Generator — Winter 2021

GENERA OR
a publication of Loup Power District WINTER 2021
INSIDE:
No change to 2021 retail rates
EnergyWiseSM
incentives update
Schindel retires after 44 years

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chris Langemeier
Chairman
Ross Knott
First Vice Chairman
Alan Drozd
Second Vice Chairman
Steve Heesacker
Secretary
Dick Tooley
Treasurer
Rich Aerni
Robert Cerv
Jim Donoghue
Mike Fleming
Larry Zach
HOW DO WE SET
ELECTRICITY RATES?
Loup Power District identifies electricity rates based on cost of service
while keeping our customers and our communities front and center. As a
not-for-profit company, Loup does not answer to remote shareholders and
is not driven by a profit motive. Revenues are invested right back into the
company and communities.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Neal Suess
President/CEO
Walt Williams
Vice President,
Accounting & Finance/CFO
Todd Duren
Vice President,
Corporate Services
Korey Hobza
Vice President, Engineering
Dan Hellbusch
Vice President, Operations
The Loup Generator is
published quarterly
as a service for Loup
employees, families,
friends and associates.
For feedback, story ideas
and submissions, contact:
Stacy Wemhoff
Communications Coordinator
402-562-5711
swemhoff@loup.com
ADD UP ALL THE COSTS. Loup conducts a cost-of-service study to
determine the revenue requirement — how much revenue is required
to maintain financial stability. The costs are separated into three areas:
power supply and transmission, distribution, and customers.
DIVIDE REVENUE REQUIREMENTS by customer class — commercial,
industrial, residential. The cost-of-service study identifies how and when
each class uses energy, and how the utility incurs costs from each class.
The study identifies the amount to recover through customer, demand,
and energy charges for each customer class, and how costs vary by time of
day or season. This amount is then compared with the rates for each class.
FACTOR a rate adjustment strategy into a financial plan. The plan takes input
from management and the Board of Directors and lays out a strategy for
how rates should be implemented in the future. The plan ensures adequate
revenues are recovered for each class of customer and explains how each
rate component (customer, energy, demand) should vary over time.
BALANCE the recommended rates with the governing body’s input and
community objectives. Loup’s managers present the rate study to the Board
of Directors. The Board decides whether the proposed rate structure meets
the needs of the community and the utility’s revenue requirements.
FINAL RATE. The newly set rates go into effect on
customers’ monthly bills. Loup’s residential rates have
not changed since 2018.
2 | GENERATOR
COVER: Clarkson Local Superintendent Josh Siebrandt puts rubber coverups on the primary power lines
during a house move in late September to protect the house and movers from incidental contact.

pReSIDeNT’S MessAGe
Loup’s retail rates among
lowest in state and nation
For the fourth consecutive year, the District is
planning no change to retail rates. This really
is a testament to how hard District employees
and the District’s Board of Directors work to
manage expenses.
The District has seen a number of events that
could have negatively affected our retail rates
over the past several years: the new hydroelectric
license in 2017 (which reduced the amount
of generation produced from the hydroelectric
system), the mid-March 2019 storm event that
created havoc on the canal system (as well
as other areas of the District), and finally the
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Each of these events has affected the District
and our customers in different ways, but in
each case, the District has managed to keep
our overall rate levels unchanged for our
customers.
A lot of this has to do with the interaction the
District has with our power supplier, Nebraska
Public Power District (NPPD). Almost all of
the energy used by the District’s customers
is purchased from NPPD. Approximately
70 percent of the District’s annual expense
budget is purchased power costs from NPPD.
Therefore, it is important that the District
works closely with NPPD to understand how
its production costs are being managed.
We are fortunate that NPPD’s headquarters are
located in Columbus. District employees have
daily interaction with NPPD, and we see NPPD
employees about town as we perform our daily
activities. Having this friendly interaction
makes it easier to deal with NPPD one-on-one
when there are business concerns.
Knowing how NPPD’s costs are derived is
important. Power supply is a complex activity.
NPPD’s management has been very active
in helping wholesale customers understand
how costs are changing and what we can do to
impact cost changes for NPPD.
District management and the Board of
Directors have worked hard to understand this
complexity and to help manage this to control
District costs for our customers.
As we continue to move forward in 2020
and 2021, the overall effects of the COVID-19
pandemic will continue to affect the expenses
of the District. How this may impact retail
rates beyond 2021 is yet to be seen, but rest
assured, the District is working hard to keep
retail rates as low as possible.
The District’s Board of Directors is very proud
of this. We will strive to continue this ranking
in the future.
Until next time, be happy and stay safe!
NEAL SUESS
President/CEO
Based upon the latest American Public
Power Association survey, the District
is in the lowest tenth percentile
for retail rates both
statewide and nationally.
WINTER 2020 | 3

No change to 2021 retail rates
Retail rates for Loup Power District’s
retail customers will remain the same in
2021 for the fourth consecutive year.
The Loup Power District Board of Directors
reviewed current rate levels as well
as budgeted revenue and expenses at
the November and December board
meetings. This also included a review of
a retail cost of service study performed
by management.
As part of this review, the board
analyzed the purchased power costs
from Nebraska Public Power District
(NPPD), the District’s wholesale power
supplier.
NPPD’s overall costs and rates to Loup
did not change for 2020, even though
some costs did change between the
summer and winter season. Therefore,
the District’s Board of Directors felt
there was no need to change retail rates.
“Prior to the recent run of consistent
retail rates, the District has reacted
to changes in wholesale power and
operational costs by making changes
to the retail rates,” said Jim Donoghue,
chairman of Loup’s Rates Committee.
“However, the District Board has
worked with management to keep retail
rate levels steady, even given the effects
of the damages from the 2019 storm to
the District’s hydroelectric system and
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
on District customers in 2020.”
Donoghue added that Loup’s board
has implemented a long-term strategy
to maintain its reserve margin at
reasonable levels and keep retail rates
competitive.
Loup Power District’s overall rates are
24.8 percent below the national average
and 11.2 percent below the Nebraska
average based on data from a 2019
American Public Power Association
survey.
“Loup’s rates remain among the lowest
in Nebraska and the Nation,” said Loup
Board Chairman Chris Langemeier.
Overall, Loup Power District’s rates
are in the lowest tenth percentile both
statewide and nationally.
Energy or kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage
is always the determining factor in a
customer’s bill.
Customers in all rate classifications
continue to have opportunities to
reduce their costs by taking advantage
of numerous programs offered by the
District.
These programs include energy incentives
and home energy audits.
For more information on the District’s
retail rates and energy-saving
programs, visit loup.com.
Loup’s retail rates
are 24.8% below
the national average
and 11.2% below
Nebraska’s average
For more information on the District’s retail rates and energy-saving programs,
visit the District’s website at www.loup.com.
4 | GENERATOR

Heat pump water heaters offer cost-saving benefits
ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water
heaters (HPWHs) promise huge energy savings.
A SMART INVESTMENT
While a certified HPWH costs more upfront,
the savings will pay back the difference in two
years for a household of four.
BIG SAVINGS
ENERGY STAR certified HPWHs can save
a household of four approximately $350 per
year on its electric bills compared to a standard
electric water heater.
This adds up to $3,750 over the HPWH’s
lifetime. Larger families that typically use more
hot water will save even more.
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
If all residential electric water heaters less
than 55 gallons sold in the United States were
ENERGY STAR certified HPWHs, the energy
cost savings would grow to almost $12 billion
each year, and 140 billion pounds of annual
greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented
— equivalent to the emissions from more than
13 million vehicles.
SAVINGS & PAYBACKS FOR ENERGY STAR HEAT PUMP WATER HEATERS
Household Size Annual kWh Savings Annual $ Savings Payback (years) Lifetime Savings
2 1,350 $170 4.8 $1,370
3 2,020 $250 3.2 $2,450
4 2,690 $330 2.4 $3,530
Assumes: $0.124/kWh; Incremental Cost = $800; 13-year lifespan
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR program
WATER HEATER RED FLAGS
Sometimes water heaters can be working
fine and then fail without warning. Most
times, though, there are early signs that
your water heater may need help. Here
are some common red flags for possible
water heater failure:
• VISIBLE CORROSION – Corrosion is a
sign that the water heater is breaking
down.
• WATER LEAKS – Leaks from any
joints, seals, or seams is usually an
indication of a problem.
• RUST IN YOUR WATER – This is
usually a sign that the interior of the
water heating system is corroding and
breaking down.
• LOW HOT WATER – Aging and poor
maintenance can cause sediment to
build up inside the tank in a way that
reduces capacity.
• RUMBLING NOISES – Water heaters
are designed to operate consistently,
quietly, and reliably.
WINTER 2020 | 5

are you
Check out these energy-saving incentives!
Smart Thermostat Program
According to a Nebraska energy burden study,
the average Nebraska household spends more
than $2,400 on the energy needed to run their
home.
What if you could reduce your heating and
cooling needs by up to ten percent while
helping to automate your home?
If you have a home Wi-Fi connection and a
central air-conditioning or heat pump system,
you may qualify for an incentive of up to $100 for a
qualifying smart thermostat.
Smart thermostat technology is most beneficial for
households that have extended periods during the day when no one is
home or turn their thermostat down during bedtime hours. It is also a great
option for homes that have irregular occupancy through the week, month
or year.
SYSTEM TYPE
INCENTIVE
Primarily Electric Heat (Professionally Installed) $100
Primarily Electric Heat (Customer Installed) $75
Primarily Fossil-Fuel Heat (Professionally Installed) $50
Primarily Fossil-Fuel Heat (Customer Installed) $25
Attic Insulation
Residential customers who have 6" or
less of attic insulation and electric heating
systems are eligible for an incentive of 15¢
per square foot if they add at least 6", or an
additional R-19, of insulation to their attic
space.
The maximum incentive amount is $300
per dwelling.
Variable Frequency Drives
Commercial and industrial customers can
receive an incentive for installing variable
frequency drives (VFDs) on centrifugal fans
and pumps.
The incentive is $30 per horsepower for
VFDs from 1 to 200 horsepower, operating
a minimum of 2,000 hours annually.
Custom Ag Program
Incentives are available for ag technologies
not covered under other programs upon
review and approval.
Agricultural Efficiency
Customers can receive reimbursement for
installing electric heating mats in their hog
farrowing operations. Incentives range from
$40 to $80 per mat.
Irrigation Efficiency
Customers can receive
reimbursement for a pumping
system efficiency test, installing a
variable frequency drive on corner pivot
systems, replacing sprinkler heads, and
for improvements leading to demand
reductions.
Eligible projects include pressure
regulator replacement, pump
refurbishment and more.
6 | GENERATOR

High Efficiency Heat Pumps
Option 1: Direct incentive
SYSTEM TYPE CRITERIA INCENTIVE
Ductless Mini-Split 15+ SEER, 12.5 EER, 8.5 HSPF $400
Ductless Mini-Split Variable Capacity (inverter driven) $600
Air Source 15-15.9 SEER, 12.5 EER, 8.5 HSPF $400
Air Source
16-17.9 SEER, 12.5 EER,
8.5 HSPF
$800
Air Source 18+ SEER, 12.5 EER, 8.5 HSPF $1,200
Air Source Variable Capacity $1,200
Ductless Mini Splits
(Multi Heads, 3 ton or greater)
Geothermal — water-to-air
or water-to-water
{1 or 2 stages)
Geothermal — water-to-air
or water-to-water
(Variable capacity)
Option 2: Low Interest Loan Program
Variable Capacity (inverter driven) $1,200
Any EER $2,400
35+ EER, 5.0+ COP in GLHP -
partial load column of AHRI
or Energy Star certificate
$3,300
Through a partnership with the Nebraska Energy Office and approximately 600
financial institutions throughout the state, you can finance your new heat pump
system at a low interest rate.
Customers cannot proceed with the installation until the Nebraska Energy Office
has processed the loan paperwork; this can take as many as 10 business days.
Homes built within the last five years are not eligible for the low interest loan
(but they are eligible for the incentive).
Heat Pump Water Heater
SYSTEM TYPE CRITERIA INCENTIVE
Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater EF > 1.9 $400
Water or Ground Source
Heat Pump Water Heater
COP > 2.8 $650
Electric Vehicle
& Charging Station
• $4,000 for the purchase of a new
electric vehicle + $500 for installation
of a residential ChargePoint 32-amp,
Wi-Fi-enabled vehicle charging station.
• Up to $400 for in-home pre-wiring for
future installation of an electric vehicle
charging station.
• Commercial Conduit — 100%
reimbursement incentive (maximum
of $1,000) for new commercial
construction for the installation of
conduit to be used for a future public
electric vehicle charging station.
• Commercial Charger — 50%
reimbursement incentive for eligible
costs for the installation of an
electric vehicle
public
charging
station.
Cooling System Tune Up
Residential customers are eligible for
a $30 yearly incentive when they have
their cooling system tuned up by an
HVAC contractor.
HVAC System
Optimization
Incentives are provided to commercial
(and industrial) customers for improving
the efficiency of their existing heating,
cooling, and ventilating systems.
Prescriptive
& Custom Lighting
LED lighting incentives are provided for
commercial and industrial customers via a
prescriptive program (an incentive based
on a table for predetermined fixture or
lamp replacements) and a custom incentive
program for lighting systems not offered in
the prescriptive program.
Industrial Process Incentive
Incentives are provided to industrial customers for
improving the efficiency of their processes.
Commercial HVAC
Incentives are provided to commercial (and industrial)
customers for installing high-efficiency HVAC equipment
via a prescriptive program where the incentive is calculated
based on the specific efficiency improvement.
Additional program details are available at loup.com
or by calling Greg Badstieber at 402-564-3171.
WINTER 2020 | 7

Schindel retires
after 44 years
“
I've never thought of
doing anything else.
”
Miles and miles of rebuilt transmission
lines.
That’s what Jim Schindel thinks of as he
reflects on his 44-year career at Loup Power
District.
“We basically built from the Dodge County
line to two miles west of the Boone County
line along Highway 91,” he said. “I was either
in charge of or helped with over 120 miles of
transmission line.”
He was also involved in transmission line
projects near Columbus, Fullerton, Belgrade,
Lindsay, and Genoa.
The feeling of accomplishment was the
same after each project, despite all the miles
and years.
“You see that big pile of poles and all the
reels and wire. All the materials laying there,”
Schindel said. “Five or six months later, you
look out and it’s all in the air and done. You
can see what you did.”
Schindel’s introduction to the utility line
field happened shortly after his graduation
from high school in Hinton, Iowa, in 1974.
He was working at a factory at the time and
talked to a friend who was studying utility
line at Northwest Iowa Technical College .
Schindel thought it sounded interesting.
“I always thought I was going to be an
electrician or do something mechanical,” he
said. “ I enjoyed being outside all the time. I
liked that more than anything.”
He enrolled at the same college and began
taking classes the following quarter. He
earned his degree and landed a job at Loup
Power District in 1976.
“It was a job,” he said. “I didn’t know what
would all come out of it.”
Schindel knows now that line work and
Loup were the perfect fit for him.
“I’ve never thought of doing anything
else.”
Schindel was promoted to Lineman in 1977
and Journeyman Lineman in 1981. He was
named Line Foreman for the Albion Division
in 1993 and served as Superintendent from
2014 until his retirement in November.
Loup Power and the industry in general
have changed a lot in 40 years.
Schindel said one of the main changes is
the size of things — more load, bigger lines,
bigger wire, and larger trucks.
“When we first started, if we set a 45-foot
pole, that was a big one,” he said. “Now,
we’re setting 90s.”
He said the quality of equipment has
improved greatly since his first days on the
job.
“We didn’t even have a radio in our truck,”
Schindel said. “They said that was a luxury.”
He remembers an 8-track tape player on
the floor and employees paying for a radio
with their own money.
He can recall when crew members first got
bag cellular phones.
“We thought that was pretty cool,” he
said.
Schindel said he never imagined
he’d spend part of his career as Division
Superintendent.
“Things just fell into place,” he said.
But with that new role toward the
end of his career came a new challenge:
computers.
As superintendent, Schindel was
spending less time outside and more
time in front of a screen.
“When I first went to tech school,
I had to buy a calculator,” he said.
“It cost me $70 and all it did was
add, subtract, and divide,” he
said.
He adapted and learned what
he needed to for his new role.
Coworkers helped with his tech
questions when he got stuck.
Still, Schindel got outside to
work whenever he could. That’s
where he loved to be.
“Sometimes the weather’s not the
best, but you take the good with the bad.”
8 | GENERATOR

Retirement means more free time. That has allowed Schindel to
focus on another passion: woodworking.
Woodworking became a hobby when his three daughters —
Amanda, Crystal, and Alicia — were young.
His wife, Connie, was a stay-at-home mother and started crafting
and selling at weekend craft shows.
Schindel would cut items from wood and sand them down so
Connie could paint them.
He had all the tools and began to work on projects of his own. It
didn’t take him long to discover he had a talent in the area.
Today, people call and ask him to build things.
This fall, he was working on Nativity sets and mini barns. He also
makes tractors, road graders, and other machines out of wood.
Schindel said he is also planning to restore a 1937 Chevy pickup
that was passed down from his grandfather. And he and his wife are
planning to travel as well when the world gets back to normal after
the Covid-19 pandemic.
While he will miss the job and the people, Schindel is looking
forward to his new adventures in retirement. He said many people
are surprised that he worked for one company so long.
“When you tell someone how long you’ve worked here, no one
believes it,” he said.
Top left: Schindel terminates underground primary in Albion.
Top right: Schindel’s shop includes nativities and barns
he made by request.
Above: A bulldozer and road grader Schindel made out of wood.
Below: Schindel makes toy barns that open for play.
Schindel and his wife, Connie, live in Petersburg. They are the
parents of three daughters: Amanda, Crystal, and Alicia. They have
eight grandsons and three granddaughters.
WINTER 2020 | 9

WHAT IS TRANSMISSION?
Between the power plants, dams, and facilities that generate electricity
and the wires that connect your home and your neighbors to substations
in your community is a series of high-voltage wires and towers that make
up the transmission system.
There are about
360,000
miles of transmission lines
in the United States
Although it is collectively
called one “grid,” there are
three independently operated
sections of this system, called
interconnections: Eastern,
Western, and the Electric
Reliability Council of Texas.
10 | GENERATOR

The power running through the lines in
each interconnection is managed by
66 balancing
authorities
– entities that keep a close eye on
matching the power supply
and electric demand.
Seven
of these authorities are
regional transmission organizations
(also called independent system
operators) – and manage the supply
and demand for approximately
2/3
of AMERICANS.
These organizations collectively
manage more than
310,000
miles
of transmission lines.
Electric utilities, including public
power utilities, split the cost
of transmission across
the group of users.
For every kilowatt hour you use, about
1.35 cents
pays for the transmission
of that power. In 2019,
13 %
of the average customer’s electric bill
went toward transmission.
The cost of transmission
is expected to continue to rise
over the next few decades,
increasing to almost
16 %
of the average bill by
2040
Customer advocates, including public power, are working to
ensure transmission costs are fairly split and don’t get too high.
As such, new projects should:
Relieve congestion
This increased cost will largely
offset expected declines in the
cost to generate energy.
Benefit customers
(e.g., connect to lower cost or preferred sources of generation)
Be planned in coordination with the region, to reduce
development of unneeded capacity or curtailments
Support greater reliability
Sources: "United States Electricity Industry Primer." U.S. Department of Energy. July 2015.
"Annual Energy Outlook 2020, Electricity." U.S. Energy Information Administration. January 2020.
WINTER 2020 | 11

employee notes
RON CIELOHA
Powerhouse Maintenance Supervisor
Ron Cieloha joined
Loup in 1985 as
Second Assistant
Plant Operator
at the Columbus
Powerhouse.
He became First
Assistant Plant
Operator in 1986.
He was promoted to
Electrical-Electronic
35 years
Technician in
1988. Cieloha was
promoted to his present position of
Powerhouse Maintenance Supervisor
in 1991.
As Powerhouse Maintenance Supervisor,
Cieloha is in charge of electrical
and mechanical maintenance of the
Columbus and Monroe Powerhouses.
Cieloha is a graduate of Silver Creek
High School. He earned an Associate
of Applied Science Degree in Electronics
from Central Community College-
Columbus. Cieloha has one son, Adam,
and two grandchildren, Nicholas and
Avery.
RHONDA ROGERS
Customer Service Representative
Rhonda Rogers of
Columbus joined
Loup in 2015 as a
Customer Service
Representative
at the Columbus
General Office.
Rogers’ responsibilities
include greeting
customers, processing
payments, issuing
refunds, setting
up and closing
service, and answering phone calls.
5 YEARS
Rogers is a graduate of Columbus High
School. She attended Central Community
College-Columbus and has two
sons — Aaron, and his wife, Sierra, and
Alec.
WALT WILLIAMS
Vice President of Accounting & Finance/CFO
Walt Williams joined
Loup in 2000 as
Chief Accountant
at the Columbus
General Office.
In 2011, he transferred
to Supervisor
of Purchasing and
Insurance. He was
promoted to Vice
President of Administrative
Services in
20 years
2015. In 2019, his
title was changed to Vice President of
Accounting & Finance/CFO.
Williams is responsible for managing
the accounting and financial matters of
the District. He also oversees customer
service and billing operations, insurance,
purchasing, and stores.
Williams is a graduate of Lincoln High
School. He earned a Bachelor of
Science degree in Management and
Accounting from Peru State College.
He earned his CPA in 1990.
He and his wife, Pam, are the parents of
two children, Brittany and Jordan. They
have three grandchildren.
SCOTT SOKOL
Albion Division Superintendent
Scott Sokol of
Newman Grove was
promoted to Albion
Division Superintendent
in October.
Sokol joined Loup in
1994 as an Apprentice
Lineman in the
Albion Division. He
was promoted to
Lineman in 1995
and to Journeyman
Lineman in 2000.
Promotion
In 2005, he was named Local Superintendent
for Newman Grove.
In his new role, Sokol oversees the
operation and maintenance of Loup’s
electric transmission and distribution
system in the Albion Division service
area which includes the northern part
of Boone and Platte Counties, and the
southwest corner of Madison County.
Sokol is a graduate of Norfolk High
School. He earned an Associate of
Applied Science Degree in Utility Line
from Northeast Community College in
Norfolk.
He and his wife, Joan, are the parents
of four children — Jarod, Shanna,
Clayton, and Brady.
RANDY LEU
Meter Relay & Equipment Tech Sr.
Randy Leu of Columbus
retired from
Loup after more than
30 years of service.
Leu joined Loup
as an Apprentice
Lineman in the
Humphrey retail
operation in 1989.
He was promoted
to lineman in 1990
and transferred to
the Columbus retail
operation.
Retired
In 1993, Leu was promoted to Journeyman
Lineman. He was named Meter
Relay and Equipment Technician I in
1997. In 2019, he was promoted Meter
Relay and Equipment Technician Sr.
A graduate of Madison High School,
Leu earned a Utility Lineman degree
and an Electrician’s degree from
Northeast Community College in Norfolk.
He also earned a diploma in data
management from Central Community
College-Columbus.
He and his wife, Barb, have two
children — Dalton and his wife, Melissa;
and McKenzie and her husband, Tedd;
and one grandchild.
They recently moved to a ranch north
of Atkinson to finish up their cabin
along the Niobrara river.
12 | GENERATOR

JASON BIERMANN
Accountant/Collector
Jason Beiermann
joined Loup in 2015
as Accountant/
Collector in the
Administrative
Services
Department.
His responsibilities
include accounting
and customer 5 years
service functions
and collection of delinquent accounts.
Beiermann is a graduate of Columbus
High school. He earned an Associate of
Applied Science degree in Information
Technology from Central Community
College-Columbus.
He and his wife, Tina, are the parents of
three daughters.
RICK PRATER
Supervisor of Safety & Training
Prater joined Loup in
1990 as a Lineman
at the Columbus
Service Center. He
was promoted to
Journeyman Lineman
in 1992. In 1996,
he was promoted to
his current position
of Supervisor of
Safety & Training.
30 years
As Supervisor of
Safety & Training,
Prater is responsible for all safety
concerns and training throughout the
District. He also co-chairs the District’s
Wellness Program.
A graduate of Norfolk High School,
Prater has an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Utility Line from
Northeast Community College in
Norfolk.
He and his wife, Susan, have three
children and two grandchildren — son,
Joshua, and his wife, Ashley, and their
two children, Liara and Jaxson; son,
Dillon; and daughter, Brianna, and her
husband, John O’Neill.
LYNETTE JUNE
Accounting Clerk
Lynette June joined
Loup in 2005 as
Cashier/Receptionist
at the Columbus
General Office.
Her title was later
changed to Customer
Service Representative.
In 2014,
she was promoted
to Accounting Clerk.
As Accounting
Clerk, June’s duties
include paying and filing all District bills;
filing reports such as transportation
records, payrolls, work orders, and
bank statements; registering all District
vehicles; and keeping inventory of
office supplies for District personnel.
She also serves as a courier for the
District’s Columbus locations.
June is a graduate of Crete High
School. She has one son, Jeremy.
ALVIN MEYER
Newman Grove Local Superintendent
Meyer joined Loup
in 1997 as a Lineman
at Albion. He was
promoted to Journeyman
Lineman in
2003 and continued
in that position until
this promotion.
15 years
As Newman Grove
Local Superintendent,
Meyer Promotion
is responsible for
overseeing the
maintenance and construction of
Loup’s electric power transmission
and distribution system in the Newman
Grove and Lindsay areas. He also
directs customer service in the area.
Meyer is a native of Winnetoon and a
graduate of Creighton High School.
He earned an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Utility Line from
Northeast Community College.
Meyer and his wife, Jenny, have four
grown children and six grandchildren.
JAMES REEG
Dredge Foreman
James Reeg of
Genoa joined Loup
in 1980 as a Maintenance
Man at the
Genoa Headworks.
In 1982, he was
promoted to Heavy
Equipment Relief
Operator. His job
title changed to
Equipment Operator
in 1986.
He was promoted to Dredge Operator
in 1993, and was promoted to his
current position of Dredge Foreman in
1997.
As Dredge Foreman, Reeg oversees
the operation and maintenance of the
District’s dredge at the Genoa Headworks.
The dredge vacuums sand from
the settling basin at the Headworks.
Reeg is a graduate of Genoa High
School. He and his wife, Joan, are the
parents of four children.
JUSTIN SHANLE
Meter,Relay, and Equipment Tech II
Justin Shanle of
Columbus was
promoted to Meter,
Relay and Equipment
Tech II in
November.
Shanle joined Loup
Power District as
Drafting Technician
in April 2020.
40 YEARS
Promotion
In his new role,
Shanle will install,
test, switch, and maintain substation
and line equipment. He will also operate
SCADA and load control systems.
Shanle is a graduate of Scotus Central
Catholic High School. He earned a
degree in Electromechanical Technology
from Southeast Community
College in Milford.
WINTER 2020 | 13

employee notes
JIM SCHINDEL
Albion Division Superintendent
Jim Schindel retired
from Loup Power
District after 44
years of service.
He joined Loup
in 1976 as an
Apprentice Lineman
at the Albion
Retail Operation. He
was promoted to
Lineman in 1977. He
Retired
was promoted to
Journeyman Lineman
in 1981 and became Line Foreman
at the Albion Retail Operation in 1993.
Schindel was promoted to Superintendent
in 2014.
As Albion Division Superintendent,
Schindel oversaw the operation and
maintenance of Loup’s electric transmission
and distribution system in the
Albion Division service area which
includes the northern part of Boone
and Platte Counties, and the southwest
corner of Madison County.
Shindel is a graduate of Hinton High
School in Hinton, Iowa. He attended
Northwest Iowa Technical College in
Sheldon, Iowa, where he earned an
Associate of Applied Science Degree
in Utility Line.
Schindel and his wife, Connie, are the
parents of three daughters: Amanda,
Crystal, and Alicia. They have eight
grandsons and three granddaughters.
JOYCE GUENTHER
Customer Billing Coordinator
Joyce Guenther of
Columbus joined
Loup in 2000 as
Cashier/Receptionist
at the Columbus
General Office.
Her title was
changed to
Customer Service
Representative
in 2009. She was
promoted to Lead
Customer Service
20 YEARS
Representative in 2015 and to Billing
Coordinator in 2017.
As Billing Coordinator, Guenther’s
responsibilities include reviewing and
processing all of the District’s billings;
coordinating readings, billings, and
delinquencies with Loup’s communities
outside of Columbus; reconciling
District meter inventory; and assisting
staff and customers with inquiries.
Guenther is a graduate of Schuyler
Central High School. She and her
husband, Larry, are the parents of two
grown children, Casey and Dylan. They
have two grandchildren.
GUY IMUS
Fullerton Division Superintendent
Fullerton Division
Superintendent
Guy Imus recently
marked 35 years
of service to Loup
Power District.
Imus joined Loup
in 1985 as an
Apprentice Lineman
at Fullerton. He
was promoted to 35 YEARS
Lineman in 1986
and to Journeyman
Lineman in 1989. Imus was named
Cedar Rapids Local Superintendent in
1991. He was promoted to his current
position of Fullerton Division Superintendent
in 2015.
As Fullerton Division Superintendent,
Imus oversees the operation and maintenance
of Loup’s electric transmission
and distribution system in the Fullerton
Division service area including Fullerton,
Belgrade, St. Edward, Cedar
Rapids, Primrose, Genoa, and Monroe.
Imus is a native of Belgrade and a
graduate of Fullerton High School.
He earned an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Utility Line from
Northeast Community College in
Norfolk.
Imus and his wife, Vickie, are the
parents of two children: Jeremy and
Caitlin.
SAGE PENNY
Lineman
Sage Penny joined
Loup Power District
as a Lineman in
Fullerton in October.
As a Lineman,
Penny is a member
of the crew that is
responsible for the
construction, tree
trimming, operation,
and maintenance of
electric transmission and distribution
systems and substations in the
Fullerton Division.
Penny is originally from Decatur and
graduated from Tekamah-Herman High
School.
He earned a degree in Utility Line from
Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell,
SD. He previously worked at Burt
County Public Power District.
CHRIS SHANK
Civil Engineering Compliance Tech
Christopher Shank
joined Loup in
2019. In his role as
Civil Engineering
Compliance Tech,
Shank ensures
Loup complies with
federal and state
regulatory agencies.
Welcome
He oversees
construction and
inspections of hydro
projects and serves
as a liason to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission.
1 year
His duties also include coordinating the
District’s Emergency Action Plan and
preparing and maintaining Engineering
project reports.
Shank graduated from Columbus High
School and received his Bachelor
of Science Degree in Fisheries and
Wildlife from UNL. He is a certified
Associate Wildlife Biologist.
14 | GENERATOR

CONNOR NEAL
Lineman
Connor Neal joined
Loup Power District
as Lineman based in
Albion.
As a Lineman, Neal
is a member of the
crew that is responsible
for the
construction,
operation, and
maintenance of
electric transmission
and distribution systems and
substations in the Albion Division.
WELCOME
Neal is a graduate of Norfolk High School.
He earned a degree in Utility Line from
Northeast Community College.
He previously worked for Nebraska Public
Power District and was a Loup intern.
Electric Vehicle Incentive
Greg Badstieber, Customer and Energy Services Coordinator, recently presented Ed
and Carolyn Wagner with an incentive check for $4,900. The incentive is part of Loup’s
EnergyWise program offered in conjunction with Nebraska Public Power District. Loup
customers can receive $4,500 when they purchase a qualifying electric vehicle and
ChargePoint charger. Up to $400 is also available for pre-wiring for a charging station.
Power districts team up for broadband study
by Molly Hunter, Columbus Telegram
Platte County, as well as Loup and Cornhusker Power Districts,
are teaming up with Nebraska Public Power District to do a study
examining ways they might help improve broadband.
Pat Pope, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) Special Assistant
to the President & CEO, said the districts are among several in
the state who have committed to a study.
The power districts supply data from their systems and the
National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) uses it to
design a broadband system based on existing power pole infrastructure.
The study estimates the cost of the broadband infrastructure
and pricing for the consumer.
But, Nebraska law prohibits power districts from being in the
retail broadband business.
"... we do have a lot of infrastructure out in rural Nebraska," Pope
said. "So the question is, 'how can we utilize that and partner with
those folks in the private sector who are authorized in providing
that end-use broadband? How can we get together and make that
happen?'"
After the NRTC study is finished, the power districts hope to work
with other entities to partner on the broadband work.
“This is not an effort for either Loup or Cornhusker or NPPD to get
into the retail broadband business. We want to work with the private
sector to make that happen,” Pope said.
The digital gap between rural and urban areas has been thrown
into sharp relief this year with students quarantining at home due to
COVID-19. School districts have invested in Wi-Fi hotspots to boost
connectivity for students in rural areas so they can keep up with their
schoolwork while stuck at home.
Even so, Pope said broadband quality is primarily an economic
development issue and said businesses seeking a location to expand
have historically looked at tax policies and the area’s workforce.
“One of the very prominent things that’s now on that checklist
is 'what’s your broadband connectivity in your area?' So for rural
Nebraska to continue to grow, to be viable, this pandemic has
certainly pointed out the issues that we have with education, telemedicine,
you name it. We really, really have to do whatever we can
to increase broadband connectivity,” Pope said.
As an added bonus, NPPD Director of Technology Integration
Dave Webb said the NRTC method focuses on the needs of the power
utility.
“To run the electric grid you need a lot of communication network
capability and going into the future you’re going to need a lot of
broadband and fiber,” Webb said.
According to Webb, the NRTC study also addresses the need for
a partner to provide end-use service, which he said is economical
compared to a situation where each telecommunications entity
builds out its own network.
Webb said those elements set the NRTC studies apart from other
efforts to improve broadband in the state.
In fact, Loup Power District CEO Neal Suess said Loup was already
looking into some of those options before committing the NRTC study
in the spring. “One of our guiding principles is to promote economic
development in our area,” Suess said.
Although it’s just a study, Suess said people in Platte, Colfax,
Nance and Boone counties would end up benefiting from any partnerships
that might come out of it.
“Our board really took a long term view,” Suess said. “We think in
the long run that this will really help with economic development,
especially in the ag community.”
Suess said Jim Scow on the Platte County Board of Supervisors
heard about the study from him and that's how the County got on
board.
Pope said Platte County has been very proactive in its involvement.
“I think they understand, as a board, the importance of rural
broadband,” he said.
According to NPPD, Platte County has committed $5,000 to pay
for the study, while NPPD is covering $10,000 and Loup is contributing
another $5,000. Webb said the results of the study should be
back in the next few months.
WINTER 2020 | 15

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