YAMPA VALLEY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

[YVEA News]

coloradocountrylife.coop 7FEBRUARY 2016

OSecuring Your Data BY DIANE JOHNSON || PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER || DJOHNSON@YVEA.COM

One of the things many of us enjoy about living in a smaller town is that feeling of being safe (at least safer than it feels in a big city). We don’t always lock our doors and we count on the fact that our neighbors are keeping an eye on things for us.

At YVEA, we too are constantly keeping an eye on things; and these days the “bad guys” aren’t always as easy to spot as they once were.

It seems every day we hear about another security breach, and today’s thieves aren’t targeting traditional goods like electronics or the family safe. Instead, they want your (and our) data. Cyber thieves keep testing digital doorknobs and looking for open software windows to find a way to crack personal and business databases.

YVEA takes this threat seriously and we are doing our best to protect our mem-bers against it. Whether it’s your personal data or the information we depend on, as an electric utility, we know that it’s impor-tant to put both physical and cyber secu-rity measures in place while still delivering reliable, safe and affordable power.

We follow the most up-to-date regulations and requirements regard-ing personal and credit card data and our employees are continually trained on the most current methods to ensure that computers, net-works and communication technology is encrypted and controlled. We

screen our vendors to ensure that they practice effective security measures.

Additionally, as a cooperative, we’re part of a national network of consumer-controlled elec-tricity providers working together to constantly evaluate and bolster cyber security measures. While there’s no sure-fire way to keep determined computer hackers out, we’re making it a lot harder, raising our level of protection with

new tools provided by the Cooperative Research Network, a research arm of our national service organization, the Arlington-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Collaborating with electric cooperatives across rural America, we are working hard to minimize cyber security risks. Physical security is key as well since some of the simplest cyber security measures actually involve securing physical facili-ties and paying attention to who is entering our properties.

Of course, security isn’t a one-time thing — we are continually improving and reinforcing our

defenses with new technologies and best practices to protect your data and our operations.

No matter what security challenges rear their heads in the future, we are striving to be ready to meet them — looking out for each other.

Diane Johnson

Assembling supplies before a storm arrives is one of the keys to weathering a winter storm emergency. Make sure your sup-ply kit includes:☑ Flashlights with fresh batteries.☑ Matches for lighting gas stoves or clean-burning heaters.☑ Wood for a properly ventilated fireplace.☑ First aid kit, prescription medicines and baby supplies.☑ Food that can be kept in coolers and a manual can opener.☑ A landline telephone and/or fully charged cellular phone.☑ Bottled drinking water.☑ Battery-powered emergency lights and radio.

STORM SUPPLY CHECKLIST

[YVEA News]

coloradocountrylife.coop4 FEBRUARY 20168

YVEA NEWSPROJECTS FOR 2016

With our short summers, YVEA has a tight schedule to make sure it gets pole inspections completed, as well as summer maintenance projects. YVEA wants members to be aware of work in their areas. This year we will have pole inspectors in-specting overhead circuits in the South Routt and North Eagle county systems. You can expect to see inspectors in vehicles, using all-terrain vehicles and on foot.

Our underground contractor will be working on cable replacements in Craig district subdivisions Golden Meadows and Meadow Village in Hayden, Craig East and Terrace Estates in Craig and Cedar Plaza in Baggs. The contractor will also be in Blacktail, Ski Ranches and Eagles Watch subdivision areas in the Steamboat Springs district. Our overhead contractor will be working on reconductor projects on Highway 13 north of Craig and in the Knez Divide area of the Craig district. They will also be in the Steamboat Springs district on Highway 131 north and south of Oak Creek, 13th Street and Howelson Parkway, Crawford Avenue and in the Dream Island area. Thank you for your patience as we maintain and upgrade our infrastructure. If you have any questions, please contact 970-871-2297.

In an effort to serve our members better, we added a “Work in Progress” tab on our website to keep you in-formed about work in your subdivisions and neighborhoods as well as larger projects along highways and county roads. We will also put updates to these projects on our Facebook page. If you have any questions, please feel free to call 970-871-2297.

CHAMBER MIXERYampa Valley Electric and Yampa Valley Bank are hosting a Chamber of Com-merce mixer on February 11, 5-7 p.m. at Yampa Valley Bank in Craig at 435 Mack Lane. Stop by and see us.

ATTENTION MEMBERSThe YVEA Craig office in the Yampa Valley Bank will be closed on Presidents Day, February 15. Please remember you can always drop off your payments at City Market.

Groundhog Day

Valentines Day

President’sDay

Visit YVEA’s website for more events happening in your area.YVEA.com

HHaving red and silver heart-shaped Mylar balloons delivered to a loved one on Valentine’s Day is a sweet gesture. In fact, these shiny and colorful balloons brighten any celebration, but they must be handled and disposed of properly to avoid safety hazards and dam-age to electrical systems.

Mylar balloons are filled with helium and are made of a type of nylon with a thin external metal coating. The metal coating has the ability to conduct electricity. If released, Mylar balloons can come into contact with overhead power lines or electrical substations and cause power outages and fires.

According to Nevada Energy, one such balloon led to the loss of power to 13,000 homes. If a balloon becomes entangled and has a card or tag that can be traced to you, you will be responsible for the damages.

Safe Electricity offers the following tips to help you make sure Mylar balloons are used and disposed of safely:

• Always tie your balloons down or use a weight. • It is safest to keep your Mylar balloons inside. In fact, Mylar balloons

are banned on the property of some parks, so be aware of these warnings.

• If you see a Mylar balloon in contact with a power line, never attempt to disconnect it yourself. Notify your electric cooperative immedi-ately.

• Never tie a metallic ribbon on your balloon. Also, never tie a Mylar balloon to a child’s arm. These both can pose substantial electrical and bodily threats.

After your celebrations come to an end, always deflate and poke holes in Mylar balloons so that they cannot become airborne after disposal. As they are not biodegradable, your balloons should be recycled rather than released into the environment or sent to a landfill. Before placing the bal-loon in your recycling bin, puncture it so that it cannot become airborne if released.

Another option is to reuse your balloon after it is deflated. Consider framing the balloon for a unique decoration or using it for gift wrap.

UP-IN-THE-AIR SAFETY

[YVEA News]

coloradocountrylife.coop 9FEBRUARY 2016

DDuring the two decades of service to Yampa Valley Electric Asso-ciation, Sam Haslem served as a board member, as chairman of the board and as the board’s represen-tative to the Colorado Rural Elec-tric Association. Dean Brosious, current chairman of the board for YVEA, said, “It was my distinct pleasure to have served with Sam on the YVEA board and on many subcommittees that we shared.”

Sam was born in 1930 in Jensen, Utah, to Joseph and Ruth P. Haslem. He spent his summers at the Blue Mountain Cow Camps at Basin Springs and winters in Jensen, Utah, on the Haslem ranch. He started school in Pat’s Hole, located in the Dinosaur National Monument. This was a one-room school with three students, taught by his mother. Following the winter of 1935-36, he lived in Jensen and at-tended the Jensen School. Sam graduated from Uintah High School in Vernal, Utah, in 1947. That fall he started college at Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts in Fort Collins. While attending college he was active in the ski club, Aggie Hay Lofters and American Commons Club, and was one of the original 10 members of the Aggie Flying Club. While attending college he was in ROTC and upon graduation in 1952 was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. While in the Air Force he was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver and Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. While at Roswell he was squadron gunnery officer for the 39th Bomb Squadron. Following discharge in 1954, Sam joined the Colorado Cooperative Extension Service with Colorado A&M. He served as extension agent for the Ute Mountain Tribe at Towoac; as 4-H agent

in Adams County at Brighton; and as county extension direc-tor for San Miguel and west Montrose counties, stationed at Norwood. He then served a three-year term as state sheep and wool specialist on campus at Colorado A&M, now known as Colorado State University. He then came to Routt County as county extension director for Colorado State University in 1970 and served there until his retirement in 1987. Sam was active in the National County Agriculture Agents Associa-tion and served a two year term as western region director on the national board. While at Steamboat Springs he was active in the Hayden Lions Club, Hayden Congregational Church, American Legion, Hayden Valley Lodge 126 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Civil Air Patrol, Steamboat Rotary, Routt County Cattlemen’s Association, Farm Bureau, Routt County Wool Growers and Routt County Fair. Sam was active with the National Western Stock Show since 1960, first in the ju-nior show and then as the first superintendent for the National Western sheep shearing contest. This contest started out as a

junior contest and actually developed into the International Profes-sional Sheep Shearers Contest.

In 1952 Sam married Patricia Dalrymple of Fort Collins. From this union three children were born: Richard Marc, Terri Ann and Sherri Lyn. Following their divorce in 1966, Sam had custody of his three children. He later met Louise Beals from Collbran and they married in 1967. To this union Joseph Wilfred was born in 1969. Sam and Louise lived in the same house on the hill at Hayden since 1974. Sam and Louise have five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Sam served his country, his communities and his friends and fam-ily. He was an amazing man and example to all and always had a great sense of humor.

Yampa Valley Electric Association wants to express its condolences to Sam’s family. He will be missed.

Yampa Valley Electric AssociationBoard of Directors and Employees

Remembering Sam Haslem

Sam Haslem 1930-2016

Generator SafetyMake sure you know how to operate your generator

safely. Unsafe operation can threaten you, your family,

neighbors and even the linemen working to restore

power. Unsafe installation or operation may result

in a lawsuit, and your insurance may not cover your

liability.

WINTER BEAUTY

Photo by Shawn Stoehr

[YVEA News]

coloradocountrylife.coop4 FEBRUARY 201610

TLEAP MAKES HEATING COSTS MANAGEABLE FOR THOSE IN NEEDThe Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, is designed to help eligible low-income households with win-ter home heating costs. LEAP is a 100-percent federally-funded pro-gram administered by the Colorado Department of Human Services which provides cash assistance to help Colo-radans pay a portion of home heating costs during the winter months.

To qualify for LEAP, applicants must be responsible for paying heating costs directly to an energy provider, fuel dealer or as part of their rent; and be permanent legal residents of the United States and Colorado or have household members that are U.S. citizens. Also, applicants must earn a maximum family household income that does not exceed 165 per-cent of the federal poverty index.

*LEAP pays the highest benefits to those with the highest primary heating fuel costs.Continue paying your heating bill, as LEAP assistance will not pay for your entire heat-ing bill. Do not wait for help from LEAP. The process takes time, so you must keep your account current by making a payment towards your bill on time. You may receive only one LEAP benefit per heat season. The heat season runs from November 1 through April 30.

For more information on LEAP, call your local Human Services office at:Routt County – 970-879-1540

Moffat County – 970-824-8282Wyoming – 307-777-6346

Or visit the LEAP website at http://www.energyoutreach.org.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Save energy and money by lowering your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This will also slow mineral build up and corrosion in your water heater and pipes.

Source: energy.gov