UNDERSTANDING NEEDS

DELIVERING RESULTS

FALL 2009 • Vol. 2 • No. 2

Lighting outside of Tharaldson Ethanol’s 120MM GPY Ethanol Plant

INSIDE

MAXIMIZE YOUR UTILITY SAVINGS

INTERSTATES: SERVING YOUR ELECTRICAL, INSTRUMENTATION, AND CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS .... 3 EMPLOYEE PROFILE ........ 5 CLIENTS WHO WANT HELP ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY GOALS .. 5

“Energy Management” has moved out of the narrow realm of environmentalists into the spotlight of a more diverse audience in just a few short years. Energy is one of the top three operating costs of a facility, and with the current volatility in energy prices, this line item on a facility’s budget statement is closely scrutinized. Substantial savings are available to industrial facilities that focus on saving energy through supply-side, or utility, strategies. Often, these reductions come at little to no capital cost. The steps to saving are quite simple: start reviewing and tracking utility bills, then look for abnormalities and trends.

PLANT OWNER WINS THROUGH TEAMWORK ON ETHANOL PROJECT Building relationships has always been a cornerstone of Interstates’ business. People trust us with their work and rely on us to stand by our promises and maintain open and honest communication. This commitment to our clients can be key to a project’s success, as it was for a project near Casselton, North Dakota, for Tharaldson Ethanol. Interstates was contracted by VEI Global, Inc., a mechanical and process engineering firm headquartered in Fargo. VEI was handling the overall design responsibilities and construction management for the 120MM GPY ethanol project. Interstates has experience in ethanol plant construction that would be a valuable asset to the project team, so VEI charged Interstates with

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MAXIMIZE YOUR ELECTRICAL INVESTMENT

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UNDERSTANDING NEEDS

DELIVERING RESULTS

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MAXIMIZE continued from page 1 reduce power demand at certain hours of the day by shutting off designated loads, shifting to an alternate fuel, or by supplying supplemental power from an on-site generator. These options can become part of any current rate negotiations.

There are three general components of a utility bill: 1. ENERGY COST – the price of the actual kilowatt hours of electricity that were used. This is usually 70 to 80 percent of the bill.

Curtailment isn’t only available in states with reputations for energy supply problems, such as California. Iowa, Oregon, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have instituted load curtailment programs. Eligible customers include industrial facilities, government buildings, and large institutions such as hospitals and universities.

2. DEMAND COST – a charge that covers energy usages in quantities and at times less convenient for the electrical utility. This can be up to 20 to 30 percent of the bill. 3. POWER FACTOR – a surcharge added by power companies to cover the cost of having the infrastructure in place to provide uncorrected inductive loads. Typically, this runs 2% to 10 percent of the bill.

It takes some knowledge of the local interruptible rates and what other incentives are available through a utility company, but negotiations are becoming more common in today’s business climate. When considering negotiation, think of yourself less as a “payer” and more as a “buyer.”

Another way to maximize an electrical investment is by getting the best possible electrical rate for a facility. Up-front capital and continued maintenance costs have been put into the project. But, just because a rate has been negotiated with a utility provider when the facility was built doesn’t mean it can’t be renegotiated. Many utilities are currently under pressure because of their limited power supply and an expanding base of service demands. This leads them to seek ways to curtail demand. Curtailment, or load shedding, is a voluntary reduction of a facility’s load based on a request from the power provider. Some utilities are creating, or expanding, curtailment rates for customers able to

Making the most of a capital investment can only be done with an eye towards maximizing your bottom line. Taking care of this investment by monitoring utility rates is one way you can successfully grow your business. To learn more about how to save money by monitoring utility rates, please contact Shane Vander Kooi at (712) 722-1664 ext. 307 or [email protected]. Shane Vander Kooi

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PLANT OWNER WINS continued from page 1 disciplines so we could serve them better.”

With Interstates’ services working closely together, the power, control, and instrumentation could be coordinated. On this project, the same firm Interstates - specified the instrumentation and control devices and designed the power and signal circuits to these devices. “We’ve been a part of ethanol projects where electrical design, automation system, and instrumentation specifications were done by three separate parties, and there are always Tharaldson Ethanol’s 120MM GPY Ethanol Plant gaps left that the providing the complete electrical design, contractor needed to figure out at startup. instrumentation, and automation services. This project is a great example of how seamless integration of electrical engineering, “Since this was the first time we’ve teamed automation, and instrumentation design up with VEI, we felt a higher collaboration benefits the ethanol plant’s owner,” says effort was needed between us,” explains Jaron Vande Hoef. Vande Hoef, P.E. for Interstates Engineering. “We put people onsite from our engineering, Increased on-site presence also helped instrumentation, and controls services minimize the impact of schedule changes on

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the project. The engineering phase took longer than planned because of design revisions, but Interstates was able to help offset these delays through using an overlapping designbid-build process with multiple packages that allowed several electrical contractors to be onsite simultaneously, in different areas of the facility. States Vande Hoef, “Interstates is well-known as an integrated electrical designbuild contractor. The Tharaldson Ethanol project promotes our ability to perform as an integrated design-bid-build engineering firm and a singlesource electrical solution for projects of any size.” Performing multiple bid packages, our onsite presence, a compressed construction schedule, and our spirit of collaboration all helped overcome obstacles encountered on this project. The combined team of VEI Global and Interstates worked well together, and our shared commitment to getting the job done for Tharaldson Ethanol led to a successful project. For more information on our integrated engineering, automation, and instrumentation solutions, please contact Jaron Vande Hoef at (712) 722-1664 ext.304 or [email protected].

UNDERSTANDING NEEDS

DELIVERING RESULTS

INTERSTATES: SERVING YOUR ELECTRICAL, INSTRUMENTATION, AND CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS – DAY OR NIGHT When you last picked up a phone to call customer service, was your experience a positive one? In today’s marketplace, a client’s experience with service personnel can make or break a business relationship. Interstates strives to offer service that meets high standards: timely solutions, responsiveness, professionalism, and leaving the customer feeling as though the product or service has met their expectations. We have service offerings for every product and service we sell. Our goal is to take care of our customers and provide the expertise and equipment to keep their systems performing at their best. We offer a complete line of services (construction, instrumentation, engineering, and automation) that would typically require multiple phone calls and multiple contracts. The following list is a summary of our service department offerings. It is not an all-inclusive list of resources, but can provide a “launching off point” for showing how we provide services to keep our clients’ systems secure, up-to-date, and running optimally.

INTERSTATES INSTRUMENTATION, INC. SERVICE DEPARTMENT Sioux Center, Iowa Areas Served: Technicians serving clients in Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, and their surrounding states can provide support to other areas depending on client need. Services:

Day-to-day instrumentation maintenance 24-hour, on-demand emergency service and solutions Instrument startup Troubleshooting faulty instrument electronics, configuration and ranging issues Calibration services

Additional Notes: Can provide support that guarantees a 30-minute response time Full-time technicians available Authorized Service Provider for Endress + Hauser Authorized Service Provider for Scott Health and Safety Contact:

Adam Dittbenner, Service Coordinator (712) 722-1665 ext. 409 or [email protected]

INTERSTATES CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC. SUPPORT DEPARTMENT Sioux Center, Iowa Areas Served:

Technicians serving clients nation-wide using VPN (secure remote connection via Internet) Clientele often includes those in the milling, renewable fuels, and pet food industries.

Services: Custom control system support services, minor modifications and upgrades, small project work Help with computer and networking issues Troubleshoot control system hardware and software issues Tuning control systems for efficiency Additional Notes: After-hours, emergency support available. Most problems solved within 30 minutes of initial phone call

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Contact: Jon Wheeler, Support Services (712) 722-1663 ext. 200 (7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST) (712) 722-1663 and dial 1 (after 5:00 p.m CST)

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............................... VISIT US ON THE WEB at

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL OFFICE Fort Collins, Colorado Areas Served:

Technicians serving clients in the greater Wyoming and Colorado regions. Can provide support to other areas depending on client need. Clientele often includes those in the food and beverage, oil and gas, manufacturing, power plant, and pharmaceutical areas.

Services: Projects of all types and sizes, commercial and industrial Day-to-day electrical maintenance 24-hour, on-demand emergency service and solutions High voltage terminations Distribution of all sizes Hazardous Area applications Infrared imaging services Site audits New and retrofit lighting solutions Controls UL listed panel shop Contact: Josh Barber, Service Manager (970) 988-8329 (a 24-hour line) or [email protected]

OMAHA REGIONAL OFFICE Omaha, Nebraska Areas Served:

Technicians serving clients in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Kearney, Nebraska. Can provide support to other areas throughout the Midwest, including South Dakota, Iowa, and Kansas Clientele often includes those in the industrial, commercial, and pharmaceutical areas.

Services: 24-hour, on-demand emergency service and solutions HVAC controls expertise Correct issues with lighting repair, retrofits, installations, power distribution issues Repair hazard monitoring systems and PLC issues Projects of all types and sizes, commercial and industrial Services: Infrared imaging services, maintenance scheduling Additional Notes: Guaranteed 24-hour or less response time within major Midwest metro areas. Contact: Jeremy Rodgers (402) 934-1300 (a 24-hour line), or [email protected] When calling after-hours, leave message on the paging system, and your call will be returned shortly.

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL OFFICE Casa Grande, Arizona Areas Served:

Technicians serving clients throughout the Southwest U.S. Region

Services: Projects of all types and sizes, commercial and industrial Design-build services Service and repair Expertise on many existing systems 24-hour, on demand emergency service and solutions Additional Notes: Established and experienced in the Southwest Region Contact:

Mike Pool, Superintendent (520) 413-7811 ext.104 or [email protected]

For more information about these services, or to learn how we can meet your facility’s electrical needs, please contact Interstates at (800) 827-1662.

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DELIVERING RESULTS

EMPLOYEE PROFILE: JESSE ZIOLKOWSKI Sometimes great opportunities in life come unexpectedly. This is how Jesse Ziolkowski describes his journey to becoming a project manager for Interstates’ Fort Collins Regional Office. Jesse grew up in the Jesse Ziolkowski great state of Alaska, a region where nature and wildlife reign supreme. Here is where his appreciation for the outdoors began. So, it’s only natural that he would eventually find himself settled down in the Fort Collins office in Colorado, a state known for its nature enthusiasts. But, for Jesse to “settle” in one place at all is a surprise to him, “I’m going on seven years in the same house now,” he stated. “Before that, I never lived in one place for long. Four years used to be my record.” Traveling around the country was the reason Jesse first joined Interstates. He had been attending college in Wadena, Minnesota, and had planned to go back to Alaska after graduation. But, he happened to meet with Jim Koele, Interstates’ human resources manager (retired) at a career fair event and that meeting changed his plans. Jim recruited Jesse to be an apprentice electrician in the spring of 1992. Jesse intended to work for Interstates for a few years, then go back to Alaska. “But it never happened,” he says, smiling. “I enjoyed the travel and the lifestyle. I liked the people I was working with, and I was learning a lot. It never seemed like the ‘right time’ to quit.” With time on the job and experience, Jesse progressed to become a project manager for the company. He worked on many projects he enjoyed and formed great customer relationships over the years. “Developing a relationship with the customer and other project leaders is the number one, key factor to a successful project,” Jesse says. “Communication is critical. It helps us identify everyone’s needs and expectations, while helping all parties understand their role and the importance of keeping their commitments.” Doug Coltharp, regional office manager for Interstates, has personally seen Jesse’s ability to build relationships with clients. He explains,

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“When I first came to Interstates in 2003, Jesse and his crews had been building the industrial client base in Fort Collins for several years. His knowledge, experience, and leadership have been a driving force behind the success RMRO has had. Jesse’s support, input, and knowledge of Interstates’ systems and people have been invaluable to me.” Jesse has a lot of favorite clients, but he identifies one relationship in particular that has directly impacted his life. “We’ve partnered with Anheuser Busch for a number of years and have really grown to understand their needs and learn how to deliver a great project for them.” But, he confesses that it wasn’t always like that. “We did an expansion project for them, and at the time, I was somewhat inexperienced. They were a new customer, and it was a tight schedule. But, we kept our commitments, worked closely with their management group and the other contractors, and finished on time. This project led to a long lasting relationship

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UNDERSTANDING NEEDS

Jesse’s support, input, and knowledge of Interstates’ systems and people have been invaluable to me. Doug Coltharp, regional manager

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with Anheuser Busch, which eventually led to us opening a regional office in Fort Collins.” Prospects with Anheuser Busch are also the reason Jesse is still in Colorado. “My wife and I had already decided to move back to Sioux Center, Iowa, for awhile before we landed the Anheuser Busch job. Instead, I decided to do this one more job before moving. The opportunities with Anheuser Busch continued to come, and we ended up settling in Fort Collins permanently.” The journey was unexpected, but Jesse and his family have found an area of the world to settle down in where he feels connected with nature. For someone who loves hiking, hunting, and fishing, this traveling man feels right at home while serving clients in the Colorado region.

CLIENTS WHO WANT HELP ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY GOALS TURN TO INTERSTATES Clients who want help achieving sustainability goals can turn to Interstates’ LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) professionals. Doug Coltharp, manager of the Rocky Mountain Regional Doug Coltharp Office, and Jaron Vande Hoef, P.E. for Interstates Engineering, have been recognized for their knowledge of the LEED rating system and have been certified as LEED accredited professionals (APs) by completing Jaron Vande Hoef required coursework and passing a rigorous accreditation exam. Interstates’ LEED APs know that how a system is designed, what types of products are selected, and how they are installed can all affect a project’s sustainability. Coltharp and Vande Hoef have the training necessary to sort through the choices and help clients

make decisions that are right for each project. “As an electrical service provider, Interstates can directly impact energy consumption. Earning LEED certification gives our people a better understanding of how we can help save energy and design sustainable facilities,” Dave Crumrine, president of Interstates Construction, states. “Projects can be more successful from an energy standpoint.” Even when a client’s goal is not to attain LEED certification for their project, they can benefit from having LEED professionals on the team. “Clients often have multiple goals for becoming ‘green,’” Coltharp observes. “Having LEED skills, coupled with our technical skills, allows Interstates to better understand those needs and deliver the results clients are asking for.” If you’d like to learn how working with a LEED accredited professional can help your project be more sustainable, please contact Doug Coltharp (970) 221-1776 ext. 103 or Jaron Vande Hoef (712) 722-1664 ext. 304.

UNDERSTANDING NEEDS

DELIVERING RESULTS

Corporate Offices Interstates Construction Services, Inc. 1520 North Main Ave. • P.O. Box 260 Sioux Center, Iowa 51250 712-722-1662 • Fax: 712-722-1667 e-mail: [email protected]

Interstates Engineering, Inc. 538 12th Street NE Sioux Center, Iowa 51250 712-722-1664 • Fax: 712-722-8840 e-mail: [email protected]

Interstates Control Systems, Inc. 444 12th Street NE Sioux Center, Iowa 51250 712-722-1663 • Fax: 712-722-1693 e-mail: [email protected]

Interstates Instrumentation 538 12th Street NE Sioux Center, Iowa 51250 712-722-1665 • Fax: 712-722-7945 e-mail: [email protected]

Nashville Regional Office Interstates Construction Services, Inc. 225 Shakespeare Avenue Madison, Tennessee 37115 615-870-5744 • FAX: 615-870-5743 e-mail: [email protected]

Wyoming Office Interstates Construction Services, Inc. 1482 Commerce Drive, Unit Y Laramie, Wyoming 82070 307-742-3516 • FAX: 307-742-3686

Omaha Regional Office Interstates Construction Services, Inc. 14015 Industrial Road Omaha, Nebraska 68144-3319 402-934-2133 • Fax: 402-934-2138 e-mail: [email protected]

Rocky Mountain Regional Office Interstates Construction Services, Inc. 2636 Midpoint Drive, Suite C Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 970-221-1776 • FAX: 970-221-3652 e-mail: [email protected]

Southwest Regional Office Interstates Construction Services, Inc. 3048 N. Cessna - Suite 3 Casa Grande, AZ 85122 520-413-7811 • Fax: 520-421-0779 e-mail: [email protected]

The Interstates Companies offer full service, design-build electrical contracting, engineering, instrumentation, and control systems on a worldwide basis. Corporate offices are located in Sioux Center, IA, with regional offices in Sioux Falls, SD; Omaha, NE; Nashville, TN; Fort Collins, CO; and Casa Grande, AZ.

LOOK INSIDE to see some of the innovative and cost saving solutions we have brought to our customers’ projects. For more information, visit www.interstates.com.

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Building relationships has always been a cornerstone of Interstates’ business. People trust us with their work...

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