Bon Homme Yankton Electric April 2019 Vol. 19 No. 12
Keeping Calm When Things Go Wrong Page 8
All-of-theAbove Strategy Meets Demand Page 12
MANAGER’S COLUMN
Cooperative Lineworker Day:
Celebrate on April 8 National studies consistently rank power lineworkers are among the most dangerous jobs in the country, and for good reason. Laboring high in the air wearing heavy equipment and working directly with high voltage creates the perfect storm of a dangerous and unforgiving profession. But electric lineworkers are up to the task. These brave men and women are committed to safety, as well as the challenges of the job.
Stephanie Horst horst@byelectric.com
Bon Homme Yankton Electric lineworkers are responsible for keeping power flowing day and night, regardless of national holidays, vacations, birthdays, weddings or other important family milestones. Beyond the years of specialized training and apprenticeships, it takes internal fortitude and a mission-oriented outlook to be a good lineworker. In fact, this serviceoriented mentality is a hallmark characteristic of lineworkers. The job requires lineworkers to set aside their personal priorities to better serve their local community.
Family Support System To perform their jobs successfully, lineworkers depend on their years of training, experience and each other to get the job done safely.
...electric lineworkers are up to the task. These brave men and women are committed to safety, as well as the challenges of the job.
Equally important is their reliance on a strong support system at home. A lineworker’s family understands and supports their loved one’s commitment to the greater community during severe storms and power outages. This means in times of prolonged outages, the family and their lineworker may have minimal communication and not see each other for several days. Without strong family support and understanding, this challenging job would be all the more difficult.
Community Commitment In Yankton and Bon Homme counties, and across the country, electric co-op lineworkers’ mission-focused mentality of helping others often extends beyond their commitment to their work at the co-op. Lineworkers are often familiar figures in the community. They can be found coaching youth sports teams, volunteering for local charities and serving on local advisory boards.
Thank You Monday, April 8 is Lineworker Appreciation Day. Given the dedication of Bon Homme Yankton Electric’s lineworkers, both on and off the job, I encourage you to take a moment and acknowledge the many contributions they make to our local community. And if you see their family members in the grocery store or out and about in the town, please offer them a thank you as well.
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Cooperative Connections | April 2019
CO-OP NEWS
Bon Homme Yankton Electric (USPS No. 018-973)
Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc PO Box 158 134 S Lidice St Tabor, SD 57063 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm To pay by phone, call: 1-888-395-5315 To report an outage, call: Local call from Tabor, Tyndall and Yankton: 605-463-2507 Toll Free in South Dakota: 1-800-925-2929 NOTICE: Electric bills must be paid by 10:00am on the 20th of each month to avoid a $10 late fee. Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is published monthly by Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc., PO Box 158, 134 S. Lidice St., Tabor, SD 57063-0158 for its members. Families subscribe to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections as part of their electric cooperative membership. Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connection’s purpose is to provide reliable, helpful information to electric cooperative members on matters pertaining to rural electrification and better rural living. Subscription information: Electric cooperative members devote $6.00 from their electric payments annually for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions are available for $12 annually. Periodicals Postage Paid at Tabor, SD 57063 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections, Bon Homme Yankton Electric, PO Box 158, Tabor, S.D. 57063 TELEPHONE (605)463-2507: FAX (605) 463-2419. Design assistance by TDG Communications, Deadwood, S.D.
Rate Changes Coming Soon
Changes to rates and rate structures will become effective May 1st and will be used for the bills sent out June 1st. A 2% increase in revenues was recommended by the 2019 budget process to meet all of our financial obligations. Watch for the May issue of the Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections and your April 1st bill for details.
Statement of non-discrimination
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http:// www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. April 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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SAFETY TIPS
Protect Your Family According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical cords and temporary wiring account for more than 25 percent of the estimated 81,000 electrical system fires that occur each year. These fires can be prevented by following these essential home electrical safety tips.
Always Call Before You Dig.
Extension cord safety Don’t use extension cords as a substitute for repairing building wiring. Inspect extension cords for broken connectors, damaged insulation and missing hardware before each use. Do not run extension cords through walls, over beams, around corners or through doorways. Only use extension cords approved for the environment and loads expected. Equip extension cords with ground fault interruption (GFI) devices. Don’t use coiled extension cords. Discard damaged extension cords; don’t try to repair them. Use only surge protected power strips. Inspect the power strips regularly for damage or signs of overloading.
Temporary wiring Don’t substitute temporary and flexible wiring for repairing building wiring. Use temporary wiring only when needed for maintenance, repair or demolition activities. Limit temporary wiring for holiday or ornamental lighting to no more than 90 days. In outdoor settings, use only outdoor approved temporary wiring and extension cords. Don’t route temporary wiring across floors, around doors or through walls. Locate temporary wiring at least 7 feet above any walking or working surface. Protect temporary wiring from sharp edges, heat and sunlight to avoid breakdown of the insulation.
One easy call gets your utility lines marked and helps protect you from injury and expense. Safe Digging Is No Accident: Always Call 811 Before You Dig
Visit call811.com for more information.
KIDS CORNER SAFETY POSTER
Equipment power cords Inspect equipment cords for damage before each use. Don’t operate equipment cords without a ground connection unless they are double insulated. Don’t splice equipment cords to repair damage or to extend the original length.
Safeguards to install Inspect all electrical appliances to ensure they’re properly grounded. Write the purpose of each circuit breaker, fuse or switch on the panel board. Label all disconnecting switches and circuit breakers. Source: nationwide.com 4
Cooperative Connections | April 2019
“Do not use cords with bare spots.” RosaLee Masson, 8 years old
RosaLee is the grand-daughter of Steve and Ruby Niklason, Bryant, S.D. They are members of Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, Watertown, S.D. Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, you’ll receive a prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.
RECIPES
Appetizers and Beverages Orange Glazed Turkey Meatballs
Hot Chicken Dip 3 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, 1 (4 oz.) can sliced softened
jalepenos, chopped
2 (10 oz.) cans chicken breast, drain 1 can
1 can cream of chicken soup
Mix together and heat in microwave or crock pot. Serve warm with any snack crackers or scoop chips. Nancy Stenson, Fort Pierre, SD
Crab Roll-Ups 2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese 1 pkg. frozen crab meat, thawed 1/2 to 1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix 1 pkg. large flour tortilla shells Melt cream cheese in microwave until soft enough to stir; mix in ranch dressing mix. Cut up crab meat into small pieces; mix with cream cheese. Spread over tortilla shells and roll up. Refrigerate 1 hour. Cut into 1-inch slices. Store in refrigerator.
1 egg
1 lb. ground turkey
1/4 cup milk
1 T. olive oil
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
1 cup orange marmalade
1/2 tsp. McCormick® Poultry 1 T. white wine vinegar Seasoning 1 pinch McCormick® Red 1/4 tsp. McCormick® Black Pepper, Ground Pepper, Ground Beat egg and milk in large bowl. Stir in bread crumbs, salt, poultry seasoning and pepper. Add ground turkey; mix well. Cover. Refrigerate 1 hour. Shape into 1-inch meatballs. Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Place meatballs in single layer in skillet. Cook until well browned on all sides. Remove meatballs from skillet. Set aside. Mix orange marmalade, broth, vinegar and red pepper in skillet on medium heat. Bring to boil, stirring to release browned bits in bottom of skillet. Return meatballs to skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and sauce has reduced to glaze consistency. Makes 15 (2 meatball) servings. Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 123, Total Fat 3g, Protein 7g, Cholesterol 37mg, Sodium 245mg, Carbohydrates 17g
Patricia Cerny, Gregory, SD
Rise and Shine Smoothies 1 cup fresh strawberries
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1 banana
2 T. honey
1 ripe mango
1 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup orange juice Wash and hull strawberries. Peel banana and cut into chunks. Pit, peel and slice mango. In a blender, combine all ingredients, blending until smooth. Pour into glasses. Makes 2 servings.
Pictured, Cooperative Connections
Cappuccino Mix 1 cup coffee creamer
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate drink mix
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2/3 cup coffee crystals
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients. Add 3 tsp. mix to 1 cup hot water. Verna Nelson, Wakonda, SD
Eileen Holzerland, Waubay, SD
Cocktail Weiners 1 cup brown sugar
1/3 to 1/2 cup grape jelly
1 cup ketchup
2 pkgs. cocktail smokies
Combine all ingredients; simmer on low heat. Linda Rauscher, Aberdeen, SD
Please send your favorite casserole, dairy or dessert recipes to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). Each recipe printed will be entered into a drawing for a prize in June 2019. All entries must include your name, mailing address, phone number and co-op name. April 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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YOUTH PROGRAMS
TEENS: Head to North Dakota This Summer for Free!
It’s Fun and Free!
Bon Homme Yankton Electric will be sponsoring an all-expenses-paid excursion to North Dakota. Five area high school students will be chosen to participate on the excursion. The South Dakota Rural Youth Excursion will give these students the opportunity to learn and see where and how electricity is generated.
Visit North Dakota and learn how you get your energy. Meet new people and travel this summer! Ask us how!
The Youth Excursion Tour will be held July 22-25, 2019, and is headquartered in Bismarck, N.D.
July 22-25, 2019
Tour the Great Plains Synfuel Plant, Freedom Coal Mine and Antelope Valley Station Power Plant.
Young people attending this event will: Have the opportunity to sightsee and to meet new friends from other participating cooperatives.
Spend their evenings swimming, shopping and cruising on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat. Bon Homme Yankton Electric will provide transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment and sightseeing events. Students are required to supply their own personal/shopping money. Applying is the easiest part. The Youth Excursion is available to current sophomores and juniors who are dependents of Bon Homme Yankton Electric members. Fill out the form below and send it to: Bon Homme Yankton Electric, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063 by May 3, 2019. Three people will be chosen to attend the 2019 Youth Excursion.
Learn about “The Story Behind the Switch” and see where South Dakota’s electricity generates.
2019 Youth Excursion Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________City:_______________________ State:______ Zip:___________ Phone Number:_________________________ Email: _________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian’s Names: ______________________________________________________________________________________ School: ___________________________________________________ Year in School in 2018-2019 School Year: _____________ Male or Female: ________________________________________________________ T-shirt Size: ____________________________ Return this form by May 3, 2019 to: Bob Felber – bfelber@byelectric.com
Bon Homme Yankton Electric PO Box 158, Tabor, South Dakota 57063 605-463-2507 6
Cooperative Connections | April 2019
Enhanced Security
CO-OP NEWS
Tax Information As members get ready to prepare their 2018 tax returns, they have been calling our office asking if there is anything to report. The Bon Homme Yankton Electric Main oďŹƒce now has a new look. As a measure to increase security, a new front counter and locked security door has been installed.
Save the Date!!
The Power Supply Bus Tour to North Dakota has been scheduled for July 24-26, 2019. Registration forms and more information will be in the May issue of the Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections.
It is not required that capital credit allocations be reported to the IRS at the time it is allocated. When the capital credits are refunded, the refund is only considered taxable income in relation to the same portion of the electric bill that was claimed as a business or farm expense in the year that it was originally allocated. Most members either report the allocation or the refund as taxable income for their farm, but you should not report both--just be consistent. Since we will not be sending out the allocation notices until April, you may want to save that notice for your 2019 taxes. If you report your refund check, we did not send out a refund in 2018. For more information, members should contact their tax preparer.
SOLAR STATS Month Solar Production Solar used by office
February 212 KWH 212/100%
Solar put back on grid
0/0%
Main office KWH used
9,372
From grid
9,160
From solar
212
Solar % of KWH used Max solar production/day
2.3% 22 KWH April 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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YOUR SAFETY
Planting season brings reminders for the importance to keep equipment away from power lines.
KEEPING CALM Know the Steps if an Accident Occurs Brenda Kleinjan editor@sdrea.coop
In the spring of 2017, an operations manager of a cooperative in western South Dakota cooperative got a call from a member. There had been an accident and the member’s tractor was now resting against two broken poles which were supporting an energized 115-kilovolt line. Even though the power line did not ultimately belong to the cooperative, it served to illustrate an on-going concern: accidents between agriculture equipment and power lines appeared to be on the rise. Cooperatives have engaged in educational efforts to inform people what to do to first avoid the accident and secondly what steps to take if an accident occurs. The first thing to keep in mind is to avoid the accident. Know the height of your equipment, the width of your equipment and the location of various electric facilities that should be avoided. Then, make sure that all involved are taking the steps to avoid having equipment come in contact with electric utilities. 8
Cooperative Connections | April 2019
A 2017 planting season accident in western South Dakota broke the poles of a 115-kV line which stayed energized.
But if an accident does happen, knowing the steps to take could save your life and those around you. If your equipment does come in contact with a power line:
The member immediately called the cooperative and stayed inside the cab of the tractor. Thankfully, a fire did not start so the member did not have to exit and hop away.
Accidents involving underground cabinets – commonly called the green boxes – have Wait for electric crews to clear the also been occurring as equipment gets area and keep others away from the wider. And, the sheer volume of snow accident scene. accumulation that occurred in the winter of 2018-2019 If the equipment resulted in several catches fire and one cabinets being hit must exit the cab, If an accident does or buried during there’s a process to happen, knowing the snow removal follow, too. operations. steps to take could “Tuck your arms The equipment up and give save your life and housed in the yourself a bear those around you. cabinets is hug and hop clear. energized and can Don’t touch the pose the same equipment and the issues that occur when equipment contacts ground at the same time. Then hop away,” overhead lines. said Courtney Deinert, communications director at Central Electric Cooperative in In either case, the best option is to prevent Mitchell, S.D. the accident from occurring by being aware of the location of the equipment. One of Central Electric’s members was But, if an accident does occur, call your involved in an incident involving a grain local electric cooperative, stay inside the cart and a power line on a farm near vehicle’s cab and keep others away from Mitchell. The auger of the grain cart the scene until co-op crews arrive. became entangled in the lines. Stay inside the cab and call 911.
PRE-PLANNING CAN
SAVE LIVES DURING PLANTING
When it’s go-time, it’s go-time. We understand that every second counts during planting season, but taking a moment to be mindful of safety during this anxious time could save you a lot of heartache in the long run. Remember to check your equipment, be aware of power lines, keep your cellphone on you at all times, dress appropriately and stay rested this spring.
Together we are
FAR M SA FE T Y A Northern Electric Facebook post from October discussed an accident in Spink County where the operator took the right steps after being involved in an accident with an overhead line. April 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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CO-OP NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS May Issue Deadline: April 1, 2019. Email your classified ad to: by@ byelectric.com. Members can post one free ad per year. Repeats or longer ads are $1/column inch. FOR RENT: 1 bedroom apartment. Tabor Manor. Contact Gary at 605-463-2209 or Ron at 605-463-2256. Beseda Hall, Tabor, SD for rent for any special occasion such as weddings, anniversaries, graduation or birthdays! For more information contact Linda Bares at 605-661-6220 or snlbares@ gmail.com. FOR RENT: Tabor Self Storage. Call 605-660-0274 or 605-6603497.
Are You Up For the Challenge? Become A Bon Homme Yankton Electric Director
Bon Homme Yankton Electric is making plans for its annual meeting. The meeting will be held August 13, 2019 in the Beseda Hall in Tabor. Director positions with three year terms expiring this year are districts two and seven. Any person wishing to run for a directorship of Bon Homme Yankton Electric will need to file a nominating petition. The petition must have at least 15 signatures of members living in the appropriate district in Bon Homme Yankton Electric’s service area. Petitioners must reside in the district and have an active membership in the cooperative. The petitions are available in the main office and must be filed at the Bon Homme Yankton Electric office by 4:00p.m. June 7, 2019. If you should decide to become a director, you should be aware of the responsibilities involved: 1. A director must be prepared to abide by and uphold the bylaws of the cooperative. 2. Directors act as trustees for the assets of the cooperative and protect its assets. 3. They formulate, approve and review policies to provide guidelines for the cooperative. 4. The board is responsible for sending representatives to the associations to which the cooperative is a member.
WELCOME MEMBERS
5. Directors are asked to lobby and remain informed on pertinent legislative issues.
Avon
7. The board reviews financial reports, work plans, audits, approves purchases and evaluates the cooperative operations.
Lone Creek Cattle Company Scotland Joseph & Kelli Gastonguay II Tabor
6. A great deal of reading and studying as well as attending seminars is necessary to keep informed of current local and nationwide happenings and how they may affect the cooperative.
8. An important quality required of directors is responding to member’s concerns and questions. They need to be available to their constituents. 9. A good director must have a genuine spirit of wanting to help at all times. R61
Lisa Petersen Tyndall
MONROE
R60 EMANUAL
R59
R58
WASHINGTON
SCOTLAND
R57 ODESSA
R56 JAMESVILLE
R55
R54
MAYFIELD
TURKEY VALLEY
T96
Dane Boeckman Benjamin King & Jorry Lammers Yankton Chad Stauffacher Brandon Renteria Manny Ramirez Dakota Protein, LLC
T95
JEFFERSON
FRANKLIN
ALBION
JACKSON
CLEVELAND
LINCOLN
TABOR
T94
T93
T92
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AVON
Cooperative Connections | April 2019
HANCOCK
SPRINGFIELD
RUNNING WATER
BON HOMME
LITTLE TABOR
LESTERVILLE
NORTH ZISKOV
SOUTH ZISKOV
CENTRAL
WALSHTOWN
NORTH UTICA
NORTH MISSION HILL
SOUTH UTICA SOUTH MISSION HILL
MARINDAHL
VOLIN
GAYVILLE
MARKETPLACE HEATING & COOLING
2401 Broadway Suite #3 Yankton, SD 57078
60 5- 665- 9 4 61 800-491-9461
Warm Air, Air to Air, Geothermal Heat Pumps
GT Repair & Autobody Glenn Tycz Tyndall, SD 57066
605-589-3018 Marine Boat Repair Aluminum & Fiberglass We Repair and Install Windshields
BOHEMIAN FARMERS R. Martin Koch, Secretary PO Box 206 Tabor, SD 57063
Koranda Well Company LLC Tabor, SD 57063
605-463-2244 Well drilling, repairing and cleaning Water Systems – Artesian Wells Sales and Installation Earth-Coupled Heat Pump
Emergency Service Free Estimates
MUTUAL
605-463-2558 605-589-3572
If only the future was predictable. Farming is always a gamble. You never know when bad weather or other problems will strike. The only thing you can be sure of—you need quality insurance protection. Call our office today for a competitive quote.
Sanders Heating & Cooling 300 W 17th Tyndall, SD 57066
Yankton, Tabor, Tyndall, Menno
605-665-9679
Preplanning will give you peace of mind and may save money
K CONSTRUCTION AND PAINTING New Construction Remodel - Roofing Flooring
Jason Finck Tabor, SD 57063
605-589-3228 1-800-894-3228 Furnaces, Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Free Estimates
Feel the power of data in your hands with SmartHub mobile and web apps. SmartHub allows you to view your usage data and manage your account right from your mobile device in a secure environment. Go to www.byelectric.coop and follow the link to the SmartHub site or download the free app on Google Play or iTunes.
605-660-3204 April 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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CO-OP NEWS
Extreme cold temperatures put the components of wind towers at risk of failure, which is the reason many wind towers in North Dakota and South Dakota shut down at the end of January.
POWERING THROUGH WINTER Extreme Cold Requires An ‘All of the Above’ Approach to Meet Demand for Electricity Ben Dunsmoor bdunsmoor@northernelectric.coop
Weather stations installed on wind turbines automatically shut down the wind tower when temperatures drop to 22 degrees F below zero. Those temperatures put the components of the wind tower at risk of failure.
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The record-setting cold and snow in South Dakota this winter led to record demand for power. The cold snap also highlighted the need for the continued use of coal and natural gas generation as many wind generators in the region had to be shut down as a result of the frigid weather. Extreme cold descended into the Upper Midwest in January and didn’t release its grip for several weeks. East River Electric Power Cooperative in Madison, S.D., which supplies wholesale power to 24 rural electric cooperatives and one municipally owned system in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota, experienced an all-time record peak for electric demand on Jan. 29 and 30. Wind chills dipped to 20 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit below zero during that time period.
in Bismarck, N.D., as well as hydropower from the Western Area Power Administration. Basin Electric owns and operates the coal, gas, diesel and wind generation resources needed to meet the demand of member co-ops located in nine states in the middle of the United States. “Basin Electric is your cooperative,” said Dave Raatz, Basin Electric senior vice president of asset management, resource planning and rates. “We are trying to do what we can to ensure everyone has the appropriate power so they do have the ability to have the electric heat and they do have the ability to have electricity at the house.”
“The East River system performed well under these extreme weather conditions with very few issues,” said East River General Manager/CEO Tom Boyko.
Basin Electric had plans in place to meet the demand of co-op members during the extreme cold in January and February despite the challenges the frigid temperatures caused its generation resources. Basin Electric saw many of its wind towers in North Dakota and South Dakota shutdown as a result of cold temperatures and had to rely on natural gas and coal generation as well as market purchases.
Member co-ops of East River Electric depend on a reliable supply of power from Basin Electric Power Cooperative
According to Basin Electric Senior Vice President of Operations John Jacobs, wind towers become brittle and cannot operate
Cooperative Connections | April 2019
CO-OP NEWS during extreme cold. Weather stations installed on each turbine automatically shut down the wind tower when temperatures drop to 22 degrees F below zero. Those temperatures put the components of the wind tower at risk of failure. “The best analogy I can give is a rubber hose,” explained Jacobs. “If you warm it up enough, it will melt. If it gets too cold, it will get too brittle.” That is the reason production from Basin Electric’s wind resources bottomed out in the early morning hours of Jan. 30 when the Bismarck area saw air temperatures of 31 degrees F below zero in North Dakota and the National Weather Service in Aberdeen, S.D., reported record low temperatures of 33 degrees F below zero or lower in Aberdeen, Watertown and Groton. Basin Electric’s fleet of natural gas and coal-fired power plants paired with energy purchases from the market provided co-op members with a reliable supply of electricity during that period. “That’s why we have gas peaking units and you have that coal resource base that just continued operating despite cold weather over the entire area,” Raatz said.
‘All of the Above’ Approach Basin Electric uses an ‘all of the above’ approach to supply electricity to member co-ops throughout South Dakota. Nearly 45 percent of its generation portfolio comes from coal-fired resources while 20 percent comes from natural gas units and another 20 percent from wind generation. Basin Electric is also a member of four power pools, which are large regions of the United States where utilities can buy and sell electricity in the market, and Basin Electric has the contractual transmission rights to more power between these regions.
in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Iowa. Raatz said that regional diversity is just as important to providing reliable power as a diversified generation mix. “That’s so valuable in coming up with a power supply. You don’t necessarily see that cold weather over the whole area,” said Raatz.
“People take electricity for granted. Sometimes that is good because it means we are doing our jobs.” That regional diversity was evident during the cold snap in North Dakota and eastern South Dakota at the end of January. Rushmore Electric Power Cooperative in Rapid City, S.D., which supplies power to eight electric cooperatives in western South Dakota saw higher demand for electricity during those time periods but never saw a record peak like the East River co-ops experienced. During that period, Basin Electric was also able to pull generation from resources in Montana and Wyoming because it wasn’t as frigid in those states. Raatz said load management programs
which control water heaters, grain bin fans and other large loads during peak demand periods are also a piece of the power-supply puzzle. Raatz said the team at Basin Electric which forecasts electric demand can rely on members who have load management devices installed at their service locations to make those peaks less extreme. “As you get into these types of conditions when it gets really cold, it is easier to predict because load management is taking out the spikes. It is really valuable,” Raatz said.
Maintaining Reliability The main goal of electric cooperatives is to provide safe and reliable power for members at the end of the line. Jacobs said it takes a dedicated team of co-op employees to achieve that mission whether it is the operators at Basin Electric’s power plants or the co-op linemen at the local level. “We see the importance of having to turn on that (light) switch because most of the time when the weather is bad, our employees are at work,” said Jacobs. “There is a reason for what we do and a good feeling when you walk away.” And when the Great Plains and Upper Midwest experiences extreme weather, the goal of maintaining reliability becomes even more important. “People take electricity for granted,” Raatz said. “Sometimes that is good because it means we are doing our jobs.”
“It is a combination of all those owned-assets and market purchases that come to bear to serve member load obligations,” Raatz said. Basin Electric generates electricity for 141 electric co-ops in nine states and has power plants and resources April 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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LIFE ON THE LINE Jocelyn Romey jocelyn.romey@sdrea.coop
Black Hills Electric’s Crew Foreman Dean Whitney and journeymen linemen Beau Bradeen, Ken Parker and Corey Scott replace poles near Red Shirt, S.D.
It’s a unique life. They come in early to create a plan, grab their gear and drink their coffee before heading out in crews. Their office is outside and depending upon the day, they will work through the heat, rain, snow and wind to get the job done. Holidays could be postponed and normal working hours are determined by the weather. The job is considered one of the most dangerous, yet is often overlooked and under appreciated – that is, until the power goes out. Life as a lineman is both rewarding and unpredictable. The rewards come when power is provided or restored to members down the line or when a farmer or rancher plows snow out of the way for a line crew to get through. There are even boasts among the linemen about a plate of cookies or sandwiches gifted by a member during storm repairs. Jesse Sorenson, system coordinator for Black Hills Electric Cooperative in Custer, S.D., commented that the hardest part of a lineman’s job was bad weather, no sleep and being on call. But he ended by saying that the best part of the job was getting the power turned back on for members after a storm. “They are just thankful to get the power on and it makes you feel really good to get it back on for them,” said Sorenson. The unpredictability of this job comes when the power is knocked out on a good day due to an overzealous squirrel, when the storm was bigger than predicted or even when the destination to an outage or work site is in the middle of nowhere and getting lost is an unfortunate possibility. However, despite volatile weather, rough terrain and squirrels, linemen have a very important job – getting reliable power through hundreds of miles of lines to thousands of member-owners… safely. On Feb. 11, just after a minor intrusion of winter weather, Bill Brisk, operations manager at Black Hills Electric, carefully explained how outages were being found that morning due to 14
Cooperative Connections | April 2019
A pole worn out by cattle rubbing on it is replaced.
ice accumulation and wind damage. On the computer screen, areas indicating no power were highlighted, but it was up to the crews to find the exact location and reason for the outages. “Sometimes it takes a long time to isolate the outage during a storm in the cold and in the dark. Outages during the day are a lot easier than at night,” said Brisk. Brisk also explained the challenges their crews face in their service territory. Black Hills Electric serves power in rocky and sandy terrain found throughout the Black Hills, Badlands and prairies. “We have rough terrain. Sometimes, you can see the next pole but it will take you half an hour to get to it,” said Brisk. It’s a job that takes time, determination, endurance and concentration. Every day, these linemen work with energized lines, large equipment and changing weather. One mistake can result in serious consequences. This makes safety and mindfulness a priority. Brisk commented on how easy a mistake can be made on the job. He noted that these mistakes are unforgiving. No matter how small the mistake, devastating injuries or even death can occur. “Linemen need safe equipment…they work 24/7, 365. When the post office shuts down due to bad weather, the linemen still go out,” said Mark Patterson, manager of loss control services for the South Dakota Rural Electric Association in Pierre, S.D. For this reason, safety training, equipment, tools and even fire-retardant clothing are provided to ensure each lineman has what they need to do the job safely. “There’s a lot of pride in being a lineman. A lineman has to be confident…they have to have a level of confidence in their own knowledge and ability before they work on an energized line,” said Travis Denison, loss control professional for SDREA, who previously served for 22 years as a lineman. As a safety guy, he also views safety as a critical part in lineman culture. “Out of all the tools you have in your belt, safety is the most important. It’s about getting you home to your families safely,” said Denison.
Black Hills Electric’s Mark Svoboda, journeyman lineman, cuts down a tree that was too close to a power line.
LINEMAN NEWS
Lineman Items Clothes Fire retardant (FR) jeans FR long-sleeve shirts FR or 100 percent cotton T-shirts High visibility shirts or vest Work boots Winter boots Leather gloves Winter gloves Rubber gloves Rubber sleeves FR coveralls FR coat FR sweatshirt FR raingear FR stocking hat FR balaclava Hardhat Safety glasses Hearing protection
Tools
Body belt Fall restraint Climbing hooks Safety harness Hammer Screwdrivers Knife Wooden tape measure Lineman pliers Channel lock pliers Adjustable wrench Rope handline Liveline tools
Shotgun Extendo
Overhead grounds Underground grounds
National Line Worker Appreciation Day is April 8, 2019.
Casey Ellerton, journeyman lineman, trims branches nearing a power line by Rockerville, S.D.
America’s electric cooperatives will again honor the hard working men and women who often work in challenging conditions to keep the lights on. April 2019 | Cooperative Connections
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DATELINE
December 15-March 31
South Dakota snowmobile trails season, Lead, SD, 605-584-3896
March 22-23, 29-30
Mystery Dinner Theater, Legion Hall, Faulkton, SD, 605-380-1556
March 23
March 29-30, April 5-6
Annual Schmeckfest, Freeman, SD, 605-925-4237
April 15-16: Banff Mountain Film
Festival World Tour, Elks Theatre, Rapid City, SD, 605-394-4101
March 29-31
Black Hills Home Builders Home Show, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, SD, 605-348-7850
March 30
Cultural Expo, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Campus, Rapid City, SD, 605-394-6884
March 30-31
April 5-6, 11-14
April 18
April 5-7
April 19-20
Green Earth Players presents Drinking Habits, Palace Theatre, Luverne, MN, 507-283-9226 Professional Bull Riders Unleash the Beast Tour, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-7288
John Mellencamp, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Fine Arts Theatre, Rapid City, SD, 605-394-4115 Sioux Empire Film Festival, Belbas Theater inside the Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-6000
29th Annual Hats Off to the Artist Art Show, Community Center, Faulkton, SD, 605-598-4482
April 6
April 4
Zonta Club Vendor and Craft Show, Northridge Plaza, Pierre, SD, 605-222-1403
April 27-28
April 7
May 1-5
McCrossan Banquet Auction featuring Loop Rawlins and the PBR, 5:30 p.m., Arena, Sioux Falls, SD, Tickets: $75 each, 605-339-1203, www.mccrossan.org
April 4-5
Holiday Arts Spring Craft Show, Masonic Hall, Mitchell, SD, 605-359-2049
April 5-6
Forks, Corks and Kegs Food, Wine and Beer Festival, Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876
The Big Grape, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-322-8900
April 6-7
Unni Boksasp from Norway in Concert, 2 p.m., Riggs Theater, Pierre, SD, 605-222-1992
April 12-14
First Dakota Classic Archery Tournament, Yankton, SD, 605-260-9282
April 13-14
Dakota Territory Gun Show, Rapid City, SD, 605-270-0764
April 27
River Rat Marathon, Yankton, SD, 605-660-9483 Annual JazzCrawl, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-335-6101 Black Hills Film Festival, Hill City, SD, 605-574-9454
May 5
Opening Day, Prairie Village, Madison, SD, 800-693-3644, www.prairievillage.org
May 11
Make-a-Wish Benefit Featuring Dueling Duel, Silent Auction and Wine Pull, Aberdeen, SD, 605-370-4588
May 30-June 1
Senior Games, Sioux Falls, SD, Contact Nick Brady at 605-978-6924
June 7-8
Senior Games, Spearfish, SD, Contact Brett Rauterkus at 605-722-1430
June 21
Dalesburg Midsummer Festival, Dalesburg Lutheran Church, Rural Vermillion, SD, 605-253-2575, www.dalesburg.org To have your event listed on this page, send complete information, including date, event, place and contact to your local electric cooperative. Include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Information must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to your event. Please call ahead to confirm date, time and location of event.
Photo courtesy: RJ Ripper Film
Annual Ag Day, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-6000