MAY 2010WRIGHT-HENNEPIN COOPERATIVE ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION’S

Over the past 13 years, Wright-Hennepin (WH) has donated 168,900

tree seedlings to the local area through the cooperative’s Plant-A-Tree program. This spring alone, WH donated 15,000 trees to youth, schools and civic organizations throughout its electric service territory. Nearly 13,000 of those tree seedlings went directly to area youth.

Following a severe storm in 1997, which left many mature trees bowed and broken, WH took action to start growing a new generation of trees in the yards of local residents through its Plant-A-Tree program.

Educators use the program as an opportunity to teach students about the important environmental benefits of trees. The smiles of students receiving their seedlings indicate their enjoyment in learning about how a tree is planted and grown. Seedling varieties distributed included: red maple, silver maple, red oak, white pine, black hills spruce, white birch and northern pin oak.

“The kindergartener’s that took home a

tree thought it was ‘awesome’ to get one,” said Barb Stoffel, kindergarten teacher at Delano Elementary. “They all promised to plant the tree, take care of it and watch it grow.”

In the last 13 years, WH has donated more than 168,000 trees to the local community. While not every tree donated by WH will reach maturity, each tree that does has the ability to annually absorb 729 pounds* of carbon dioxide while releasing

oxygen into the air. That means if even one-quarter of the trees that WH has donated survive to reach maturity, WH and its members will have potentially given nature the ability to take away approximately 30 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year. The average U.S. citizen produces 23 tons of CO2 per year. This is just one way that WH is working to improve the environment.

Source: American Forests

Program has donated over 168,000 seedlings

WH Services’ tree trimming crew does an ‘immaculate’ job at member’s home

WH has donated 168,900 trees

to the local area Jerry Kranz (back left), WH Production Manager, poses for a picture after handing out tree seedlings to Ms. Stoffel’s Delano Elementary kindergarten class.

Kathlynn Lindquist’s yard is full of beautiful mature trees that weren’t

showing their true potential until WH Services’ tree trimming crew made them look the best they have been in the ten years Lindquist has lived in her home.

“When I first moved into my home, I had the trees trimmed, but they never really looked good,” said Lindquist. “I decided to seek out a professional to do the job right this time.”

Lindquist made the right decision when she gave WH Services a call to have her trees trimmed. “The crew that WH Services sent was professional, efficient and did a great job,” said Lindquist. “When I came home after the trees were trimmed, the yard looked immaculate, I couldn’t have asked for better.”

Lindquist had multiple large and small trees trimmed, along with other bushes and stumps removed. Her yard also has a large ash tree in the front that could be at risk of being invaded by the emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borer is an insect that has the potential of killing every ash tree in Minnesota.

“The ash tree is something I want to keep, and luckily WH Services has a treatment they can use to keep the emerald ash borer from killing the tree,” said Lindquist. “I have other neighbors that will be treating for the emerald ash borer this year as well.”

WH Services can handle many types of tree jobs, from trimming to treating for the emerald ash borer. Call WH Services to learn more at 763-477-3000, or visit us online at www.whe.org.

“WH Services was extremely profess-ional,” said Lindquist. “They listened to my needs, made suggestions and accomplished what was planned.”

Page 2. EPA says air quality has improved

Page 3. See where power outages are occurring online

Page 4. Join our Conservation Peak Alert program

Page 5. Get a reward for your old fridge

Page 6. Police Sgt. Johnson shares personal safety tips

Page 7. Win a pack of solar lights

Page 8. The osprey have returned

Kathlynn Lindquist is proud to show off her perfectly trimmed trees.

One of the objectives of this publication is to share energy

news or perspectives that might go unreported in the commercial media. So, when I read the paragraph below from a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, I saved it to share with you in this column. The report said:

“Since 1990, nationwide air quality has improved significantly for the six common air pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, lead, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Emissions of toxic air pollutants such as benzene, have declined about 40 percent nationwide between 1990 and 2005.”

After a little more research on government agency websites, I learned that the nation’s air quality has actually steadily improved since 1970 when the Clean Air Act was passed. Since 1980, the U.S. electric industry has achieved enormous reductions in three principal air pollutants: 48 percent cut in sulfur dioxide, 54 percent cut in nitrogen oxides and 40 percent in mercury emissions – while increasing generation (most of it fossil fuel) 75 percent!!!

So, the good news is that air quality in the U.S. has dramatically improved and will continue to improve. The bad news is that most in the public are not aware of it. According to a 2004 poll from the Foundation For Clean Air Progress, only 29 percent of people are aware that “America’s air quality is better than…it was in 1970.”

An industry research group checked to see how the EPA report (above) was treated in the press. It concluded: “Not one major newspaper has written a story about this (information) – there’s nothing in the Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times or any of the other major news outlets. The only story we could find is from Environment & Energy News (a subscription based energy news service) and even then it was the 12th story in their afternoon publication.”

Admittedly, news about mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide and other such stuff is not as alluring or sensational

as many stories dominating the news today. But it seems important that these facts should see the light of day. Unreported, we are left to think that our environment has regressed, rather than improving as the EPA notes.

From a local perspective, here are a few interesting environmental facts you might like to know about WH and its power suppliers:

• Our two wholesale power supply cooperatives will spend about $94 million dollars on pollution control and environmental activities in 2010 alone!

• One of those suppliers, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, operates the only commercial-sized carbon sequestration plant in America and is field testing another type of carbon mitigation technology.

• Great River Energy (GRE), our other power supplier, recently relocated into a totally LEED-certified headquarters. LEED is the “gold standard” of energy efficiency and renewable energy use in building design. GRE also just developed a new process to “dry-fine” lignite coal to make it more efficient and release less CO2.

• Both of WH’s suppliers already have plans in place to provide the 25 percent of all your electricity from wind (or other renewable resources) by the year 2025. Of note is that our

suppliers had similar goals in place before this became a state mandate! WH’s power suppliers are providing stand-out industry leadership in reaching for this goal.

• WH is one of only a handful of electric cooperatives in the state that has erected a residential sized wind generator and solar panels at our office, and then publishes that information online for members considering these investments. Additionally, your cooperative just won the prestigious National Community Service Award for Energy Efficiency for a product we helped develop called “MyMeter.” MyMeter is a unique new tool on our website (www.whe.org) to help you reduce energy use.

I mention all this because critical energy and environmental policy decisions are before the U.S. Senate right now. As citizens, we must insist that these decisions be made based on facts, not hype. WH’s position is that a balance should exist in our nation’s energy policy. We must certainly continue to insure that proper and common sense environmental safeguards are in place. WH supports that 100 percent, along with the new emphasis on conservation and energy efficiency. But we must also find a way to achieve all this without “breaking the bank” or risking our national security. We’re good enough and innovative enough as a nation to be able to do that.

I hope the above information gives you credible perspective about the impressive progress that has already been made regarding energy and the environment.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: 763-477-3000 | WWW.WHE.ORG2 MAY 2010

WH’s Board of DirectorsChris Lantto, Board Chair . . . . . . . . . . District 5Thomas Mach, Vice Chair. . . . . . . . . . District 6Dale Jans, Secretary/Treasurer. . . . District 4Timothy Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 1Butch Lindenfelser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 2Burton Horsch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 3Sarah Evenson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 7Donald Lucas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 8Erick Heinz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District 9

The Board of Directors meets monthly at the cooperative’s office in Rockford. Regular meetings are generally scheduled the second Tuesday of each month for 2010. Members

with items of interest are encouraged to contact the President and CEO to confirm

meeting date and time.

WH’s Management StaffMark Vogt

President and CEO763-477-3013 mvogt@whe.org

Angie PribylVice President, Finance and CFO763-477-3104 apribyl@whe.org

Lance HovlandVice President, Energy Distribution

763-477-3105 lhovland@whe.orgSonja Bogart

Vice President, Customer Service, Sales & Marketing

763-477-3061 sbogart@whe.orgRod Nikula

Chief Operating Officer, Heartland Services, LLC Power Supply

763-477-3106 rnikula@whe.orgSteve Nisbet

Vice President, Technology Operations 763-477-3114 snisbet@whe.org

Wendy MakouskyVice President, WH International

Response Center763-477-3144 wmakousky@whe.org

Mark Vogt

April Board Meeting Highlights:The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors was conducted April 13, 2010. A quorum of directors was present. At the meeting, the Board: • Approved a Schedule of Charges.• Rescheduled the May Board Meeting to Thursday, May 6, 2010.• Critiqued the annual meeting and congratulated management and employees for a well received event. Approved the date of Tuesday, March 29, 2011 for next year’s annual meeting.• Approved a resolution required by the Rural Development Utilities Programs to extend WH’s Energy Resource Conservation loans.• Reviewed and filed the monthly CEO, Legal, financial, and operations reports.• Directors shared highlights of meetings they attended on behalf of the cooperative.• Special guests included: Tom Laing, Touchstone Energy’s Director of Market Research and Tim Sullivan, NRECA’s Director of C&I Business Development. The nation’s air quality

has steadily improved since 1970…Since 1980,

the U.S. electric industry has achieved enormous

reductions in…air pollutants – while

increasing generation (most of it fossil fuel)

75 percent!!!

Good news from the EPA: U.S. air quality “has improved significantly”

The Co-op Connections card can save you money across

the nation. From hotel discounts to savings on medical purchases, the Co-op Connections card has you covered. All Wright-Hennepin (WH) members receive these cards and are enrolled in the program at no charge.

One of the best features of the Co-op Connections program is the savings it can bring at the pharmacy. You can save money on prescription as well as over-the-counter medications. In April alone, WH members saved over $1,000 on medications.

The program even has a unique mail order option created for extra convenience. For more information on this option, visit www.co-opconnections.com and click on “Pharmacy Discount” link on the left hand side of the page.

The following frequently asked questions can help to answer any questions you may have regarding the possible savings at pharmacies.

How much can I save?

The discounts save you 10 to 60 percent on prescriptions at over 48,000 pharmacies nationwide, including CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target and more.

How are these pharmacy discounts different from traditional prescription insurance?

This plan is not insurance; but it is a pharmacy discount. Your card cannot be used in conjunction with insurance. The card provides immediate discounts at the pharmacy. These discounts are available only at participating retail pharmacies.

Where can I get a list of pharmacies that accept the card?

You can find participating pharmacy locations at www.locateproviders.com.

Can I find out the discounted price of my prescriptions before going to the pharmacy?

Yes, if you know the name, strength and quantity of the medication, you can find the discounted price of the medication by visiting www.rxpricequotes.com.

Where do I get my card?

WH members receive the Co-op Connections card when they first become members. Otherwise, a newly updated card was sent with the Hotline Update in Nov. 2007. Your card is ready to use immediately when you receive it.

I’ve lost my card. How can I get a replacement?

Please contact WH at 763-477-3000 or e-mail us at info@whe.org.

Source: Co-op Connections: www.co-opconnections.com

3MAY 2010 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 763-477-3000 | WWW.WHE.ORG

Senate climate bill stuck in limbo for nowThe compromise climate change proposal unveiled recently in the Senate is in legislative limbo, its fate apparently uncertain until at least next month. The plan by Democratic Senator John Kerry and independent Senator Joseph Lieberman to reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions is not the subject of any committee hearings; it’s not being debated on the Senate floor; it’s not even been formally introduced.

At a weekly luncheon that Democratic senators hold weekly to talk politics and policy, the nearly 1,000-page draft proposal was barely mentioned, according to senators who attended a recent closed-door meeting, the first since its unveiling. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters that during the week of June 14, he hoped to gather all 57 Senate Democrats and two independents “where we will just talk about nothing but energy.”

By then, the Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Information Administration could be done or nearing completion of an economic analysis of the Kerry-Lieberman bill. The two senators hope the studies will boost prospects if they show minimal negative impact on the U.S. economy from gradually shifting U.S. energy sources from fossil fuels like coal and oil to wind, solar and biomass. Source: Reuters

L:ast monrh Great River Energy (GRE) finalized the purchase of the Elk River Resource Recovery Facility, which processes the municipal solid waste (MSW) used to make refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for powering Great River Energy’s Elk River Station power plant.

The power plant is a 35 MW facility with the capacity to convert energy from as much as 1,000 tons of RDF each day. The acquisition of the processing facility, along with the continued operation of the power plant, helps GRE meet the Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard, which requires the state’s electric utilities to generate 25 percent of their power with renewable energy sources by the year 2025.

“Elk River Energy Recovery Station is a valuable resource for Great River Energy and the surrounding communities,” said Wayne Hanson, GRE director of Minnesota generation. “The processing facility is critical to keeping the power plant operating,” he said.

As part of the acquisition, Great River Energy also purchased the Becker ash landfill, which has received the ash from the Elk River Energy Recovery Station for the past 20 years and only contains ash from the plant. This 86-acre facility has sufficient space to receive the plant’s ash for another 40 years.

Source: Great River Energy press release

GRE purchases Elk River resource recovery facility

Your Co-op Connections card can save money at the pharmacy

Power outage updates available online at www.whe.orgWarm summer weather can

bring strong summer storms, having the capability of causing power outages. As a member of Wright-Hennepin (WH) we want to keep you informed when outages occur. We provide updates in multiple ways.

WH’s website features a real-time map that shows where power outages are being experienced (see graphic). This map will show you the area affected by a power outage and the number of members without power. This valuable resource also has tips and instructions of what to do during a power outage. It can be accessed from WH’s homepage at whe.org. Just click on “Outage Information” under the “Quick Links.”

During power outages, WH provides updates through a twitter profile (http://twitter.com/Wright_Hennepin), a scrolling message on WH’s website and WH’s Facebook page (www.Facebook.

com/WrightHennepin). During large outages you may also hear announcements on AM1360 KRWC and AM 830 WCCO.

If you experience an outage, a phone call to report the problem can assist WH dispatchers and line crews in getting your power restored quickly, please call 763-477-3100. When there is a major storm, WH receives a high volume of calls and has an automated call handling

system to help make the process of reporting an outage faster and easier in these situations. If your call is answered by this system, an automated phone attendant will walk you through the process of reporting the outage. During large outages, a message giving updates on the current situation will be played when you call to report that you have no power.

WH’s online outage map will keep you posted on the latest power outage information.

In April alone, WH members saved over $1,000 on medications.

Landscape your yard for better energy efficiency

Help keep your bills low and reduce the demand for energy

MAY 2010 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 763-477-3000 | WWW.WHE.ORG4

When thinking about increasing the energy efficiency of your home, don’t forget to include

what is outside your house too. Well placed trees and shrubs do more than beautify your property.

Trees planted around your home provide shade from the summer sun, helping cool your house and reduce the need for air conditioning. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the net cooling effect of a healthy tree is equal to ten room air conditioners.

Don’t plant just any type of tree though, because some trees will be better than others for shading purposes. Consult a local nursery or arboretum when making your decision. Before choosing to plant a tree, remember to look up for electric power lines. You will want to make sure that your tree will not grow into them and cause problems in the future. You also will want to buy a tree that loses its leaves in the winter, so that sunlight can still help warm your house during winter months.

Trees should be placed so they will block the sun from entering your windows during the day in the summer. Find these areas by examining your home at different times during the day to see where the sun shines in the most. Also, planting a tree, shrub or vine about three feet from an outdoor air conditioner or heat pump unit can reduce the strain on the motor by effective shading. Keep plants pruned to allow two feet of space on all sides of the condenser to ensure proper air flow.

Remember, before you stick a shovel in the ground, call 811 to have the underground utility lines marked in your yard.

What do you do on the hottest days of the year? Most of us get home from work or our other

daily activities, turn the thermostat down to cool off the house, start cooking dinner and may even find time to grab a cool beverage. While that may sound like a great thing to do, the problem is that when we all start using that much electricity at the same time, it can create high energy demand.

Imagine a mountain range with tall peaks and low valleys. Those low valleys represent the times when energy use among WH’s members is low, usually during the working hours of the week and late at night. The tall peaks of the mountains are the times when energy use is high among the membership, usually first thing in the morning when people are getting ready for work and in the early evening when air conditioners, ovens and televisions are all turned on. On the hottest days of the year, these peaks get even higher due to more members using air conditioners at the same time to beat the heat. This high use can drive costs up, causing overall prices to increase.

In order to keep peaks down, and keep electricity prices as low as possible, WH asks its members to reduce their energy use during peak times on certain days (usually ending around 8 p.m.). WH’s Conservation Peak Alert program offers members the option to receive an e-mail or text message from the cooperative in the event of a peak alert.

During the timeframe specified, members are asked to use energy wisely and follow these guidelines:

1. Use appliances like clothes washers, dryers,

dishwashers and other electric devices sparingly.

2. Delay using hot water so that your water heater is used less during the peak times.

3. Turn the thermostat on your air conditioning equipment or heat pump up by three degrees during peak times. Be sure to use your ceiling fans and close

your drapes to help keep your home cooler.

Sign up to receive Conservation Peak Alerts over e-mail or text message by visiting whe.org and clicking on “Conservation Peak Alert” under the “Quick Links” section of the home page or by calling 763-477-3000.

Keep your house cooler this summer, while also saving energy, with well placed trees and shrubs.

Sign up to receive Conservation Peak Alerts over e-mail or text message by visiting whe.org and clicking on “Conservation Peak Alert” under the “Quick Links” section of the home page or by calling 763-477-3000.

Help Wright-Hennepin decrease its peak energy demand on the hottest days of the year by signing up for Conservation Peak Alerts.

You can help on peak alert days by: Using electric appliances sparingly Using an outdoor grill or microwave to cook your food instead of an oven Increasing your thermostat setting by three degrees if you are air conditioning your home

Wait til later alligator!

Trees planted around your home provide shade from the

summer sun, helping cool your house and reduce the need for

air conditioning.

This spring and summer, Wright-Hennepin (WH) is on a mission to help members get rid of the most

inefficient appliance in the house: the spare fridge or freezer.

Do you have that extra fridge in the garage for “refreshments” or that big old freezer downstairs that always seems to be running? Get rid of those extra appliances and see a difference on your electric bills. In fact, these extra appliances can add up to $150 to a home’s annual energy costs.

This is why WH wants you to turn in these energy hogs and, of course, there is a reward. Now through Aug. 31, WH is offering its members $35 to recycle their old refrigerator or freezer. A professional contractor will haul away the old appliance and properly recycle it.

In order to receive the reward, you must be a WH member and meet eligibility requirements. Please call 763-477-3000 or visit whe.org and click on “Promotions” under the “News & Updates” links to learn more about the program.

5MAY 2010 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 763-477-3000 | WWW.WHE.ORG

WH offers a bounty for extra refrigerators

WH Services can treat for the emerald ash borer

Now through Aug. 31, WH is offering its members

$35 to recycle their old refrigerator or freezer.

morewaterthan just

is slipping through your fingers

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

EMAIL

I’m a member of Wright-Hennepin.YES / NO

I heat my water with electricity.YES / NO

SIGNATURE DATE

In order to receive this Energy Saving Water Kit at the special discounted price, you must be a cooperative member and you must use electricity to heat your water.

PHONE ALT PHONE

What’s inside your $10 Energy Saving

Water Kit:($40 retail value)

• The EarthTM Massage Showerhead

• Kitchen Swivel Aerator

• Two BathroomFaucet Aerators

• Hot Water Temperature Card

• Plumber’s Tape

Your home wastes more water than you might realize and that’s costing you money. There is something you can do to take control of your water use and energy costs.

FOR JUST

$10Get your Energy Saving Water Kit from Wright-Hennepin until June 30, 2010. For more information or toorder your kit, please visit whe.org and click on “Promotions” under the “News & Updates” links. When ordering, please use promo code: WHC989or fill out and mail the order form below.

Place your completed order form and a $10 check or money order, payable toNiagara Conservation Corp., in an envelope and mail to:

Niagara Conservation Corp. Attn: Great River Energy Kit Offer Post Office Box 501 Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927

Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

It is a common misconception to think that nothing can stop the emerald ash borer from killing every

ash tree in Minnesota. WH Services has an affordable treatment that can keep your ash trees alive and healthy.

The emerald ash borer is an invasive wood boring beetle that is native to Asia. It was first discovered in Canada in 2002 and spread to the U.S. in 2003. It is now in Minnesota and right here in Hennepin County. The emerald ash borer could kill all the ash trees in Minnesota if they are not properly treated before the borer gets to them.

The time to treat your trees for this harmful insect is now. Please call us today for more information at 763-477-3000. Cutting down your trees should be the last option.

Visit us in your neighborhood this month

Sgt. Brian Johnson of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, educated

WH Security customers about personal safety tips at a free event at Wright-Hennepin’s headquarters on Tuesday, May 18.

Sgt. Johnson discussed regional crime statistics and activity, summertime safety, personal protection tips and more. Additionally, Sgt. Johnson taught attendees how to protect themselves in everyday situations and how to be safe at home.

Some of the safety tips provided by Sgt. Johnson included:

• Try to avoid putting yourself in bad situations. Stay out of dark areas or places that you are not familiar with. Don’t take short cuts.

• Walk with confidence. If you find yourself lost, or in an area where you feel uncomfortable, act as though you are very confident in what you are doing. Walk tall and with good posture, focusing on the path ahead. This will help make you look less vulnerable. It is preferable to walk with a friend.

• When you are out and about, keep your valuable items such as purses, wallets, cell phones, etc. on you at all times. Do not leave them in your car,

unattended in shopping carts or at the dinner table. Thieves can act quickly to get these items from you.

• It is okay to be suspicious of door-to-door salesman. Some of these salespeople are more interested in entering your house than actually making a sale. It is okay to speak with them through a closed door or to put up signs that say “No Soliciting” to deter these salespeople.

• If you are being attacked, stare down criminals and yell for help. If you are approached one on one by a criminal, look them in the eyes and try to gather some distinguishing features about them. Staring them down might make them second guess making you a victim. Also, yelling for help not only attracts attention from nearby people, but it can also fluster and frustrate the criminal.

• Don’t stop for strangers. Even though it may be your instinct to pull over and help a person on the side of the road or

on the sidewalk, the safe thing to do is call 911 and continue driving. Some of these people look like they need help and instead take advantage of people willing to help.

• Listen to your inner voice. If something doesn’t feel right or you have a suspicion, trust that inner voice.

• Lock your doors. Whether you live in a heavily populated city or in a very rural area, it is important to make boundaries. Sgt. Johnson recommends doing this by locking your house’s doors whether you are home or away. He also urges everyone to always lock their car doors and to not keep valuables in the car.

• Call 911 in the event of an emergency. Never feel embarrassed to call 911. If you have a feeling that something is wrong or if you aren’t quite sure if your situation is actually an emergency, it doesn’t hurt to call 911. No one will make fun of you for calling for help.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: 763-477-3000 | WWW.WHE.ORG6 MAY 2010

Purchase a new security system

and receive a $100 Visa gift card.

Offer ends:June 30, 2010

Know what’s below: call before you dig!Members who have a project that requires digging a hole deeper than one foot

must call Gopher State One Call (GSOC).

GSOC is a state law designed to protect public safety as well as underground utility infrastructure. One call will get markings for all underground utility lines in the area you are planning to dig. This free service is completed within 48 hours after you call.

Locate underground utility lines before you dig by calling GSOC at 811. You can also go to www.gopherstateonecall.org to make a location request online.

Personal safety tips from Police Sgt. Brian Johnson

Sgt. Brian Johnson of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office shared personal safety tips at a free seminar on May 18.

Renewable Energy Produced Per Month

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580

384

267

399

0

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Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

kWh

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Average monthly energy use per household*

Solar

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CUSTOMER SERVICE: 763-477-3000 | WWW.WHE.ORG 7MAY 2010

Printed on partially recycled paper.

Hotline Update Staff

Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Customer Call Center Hours:7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. FridaysCall: 763-477-3000 or 1-800-943-2667

To report an outage: Electric dispatchers are available 24/7Call: 763-477-3100 or 1-888-399-1845

WH Security monitoring: Security dispatchers are available 24/7Call: 763-477-4275 or 1-800-858-7811

May wind and solar power monthly contest winners! Congratulations to Rick Fjeld of Waverly and Ruth Pesch of Buffalo, who were Wright-Hennepin’s (WH) May 2010 wind generator and solar contest winners.

Rick receives a credit for 580 kilowatt-hours (kWh) on his electric bill, reflecting the total amount of electricity produced by WH’s wind generator throughout the month. Ruth receives a credit for 281 kWh on her electric bill, the total amount of electricity produced by WH’s solar panels in the same time period.

Name: Phone:

Address:

WH’s May 2010 Hotline Quiz

1. In April 2010 alone, WH members saved _________ on medications with the Co-op Connections card.

2. Kathlynn Lindquist had her trees trimmed by ___________________.

3. Find out where the latest power outages are, using WH’s online __________ map.

4. O______ and O_______ Osprey have returned to their nest!

5. Our two wholesale power supply cooperatives will spend about $______ million dollars on pollution control and environmental activities in 2010 alone.

Win outdoor solar lights just for reading the Hotline Update!Complete WH’s quiz with the correct answers and be entered into a drawing for a two pack of outdoor solar lights, valued at approximately $20!

All the answers for the quiz can be found in this newsletter. Simply insert the correct answers, clip it out, and mail it in with your electric bill or e-mail your answers to marketing@whe.org. Completed quizzes are due by June 30.

Look for a new quiz every month! There will be one winner each month. Only one entry per month, per household will be accepted. Winners will be contacted by phone.

To enter the monthly drawing to win the energy produced by WH’s wind generator or solar panels and to learn more about WH’s renewable energy efforts, visit www.whe.org, then click on “WH Electric,” followed by “Renewable Energy.”

Jerry Kranz – jkranz@whe.orgProduction Manager

Zachary Schneider – zschneider@whe.orgCommunications Specialist

Shallon Hagen – shagen@whe.orgMarketing Coordinator

In compliance with Minnesota Adopted Rules relating to Cogeneration and Small Power Production, Chapter 7835, Wright-Hennepin (WH) is required to

interconnect with and purchase electricity from cogenerators and small power producers that satisfy the conditions of a qualifying facility.

WH will provide information to all interested members regarding rates and interconnection requirements. An “Application for Interconnection” is required for a qualifying facility to interconnect and operate in parallel with the cooperative’s distribution system and is subject to approval by the cooperative.

Any disputes over interconnection, sales and purchases are subject to resolution by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Members with questions should contact Rod Nikula, WH Vice President of Power Supply at 763-477-3106.

Minnesota Statute 216B.0975 states a utility such as Wright-Hennepin (WH) may not effect an involuntary disconnection of residential services in affected

counties when an excessive heat watch, heat advisory or excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect.

WH works hard with members to prevent disconnection of electric service. The cooperative wants to give members with past due accounts every opportunity to work out a mutually acceptable payment schedule for both parties. However, customers must contact WH ahead of time to make payment arrangements.

Customers with past due accounts who fail to contact WH to make payment arrangements or break their arrangement will have their electric service disconnected once the excessive heat watch, advisory or warning has expired.

WH recently revised its collection policy for members in disconnect situations. For more information regarding this policy, go to www.whe.org and click on “Residential Service Center,” then “Billing Options” or call 763-477-3000.

Minnesota’s extreme heat law could go in effect

Attention small power producers

CUSTOMER SERVICE: 763-477-3000 | WWW.WHE.ORG8 MAY 2010

Hotline Update (USPS 000839) is published and distributed monthly from the cooperative’s office in Rockford, Minn. Periodicals postage is paid at Maple Lake, Minn. 55358-0330. Subscription is $1 annually. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Hotline Update, PO Box 330, Rockford, Minn. 55373-0330 ©2010 Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association.

Wright-Hennepin’s very own reality show has returned. The stars, Oscar and Olive Osprey

recently returned to their nest 40 feet above the countryside of Annandale.

An osprey camera brings live footage of this native and threatened species into the homes of residents. WH crews installed the camera in April, 2007, being careful not to disturb the osprey.

WH has an active history of helping osprey regain a foothold in its service area. In 1998, the co-op built its first of several nesting platforms for osprey with the support of wildlife officials and has annually

participated with Three Rivers Park District in an osprey tracking (banding) project since 2000.

Building alternative nesting sites for this bird of “special concern” is important since they sometimes build nests five to six feet wide on poles supporting live power lines. This causes problems for ospreys and utilities because nesting material can contact the lines, causing fires and outages.

A link to the live web camera can be found under the “Quick Links” on www.whe.org.

Oscar and Olive Osprey have returned to their nest, view them live online.

Follow us onlineFind us on Facebook today! Facebook.com/WrightHennepin

Follow us on Twitter! twitter.com/WrightHennepin twitter.com/Wright_Hennepin twitter.com/WHGreenTweet twitter.com/WHControlTimes

Watch us on YouTube! youtube.com/user/WHSecuritymn youtube.com/user/HeatMyFloors

Join Wright-Hennepin’s “Cool Cash” energy saving air conditioning program today and receive a 15%

discount* on your summer electric bills.

No cost and no appointment necessary. One phone call signs you up.

Wright-Hennepin’s “Cool Cash” energy saving air

conditioning program will put money in your pocket and help the environment by saving energy.

You may be wondering, is this too good to be true?

Call today to hear just how easy

this program is! 763-477-3000 or 800-943-2667

www.whe.org

Save money on your summer electric bills!

15% Discount! Free!

No appointment needed!

Also, ask about A/C tune-up services that will save additional money on your summer electric bills*

*Certain restrictions apply. 15% discount is based on the general service rate after the power cost adjustment for your energy use during June, July and August and

does not include other monthly charges.

Olive and Oscar Osprey have returned to their nest!

Three cooperative vehicles for sale by sealed bidWright-Hennepin (WH) is selling three used vehicles “as is” by sealed bid. The vehicles can be seen during regular business hours at WH’s office in Rockford. For more information about the vehicles, please call Jeff Hofford at 763-477-3126 or visit www.whe.org and click on the “Vehicles for Sale” link under the “News & Updates” section of the homepage.

Bids must be received by June 11. Bids can be mailed or faxed to: Wright-Hennepin, Attn: Marianne Galles, PO Box 330, Rockford, MN 55373; fax 763-477-3054. WH reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The winning bidder will be notified by phone after June 16.

Vehicles: 2002 Chevrolet Impala, 3.4l V6, auto, 150,000 miles

2000 Chevrolet Astro van, 4.3l V6, auto, 2wd, 156,000 miles

2000 Chevrolet ½ Ton Pickup, 4.8l V8, 4x4, auto, 171,000 miles, has weak transmission,needs new tires and wheels