Corn Belt Power Cooperative
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August 2021 | Volume 70 | Number 8
System improvements take place across Corn Belt Power service territory
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ith summer comes good weather. With good weather comes optimal conditions for system improvements. Corn Belt Power crews are busy upgrading and maintaining critical infrastructure across our service territory. Transmission Transmission crews are in the midst of an overhaul on a 10-mile stretch of line between Corn Belt Power’s Parkersburg switching station and the Bristow area. In mid-June crews began setting poles. In all, 147 poles will be replaced due to age along the 10-mile stretch. More robust 336 aluminum conductor steel-reinforced cable (ACSR) will be installed, replacing the current 4-OTT (4/0) wire. “The original line was built in 1950,” said Jeremy Stattelman, transmission superintendent, Corn Belt Power. “Engineering specifications in the 1950s are far different than what we use today. We’re using larger conductor to help provide for larger loads. Using larger conductor means we need bigger poles and more advanced infrastructure. Most new crossarms will be fiberglass and many insulators will be polymer. As we have with many of our more recent jobs, we’re also installing fiber on this line section.” Stattelman says this particular upgrade is important to enhance reliability for members in the area. “We’re making this upgrade now due to age and use,” he said. “This section of line is important due to loads around the Parkersburg switching station area, as well as being able to have a source from our Plainfield switching station.” Other transmission projects on the calendar include the following:
Line construction Above | Corn Belt Power transmission crews work south of Highway 3 on the Parkersburg-to-Bristow line rebuild. Crews will replace 147 poles along the 10-mile stretch, while also replacing old wire with more robust conductor.
Removal of three miles of old poles and wire near the Klemme switching station Construction of a half-mile of dual circuit at the Burt switching station Fiber installation between Burt switching station and Algona substation 10 miles of line modifications between Pocahontas and Dover, including new conductor and fiber Fiber installation at Corn Belt Power’s Hampton microwave location Electrical Maintenance Corn Belt Power’s electrical maintenance crews are currently upgrading the Buck Creek Substation. “We’re on site changing regulators and insulators,” said Mike Finnegan, electrical system superintendent, Corn Belt Power. “Some of these items are older and need replaced, furthermore, we’re doing this
work to better serve larger loads.” After completion of the Buck Creek work, electrical maintenance crews will switch their focus to the Galbraith switching station. That station will receive a facelift due to increasing load size and age. Wisdom Station Crews at Corn Belt Power’s Wisdom Station power plant completed its annual relative accuracy test audit (RATA) in June. The RATA test is required by regulations to verify that the plant’s emissions gauges are working correctly. “We’ve been performing these tests for years,” said Jacob Olberding, vice president, power supply, Corn Belt Power. “It’s an extensive test that we passed at Wisdom Station. It’s a testament to our plant crew and the continual maintenance and hard work they put in.”
Dickey graduates Leadership Iowa
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n June, Brittany Dickey, development finance director, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, became one of the few to graduate Iowa’s premiere leadership program. Leadership Iowa is an issues-awareness program promoting leadership and civic responsibility in our state. Through an integrated series of eight monthly sessions, participants are provided a wide range of eye-opening experiences and insights that highlight the opportunities and challenges facing Iowa. Each year, 40 individuals are selected to participate in Leadership Iowa. Dickey was selected to participate in 2020 and has spent the year attending sessions across the state. Throughout the program year (October through June), participants convene in an Iowa community each month for a two-day session. Each session focuses on a specific topic or issue important to Iowa, allowing participants to step outside of their expertise and gain a refreshed, insider’s perspective on the condition, needs and future of the state. “The selection process is extremely competitive with only 40 people from across the state accepted into Leadership Iowa each year,” Dickey said. “Interested individuals fill
L.I. Graduate Above | Brittany Dickey, development finance director, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, left, receives her 2020/21 Leadership Iowa graduate plaque from Mike Ralston, president, Iowa Association of Business and Industry.
out an application, submit references and answer questions about themselves, their leadership experience, issues facing Iowa and reasons for wanting to be part of the program. Leadership Iowa then selects the new class from a statewide pool of applicants from different occupations and locations.” Dickey said the program enhanced her
knowledge of the Iowa business community. “My top program takeaways were gaining more knowledge on issues facing the state; learning about great leadership from speakers and classmates; and growing my Iowa business network,” she said. “I had heard great things about Leadership Iowa from past program graduates and they encouraged me to apply. I knew it would be a great opportunity to expand my network and learn about issues facing our state.” As for what she learned, Dickey said much of the program correlates directly to her position at Corn Belt Power. “Many of the session topics and speakers relate to the businesses we work with in the Corn Belt Power Business Development department,” she said. “Some of these business sectors include economic development, government, manufacturing, agriculture and education. I can apply what I learned directly to my work here at Corn Belt Power Cooperative, with our distribution cooperatives and in our communities.”
For more about Leadership Iowa visit: www.iowaabi.org/leadership-iowa/
Hofmaster recognized for safety
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arla Hofmaster, safety and environmental coordinator, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, received the Leroy M. Vanderpool Recognition Award on June 14 in Erie, PA. The award recognizes the recipient’s commitment to safety in the electric utility industry and memorializes Leroy M. Vanderpool, who was instrumental in the development of programs and content used by utilities nationwide. Vanderpool passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Bill Wibberg, president, Quad States Instructors, Inc., presented Hofmaster with a traveling plaque, an individual plaque and $500 donation to her charity of choice. “We are honored to have presented this award to Carla this year,” said
Wibberg. “Carla has consistently shown expertise in the field of safety and more importantly, has the respect and admiration of her colleagues and coworkers.” Award recipients have met the following requirements: The individual must have the respect of fellow instructors, inspire the respect of and have the confidence of their peers and co-workers. In addition, an awardee must have a good technical understanding of his job, demonstrate the ability to act as a leader, set a good example for safety, and demonstrate the ability and willingness to teach the craft to others. The ability and willingness to teach safety to others, actively participate in groups and associations, help create a good image for the Quad State Instructors Group are also important.
Safety award Above | Carla Hofmaster, safety and environmental coordinator, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, left, receives the Leroy M. Vanderpool Recognition Award June 14 from Bill Wibberg, president, Quad State Instructors, Inc., for her commitment to safety in the electric utility industry.
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Corn Belt Power hosts Touchstone Energy golf outing In early June, Corn Belt Power, its member-cooperatives and key account personnel enjoyed a day of golf at Spring Valley Golf Course in Livermore. More than 70 golfers attended the event. The event enabled cooperative employees to network with key personnel from large businesses on the Corn Belt Power system. This helps build relationships with those key businesses that enhance our local economies.
News in brief
Midland Power Cooperative holds annual meeting
Midland Power Cooperative held a scaled-down annual meeting June 30 after hosting three well-attended member appreciation events across its service territory. The following directors were elected at the annual meeting to serve three-year terms on the board: Randy Christensen, District 1; James Byriel, District 2; Joel Skow, District 3; and Tom Ingebritson, District 4. At the organizational board meeting immediately following the annual meeting, the following were elected as officers: Mike Coleman, president; Rick Thompson, vice president; Randy Christensen, secretary; Kim Rinker, treasurer; Joel Skow, assistant secretary treasurer; Bill McKim, executive vice president.
Governor, Lieutenant Governor visit credit union
The Power Cooperative Employees Credit Union (PCCU) welcomed a couple of special guests on June 25. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg visited the local business to learn about the credit union and discuss rural issues. Serving on the credit union board of directors are Corn Belt Power employees Kerri Mertz, executive assistant, (PCCU board president); Carla Hofmaster, safety and environmental coordinator, (PCCU board chairwoman); and Sarah Dornath, administrative assistant. “We appreciate the governor and lieutenant governor taking time out of their busy schedules to visit our credit union,” Mertz said. “Taking time to discuss issues with our elected officials is vital to the success of our business.” Membership in the Power Co-op Employees Credit Union is open to Corn Belt Power employees and its distribution cooperative employees and their families (including parents, grand-parents, siblings, children, aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews). Now distribution co-op members at the end of the line within the Corn Belt Power system are eligible for credit union membership. Membership is also open to employees of several businesses in the Humboldt area.
Iowa officials visit credit union Above | Power Cooperative Employee Credit Union employees and board members welcome Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg to the credit union to discuss rural issues. Photographed back row from left, Pam Conlon, DeeDee Wurn, Andrea Harms, Kerri Mertz, Dorothy Goodell, Carla Hofmaster and front row from left, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Katie Averill, Iowa Credit Union Division, Gov. Kim Reynolds and Vicki Holden.
Gossett appointed to board Above | The Touchstone Energy Cooperative Board of Directors appointed Jim Gossett, CEO, Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative, in July as their newest board member. Gossett will help promote and support the Touchstone Energy brand and membership nationwide.
Gossett named to TSE Board
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n July, the Touchstone Energy board of directors appointed Jim Gossett, chief executive officer, Raccoon Valley Electic Cooperative, to fill the vacant board position left by Tresa Hussong, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative. Hussong retires the end of August. Throughout Gossett’s eight-year tenure at RVEC, the last four as CEO, he has used his media experience, legislative engagement, extensive business development network and leadership to extend the reach of the Touchstone Energy® brand. Among noteable credentials, Jim is also a 2011 graduate of Leadership Iowa, one of the state’s premier issues-awareness programs. “I believe awareness of the cooperative business model and the value of memberownership are among the most valuable messages we can communicate. Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative counts on Touchstone Energy to help lead this effort on a large scale,” Gossett said. “Co-ops exist to serve our members and we need to continue strengthening that bond. I can help Touchstone Energy do that by serving on the board.” Congratulations, Jim!
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Corn Belt Power crews finish setting a new H-structure near Waverly July 15 after ten tornadoes ripped across Iowa the night before. With minimal system damage, crews replaced two poles outside of Lake City and two H-structures near Waverly.
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June Touchstone Energy Volunteer Challenge winner | Darwin Van Horn, director, Franklin REC, donated his $100 prize drawing to Greater Iowa Youth for Christ. Congratulations and thank you for your service hours, Darwin!
Momentum is Building conference earns national award
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owa G&Ts and the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives won an award in this year’s NRECA Spotlight on Excellence. CIPCO, NIPCO, Corn Belt Power and IAEC earned Silver in the “Best Event” category for the 2020 Momentum is Building conference. The 2020 conference with the theme “Efficiency is Coming” was a play-off the hit television show Game of Thrones. Through the annual Momentum Is Building conference, the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Iowa aim to provide attendees with continuing education credits, networking opportunities,
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presentations by recognized industry energy efficiency and building trades experts, along with exhibits on state-of-the-art technologies. The goal is to promote energy efficiency and beneficial electrification through education, training and collaboration for industry professional and influencers. The Spotlight on Excellence Awards program recognizes a body of outstanding work produced by electric cooperative communication and marketing professionals from across the country. The 16 categories reflect a wide scope of valuable contributions of co-op communicators today.
Watts Watt is published monthly for employees and associates of Corn Belt Power Cooperative, 1300 13th St. North, Humboldt, Iowa 50548-0508. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Copyright 2021 Kenneth H. Kuyper, Executive Vice President and General Manager Ryan Cornelius, Editor; Vice President, Corporate Relations; CCC Marena V. Fritzler, Marketing Director; CCC
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