offering
broadband service to our members. Stay
tuned for more information later!
The board would like to invite all
members to join us at our 81st annual
meeting on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT: REA members visit displays to learn more about products offered by the Kovalchick Convention Complex. We
the cooperative and its subsidiary. hope to see you there. l
12b | J U N E 2018Have you been using your Co-op Connections Card?
In 2012, REA Energy joined a nationwide alliance called Touchstone Energy, adding a val-
ue-added product to you in addition to our commitment to providing safe, reliable, and afforda-
ble electricity.
We are always looking for ways to provide value to our members and our community, espe-
cially during tough economic times. REA Energy’s Co-op Connections Card is a money-saving
tool we’re proud to offer our membership. The card connects you with discounts on everything
from hotel stays to prescription drugs.
A wide variety of merchants throughout our community accept the card, including Yanov’s
Bait and Tackle in Portage and Indian Springs Eye Associates in Indiana. Be sure to mention
your card to receive your discount.
Our hope is that our local businesses participating in the Co-op Connections Card program
continue to benefit from increased traffic from our members. Businesses can sign up for the
program at no cost. For a complete list of all participating businesses in our area, simply log on
to our website, www.reaenergy.com, and follow the Co-op Connections Card link.
The card also gives you access to online sav-
ings at many national retailers. You can check
out these great national discounts at
www.connections.coop.
Perhaps one of the most valuable features
of the Co-op Connections Card is the pharmacy
discount. While it is not an insurance card, the
discount can mean savings of 10 to 60 percent on
prescription drugs. The logo and information on
the back of your card is recognized at more than
60,000 national, regional, and local pharmacies.
The pharmacy discount has been widely
used by members of Touchstone Energy co-ops across the country. In fact, REA Energy members
to date have saved over $42,000; that’s an average of over $7,000 in savings per year!
Want to find out more? Log on to https://www.mymemberportal.com/#/Login to search for
pharmacies in our area that honor the card.
As a Touchstone Energy co-op, REA Energy strives to serve our members according to four
core values: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. Our Co-op Con-
nections Card is one of the ways we live up to those values.
We’re eager to answer any questions you have about the card and how to take advantage of
the discounts it provides. Call us at 724-349-4800 to find out more, or log onto www.reaenergy.com.
Right-of-way management and facility construction news REA Energy offices
REA Energy contractors will be completing tree-trimming work in the following areas
in June: will be closed on
k C ontractor crews from Asplundh Tree Expert Co. will be trimming the rights-of- Wednesday, July 4,
way of the Kenwood Substation and Indiana North Substation areas, in addition
to emergency maintenance areas. Crews from Penn Line Service, Inc. will be 2018, in observance
trimming the right-of-way of the Uniontown Substation area. of Independence Day.
Notification of work will be made to members in the areas affected. Contractors will
perform all right-of-way work per REA Energy specifications. All contractor employees Power outages can be
will carry employee identification cards and their vehicles will display their company reported by calling
name.
If you have any questions, call 724-349-4800, or view the specifications at: 724-463-7273 or
www.reaenergy.com. 800-332-7273.
| J U N E 2018 12crea energy cooperative, inc
Offering Quality Products to you Since 1999
Safety Specialists
Comfort and Air Quality Consultants
Full-Service Electrical Contractors and Generator Installation
Geothermal & Air Source Heat Pumps, Furnaces,
Boilers & Air Conditioners
Whole-House Surge Protection
For details, visit our website at: www.reaservices.com
Email: reaservices@reaservices.com or call 724-349-4800 or 1-800-211-5667
**REA Energy Services uses
names you can trust.**
PA007896
Your Board of Directors
Michael J. Bertolino Wayne Farabaugh Robert P. Neese Herman Blakley Sam Eckenrod Anthony Enciso Howard Terndrup 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
12d | J U N E 2018techtrends
Meet the electric John Deere
By Kaley Lockwood
G
reen and yellow are arguably
the second-most American set
of colors, behind red, white
and blue of course. This rings true
particularly for those who operate John
Deere machinery on a daily basis.
Technology in recent years has been
the catalyst for the boom and bust of
many industries. In the past decade or
so, advancements in farming technol-
ogy have primarily been focused on
automation and precision, but with the
automobile industry moving toward
electric vehicles, the agriculture indus-
try is following suit.
John Deere (the brand name of Deere
& Co., a U.S. corporation that manu-
factures tractors and other machinery)
showcased the first, fully battery-pow- THE FUTURE OF TRACTORS: Nicknamed SESAM, for Sustainable Energy Supply for Agricultural
Machinery, this all-electric tractor is modeled after John Deere’s 6R series tractors. John Deere show-
ered tractor in 2017 at SIMA, an interna-
cased its first, full battery-powered tractor at an agribusiness trade show in Paris in 2017.
tional agribusiness trade show in Paris.
Nicknamed SESAM, for Sustainable may have a capacity of up to 75 kilo- This push toward electrification of
Energy Supply for Agricultural Machin- watt-hours (kWh) of battery storage, farm machinery in lieu of using fossil
ery, this all-electric tractor is modeled providing a range of about 310 miles. fuels directly supports the “environ-
after John Deere’s 6R series tractors. The SESAM has a capacity of 130 kWh mentally beneficial electrification”
In a press release by John Deere, with a range of about 34 miles, which movement. This concept, which
SESAM is said to have all of the same means this tractor uses a lot more elec- involves technological innovations that
“features and functionality of a ‘conven- tricity in a shorter period of time. are creating new ways to use electricity
tional’ tractor while offering the benefits In order for the SESAM to take off, as a substitute for onsite fossil fuels like
of electric power.” This emissions-free the battery capacity will need to expand natural gas, propane, gasoline and fuel
tractor runs at a lower noise level than to support the dawn-to-dusk longevity oil, is gaining traction among a growing
other traditional tractors and is operated of farm work. In fact, the president & number of groups in the U.S., including
using two independent electric motors. CEO of Autonomous Tractor Corpo- local electric cooperatives. Frequently
The electrification of this tractor simpli- ration, Kraig Schulz, says a 200-horse- promoted as a means of reducing
fies the moving parts and thus greatly power electric tractor would hypotheti- greenhouse gases and helping the envi-
reduces the need for maintenance. cally need about 1,500 kWh of batteries ronment, beneficial electrification also
These two motors power an adapted to complete a full day’s work. helps consumers by providing products
DirectDrive transmission, producing Although SESAM’s battery technol- that are cleaner, quieter and easier to
130 kilowatts of continuous power ogy may not yet be practical for a full maintain. John Deere’s SESAM tractor
with a peak output of 400 horsepower, day of farming, the all-electric tractor does just that. l
according to Farm-Equipment.com. The is an exciting development for the agri- Kaley Lockwood writes on cooperative
website also notes the tractor takes three culture industry. issues for the National Rural Electric
hours to fully charge and can run up John Deere notes in a press release, Cooperative Association, the Arlington,
to four hours in the field with speeds “The SESAM tractor is a major part of Va.-based service arm of the nation’s
ranging from 2 to 30 miles per hour. John Deere’s vision of the energy-inde- 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit
As a comparison, the Tesla model 3 pendent farm of the future.” electric cooperatives.
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White Bear Lake, MN 55110-0748Photo by Kristen Hall-Geisler
Going
GETTING A CHARGE: Instead of being fueled
with gasoline, this Chevy Bolt is connected
to a charging station. Adams EC member Jay
McGinnis drives a similar 2017 model, which
has an advertised range of 240 miles before it
needs to be charged.
electric
He even drove the 90 miles from
New Park, Pa., to Philadelphia over
the winter. Although he thinks he
could have returned home with room
to spare, he chose to charge it up in
the city, using a phone app that lets
Drivers share experiences with EVs, hybrids drivers know the location of charging
stations and if they are currently in
By Kathy Hackleman use.
Senior Editor/Writer “When it gets cold and you are
using the heater, your battery doesn’t
J ay McGinnis can’t remember when he first became interested in energy effi-
ciency. He heats and cools his home and adjacent business — Woolen Mill Fan
Company — in southern York County with a 21-kilowatt solar system, and his
hold as long, so your range diminish-
es,” he says.
He has a charging station at home,
“yard art” includes a number of restored, antique windmills. and his solar system typically gen-
erates enough energy to offset his
And since 2012, McGinnis, a mem- a couple of years later, he traded it for a residential, business, and car-charging
ber of Gettysburg-based Adams Electric newer model with an 80-mile range. needs.
Cooperative (EC), has been a commit- “I still had ‘range anxiety,’” he says, “I don’t imagine myself going back
ted electric car enthusiast. That’s when “so last August, I bought a 2017 to an all-gas car,” McGinnis says. “I
he bought his first electric car — a Chevy Bolt with an advertised range of think electric cars are the wave of the
2011 Nissan Leaf. He soon found that 240 miles. Since then, I have driven it future … I do have a regular pickup
even though it had been advertised as 10,000 miles. With this car, I can get if I have to go long distances, so I
having a 100-mile range, he could go to Lancaster or Baltimore and back, don’t have to figure out a route with
only about 60 miles on a full charge, so piece of cake.” charging stations.”
16 | J U N E 2018and from work to get the made sense for me to drive it.”
best mileage.” At first, Kuhstos was a bit skeptical
He also reports the about how the small SUV would do as
vehicle requires a me- he is regularly on the road traveling
chanic who is trained through Valley REC’s eight-county
and certified on hybrid territory, often in bad weather, but he
technologies, and it sits has been pleasantly surprised.
low to the ground so “About six years ago, I was out on
oncoming headlights a back road in the middle of nowhere
bother him at night. In and they had not plowed the road,” he
addition, his Prius has a recalls. “I came on about 6 or 8 inches
maximum maintainable of snow and it just blew right through
cabin temperature of 50 it. It did really well.”
degrees plus the outside He does make a mental note to be
temperature, which he on high alert for pedestrians because
has found isn’t high the vehicle does not make any sound
enough to be comfort- when it is operating in battery mode.
able in winters that can “If you are in a busy parking lot
dip into the frigid nega- or you are not paying attention, just
READY TO GO: Travis Kuhstos, staff energy specialist and demand tive double digits. strolling through the parking lot, it
response program manager at Valley REC, drives the cooperative’s
2010 Ford Escape hybrid as he travels to members’ homes.
But he has found the could scare you because you don’t hear
pluses far outweigh the it coming,” Kuhstos says. “I make sure
minuses. my headlights and fog lights are on,
Savings “I was tired of mundane cars,” he and as a driver, I try to be especially
Rian Doubet, the energy solutions says. “I wanted a fun car. Its computer aware of pedestrians because the Es-
representative at Cambridge Springs- screen reminds me of playing a video cape is so quiet.”
based Northwestern Rural Electric game, and it keeps me entertained com- But all in all, he’s impressed.
Cooperative (REC), agrees that the peting against my own mileage. I even “It’s very reliable and it has surprised
future of “different” vehicles is here. In talked my neighbor into buying one, me with its overall power,” Kuhstos
Doubet’s case, it’s a hybrid that caught and we have a weekly pool to see who says. “All of my original concerns have
his eye — and benefitted his wallet. came out with better gas mileage.” been met with surprise — in a good
Doubet purchased a 2012 Prius C Doubet notes his first experience way.” l
with 42,000 miles on it in February in driving a hybrid was
2015. Since then, he’s put more than at work at Northwestern
50,000 miles on it. When he uses REC, where the cooper-
his vehicle’s comparison software to ative has maintained a
equate what it has cost him to drive hybrid in its vehicle fleet
his Prius compared to his 2004 Silver- for several years.
ado 1500, he figures he has saved right
at 2,000 gallons of fuel (as of mid- Efficiency
April), a significant chunk of change. Travis Kuhstos, staff en-
“I estimate that I should save close ergy specialist and demand
to the entire purchase cost of the Prius response program manager
in fuel savings by the end of the loan at Huntingdon-based Val-
term, leaving me with a ‘free’ vehicle,” ley REC, regularly drives a
Doubet says. 2010 Ford Escape hybrid
While he is pleased to be saving thanks to his employer’s in-
money, Doubet notes a few downsides terest in energy efficiency.
potential buyers should consider. “We wanted to practice
“A different driving style is required what we preach,” Kuhstos
to achieve 50-plus miles per gallon,” says. “We want to show we
he cautions. “I have to keep it under are energy conscious and PERSONAL USE: Rian Doubet, energy solutions representative
42 miles per hour for it to go into at Northwestern REC, (shown with his daughter, Kaydanse, 12)
concerned about energy
drives a Prius hybrid. His first experience with driving a hybrid
battery mode; 35 is the ideal cruising efficiency, and since I am was at work, but he quickly transitioned into driving one for per-
speed, so I have mapped out a route to the energy specialist, it sonal use.
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