Watts News
Watts News is a newsletter published by
North Itasca Electric Cooperative for its members.


  Issues online:

  • July 2008
    • Highlights from the Annual Meeting
    • Watching our Waters
    • Roxanne's Sales Talk
    • Congratulations to Board Members
    • July Special Events
    • July Calendar
  • June 2008
    • President's Message
    • Over the CEO's Desk
    • Office Generations
    • Staff Assistant Report
    • Load Management News
    • Update from the Line Department
    • June Calendar
  • May 2008
    • Over the CEO's Desk: Power Cost Adjustment passthrough approved by Board
    • RoundUp® Awards
    • New Director Districts
    • Local Greenhouses Open
    • A New Way of Life is Upon Us
    • May Calendar
  • April 2008
    • North Itasca Electric at national convention
    • Director nominations open
    • Local gardeners help launch ... Spring Fling
    • Roxanne's Sales Talk
    • April Calendar
  • March 2008
    • New Commercial Building in Marcell
    • March 15 in Squaw Lake...
    • RoundUp® applications due
    • Roxanne's Sales Talk
    • Native Plants available to Itasca County residents
    • March Calendar
  • February 2008
    • Dance to the Oldies for Fire Equipment
    • Comprehensive plan for EOW
    • Apply for Washington, D.C. Youth Tour
    • February Calendar
  • January 2008
    • Over the CEO’s Desk: Rate Adjustment approved by the Board
    • White Oak Classic Jan 12-13
    • Area Food Shelf Donations
    • Roxanne's Sales Talk
    • Open Bowling!
    • Co-op Shorts
    • January Calendar
  • December 2007
    • Over the CEO’s Desk: Rate Adjustment • Capital Credits
    • Now Enrolling: Eagleview Youth Development Program
    • December Calendar
  • November 2007
    • Energy project proposed for Effie
    • Local RoundUp® grants exceed $11,000
    • Area Hunters' Suppers
    • Roxanne’s Sales Talk
    • ISD 318 operating levy
    • Trail Planning
    • November Calendar
  • October 2007
    • Roller Bound for River Town...II
    • RoundUp® Applications Due Oct 5
    • October is Coop Month
    • Bigfork Valley Challenge
    • Roxanne's Sales Talk
    • October Calendar
  • September 2007
    • Eagleview Technology Center thriving
    • Regional horticulture meeting in Marcell
    • Roxanne’s Sales Talk
    • September Calendar
  • August 2007
    • Cross country in a covered wagon
    • Koochiching County Fair, Northome
    • Roxanne’s Sales Talk
    • Turtles!
    • Food for a brighter future
    • August Calendar

Send your comments about the WATTS NEWS to the editor with the subject "Watts News".


Cold Weather Rule Notification

Energy Assistance


We need your help!

In an effort to update our billing database and maximize the available options we now have, we’d like to ask you for some assistance.

We are planning to combine accounts that have the exact name and address into one bill. This will reduce printing and mailing costs. This will be starting with the October bill, so if you do not want your accounts combined, please let Kim know.

We have the capability to print the physical address of your property right on the statement and this will prevent any confusion when multiple locations print on one bill.

We can also store summer/winter addresses, cabin phone numbers, cell phone numbers and your e-mail address. We’ve already had issues where prefixes to phone numbers have changed and we need to update your accounts.

All of this information can be very handy during outages or emergencies when we are trying to reach you. The only thing that we request you provide is your physical address to the property located in North Itasca Electric’s service territory. All other information is an option.

Please take this opportunity to send the following information in with your next bill or e-mail it to support@nieci.com: name, account # (if known), 911 address, home phone(s), cabin phone(s), cell phone(s, e-mail address(es). Your information is kept confidential and we appreciate your willingness to help. If you have any questions, please call the office Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm at 218-743-3131 or 800-762-4048.


Reward

On May 28, 2006 members of the Old Scenic Community Church on County Road 340 discovered the church was without power. After checking, it was found that the meter had been removed. Theft of a meter is bad enough but removing the meter left an open energized socket that anyone, particularly young people, could have been harmed by touching.

The theft has been reported to the Sheriff’s Office, but North Itasca Electric Co-op., Inc. wanted to do more to protect the public so your Board of Directors has authorized a $200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of this irresponsible party.

The meter is a: Landis & Gyr, Co-op.# 4904 S/N 644 08 749.

If you know where the meter is located please call (218) 743-3131.




Gopher One
the number to call before digging

It’s almost time to start digging activities around the home, and every homeowner in Minnesota should be aware of Gopher One.

By calling Gopher One, homeowners only need to make one call to alert utilities -- like telephone, electric or gas -- so they can locate any under-ground services. And it’s required by Minnesota state law (Chap. 216D).

So 2 working days before you plan to dig over 12 inches deep, call the Gopher One number at (800) 252-1166.

There is a new, easier way to access Gopher One. Just dial 811 - it's a national number that will connect you with the state notification service. It's still free as a service to you.

Homeowners should also know that the co-op will locate underground lines up to the meter, but lines from the meter to the house are consumer-owned and are not located by the utility.




Billing Notes

If your bill states “Pd by Cr Card” or “Paid at Bank” you do not need to mail the bill or a payment in to the office, it is set up to automatically deduct from the account you have previously selected.



Electrical Inspection

Except for minor repair work, all electrical work you do at your home, cabin, or property is required to be inspected by a State Electrical Inspector. A rough-in inspection must be made before any wiring is covered by insulation, sheetrock, etc., including installations underground. A final inspection is also required when all wiring has been completed. Please visit www.electricity.state.mn.us for more information.

The inspectors can be reached weekday mornings between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

  • Itasca County – Scott Nutting 218-927-6922 or cell 218-838-2464
  • Beltrami/Clearwater Counties - Mark Smythe (218) 751-0487 (www.smytheelectricinspections.com)
  • Koochiching/St. Louis Counties – Robert Orgon (218) 556-3829



Don’t get the WATTS NEWS but would like to?

Non-members may subscribe to have the WATTS NEWS delivered to their mailbox for $8 a year, or they may pick up a complimentary copy at the co-op's Appliance Store in Bigfork. Contact North Itasca Electric Cooperative at (800)762-4048 for more information.




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