Generator_Summer 2021
In the Summer 2021 issue of the Generator magazine: electrical safety on the farm; Reis fabricates equipment for Loup; new electric mower incentive; and tips for saving electricity while doing laundry.
In the Summer 2021 issue of the Generator magazine: electrical safety on the farm; Reis fabricates equipment for Loup; new electric mower incentive; and tips for saving electricity while doing laundry.
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GENERA OR<br />
a publication of Loup Power District SUMMER <strong>2021</strong><br />
INSIDE:<br />
Look up & look out<br />
for electrical safety<br />
Reis fabricates<br />
equipment for Loup<br />
New Electric<br />
Mower Incentive
BOARD OF DIRECTORS<br />
Ross Knott<br />
Chairman<br />
Alan Drozd<br />
First Vice Chairman<br />
Steve Heesacker<br />
Second Vice Chairman<br />
Robert Cerv<br />
Secretary<br />
Dick Tooley<br />
Treasurer<br />
Rich Aerni<br />
Jim Donoghue<br />
Mike Fleming<br />
Chris Langemeier<br />
Larry Zach<br />
EXECUTIVE STAFF<br />
Neal Suess<br />
President/CEO<br />
Walt Williams<br />
Vice President,<br />
Accounting & Finance/CFO<br />
Todd Duren<br />
Vice President,<br />
Corporate Services<br />
Korey Hobza<br />
Vice President, Engineering<br />
Dan Hellbusch<br />
Vice President, Operations<br />
Power Surges & Blinks<br />
Have you ever noticed your lights blink during<br />
a thunderstorm? Or perhaps you’ve noticed a<br />
blinking microwave clock when you arrive home.<br />
When this happens, you’ve likely experienced a<br />
brief disruption to your electric service, which<br />
could result from a power surge or blink.<br />
While the symptoms of surges and blinks can<br />
appear similar, what’s happening behind the<br />
scenes can be quite different.<br />
WHAT’S A POWER SURGE?<br />
Power surges are brief overvoltage<br />
spikes or disturbances<br />
of a power waveform that can<br />
damage, degrade or destroy<br />
electronic equipment within<br />
your home or business.<br />
Most electronics are designed<br />
to handle small variations in<br />
voltage; however, power surges<br />
can reach amplitudes of tens of<br />
thousands of volts — this can<br />
be extremely damaging to your<br />
electronic equipment.<br />
Surges can be caused by<br />
internal sources, like HVAC systems with variable<br />
frequency drives, or external sources, like lightning<br />
and damage to power lines and transformers.<br />
You can install surge protective devices (such<br />
as surge protector power strips) to safeguard<br />
your sensitive electronics. If you’re experiencing<br />
frequent surges in your home or business and you<br />
believe the cause is internal, contact a qualified<br />
electrician to inspect your electrical system.<br />
WHAT’S A POWER BLINK?<br />
Power blinks are also brief service interruptions,<br />
but they’re typically caused by a fault (short<br />
circuit) on a power line or a protective device that’s<br />
working in reaction to the fault.<br />
Faults can occur through a variety<br />
of instances, like squirrels, birds or<br />
other small animals contacting an<br />
energized power line; tree branches<br />
touching a power line; or lightning<br />
and other similar events. In fact,<br />
when it comes to power disruptions<br />
caused by critters, squirrels reign<br />
supreme. In 2019 alone, squirrels<br />
were responsible for more than<br />
1,200 outages.<br />
Any of the events noted above can<br />
cause your power to blink, but you<br />
may also experience a brief interruption<br />
when protective devices<br />
that act like circuit breakers are<br />
working to detect the fault.<br />
Believe it or not, these brief power blinks caused<br />
by protective devices are actually good because<br />
that means the equipment is working as it should<br />
to prevent a prolonged outage.<br />
Regardless of the cause, Loup crews will be on<br />
their way to inspect the damage and make necessary<br />
repairs after a power outage.<br />
The Loup <strong>Generator</strong> is<br />
published quarterly<br />
as a service for Loup<br />
employees, families,<br />
friends and associates.<br />
For feedback, story ideas<br />
and submissions, contact:<br />
Stacy Wemhoff<br />
Communications Coordinator<br />
402-562-5711<br />
swemhoff@loup.com<br />
2 | GENERATOR<br />
COVER: Employees prepare to dock the Pawnee II dredge at the Genoa Headworks.<br />
Dredging at the settling basin halts for part of the summer to protect nesting piping plovers<br />
and interior least terns.
preSIdent’S MessAGe<br />
Loup offers input and insight<br />
to NPPD on several issues<br />
Loup Power District management has been<br />
working with Nebraska Public Power District<br />
(NPPD) — our wholesale supplier of electricity<br />
— on two very different long-term projects.<br />
The first project deals with the effects from the<br />
February <strong>2021</strong> winter weather event. As many<br />
of you are aware, this weather event severely<br />
crippled the Texas electricity grid and created<br />
rolling blackouts throughout the Midwest<br />
United States, including Nebraska and the Loup<br />
Power District service area.<br />
Loup officials have been working with NPPD<br />
management and other wholesale customers<br />
to develop a system in which NPPD will better<br />
inform wholesale customers if this happens<br />
again. The wholesale customers could then<br />
inform retail customers where and when the<br />
outages will occur (as well as the length of the<br />
outages) in the event of a similar event. Obviously,<br />
we all hope a similar event does not occur<br />
again. But if it does, we all want to be better<br />
prepared to give information to those most<br />
affected.<br />
Additionally, Loup Power District is working<br />
internally on systems that can be integrated<br />
with our new automated meter reading<br />
equipment that will provide a better and<br />
more detailed description of areas<br />
affected by outages. More information<br />
will become available as these<br />
systems are developed.<br />
The second project deals with<br />
NPPD’s internal study of carbon<br />
risks associated with their existing<br />
generating facility fleet. This effort<br />
has been ongoing for a couple of years,<br />
as NPPD is trying to determine the<br />
possible long-term effects of<br />
changes in regulation due to<br />
carbon emissions.<br />
Loup management and other<br />
wholesale customers have been<br />
working with the NPPD Board<br />
and management regarding<br />
the study of these risks, as the<br />
federal government mandate on<br />
carbon emissions seems to change at the whim<br />
of whatever administration happens to be in<br />
charge in Washington, D.C.<br />
Because of the ever-moving target on carbon<br />
emissions at the federal level, NPPD has to be<br />
flexible with its plans since energy efficiency<br />
and load growth opportunities, as well as the<br />
retirement of existing resources, can affect the<br />
overall carbon targets. What makes matters<br />
more complicated is the long lead time necessary<br />
for the construction of new generation and<br />
transmission facilities.<br />
Thankfully, NPPD has included wholesale<br />
customers in the discussion and accepted input<br />
to move forward with these two studies. NPPD<br />
values customer input and customers value<br />
providing this input, as it will eventually affect<br />
wholesale and retail rates.<br />
There are similar efforts going on in our<br />
industry, some with NPPD and some without.<br />
We want you to know that the Loup Power<br />
District Board and employees continue to take<br />
an active role in providing input and knowledge<br />
about these decisions that will affect our rates<br />
over the long haul.<br />
NEAL SUESS<br />
President/CEO<br />
SUMMER <strong>2021</strong> | 3
Reis builds concrete<br />
screed from scratch<br />
Jeremy Reis doesn't really need blueprints<br />
or a plan.<br />
When it comes to building something, he<br />
can just see the finished result in his head.<br />
That's exactly what happened when Canal<br />
Foreman Lance Ferris asked if Reis could build<br />
a concrete screed.<br />
“I just got online, looked at a few pictures<br />
here and there and came up with my own<br />
idea,” Reis said.<br />
The resulting product worked exactly as<br />
intended to level and smooth concrete, while<br />
also preventing potential back injuries among<br />
Loup employees.<br />
Ferris said the District was making plans for<br />
several large concrete transformer pads earlier<br />
this year. Because of the size of these pads and<br />
Loup's limited manpower, he thought they<br />
should purchase a large power screed.<br />
That's when Reis said he could build one for<br />
less and got to work. He made everything on<br />
the 14-foot screed himself except the bearings,<br />
engine, and winches.<br />
Cables on each end of the screed hook to<br />
the concrete forms. Employees on each end of<br />
the machine pull it forward with the help of<br />
the cables. The screen vibrates to smooth the<br />
concrete. Employees<br />
can then go over<br />
the concrete with bull floats to smooth it even<br />
more.<br />
"It turned out pretty awesome," Ferris said.<br />
He said Reis also made some new gate<br />
systems for the Columbus Powerhouse and a<br />
special platform for the Monroe Powerhouse.<br />
In fact, he's completed quite a few projects<br />
for Loup — no small feat considering he's been<br />
an employee for less than a year.<br />
"He’s proven himself around here. It’s<br />
great," Ferris said. "He does some very nice<br />
work.”<br />
Fabricating machines and parts is nothing<br />
new at Loup, however.<br />
Loup's employees at the Genoa Headworks<br />
fabricated replacement parts of the Pawnee<br />
dredge for years. That original dredge was built<br />
in 1937 and used for 75 years until a new dredge<br />
was commissioned in 2012.<br />
In the latter years of its use, replacement<br />
parts were no longer available and employees<br />
made their own.<br />
Reis said building and creating is nothing<br />
new to him. "I've built a lot of things like this<br />
over the years," he said.<br />
What is new, however, is the ability to use<br />
those skills more at his job.<br />
"It's what I've always wanted to do," he said.<br />
"I can use my abilities here."<br />
Top and middle right: Reis built the concrete<br />
screed at the Columbus Service Center.<br />
He made the entire project from scratch except<br />
the winches, bearings, and engine.<br />
Bottom right: The screed in use by Loup<br />
employees as they poured a concrete<br />
transformer pad.<br />
4 | GENERATOR
LAUNDRY LIST:<br />
Energy-saving tips<br />
Your clothes washer and dryer account for a significant portion<br />
of energy consumption from major appliances. The good news is<br />
there are several easy ways you can save energy (and money) in the<br />
laundry room.<br />
The Department of Energy recommends the following tips for saving<br />
on suds:<br />
➨ Wash with cold water<br />
Switching from warm water to cold water can cut one load’s energy<br />
use by half. New cold-water detergents ensure laundry gets clean.<br />
➨ Wash full loads<br />
Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy no matter<br />
the size of the clothes load, so fill it up if you can.<br />
➨ Use dryer balls<br />
Dryer balls, usually wool or rubber, will help keep clothes separated<br />
for faster drying, and they can help reduce static, so you can<br />
eliminate dryer sheets.<br />
➨ Lower the heat<br />
Regardless of drying time, you’ll still use less energy.<br />
➨ Use high speed or extended spin cycle<br />
This setting will remove more moisture before drying, reducing<br />
your drying time and the extra wear on clothing.<br />
➨ Switch loads while the dryer is warm<br />
This allows you to take advantage of the remaining heat from the<br />
previous cycle.<br />
➨ Clean the lint filter after each load<br />
And if you use dryer sheets, remember to scrub the filter once a<br />
month with a toothbrush to remove excess buildup that can reduce<br />
air circulation.<br />
➨ Purchase an efficient washers & dryer<br />
When it’s time to purchase a new washer or dryer, look for the<br />
ENERGY STAR ® label. New washers and dryers with that rating use<br />
about 20 percent less energy than conventional models.<br />
Get more energy-saving<br />
tips at the Department<br />
of Energy’s home<br />
efficiency page:<br />
energy.gov/energysaver<br />
➨ Dry heavier cottons separately<br />
Loads will dry faster and more evenly if you separate heavier cottons<br />
like linens and towels from your lightweight clothing.<br />
➨ Use the moisture sensor option<br />
Many new clothes dryers come designed with a<br />
moisture sensor, which automatically shuts<br />
off the machine when clothes are dry.<br />
This will save energy and reduce<br />
wear and tear on your clothes<br />
caused by over-drying<br />
SUMMER <strong>2021</strong> | 5
around the district<br />
TRANSFORMER TRANSFERS<br />
Loup has been busy transferring transformers around the<br />
District this spring and summer.<br />
A new, larger 56 MVA transformer was installed at the<br />
substation near the Columbus Powerhouse in late spring.<br />
This replaced a 37 MVA transformer which was moved to<br />
Schuyler to replace a 28 MVA transformer there. In turn, that<br />
transformer will be moved to Creston later this year and the<br />
Creston transformer will move to Petersburg.<br />
All this work ensures that our communities have transformers<br />
large enough to meet their growing needs.<br />
Right: The smaller 28 MVA transformer north of Schuyler was<br />
moved out using a hydraulic jack and slide system in April.<br />
Transformers are typically moved with cranes, but that’s not<br />
possible at Schuyler due to overhead structures.<br />
Barnhart Crane helped to move the transformers.<br />
The 37 MVA transformer weighed 107,000 pounds.<br />
VEHICLE DAY AT AG PARK<br />
It was a great day for the first graders at Vehicle Day at Ag Park on May 11!<br />
Loup employees Beau Schommer and Tommy Wemhoff described<br />
their jobs as linemen and answered questions about the bucket truck<br />
on display. The event was hosted by the Columbus Area Chamber of<br />
Commerce.<br />
6 | GENERATOR
SETTLING BASIN SUNRISE<br />
John Fritzges shot this sunrise photo at<br />
the Genoa Headworks in May. Fritzges is<br />
a Dredge/Canal Maintenance Technician<br />
for Loup Power District.<br />
ADDING POLES ALONG 38TH STREET<br />
The Columbus crew added extra poles along 38th street just south of the<br />
hospital in May. Decreasing the span between the poles reduces slack in<br />
the lines and reduces the possibility for outages during wind and storms.<br />
The new poles are also five feet taller to help with clearance and slack.<br />
SUMMER <strong>2021</strong> | 7
POWER LINE SAFETY:<br />
look up and look out<br />
A farmer near Columbus hit this power pole<br />
in June and the power lines fell on his tractor.<br />
He is lucky to be alive and uninjured.<br />
Farming equipment has become<br />
larger and more advanced over time.<br />
While these welcome improvements<br />
help farmers cover more ground in<br />
less time, taller equipment and longer<br />
extensions can bring added challenges<br />
around power lines.<br />
Loup urges everyone working in<br />
the agricultural field to be alert to the<br />
dangers of working near overhead<br />
power lines, poles and other electrical<br />
equipment.<br />
CODY CONRADY’S STORY<br />
It was Cody Conrady’s next-to-last<br />
day as an assistant manager for an ag<br />
fertilizer company in Illinois. They were<br />
understaffed that day, and Conrady<br />
jumped in the truck to get ahead of the<br />
sprayer. Once the sprayer was in position,<br />
he hopped out to fill the tank with<br />
fertilizer.<br />
Neither he nor his coworker inside<br />
the cab were aware that the sprayer<br />
boom had either made contact or gotten<br />
too close to a power line.<br />
When 7,400 volts of electricity traveled<br />
through the boom, it electrified the<br />
equipment and ground. Unfortunately,<br />
the unyielding stray voltage considered<br />
his body as part of its electrical path to<br />
ground.<br />
In the minutes and hours that<br />
followed, Conrady was brought back<br />
to life, rushed to a local hospital, and<br />
transferred to a trauma center. That was<br />
the starting point of a very long and<br />
arduous road to recovery that included<br />
surgeries, rehab, and prosthetics.<br />
HINDSIGHT IS 20/20: CODY’S ADVICE<br />
When working near power lines,<br />
“pay attention a little more,” Conrady<br />
advises. “Keep an eye on your<br />
surroundings. Just take an extra second<br />
to look at things, to see how your situation<br />
is going to unfold."<br />
These days, he drives by fields<br />
buzzing with activity and wonders if<br />
others see what he sees — if they realize<br />
the potential dangers of getting too<br />
close to power lines.<br />
His wife, Bailey, says this type of<br />
accident could happen to anyone.<br />
Unintended contact happened in an<br />
instant, but its impact lives on long after<br />
an accident.<br />
“We knew life wasn’t going to be<br />
the same," she said. “We knew that the<br />
‘normal’ before was not going to be the<br />
‘normal’ after.”<br />
FOLLOW THE 10-FOOT DISTANCE RULE<br />
To stay safe around overhead power<br />
lines, follow safe work practices at all<br />
times to help prevent serious and even<br />
deadly accidents.<br />
Start by making sure everyone<br />
knows to maintain a minimum 10-foot<br />
clearance from power lines.<br />
This 10-foot rule applies not only to<br />
the area underneath the power line, but<br />
to the full 360 degrees around it. Electricity<br />
can change paths if direct contact<br />
is made. It can also happen when<br />
someone or something gets too close to<br />
a power line and the current jumps, also<br />
known as arcing.<br />
— from SafeElectricity.org<br />
AG ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS<br />
• If your machinery or vehicle comes in contact with<br />
a power line, do not get out of the cab because you<br />
could be electrocuted. Instead, stay where you are<br />
and call 9-1-1 to dispatch the utility to deenergize<br />
the power.<br />
• If it is not safe to stay in the cab due to fire or smoke,<br />
make a solid, clean jump with both feet landing at<br />
the same time. Hop away as far as you can with feet<br />
together.<br />
• If you come across an accident or incident near a<br />
downed power line, alert individuals (from at least<br />
50 feet away) to stay in the cab or vehicle as long<br />
as there is no imminent danger. Stay back and call<br />
9-1-1.<br />
• Teach anyone working with or for you (including<br />
family members and seasonal employees) about<br />
power line awareness and proper clearance<br />
distance.<br />
• When working around power lines, always use a<br />
spotter, who has a broader vantage point than the<br />
person in the cab.<br />
• Visually inspect overhead lines. If a wire is hanging<br />
too low, don’t try to move it. Call your electric utility<br />
for assistance.<br />
• Lower extensions to the lowest setting when<br />
moving loads.<br />
• Simply coming too close to a power line while<br />
working is dangerous as electricity can arc to<br />
conducting material or objects, such as a ladder,<br />
pole, or truck. Remember, non-metallic materials<br />
such as lumber, tree limbs, tires, ropes, and hay will<br />
conduct electricity depending on dampness, dust,<br />
and dirt contamination.<br />
• When guy wires (a grounded wire used to stabilize<br />
utility poles) are broken, these normally neutral<br />
wires can become dangerous. If you hit a guy wire<br />
and break it, stay away and call your utility.<br />
8 | GENERATOR
SUMMER <strong>2021</strong> | 9
employee notes<br />
MATT SWACKHAMER<br />
Supervisor of Information Services<br />
Matt Swackhamer<br />
joined Loup in 2001<br />
as Supervisor of<br />
Information Systems<br />
at the Columbus<br />
General Office and<br />
continues in that<br />
position today.<br />
As Supervisor of<br />
Information Systems<br />
his responsibilities<br />
include managing<br />
all of the District’s<br />
computers and communications<br />
systems.<br />
Swackhamer is a graduate of Bad<br />
Axe High School in Bad Axe, Mich. He<br />
attended Western Michigan University<br />
in Kalamazoo, Mich., where he earned<br />
a Bachelor of Science degree with<br />
a major in Computer Science and a<br />
minor in Mathematics and Electrical<br />
Engineering.<br />
DAN STRONG<br />
Maintenance Technician<br />
Dan Strong of<br />
Genoa joined Loup<br />
in 1986 as a Maintenance<br />
Man at the<br />
Genoa Headworks.<br />
He was promoted to<br />
his current position<br />
of Maintenance<br />
Technician in 1988.<br />
As a Maintenance<br />
Technician, Strong’s<br />
responsibilities<br />
include maintaining<br />
and servicing vehicles and equipment<br />
at the Genoa Headworks. He<br />
also troubleshoots the electrical<br />
and mechanical components of the<br />
District’s dredge, the Pawnee II.<br />
Strong is a graduate of Genoa High<br />
School. He and his wife, Janice, are<br />
the parents of two children: Brandy and<br />
Brian.<br />
He also has five grandchildren — Hannah,<br />
Garrison, Marshall, Grady, and<br />
Grant.<br />
10 | GENERATOR<br />
20 YEARS<br />
35 YEARS<br />
DALE GASPER<br />
Columbus Division Superintendent<br />
Dale Gasper joined<br />
Loup in 1986 as an<br />
Apprentice Lineman<br />
at the Humphrey<br />
Office. Later that<br />
year he was promoted<br />
to Lineman.<br />
He transferred to the<br />
Columbus Service<br />
Center in 1989, and<br />
was promoted to<br />
Journeyman Lineman<br />
the following<br />
year.<br />
In 2012, Gasper was promoted to Line<br />
Foreman at the Columbus Service<br />
Center and was named Columbus Division<br />
Superintendent at the Columbus<br />
Service Center in 2014.<br />
As Division Superintendent, Gasper<br />
oversees the construction, operation,<br />
and maintenance of the electric system<br />
in the Columbus Division, including<br />
Columbus, Duncan, Platte Center,<br />
Richland, Clarkson, and Howells. He<br />
supervises the Columbus line and<br />
service crews, working with local<br />
contractors, and handling customer<br />
contacts regarding new service.<br />
Gasper is a native of Lindsay and a<br />
graduate of Newman Grove High<br />
School. He earned an Associate of<br />
Applied Science Degree in Utility Line<br />
from Northeast Community College in<br />
Norfolk.<br />
Gasper and his wife, Nancy, are the<br />
parents of three sons: Casey, Jesse,<br />
and Jaime.<br />
MARK HANEL<br />
Shop & Transportation Superintendent<br />
Mark Hanel joined<br />
Loup in 2011 as Automotive/Equipment<br />
Mechanic for the<br />
Shop and Transportation<br />
Department<br />
at the Columbus<br />
Service Center.<br />
He transferred to<br />
Machinist/Welder in<br />
2017.<br />
He was promoted to<br />
35 YEARS<br />
10 YEARS<br />
Shop & Transportation Superintendent<br />
in 2020.<br />
In this role, Hanel provides leadership,<br />
supervision, and guidance to all shop<br />
personnel. His team is responsible for<br />
inspecting, maintaining, and repairing<br />
District vehicles and equipment. He<br />
also advises management on standards<br />
and specifications for vehicle<br />
purchases for the District’s fleet.<br />
Hanel is a native of Clarkson and<br />
earned an Associates of Applied<br />
Science Degree in Automotive Technology<br />
from Northeast Community<br />
College in Norfolk.<br />
He and his wife, Rhonda, have three<br />
children: Carter, Chloe, and Grant.<br />
TOM WOOD<br />
Line Foreman<br />
Tom Wood joined<br />
Loup in 1991 as<br />
Apprentice Lineman<br />
at Fullerton.<br />
He was promoted<br />
to Lineman in 1993<br />
and to Journeyman<br />
Lineman in 1997. In<br />
2005, Wood was<br />
promoted to Line<br />
Foreman in the<br />
Fullerton Division.<br />
30 YEARS<br />
As Line Foreman,<br />
Wood is in charge of the construction<br />
and maintenance of Loup’s electrical<br />
transmission and distribution system in<br />
the Fullerton Division.<br />
This division includes the communities<br />
of Fullerton, Belgrade, St. Edward,<br />
Cedar Rapids, Primrose, Genoa, and<br />
Monroe.<br />
Wood is a graduate of Abraham<br />
Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs.<br />
He earned an Associate of Applied<br />
Science Degree in General Studies<br />
with an emphasis in Business from Iowa<br />
Western Community College.<br />
He earned an Associate of Applied<br />
Science Degree in Utility Line from<br />
Northeast Community College in<br />
Norfolk.<br />
He and his wife, Jennifer, have two<br />
children: Paige and Tate.
DAN HELLBUSCH<br />
Vice President of Operations<br />
Dan Hellbusch<br />
joined Loup in 1986<br />
as an Apprentice<br />
Lineman at the<br />
Columbus Service<br />
Center. Later that<br />
year he was promoted<br />
to Lineman<br />
and he was named<br />
St. Edward Local<br />
Superintendent in<br />
1989.<br />
In 1994, he was<br />
promoted to Columbus Division Superintendent<br />
based out of the Columbus<br />
Service Center. Hellbusch was promoted<br />
to his current position of Vice<br />
President of Operations based out of<br />
the Columbus General Office in 2014.<br />
As Vice President of Operations,<br />
Hellbusch’s responsibilities involve<br />
overseeing all the operations of<br />
Loup’s Operations and Hydro Divisions<br />
throughout the District’s service<br />
territory. These operations activities<br />
include construction, operation, and<br />
maintenance of the District’s electrical<br />
transmission and distribution system;<br />
hydro generation facilities; the Loup<br />
Power Canal; and all district recreation<br />
facilities.<br />
Hellbusch is a graduate of Fullerton<br />
High School and received his lineman<br />
training at Northeast Community<br />
College in Norfolk. He and his wife,<br />
Annette, have three children: Cody,<br />
Maggie, and Lauran.<br />
ANGELL ROBAK<br />
Admin Assistant to the President/CEO<br />
Angell Robak<br />
joined Loup in 2001<br />
as Cashier at the<br />
Columbus General<br />
Office. She was<br />
promoted to Administrative<br />
Assistant<br />
for the Engineering<br />
Department in 2005.<br />
In 2014, she was<br />
promoted to her<br />
current position<br />
of Administrative<br />
35 YEARS<br />
20 YEARS<br />
Assistant to the President/CEO.<br />
The Administrative Assistant to the<br />
President/CEO is also the Assistant<br />
Secretary to the Board of Directors.<br />
Duties and responsibilities of this<br />
position include providing administrative<br />
support for the District’s Executive<br />
office, compiling materials for Board<br />
meetings, recording and filing minutes<br />
for Board meetings, and maintaining<br />
corporate files.<br />
Robak was born in Detroit, Mich.<br />
She also lived in Humphrey before<br />
moving to Columbus. Robak is a<br />
graduate of Columbus High School<br />
and attended Central Community<br />
College–Columbus.<br />
She and her husband, John, are the<br />
parents of four grown children: Cory,<br />
Matt, Kaitlyn, and Kelcey. They have<br />
three grandchildren: Ike, Claire, and<br />
Rose.<br />
KEVIN SEIER<br />
Meter, Relay and Equipment Technician<br />
Seier joined Loup<br />
Power District<br />
in 2016 as a<br />
Plant Operator<br />
at the Columbus<br />
Powerhouse.<br />
He was promoted<br />
to Meter, Relay and<br />
Equipment Technician<br />
in 2018.<br />
5 YEARS<br />
Seier is part of a<br />
team that is responsible<br />
for installation and maintenance<br />
of substation power equipment.<br />
The team’s duties include operating<br />
equipment that switches electric power<br />
between substations and transmission<br />
lines, relay maintenance and testing,<br />
and designing substation control<br />
wiring.<br />
He is a graduate of Twin River High<br />
School in Genoa and earned an Associate<br />
of Applied Science Degree<br />
in Electro-Mechanical Technology<br />
from Northeast Community College in<br />
Norfolk. He and his wife, Kara, are the<br />
parents of two daughters, Rossi and<br />
Kimber.<br />
JIM BOGUS<br />
Accounting Supervisor<br />
Jim Bogus joined<br />
Loup in 2011 as<br />
Chief Accountant. In<br />
2015, he transferred<br />
to his current position<br />
of Accounting<br />
Supervisor at the<br />
Columbus General<br />
Office.<br />
His responsibilities<br />
include a variety of technical and<br />
administrative accounting work; oversight<br />
of property insurance; purchases<br />
of supplies, materials, and equipment;<br />
approval of purchase orders and the<br />
material bidding process; processing<br />
of work orders; and general liability<br />
concerns.<br />
Bogus is a graduate of Columbus High<br />
School. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in<br />
Business Administration/Accounting<br />
from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln<br />
and earned his CPA in 1982.<br />
Bogus and his wife, Deb, are the<br />
parents of two married children: Kyle<br />
(Ngan) Bogus, and Kara (Brad) Florian.<br />
Kara and Brad have one daughter,<br />
Leah.<br />
MATT ROSNO<br />
Maintenance Technician<br />
Matt Rosno of<br />
Genoa joined Loup<br />
Power District as a<br />
Maintenance Technician<br />
at the Genoa<br />
Headworks in April.<br />
10 YEARS<br />
Rosno is responsible<br />
for maintaining District<br />
parks, facilities,<br />
and equipment<br />
in the hydraulic<br />
WELCOME<br />
operations of the<br />
District. He will also<br />
assist the Dredge/Maintenance Canal<br />
Technicians and serve on the dredge<br />
during the dredging season.<br />
Rosno is a graduate of Twin River High<br />
School. He is certified in ATV Personal<br />
Water Craft Repair and Automotive<br />
Mechanic. He previously worked for<br />
Bryan’s Repair as a mechanic.<br />
SUMMER <strong>2021</strong> | 11
employee notes<br />
JUSTIN SHANLE<br />
Meter, Relay, and Equipment Tech II<br />
Justin Shanle of Columbus joined Loup<br />
Power District as Drafting Technician in<br />
2020. He was promoted to Meter, Relay,<br />
and Equipment Tech II in November 2020.<br />
DEB PETCHE<br />
Customer Service Representative<br />
Debra Petsche of Petersburg joined<br />
Loup Power District as a Customer<br />
Service Representative in the Albion<br />
and Fullerton offices in 2020.<br />
Shanle installs, tests, switches, and<br />
maintains substation and line equipment.<br />
He also operates SCADA and load<br />
control systems.<br />
Shanle is a graduate of Scotus Central<br />
Catholic High School. He earned a degree in Electromechanical<br />
Technology from Southeast Community College in Milford.<br />
Quarterly lease<br />
payments total<br />
$1.5 million<br />
Loup Power District officials delivered<br />
lease payments totaling more than $1.5<br />
million to area communities in May.<br />
Each of these communities owns their<br />
electric distribution systems. These<br />
payments compensate them for the use<br />
of those systems for the first quarter of<br />
<strong>2021</strong>. Communities use the funds for a<br />
variety of public projects.<br />
The payments were:<br />
Petsche’s responsibilities include greeting<br />
customers; processing payments;<br />
setting up, transferring, or closing<br />
service; taking service calls; and preparing<br />
reports.<br />
1 YEAR 1 YEAR<br />
Petsche and her husband, Bob, have three children — Amanda<br />
(Travis) Ray, Travis (Jill) Petsche, and Eric (Tori) Petsche. They<br />
also have nine grandchildren.<br />
Columbus $1,140,254.52<br />
Platte Center $14,173.01<br />
Monroe $13,875.23<br />
Tarnov $1,834.15<br />
Creston $8,364.98<br />
Humphrey $25,330.83<br />
Lindsay $56,186.31<br />
Cornlea $2,185.69<br />
Newman Grove $22,641.72<br />
Duncan $20,575.10<br />
Fullerton $36,367.22<br />
Genoa $29,087.55<br />
Belgrade $4,282.93<br />
Richland $3,388.84<br />
Howells $24,572.56<br />
Leigh $18,368.54<br />
Clarkson $21,451.47<br />
Albion $56,370.60<br />
Primrose $1,862.21<br />
Petersburg $11,333.16<br />
St. Edward $20,743.11<br />
Total $1,533,249.73<br />
2020 SUMMER EMPLOYEES<br />
L to R: Elijah Norman, Fullerton; Kyle Kemper, Albion; Travis Stanley, Columbus; Grant<br />
Ohnemus, Columbus; Evan Sliva, Columbus; Bradley Schindel, Columbus. Not pictured:<br />
Tim Tannehill, Columbus<br />
Elijah, Kyle, Travis and Evan are working as TPT Linemen. Grant and Tim are TPT<br />
Maintenance Men for the Hydro Department. Bradley is working as a TPT Engineering Tech.<br />
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP<br />
When shopping for new light bulbs, know<br />
the difference between lumens and watts.<br />
Lumens measure the amount of light produced<br />
by the bulb. Watts measure energy consumption.<br />
Energy-saving LEDs come in a variety of colors<br />
and brightness levels and last 15-25 times<br />
longer than incandescent bulbs.<br />
12 | GENERATOR
NEW!<br />
Electric Mower<br />
INCENTIVE<br />
GO ELECTRIC<br />
& GET A 10% INCENTIVE<br />
Gasless, but not gutless. Quiet, but not shy. This is not your<br />
grandfather’s battery powered mower. Advances in battery<br />
technology have come a long way in recent years. More<br />
power is now being packed into batteries so your mower<br />
can easily deliver a knock-out punch to your lawn.<br />
Maybe it is time to consider upgrading your conventional,<br />
gas-burning mower with a new electric or battery-powered<br />
option.<br />
LOWER ENERGY COSTS<br />
Depending on how often you mow, electric-powered<br />
mowers will cost about $15 per year in electricity.<br />
Gas mowers use about $30 of<br />
$<br />
gasoline.<br />
LESS MAINTENANCE<br />
No sparkplugs, air filters, fuel filters,<br />
or oil change.<br />
FOLLOW THESE EASY STEPS:<br />
• Obtain an EnergyWise SM application form<br />
at your local Loup office or online at loup.com.<br />
• Purchase your choice of a new battery-powered or<br />
corded electric mower. Chargers and additional battery<br />
purchases are available for the incentive at the time of<br />
the initial mower purchase. However, taxes, delivery/<br />
shipping, and set up costs are not.<br />
• Complete the application and return it to Loup<br />
with a copy of your proof of purchase.<br />
Mowers must be new — not used, previously owned, or factory<br />
reconditioned. Riding, walk-behind, and robotic mowers are<br />
eligible for the incentive.<br />
$ $<br />
$<br />
QUIETER OPERATION<br />
Electric mowers create up to 75 decibels of<br />
sound, which is similar to a washing machine.<br />
Gasoline mowers can exceed 95 decibels, which<br />
is comparable to a motorcycle on the highway.<br />
GREG BADSTIEBER<br />
402-562-5718 ■ badstieber@loup.com<br />
ECO-FRIENDLY<br />
No toxic gas emissions including nitrogen<br />
oxides, airborne particulates, carbon monoxide<br />
and carbon dioxide.<br />
The EnergyWise SM program is offered in conjunction<br />
with Nebraska Public Power District.<br />
SUMMER <strong>2021</strong> | 13
BRADEN SHARMAN<br />
Fullerton High School<br />
—<br />
Plans: Graphic Art at Wayne State College<br />
Son of Les and Natalie Sharman,<br />
Customer Service Representative<br />
AARON LANGEMEIER<br />
Schuyler Central High School<br />
—<br />
Plans: Exercise Science at Midland University;<br />
Midland Warriors Basketball Team<br />
Son of Kerri and Chris Langemeier,<br />
Board of Directors<br />
BRADY SOKOL<br />
Northeast Community College<br />
—<br />
Associate of Applied Science –<br />
Precision Agriculture<br />
Works at Mitchell Equipment in Humphrey<br />
Son of Joan and Scott Sokol,<br />
Albion Division Superintendent<br />
JAXSON JONES<br />
Twin River High School<br />
—<br />
Plans: Welding at Central Community<br />
College-Columbus<br />
Son of Debbie and Jack Jones,<br />
Dredge Operator<br />
14 | GENERATOR<br />
KELCEY ROBAK<br />
Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY)<br />
—<br />
Master of Science<br />
in Physician Assistant Studies<br />
Daughter of John and Angell Robak,<br />
Administrative Assistant to the President/CEO<br />
AIDEN CROMWELL<br />
Central Community College–Columbus<br />
—<br />
Associate Degree in Applied Science<br />
– Mechatronics<br />
Works at ADM as a Instrumentational Technician<br />
Son of John and Shari Cromwell,<br />
Lead Customer Service Representative
KEATON ZAREK<br />
Twin River High School<br />
—<br />
Plans: Utility Line at Northeast<br />
Community College<br />
Son of Nichole and Andy Zarek,<br />
Headgates Operator<br />
MICHAEL GASPER<br />
Scotus Central High School<br />
—<br />
Plans: Aviation at the University of Nebraska<br />
at Omaha<br />
Son of Greg and Cindy Gasper,<br />
Customer Service Representative<br />
JARED DUREN<br />
University of Nebraska-Lincoln<br />
—<br />
Master of Science in Civil Engineering<br />
Special Emphasis in Structural Engineering<br />
Will Work at Kiewit Corporation<br />
as a Structural Engineer<br />
MADISON CERV<br />
Wayne State College: Master's Degree in School Counseling PK-12<br />
Daughter of Adam and Ann Cerv; Granddaughter of Sharon and Robert Cerv, Board of Directors<br />
Son of Lisa and Todd Duren,<br />
Vice President of Corporate Services<br />
Area students earn scholarships<br />
LINKAGES SCHOLARSHIPS<br />
Linkages Scholarships were awarded to four students in the <strong>2021</strong><br />
graduating class at Columbus High School.<br />
The Linkages Program is a nationally recognized program that supports<br />
high schools offering a quality program of engineering and technology<br />
courses. The Columbus Economic Council, Loup Power District, and local<br />
businesses provide support for the program.<br />
The students qualified for the Linkages Scholarship by taking<br />
engineering and technical courses. The scholarship can be used<br />
at each student’s college of choice.<br />
The <strong>2021</strong> Linkages Scholarships were awarded to Logan Brown,<br />
Alexander Larson, Ethan Macken, and Chase Paczosa.<br />
The following local sponsors provided important financial support to this<br />
year’s program: Behlen Mfg. Co., Central Confinement Services (CCS),<br />
Columbus Bank, Columbus Community Hospital, Duo Lift Manufacturing<br />
Company, Pillen Family Farms, Pinnacle Bank, SIDUMP’R, Superior<br />
industries, TORIN Products, Inc., and Valmont Newmark.<br />
Since its beginning in 2004, the Linkages Program has awarded 202<br />
scholarships totaling $63,675.<br />
LOUP POWER DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIPS<br />
Loup Power District has awarded scholarships to 11<br />
area students who are attending Central Community<br />
College-Columbus this fall.<br />
Loup Power District scholarships are awarded to<br />
high school seniors living in Boone, Colfax, Nance,<br />
and Platte Counties and portions of Madison<br />
County.<br />
Selection is based on academic achievement,<br />
employment and school activities, quality of the<br />
personal statement, application completeness and<br />
recommendations.<br />
Scholarships were awarded to: Columbus High<br />
School — Mason Dahlke and Libby Wurdeman;<br />
Columbus Bible Baptist — Tiffany Wright; Lakeview<br />
High School — Alison Loseke; Fullerton High School<br />
— Luke Foland; Leigh High School — Alicia Holmberg;<br />
Schuyler High School — Ailyn Adame and<br />
Alejandra Castro; St. Edward High School — Jennifer<br />
Sutton; Twin River High School — Jaxson Jones and<br />
Sydnei Kemper.<br />
SUMMER <strong>2021</strong> | 15
2404 15th Street | PO Box 988<br />
Columbus, NE 68602-0988<br />
Have you seen<br />
these ads?<br />
While most people know what solar panels<br />
are, many aren’t aware of the complexity of<br />
setting up a complete solar power system or<br />
understanding the actual return on investment.<br />
Give us a call to learn more. We can provide<br />
an assessment on the proper project size,<br />
estimated costs and return on investment,<br />
best practices for installation, and advice<br />
on selecting a reliable solar developer.<br />
Thinking about solar?<br />
Give Loup Power District a call FIRST!<br />
LOWER YOUR<br />
MONTHLY<br />
ELECTRIC BILL<br />
Find out how much<br />
you can save today!<br />
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY >><br />
Nebraska homeowners are eligible for<br />
solar panel program with great savings!<br />
Go Green. Go Solar.<br />
SAVE MONEY!<br />
Install Solar Panels.