Oct. / Nov. / Dec. 2009 - Nebraska Public Power District
Oct. / Nov. / Dec. 2009 - Nebraska Public Power District
Oct. / Nov. / Dec. 2009 - Nebraska Public Power District
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Current news about <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong><br />
<strong>Oct</strong>ober / <strong>Nov</strong>ember / <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2009</strong><br />
Volume 2 Issue 5
2<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
Energy Insight is published by<br />
the <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong><br />
Corporate Communications Department<br />
as a service for employees, customers<br />
and friends of NPPD. Its purpose<br />
is to communicate NPPD news<br />
and information and to recognize<br />
achievements of employees, retirees<br />
and their families.<br />
Board of Directors<br />
Dennis Rasmussen, Chairman<br />
Larry Linstrom, First Vice Chairman<br />
Ron Larsen, Second Vice Chairman<br />
Mary Harding, Secretary<br />
Wayne Boyd<br />
Jerry Chlopek<br />
Virg Froehlich<br />
Ken Kunze<br />
Darrell Nelson<br />
Ed Schrock<br />
Gary Thompson<br />
Senior Manager, Government and<br />
<strong>Public</strong> Relations<br />
Beth Boesch<br />
Executive Editor<br />
Brenda Sanne<br />
Managing Editor<br />
Jill <strong>Nov</strong>icki, jrnovic@nppd.com<br />
Photography<br />
Gary Pelster<br />
Contributors<br />
Evelyn Chittenden<br />
Chad Johnson<br />
Mark Miller<br />
Lisa Mohr<br />
Graphic Design<br />
Bill Haack<br />
Dan Zastera<br />
Reporters<br />
Marjorie Allen, Chadron<br />
Darla Wait, Chadron<br />
Kathy Fadschild, Columbus<br />
Glenn Troester, Cooper Nuclear Station<br />
Kathy Nelson, Doniphan Control Center<br />
Lynn Phagan, Gerald Gentleman Station<br />
Lisa Willson, Kearney<br />
Bobbie Morford, Lincoln<br />
Kathy Eaton, McCook<br />
Helen Hinz, McCook<br />
Barb Keating, Norfolk<br />
Mindy Leaverton, Norfolk<br />
Connie Knapp, Ogallala<br />
Eileen Osborne, O’Neill<br />
Lottie Kellison, Plattsmouth<br />
Colleen Mathewson, Scottsbluff<br />
Cindy Holsing, Sheldon Station<br />
Kris Cross, South Sioux City<br />
Cindy Klein, York<br />
3 Where Germs Hide<br />
The Hygiene Council lets<br />
readers know the results of an<br />
International Home Hygiene<br />
Study and gives tips on how to<br />
help keep your home germ-free.<br />
4 President’s Message<br />
President and CEO Ron Asche<br />
shares his thoughts on wind<br />
generation development.<br />
6 Investing for the<br />
Future<br />
Wholesale and retail rate<br />
increases help pay for<br />
infrastructure improvements.<br />
8 Tools of the Trade<br />
Learn how NPPD is either using<br />
or plans to use social media<br />
tools to communicate with target<br />
audiences.<br />
10 <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong>’s<br />
Progress<br />
Check out current industry<br />
happenings and photos from<br />
around the state to learn more<br />
about NPPD’s recent activities.<br />
16 News From Around<br />
the State<br />
Read about activities and<br />
accomplishments of employees<br />
and their children.<br />
22 Customer News<br />
New Dawson PPD facility and<br />
Cornhusker’s Ron Hostetter<br />
make headlines.<br />
23 Retiree News<br />
Read retiree news and the<br />
schedule for future meetings.<br />
About the Cover:<br />
Happy Holidays from the<br />
Energy Insight staff.
Wash your hands. That’s a common<br />
mantra – and a worthy one – as<br />
the H1N1 flu continues to spread<br />
around the globe. But all the<br />
hand-washing in the world may<br />
not be a match for the germs and<br />
viruses lurking on household<br />
surfaces.<br />
The Hygiene Council –<br />
composed of global experts in the field<br />
of public health and infectious diseases<br />
– released the results of its second annual<br />
International Home Hygiene Study.<br />
The <strong>2009</strong> survey of bacteria found on home surfaces<br />
in eight countries, including the U.S., shows that<br />
the kitchen remains the source of the most germy<br />
surfaces.<br />
Members of the Hygiene Council identified the<br />
dirtiest places in the home and gave advice on how to<br />
keep them germ-free.<br />
1. Kitchen cloths, sponges<br />
People frequently use sponges or cloths to wipe<br />
germs from surfaces in the kitchen. The council<br />
recommends running sponges through the<br />
dishwasher regularly and washing kitchen cloths<br />
on the hot cycle in the washing machine.<br />
2. Kitchen faucets<br />
Typically people wash their hands after handling<br />
raw meat in the kitchen, but they touch the faucet<br />
to turn on the water and do not think about the<br />
bacteria that they leave. Use a disinfectant spray<br />
on faucets to kill germs.<br />
3. Tub and shower<br />
The shower is the third germiest place in the<br />
home. The Hygiene Council recommends that<br />
showers and tubs be disinfected twice a week to<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 3<br />
get rid of dead skin cells left in the tub that<br />
can carry germs.<br />
4. Pet food dish<br />
Most pet food dishes stay on<br />
the floor and do not get washed<br />
regularly. While it isn’t practical<br />
to disinfect the pet food dish every<br />
time you feed the pet, you should<br />
wash your hands after your touch<br />
it.<br />
5. Microwave touch screen<br />
This spot is notorious for not getting<br />
cleaned. People may put something in the<br />
microwave that is raw to cook it and you<br />
could leave behind E. coli or salmonella. Even<br />
though the food comes out cooked, the germs<br />
that can make you sick are left on the outside<br />
of the microwave for the next person to touch.<br />
It is important to wipe down the touch screen<br />
regularly, especially after<br />
cooking raw meat.<br />
6. TV remote<br />
Sanitize the<br />
remote control<br />
regularly<br />
to prevent<br />
sickness.<br />
7. Light<br />
switches<br />
Touching the<br />
light switch<br />
is practically<br />
unavoidable,<br />
but keeping it<br />
clean is not. Disinfect<br />
light switches twice a<br />
week or every day if a member<br />
of your household is sick.
4<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
Wind<br />
from the<br />
PRESIDENT & CEO<br />
RON ASCHE<br />
If you follow the news on a regular basis, you are<br />
aware of the increasing interest in wind generation in<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong>. There are some who say the central U.S.<br />
is the “Saudi Arabia” of wind, and that <strong>Nebraska</strong> is<br />
behind in capitalizing on this “free” natural resource.<br />
You may have seen headlines stating that public power<br />
is stalling wind development in <strong>Nebraska</strong>. There<br />
are others who are more reserved regarding windpowered<br />
generation, and would like to see NPPD go<br />
slower in building wind facilities or in purchasing<br />
wind energy from other entities. I would like to<br />
explain NPPD’s position on wind development, both<br />
for use in <strong>Nebraska</strong> and for export to other states.<br />
By now, I hope you are aware of the NPPD<br />
Board’s strategic goal to achieve 10 percent<br />
of our energy supply from new renewable<br />
resources by 2020. To meet that goal, NPPD is<br />
following a process of adding around 80 megawatts<br />
of renewable generation every other year, until<br />
we achieve approximately 500-550 megawatts of<br />
renewable generation on our system. Thus far, we<br />
own or have contracted for a total of 112 megawatts<br />
of wind generation, which includes NPPD’s 32<br />
megawatt share of our own 60-megawatt Ainsworth<br />
Wind Energy Facility, NPPD’s 40 MW share of<br />
the privately-owned 80-MW Elkhorn Ridge Wind<br />
Farm near Bloomfield, and the planned privatelyowned<br />
40-MW Crofton Hills Wind Farm. We are<br />
Prudence<br />
and patience<br />
needed in...<br />
GENERATION<br />
DEVELOPMENT<br />
under negotiations to purchase energy from another<br />
privately-owned 80-MW facility to be built near<br />
Petersburg, in which we hope to share 20 to 40 MW<br />
with other <strong>Nebraska</strong> utilities. We are also looking for<br />
participants in a potential 80-MW wind facility which<br />
may be privately developed near Broken Bow. Since<br />
comparable federal and state financial incentives<br />
are not available to NPPD, we are purchasing from<br />
private developers rather than developing more<br />
NPPD-owned wind farms.<br />
Is NPPD moving fast enough?<br />
As indicated above, it depends upon whom you<br />
talk to. The majority of NPPD’s wholesale customers<br />
believe we are. Other proponents believe there should<br />
be even greater investment in renewables in <strong>Nebraska</strong>.<br />
They believe the state could see tremendous benefit by<br />
selling wind energy to customers either in <strong>Nebraska</strong><br />
or for export to other states. While this may someday<br />
be the case, I don’t see it happening on a large scale<br />
in the near future. There are many transmission<br />
and market issues that have to be addressed to<br />
accommodate large amounts of “wind for export”<br />
projects.<br />
With many businesses reeling from the recent<br />
recession, coupled with a relatively cool and wet<br />
summer, electric loads are down in our region. Many<br />
utilities have surplus generation, are not finding<br />
adequate markets to sell the generation they already<br />
have, and are selling excesses at sharply lower prices
than in the past. NPPD recently reviewed our longterm<br />
plan for adding baseload generation to our<br />
system. The Integrated Resource Plan, completed<br />
in 2008, indicated we would not need another base<br />
load plant (nuclear or coal) or intermediate load<br />
plant (gas-fired) until 2018. However, due to reduced<br />
load forecasts and a surplus of generating capacity,<br />
recent calculations show we may not need additional<br />
generating facilities for another 15-20 years. If that<br />
is the case, will we still add wind generation to our<br />
system? Yes, but perhaps not as fast as some may like.<br />
<strong>Public</strong> power’s mission is to provide low-cost,<br />
reliable electricity to <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns. Our state’s utilities<br />
are accomplishing that goal. Service reliability is<br />
very high, and electric rates are fifth lowest in the<br />
nation, according to the Federal Energy Information<br />
Administration. Should utilities in <strong>Nebraska</strong> focus<br />
more on exporting electricity to consumers in other<br />
states? Could we do this? Sure. But here are some<br />
things that would be required:<br />
Changes in state statutes<br />
The authority to construct wind generation and<br />
related facilities for export is not clear under current<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong> statutes. The <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Power</strong> Review Board<br />
may need explicit authority to approve such facilities,<br />
whether built by public or private ownership.<br />
Renewable energy electricity<br />
markets<br />
Whether built by public power districts or private<br />
developers, contracts would need to be in place for<br />
sale of the electricity so that <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns are not<br />
forced to bear the financial burden of wind generation<br />
and related transmission facilities built for export.<br />
Clear commitments for the purchase of the output<br />
from the wind farms is needed so that the money<br />
borrowed to build the facilities will be paid back. The<br />
revenue stream needs to be assured, not speculative.<br />
We are not convinced that such a market exists<br />
today. Many states have indicated they want to build<br />
their own renewables, rather than pay for expensive<br />
high voltage transmission lines to import the power<br />
from <strong>Nebraska</strong> or other Midwestern states over<br />
long distances. If the Federal government mandates<br />
that a certain amount of electricity be generated by<br />
renewables by a certain date, markets for renewable<br />
energy will be more clearly established, and more<br />
renewables will be built, including “wind for export”<br />
projects.<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 5<br />
Significant investment in<br />
transmission facilities<br />
Building wind generation for export will require<br />
billions of dollars to be invested in a high-voltage,<br />
transmission system, both in <strong>Nebraska</strong>, the region<br />
and across the United States. NPPD believes the<br />
regional transmission organizations, such as the<br />
Southwest <strong>Power</strong> Pool, which NPPD is a member<br />
of, and possibly the Federal government will need<br />
to be primary players in planning and development<br />
of a nationwide, high-voltage system, similar to<br />
when the interstate highway system was built. This<br />
will require comprehensive long-term planning and<br />
siting authority for transmission line construction<br />
and coordination. Even if the Federal government<br />
provided the bulk of the financing for such a system, it<br />
would not be built overnight.<br />
Where does NPPD stand on the<br />
issue?<br />
NPPD respects the environment in which we<br />
live and supports development of wind and other<br />
renewable generation for our customers. We support<br />
LR 83, the <strong>Nebraska</strong> Legislature’s study of wind<br />
generation for use in <strong>Nebraska</strong> and for export and<br />
will work to educate <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns on the complexity<br />
of this issue. We are proud of our current generation<br />
mix, including hydro, nuclear and wind generation<br />
facilities, 40 percent of which is already greenhouse<br />
gas emission-free, but we will also pursue our goal<br />
of generating 10 percent of our electricity with new<br />
renewable generation by 2020.<br />
We are not opposed to privately-owned facilities<br />
being built for export of renewable energy to other<br />
states. But, contrary to what many people believe,<br />
wind generation is not free, and our customers in<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong> should not have to pay for or bear the<br />
financial risk associated with renewables built<br />
primarily for export to other states.<br />
What can you do?<br />
Stay informed on this issue. Help educate your<br />
friends and neighbors. <strong>Public</strong> power is not<br />
blocking wind development. We are being prudent<br />
and remain committed to our basic mission<br />
of providing low-cost, reliable energy to our<br />
customers and doing so in an environmentally<br />
responsible manner.
6<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
Maintaining<br />
reliability<br />
comes with<br />
a cost<br />
Those of us who work for NPPD (or know someone<br />
who does) recognize the electric utility business is<br />
complex.<br />
Nuclear physics aside, it is<br />
challenging to describe how<br />
something as simple as steam<br />
can be used to spin a turbine<br />
generator and produce<br />
enough electricity to operate<br />
thousands of homes and<br />
hundreds of manufacturing<br />
businesses. We can’t see the<br />
electrons that instantaneously<br />
cross hundreds of miles of<br />
power lines built decades ago<br />
yet, perhaps, refurbished a<br />
week ago.<br />
When the science of power generation<br />
is combined with such things as<br />
seasonal weather, transmission and<br />
distribution grid operations, bond ratings, capital<br />
investments, fuel cost volatility, rate classes,<br />
off-system sales, debt payments, economic<br />
conditions, regulatory requirements, etc., it<br />
becomes difficult to answer our neighbor’s simple<br />
question, “Why is my electric bill going up?”<br />
“The primary reason NPPD needs<br />
to raise its rates in 2010 is to fund<br />
investments that help us maintain<br />
the reliability of our power plants and<br />
transmission systems,” said Todd Swartz,<br />
NPPD’s pricing, rates, and wholesale billing manager.<br />
His department is responsible for conducting costof-service<br />
studies that determine how much money<br />
NPPD needs from each customer class to generate<br />
and deliver power to them throughout the state.<br />
(Remember, as a public power utility, NPPD does<br />
not make a profit; revenues only pay for the cost of<br />
providing service.)<br />
Cost-of-service studies completed in early fall <strong>2009</strong><br />
determined an additional $25 million is needed next<br />
year to cover NPPD’s costs to serve its 77 wholesale<br />
customers, and an additional $13 million is needed to<br />
cover what it costs to serve NPPD’s retail (or end-use)<br />
customers. The average rate increases in 2010 are 5.9<br />
percent for wholesale customers and 5.7 percent for<br />
retail customers, respectively. Actual increases will<br />
depend upon individual customer’s use. The average<br />
residential customer will pay about 20 cents a day or<br />
$6 more per month.<br />
“The additional revenues are necessary. We must<br />
begin paying back the principal and interest on<br />
$198 million NPPD borrowed to pay its share in<br />
the construction of Omaha <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong>’s<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong> City II power plant,” said Swartz. “For this<br />
investment, we are receiving 161 megawatts from the<br />
facility. When added to our generation fleet, this coalfired<br />
resource increases NPPD’s ability to meet the<br />
electrical needs of our customers well into the future.”
The rate increase will also generate the funds<br />
needed to build new or maintain power lines that<br />
will keep electricity flowing, without constraints,<br />
throughout the state. One such example is the 80-mile,<br />
high-voltage transmission line between Norfolk and<br />
Lincoln that took three years to build and cost $152<br />
million. It was energized <strong>Dec</strong>ember 11.<br />
“NPPD doesn’t like to raise rates,<br />
especially in an economic downturn,”<br />
said Traci Bender, vice president-finance. “That’s<br />
why President and CEO Ron Asche<br />
asked all of NPPD’s business units<br />
to find ways to reduce their budgets<br />
both for <strong>2009</strong> and 2010 – without<br />
jeopardizing employee safety or NPPD’s<br />
reliability.” Employees answered the call and<br />
reduced next year’s budget by approximately $32<br />
million.<br />
The 2010 budget cuts include: $19 million in<br />
cost reductions related to the freezing of executive<br />
salaries; the deferral of employee merit pay increases<br />
from March of next year until, at least, September<br />
or <strong>Oct</strong>ober (and then only if our financial condition<br />
has improved); reducing part-time, co-op, and intern<br />
positions; holding vacant positions open; deferring<br />
changes to NPPD’s employee retirement program;<br />
and reducing training, outside services, materials, and<br />
supplies, where possible.<br />
More than $13 million in cost reductions will come<br />
from changes NPPD made to some of its short-term<br />
financing plans; another $60 million of capital project<br />
costs have been deferred from NPPD’s 2010 capital<br />
budget.<br />
“These efforts helped considerably, but they still<br />
aren’t enough to cover what it will cost NPPD to<br />
conduct business in 2010,” said Bender. “NPPD<br />
cannot stop investing in a system on which hundreds<br />
of thousands of <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns depend. Maintaining<br />
reliability comes with a cost. It is a complex and<br />
challenging dilemma to keep rates as low as possible<br />
while still investing in a $4 billion business. What we<br />
can do is continue to control costs where possible, and<br />
do our best to reduce the need for rate increases in the<br />
future.”<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 7<br />
Help Lighten<br />
Someone’s Load<br />
Consider donating to NPPD’s<br />
Pennies for <strong>Power</strong> energy assistance<br />
program, where small change can<br />
make a big difference. Donating<br />
is easy; you can make a one-time<br />
contribution, add a specific amount<br />
to your monthly bill, or round your<br />
monthly bill up to the nearest dollar.<br />
Your donations can<br />
make a difference<br />
in alleviating the<br />
stress and worry<br />
associated with<br />
difficult financial<br />
times. To learn<br />
more about<br />
Pennies for <strong>Power</strong>,<br />
become a program<br />
contributor, or find<br />
out how to apply for<br />
assistance, call our<br />
toll-free number 24<br />
hours a day at 877-<br />
ASK-NPPD (877-<br />
275-6773).<br />
See related article in the Kearney around<br />
the state section on page 16.
8<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
Social Media<br />
and<br />
You!<br />
Social media is a term that is<br />
tossed around a lot these days. People are<br />
talking about it—and talking with it, but<br />
what is it? As a quick explanation, “Social<br />
media is any online media that allows users<br />
to interact with one another.” There are<br />
numerous social media tools, and many are<br />
free to use. You might even find yourself<br />
using one or two without realizing it. Read<br />
on for a quick look at some popular social<br />
media tools and how NPPD is either using<br />
or plans to use them. For the most part,<br />
NPPD is targeting the use of these tools<br />
toward external audiences.<br />
Social Media Tools<br />
Twitter is a free, social networking and<br />
micro-blogging service that enables its users to<br />
send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets<br />
are text-based posts of up to 140 characters<br />
displayed on the author’s profile page and<br />
delivered to the author’s subscribers who are<br />
known as followers.<br />
With 25 million users and growing exponentially,<br />
Twitter is a popular way to reach out to consumers.<br />
While not actively using Twitter yet, NPPD is testing<br />
several Twitter accounts to determine if they will<br />
work well to send key messages to specific groups.<br />
For instance, an It’s Your <strong>Power</strong> feed was created for<br />
ItsYour<strong>Power</strong>.org to educate media and customers on<br />
global warming, its impact on NPPD and what we’re<br />
doing to address it. Another account is testing how<br />
NPPD can provide outage information to customers,<br />
while yet another Twitter account may be used to<br />
communicate job openings to those interested in<br />
working for NPPD.<br />
YouTube is a video sharing website. With<br />
its simple interface, YouTube makes it possible<br />
for anyone with an Internet connection to post a<br />
video a worldwide audience could watch within<br />
a few minutes. Most of the content on YouTube<br />
has been uploaded by individuals, although media<br />
corporations such as CBS and others offer some<br />
of their material on the site. With more than 100<br />
million viewers and 6 billion videos and growing,<br />
YouTube is the second most popular search<br />
engine in the world.<br />
“YouTube provides a platform for NPPD to use as<br />
an external video gallery,” stated Communications<br />
Technology Supervisor Clint Przymus. “We’ve<br />
developed a YouTube channel called NPPDTV (www.<br />
youtube.com/nppdtv) that will display and share<br />
videos produced by our staff for external audiences.”<br />
Facebook is a global social networking<br />
website. The website is free and users can create<br />
profiles including photos and lists of personal<br />
interests, exchange private or public messages,<br />
and join groups of friends.
An NPPD Facebook account was set up primarily<br />
for employment branding and recruiting purposes and<br />
includes photos and videos about working for NPPD.<br />
LinkedIn allows registered users to maintain<br />
a list of contact details of people they know<br />
and trust in business. The people in the list are<br />
called Connections. Users can invite anyone to<br />
become a connection. Connections are made<br />
via introductions to someone a person wishes<br />
to know through a mutual, trusted contact. The<br />
social media tool is primarily used to find jobs,<br />
people and business opportunities recommended<br />
by someone in one’s contact network. Employers<br />
can list jobs and search for potential candidates.<br />
Job seekers can review the profile of hiring<br />
managers and discover which of their existing<br />
contacts can introduce them.<br />
NPPD has a LinkedIn account primarily to be<br />
used as a Human Resources tool. However, NPPD’s<br />
Economic Development department has shared that<br />
LinkedIn has been a social network of choice for<br />
economic development consultants and prospects.<br />
Flickr is a popular website for users to share<br />
personal photographs, and is a service widely<br />
used by bloggers as a photo repository.<br />
“NPPD used Flickr for the <strong>2009</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong> Open,”<br />
stated Przymus. “Instead of printing photos for all<br />
participants, we posted them on Flickr and provided a<br />
URL for them to download and share, thus saving us<br />
hundreds of dollars.”<br />
A blog is a type of website, usually<br />
maintained by an individual with regular entries<br />
of commentary, descriptions of events, or other<br />
material such as graphics or video.<br />
“Blogs provide a great platform for sharing<br />
information and starting a conversation,” stated<br />
Przymus. “NPPD has set up test blogs to evaluate<br />
potential future use. Topics considered include energy<br />
efficiency or industry issues, which could be displayed<br />
on nppd.com and ItsYour<strong>Power</strong>.org. We may also<br />
simply use the technology as a platform to distribute<br />
news to our customers and retirees with the additional<br />
added benefit of providing an opportunity to start or<br />
participate in a conversation around the issues.”<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 9<br />
Social Media for<br />
business purposes<br />
In summary, NPPD is exploring the use of social<br />
media today primarily to communicate with external<br />
audiences for employment branding and recruiting,<br />
media relations and issues management.<br />
While the <strong>District</strong> is getting acquainted with<br />
the tools, it is important to remember that the<br />
tools are being looked at for business purposes<br />
and are not without risk stated Information and<br />
Telecommunications Technology Manager and<br />
Management Planning Council Chair Dave Webb.<br />
“I am excited about the potential these new<br />
technologies represent for NPPD,” he said. “Of<br />
course, as ITT Manager, I am also responsible for<br />
ensuring appropriate security for NPPD applications<br />
and content. As they have become more popular,<br />
Web 2.0 technologies as they’re often called, are<br />
increasingly used for attacks. Even with access<br />
restricted to business need only, ITT Security had to<br />
temporarily block all access to Facebook twice this<br />
year to prevent active attacks from impacting our<br />
facilities. The MPC has also discussed this, and while<br />
we recognize the potential for mis-use, we also noted<br />
similar concerns when email, personal computers and<br />
other new technologies were introduced. Like any<br />
tool, we recognize the need to manage social media,<br />
but we fully support providing the best technology to<br />
those who need it.”<br />
“One could look at social media as additional<br />
tools for our communication toolbox,” said<br />
Communications Supervisor Brenda Sanne. “Despite<br />
the growing popularity and interest of social media,<br />
it is important we evaluate the application and use of<br />
these tools in a business environment. If we can safely<br />
and securely add a new social media tool that will add<br />
value and help us be more effective at telling NPPD’s<br />
story, then we may consider using it when and where<br />
it makes the most sense. At this time, most of the<br />
social media uses we have identified are targeted at<br />
niche external audiences.”<br />
Source: Wikipedia
10<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
New high-voltage power line energized<br />
Following about three-and-a-half<br />
years of planning, public meetings,<br />
material procurement and construction,<br />
the Electric Reliability Project for<br />
East-Central <strong>Nebraska</strong> reached one of<br />
the last major milestones.<br />
NPPD’s new, 80-mile, 345,000-volt transmission<br />
line between Columbus and Lincoln was energized at<br />
8:13 a.m. on Friday, <strong>Dec</strong>. 11 during a videoconference<br />
with Transmission System Control Supervisor<br />
Ron Gunderson at the System Control Center in<br />
Doniphan. Upon the request of Board Chairman<br />
Dennis Rasmussen that the line be brought<br />
into service, Gunderson coordinated the steps of<br />
energizing the line with assistance from System<br />
Operator Dan Evans and Lincoln Electric System.<br />
The line was built to ensure the continued reliable<br />
delivery of electric energy in east-central <strong>Nebraska</strong> –<br />
in light of projected increases in the need for energy<br />
– and to strengthen vulnerable locations in the electric<br />
grid that, during some peak conditions, operated<br />
at near capacity. These factors, along with record<br />
demand for electric energy in the summers of 2005<br />
and 2006, and an NPPD transmission study completed<br />
in May 2006, indicated the need for additional<br />
transmission infrastructure in the east-central part of<br />
the state.<br />
“The project has gone<br />
well,” said Senior Project<br />
Manager Craig Holthe.<br />
“The line was built safely,<br />
and approximately 98<br />
percent of the easements<br />
needed for the project were<br />
obtained voluntarily. NPPD<br />
also received excellent<br />
Craig Holthe support throughout<br />
the project from wholesale<br />
customers in the area.”<br />
Final price tag of the project will be in the $152<br />
million range, Holthe indicated, with it likely being<br />
slightly less once all the costs are tallied. “This<br />
project was a team effort, and there are many to thank<br />
for its successful completion,” Holthe said. “The<br />
leadership of the NPPD Board and management and<br />
the outstanding service provided us and, ultimately,<br />
our customers by the project’s engineering consultant<br />
POWER Engineers, Inc. contributed greatly to the<br />
project coming in under budget and ahead of its<br />
original schedule.”<br />
After the line is energized, all that remains to<br />
complete is a small amount of construction cleanup<br />
and property restoration. Then right-of-way agents<br />
will follow up with damage compensation to property<br />
owners. For more information about the ETR<br />
Project, go to nppd.com and click on Grid Essential –<br />
Transmission Line Projects, then click on ETR.
Norfolk Operations Center trio starts turning<br />
Three wind turbines to be used for demonstration and public education<br />
purposes, were erected at NPPD’s new Norfolk Operations Center <strong>Dec</strong>. 1. Once<br />
construction of the NOC is complete, the turbines will be linked electronically to<br />
the NOC, allowing visitors to see the wind generating electric energy via remote<br />
monitors. The turbines are set at three heights -- 30 feet, 45 feet and 60 feet -- to<br />
provide information about the consistency of wind velocity at different levels. Each<br />
turbine is rated at 2 kilowatts.<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 11
12<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
Auburn<br />
... an<br />
Electrifying<br />
Success<br />
The second annual Auburn <strong>Public</strong><br />
<strong>Power</strong> Energy Fest, hosted by the<br />
Auburn Board of <strong>Public</strong> Works with<br />
support from NPPD, was a major<br />
success. The Sept. 11 event, held at the<br />
BPW service center, drew 158 third-,<br />
fourth- and fifth-graders from Auburn<br />
and Johnson-Brock schools. The safety<br />
demonstration by NPPD line and<br />
substation crewmen from Humboldt and<br />
Plattsmouth showed children what can<br />
happen if a kite contacts a 7,500 volt<br />
power line, a lesson they won’t soon<br />
forget.<br />
A stationary bike outfitted with<br />
a generator helped demonstrate<br />
how difficult it would be if<br />
humans were the primary energy<br />
source. The kids pedaled to<br />
power a series of lights. They<br />
learned that it takes a lot of work<br />
to transform human muscle<br />
power into enough electricity to<br />
energize even three small lights.
Cooper completes<br />
refueling and<br />
maintenance outage<br />
Employees at Cooper Nuclear Station completed<br />
the station’s 25th refueling and maintenance outage<br />
on <strong>Nov</strong>. 6. The refueling outage lasted 41 days, and<br />
many significant tasks were completed that will result<br />
in more reliable power generation in the future. In<br />
addition to replacing 128 fuel rods in the reactor vessel,<br />
some of the maintenance activities included:<br />
● Replaced four, massive feedwater heaters and<br />
overhauled a fifth. The 10-unit system heats water<br />
before going into the reactor pressure vessel. Eight<br />
of the 10 heaters have been replaced in the last few<br />
years.<br />
● Replaced the turbine control system.<br />
● Inspected and overhauled the high-pressure turbine.<br />
● Overhauled the condensate booster pump and<br />
condensate pump.<br />
● Replaced one of two reactor water recirculation<br />
motor generators.<br />
● Replaced reactor protection system transfer<br />
switches.<br />
● Updated critical switchgear and safety-related<br />
power supplies.<br />
● Cleaned the service-water intake and discharge<br />
canal that allow use of Missouri River water to cool<br />
the reactor.<br />
In other good news, Cooper moved into column<br />
one of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s action<br />
matrix. The matrix has five columns: 1) licensee<br />
response, 2) regulatory response, 3) degraded<br />
cornerstone, 4) multiple/ repetitive degraded<br />
cornerstone, and 5) unacceptable performance.<br />
Cooper had been in column two during the<br />
second quarter. Moving up to column one means<br />
that Cooper will be subject to the customary baseline<br />
NRC inspections but not the additional oversight that<br />
reactors in column two receive.<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 13<br />
CNS Utility Service<br />
Technicians Brian<br />
Stanley and Brad<br />
Schulenberger<br />
prepare filter<br />
material for the<br />
temporary filtration<br />
system in the<br />
drywell.<br />
CNS Senior<br />
System Analysts<br />
Kevin Fairbainks<br />
and Dan Vice were<br />
working far from<br />
the computer room<br />
during the outage.<br />
Here they’re getting<br />
ready to adjust<br />
nozzle plugs in the<br />
torus.<br />
CNS<br />
Instrumentation<br />
Supervisor Dale<br />
Cunningham, CNS<br />
Electrician Derek<br />
Niedermeyer<br />
and Plattsmouth<br />
Journey Line<br />
Technician Kevin<br />
Wagner were<br />
working deep in<br />
the pipe work of<br />
the condensate<br />
booster pump.<br />
CNS Machinist<br />
Alan Hutton drills<br />
holes in thick steel<br />
plates while Shift<br />
Manager Terry<br />
Borgan observes.
14<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
Norfolk fire<br />
prompts<br />
evacuations<br />
Firefighters responded to a huge<br />
blaze around 7 a.m. on <strong>Dec</strong>. 10 at<br />
the closed Protient plant in Norfolk.<br />
Officials cleared everyone in a one-<br />
mile radius in Norfolk because they<br />
were concerned a 30,000 gallon<br />
propane tank would explode.<br />
NPPD’s Centralized Customer Care<br />
Center was evacuated around 9 a.m. During the<br />
evacuation, NPPD transferred incoming customer<br />
calls to its Norfolk, Kearney and Scottsbluff Customer<br />
Service Centers and a temporary call center was set up<br />
at the Columbus General Office.<br />
“This event was an excellent test of the contingency<br />
plan we have in place for our facility. We’ve drilled for<br />
emergencies, but a drill can’t compare to an actual<br />
situation. We discovered some things in the plan worked<br />
really well, and we also found some improvement areas.”<br />
- Cindy LaCroix<br />
Customer Services Leader<br />
By noon, crews had contained much of the fire.<br />
It took three crews to turn off the flow of propane<br />
fueling the fire.<br />
NPPD Call Center staff resumed normal operations<br />
at 1:22 that afternoon. Customer Care Business<br />
Manager Russ McKillip expressed his appreciation<br />
to NPPD staff across the state who helped during<br />
this emergency. “This was an outstanding showing<br />
of professionalism and excellence for which we have<br />
all come to expect from our NPPD colleagues,” he<br />
said. “Keeping our employees safe is always our<br />
top priority, followed closely be keeping the lines of<br />
communication open for our customers.”<br />
Protient had manufactured and marketed dairybased<br />
ingredients for dairy products. It closed in<br />
<strong>Oct</strong>ober 2008.<br />
A temporary call center was established at the<br />
General Office.
Entergy<br />
Nuclear signs<br />
until 2029<br />
An extension to the Cooper Nuclear<br />
Station Support Services Agreement<br />
with Entergy Nuclear was approved<br />
by NPPD’s Board of Directors at its<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember meeting. The amendment<br />
extends the current agreement for<br />
an additional term of 15 years until<br />
Jan. 18, 2029.<br />
“The decision to extend the Support Services Agreement<br />
was based on the significant improvements in regulatory<br />
and operational performance realized at CNS since the<br />
beginning of the agreement in <strong>Oct</strong>ober 2003.”<br />
- President and CEO Ron Asche<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 15<br />
“I believe that NPPD and Entergy have established<br />
an effective partnership that bodes well for the future<br />
of CNS. NPPD has invested heavily in the plant to<br />
help set the stage for License Renewal. Preliminary<br />
work is also being performed to evaluate the<br />
feasibility of an extended power uprate for CNS. Our<br />
partnership with Entergy supports both of these longterm<br />
objectives.”<br />
“An additional feature of the amendment is to<br />
change certain provisions pertaining to compensation<br />
of Entergy that will allow NPPD to meet certain<br />
IRS tax exempt debt financing tests. This change, in<br />
conjunction with the expiration of the MidAmerican<br />
<strong>Power</strong> Sales Contract later this year, will allow the<br />
<strong>District</strong> to use tax exempt debt, instead of higher cost<br />
taxable debt, to finance capital projects at Cooper.<br />
This will result in lower overall power costs for<br />
Cooper Station in the future,” said Asche.<br />
In written comments to CNS employees, Asche said,<br />
“The Support Services Agreement has allowed NPPD<br />
to remain in the nuclear generation business which<br />
is a proud part of our heritage. It remains important<br />
to our Board that NPPD retain the CNS operating<br />
license. The Board also recognizes the importance of<br />
all the NPPD employees that help manage and operate<br />
the plant on a daily basis. It would be extremely<br />
challenging to operate in today’s environment without<br />
the benefit of the fleet affiliation that the agreement<br />
with Entergy allows. With climate change concerns,<br />
having CNS as an important part of our diverse<br />
generation mix is now more critical than ever.”
16<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
Kearney / Lisa Willson, Administrative Assistant /<br />
lmwills@nppd.com<br />
from around the state<br />
In March 2008, Customer Services Leader Nicole<br />
Brumbaugh issued a monthly challenge to the<br />
customer services support specialists in Aurora,<br />
Kearney and York asking them to try to sign up<br />
1,000 customers for the Pennies for <strong>Power</strong> Program.<br />
In <strong>Nov</strong>ember, the group celebrated their success<br />
of signing up 1,063 customers. Congratulations<br />
to Customer Services Support Specialists Connie<br />
Stover, Brenda Norris, Patty Freburg and Carol<br />
Lentell of Kearney; Karen Wilshusen of Aurora;<br />
and Wendy Rathjen and Stacey Schlueter of York.<br />
Across the state, 5,396 customers and 89 employees<br />
contribute an average $3,357 to the program each<br />
month.<br />
NPPD employees walked in the annual University of<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong>-Kearney band day parade in September.<br />
Pictured from left, front row: Shaina Meier; Kearney<br />
Engineer Corey McIntosh; Customer Services Specialist<br />
Connie Stover; Financial Analyst Renee Coughlin and<br />
her daughter, Tara, and grandsons, Will and Alex. Back<br />
row: <strong>District</strong> Engineering Manager Jay Dring; Utility<br />
Service Technician Jim Fitzgerald and grandson, Ryan,<br />
granddaughter, Madison, and son, Matt; Administrative<br />
Assistant Lisa Willson, Customer Services Specialist<br />
Brenda Norris; and, Customer Services Leader Nicole<br />
Brumbaugh and her son, Cale.<br />
Wild West was the theme for the University of<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong>-Kearney Homecoming Parade in late<br />
<strong>Oct</strong>ober. NPPD was among the more than 150 parade<br />
entries.<br />
Pictured from left: Administrative Assistant Lisa Willson;<br />
Kelsey Graham, daughter of Journey Line Technician Chet<br />
Graham and her friend; Distribution Support Specialist<br />
Sandy Stroh; Community Relations/Education Specialist<br />
Diana Luscher; Planner Scheduler Dan Persson; Engineer<br />
Doug Jebens and his daughter, Kalie, and son, Nick; and<br />
Senior Line Technician Ray Panowicz. Chelsea Willson,<br />
daughter of Lisa Willson, was Cowboy Louie for the event.<br />
Norfolk / Barb Keating, Customer Contact Specialist /<br />
bjkeati@nppd.com<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember is the time of the year when we remember<br />
to give<br />
thanks for<br />
all that<br />
we have.<br />
This year,<br />
NPPD<br />
Call<br />
Center<br />
colleagues<br />
helped<br />
support<br />
This pictures shows some of the items Call<br />
two local Center colleagues collected for our troops.<br />
causes.<br />
Through Veteran’s Day week, colleagues collected<br />
items for “Care Packages” to be sent to our troops. On<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>. 23, nine full boxes of food were delivered to the<br />
Improved Living Food Bank in Norfolk to help those<br />
struggling to put food on their tables.
York / Cindy Klein, Customer Services & Delivery<br />
Representative / ceklein@nppd.com<br />
On <strong>Nov</strong>. 16, the managers at the York Operations<br />
Center served breakfast to colleagues in celebration of<br />
a new safety record - accident free for 145 days.<br />
York employees enjoy a safety celebration breakfast.<br />
Account Manager Craig Vincent was awarded a<br />
diploma and commemorative plaque at the State<br />
Chamber’s Leadership <strong>Nebraska</strong> Commencement<br />
ceremony held <strong>Oct</strong>. 23 in Lincoln. Class graduates<br />
participated in six sessions that featured top-notch<br />
speakers, an agricultural tour of <strong>Nebraska</strong>, firsthand<br />
experiences in state public policy, economic<br />
development, education, and healthcare and human<br />
services. Leadership <strong>Nebraska</strong> is dedicated to the<br />
development of informed leaders that understand<br />
issues, define problems, develop solutions and achieve<br />
positions of higher responsibility in <strong>Nebraska</strong>.<br />
Craig Vincent (right) receives his Leadership<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong> diploma and commemorative plaque.<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 17<br />
NPPD employees and families walked in the 30th<br />
annual Yorkfest parade in September.<br />
Warehouse Attendant Rolland Peterson; Procurement Specialist<br />
Paige, Tim, Matti and Christian Stacy; Energy Efficiency Consultant<br />
Mike Teetor; Fleet Operations Assistant Julie Hoff (Louie); CSD<br />
Material Coordinator Gaylen Thomsen and grandson, Hayden;<br />
Paige Homan(Light bulb), daughter of Custodian Celeste Homan;<br />
Customer Services Support Specialist Wendy and Matt Rathjen<br />
and her son, Josh Brahmsteadt; Transmission Supervisor Greg<br />
and Jackie Meier and sons; Account Manager Craig Vincent;<br />
Journey Line Technician Ray, Tammy, Syras and Sabryna<br />
Boston; Substation Technician Tim Norquest and Apprentice Line<br />
Technician in Training Brad Christo.<br />
Norfolk / Mindy Leaverton, Customer Services Support<br />
Specialist / maleave@nppd.com<br />
Colton Fritz<br />
Dylan Delka<br />
Colton Fritz and Dylan Delka were selected as<br />
“Super Jays” for <strong>Oct</strong>ober at Pierce Elementary<br />
School. The boys were honored for displaying<br />
outstanding characteristics inside the classroom.<br />
Colton, a kindergartener, is the son of Transmission<br />
Supervisor Scott and Jennifer Fritz. Dylan, a thirdgrader,<br />
also received the honor last May. He is the son<br />
of Senior Line Technician Chris and Gaye Delka.
18 ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
Chadron / Darla Wait, Distribution Support Specialist /<br />
dkwait@nppd.com<br />
Chadron crews gave a safety demonstration to a group<br />
of Chadron High School students. “Electricity is very<br />
unforgiving and unpredictable,” Line Technician<br />
Marshall Rosenblad told the students, after<br />
explaining the dangers of short circuit that can result<br />
from storms, accidents that damage power poles, or<br />
tree limbs touching wires.<br />
Pictured with the students is Line Technician Matt Nelson.<br />
Not pictured are Line Technician Marshall Rosenblad and<br />
Lead Line Technician Casey Wait.<br />
Cooper Nuclear Station / Glenn Troester,<br />
Communications Coordinator / grtroes@nppd.com<br />
Garrett Schwindt was one<br />
of 21 <strong>Nebraska</strong> high school<br />
juniors and seniors who<br />
participated in the <strong>2009</strong> Health<br />
Professions Career Workshop<br />
at the University of <strong>Nebraska</strong><br />
Medical Center. The workshop<br />
exposes students to available<br />
health careers. Garrett, a<br />
junior at Auburn High School,<br />
is the son of Nuclear Instructor<br />
Warren Schwindt.<br />
Garrett Schwindt<br />
Scottsbluff / Colleen Mathewson, Distribution Support<br />
Specialist / cmmathe@nppd.com<br />
Scottsbluff colleagues celebrated the Veteran’s Day<br />
holiday by participating in the annual parade.<br />
Helping honor veterans in the annual Scottsbluff parade<br />
are: Finance Analyst Lad Kocer; Utility Service Technician<br />
Shawn Krause; Customer Service Support Specialist<br />
Lorraine Huerta; Senior Planner/Scheduler Chuck Vacha;<br />
Customer Service Support Specialist Sarah Stretch, and<br />
Customer Services Leader Melody Baily.<br />
Columbus / Kathy Fadschild, Administrative Assistant /<br />
klfadsc@nppd.com<br />
Air National Guard<br />
Airman 1st Class<br />
Eric Miksch<br />
graduated from basic<br />
military training<br />
at Lackland Air<br />
Force Base, San<br />
Antonio, Texas. The<br />
airman completed<br />
an intensive eightweek<br />
program that<br />
included training in<br />
military discipline<br />
and studies, Air<br />
Eric Miksch<br />
Force core values,<br />
physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and<br />
skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four<br />
credits toward an associate in applied science degree<br />
through the Community College of the Air Force.<br />
Miksch earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is<br />
the son of Drafter Dale and Valerie Miksch.
Tyler Micek, son of Records<br />
Analyst Gina and Joe Micek,<br />
was crowned homecoming<br />
prince during Homecoming<br />
activities at the University of<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong>-Omaha. Tyler is a<br />
senior Secondary Education<br />
and Math major and represents<br />
Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.<br />
He is President of the Inter<br />
Fraternity Council, President of<br />
Order of Omega, the Emerging<br />
Leaders Program Coordinator,<br />
a New Student Orientation<br />
Leader, and a member of the UNO<br />
Matadors.<br />
Laura Zach, daughter<br />
of Energy Efficiency<br />
Consultant Steve and<br />
Marie Zach, was a<br />
member of the Scotus<br />
Central Catholic<br />
volleyball team that<br />
won the state C-1<br />
championship game in<br />
Lincoln. The Scotus<br />
team finished the year<br />
with a record of 24-5.<br />
Laura Zach<br />
Tyler Micek<br />
Krista Mulligan was one<br />
of 16 students elected<br />
to the Judicial Board<br />
at Central Community<br />
College-Columbus for the<br />
<strong>2009</strong>-2010 academic years.<br />
The Judicial Board is<br />
authorized by the campus<br />
administration to hear<br />
and judge cases involving<br />
student violations of<br />
Krista Mulligan<br />
rules and regulations in<br />
the residence halls on the campus. Krista is a <strong>2009</strong><br />
graduate of Scotus Central Catholic High School and<br />
is a psychology and criminal justice major. She is the<br />
daughter of Custodian Duane and Janet Mulligan.<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 19<br />
Phil Awtry and his family in Australia.<br />
Business Analyst Phil Awtry was asked to present<br />
the keynote address at the Mastering SAP Plant<br />
Maintenance Conference in Gold Coast, Australia in<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember. Phil’s trip, which included his family, was<br />
paid for by the conference and himself. He received<br />
rave reviews for his presentation, “Piloting Your<br />
Maintenance Program Into the Future,” which touched<br />
on NPPD’s work in the area of business intelligence<br />
and work/asset management reporting. According to<br />
the conference organizers, Awtry’s keynote scored<br />
highest among the conference speakers. Phil also<br />
presented a second session on developing a business<br />
case for asset-centric document management. NPPD<br />
ITT Manager Dave Webb praised Awtry, who speaks<br />
often at SAP and utilities events, for representing<br />
NPPD well and making new contacts that will help us<br />
with future business and technology initiatives.<br />
G.O. employees<br />
helped make the<br />
world a warmer,<br />
greener place by<br />
hosting a coat<br />
collection drive<br />
to commemorate<br />
America Recycles<br />
Day. Fifty-three<br />
gently used coats<br />
were gathered over a<br />
two-week period and<br />
were donated to a local<br />
charity where they will<br />
be given to those in<br />
need free of charge. A<br />
G.O. employees donated enough<br />
coats and other cold-weather<br />
clothing to fill this bin. The supplies<br />
were donated to a local charity.<br />
generous amount of hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and<br />
boots were also donated.
20<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
Asset Value Consultant<br />
Sharon Brown was<br />
named Toastmaster of<br />
the Year by members of<br />
the NPPD Club #1029<br />
on Sept. 14. Sharon has<br />
served as the Club’s<br />
president and currently<br />
serves as area Governor<br />
of <strong>District</strong> 13.<br />
Sharon Brown<br />
Webb credits team for national CIO award<br />
Sierra Energy Group/Energy Central<br />
recognized Information Technology and<br />
Telecommunications Manager Dave Webb with<br />
its Chief Information Officer 1st Runner Up<br />
KITE Award in the small utility category at the<br />
Knowledge Utility CIO Summit in <strong>Oct</strong>ober.<br />
Dave Webb (left) accepts CIO runner up plaque as part of<br />
a national award contest.<br />
Megan Albracht was<br />
among 442 students<br />
selected to be a part of the<br />
<strong>2009</strong> All-State Chorus.<br />
The chorus performed<br />
at the University of<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong>-Lincoln campus<br />
in <strong>Nov</strong>ember. Selection<br />
as a member into this<br />
group is one of the highest<br />
musical honors attainable<br />
in <strong>Nebraska</strong>. Megan, a<br />
Megan Albracht<br />
sophomore at Lakeview High<br />
School, is the daughter of System Specialist Barb and<br />
Engineering Technician Joe Albracht.<br />
Selections for the award are made by a distinguished<br />
panel of anonymous judges consisting of magazine<br />
editors, industry analysts, former utility CIOs and<br />
college professors.<br />
The KITE awards stand for Knowledge, Innovation,<br />
Technology and Excellence--characteristics that set<br />
inspirational utility IT leaders apart from the pack.<br />
The judging criteria include the following four<br />
elements: leadership, support for strategic objectives,<br />
results achieved and accomplishments.<br />
Webb serves as a member of the Large <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong><br />
Council CIO committee and credits receipt of this<br />
award to his team of technology professionals who<br />
work hard to stay on top of the changing technology<br />
environment to ensure NPPD customers and<br />
employees are provided with secure and practical<br />
computer, software and infrastructure solutions.<br />
“I’m proud of my management team and all ITT<br />
colleagues and the work they do day in and day out.<br />
Thanks to them, I am able to participate in initiatives<br />
like the State Radio partnership and NPPD’s Smart<br />
Grid effort. I also owe special thanks to Pat Pope<br />
for his support and recognition of the critical role<br />
technology plays in NPPD’s success. That is certainly<br />
a major factor in NPPD being recognized with this<br />
national award,” he said.
on the<br />
Kris Anderson, human resources assistant,<br />
Columbus, to dispatch specialist, Norfolk.<br />
Troy Barker, procurement engineering and<br />
configuration management supervisor (TA), Cooper<br />
Nuclear Station, to quality assurance manager.<br />
David Bird, instrument and control supervisor (TA),<br />
CNS, to step up supervisor (TA).<br />
Richard Bolduc, operations training supervisor, CNS,<br />
to nuclear instructor.<br />
Corey Boyle, apprentice line technician in-training,<br />
Ogallala, to apprentice line technician.<br />
Dan Buman, director of engineering (TA), CNS, to<br />
director of engineering.<br />
Christopher Carpenter, non-licensed nuclear plant<br />
operator, CNS, to control room operator.<br />
Lee Conner, scheduler, CNS, to operations support<br />
group specialist.<br />
Stan Domikaitis, engineer—Engineering Support<br />
Department, CNS, to engineer—Nuclear Engineering<br />
Department—Risk Management.<br />
Tony Eddleman, system control technology<br />
supervisor, Doniphan, to electric reliability<br />
compliance supervisor.<br />
Clyde Edgington, control room operator, CNS, to<br />
control room supervisor.<br />
Roman Estrada, corrective action and assessments<br />
manager, CNS, to design engineering manager.<br />
William Gray, non-licensed nuclear plant operator,<br />
CNS, to control room operator.<br />
Martin Hannaford, work week director (TA), CNS,<br />
to work week director.<br />
David Hicks, non-licensed nuclear plant operator,<br />
CNS, to control room operator.<br />
Nathan Jones, apprentice telecommunications<br />
technician, York, to telecommunications technician.<br />
Shawn Krause, utility service technician (TA),<br />
Scottsbluff, to utility service technician.<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 21<br />
Chris Lammers, apprentice line technician<br />
in-training, O’Neill, to apprentice line technician,<br />
Ainsworth.<br />
Nancy Lowe, customer services and delivery<br />
representative, Kearney, to subtransmission and<br />
distribution system analyst.<br />
Mike Maness, control room operator, CNS, to control<br />
room supervisor.<br />
Philip Martin, non-licensed nuclear plant operator,<br />
CNS, to control room operator.<br />
Ryan Miller, operator (relief), Kearney, to station<br />
operator, Sheldon Station.<br />
Charles Murphy, non-licensed nuclear plant<br />
operator, CNS, to control room supervisor.<br />
Timothy Ommert, non-licensed nuclear plant<br />
operator, CNS, to control room operator.<br />
Justin Reimers, engineer—Systems Engineering<br />
Department, CNS, to shift technical engineer—<br />
Operations.<br />
Doug Rieger, investment and financial specialist,<br />
CGO, to part-time investment and financial specialist.<br />
James Short, non-licensed nuclear plant operator,<br />
CNS, to control room operator.<br />
Brian Stander, shift technical engineer, CNS, to<br />
control room supervisor.<br />
Joyce Steffensmeier, human resources assistant,<br />
CGO, to health service technician.<br />
Todd Stevens, design engineering manager, CNS, to<br />
project manager.<br />
Sandy Stroh, customer services and delivery<br />
representative, Kearney, to distribution support<br />
specialist.<br />
Andy Vaughn, control room operator, CNS, to control<br />
room supervisor.<br />
Gary Vavra, technical operations center analyst,<br />
York, to telecommunications engineering analyst.<br />
James Webster, senior project manager, CNS, to<br />
nuclear projects manager.<br />
Mark Weeder, procurement specialist, CGO, to<br />
investment and financial leader.
22<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
C U S T O M E R N E W S<br />
Dawson PPD holds open house for new facility<br />
Nearly 700 people attended an open<br />
house at Dawson <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong><br />
<strong>District</strong>’s new headquarters on <strong>Oct</strong>. 10.<br />
Geothermal technology is used to heat<br />
and cool the building. The facility is also<br />
designed with energy efficient lighting,<br />
adequate insulation and programmable<br />
heating and cooling systems.<br />
Billing Supervisor Connie Hird welcomes customers at<br />
Dawson PPD’s open house.<br />
Dawson PPD Purchasing and Facilities Manager<br />
Scott Fagot with Louie the Lightning Bug.
Ron Hostetter honored with Archway Award<br />
At the Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame<br />
Banquet on <strong>Nov</strong>. 17, Ron Hostetter received<br />
the 21st annual Archway Award for his business<br />
contributions. He is CEO and general manager of<br />
Cornhusker <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong>.<br />
Hostetter has been working in utilities since 1972.<br />
He first worked at Omaha <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong>, then<br />
NPPD in 1977. He began working at Cornhusker in<br />
1985 as director of technical operations. In 1993, he<br />
was named CEO and general manager.<br />
“It’s been great in Columbus. Columbus as we all<br />
know, for sure, is the national capitol of public power.<br />
It just serves us so well to have three power districts<br />
here,” he said.<br />
Under his direction Cornhusker received a national<br />
award for the Community Builders Program, which is<br />
a program that allows nearly 20 regional communities<br />
to meet at rotating locations four times a year. The<br />
business also started the Cornhusker Goodwill Fund<br />
through which customers can round up their power<br />
bills to fund community projects. Nearly $200,000 has<br />
been distributed through that project by Cornhusker to<br />
the community.<br />
Hostetter also is a member of the Columbus<br />
Economic Council and a <strong>Nebraska</strong> diplomat. He was<br />
elected to the National Rural Electric Cooperative<br />
On <strong>Oct</strong>. 30, retired Economist<br />
Donis Petersan received a<br />
lifetime achievement award from the<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong> Economics and Business<br />
Association (NEBA) during its<br />
annual meeting at the Omaha Branch<br />
of the Federal Reserve.<br />
NEBA is a statewide organization<br />
of professional and academic<br />
economists and researchers<br />
involved with issues and research<br />
on economics and business topics<br />
in general, and focuses on issues<br />
and research related to the economy of<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong> and the Great Plains. Petersan<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 23<br />
R E T I R E E N E W S<br />
Donis Petersan earns Lifetime Achievement Award<br />
Donis Petersan<br />
Ron Hostetter with the 21st annual Archway Award.<br />
Association Marketing committee, served on the<br />
NRECA Issues Committee, the <strong>Nebraska</strong> Rural<br />
Electric Association Job Training and Safety and<br />
Legislative Committees, and the <strong>Power</strong> Advisory<br />
Committee for NPPD. He also was elected chairman<br />
of the Midplains Energy Services Alliance.<br />
Hostetter also was a past recipient of the Charles<br />
E. Farnham Volunteer of the Year in 2004 for his<br />
community involvement. He and his wife, Mary, have<br />
three married daughters and one granddaughter.<br />
has been a member of NEBA since<br />
1969 and is a past president.<br />
A lifetime member and past<br />
president of the <strong>Nebraska</strong> Economic<br />
Developers Association, Petersan<br />
is also a long-time member of the<br />
International Economic Development<br />
Council (IEDC) and was awarded an<br />
Honorary Life Membership in IEDC<br />
before his retirement.<br />
Petersan holds a Ph.D. in economics<br />
from the University of <strong>Nebraska</strong>-<br />
Lincoln. He retired in February 2008<br />
after 29 years of employment with the<br />
<strong>District</strong>.
24<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
R E T I R E E N E W S<br />
Erma Nolan to volunteer time, talent during retirement<br />
retirement dinner honoring Columbus<br />
A Wholesale<br />
Billing Specialist Erma<br />
Nolan was held July<br />
17 at Wunderlich’s in<br />
Columbus.<br />
Columbus Contracts<br />
Manager Rod Rinne<br />
began the evening<br />
with an opening prayer<br />
and served as Master<br />
of Ceremonies for<br />
the occasion. Special<br />
guests included Erma’s<br />
sister and brother-inlaw,<br />
Ann and Jerry<br />
Woods; nephews,<br />
Gerald Woods., Randall<br />
Woods and Roger and Pam Reed; niece, Wendy and<br />
Ken Keener; and her sisters-in-law, Rama and Paul<br />
Badje, Madge and Vivian Bentley and Jean Coates.<br />
Also attending were special friends, Larry Navrkal and<br />
Pastor Glenn and Julie Williamson.<br />
Columbus Wholesale Billing Supervisor Jim<br />
Bernt presented Erma with her official retirement<br />
Columbus Energizers<br />
will meet Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 at<br />
8:30 a.m. at Stack ‘N Steak.<br />
Paul Badje, (402) 564-8863,<br />
tailor@neb.rr.com<br />
Klassy Kilowatts will meet<br />
Jan. 18, and Feb. 15 at 12:30<br />
p.m. CST at the Airport Inn in<br />
North Platte. NPPD Engineer Ed<br />
Dekleva will be the guest speaker<br />
at the January meeting.<br />
Tom Pendelton, (308) 532-5040<br />
tmpen@hamilton.net<br />
Erma Nolan at her retirement dinner.<br />
RETIREES<br />
Low Voltage Panhandlers<br />
will meet Feb. 16 at 9 a.m. at the<br />
Farm and Ranch Museum.<br />
Don Koralewski, (308) 783-1851<br />
donaldkoralewski340@gmail.com<br />
Northern Lights will meet<br />
April 26 for a tour of Ponca State<br />
Park and the Big Bear Lodge. More<br />
details in the next issue.<br />
Jim <strong>Dec</strong>ker, (402) 357-3788<br />
document and gifts from the <strong>District</strong>, a pair of<br />
Pentax binoculars and<br />
a corsage. Along with a<br />
monetary gift from her<br />
co-workers, the evening<br />
was made memorable<br />
by the special talents<br />
of master gardener Jim<br />
Bernt, who created<br />
the table centerpieces.<br />
Pastor Williamson<br />
ended the evening with<br />
a prayer of thankfulness<br />
and celebration.<br />
The occasion marked<br />
more than 35 years<br />
of employment with<br />
the <strong>District</strong>. Erma began<br />
her career Feb. 1, 1974 as a clerk in the Planning<br />
Department. She was promoted to Wholesale Billing<br />
Specialist in September of 2000, a position she held<br />
until the time of her retirement on June 30, <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
Erma plans to become more involved with Bible<br />
study, volunteer her time and talent, and travel.<br />
NPPD Antiques will meet<br />
Jan. 4 and Feb. 1 at 8:30 a.m. at<br />
Country Cooking in Beatrice. All<br />
meetings are scheduled for the<br />
first Monday of the month unless<br />
that date is a holiday.<br />
Dot Cornelius, (402) 228-0494<br />
Retired & Rewired will<br />
meet Jan. 8 at the Winery/Country<br />
Kitchen, social at 5:30, dinner at<br />
6 p.m.<br />
Lois McCoy, (308) 665-1625,<br />
lmccoy919@gmail.com<br />
Make plans to attend your local retiree meeting
Charlie Magnussen celebrates retirement<br />
Ainsworth Local Manager<br />
Charlie Magnussen was<br />
honored at a retirement dinner on<br />
Aug. 8 at the American Legion Club<br />
in Bassett. Special guests included his<br />
wife, Kathy; son and daughter-in-law,<br />
Chris and Jenn Magnussen; son, Matt<br />
Magnussen; daughter, Sherri Stapleton;<br />
stepsons, Mark and Kari Gurnsey and<br />
family and Justin and Amy Gurnsey<br />
and family; stepdaughter, Nikki and<br />
Barry Lovitt and family; stepfather,<br />
Spec Retzlaff; brothers and sisters-inlaw,<br />
Rod and Connie Magnussen and<br />
York Apprentice Substation Construction<br />
Technician Rog “Sugar” and Carol<br />
Magnussen.<br />
O’Neill Distribution Supervisor Mike Marvin<br />
served as Master of Ceremonies and presented Charlie<br />
with his official retirement document and gift from<br />
NPPD, a set of golf clubs.<br />
At a special presentation, Ainsworth Local Manager<br />
Todd Keller and Ainsworth Senior Line Technician<br />
Lee Conroy unveiled a hand-crafted work-of-art<br />
containing memorabilia from Charlie’s 40-year career.<br />
The creation was centered around a cross-arm that had<br />
been struck by lightning and contained some standard<br />
tools of the trade used by Charlie as well as items that<br />
held “special” meaning.<br />
Sons, Chris and Matt, gave their father an original<br />
General Electric meter from 1920 as a reminder of<br />
his career and as a thank you from the family for the<br />
security his dedication to his job provided for them.<br />
The late Eben Gifford, retired<br />
Paxton welder/mechanic, and Boyd<br />
Bryant of North Platte, also known as<br />
The Hillbillies, were inducted into the<br />
<strong>Nebraska</strong> Country Music Foundation<br />
Hall of Fame in <strong>Oct</strong>ober. The singing,<br />
guitar-playing duo were together for<br />
more than two decades entertaining<br />
fans in <strong>Nebraska</strong>, South Dakota,<br />
Montana and Wyoming.<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 25<br />
Charlie Magnussen retires after more than 40 years of service to NPPD.<br />
Magnussen began his career on June 9, 1969 as<br />
a truck driver for the Norfolk Construction Crew.<br />
He began lineman training in 1970 and worked<br />
as an apprentice lineman, lineman, substation<br />
foreman, journeyman lineman and sub-transmission<br />
dispatcher in Norfolk. While in Norfolk, he<br />
completed his training and passed the lineman’s<br />
examination in 1975. On April 16, 1985, Charlie<br />
accepted a promotion to work as the local manager<br />
in Bassett. On March 16, 2006, he advanced to<br />
work as the local manager in Ainsworth, a position<br />
he held at the time of his retirement on <strong>Nov</strong>. 30,<br />
<strong>2009</strong>.<br />
You can expect to see Charlie riding his Harley,<br />
and spending the days of his retirement hunting,<br />
fishing, camping, golfing and traveling.<br />
Eben Gifford honored posthumously<br />
“Neither of us could read music,” said Bryant. “We<br />
just loved music and we loved playing it.”<br />
The Hillbillies informally dissolved in the 1980s.<br />
“When the grandchildren came to visit, they always<br />
asked grandpa to play and sing for them. He loved<br />
that,” said Margaret Gifford, Eben’s widow.<br />
Eben, who passed away in 2000, has two proud<br />
sons who work at Gerald Gentleman Station: Fire/<br />
Safety Specialist Bob Gifford and Material Handler<br />
Lonnie Gifford.
26<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
We will<br />
remember<br />
Nancy Schwank, Columbus benefits coordinator,<br />
on the death of her mother, Mary Agnes<br />
“Aggie” Bruckner<br />
Larry Budler, CGO protection engineer, on the death<br />
of his father-in-law, Virgil Brand<br />
Greg Heidbreder, Kearney journey line technician,<br />
on the death of his mother, Colleen<br />
the family of Shirley M. Hahn, widow of retired<br />
Osceola <strong>District</strong> Manager John W. Hahn<br />
Bev Reiman, YOC planning analyst, on the death of<br />
her mother, Cleo Rieck<br />
Sandy French, CGO drafting services clerk, on the<br />
death of her father-in-law, William<br />
Bert Cole, CNS security officer, on the death of his<br />
father-in-law, Robert “Bob” Breazile, Jr.<br />
Mike Schmit, Scottsbluff area storekeeper, on the<br />
death of his mother-in-law, Delphine Heitman<br />
Brian Baack, CNS security officer, on the death of<br />
his grandmother, Ella (Oestmann) Bergmann<br />
John Atkins, CGO planner/scheduler, on the death of<br />
his wife, Shirley<br />
Mark Lloyd, Sheldon Station plant support<br />
technician, on the death of his father, Edward<br />
Larry Arens, Norfolk account manager, on the death<br />
of his mother-in-law, Katherine Wintz Abts<br />
Chris Lampe, Sheldon Station shift leader, and Curt<br />
Lampe, GGS material handler, on the death of their<br />
mother, Gloria<br />
Jason Morrison, Sheldon Station station operator, on<br />
the death of his grandfather, Donald Mutzebaugh<br />
Ed Kohmetscher, retired KCC senior systems<br />
analyst, on the death of his father, William<br />
our sympathies go out to the following families<br />
Carol Lentell, Kearney customer service support<br />
specialist, on the death of her father-in-law, Jay<br />
Paul Baustian, Norfolk desktop support specialist, on<br />
the death of his mother, Arlet Corrine<br />
Ann Tonniges, CGO web development specialist, on<br />
the death of her father-in-law, Melvin<br />
Tim Bruder, Sheldon Station material handler, on the<br />
death of his mother, Kay<br />
Richard Fleischer, retired CGO property records<br />
accountant, on the death of his wife, Connie<br />
Mike Dixon, Columbus cost management process<br />
lead, on the death of his son, Brent<br />
Mary Harding, NPPD Director, on the death of her<br />
father, Gene<br />
Kathy Hopwood, CGO records analyst, on the death<br />
of her father-in-law, Robert<br />
Patty Freburg, Kearney customer service specialist,<br />
on the death of her brother, Steve Velder<br />
Tom Black, CNS part-time nuclear engineering<br />
department engineer, on the death of his mother, Dorie<br />
the family of Bonnea Smith, widow of retired<br />
Scottsbluff Regional Equipment Maintenance<br />
Technician Walt Smith<br />
Brian Vasa, Ogallala economic development<br />
consultant, on the death of his mother, Phyllis<br />
CGO Part-time Clerk Millie Ludden and CGO<br />
Administrative Support Barb Ludden on the death of<br />
Millie’s husband and Barb’s father-in-law, Ted<br />
Doniphan Lead Real-Time Application Analyst<br />
Vic Bockerman and Kearney Coordinator Nick<br />
Bockerman on the death of Vic’s mother-in-law and<br />
Nick’s grandmother, Betty Allen
J A N U A R Y<br />
of events<br />
1 New Year’s Day Holiday<br />
14-15 NPPD Board Meeting<br />
Columbus<br />
22 Customer Meeting<br />
York Holiday Inn<br />
F E B R U A R Y<br />
11-12 NPPD Board Meeting<br />
Columbus<br />
Retired Sheldon Station Mechanic Virgil Leon<br />
Simmons, 83, who passed away <strong>Oct</strong>. 19. Virgil joined<br />
the <strong>District</strong> in 1953 and retired in 1984. Survivors<br />
include his wife, Eileen; son, Rick Simmons and<br />
wife, Mary; sister, Rose Nicholson and husband, Ivan;<br />
brother, Allen (Niles) Simmons and wife, Phyllis;<br />
sister-in-law, Melvadene Arntt; brother-in-law,<br />
Richard Arntt; half-brother, Kenny Cumpston; and<br />
nieces and nephews.<br />
ENERGY INSIGHT • JULY / AUGUST / SEPTEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />
M A R C H<br />
2-3 <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Power</strong> Association<br />
Annual Meeting<br />
Cornhusker Hotel, Lincoln<br />
11-12 NPPD Board Meeting<br />
Columbus<br />
17 Customer Meeting<br />
Kearney Holiday Inn<br />
Retired Columbus Secretary Vera Pillen, 75, who<br />
passed away <strong>Nov</strong>. 2. Vera began her NPPD career<br />
in 1986 and retired in 1996. Survivors include<br />
daughters, Natalie (Ron) Kenkel, Kim (Brian) Kruger,<br />
Stephanie (John) Richardson and Melissa (Jeff)<br />
Lowe; step-sons, CGO Senior Project Coordinator<br />
Tom and Debbie Pillen, Jim and Suzanne Pillen,<br />
and Clete and CGO Investment Portfolio and Debt<br />
Administrator Christine Pillen; brother, Robert<br />
(Jeanette) Pembroke; 12 grandchildren and 10 stepgrandchildren.<br />
27
P.O.<br />
P.O.<br />
Box<br />
Box<br />
499<br />
499<br />
Columbus,<br />
Columbus,<br />
NE<br />
NE<br />
68602-0499<br />
68602-0499<br />
Address<br />
Address<br />
Service<br />
Service<br />
Requested<br />
Requested<br />
Together with your local public power utility.<br />
PRSRT STD<br />
PRSRT STD<br />
US POSTAGE<br />
US POSTAGE<br />
PAID<br />
PAID<br />
COLUMBUS NE<br />
COLUMBUS NE<br />
PERMIT NO. 3<br />
PERMIT NO. 3<br />
ENERGY FACT #21<br />
CAP AND TRADE LEGISLATION<br />
COULD GET A LITTLE DICEY<br />
Rolling the dice may be fun, but when <strong>Nebraska</strong>’s electric rates hang in the balance, we’re not<br />
playing. Congress is considering climate change legislation that could raise energy costs for<br />
hardworking <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns. We understand our responsibility to protect the environment, but given the<br />
economic challenges we face, the last thing we need is to come out on the losing end.<br />
Learn more by visiting<br />
ItsYour<strong>Power</strong>.org<br />
...bringing key issues to light