Watts Inside:

For Our Members

Family Fun In Farley

“The Midwest is where I started out, and it seems like my life has

come full circle and I’m back to where I started.”

PAGE 4

Keith Simmons, Farley

The View From the Corner OfficePage 2

2007 Reliability ReportPage 3

Family Fun In FarleyPage 4

Heat Plus Rates End For SummerPage 5

By-laws AvailablePage 5

100 Calorie PacksPage 6

Start SmartPage 6

AMI UpdatePage 7

April 2008

Kids Games

Bucket Rides for Kids

Free Pizza & Pop

Door Prizes

Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it’s

best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more

than 7 years old.

Bring The Entire Family For Member Nights!

Tuesday, April 8thDyersville Commercial Club Pavillion

Hwy 136, Dyersville5-7 PM

Thursday, April 10thComfort Inn

1910 Nairn Drive, Maquoketa5-7 PM

�

The View From the Corner Office

by Jim Lauzon, CEOThere is never a good way to tell our members that costs are going up. The Board of Directors has recently approved my recommendation that we increase the monthly customer charge on all meters by $� per month to cover the cost of the new Advanced Metering system we are putting in place this year. You will see the increase in your June bill.

What will you get for your $�.00 per month? This is a reasonable question, and I believe we have a good answer.

First: You will no longer have to read your meter each month. While many of our long term members have been reading their meter since joining the Cooperative, it is becoming an inconvenience for many. Each annual meeting I am approached by an elderly member who is not able to safely read their meter in the winter months and they don’t want to bother a neighbor or family member to do it for them. Our younger members see the self read system as antiquated, and feel it reflects poorly on the Cooperative’s image as a modern business. Both of these are good reasons to take back the responsibility for reading the meter.

Secondly: We will get more accurate readings. This falls into several categories, from those members who have estimated their usage because they don’t want to actually read the meter, those members who intentionally under-report their reading to help them budget their payments, members who read their meter at different times of the month and then don’t understand why this months usage is higher or lower than last months and those members who are trying to cheat their fellow members. In a cooperative, when one person does not pay their fair share, all other members must make up the loss. Unfortunately, we are seeing more frequent attempts to cheat the system. The honor system no longer works.

Third: The meter can be asked if it has power during an outage. This allows us to make sure that all members have had their power restored before we send crews to another part of our system, restoring power more efficiently and timely. Often during large storms an individual transformer fuse will blow due to a lightning strike, and shortly thereafter the line fuse upstream will also blow, taking all the neighbors out as well. When you call to report an outage, we know the line fuse is blown, and assume that is the problem. When the fuse is replaced, crews move on to other areas of the system, leaving one member out of power until they call back, normally hours later, to ask when they will have power restored. Once the new system is operational, upon replacing a line fuse, we will “ask” every meter on the line if they have power. If one does not reply affirmatively, we can send the crew to that transformer to check it out before they leave the area.

Continued on page 3

�

2007 Reliability ReportIn 2007 Maquoketa Valley experienced outages in the major storm category for the first time since 1998. The February ice storm along with four other days that experienced significant weather related outages were a major contributor to our �007 outage hours.

On average, our members were without power for 3.89 hours in 2007. Of the 3.89 hours, 66% (2.57 hours) were caused by weather related events that affected our service territory in February and December.

The most common cause of non-weather related outages were power supply, trees, small animals/birds, and lightning. These have historically been the primary causes of outages in past years also. Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative has implemented several new reliability programs over the last five years in an effort to reduce outages in these areas. The table below shows our outage numbers since �00�. Based on the outage statistics, these new programs have been very effective as shown by the percent improvement in all three categories. Outage hours per member have been reduced by 33% on average over the last five years.

Also over the past five years, power has been available to our members 99.981% of the time. We plan to continue these reliability programs in the future and implement new ones as needed in our effort to provide reliable service to our members.

Year

Outages per

MemberLength of

Outage (Hrs)

Outage Hrs per Member

�00� 0.78 1.03 0.80�004 0.98 1.53 1.502005 1.14 1.22 1.392006 1.05 0.82 0.86�007 2.13 1.83 3.88

�007 - Excluding Weather 1.08 0.92 1.31

10 Year Average 1.37 1.30 1.755 Year Average 1.08 1.10 1.17% Improvement 21% 15% 33%

*5 and 10 year average numbers exclude storm related outages

Fourth: We will know more about how our members use energy, and can design better programs to help them be more efficient and save money. The new meters will have the ability to provide an hourly load profile of selected locations to give us detailed information on how energy is being used on our system. This will allow us to focus our energy efficiency efforts on programs that save the most money over time.

We truly believe that the $�.00 per month increase in the customer charge brings a value to you, our member, in excess of the cost. More accurate readings on a timely basis will provide us the tools we need to continue to work to keep costs under control and to ensure that each member is paying their fair share of the cost to operate the cooperative. We hope that now that you understand the benefits, you will agree that it is worth the cost.

We will be available on member nights (April 8 or 10th) to answer any questions you have on this or any other topic

The View From the Corner Office Continued from page 2

4

The Yankee Dirt Track Classic is the big race of the year, with all classes of cars running qualifying races Thursday and Friday for the chance to race on Saturday night. (Photo by Dan Busch, Enhance Racing Images)

Family Fun In FarleyJeff Stiles, Dubuque, IowaDuring the Prohibition Era of the 1920s, the illegal running of moonshine escalated. Driving at extremely high rates of speed at night, bootleggers in the Southeastern states would transport their illegal whiskey across state lines to various points of sale.

Then, as their cars got faster, crowds began to gather to watch the races.

Prohibition ended in the early ‘�0s, but the practice of moonshining increased—as did the practice of racing cars. In fact, after World War II stock car racing evolved into an actual sport in the foothills and Piedmont area of North Carolina, and soon became one of the favorite traditions of North Carolina popular culture.

In fact, over the years the Tar Heel State has been the birthplace and home to many NASCAR legends, including Dale Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt, and Richard Petty.

Farley resident Keith Simmons might originally be from Freeport, Illinois, but for 12 years he worked in North Carolina as head engine builder for several different race teams in the Sprint Cup Series. He moved back to this part of the country in the winter of 2001 to oversee the Farley Race Track—along with tracks in West Liberty and at the Dubuque County Fairgounds.

“North Carolina is the heart of the Cup style of auto racing, but actually the state of Iowa per capita has more racetracks than any other place in the country,” Keith says. “The Midwest is where I started out, and it seems like my life has come full circle and I’m back to where I started.”

Speaking of circles, the one at the Farley Speedway is a 1/2-mile banked clay track with racing on Friday nights, West Liberty offers a 1/2-mile clay oval with racing on Saturday nights, and the Dubuque Speedway boasts a 3/8-mile banked clay track with racing on Sunday evenings.

Racing season runs from the last weekend in April until the end of September. Keith says the tracks are NASCAR-sanctioned, with weekly programs in which teams compete for state and national point standings—along with year-end prize money depending on where competitors finish in their various divisions.

“We have seven classes of cars that run weekly,” Keith says. “Actually, what we’ve done is develop a class to fit everyone’s wallet, basically, from a very inexpensive entry-level division to our premier division, which is late-model dirt cars.

“Our weekly crowds in Farley are about 1,200, while a special could bring in 3,500 spectators. Between here and the speedway at the Dubuque Fairgrounds, I would say we’ve got to be the largest spectator-generating sport in the tri-state area.”

One year after taking over the Farley Race Track, Keith decided to explore building some sort of additional venue to supplement income from the speedway. “We were looking for something that would fit in well with the racetrack facility and add to it and give us a year-round income,” he explains. “We thought of many different things and settled on a ballroom, which was built in �00�.”

5

Keith Simmons has been in charge of the Farley Speedway since moving back to the \Midwest in 2001 after working with the Sprint Cup Series in North Carolina.

Bookings at The Palace Reception Hall have exceeded even Keith’s projections. “It’s a definite boost to what we do,” he says. “There are certain slow times of the year, but for the most part it’s done very good. It’s not just for weddings, but we have several companies that utilize our facility to do their winter insurance and safety regulation meetings and things like that, and we have several different organizations that have their banquets here. We have a variety of things going on, from family reunions to business meetings.”With an assortment of activities in eastern Iowa keeping Keith busy year-round, he says he’s excited to offer very

affordable family entertainment—and, at the racetrack, the opportunity for excitement and even surprises.

“It’s very exciting,” he says. “It’s people competing from your local area, and it’s something that’s very different from what anyone else has to offer. A lot of times if you go to a movie someone has already told you how it’s going to turn out, but with this deal you never know until it’s over.

“It’s very exciting, very fast-paced and we’re very organized at what we do. We get you in and out of here in about a three-hour timeframe, and there’s a little bit of everything to do here. If you want to come just for the party atmosphere, we have The Palace open before and after the races, so you can make out of the evening whatever you wish.”

The member cooperatives of Central Iowa Power know that each of us must use energy wisely by installing compact fl uorescent light

bulbs, weatherizing our homes and using energy-effi cient appliances.

Energy effi ciency is important for our children’s future.We’re Balancing Energy

Needs with Our Environment

Families today depend on economical, reliable energy more than ever before. We’re seeing the demand for electricity

grow everyday.

The member cooperatives of Central Iowa Power know

that each of us must use energy wisely by installing compact fl uorescent light bulbs, weatherizing our

homes and using energy-effi cient appliances.

Energy effi ciency is important for our

children’s future.We’re Balancing

Energy Needs with Our Environment

Families today depend on

economical, reliable energy more

than ever before. We’re seeing the demand for

electricity grow everyday.

Maquoketa ValleyElectric Cooperativewith power supplied by

Central Iowa Power Cooperative

Maquoketa ValleyElectric Cooperative

with power supplied by

Central Iowa Power Cooperative

The heat plus rate ends with energy used thru your April meter reading day (reflected on the May bill). Please continue to read both meters and turn in those readings by the 28th of each month. If readings are not submitted, a $�0.00 charge per meter will be assessed.

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, copies of the By-laws of Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative are available at the reception counter of the Anamosa office. If you want a copy of the Cooperative’s By-laws, please pick one up or contact us to have one mailed to you.

Heat Plus Rates End For Summer

By-laws Available

6

Susan Uthoff, ISU Extension Nutrition & Health Specialist

Are you building a new home in the next 2 years? You NEED this workshop!

Ask your contractor the right questions! Save Money - Save Energy

May 10, 2008 Anamosa

Details in May issue

$tart $mart

100 Calorie PacksEverybody loves chips as a treat from time to time. Some food manufacturers have introduced 100 calorie packs. In the first six months of 2006, forty-two new 100 calorie snacks hit the market according to Datamonitor’s ProductScan. The 100 calorie snack packages with five packs per box sell for $1.99 or about double the cost of regular packaging. These 100 calorie packs can be convenient for the calorie conscious. They are expensive which could work in your favor since you might not be tempted to down 5 bags at one sitting with that in mind. No doubt they’re convenient, but let’s consider the small print on the label: salt, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fat…highly processed and all for just 100 calories. An ounce of chips is usually around 140 calories. A 100 calorie bag on average weighs about 2/3 ounce. While the calories are restricted, the snacks are still highly processed snack foods.

Note that for the same 100 calories you could be eating fruits and/or vegetables:• 2 cups carrots • 1 banana• 1.75 cups salad • 1.3 apples

Satisfy your hunger with a bit of protein, a little carbohydrate and a dash of fat. Here are some suggestions for 100 calorie snacks you can make yourself.*One celery stalk with 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter*6 ounces fat-free yogurt with 1/3 cup raspberries*1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese with 5 strawberries*� ounces of lean roast beef or half a low-fat turkey sandwich*An orange and five dry-roasted nuts* A small baked potato with ½ cup salsa and � tablespoons fat-free sour cream*28 grapes (try them frozen)

There is an online calculator, www.nabiscoworld.com, that shows how many minutes of various activities it takes to burn 100 calories. For example, it takes 17 minutes of walking to burn 100 calories. It certainly doesn’t take that long to eat a 100 calorie snack! Remember to eat nutrient dense foods in sensible serving sizes. A piece of fruit is really the perfect snack. It’s usually less than 100 calories and is full of fiber and other nutrients.___________________________________

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Watts The Answer?

1. Member Nights are April ___th and ___th.

�. The AMI system will be one more tool we can use to focus maintenance programs and improve _________________reliability. �. At the Farley Speedway, racing season runs from the last weekend in _________ until the end of September.

Mail your answers in with yourenergy bill or email them to erobertson@mvec.com.

Two winners will each receive a $10.00 credit on their energy bills.

Name:

__________________________Address:

__________________________

__________________________

February winners:

Theresa Drew, CascadeLorraine Herman, Maquoketa

Two semi trucks loaded with 90’ power poles recently arrived at the Cooperative’s headquarters. The poles were shipped from Oregon and arrived with a separate semi and crane to assist with unloading. These poles are needed for the new radio communications system we are in the process of installing for the AMI system.

The AMI system uses two means of communication to get information from your meter to our office. One part uses a power line carrier system to communicate with each meter using the power line that runs from the substation to your meter. Once the data is collected at the substation it then needs to be relayed back to the office in Anamosa where it can be gathered and analyzed. This new communication system is needed to complete the last link and get data back to the office from each of our 37 substations. From each substation the data will be sent to one of our three main radio towers located near Dyersville, Otter Creek, and Anamosa. From these main towers the data will then be sent to the Cooperative office in Anamosa. The increased pole height is needed at some of our substations to provide a clear line of sight to one of the three main radio towers.

In addition to transmitting AMI data, this new communication system will also be used to transfer data from our existing SCADA system back to the office as well. SCADA allows us to monitor and control pieces of equipment at each substation. Our SCADA radio system has been in place for over 10 years and is approaching the end of its useful life. It is important we maintain SCADA as it continues to be extremely valuable in improving reliability to our members. The new communication system will be more reliable and avoid the need to maintain two separate communication systems.

As we indicated in previous newsletters, the new AMI system provides so much more than a simple meter reading. The AMI system will be one more tool we can use to focus maintenance programs and improve system reliability.

Be sure to visit our website at www.mvec.coop for a current update on the status of the AMI project or for any other questions you may have. Of course you are always welcome to call us at 800-927-6068.

Ditch Burning?BE CAREFUL! Pole replacements could cost YOU $300 to $600!

Burning close to Cooperative property can not only cause damage and potential electric service problems, but it can also be dangerous.

To prevent a pole from burning, remove dead vegetation around the pole or soak the area around the pole with water.