Transmission Line Options include Northern Route 

One route has been dropped, one added. There are now three alternative routes being considered for the new high voltage transmission line running between Wilton Substation near Bemidji and Boswell Substation near Cohasset.

Two of the routes roughly follow Highway 2 and would cost an estimated $65-70 million to construct, according to information provided at the public meeting in Blackduck on March 17. The third would travel north to Blackduck and then east, entering North Itasca Electric service territory near Alvwood. Following roughly the 69 kV right of way bordering Highway 29, the corridor would travel east to Highway 6 and south to Highway 2. The actual routing and topographic maps are available at www.CapX2020.com, click on "Maps" and then on "Bemidji Grand Rapids 230 kV..."

The future of energy and conservation  

We are all being challenged by the future of energy. With the high cost of fossil fuels, climate change legislation, alternative fuels sources to eliminate new coal burning power plants; it has been a challenge keeping prices where they have been for so many years. North Itasca Electric along with the other 27 cooperatives that are members of Great River Energy are working to keep energy costs as low as possible.

Using the energy you need but wasting less is the best way to reduce your energy costs and the cost of producing or purchasing additional energy on the open market.

Effie mounted search and rescue receives donation 

Bigfork Valley recently donated five equipped saddlebags to a local mounted search and rescue group.

Based in Effie, the group is made up of volunteers assisting on call with the Itasca County Search and Rescue Team. Members have had basic first aid and CPR training, explained Roger Clark, lieutenant with the county Search and Rescue team, as well as training in using GPS coordinates and a presentation on how search and rescue operations work.

Using horses, explained Greta Drewlow, member of the group and Northland Saddle Club president, adds another dimension to off terrain searches. Mounted searchers are quiet so they can hear cries for help. They can move through trees or over ground that is inaccessible to motorized traffic, and the horse itself can detect things out of the usual.

Roxanne’s Sales Talk  

This year's Mother's Day sale is May 7th. Once again we will be having an Open House and serving rolls and coffee, so make sure to keep this date open. You can stop in and check out our appliances and visit with all your neighbors. I will have all the details in next month's paper so watch for it then.

I want to let everyone know that I just received a new rebate form from Fridigaire. There are a lot of the refrigerators as well as washers and some dishwashers that we sell that are listed on this rebate form. This rebate runs from March 18th to May 17, perfect timing for the Mother's Day Open House. The rebates range from $20-$50. This is great news for all of you that were not one of those lucky enough to score a state stimulus rebate. If you need appliances, this would be a great time to purchase to get in on the savings from the Mother's Day sale prices and the rebate through Fridigaire. You can go to frigidaire.com and print off a form, or I have them here.

Nominations Open 

The bylaws of the Cooperative state that it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to appoint a committee on nominations prior to the annual meeting.

The committee shall propose and post at the principal office of the Cooperative at least thirty (30) days before the annual meeting, a list of nominations for director, which said list shall consist of one or more candidates from each election district in which the term of the incumbent director shall expire at the next annual meeting of the members.

April 2010 Calendar of Events