Northern Lights News

Transcription

1 Northern Lights News NLI Celebrates 70 Years of Service By Elissa Glassman Photos by Deed Hall Y ou could hear a pin drop as the Albeni Pipe and Drum band opened Northern Lights Inc. s (NLI) 70th annual meeting with the mesmerizing sound of bagpipes playing Amazing Grace. The ensemble was followed by the Sandpoint High School Performing Choir singing the National Anthem. With more than 103 registered members and more than 140 in attendance, many NLI members gathered at Sagle Elementary School on May 7 to help NLI celebrate its 70th anniversary. An aroma of fresh baked cookies and donuts, an anniversary cake, fresh fruit and coffee was in the air. Willie Wiredhand, NLI s mascot joined the festivities. Members received a complimentary gift pack, along with a compact fluorescent light bulb, and visited many informational booths. The booths displayed materials on NLI s Internet service, Operation Round-up Program, Marathon water heaters, energy rebate offers and tips, Turtle meters, transfer switches, Co-op Energy Propane, and a compact fluorescent lighting booth. NLI General Manager Jon Shelby gave an annual meeting message, and Board President Judith Simonson addressed the members. NLI awarded eight $500 educational scholarship certificates at the meeting. Those receiving award certificates included Melissa Mundell of Sandpoint, Idaho; Ashley Cathey of Colburn, Idaho; Traci Kutzleb of Sagle, Idaho; Above, Art and Myrtle Burnett became NLI members in 1943 and have never missed an annual meeting. Right, one of NLI s younger members, Boston Bode is in awe of Willie Wiredhand. Stefanie Arnold of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Thomas Schrempp of Priest River, Idaho; Johnathan Hoover, Chance O Looney and Tyler Janssen from Troy, Montana. Butch Hagen won the District 6 election over Don Alexander. The proposed NLI bylaws were voted on and all four amendments passed. Pursuant to NLI bylaws, since only one candidate was nominated for District 3 no election was held for that district. Therefore, Steve Elgar was elected to serve as director for District 3, Sandpoint north and east. Many door prizes donated by NLI vendors were awarded. The grand prize, a $400 gift certificate toward an Energy Star product, was won by Dave Mulliner. With 70 years of dedication to our members, NLI has a long and rich history in northern Idaho and western Montana, the area it has served since NLI was organized to bring electricity to those rural areas investor-owned utilities would not serve. When it was established more than 70 years ago as Northern Idaho 4 JUNE 2005 NORTHERN LIGHTS

2 Rural Electrical Rehabilitation Association, it was the first rural electric cooperative west of the Mississippi River. Today, it is one of the largest cooperatives in Idaho, with more than 14,000 members and approximately 2,600 miles of distribution line. Members and employees of NLI This year s meeting included entertainment by the the Sandpoint High School Performing Choir, top, who harmonized the National Anthem, and the Albeni Falls Pipes and Drum band playing Amazing Grace, above. enjoyed celebrating this milestone that has made the cooperative a powerful part of our community. Hagen, Elgar Retain Board Seats NLI congratulates G.E. Butch Hagen and Steve Elgar, who retained their seats on the board at the annual meeting. Butch was re-elected from District 6, covering Bonners Ferry and portions of the Boundary County territory. Butch previously served on the board from 1996 through 1999 and again beginning in Butch is married and has three step-children and three step-grandchildren. Butch is a certified, credentialed NLI Board director. He also serves on the Boundary County School District No. 101, and is a fulltime volunteer and mentor in the schools. Butch also serves on the board of the Boundary County Soil Conservation District. Steve was the only candidate to run for the position of District 3 director. District 3 serves Sandpoint north and east. Steve has been a member of the NLI Board since July His board experience includes secretary/treasurer, bylaw chair, and he is a certified and credentialed director with the National Electric Cooperative Association. Steve is a former sheepherder, a member of a homeowner association board, a water resources engineer/scientist and a leader of a nationally known water resources team. NORTHERN LIGHTS JUNE

3 Northern Lights Awards Eight Educational Scholarships By Elissa Glassman Eight educational scholarship recipients were presented award certificates at Northern Lights Inc. s (NLI) 70th Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, May 7 at Sagle Elementary School. The winners are Melissa Mundell of Sandpoint, Idaho; Ashley Cathey of Colburn, Idaho; Traci Kutzleb of Sagle, Idaho; Stefanie Arnold of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Thomas Schrempp of Priest River, Idaho; Johnathan Hoover, Chance O Looney and Tyler Janssen from Troy, Montana. Melissa Mundell attends Sandpoint High School and plans to attend Boise Bible College followed by nursing school. Some of the careers I have always wished to pursue when I grow up include being able to work with people and making them feel better, she says. I hope to reach my main goal of becoming a missionary nurse. Ashley Cathey is a senior at Lake Pend Oreille High School. She plans to attend North Idaho College and become a paralegal. I plan to have a successful life, am a positive role model to others and I will show the world what I can accomplish, she says. Traci Kutzleb is a student at Sandpoint High School and enjoys playing the flute. She looks forward to attending the University of Montana, with a major in music performance. She also is interested in attending medical school. I have chosen the two fields of music and medicine, because of my interest and love for these subjects, she says. In music, I feel a completeness and an overwhelming love of what music can offer. The medical field has always intrigued me. Stefanie Arnold attends Bonners Ferry High School and plans to attend the University of Oregon to study veterinary medicine and marine biology. After graduation from the University of Oregon, I hope to transfer to the University of California at Davis to obtain my degree of veterinary medicine, she says. I desire to open my own veterinary clinic, specializing in the care of marine mammals. Also, I wish to organize a nonprofit rescue cooperative of area vets for sick and stranded marine animals and teach conservation to protect the oceans. Thomas Schrempp attends Priest River Lamanna High School and plans to earn his master s degree at the University of Idaho, majoring in wildlife biology with a minor in chemistry. My occupational goal is to become a respected wildlife biologist and work for the state or federal government, or for private employers, says Thomas. Johnathan Hoover attends Troy High School in Montana. His goal is to attend Montana Tech to achieve a master s degree in mining engineering and an associate s degree in accounting. Following my education, I plan to obtain a job in a leading mining company, he says. I plan to give back to the local communities and schools to make them a better place in order to show my gratitude and appreciation. It is a belief I hold that when someone becomes successful that his or her moral obligation is to give back to the community in which they were raised. Chance O Looney is a student at Troy High School and will attend Washington State University. Chance plans to earn a bachelor s degree in pre-med. After my four years at Washington State, I plan to attend medical school at the University of Washington School of Medicine, he says. I want to become an orthopedic surgeon, specializing in sports medicine, ideally, working for a professional or college sports team as a personal physician of the team. Tyler Janssen also attends Troy High School and also plans to attend Washington State University. He looks forward to a career in the mechanical/civil engineering field. Education makes a difference between doing well in life and wasting life s potential, he says. I want to make the most of my existence here on earth by furthering my knowledge. Northern Lights congratulates the scholarship winners and wishes them the best in their future endeavors. 8 JUNE 2005 NORTHERN LIGHTS

4 USES OF OPERATING REVENUE 9% NLI 5% 11% 2% 13% 9% COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF REVENUE & EXPENSES OPERATING REVENUES AND PATRONAGE CAPITAL $19,656,754 $18,839,734 49% 2% OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of purchased power (1) 9,312,483 8,404,636 Power production expense (1) 209,536 98,795 Transmission-maintenance (2) 34,348 20,817 Distribution-operation (2) 674, ,962 Distribution-maintenance (2) 1,763,030 1,723,445 Consumer accounts (3) 862, ,963 Sales and rebates (3) 175, ,253 Administration and general (4) 1,733,958 1,521,052 Depreciation and amortization (5) 2,202,814 2,220,679 Taxes (6) 466, ,829 Interest (7) 1,769,552 2,603,102 Other 55,644 37,067 Total operating expense 19,259,395 18,756,600 (1) Cost of Power (2) Plant Mtnce (3) Member Service (4) Administration (5) Depreciation (6) Taxes (7) Financing (8) Operating Margins Net operating margins (8) 397,359 83,134 NON-OPERATING MARGINS Amort'n of RUS buyout gain 0 280,084 Interest income 135, ,648 Other 419,821 32,324 Total non-operating margins 555, ,056 NET MARGINS $952,694 $502,190 COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEET ASSETS AND OTHER DEBITS LIABILITIES AND OTHER CREDITS UTILITY PLANT AT COST EQUITIES AND MARGINS Electric plant in service $ 87,067,997 $ 84,430,666 Memberships $ 163,377 $ 163,377 Construction in progress 792, ,581 Patronage capital 19,745,279 18,833,334 87,860,912 85,251,247 Other equities 1,436,657 1,441,240 21,345,313 20,437,951 Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization 28,994,870 27,267,466 LONG-TERM DEBT Net utility plant 58,866,042 57,983,781 RUS economic development notes - 22,222 Cooperative Finance Corporation notes 39,729,757 39,233,978 OTHER ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS 39,729,757 39,256,199 Investments in associated organizations 2,718,862 2,532,616 Other investments 872,393 56,972 POST RETIREMENT OBLIGATION 1,395, ,225 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES CURRENT ASSETS Current maturities of long term debt 1,370, ,925 Cash-general funds 329,140 81,696 Accounts payable 1,443, ,352 Temporary investments - - Accrued Underbilled Power 472,578 1,006,011 Notes receivable 119,579 50,000 Accrued taxes 519, ,908 Accounts receivable 2,858,640 2,897,477 Accrued interest 362, ,585 Accrued interest receivable 50,537 22,550 Note Payable - 1,250,000 Materials and supplies 746, ,349 Other current liabilities 709, ,873 Other current and accrued assets 47,442 16,213 4,877,722 5,738,654 DEFERRED CHARGES 1,141,101 2,210,355 DEFERRED CREDITS 402,178 86,980 TOTAL ASSETS $ 67,749,970 $ 66,513,009 TOTAL LIABILITIES and EQUITIES $ 67,749,970 $ 66,513,009 NORTHERN LIGHTS JUNE

5 DIRECTORS' EXPENSES* Per diem Insurance Per diem Insurance 1. Eric Anderson 11,772 13,281 16,650 12,331 Priest Lake, ID Judith Simonson 7,407 13,281 10,256 12,331 Noxon, MT Dr. Steve Elgar 4,431 13,281 5,997 12,331 Sandpoint ID Orin LaRitchie 10,845 13,281 13,310 12,331 Careywood ID Don Vickaryous 5,313 13,281 7,051 12,331 Moyie Springs ID G.E. Butch Hagen 3,492 13,281 5,788 12,331 Bonners Ferry ID Vern Hollett 4,893 13,272 8,699 12,331 Priest River ID * Per diem, travel expenses while attending meetings, and insurance benefits 48,153 92,959 67,750 86,318 District Boundaries NEW SERVICES CONNECTED IN TOTAL SERVICES IN PLACE 17,775 AVERAGE SERVICES PER MILE 6.67 Financial information presented herein was compiled from complete financial statements audited by the firm of Moss Adams LLP, Certified Public Accountants, Vancouver Washington, who expressed their unqualified opinion on the fairness of the statements. Copies of the complete statements, together with the auditors' report, may be examined at the cooperative's business office. Dr. Steve Elgar Secretary/Treasurer NLI 28 JUNE 2005 NORTHERN LIGHTS

6 Viewpointi e w p o i n t By Dave Wheelihan, CEO, Montana Electric Cooperatives Association Montanans bring issues to Congress It was that time of year again. Forty plus Montanans joined three thousand plus electric cooperative directors, managers and employees in Washington D.C. for the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA) annual legislative conference in early May. After being thoroughly briefed on national issues of importance to electric cooperatives by NRECA, including Rural Utilities Service financing, the pending energy bill, federal Power Marketing Administrations, clean energy bond legislation and captive shipper legislation, teams of electric cooperative members visited Capitol Hill to lobby Congress about the electric cooperative viewpoint. In addition to visiting our own congressional delegation, Montana electric cooperative leaders also visited congressmen and senators from primarily the Northeastern states. The visits with our own congressional delegation were particularly gratifying. For example, when visiting with Senator Baucus staff, we were able to thank them for the senator s introduction of clean energy bond legislation. Along with Senator Grassley (R-Ia), Senator Baucus sponsored this piece of legislation that will allow electric cooperatives and their lenders to issue bonds for renewable energy projects. When visiting Senator Burns staff, we were able to thank them for the senator s introduction of captive shipper legislation that is designed to bring fairness to rail rates where no competition exists. Senator Baucus has also signed on as a cosponsor. When visiting with Congressman Rehberg, we learned he had just cosponsored identical captive shipper legislation on the House side. Congressman Rehberg was also one of 50 House Republicans who signed a joint letter expressing opposition to a proposal to eventually raise the cost of Power Marketing Administration power to market rates. Knowing that our congressional delegation understands our issues, listens to our concerns and supports our positions is something for which we are certainly thankful. It s pleasing to know that electric cooperative leaders continue to take the time to participate in this annual grassroots lobbying effort and that they understand the importance of communicating our views to others. Once again, they made the annual legislative conference a success for our electric cooperative members. Announcing New Prices For Marathon Water Heaters 50-gallon Marathon water heater Model No. MR50245 Regularly $519.40, including tax Less instant rebate of $125 Total price: $ gallon short Marathon water heater Model No. MSR50245 Regularly $562.86, including tax Less instant rebate of $125 Total price: $ gallon Marathon water heater Model No. MR75245 Regularly $625.40, including tax Less instant rebate of $150 Total price: $ Offer good April 1, 2005, through December 31, Subject to Marathon prices changing. Call NLI at (208) or (800) to purchase your Marathon water heater. Get your propane from Co-op Energy by calling (208) NLI 2005 Rebates $50 rebate with proof of purchase of qualified ENERGY STAR -rated clothes washer. $25 rebate with proof of purchase of qualified ENERGY STAR-rated dishwasher. $800 rebate for qualified construction of new Super Good Cents site-built home. Plans must be reviewed by NLI before construction begins. $1,000 rebate with the purchase of Super Good Cents manufactured home with electric heat purchased between January 1, 2002, and December 31, $65 rebate check when you install an energy-efficient electric water heater with an energy factor of.93 or greater on new construction or replacement of existing water heater. $125 instant rebate when purchasing a new 50-gallon model MR50245 Marathon electric water heater (from NLI), or $150 instant rebate on a 75-gallon model MR Marathon offer is good on new construction and replacement of existing water heaters. The $65 rebate does not apply. For details, call NLI Member Services at (208) or (800) Some restrictions may apply. All rebates/energy credits require proof of purchase and a copy of receipts. Offer expires December 31, NORTHERN LIGHTS JUNE