In the neighborhood - PLUS - Co-ops invest in their communities - REA Energy Cooperative
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O CTOB E R 2 0 2 1
TH E M AGA Z I N E YO U C O M E H O M E TO
In the neighborhood
Co-ops invest in their communities
PLUS
Heat pump options
Johnny Appleseed
Cooperative scholars
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OCTOBER 2021
Contents
Vol. 56 • No. 10 4 Keeping Current
Editor
News from across
Peter A. Fitzgerald the Commonwealth
Senior Editor/Writer
Katherine Hackleman 6 E nergy Matters
Energy industry seeking
Associate Editor digital experts
Michael T. Crawford
Layout & Design 8 eature: In the
f
W. Douglas Shirk neighborhood 8
production coordinator Co-ops invest in their
Michelle M. Smith communities
Contributing Columnists
John Kasun 12 S mart circuits
Anne M. Kirchner Which heat pump option is right
George Weigel for my home?
Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazine 14 power plants
of Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is published Can deer and gardeners coexist?
monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Associa-
tion, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg,
PA 17108-1266. Penn Lines helps 166,000 house- 16 Time Lines
14
holds of co-op consumer-members understand issues Your newsmagazine
that affect the electric cooperative program, their local
co-ops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops are not-
through the years
for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed, and tax-
paying electric utilities. Penn Lines is not responsible 16a Cooperative
for unsolicited manuscripts. The opinions expressed
in Penn Lines do not necessarily reflect those of the
Connection
editors, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, or Information and advice from
local electric distribution cooperatives. your local electric cooperative
Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.39 per
year through their local electric distribution coopera- 18 COUNTRY KITCHEN
tive. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg, The legend of Johnny Appleseed
PA 17107 and additional mailing offices. POST-
MASTER: Send address changes with mailing label
to Penn Lines, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266,
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266.
24 eature: Cooperative
f 18
scholars
Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks prior to Winners of statewide electric
month of issue. Ad rates upon request. Acceptance cooperative scholarships
of advertising by Penn Lines does not imply endorse-
ment of the product or services by the publisher or announced
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
26 TECH TRENDS
1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines reserves The pros and cons of app-enabled
the right to refuse any advertising. lighting options
28 Classifieds
30 Punch Lines 31
Modern marvels
ON THE COVER
Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural Electric 31 ural Reflections
R
From donations to
Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls; Vice Chairman, Last call for 2021 photos
Tim Burkett; Secretary, Barbara Miller; Treasurer, education, Pennsylvania’s
Rick Shope; President & CEO, Frank M. Betley electric cooperatives have
© 2021 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association.
a long history of supporting
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part their communities.
without written permission is prohibited. Photos courtesy of Adams
Electric Cooperative, Valley
Visit with us at Penn Lines Online, Rural Electric Cooperative
located at: www.prea.com/penn-lines- and Somerset Rural
magazine. Penn Lines Online provides an Electric Cooperative
email link to Penn Lines editorial staff,
information on advertising rates, and an
archive of past issues.
| O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1 3
keepingcurrent
News from across the Commonwealth
will affect pieces of mail that have to
Forecasters predict ‘vibrant’ fall foliage season go farther, from coast to coast or far
Sweater weather is here. If that and the return of pumpkin-spice everything aren’t reaches of the U.S.
enough to put you in the mood for fall, there’s more: Weather forecasters are calling for In August, USPS also raised rates on
a jaw-dropping display of autumn leaves. first-class stamps from 55 to 58 cents.
Mark your calendar for the week of Oct. 18, The price hikes cover first-class mail,
which is expected to be the peak time for
magazines and marketing mailers.
leaf-peeping in much of Pennsylvania, accord-
ing to the 2021 fall foliage prediction map on
SmokyMountains.com.
Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather’s lead long-range
forecaster, said that in Pennsylvania, the northern
Mid-Atlantic, southern New England and the Ohio
Valley “rainfall has averaged near to above normal
this summer, and colors can be vibrant.”
This fall forecast is much different than what happened in 2020 — and that’s good
news.
“Last year, trees became stressed later in the summer in parts of the Northeast due
to a couple of extended periods of dryness,” Pastelok said. “As a result, there were
early leaf droppings, and the brightness was OK, but not great.”
The major factors that determine the fall foliage peak are sunlight, precipitation, soil
moisture and temperature. Experts are predicting leaves will peak later than usual this
year due to prolonged drought conditions across much of the United States.
Agriculture officials
And while the foliage forecast is looking pretty good, Pastelok is cautiously opti- seek more federal funding
mistic. He warns if a windy tropical storm hits Pennsylvania around the same time as to help farmers improve
its skylines are expected to be ablaze in reds, oranges, and yellows, it could blow the water quality
leaves away and extinguish the view. The Wolf Administration and officials
in the five other states in the Chesapeake
‘Uncomfortable’ postal however, that the plan will cut about Bay Watershed are urging the federal
changes could slow $160 billion in predicted losses at the government to spend $737 million over
delivery of Penn Lines agency over the next decade. the next 10 years to help farmers with
Penn Lines and other periodicals The move changes the standard their efforts to improve the environ-
could arrive in mailboxes later than timeframe for delivering first-class ment and water quality.
usual now that the U.S. Postal Service letters, flat envelopes and periodicals The funding, channeled through the
(USPS) has finalized a plan that aims from a one-to-three-day window to a proposed Chesapeake Bay Resilient
to cut costs by slowing some mail one-to-five-day window for mail sent Farms Initiative (CRFI), would sup-
deliveries. within the contiguous United States. port farmers trying to limit the amount
The new The slower timeframe will allow of nitrogen from their operations.
delivery guide- USPS to shift delivery service away Nitrogen and other nutrients, such
lines went into from air transportation, which officials as phosphorus, are a leading cause of
effect Oct. 1, and have said is less reliable and more nonpoint pollution in the bay. Agricul-
Postmaster Gen- costly, to ground transportation. ture officials have said the extra federal
eral Louis DeJoy Despite the changes, most first-class funding is crucial as the six bay states
said the changes mail — an estimated 70% — will still work to restore the waterway and meet
would be “un- arrive in under three days, according federally imposed pollution-reduction
comfortable.” to a USPS notice published in the goals by 2025.
He estimated, Federal Register. In general, the delays (continues on page 22)
4 | O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1
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energymatters
Energy industry seeking digital experts
By Paul Wesslund
K
eeping your lights on has not only to protect co-op members and
always been a high-tech job, business information but also to make
but now it’s gone even higher. sure the electric supply is safe and
Central Rural Electric Cooperative
If you need proof, take a look at the secure.
new job titles electric co-ops are hoping The new role of a “data scientist”
to fill, like data scientist and cybersecu- is to determine how to use all that
rity analyst. information coming in from the smart
grid. Banunarayanan offers an example
Even lineworkers are adding to of what a data scientist might do: The
their skills as more homeowners install reports of electricity use coming into
renewable energy sources and sell the the co-op’s computers could reveal
excess electricity back to the co-op — that several members start charging
along power lines that used to only AN EVOLUTION: Electric cooperatives are
their electric vehicles every day around
carry electricity in one direction. experiencing a workforce evolution, which is a 5 p.m. That puts extra demand on the
“When lineworkers go out to fix a result of emerging energy trends, including new utility when it’s already at peak use.
problem, they need to make sure they patterns in the flow of electricity and the explo- A data scientist looking at those num-
sion of digital technology. With all the new data
understand if there are private power and technologies, co-ops will have new career
bers could recommend a special rate
generating sources so they can operate roles to fill. to encourage electric vehicle owners
in a safe manner,” says Venkat Banun- to start charging after 10 p.m. when
arayanan, vice president of Integrated It’s called the smart grid. overall energy use isn’t so high. Or
Grid Business & Technology Strategies Over the past couple decades, power they might recommend updating the
with the National Rural Electric Coop- lines have been increasingly carrying utility’s transformers to handle the
erative Association (NRECA). not just power, but tons of data. The heavier use.
Banunarayanan describes a “work- meter at your home is much more Those new careers — and, yes, you
force evolution” in electric co-ops that’s sophisticated at recording and reporting can go to school for a degree in data
resulting from two powerful trends: your energy use. Attached to overhead analytics — will also mean changes in
new patterns in the flow of electricity power lines are tennis-shoe-sized boxes other parts of the co-op. Managers of
and the explosion of digital technology. called sensors that monitor the perfor- these new employees will be supervising
The radical idea of renewable energy mance of the wires and send that info more jobs that can be done remotely
generation owners selling electricity back to your electric co-op. and at any time of the day or night.
back to the utility is just one of the new Investments in developing the smart Banunarayanan says that adapting to
dynamics affecting the nation’s grid of grid in the U.S. have more than doubled a different workforce will mean a new
electric poles and wires. The rapid rise in the past six years, from $3.5 billion in era for co-op management, too, as they
in renewable energy complicates utility 2014 to $7.8 billion in 2020, according recruit and supervise not just a new
planning when solar power suddenly to the analysis company Statista, and generation of workers, but also a new
stops at sundown or calm weather cuts it expects that figure to nearly double generation of work. l
wind-farm energy generation. again by 2024, to $13.8 billion. Paul Wesslund writes on consumer and
Electric co-ops are also preparing for That money means new jobs. A cooperative affairs for the National Rural
the effects of a lot more people charging report by the Energy Futures Initiative Electric Cooperative Association, the
up electric vehicles at home as every found that energy jobs grew at twice national trade association representing
major car company has announced the rate of the overall economy from more than 900 local electric cooperatives.
plans for electric cars and trucks. 2015 to 2019. From growing suburbs to remote farm-
If coordinating this new world of Parts of the smart grid rely on the ing communities, electric co-ops serve
electricity sounds impossibly compli- internet so that means growth in jobs as engines of economic development for
cated, the almost-as-new world of infor- related to cybersecurity. Specialists are 42 million Americans across 56% of the
mation technology offers a solution. needed to guard against cyberthreats, nation’s landscape.
6 | O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1
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In the neighborhood
Co-ops invest in their communities
R
ural electric cooperatives By Michael T. Crawford LIFE-GIVING DONATION: Valley REC lineman
exist to improve the quality of Jason Wilson donates blood inside an American
Associate Editor Red Cross bloodmobile during an August 2019
consumer-members’ lives. These blood drive hosted in the parking lot of the
community-led organizations do so cooperative’s headquarters. The drive was not
daily by delivering safe electricity to cooperatives regularly seek ways to held in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19 con-
rural America at the most affordable help the people they serve. cerns, but the cooperative plans to resume the
event in 2022.
rate possible. “The third leg of our mission state-
ment at the cooperative is improving Community Park in Adams County.
A cooperative’s efforts, however, the quality of life in the communities The cooperative, a “platinum” cam-
don’t begin and end at the fuse box. we serve,” says Sarah Frank, commu- paign sponsor of the park, has contrib-
Each October, electric cooperatives nications/community relations coordi- uted to every phase of its three-stage
across the country observe National nator at Gettysburg-based Adams Elec- construction.
Co-op Month and reflect on the tric Cooperative (EC). “Whether it’s “It was an area that did not have
importance of the Rochdale Principles, through direct donations, whether it’s a park at that time, and it was not
often referred to as the seven pillars through donations in kind — donating only going to be a park but it was
that form the foundation for every kind poles … that sort of thing — we’re also going to include a walking path,
of cooperative. Concern for community going to do anything in our power to fitness center, the butterfly garden —
is one of those pillars, but cooperatives help improve this community.” it was something that would appeal to
rarely wait until the 10th month of Adams EC has been working to our members, young and old,” Frank
the year to act on this principle — fulfill this mission at the Hamiltonban explains. “It was an area where we
8 | O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1
serve the entirety of the area, so it was Kilmer and were able to ask Keller $1,000 each for civic and community
something we thought could have questions — just like they would have programs — one, for instance, covered
broad reach.” in Washington, D.C. At the end of the the cost of new radios for a local fire
evening, Claverack REC surprised the company — and education, such as
Civic education students with a stipend that could be providing protective iPad covers for a
Nationally, rural electric coopera- used for any education-related expenses, local school. The cooperative awards
tives achieve broad reach by contrib- such as tools, books or tuition. up to $500 for energy-assistance grants
uting to the civic education of their to those who have fallen on hard times
young people. Through the Rural Community aid — such as job loss or illness — and
Electric Youth Tour, cooperatives Like the impact of the pandemic on are struggling to meet their electric
across the country have sponsored a Youth Tour, problems can often land at bills.
weeklong trip to the nation’s capital our feet with little warning. Coopera- But, sometimes, life deals a hand
for high school students since the tives get it. In fact, many have pro- that can’t be covered by a few hundred
late 1950s. Pennsylvania Youth Tour grams in place to help members. dollars, and in those cases, it’s not
participants meet with congressional Through its Community Service just a concern for community, but a
representatives from their state, tour Grant, Huntingdon-based Valley REC concerned community that comes to
national monuments and memorials, provides up to $2,500 to organiza- the rescue.
and visit the National Zoo and the tions and individuals in times of need. The Valley REC Benefit Golf Outing
Photo by Doug Roles, Valley REC
Smithsonian Institution. Funded through unclaimed capital raises money for community members
The global COVID-19 pandemic credits, the grant is broken into three who have fallen on hard times due
interrupted that decades-long tra- categories: energy assistance, civic and to injury or illness. While the coop-
dition. While the 2021 Youth Tour community programs, and education. erative hosts smaller, sandwich-sale
was canceled early in the year due to The grant program awards up to fundraisers throughout the year, the
uncertainty about the pandemic, the
2020 Youth Tour was canceled only
after cooperatives across the Common-
wealth had already selected students
and shared details of the program with
them.
“I tried to soften the blow by sending
sweatshirts and mugs and lunch bags
and any other kind of items we had
here … along with the letter that it
was canceled,” says Karen Evangelisti,
member service quality specialist for
Wysox-based Claverack Rural Electric
Cooperative (REC).
“We felt compelled to really do
something to make it up to them,”
Evangelisti recalls. “One of the biggest
highlights of the trip [for students] has
always been going to Capitol Hill and
being able to meet their congressman,
and they were going to miss that. If
we could bring that opportunity to
them, we thought that would be really
meaningful.”
The cooperative reached out to its
congressman, U.S. Rep. Fred Keller
(R-12th), and coordinated a social-
ly-distanced dinner at the cooperative’s
office. The cooperative’s seven Youth
Tour students chosen for 2020 and YOUTH TOUR: Pennsylvania and New Jersey students, chosen by electric cooperatives in both
their parents met with now-retired states, sit on the steps of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial during the 2016 Rural Electric Youth Tour in
Claverack REC President & CEO Bobbi Washington, D.C.
| O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1 9
golf outing raises tens of thousands of The outing got its start in 2010, when
dollars each year for its beneficiaries. Travis Kuhstos, staff energy special-
This year, the cooperative raised ap- ist for Valley REC, floated the idea of
proximately $30,000, which was split creating a health and wellness program
between two recipients: River Trout- for cooperative employees. The idea
man, a high school junior battling led to the formation of a health and
lymphoma, and Hannah Johns, who fitness committee that hosted events
has Cat Eye Syndrome. like salad/wrap lunch days or bicycle
“It was incredibly hot that day, but rides, to name a few. Two years later,
everyone still showed up to golf,” the committee held the cooperative’s
recalls Jamie Johns, mother of first golf outing.
Hannah, who celebrates her first birth- The golf event now has its own com-
day this month. “I was overwhelmed mittee, which nominates people to be
with gratitude. It really was an beneficiaries based on stories they have
emotional day. It’s been a challenging heard within the community. Committee
journey, but it’s really brought out the members typically choose someone
Photos by Doug Roles, Valley REC
goodness in people.” facing a serious illness, such as cancer,
or who has suffered serious injury. All
TEE UP: At left, John Fogelsonger, Valley REC funds raised from the outing, after
crew leader and journeyman lineman, takes a
practice swing at the Valley REC Benefit Golf
expenses, go directly to recipients. In
Outing. The event has been held annually since its 10-year run, the golf outing has
2012 to raise money for members of the com- raised nearly $240,000.
munity who have fallen on hard times. Below, “Our recipients over the years have
employees from Valley REC wait for the outing
to begin.
been in a range of circumstances as far
10 | O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1only about 200 of them. Now, we’ve
got all day on Tuesday and the rest of
the week for those who don’t make the
annual meeting.”
The transition from a high school
auditorium to a local fair has roughly
quintupled attendance at the cooper-
ative’s annual meeting — more than
1,000 consumer-members registered
for the 2021 Tri-County REC Annu-
al Meeting in late July — bringing a
surge of business to local vendors in a
single day.
Photo by Sarah Frank, Adams EC
Consumer-members who visit the
cooperative at the annual meeting
receive $25 in food coupons that can be
spent with food vendors at the fair. In
addition to making up for the meal that
would have been provided to consumer-
members under the old annual meeting
model, it provides an economic boost
POWERFUL CONNECTION: A bridge constructed in part from electric poles donated by Adams
to the community — in this case, more
Electric Cooperative connects parts of the walking path at Hamiltonban Community Park. than $25,000 from member attendance
alone. The cooperative also donated
as their health concerns and financial support. It helps the community come $1,000 worth of coupons to the 4-H
needs,” says Doug Roles, vice pres- together to show support for a family. animal auction, which gave $5 of
ident of member services at Valley “There’s no perfect process to doing coupons to registered bidders, and the
REC. “We’ve had people who are bene- good,” he adds, “but we think we have co-op even bid on a pig.
ficiaries and both their parents work a pretty good process in place.” “The first year we had some hiccups
and they’re insured, but there are costs in the way we did things. The fol-
that are always not covered.” Fair game lowing year we corrected a couple of
Valley REC held this year’s golf out- Sometimes the process is as simple things, and had a much better recep-
ing in August, delayed from its usual as a little shake-up of tradition. Man- tion,” Berguson recalls. “Now, they’re
late-June date due to the pandemic. sfield-based Tri-County REC broke looking for us and making sure we
The outing consists of a morning and from a long-standing tradition in 2016, return because we’re bringing … so
afternoon flight, with between 36 and holding its annual meeting in Alparon many people that wouldn’t normally
40 teams, and attracts donors and Park at the Troy Fair instead of using be there and spending all the food
sponsors from local businesses and the Williamson High School in Tioga. coupons that we give them.”
vendors who work with the coopera- “We’ve always talked about getting Following the cooperative’s annual
tive. This past year, a combination of more members to attend, so I sug- meeting, Tri-County REC stays at the
more than 100 businesses and indi- gested doing something at one of the fair for the whole week to meet with
viduals sponsored and donated to the local fairs, and we came up with a members, perform safety demonstra-
event. plan to try something out,” says Bryan tions and — this year — to share its
“Valley looks at the tournament Berguson, director of member services high-speed internet with fairgoers. The
as a way to provide [an avenue] for at Tri-County REC. “We used to spend cooperative’s internet subsidiary, Tri-Co
people to be involved and lend a two days setting up the annual meet- Connections, repaired the Alparon Park
hand to families who are facing tough ing. You had about two hours’ worth internet set-up to establish a stable,
circumstances,” Roles explains. “A of time in the morning for people to wireless connection for online registra-
lot of times the reason people will get come in and register and talk to them. tion at the annual meeting, but allowed
involved is because it’s something they The meeting itself was two hours long, anyone visiting the fair to use it.
can do. A cancer diagnosis can make and then you had lunch afterward for “It was really cool to see how well
people feel helpless, powerless, like an hour, so you really had only about everybody worked together and got
they can’t do anything. The tourna- three hours with the members that you people moving through there without
ment provides a way for people to could talk to them. It wasn’t good time any hiccups at all,” Berguson says. “It
take some kind of action, and it shows — it was rushed — and there were was an incredible day.” l
| O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1 11smartcircuits
Which heat pump option is right
for my home?
By Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen
D
ear Pat and Brad: I’ve heard
heat pumps can be a good
alternative for heating my
home, but it looks like there are several
types available. Can you explain the
most common options? — Brett
Dear Brett: I think it’s a good idea to
consider a heat pump for your home.
The technology has improved a lot over
the past 10 to 20 years, and is likely
to be at least 20% more efficient than
what you have now.
Here are a few options:
1. Ducted heat pump
If your home has a forced-air furnace,
a centralized, air-source heat pump can
work well. A compressor outside your
home that looks like an A/C unit is
connected to your home’s existing duct 2. Mini-split heat pump perature remains constant year-round,
system. Like your furnace, the tempera- If your home does not have ductwork typically between 45 degrees and
ture is controlled through one main or the ductwork is poorly designed or 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat is trans-
thermostat. This is a solid solution if leaky, a ductless mini-split heat pump ferred into or out of the ground by
your system has quality ductwork. might be your best bet. With a mini- pipes buried in a loop 10 feet under-
Ductwork in most homes, however, split heat pump, tubes connected to the ground or drilled up to 400 feet into
is not designed to heat or cool every outside compressor carry refrigerant the Earth. The pipes carry water to a
room evenly. Long supply runs provide to one or more air handlers, which are compressor, which uses a refrigerant
little air to some rooms, and it’s typi- mounted high on a wall to distribute air. to transfer the heat to or from your
cal for some rooms to lack return air Thermostats regulate each air handler, home’s ducts.
registers. Also, ductwork is often leaky, providing control of different zones in A geothermal heat pump system is
which creates comfort issues and will the home. extremely energy efficient, but this
render any kind of central heating or In climates that don’t experience efficiency comes with a high price tag,
cooling system much less effective. extreme cold, a ductless heat pump which is the initial cost of installation.
Heat pump efficiency is measured could supply all the heating and cool- I hope this information provides a
in two ways. The heating seasonal ing in a small home. They are often good starting point in your research of
performance factor (HSPF) rating used in combination with a central heat pumps. Check with your local elec-
measures heating efficiency, and the heating and cooling system. Ductless tric co-op for additional guidance. l
seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) mini-splits are an excellent option if Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of
rating measures cooling efficiency. you don’t have central air ducts, your Collaborative Efficiency write on energy
The minimum ratings for a new heat ducts are leaking, or you only want the efficiency topics for the National Rural
pump are HSPF 8.2 and SEER 14. Heat new ductless heat pump to heat or cool Electric Cooperative Association, the
pumps with the Energy Star® rating part of the home. national trade association representing
are significantly more efficient than the 3. Geothermal (or ground-source) more than 900 local electric cooperatives.
minimum standard. The quality of the heat pump For additional energy tips, visit collabora-
installation also matters. Several feet underground, the tem- tiveefficiency.com/energytips.
12 | O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1cooperativeconnection
REA Energy
Guest Column
Cooperative, Inc.
REA
It’s a matter of
ENERGY
(co-op) principles
By Stacy Hilliard, CCC, CKAE
One of 14 electric cooperatives Communications & Marketing Manager
serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey
REA Energy Cooperative, Inc. ACE Hardware, State Farm, REI, Land greater good. In this, we include every-
75 Airport Road • P.O. Box 70 O’Lakes and REA Energy all share one to improve the quality of life and
Indiana, PA 15701-0070 economic opportunity for the entire
724-349-4800 • 800-211-5667 something in common: We’re all coop-
eratives. community. Membership is open to
Ebensburg District Office
127 Municipal Road We may be in different industries, but everyone in our service territory,
Ebensburg, PA 15931 we all share a passion for serving our regardless of race, religion, age, disability,
814-472-8570 gender identity, language, political per-
Website: www.reaenergy.com
members and helping our communities
Email: reaenergy@reaenergy.com thrive. In fact, all cooperatives adhere spective or socioeconomic status.
Staff to the same seven principles that reflect
Barry Baker our core values of honesty, transparen- Democratic member control
Indiana Operations Manager cy, equity, inclusiveness and service to Our co-op is well suited to meet the
Erin Bauer
ACRE Coordinator the greater community good. October needs of our members because we are
Shane Cribbs is National Co-op Month, so this is the locally governed. Each member gets a
Network & Systems Manager perfect time to reflect on these princi- voice and a vote in how the co-op is
Dave Daugherty
Safety & Right of Way Manager ples that have stood the test of time, run, and each voice and vote are equal.
Jeff Dishong but also provide a framework for the Many REA Energy employees live
Ebensburg Operations Supervisor future. Let’s take a look at the first three right here in the communities we
Lisa Gardill
Accounting & Finance Manager cooperative principles. serve. The members of our board of di-
Stacy Hilliard, CCC, CKAE rectors, who help to set long-term pri-
Communications & Marketing Manager Voluntary and open orities for the co-op, also live locally
Local Pages Editor
Chris Masterson membership on co-op lines. These board members
Reliability Supervisor Just like all co-ops, REA Energy was have been elected by neighbors just
Patrick McAndrew
created out of necessity –– to meet a like you. We know our members have
Manager of Engineering
Bryon Roland need that would have been otherwise a valuable perspective, and that’s why
Purchasing & Facilities Manager unmet in our community. So in 1937, we are continually seeking your input,
Brendan Short
a group of neighbors banded together and encourage you to weigh in on
Right-of-Way/Forestry Supervisor
Renee Spalla and organized our electric co-op so important co-op issues and participate
Supervisor of Consumer Services everyone in our community could in co-op elections.
Chris Weller
benefit. For a modest membership Our close connection to this com-
Load Management Supervisor
fee to the co-op, any farmer could munity ensures we get a firsthand
Outages & Emergencies perspective on members’ priorities,
1-800-332-7273 get electricity brought to his farm.
724-463-7273 Neighbors came together to tackle a thereby enabling us to make more
Office Hours problem that they all had but couldn’t informed decisions on long-term
Indiana Office: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. solve alone. They worked together for investments.
Ebensburg Office:
7 - 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. the benefit of the whole community,
Monday - Friday and the newly established electric lines Members’ economic
helped power economic opportunity participation
in our community. As a utility, our mission is to provide
While this history may be forgotten, safe, reliable and affordable energy to
key parts of that heritage remain –– the our members. But as a co-op, we are
focus on our mission and serving the also motivated by service to the com-
(continues on page 16d)
| O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1 16area energy cooperative, inc
Annual meeting wrapup
Stacy Hilliard, CCC, CKAE cooperative, he said, we have had to adjust After welcoming the online participants,
Communications & Marketing Manager our daily routines and activities. However, Carrick said that for members who were
one thing has remained the same: The unable to join the online meeting, the
REA ENERGY Cooperative, Inc. (REA) cooperative is committed to always being cooperative is holding a Member Appre-
held its 84th annual meeting on Thursday, there for our members’ needs while safely ciation Month in October. Starting Oct. 1,
Sept. 16, in an online format. There were and reliably keeping the lights on. members who did not register for the online
273 members who attended the meeting Another decision that had to be meeting can pick up an appreciation gift
virutally. considered this year was how the annual at the cooperative’s offices on a first-come,
Members of the Credentials and Elec- meeting would be conducted, Bertolino told first-served basis, while supplies last.
tions Committee, who witnessed the meet- participants. Initial plans were to hold the Carrick and REA Communications
ing, included Chairman Michael Wirfel, meeting in person. However, due to concern and Marketing Manager Stacy Hilliard
Louise Bendis, John “Tom” Brady, Robert for members’ and employees’ health and also conducted a question-and-answer
Fairman, Dennis Gillespie, Paula Hencel, safety and with COVID-19 cases increasing session. Some of the questions asked by the
R. Michael Keith and Shelby Miller. again in our area, the board decided to members focused on the following topics:
move forward with an online format for the the financial state of the cooperative, power
Election results meeting. supply-caused blinks and outages, products
This year, board Districts 5 and 6 were In 2022, he noted, REA is planning to and services the cooperative’s subsidiary
up for regular election. In both districts, resume in-person meetings and use the offers, power outage restoration, and the
incumbents Robert P. Neese and John R. online format again as well. cooperative’s status on broadband.
Learn ran unopposed and were declared Bertolino closed by saying, “I would
re-elected to their respective districts. like to extend a sincere thank you to the Other business
employees and management of the cooper- Immediately following the business meet-
Cooperative updates ative from the board of directors for a job ing, the board held a reorganization meeting
Board Chairman Michael J. Bertolino well done and for ‘keeping the lights on.’ and elected officers for 2021-2022. They are:
and President & CEO Chad Carrick gave Our board, management and employees Bertolino, chairman; Wayne Farabaugh, vice
presentations regarding the cooperative. would also like to extend a thank you to chairman; and Robert P. Neese, secretary/
Bertolino highlighted the many our membership for your patience and treasurer. Neese was elected as the Allegheny
challenges and uncertainties that we, as understanding. We look forward to con- director representative as part of a two-year
a cooperative and a community, have tinuing to serve you with excellent service term, and Rick Shope will serve as the alter-
faced in the past year and a half. As a now and for years to come.” nate Allegheny director. l
Robert P. Neese John R. Learn
District 5 District 6
REA Energy Cooperative, Inc., Board of Directors
District 1 Tom Beresnyak District 4 Thomas Aurandt District 7 Anthony Enciso
District 2 Rick Shope District 5 Robert P. Neese District 8 Wayne Farabaugh
District 3 Michael J. Bertolino District 6 John R. Learn District 9 Sandra Dill
16b | O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1REA Energy seeks to return
unclaimed capital credits
Because cooperatives put people first, REA Energy’s rates are set up to cover the cost of
doing business. In fact, when revenues exceed costs, you may get money back in the form of
patronage capital.
Patronage capital is the margin that remains after subtracting expenses from revenue each
year. As a not-for-profit cooperative, REA Energy uses the capital to qualify for loans to up-
grade and expand the electrical distribution system. If the board of directors decides the
cooperative’s financial condition permits, a portion of the capital is returned to members in
the form of a check.
In 2018, REA Energy mailed out patronage capital retirement checks to some current and
former members. Some of that money remains unclaimed. If not claimed, REA Energy will
eventually return the money to local communities through various means.
A list of those with unclaimed capital credits is posted on our website, reaenergy.com. If
you know any of the individuals on the list, please contact REA Energy at memberservice@
reaenergy.com, 724-349-4800 or, toll-free, 800-211-5667.
October is National Co-op Month
Being part of a cooperative means being part of something special. REA Energy
will celebrate National Co-op Month in October, along with more than 40,000 other
cooperative businesses serving more than 140 million people nationwide.
This year, REA Energy will be holding a Member Appreciation Month throughout
October. Members who were not able to participate in the online meeting* will need
to present their annual meeting member card (the bottom portion of their annual
meeting notice) to receive a gift packet, which includes a hat, calendar and outdoor
kit. This will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one gift packet per mem-
bership will be given while quantities last. *If you participated in and received the
$10 bill credit for the online meeting, you will not be eligible to receive a gift packet.
In the event that the COVID-19 situation in our area requires the cooperative
to close its lobbies, members will be able to receive their gift packet at the Indiana
drive-thru window. At our Ebensburg office, members will need to come to the front
entrance, and an employee will place the packet outside if the office is closed.
If you have any questions, please visit our website, reaenergy.com, or call our of-
fice at 724-349-4800 or 800-211-5667.
| O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1 16crea energy cooperative, inc
It’s a matter of (co-op) principles
(continued from page 16a)
munity, rather than profits. Members contribute equitably
to and democratically control the capital of REA Energy.
At least part of that capital remains the common property
of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for co-op
programs, initiatives, and capital investments and to sup-
port other activities approved by the membership.
Because we are guided by seven cooperative principles,
it’s not just about dollars –– it’s about opportunity for all
and being fair when engaging with our members. The
cooperative way is a values-based business model.
REA Energy is a reflection of our local community
and its evolving needs. We view our role as a catalyst for
good and making our corner of the world a better place.
And by the way, that sums up the seventh co-op prin-
ciple, “concern for community,” which I’ll elaborate on
next month. l
Right-of-way management/facility
construction news
REA Energy contractors will be completing
tree-trimming work in the following areas for the
month of October:
k Contractor crews from Penn Line Tree
Service will be trimming the rights-of-way
of the Amsbry, Belsano, Reese, Smithport
and Wilmore Substation areas, in addition to
emergency maintenance areas.
Members in the affected areas will be notified.
Contractors will perform all right-of-way work
per REA Energy specifications. All contrac-
tor-employees will carry employee identification
cards and their vehicles will display their com-
pany name.
If you have any questions, call 724-349-4800,
or view the specifications 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.
16d | O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1powerplants
Can deer and gardeners coexist?
By George Weigel
M
any a frustrated gardener will baptisia, barrenwort, betony, bleeding
tell you that there’s one factor heart, brunnera, candytuft, catmint,
that can undo all homework, coreopsis, creeping sedum, Culver’s
planting effort and skillful plant-cod- root, euphorbia, ferns, foamflower, hel-
dling in a single night — that four- leborus, iris, lamium, lavender, leadwort,
legged eating machine known as the ornamental grasses, pachysandra, peony,
white-tailed deer. purple coneflowers, rodgersia, Russian
sage, snakeroot, salvia, sweet woodruff,
A few hungry deer can take down yarrow and yucca.
george weigel
half of a yard’s landscaping in one Annuals: Ageratum, alyssum, ange-
midnight snack raid. They’ve learned lonia, bidens, blue salvia, celosia,
that people aren’t a threat, but rather a heliotrope, lantana, marigold, snap-
sign that tasty vegetation is nearby. dragon, verbena, vinca and zinnia.
OH, DEER: These four-legged eating machines
So how can deer and gardeners make gardening much more “challenging.”
Bulbs: Allium, daffodil, glory-of-the-
coexist? snow, Siberian squill and snowdrops.
The one big advantage we have is evergreens in winter when there’s 4) Fencing and repellents work.
that we’re smarter (allegedly) … and nothing better. Beyond plant selection, the best way to
to a lesser extent, we have access to an Ditto in summer when heat and stop deer is with fencing.
arsenal full of deer-fighting options. drought knock out their lush favorites, Numerous strategies work, including
Here’s what I’ve learned: forcing them to move down the prefer- 8-foot-tall perimeter fences, two shorter
1) Deer are picky. It’s true that ence list. parallel fences, electric fences, spot-fenc-
deer will eat just about anything when 3) There are no deer-proof plants, ing vulnerable trees or shrub groupings,
they’re hungry enough, but they also but there are deer-resistant ones. and even laying crumpled heaps of
have definite preferences. Never assume a plant is 100% safe. chicken wire around bed perimeters.
They start with their usual favorites However, research says these are some All sorts of commercial and home-
(hosta, daylilies, tulips, eastern arbor- of the species that deer rarely bother: made concoctions work to repel deer,
vitae, azaleas, young yews, roses, and Trees: Beech, birch, black gum, dawn whether by nasty smell (rotten eggs,
rhododendrons, to mention a few) and redwood, Japanese maple, katsura, rosemary oil, predator urine, etc.) or
then go down the list until they’re full. kousa dogwood (although deer love the by revolting taste (hot pepper sauce,
The lower you stay on their prefer- fruits), hawthorn, linden, redbud, sassa- garlic, bitter flavorings, etc.). The key
ence list, the better shot you have at fras, serviceberry and stewartia. is to apply the products often enough
them filling up at someone else’s yard. Evergreens: Boxwood, goldthread to keep them fresh and to rotate them
2) Tastes vary. Like people, differ- falsecypress, Japanese plum yew, Jap- so deer don’t get used to any one.
ent deer have different food prefer- anese umbrella pine, inkberry holly, Motion-activated sensors that turn
ences at different times. juniper, leucothoe, pieris, pine, Russian on lights or sprinklers also are very
That explains why deer-resistant cypress, spruce, sweetbox and western effective. Just remember to turn off the
plant lists don’t always agree and why arborvitae. sprinkler before you walk by. l
some people claim that deer never eat, Flowering shrubs: Abelia, bayberry,
say, panicle hydrangeas, while others beautyberry, beautybush, butterfly George Weigel is a Pennsyl-
find that’s the first thing devoured in bush, caryopteris, deutzia, forsythia, vania Certified Horticulturist,
their yard. fothergilla, lilac, spicebush, red-twig author of two books geared
to gardening in Pennsylvania,
Deer also often ignore their least- dogwood, St. Johnswort, most spireas, and garden columnist for The
favorite plants in the growing season summersweet, Virginia sweetspire, most Patriot-News/Pennlive.com
when there’s more to pick from, but viburnums and winterberry holly. in Harrisburg. His website is
georgeweigel.net.
will eat thorn bushes and needled Perennials: Agastache, allium, amsonia,
14 | O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1Cascading
Waters
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| O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1 15timelines
Your Newsmagazine Through the Years
2011
2001
Pennsylvania’s
chapter of the
American Chestnut
Foundation works
diligently to restore
the tree, which was
virtually eradicated by
blight by the mid-
1920s.
1991
Hunting cabins and
cottages comprise
22% of all rural
electric cooperative
accounts in Pennsyl-
vania and New Jersey.
Many members will
soon be out looking
for a “trophy” buck.
P
ennsylvania’s ash trees are perishing thanks to the
emerald ash borer beetle, an invasive species marching 1981
across Pennsylvania in 2011. Penn Lines explores
First identified in southeastern Michigan in 2002 and first a referendum that
detected in Pennsylvania’s Butler County in 2007, the beetle is would create a loan
program to help
thought to have arrived in those areas at least a decade earlier.
finance the revital-
Although no one knows exactly how the emerald ash borer ar- ization and rehabili-
rived in the United States, it’s believed the insect, which is native tation of the state’s
to Asia, found its way here in solid wood packing materials, many community
such as pallets or crates, that were shipped from outside the water systems.
country.
In 2011, experts estimated that Pennsylvania had 300 million
ash trees, the majority of which were in the Commonwealth’s
Northern Tier. All were at risk. 1971
Trying to outwit the emerald ash borer has proven to be an Gov. Milton J. Shapp,
evolving process. Officials have been getting better at it every noting the major role
year, but they acknowledged in 2011 it was a race that the insect cooperatives play in
still seemed to be winning. the economic devel-
A decade ago, some researchers were focusing on how to track opment of Penn-
sylvania, declares
the insect and how to determine if it was in a specific location be- October as “Cooper-
fore the damage was visible. Others were working to find options ative Month.”
to manage the pest through chemical or biological controls.
16 | O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1DEMOCRATIC
MEMBER CONTROL
VOLUNTARY AND
OPEN MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERS’ ECONOMIC
PARTICIPATION
Cooperatives are democratic
organizations controlled by their
members, who actively participate in
Cooperatives are voluntary setting policies and making decisions.
organizations open to all persons The elected representatives are
able to use their services and accountable to the membership. In Members contribute equitably to,
willing to accept the responsibilities primary cooperatives, members have and democratically control, the
of membership, without gender, equal voting rights (one member, one capital of their cooperative. At least
social, racial, political or religious vote), and cooperatives at other levels part of that capital is usually the
discrimination. are organized in a democratic manner. common property of the
cooperative. Members usually
receive limited compensation, if
any, on capital subscribed as a
condition of membership. Members
AUTONOMY AND EDUCATION, TRAINING
allocate surpluses for any or all of
the following purposes: developing
INDEPENDENCE AND INFORMATION the cooperative, possibly by setting
up reserves, part of which at least
would be indivisible; benefitting
members in proportion to their
transactions with the cooperative;
and supporting other activities
approved by the membership.
Cooperatives are autonomous, self Cooperatives provide education and
help organizations controlled by their training for their members, elected
members. If they enter into representatives, managers and
agreements with other organizations, employees so that they can
COOPERATION AMONG
including governments, or raise contribute effectively to the COOPERATIVES
capital from external sources, they do development of their cooperatives.
so on terms that ensure democratic They inform the general public,
control by their members and particularly young people and
maintain their cooperative autonomy. opinion leaders, about the nature
and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperatives serve their members
most effectively and strengthen the
CONCERN FOR cooperative movement by working
COMMUNITY together through local, national,
regional and international structures.
While focusing on member needs,
cooperatives work for the
sustainable development of their
communities through policies
accepted by their members.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to more than 42 million consumers in 47 states and
(NRECA) is the national service organization for more whose retail sales account for approximately 12
than 900 not-for-profit rural electric cooperatives and percent of total electricity sales in the United States.
public power districts providing retail electric service Learn more at NRECA.coopYou can also read
