Generator_Summer 2021

GENERA OR
a publication of Loup Power District SUMMER 2021
INSIDE:
Look up & look out
for electrical safety
Reis fabricates
equipment for Loup
New Electric
Mower Incentive

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ross Knott
Chairman
Alan Drozd
First Vice Chairman
Steve Heesacker
Second Vice Chairman
Robert Cerv
Secretary
Dick Tooley
Treasurer
Rich Aerni
Jim Donoghue
Mike Fleming
Chris Langemeier
Larry Zach
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
Power Surges & Blinks
Have you ever noticed your lights blink during
a thunderstorm? Or perhaps you’ve noticed a
blinking microwave clock when you arrive home.
When this happens, you’ve likely experienced a
brief disruption to your electric service, which
could result from a power surge or blink.
While the symptoms of surges and blinks can
appear similar, what’s happening behind the
scenes can be quite different.
WHAT’S A POWER SURGE?
Power surges are brief overvoltage
spikes or disturbances
of a power waveform that can
damage, degrade or destroy
electronic equipment within
your home or business.
Most electronics are designed
to handle small variations in
voltage; however, power surges
can reach amplitudes of tens of
thousands of volts — this can
be extremely damaging to your
electronic equipment.
Surges can be caused by
internal sources, like HVAC systems with variable
frequency drives, or external sources, like lightning
and damage to power lines and transformers.
You can install surge protective devices (such
as surge protector power strips) to safeguard
your sensitive electronics. If you’re experiencing
frequent surges in your home or business and you
believe the cause is internal, contact a qualified
electrician to inspect your electrical system.
WHAT’S A POWER BLINK?
Power blinks are also brief service interruptions,
but they’re typically caused by a fault (short
circuit) on a power line or a protective device that’s
working in reaction to the fault.
Faults can occur through a variety
of instances, like squirrels, birds or
other small animals contacting an
energized power line; tree branches
touching a power line; or lightning
and other similar events. In fact,
when it comes to power disruptions
caused by critters, squirrels reign
supreme. In 2019 alone, squirrels
were responsible for more than
1,200 outages.
Any of the events noted above can
cause your power to blink, but you
may also experience a brief interruption
when protective devices
that act like circuit breakers are
working to detect the fault.
Believe it or not, these brief power blinks caused
by protective devices are actually good because
that means the equipment is working as it should
to prevent a prolonged outage.
Regardless of the cause, Loup crews will be on
their way to inspect the damage and make necessary
repairs after a power outage.
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
2 | GENERATOR
COVER: Employees prepare to dock the Pawnee II dredge at the Genoa Headworks.
Dredging at the settling basin halts for part of the summer to protect nesting piping plovers
and interior least terns.

preSIdent’S MessAGe
Loup offers input and insight
to NPPD on several issues
Loup Power District management has been
working with Nebraska Public Power District
(NPPD) — our wholesale supplier of electricity
— on two very different long-term projects.
The first project deals with the effects from the
February 2021 winter weather event. As many
of you are aware, this weather event severely
crippled the Texas electricity grid and created
rolling blackouts throughout the Midwest
United States, including Nebraska and the Loup
Power District service area.
Loup officials have been working with NPPD
management and other wholesale customers
to develop a system in which NPPD will better
inform wholesale customers if this happens
again. The wholesale customers could then
inform retail customers where and when the
outages will occur (as well as the length of the
outages) in the event of a similar event. Obviously,
we all hope a similar event does not occur
again. But if it does, we all want to be better
prepared to give information to those most
affected.
Additionally, Loup Power District is working
internally on systems that can be integrated
with our new automated meter reading
equipment that will provide a better and
more detailed description of areas
affected by outages. More information
will become available as these
systems are developed.
The second project deals with
NPPD’s internal study of carbon
risks associated with their existing
generating facility fleet. This effort
has been ongoing for a couple of years,
as NPPD is trying to determine the
possible long-term effects of
changes in regulation due to
carbon emissions.
Loup management and other
wholesale customers have been
working with the NPPD Board
and management regarding
the study of these risks, as the
federal government mandate on
carbon emissions seems to change at the whim
of whatever administration happens to be in
charge in Washington, D.C.
Because of the ever-moving target on carbon
emissions at the federal level, NPPD has to be
flexible with its plans since energy efficiency
and load growth opportunities, as well as the
retirement of existing resources, can affect the
overall carbon targets. What makes matters
more complicated is the long lead time necessary
for the construction of new generation and
transmission facilities.
Thankfully, NPPD has included wholesale
customers in the discussion and accepted input
to move forward with these two studies. NPPD
values customer input and customers value
providing this input, as it will eventually affect
wholesale and retail rates.
There are similar efforts going on in our
industry, some with NPPD and some without.
We want you to know that the Loup Power
District Board and employees continue to take
an active role in providing input and knowledge
about these decisions that will affect our rates
over the long haul.
NEAL SUESS
President/CEO
SUMMER 2021 | 3

Reis builds concrete
screed from scratch
Jeremy Reis doesn't really need blueprints
or a plan.
When it comes to building something, he
can just see the finished result in his head.
That's exactly what happened when Canal
Foreman Lance Ferris asked if Reis could build
a concrete screed.
“I just got online, looked at a few pictures
here and there and came up with my own
idea,” Reis said.
The resulting product worked exactly as
intended to level and smooth concrete, while
also preventing potential back injuries among
Loup employees.
Ferris said the District was making plans for
several large concrete transformer pads earlier
this year. Because of the size of these pads and
Loup's limited manpower, he thought they
should purchase a large power screed.
That's when Reis said he could build one for
less and got to work. He made everything on
the 14-foot screed himself except the bearings,
engine, and winches.
Cables on each end of the screed hook to
the concrete forms. Employees on each end of
the machine pull it forward with the help of
the cables. The screen vibrates to smooth the
concrete. Employees
can then go over
the concrete with bull floats to smooth it even
more.
"It turned out pretty awesome," Ferris said.
He said Reis also made some new gate
systems for the Columbus Powerhouse and a
special platform for the Monroe Powerhouse.
In fact, he's completed quite a few projects
for Loup — no small feat considering he's been
an employee for less than a year.
"He’s proven himself around here. It’s
great," Ferris said. "He does some very nice
work.”
Fabricating machines and parts is nothing
new at Loup, however.
Loup's employees at the Genoa Headworks
fabricated replacement parts of the Pawnee
dredge for years. That original dredge was built
in 1937 and used for 75 years until a new dredge
was commissioned in 2012.
In the latter years of its use, replacement
parts were no longer available and employees
made their own.
Reis said building and creating is nothing
new to him. "I've built a lot of things like this
over the years," he said.
What is new, however, is the ability to use
those skills more at his job.
"It's what I've always wanted to do," he said.
"I can use my abilities here."
Top and middle right: Reis built the concrete
screed at the Columbus Service Center.
He made the entire project from scratch except
the winches, bearings, and engine.
Bottom right: The screed in use by Loup
employees as they poured a concrete
transformer pad.
4 | GENERATOR

LAUNDRY LIST:
Energy-saving tips
Your clothes washer and dryer account for a significant portion
of energy consumption from major appliances. The good news is
there are several easy ways you can save energy (and money) in the
laundry room.
The Department of Energy recommends the following tips for saving
on suds:
➨ Wash with cold water
Switching from warm water to cold water can cut one load’s energy
use by half. New cold-water detergents ensure laundry gets clean.
➨ Wash full loads
Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy no matter
the size of the clothes load, so fill it up if you can.
➨ Use dryer balls
Dryer balls, usually wool or rubber, will help keep clothes separated
for faster drying, and they can help reduce static, so you can
eliminate dryer sheets.
➨ Lower the heat
Regardless of drying time, you’ll still use less energy.
➨ Use high speed or extended spin cycle
This setting will remove more moisture before drying, reducing
your drying time and the extra wear on clothing.
➨ Switch loads while the dryer is warm
This allows you to take advantage of the remaining heat from the
previous cycle.
➨ Clean the lint filter after each load
And if you use dryer sheets, remember to scrub the filter once a
month with a toothbrush to remove excess buildup that can reduce
air circulation.
➨ Purchase an efficient washers & dryer
When it’s time to purchase a new washer or dryer, look for the
ENERGY STAR ® label. New washers and dryers with that rating use
about 20 percent less energy than conventional models.
Get more energy-saving
tips at the Department
of Energy’s home
efficiency page:
energy.gov/energysaver
➨ Dry heavier cottons separately
Loads will dry faster and more evenly if you separate heavier cottons
like linens and towels from your lightweight clothing.
➨ Use the moisture sensor option
Many new clothes dryers come designed with a
moisture sensor, which automatically shuts
off the machine when clothes are dry.
This will save energy and reduce
wear and tear on your clothes
caused by over-drying
SUMMER 2021 | 5

around the district
TRANSFORMER TRANSFERS
Loup has been busy transferring transformers around the
District this spring and summer.
A new, larger 56 MVA transformer was installed at the
substation near the Columbus Powerhouse in late spring.
This replaced a 37 MVA transformer which was moved to
Schuyler to replace a 28 MVA transformer there. In turn, that
transformer will be moved to Creston later this year and the
Creston transformer will move to Petersburg.
All this work ensures that our communities have transformers
large enough to meet their growing needs.
Right: The smaller 28 MVA transformer north of Schuyler was
moved out using a hydraulic jack and slide system in April.
Transformers are typically moved with cranes, but that’s not
possible at Schuyler due to overhead structures.
Barnhart Crane helped to move the transformers.
The 37 MVA transformer weighed 107,000 pounds.
VEHICLE DAY AT AG PARK
It was a great day for the first graders at Vehicle Day at Ag Park on May 11!
Loup employees Beau Schommer and Tommy Wemhoff described
their jobs as linemen and answered questions about the bucket truck
on display. The event was hosted by the Columbus Area Chamber of
Commerce.
6 | GENERATOR

SETTLING BASIN SUNRISE
John Fritzges shot this sunrise photo at
the Genoa Headworks in May. Fritzges is
a Dredge/Canal Maintenance Technician
for Loup Power District.
ADDING POLES ALONG 38TH STREET
The Columbus crew added extra poles along 38th street just south of the
hospital in May. Decreasing the span between the poles reduces slack in
the lines and reduces the possibility for outages during wind and storms.
The new poles are also five feet taller to help with clearance and slack.
SUMMER 2021 | 7

POWER LINE SAFETY:
look up and look out
A farmer near Columbus hit this power pole
in June and the power lines fell on his tractor.
He is lucky to be alive and uninjured.
Farming equipment has become
larger and more advanced over time.
While these welcome improvements
help farmers cover more ground in
less time, taller equipment and longer
extensions can bring added challenges
around power lines.
Loup urges everyone working in
the agricultural field to be alert to the
dangers of working near overhead
power lines, poles and other electrical
equipment.
CODY CONRADY’S STORY
It was Cody Conrady’s next-to-last
day as an assistant manager for an ag
fertilizer company in Illinois. They were
understaffed that day, and Conrady
jumped in the truck to get ahead of the
sprayer. Once the sprayer was in position,
he hopped out to fill the tank with
fertilizer.
Neither he nor his coworker inside
the cab were aware that the sprayer
boom had either made contact or gotten
too close to a power line.
When 7,400 volts of electricity traveled
through the boom, it electrified the
equipment and ground. Unfortunately,
the unyielding stray voltage considered
his body as part of its electrical path to
ground.
In the minutes and hours that
followed, Conrady was brought back
to life, rushed to a local hospital, and
transferred to a trauma center. That was
the starting point of a very long and
arduous road to recovery that included
surgeries, rehab, and prosthetics.
HINDSIGHT IS 20/20: CODY’S ADVICE
When working near power lines,
“pay attention a little more,” Conrady
advises. “Keep an eye on your
surroundings. Just take an extra second
to look at things, to see how your situation
is going to unfold."
These days, he drives by fields
buzzing with activity and wonders if
others see what he sees — if they realize
the potential dangers of getting too
close to power lines.
His wife, Bailey, says this type of
accident could happen to anyone.
Unintended contact happened in an
instant, but its impact lives on long after
an accident.
“We knew life wasn’t going to be
the same," she said. “We knew that the
‘normal’ before was not going to be the
‘normal’ after.”
FOLLOW THE 10-FOOT DISTANCE RULE
To stay safe around overhead power
lines, follow safe work practices at all
times to help prevent serious and even
deadly accidents.
Start by making sure everyone
knows to maintain a minimum 10-foot
clearance from power lines.
This 10-foot rule applies not only to
the area underneath the power line, but
to the full 360 degrees around it. Electricity
can change paths if direct contact
is made. It can also happen when
someone or something gets too close to
a power line and the current jumps, also
known as arcing.
— from SafeElectricity.org
AG ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS
• If your machinery or vehicle comes in contact with
a power line, do not get out of the cab because you
could be electrocuted. Instead, stay where you are
and call 9-1-1 to dispatch the utility to deenergize
the power.
• If it is not safe to stay in the cab due to fire or smoke,
make a solid, clean jump with both feet landing at
the same time. Hop away as far as you can with feet
together.
• If you come across an accident or incident near a
downed power line, alert individuals (from at least
50 feet away) to stay in the cab or vehicle as long
as there is no imminent danger. Stay back and call
9-1-1.
• Teach anyone working with or for you (including
family members and seasonal employees) about
power line awareness and proper clearance
distance.
• When working around power lines, always use a
spotter, who has a broader vantage point than the
person in the cab.
• Visually inspect overhead lines. If a wire is hanging
too low, don’t try to move it. Call your electric utility
for assistance.
• Lower extensions to the lowest setting when
moving loads.
• Simply coming too close to a power line while
working is dangerous as electricity can arc to
conducting material or objects, such as a ladder,
pole, or truck. Remember, non-metallic materials
such as lumber, tree limbs, tires, ropes, and hay will
conduct electricity depending on dampness, dust,
and dirt contamination.
• When guy wires (a grounded wire used to stabilize
utility poles) are broken, these normally neutral
wires can become dangerous. If you hit a guy wire
and break it, stay away and call your utility.
8 | GENERATOR

SUMMER 2021 | 9

employee notes
MATT SWACKHAMER
Supervisor of Information Services
Matt Swackhamer
joined Loup in 2001
as Supervisor of
Information Systems
at the Columbus
General Office and
continues in that
position today.
As Supervisor of
Information Systems
his responsibilities
include managing
all of the District’s
computers and communications
systems.
Swackhamer is a graduate of Bad
Axe High School in Bad Axe, Mich. He
attended Western Michigan University
in Kalamazoo, Mich., where he earned
a Bachelor of Science degree with
a major in Computer Science and a
minor in Mathematics and Electrical
Engineering.
DAN STRONG
Maintenance Technician
Dan Strong of
Genoa joined Loup
in 1986 as a Maintenance
Man at the
Genoa Headworks.
He was promoted to
his current position
of Maintenance
Technician in 1988.
As a Maintenance
Technician, Strong’s
responsibilities
include maintaining
and servicing vehicles and equipment
at the Genoa Headworks. He
also troubleshoots the electrical
and mechanical components of the
District’s dredge, the Pawnee II.
Strong is a graduate of Genoa High
School. He and his wife, Janice, are
the parents of two children: Brandy and
Brian.
He also has five grandchildren — Hannah,
Garrison, Marshall, Grady, and
Grant.
10 | GENERATOR
20 YEARS
35 YEARS
DALE GASPER
Columbus Division Superintendent
Dale Gasper joined
Loup in 1986 as an
Apprentice Lineman
at the Humphrey
Office. Later that
year he was promoted
to Lineman.
He transferred to the
Columbus Service
Center in 1989, and
was promoted to
Journeyman Lineman
the following
year.
In 2012, Gasper was promoted to Line
Foreman at the Columbus Service
Center and was named Columbus Division
Superintendent at the Columbus
Service Center in 2014.
As Division Superintendent, Gasper
oversees the construction, operation,
and maintenance of the electric system
in the Columbus Division, including
Columbus, Duncan, Platte Center,
Richland, Clarkson, and Howells. He
supervises the Columbus line and
service crews, working with local
contractors, and handling customer
contacts regarding new service.
Gasper is a native of Lindsay and a
graduate of Newman Grove High
School. He earned an Associate of
Applied Science Degree in Utility Line
from Northeast Community College in
Norfolk.
Gasper and his wife, Nancy, are the
parents of three sons: Casey, Jesse,
and Jaime.
MARK HANEL
Shop & Transportation Superintendent
Mark Hanel joined
Loup in 2011 as Automotive/Equipment
Mechanic for the
Shop and Transportation
Department
at the Columbus
Service Center.
He transferred to
Machinist/Welder in
2017.
He was promoted to
35 YEARS
10 YEARS
Shop & Transportation Superintendent
in 2020.
In this role, Hanel provides leadership,
supervision, and guidance to all shop
personnel. His team is responsible for
inspecting, maintaining, and repairing
District vehicles and equipment. He
also advises management on standards
and specifications for vehicle
purchases for the District’s fleet.
Hanel is a native of Clarkson and
earned an Associates of Applied
Science Degree in Automotive Technology
from Northeast Community
College in Norfolk.
He and his wife, Rhonda, have three
children: Carter, Chloe, and Grant.
TOM WOOD
Line Foreman
Tom Wood joined
Loup in 1991 as
Apprentice Lineman
at Fullerton.
He was promoted
to Lineman in 1993
and to Journeyman
Lineman in 1997. In
2005, Wood was
promoted to Line
Foreman in the
Fullerton Division.
30 YEARS
As Line Foreman,
Wood is in charge of the construction
and maintenance of Loup’s electrical
transmission and distribution system in
the Fullerton Division.
This division includes the communities
of Fullerton, Belgrade, St. Edward,
Cedar Rapids, Primrose, Genoa, and
Monroe.
Wood is a graduate of Abraham
Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs.
He earned an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in General Studies
with an emphasis in Business from Iowa
Western Community College.
He earned an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Utility Line from
Northeast Community College in
Norfolk.
He and his wife, Jennifer, have two
children: Paige and Tate.

DAN HELLBUSCH
Vice President of Operations
Dan Hellbusch
joined Loup in 1986
as an Apprentice
Lineman at the
Columbus Service
Center. Later that
year he was promoted
to Lineman
and he was named
St. Edward Local
Superintendent in
1989.
In 1994, he was
promoted to Columbus Division Superintendent
based out of the Columbus
Service Center. Hellbusch was promoted
to his current position of Vice
President of Operations based out of
the Columbus General Office in 2014.
As Vice President of Operations,
Hellbusch’s responsibilities involve
overseeing all the operations of
Loup’s Operations and Hydro Divisions
throughout the District’s service
territory. These operations activities
include construction, operation, and
maintenance of the District’s electrical
transmission and distribution system;
hydro generation facilities; the Loup
Power Canal; and all district recreation
facilities.
Hellbusch is a graduate of Fullerton
High School and received his lineman
training at Northeast Community
College in Norfolk. He and his wife,
Annette, have three children: Cody,
Maggie, and Lauran.
ANGELL ROBAK
Admin Assistant to the President/CEO
Angell Robak
joined Loup in 2001
as Cashier at the
Columbus General
Office. She was
promoted to Administrative
Assistant
for the Engineering
Department in 2005.
In 2014, she was
promoted to her
current position
of Administrative
35 YEARS
20 YEARS
Assistant to the President/CEO.
The Administrative Assistant to the
President/CEO is also the Assistant
Secretary to the Board of Directors.
Duties and responsibilities of this
position include providing administrative
support for the District’s Executive
office, compiling materials for Board
meetings, recording and filing minutes
for Board meetings, and maintaining
corporate files.
Robak was born in Detroit, Mich.
She also lived in Humphrey before
moving to Columbus. Robak is a
graduate of Columbus High School
and attended Central Community
College–Columbus.
She and her husband, John, are the
parents of four grown children: Cory,
Matt, Kaitlyn, and Kelcey. They have
three grandchildren: Ike, Claire, and
Rose.
KEVIN SEIER
Meter, Relay and Equipment Technician
Seier joined Loup
Power District
in 2016 as a
Plant Operator
at the Columbus
Powerhouse.
He was promoted
to Meter, Relay and
Equipment Technician
in 2018.
5 YEARS
Seier is part of a
team that is responsible
for installation and maintenance
of substation power equipment.
The team’s duties include operating
equipment that switches electric power
between substations and transmission
lines, relay maintenance and testing,
and designing substation control
wiring.
He is a graduate of Twin River High
School in Genoa and earned an Associate
of Applied Science Degree
in Electro-Mechanical Technology
from Northeast Community College in
Norfolk. He and his wife, Kara, are the
parents of two daughters, Rossi and
Kimber.
JIM BOGUS
Accounting Supervisor
Jim Bogus joined
Loup in 2011 as
Chief Accountant. In
2015, he transferred
to his current position
of Accounting
Supervisor at the
Columbus General
Office.
His responsibilities
include a variety of technical and
administrative accounting work; oversight
of property insurance; purchases
of supplies, materials, and equipment;
approval of purchase orders and the
material bidding process; processing
of work orders; and general liability
concerns.
Bogus is a graduate of Columbus High
School. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in
Business Administration/Accounting
from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
and earned his CPA in 1982.
Bogus and his wife, Deb, are the
parents of two married children: Kyle
(Ngan) Bogus, and Kara (Brad) Florian.
Kara and Brad have one daughter,
Leah.
MATT ROSNO
Maintenance Technician
Matt Rosno of
Genoa joined Loup
Power District as a
Maintenance Technician
at the Genoa
Headworks in April.
10 YEARS
Rosno is responsible
for maintaining District
parks, facilities,
and equipment
in the hydraulic
WELCOME
operations of the
District. He will also
assist the Dredge/Maintenance Canal
Technicians and serve on the dredge
during the dredging season.
Rosno is a graduate of Twin River High
School. He is certified in ATV Personal
Water Craft Repair and Automotive
Mechanic. He previously worked for
Bryan’s Repair as a mechanic.
SUMMER 2021 | 11

employee notes
JUSTIN SHANLE
Meter, Relay, and Equipment Tech II
Justin Shanle of Columbus joined Loup
Power District as Drafting Technician in
2020. He was promoted to Meter, Relay,
and Equipment Tech II in November 2020.
DEB PETCHE
Customer Service Representative
Debra Petsche of Petersburg joined
Loup Power District as a Customer
Service Representative in the Albion
and Fullerton offices in 2020.
Shanle installs, tests, switches, and
maintains substation and line equipment.
He also operates 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.
Quarterly lease
payments total
$1.5 million
Loup Power District officials delivered
lease payments totaling more than $1.5
million to area communities in May.
Each of these communities owns their
electric distribution systems. These
payments compensate them for the use
of those systems for the first quarter of
2021. Communities use the funds for a
variety of public projects.
The payments were:
Petsche’s responsibilities include greeting
customers; processing payments;
setting up, transferring, or closing
service; taking service calls; and preparing
reports.
1 YEAR 1 YEAR
Petsche and her husband, Bob, have three children — Amanda
(Travis) Ray, Travis (Jill) Petsche, and Eric (Tori) Petsche. They
also have nine grandchildren.
Columbus $1,140,254.52
Platte Center $14,173.01
Monroe $13,875.23
Tarnov $1,834.15
Creston $8,364.98
Humphrey $25,330.83
Lindsay $56,186.31
Cornlea $2,185.69
Newman Grove $22,641.72
Duncan $20,575.10
Fullerton $36,367.22
Genoa $29,087.55
Belgrade $4,282.93
Richland $3,388.84
Howells $24,572.56
Leigh $18,368.54
Clarkson $21,451.47
Albion $56,370.60
Primrose $1,862.21
Petersburg $11,333.16
St. Edward $20,743.11
Total $1,533,249.73
2020 SUMMER EMPLOYEES
L to R: Elijah Norman, Fullerton; Kyle Kemper, Albion; Travis Stanley, Columbus; Grant
Ohnemus, Columbus; Evan Sliva, Columbus; Bradley Schindel, Columbus. Not pictured:
Tim Tannehill, Columbus
Elijah, Kyle, Travis and Evan are working as TPT Linemen. Grant and Tim are TPT
Maintenance Men for the Hydro Department. Bradley is working as a TPT Engineering Tech.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP
When shopping for new light bulbs, know
the difference between lumens and watts.
Lumens measure the amount of light produced
by the bulb. Watts measure energy consumption.
Energy-saving LEDs come in a variety of colors
and brightness levels and last 15-25 times
longer than incandescent bulbs.
12 | GENERATOR

NEW!
Electric Mower
INCENTIVE
GO ELECTRIC
& GET A 10% INCENTIVE
Gasless, but not gutless. Quiet, but not shy. This is not your
grandfather’s battery powered mower. Advances in battery
technology have come a long way in recent years. More
power is now being packed into batteries so your mower
can easily deliver a knock-out punch to your lawn.
Maybe it is time to consider upgrading your conventional,
gas-burning mower with a new electric or battery-powered
option.
LOWER ENERGY COSTS
Depending on how often you mow, electric-powered
mowers will cost about $15 per year in electricity.
Gas mowers use about $30 of
$
gasoline.
LESS MAINTENANCE
No sparkplugs, air filters, fuel filters,
or oil change.
FOLLOW THESE EASY STEPS:
• Obtain an EnergyWise SM application form
at your local Loup office or online at loup.com.
• Purchase your choice of a new battery-powered or
corded electric mower. Chargers and additional battery
purchases are available for the incentive at the time of
the initial mower purchase. However, taxes, delivery/
shipping, and set up costs are not.
• Complete the application and return it to Loup
with a copy of your proof of purchase.
Mowers must be new — not used, previously owned, or factory
reconditioned. Riding, walk-behind, and robotic mowers are
eligible for the incentive.
$ $
$
QUIETER OPERATION
Electric mowers create up to 75 decibels of
sound, which is similar to a washing machine.
Gasoline mowers can exceed 95 decibels, which
is comparable to a motorcycle on the highway.
GREG BADSTIEBER
402-562-5718 ■ badstieber@loup.com
ECO-FRIENDLY
No toxic gas emissions including nitrogen
oxides, airborne particulates, carbon monoxide
and carbon dioxide.
The EnergyWise SM program is offered in conjunction
with Nebraska Public Power District.
SUMMER 2021 | 13

BRADEN SHARMAN
Fullerton High School
—
Plans: Graphic Art at Wayne State College
Son of Les and Natalie Sharman,
Customer Service Representative
AARON LANGEMEIER
Schuyler Central High School
—
Plans: Exercise Science at Midland University;
Midland Warriors Basketball Team
Son of Kerri and Chris Langemeier,
Board of Directors
BRADY SOKOL
Northeast Community College
—
Associate of Applied Science –
Precision Agriculture
Works at Mitchell Equipment in Humphrey
Son of Joan and Scott Sokol,
Albion Division Superintendent
JAXSON JONES
Twin River High School
—
Plans: Welding at Central Community
College-Columbus
Son of Debbie and Jack Jones,
Dredge Operator
14 | GENERATOR
KELCEY ROBAK
Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY)
—
Master of Science
in Physician Assistant Studies
Daughter of John and Angell Robak,
Administrative Assistant to the President/CEO
AIDEN CROMWELL
Central Community College–Columbus
—
Associate Degree in Applied Science
– Mechatronics
Works at ADM as a Instrumentational Technician
Son of John and Shari Cromwell,
Lead Customer Service Representative

KEATON ZAREK
Twin River High School
—
Plans: Utility Line at Northeast
Community College
Son of Nichole and Andy Zarek,
Headgates Operator
MICHAEL GASPER
Scotus Central High School
—
Plans: Aviation at the University of Nebraska
at Omaha
Son of Greg and Cindy Gasper,
Customer Service Representative
JARED DUREN
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
—
Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Special Emphasis in Structural Engineering
Will Work at Kiewit Corporation
as a Structural Engineer
MADISON CERV
Wayne State College: Master's Degree in School Counseling PK-12
Daughter of Adam and Ann Cerv; Granddaughter of Sharon and Robert Cerv, Board of Directors
Son of Lisa and Todd Duren,
Vice President of Corporate Services
Area students earn scholarships
LINKAGES SCHOLARSHIPS
Linkages Scholarships were awarded to four students in the 2021
graduating class at Columbus High School.
The Linkages Program is a nationally recognized program that supports
high schools offering a quality program of engineering and technology
courses. The Columbus Economic Council, Loup Power District, and local
businesses provide support for the program.
The students qualified for the Linkages Scholarship by taking
engineering and technical courses. The scholarship can be used
at each student’s college of choice.
The 2021 Linkages Scholarships were awarded to Logan Brown,
Alexander Larson, Ethan Macken, and Chase Paczosa.
The following local sponsors provided important financial support to this
year’s program: Behlen Mfg. Co., Central Confinement Services (CCS),
Columbus Bank, Columbus Community Hospital, Duo Lift Manufacturing
Company, Pillen Family Farms, Pinnacle Bank, SIDUMP’R, Superior
industries, TORIN Products, Inc., and Valmont Newmark.
Since its beginning in 2004, the Linkages Program has awarded 202
scholarships totaling $63,675.
LOUP POWER DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIPS
Loup Power District has awarded scholarships to 11
area students who are attending Central Community
College-Columbus this fall.
Loup Power District scholarships are awarded to
high school seniors living in Boone, Colfax, Nance,
and Platte Counties and portions of Madison
County.
Selection is based on academic achievement,
employment and school activities, quality of the
personal statement, application completeness and
recommendations.
Scholarships were awarded to: Columbus High
School — Mason Dahlke and Libby Wurdeman;
Columbus Bible Baptist — Tiffany Wright; Lakeview
High School — Alison Loseke; Fullerton High School
— Luke Foland; Leigh High School — Alicia Holmberg;
Schuyler High School — Ailyn Adame and
Alejandra Castro; St. Edward High School — Jennifer
Sutton; Twin River High School — Jaxson Jones and
Sydnei Kemper.
SUMMER 2021 | 15

2404 15th Street | PO Box 988
Columbus, NE 68602-0988
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