March / April 2012 - Nebraska Public Power District

March / April 2012
Volume 5 Issue 2
Current news about Nebraska Public Power District

2
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Energy Insight is published by
the Nebraska Public Power District
Corporate Communications Department
as a service for employees, customers
and friends of NPPD. Its purpose
is to communicate NPPD news
and information and to recognize
achievements of employees, retirees
and their families.
Board of Directors
Ronald Larsen, Chairman
Gary Thompson, First Vice Chairman
Edward Schrock, Second Vice Chairman
Mary Harding, Secretary
Wayne Boyd
Jerry Chlopek
Virgil Froehlich
Ken Kunze
Larry Linstrom
Thomas Hoff
Dennis Rasmussen
Senior Manager, Government and
Public Relations
Beth Boesch
Executive Editor
Brenda Sanne
Managing Editor
Jill Novicki, jrnovic@nppd.com
Contributors
Mark Becker
Mark Miller
Photography
Gary Pelster
Graphic Design
Bill Haack
Dan Zastera
Reporters
Darla Wait, Chadron
Kathy Fadschild, Columbus
Drew Niehaus, Cooper Nuclear Station
Kathy Nelson, Doniphan Control Center
Lynn Phagan, Gerald Gentleman Station
Lisa Willson, Kearney
Carol Johnson, Lincoln
Kathy Eaton, McCook
Helen Hinz, McCook
Mindy Leaverton, Norfolk
Erin Miller, Norfolk
Connie Knapp, Ogallala
Lottie Kellison, Plattsmouth
Colleen Mathewson, Scottsbluff
Cindy Holsing, Sheldon Station
Kris Cross, South Sioux City
Pam Hoeft, York
3 Proper CFL Disposal
Did you know that used compact
fluorescent light bulbs can be
recycled? If you break a bulb,
do you know the proper way to
clean up? Find answers to these
questions in this article.
4 President’s Message
President and CEO Pat Pope
discusses some of the factors
NPPD needs to consider before
determining future energy
resources.
6 To Catch a Thief
NPPD uses technology to help
take a bite out of crime ... and
it’s working. Last year, seven
individuals were arrested for
stealing copper from the District.
8 Take 5
Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer Traci Bender
shares five of her favorite things
with readers.
10 Public Power’s
Progress
Check out current industry
happenings and photos to learn
more about NPPD’s recent
activities.
12 News From Around
the State
Read about activities and
accomplishments of employees
and their immediate family
members.
15 Customer News
Bob Heinz and Neal Niedfeldt
are making headlines. Read why.
15 Retiree News
Take a look and see which
retirees are being honored and
why.
17 Important Deadlines
Take note of important deadlines
for scholarships and the
graduation issue of Energy
Insight.
18 We Will Remember
Fondly remembering those who
recently passed away.
About the Cover:
As NPPD studies its future
energy resources, it is also
planning for the power lines
that will deliver energy to its
customers. See stories on
pages 4 and 11.

Compact Fluorescent Light
Bulbs contain a very small
amount of mercury sealed
within the glass tubing—an
average of 5 milligrams or less,
which is roughly equivalent to
an amount that would cover
the tip of a ball-point pen. No
mercury is released when the
bulbs are intact or in use. By
comparison, older thermometers
contain about 500 milligrams of
mercury.
Mercury is an essential
component of CFLs and is
what allows the bulb to be an
efficient light source. While
mercury doesn’t make CFLs
unsafe, experts say it does place
them alongside many other
household products—from paint
to batteries—that need to be used
and disposed of in a responsible
manner.
Why is recycling
CFLs important?
Dispose of Compact
Fluorescent Light
Bulbs properly
Mercury is an essential component of
CFLs and is what allows the bulb to be
an efficient light source.
Recycling prevents the release
of mercury into the environment.
CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs
often break when thrown into a
dumpster, trash can or compactor,
or when they end up in a landfill
or incinerator.
Other materials in the bulbs get
reused. Recycling CFLs and other
fluorescent bulbs allows the reuse
of the glass, metals and other
materials that make up fluorescent
lights. Virtually all components of
a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.
In Nebraska, any fluorescent
light that has been used by a
household can be disposed of in
a solid waste landfill. However, a
better option would be to recycle
the used CFL. Some retailers,
such as Home Depot and Lowe’s
will take back lamps. Another
option is to contact your local
electric supplier; many times the
utility collects used lamps in their
local office.
Break a CFL? Don’t
vacuum
CFLs are made of glass and
can break if dropped or handled
roughly. Research indicates there
is no immediate health risk to
you or your family should a bulb
break. Using proper cleanup and
disposal guidelines, you can do
the job yourself with minimal risk.
The most important steps to
reduce exposure to mercury vapor
from a broken bulb are:
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Before cleanup
• Have people and pets leave the
room.
• Air out the room for 5-10
minutes by opening a window
or door to the outdoor
environment.
• Shut off the central forced
air heating/air-conditioning
system, if you have one.
• Collect materials needed to
clean up broken bulb:
• stiff paper or cardboard;
• sticky tape;
• damp paper towels or
disposable wet wipes (for hard
surfaces); and
• a glass jar with a metal lid or a
sealable plastic bag.
During cleanup
• DO NOT VACUUM.
Vacuuming is not
recommended unless broken
glass remains after all other
cleanup steps have been taken.
Vacuuming could spread
mercury-containing powder or
mercury vapor.
• Be thorough in collecting
broken glass and visible
powder.
• Place cleanup materials in a
sealable container.
After cleanup
• Promptly place all bulb debris
and cleanup materials outdoors
in a trash container or protected
area until materials can be
disposed of properly. Avoid
leaving any bulb fragments or
cleanup materials indoors.
• If practical, continue to air out
the room where the bulb was
broken and leave the heating/air
conditioning system shut off for
several hours.
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency
3

4
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
from the
PRESIDENT & CEO
Patrick Pope
Identifying long-term energy needs is
an ongoing process
Few services touch consumers’ lives like
electricity. That’s why it’s important for
Nebraska’s public power electric utilities to
work together to evaluate current and future
generation resource options, and solicit input
from their customers and the public on these
decisions.
Generating for today...and tomorrow
NPPD
is responsible for generating and
transmitting electric power across
transmission lines, while our
wholesale customers purchase the energy from us and
deliver it to their end-use customers. Together, we
work to optimize resources and provide a reliable and
affordable electricity mix, while keeping an eye on the
environment.
That’s why every five years the District conducts
a comprehensive assessment that looks at our plan
for future energy resource decisions over the next
20 years. Fundamental to determining any long-term
resource issue, the District must first ask, ‘How does
the specific resource best fit into NPPD’s energy
supply mix, and how do we best operate our facilities
for the future?’
Consistent and varied assumptions are used to
evaluate a broad range of resource alternatives,
including power supplies and improvements to the
efficient use of electricity. Customer and public
comment is also considered in completing the final
plan.

Other considerations are that electricity must
be used at the time it is generated, and all of these
facilities require transmission and distribution lines to
carry energy to the end-use customer, adding another
layer of complexity. Yet, collectively, these are
reasons why a well-rounded, diverse energy mix of
all fuel types such as coal, nuclear, natural gas, wind,
solar and hydro is considered a model strategy from
both a financial and operational perspective.
When properly applied as part of an integrated
portfolio, all generation technologies play useful roles
that capitalize on their strengths. Nebraska’s electric
utilities must work together to get the right mix of
resources, which means making smart investments to
bring customers the best product and service possible.
It’s just like your home or car. As an item ages or
breaks, you have to make a decision to fix it, upgrade
it or replace it. These are essentially the same types
of questions NPPD faces in regard to our generation
assets.
Nebraska’s Energy Future
Looking toward the future, there is a lot to
consider. Some believe NPPD should update
existing coal-fired power plants while others propose
investment in renewable energy. As a public-owned
utility, we are primarily concerned with making
choices that benefit our customers.
This can be challenging, particularly since there are
several different ways to produce electricity and each
has trade-offs. There is no silver bullet that solves all
of the issues and uncertainties in the energy landscape.
Renewable technologies such as solar and wind use
‘free’ fuel and don’t produce greenhouse gases, but
are not always available when needed and require
significant amounts of land and capital.
Technologies such as coal and nuclear produce
electricity in large quantities reliably around the clock,
but result in greenhouse gases (in the case of coal) and
long-term waste disposal considerations (in the case of
nuclear). Natural gas resources produce fewer carbon
emissions than coal, but have a history of dramatic
price fluctuations.
We want to keep electric rates as low as possible,
and we know a balanced resource mix helps achieve
this. NPPD and its wholesale customers are also
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
committed to planning for tomorrow, and moving
toward a more sustainable energy environment.
That’s one reason NPPD has already started to
evaluate new technologies and develop sustainable
energy options that make sense in the long term. For
example, NPPD recently announced it is looking into
a compressed air energy technology, a Nebraska-based
generating resource, presently used in only two other
places in the world.
The District also continues to consider what
role coal plants play in tomorrow’s energy mix. As
its largest fuel source, NPPD has made significant
investments in equipment to reduce emissions from
these important resources over the years. While more
investment may be needed in the future, the cost,
requirements, and benefits to customers are always
considered before dollars are spent.
Recently, various entities and individuals are
claiming NPPD has decided to spend $1.5 billion
to retrofit its coal-fired facilities. In reality, the $1.5
billion figure represents the possibility of a potential,
estimated investment should we be faced with more
stringent regulations in the future. NPPD’s Board of
Directors has not authorized spending this amount of
money at this time, and would only do so if it was in
the best interest of our customers.
As NPPD monitors and evaluates future regulation
and resource options, it is important to recognize
where Nebraska’s public power utilities are today and
acknowledge the progress made over past decades.
We know Nebraskans have a vital interest in the
future of their electric power infrastructure and we
are not standing idly by. NPPD’s obligation to serve
customers comes with the commitment to not only
protect the environment, but also to provide the best
value for customers.
This value and various options will be the focus
of employee, customer and public meetings and
discussions this year as NPPD makes more updates to
its long-term energy supply plan.
In the end, the outcome of these types of studies
needs to translate into stable and predictable electric
rates for our customers. By looking at the best
solutions for our power stations, we not only ensure
system stability but also make sure our customers are
getting the best deal possible balanced by a focus on
reliability and the environment.
5

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ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Thieves often leave behind a
trail of evidence, whether
they know it or not. Great
technological advances
have made it easier to bring
to justice those who commit
crimes against the District.
Across the nation, copper
theft is a growing problem thanks
to high metal prices and hard
economic times. Increased theft
is affecting utilities, including
NPPD.
“We saw a significant increase
in thefts in 2011, having 19
reported incidents compared
to seven in 2010 and five in
This substation near
Scottsbluff, Neb.
was vandalized twice
within two weeks in
May 2011. The two
subjects portrayed
in these photos were
prosecuted and sentenced
in Scottsbluff County in
the separate incidents.
2009,” reported Physical Security
Specialist Don Thorson. “Several
of the 2011 incidents involved
removing copper grounds from
numerous poles and structures over
several miles at a time.”
Thorson recalled a 2011 incident
in the Scottsbluff area where
approximately 500 subtransmission
poles (owned by both NPPD and
the local REA) were stripped of
their copper grounds. “The thieves
were persistent,” said Thorson.
“The REA had started to replace
the copper grounds only to have
them cut off again.”
Copper is used in the electric
industry to deliver electricity to
homes and businesses and is also
used in the grounding system
to protect the public and utility
workers. Stealing copper or other
metals from substations or other
electric facilities is a crime with
serious consequences.
“Copper theft is a safety issue,
potentially causing grave harm
to the thieves, members of the
public and electrical workers,”
said Thorson. “Also copper thefts
can cause power outages that can
be inconvenient for customers and
costly to business.”

Taking a bite out of crime
NPPD is using technology to help take a bite out
of crime. Over the last several years, the District
invested in several solutions to deter copper thefts.
Closed-circuit television, alarm systems, surveillance
operations, tracking devices, and guard services are
just some of the tools NPPD uses.
“Technology keeps getting better all the time,”
said Thorson. “These devices are helping catch the
thieves by alerting NPPD to their presence, recording
their actions and tracking their whereabouts so that
law enforcement can apprehend them.”
The proactive measures the District is taking are
bringing results. Seven individuals were arrested in
2011 for stealing copper from NPPD.
Call it in
Public awareness and reporting is one of the
District’s best weapons in fighting crime. NPPD
urges anyone who sees suspicious persons or vehicles
at any electric substations, near transmission lines or
distribution poles to contact local law enforcement
or call 1-877-ASK-NPPD or 1-877-275-6773 with a
description of the individuals and vehicles involved.
It’s important to get a vehicle license plate number if
possible.
“The public has played an important role in
helping the District combat crime in the past,” said
Thorson. “We receive information about people
taking suspicious copper to scrap dealers and open
gates or suspicious vehicles at substations around the
state.”
NPPD also arms its employees with information
to help in the fight against crime. Annual computer
based training reminding employees to be diligent
in their daily observations of the state’s electrical
infrastructure is required of most employees.
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Changing legislation
Recognizing the risks of metal thefts to the
uninterrupted generation and transmission of
electricity, the significant cost to repair electric
infrastructure, and the potential safety risk to
public power employees and the public in general,
the Nebraska Legislature took action in 2008 and
passed LB 766. The bill required metal recyclers to
maintain a record of all regulated metal transactions,
including requiring a photo ID and fingerprint of the
seller. The recyclers are also required to share this
information with law enforcement upon request. In
2009, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 238 which
created the Public Power Infrastructure Protection
Act. The statute makes it a felony for any person to
damage or destroy any apparatus or facility used to
generate or distribute electricity by a public power
supplier, including stealing copper from public utility
infrastructure.
Currently being discussed in this legislative session
is a bill, LB 1049, that if passed would require metal
recyclers purchasing $150 or more of copper to issue
payment by check only and the check would be issued
by mail only.
“The electric utilities support additional curbs
on scrap metal sales due to the continuing theft of
these metals, but believe a lower threshold than $150
should be established for requiring mailing checks,”
said Lincoln Legislative Analyst Shirley Higgins.
“The electric utilities’ preference is for all sales to
be paid for by check and include a three-day hold on
the checks before being issued. The Nebraska Power
Association testified in a neutral capacity on the bill
as the industry believes extra requirements are a
good step, but do not believe the bill will be effective
in preventing copper theft.” NPPD representatives
continue to monitor this bill.
7

8
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Take five minutes and read
what Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer Traci Bender
listed as five of her favorite
things and why.
Family My greatest accomplishment of all is
my marriage and our two sons. I married a man that
is the opposite of me in so many ways. Jack is funny
and outgoing, has many friends and lives every day
as if it is his last. On the other hand, I am serious, shy
and worry about all of the “what ifs” in life. Family
is definitely first on my list of favorite
things.
Traci’s family. From left, son, Ethan; daughter-in-law, Samantha;
son, Adam; Jack and Traci. Taken in Deadwood, S.D. last summer.
Dogs When our youngest son left three-anda-half
years ago for college, I really had second
thoughts as if we should have had a larger family.
Thankfully, our three dogs have helped keep us
entertained. I remember former colleague Dick
Sansoni years ago talking about how important his
dog, Dolly, was to him. There were days he would
Traci’s faithful companions—Wimp, Gracie and Hank—
are all dressed up for Halloween.
be in tears talking about recent aches and pains she
might be experiencing. I remember thinking I
could never be one of those crazy dog loving
people. Guess what?
Lists For as long as I can remember I
have been making lists and crossing items
off as I complete them. For some reason
I get a sense of accomplishment and it
really helps bring order and peace to my
life.
Fishing My father taught me
to fish at a very young age. My parents
had three girls before my first brother
finally came along. When he was born,
my father—for the most part—quit
asking me to go fishing with him.
Then, while Jack and I were raising
our sons, we spent many weekends
camping and fishing especially

while I was living and working in Hartington, Neb.
However, most of the time, instead of holding a rod
myself, I was helping one of the boys. Last year Jack
and I decided to go to Canada on a fishing trip. I
spent eight hours a day, for a week, standing in a boat
catching Walleye, Northern and Lake trout. It was so
relaxing to me that we plan to go again this June
iPhone I do not count myself as a techy,
but I am in love with my 4S iPhone. I had a Droid
previously, but I find the Apple functionality so easy
to learn and use that it has become my fifth favorite
thing.
It might not be the biggest catch of the day
but Traci proudly displays a Walleye she
caught while fishing in Canada. This fish
got a reprieve and was let go.
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
NPPD has energy experts with
insights on topics such as...
...Public Power, Wind, Renewables,
Energy Careers, Rates, Strategic Planning
& Energy Efficiency to name just a few.
And now, with a click of a button
you can arrange through our speakers bureau
to have our experts speak to community
organizations, civic groups and schools within
our service area.
www.nppd.com
9

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ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Ronald Larsen
Ronald larsen named NppD Board chairman
At its January meeting,
NPPD’s Board of Directors
elected Ronald Larsen of Kearney
as its chairman for 2012. Also
elected were Gary Thompson of
Beatrice as first vice-chairman,
Edward Schrock of Elm Creek as
second vice-chairman, and Mary
Harding of Lincoln was re-elected
as secretary.
Larsen began his first term on
the NPPD Board of Directors in
2005 representing Buffalo and Kearney
counties that comprise Subdivision 3.
He served as the Board’s first vice-chairman in 2010
and 2011, and second vice-chairman in 2009.
A native of Kearney and a local businessman,
Larsen is a graduate of Kearney High School and the
University of Nebraska at Kearney (Kearney State
College). A former mayor of Kearney who served four
years, he also served on the City Council for 16 years,
the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, the UNK
Advisory Council, and was a founding member of the
Kearney Softball Association.
He has also served on the boards of Good Samaritan
Hospital, Buffalo County Economic Development
Council, the Great Platte River Archway, the Kearney
YMCA, and Sentinel Health of Kearney.
Nuclear Industry Responds to Japanese Nuclear Incident
Currently, U.S. electric companies have
emergency procedures in place to deal with
every possible natural event that may affect nuclear
energy facilities.
In 2011 alone, U.S. nuclear energy facilities were
put to the test by a tornado outbreak across the South
and Midwest, historic flooding in the Midwest, a 5.8
magnitude earthquake and a Category 3 hurricane on
the East Coast.
NPPD’s Cooper Nuclear Station safely withstood
months of high water in the Missouri River. Still, all
these plans and procedures are under scrutiny and may
require additional steps.
On March 11, the world will observe the one-year
anniversary of a devastating earthquake and tsunami
in Japan. Nature’s bad behavior on that day killed
thousands, virtually erased communities from the
map, badly damaged a nuclear powered electrical
generating facility and increased public focus on the
long-term safety of nuclear power.
Reacting to the accident at the Fukushima
nuclear plant, the U.S. nuclear industry presented
regulators with a streamlined package of voluntary
safety improvements that could be put into effect
quickly.
The improvements build on those instituted
after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when
the nuclear industry brought in portable generators,
water pumps, hoses and batteries that could be
useful in keeping water flowing to a reactor or a
spent fuel pool in an emergency.
The industry’s proposal is essentially a tool kit
for an unknown emergency. Adopting it would take
less time than trying to predict the likelihood of
an emergency. All response and safety equipment
would be for events that are “beyond design basis,”
or historically unprecedented conditions outside the
envelope for which a plant was designed.

The Southwest Power Pool is a Regional
Transmission Organization responsible for
ensuring adequate transmission infrastructure in a
nine-state region, which includes Nebraska. Since
joining SPP in April 2009, NPPD has received several
benefits. In SPP, all members work together to plan
future transmission additions from both a reliability
and economic basis and then share these costs and
benefits across the entire SPP footprint. To date,
NPPD has benefitted from cost sharing of two major
constructions projects, with more planned.
The SPP Board of Directors recently approved
several transmission projects across its footprint,
with some slated to enhance reliability and relieve
congestion on NPPD’s electrical grid system.
NPPD’s near term projects which will address
reliability include:
• an 18 MVAR Capacitor Bank at the Holdrege substation
115 kV Bus with an in-service date of June 2014 at an
estimated cost of $1 million.
• refurbishing the 115 kV line from Albion to Genoa and
associated equipment with an in-service date of June
2014 at a cost of approximately $1 million.
• a 230 kV line from Stegall 230 kV substation to Stegall
345 kV substation (approximately 3 miles) with an inservice
date of June 2015 at an estimated cost of $5.2
million. This project will require approval of Basin and
WAPA since they own the substations.
10-year Integrated Transmission
plan (ITp10)
As part of a broader plan of projects, the SPP
Board approved a 10-year Integrated Transmission
Plan (ITP10) that includes two new transmission line
segments in Nebraska.
The first segment is 76 miles from Gerald
Gentleman Station to a Cherry County substation,
then 146 miles east to a substation in Holt County
that will interconnect with the WAPA 345 kV line that
runs from Grand Island to Fort Thompson. NPPD
will need to work with WAPA for approval of the
interconnection.
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Transmission Projects to Aid in
Reliability, Congestion Relief
The second segment will run from NPPD’s
Hoskins substation near Norfolk to a new substation at
Neligh, covering approximately 50 miles. The ITP10
plan calls for in-service dates of 2018 for the first
phase and 2019 for the second phase.
While identified in ITP10, SPP will give NPPD a
formal notice to construct before detailed planning
or construction can begin. Further approvals would
also come from NPPD’s Board of Directors and the
Nebraska Power Review Board. Once NPPD receives
notification to proceed from SPP, NPPD will begin an
extensive public involvement process to determine the
best route while minimizing impact to landowners.
NPPD’s transmission line siting and routing
process includes establishing study areas first,
followed by the development of study corridors and
alternative routes, before determining a final route.
Numerous public open houses are held along each
step of the process, allowing utilities to interact with
various stakeholders and gather information in order
to determine a route that will minimize the impact
to landowners. This effort also includes significant
environmental reviews with various environmental
and wildlife agencies and working with local
governments.
Transmission project Benefits
“The proposed transmission line would enhance
the reliability of the electric grid by providing an
additional parallel path for west-east power flows.
The line will relieve congestion, increase transfer
capability of the transmission system, and allow
for the interconnection of further wind-power
development in the state,” said Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer Tom Kent.
The estimated cost of all the project work is
approximately $380 million, although Nebraska
ratepayers would not be obligated for the total cost of
the project. SPP uses a cost-sharing methodology for
the construction of transmission lines in its region,
with NPPD’s share being approximately 7 percent. At
the same time, Nebraska transmission-owning utilities
share in the cost of construction projects in other
states within SPP’s regional boundaries.
For more information on the plans, go to www.spp.org.
11

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ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
lincoln / Carol Johnson, Administrative Assistant /
cjjohns@nppd.com
Inventory Control
Manager Bill Belgum
earned the status of
Certified Professional in
Supply Management from
the Institute of Supply
Management. Individuals
earning this designation
are required to pass three
examinations, hold a
Bill Belgum
Bachelor’s degree and have
participated in applicable work experience.
from around the state
Friends of Bobbie Morford display Bobbie’s famous “thumbs up” signal as
they present a $600 check to the Madonna Foundation. Pictured from left
front, Shirley Higgins, Carol Johnson, Bobbie’s husband Jerry Morford,
Dr. Susan Fager and John O’Connor. Back, Donny Anderson, Maranda
Pankoke, Suzanne Sughroue, Bill Kosch, Bill Belgum and Carl Ewing.
The Lincoln Government Affairs office participated
in two fund-raisers to raise money for ALS patients
in honor of the late Bobbie Morford, Lincoln
administrative assistant who passed away from the
disease in November. The group volunteered to clean
the stands after a Lincoln Stars hockey game and also
worked at the Husker Balloon Room making ‘Big Red
Balloons’ before a Husker game. Additional dollars
were raised through private donations. The group
donated $600 to the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital
in Lincoln to help other ALS patients.
Norfolk / Erin Miller, Customer Contact Specialist /
esmille@nppd.com
The Norfolk Area
employees collected
$805 plus a bag
including food and a
toy to be given to the
Wesley Crisis Center
in Norfolk. Each year
the employees donate
to a charity in lieu of
supervisor gifts at the
holidays. The Wesley
Crisis Center is a
nonprofit organization
offering emergency
shelter for children
ages 0-14 who have
Customer Contact Specialist Judy
been involved in a crisis
Mischke (left) presents donations to
situation such as abuse, Wesley Center Director Tracey Olson.
neglect or parental drug
use. Their mission is to provide 24-hour emergency
care to children who are unable to live in their homes.
columbus / Kathy Fadschild, Community Relations
Coordinator / klfadsc@nppd.com
Ryan Fehr
Amy Price
Ryan Fehr, son of Resource Planning & Risk
Manager Jim and Mary Fehr, and Amy Price,
daughter of Part-Time Sr. Accounting Analyst Joan
and Sr. Systems Analyst John Price, were named
NSAA Academic All-State award winners for the fall
season. Ryan received the award for tennis and Amy
for golf. Ryan is a senior and Amy is a sophomore at
Scotus Central Catholic High School.

cooper Nuclear Station / Drew Niehaus,
Nuclear Communications Coordinator / apnieha@nppd.com
A member of the international
honor society for business
students—Beta Gamma
Sigma—Dan Buman received
the Distinguished Executive
MBA Student Award. The
award honors the individual
in each graduating class who
demonstrates the highest
combination of academic and
Dan Buman professional achievement,
commitment to serving the
community and contribution to the success of the
Executive MBA class. Executive faculty vote on the
award. Dan is the director of engineering at Cooper.
on the
Jose Aldana, security coordinator (temporary
assignment), Cooper Nuclear Station, to security
coordinator.
Julie Anderson, nuclear support specialist, CNS, to
training applications specialist.
Jeffrey Bratrsovsky, mechanical maintenance
supervisor (temporary assignment), CNS, to
mechanical maintenance supervisor.
Zac Bryant, journey line technician, Scottsbluff, to
senior line technician.
Timothy Chard, assistant training manager, CNS, to
quality assurance manager.
Nathan Dahlin, drafter, Columbus, to operator
(relief), Kearney.
Joseph Dixon, outage supervisor, CNS, to planning
superintendent.
Craig Ehrenberg, engineer, CNS, to procurement
specialist, Columbus.
Shawna Henry, administrative assistant, CNS, to
licensing specialist.
Sarah Hopwood, procurement coordinator,
Columbus, to procurement specialist.
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Mccook / Helen Hinz, Customer Services Support Specialist /
hahinz@nppd.com
Kathy Eaton
Senior Customer Services
Support Specialist Kathy
Eaton was awarded the
McCook Chamber of
Commerce Cordial of
the Year. She has been a
member of the cordials
for nine years, and has
served in the capacity of
secretary/treasurer and
president.
Carl Hurd, systems analyst, Kearney, to senior
systems analyst.
Matt Krings, journey substation technician, Kearney,
to senior substation technician.
Warren Madison, senior line technician, Scottsbluff,
to journey line technician.
Mike Maness, control room supervisor, CNS, to
nuclear instructor.
Geri Mitchell, financial analyst, Columbus, to senior
financial analyst.
Jennifer Ogan-Heesacker, administrative assistant,
Columbus, to human resources assistant.
Anthony Osborn, technical analyst, Kearney, to
systems analyst.
Kip Reeves, radiological protection technician, CNS,
to emergency preparedness onsite coordinator.
Steven Woerth, cycle coordinator, CNS, to planning,
scheduling and outage information systems specialist.
Scott Zwick, procurement specialist, Columbus, to
procurement supervisor.
13

14
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
M A R C H
of events
8-9 NPPD Board Meeting
Columbus
22 Rate Review Committee
Power Resources Advisory Board
Customer Meeting
Grand Island Interstate Quality Inn
2012
Volunteers Needed for
Power Drive Events!
The Power Drive Program is an
educational effort that challenges high
school students to design and build oneperson
electric vehicles during the school
year. In the spring, these teams of students
compete with one another at organized
rallies in areas such as vehicle
braking, maneuverability and
endurance.
a p R I l
M A Y
6 Good Friday Holiday
12-13 NPPD Board Meeting
Columbus
10-11 NPPD Board Meeting
Columbus
28 Memorial Day Holiday
31-
June 1 Annual Customer Meeting
Kearney
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, April 7
Cuming County Open
Cuming County Fairgrounds / West Washington
Street / West Point
Friday, April 13
Alternate Fuel Odyssey
Ag Park / Columbus
Saturday, April 14
Wayne Spring Rally
First National Center / Wayne
Saturday, April 21
Big Red Invitational
University of Nebraska East Campus /
Tractor Testing Lab / Lincoln
Saturday, April 28
Hastings Power Drive
Motorsports Park / East Highway 6 / Hastings
Saturday, May 5
Power Drive Championships
Werner Park / 12356 Ballpark Way / Papillion
If you would like to help with a Power Drive event, please
contact Diana Luscher at 308-236-2230 or 308-627-6738.

C U S T O M E R N E W S
Bob Heinz wins
national honor
Electric Light and
Power magazine
named Dawson Public
Power District CEO Bob
Heinz as the CEO of the
year for utilities with fewer
than 400,000 customers.
Dawson PPD has about
23,000 customers in south
central Nebraska.
Bob is a strong supporter
Bob Heinz
of economic development and spends a great deal of
time out in the service territory promoting the use of
new technologies for efficient utility operations and
helping customers understand the importance of water
for agriculture and the economic impact of irrigation.
Dawson PPD is an NPPD wholesale customer.
Neal Niedfeldt named
Southern PD CEO
The Southern Power
District Board of
Directors named Neal
Niedfeldt as the utility’s
CEO, effective March 1. He
replaces Gary Hedman who
retired Feb. 29
A graduate of the
University of Nebraska -
Lincoln, Neal began his
career as a certified public
Neal Niedfeldt
accountant with KPMG Peat Marwick in 1979. In
1983, he accepted the position of director of finance
with Norris Public Power District. He was promoted
to assistant general manager of finance for the utility
in 1987. In 2008, he accepted the position of Beatrice
city administrator, serving as the general manager of
the Beatrice Board of Public Works, as well.
Southern PD is an NPPD wholesale customer. The
utility serves more than 26,000 customers in south
central Nebraska.
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Line Technician Training
If you are interested in any of the following training
sessions, please contact Joe Sunday at 402.641.2132
or Nick Ayers at 308.627.7226. Registration will be
handled on a first come, first serve basis.
MARCH
Transformer Theory
March 13-15 at York
8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
cost - $375
Meter Theory
March 27-28 at York
8:30 a.m.- Noon
cost - $275
APRIL
Personal Protective Grounding School
April 11 at York
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
cost - $225
JULY
Underground Residential Distribution
July 17-19 at York
or
July 24-26 at York
8:30 a.m. – Noon
cost - $500
AUGUST
Underground Residential Distribution
Aug. 14-16 at York
8:30 a.m. – Noon
cost - $500
SEPTEMBER
Personal Protective Grounding School
Sept. 4 at York
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
cost - $225
OCTOBER
Meter Theory
Oct. 17-18 at York
8:30 a.m. - Noon
cost - $275
DECEMBER
Transformer Theory
Dec. 11-13 at York
8:30 a.m. - Noon
cost - $375
15

16
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Duke Walz recognized at
Eagle Scout ceremony
R E T I R E E N E W S
In 1944, Richard “Duke”
Walz was scheduled to receive
his Eagle Scout award. Instead, he
skipped off to war. Duke’s mother,
Marie, received the award in his
absence.
Duke never gave the award much
thought after that, and was surprised
recently when he was honored
with an Eagle Scout Award during
a Court of Honor for Troop 208 in
Coleridge, which includes scouts
from Hartington, Randolph, Laurel
and Coleridge.
“It meant a lot to be an Eagle
NPPD former leaders
honored at Chamber event
Duke Walz was
honored at an Eagle
Scout ceremony
67 years after he
initially earned his
Eagle Scout status. then, and it still does,” Duke said.
Courtesy photo. Duke also received an American
flag that had flown over the U.S.
Capitol with his name on it.
Duke retired from NPPD in 1988 as a district office
supervisor in Hartington. He is the father of York
District Superintendent - Transmission Scott Walz.
From left: Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, Carol Draper,
daughter of D.W. Hill; Mark Becker, grandson of Ray
Schacht; Don Schaufelberger; Kay Kunhart, daughter of
D.W. Hill. Courtesy photo.
ecently inducted into the Columbus Area
RBusiness Hall of Fame were: R.L. Schacht,
Durwood “Woody” Hill and Don Schaufelberger.
The trio of energy leaders provided foresight and
leadership through and beyond public power’s
formative years in Nebraska.
Ray Schacht
Ray Schacht worked for Columbus-based
RETIREES
Consumers Public Power District for 23 years, serving
as General Manager from 1949 to 1964. Consumers
Columbus Energizers will meet March 15
and April 19 at 8:15 a.m. at Stack ‘N Steak.
Paul Badje, (402) 564-8863, tailor@neb.rr.com
was the fore-runner to NPPD. While leading
Consumers, Ray promoted and brought to reality the
world’s first full-scale sodium graphite nuclear reactor
used to produce electricity, at the Hallam Nuclear
Klassy Kilowatts will meet March 19 and
Power Facility. Ray passed away in 1975.
April 16 at 12:30 p.m. CST at the North Platte Airport. Woody Hill
Tom Pendleton, (308) 532-5040, tmpen@hamilton.net Woody Hill was named head of Consumers in
1964. He led Consumers through a merger in 1970
low Voltage panhandlers will meet April to form NPPD. Woody was instrumental in the
17 at 9 a.m. at the Perkins Restaurant.
construction of Cooper Nuclear Station, Gerald
Don Koralewski, (308) 783-1851
Gentleman Station and much of the state’s generation
donaldkoralewski340@gmail.com
system. Woody passed away in 2005.
NPPD Antiques will meet March 5 and April 2
at 8:30 a.m. at Country Cooking in Beatrice.
Dot Cornelius, (402) 228-0494
Don Schaufelberger
Don Schaufelberger came to Columbus in 1964 as
Operations Director for NPPD. He became general
manager in 1982. During his tenure, NPPD added the
two-story north wing to the Columbus offices.
All other clubs have no
meetings scheduled.

NEFCU Awarding
$15,000 in Scholarships
Nebraska Energy Federal Credit
Union will award 15, $1,000
scholarships for the 2012/2013
academic year.
Scholarships are available to members who plan to attend
an accredited university, college,
junior college, vocational or business school.
Applications are available to high school
graduates as well as continuing
education students. All previous
recipients of a NEFCU
scholarship are ineligible for
further NEFCU scholarships.
Forms are available at
the credit union
and online at
www.ne-fcu.org.
All applications
must be received
by the credit
union NO LATER
THAN March 15,
2012.
Rocky Mountain
Electrical League
Accepting Scholarship
Applications
The Rocky Mountain Electrical League Foundation
is accepting applications for its 2012 education
scholarships. The RMEL Foundation annually offers
scholarship opportunities to deserving and qualified
students for the purpose of encouraging young people
to pursue careers in engineering, business, information
systems, plant, line or distribution technology, line
worker or other curriculum related to the electric
energy industry.
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Graduation
PHOTOS NEEDED
Photos are now being accepted for the May/June
graduation issue. If you are an NPPD employee and you or
your child will earn a degree or diploma this year, please
send a photo to your local reporter or to Kathy Fadschild
in Columbus by March 26.
Please include the following information
on the back of the photo:
● Student’s Name
● School Graduating from
● Son/Daughter of
● Parent name
● Parent title
Digital photos must be in “jpg”
or “tif” format.
Due to space limitations,
photos will not be
accepted of spouses,
grandchildren, or
graduates of junior high
school or grade school.
All applicants must be a high school senior, high school
graduate or college undergraduate enrolled in and
pursuing an undergraduate or associate degree, or an
electric utility position certificate at a college with the
intent to enter the electric energy industry.
Scholarship applications are due March 9
and can be downloaded from the RMEL
Foundation website at www.rmel.org. Also
required in the application process is a
short essay of goals and aspirations.
Recipients are chosen by the RMEL Foundation selection
committee based on goals and aspiration in the electric
energy industry, motivation to succeed, service to
community and school, and academic ability.
17

18
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
We will
remember
Doug Wendt, Scottsbluff senior line technician, on
the death of his mother-in-law, Charlotte Johnston
Amber Meyer, North Platte administrative assistant,
on the death of her mother, Joan Tefft
John Damet, Cooper Nuclear Station engineer, on the
death of his daughter, Alicia Diane Damet
Wayne Shandy, CNS receipt inspector, on the death
of his father, Walter
Sue Donoghue, Columbus custodian, on the death of
her father, Martin Jareske
Matt Wilsey, Columbus custodian, on the death of his
grandfather, George Bluma
Mary Hillen, Columbus office services process
assistant, on the death of her father-in-law, Lester
Kim DeBuhr, Cooper computer technician, on the
death of her husband, Rick
Brian Stander, Cooper control room supervisor, on
the death of his grandmother, Jacqueline Hanover
Paul Tetrick, Cooper work control manager, on the
death of his mother, Mary
our sympathies go out to the following families
Columbus Engineering Specialist Darrell Spulak and
Columbus Administrative Assistant Susie Spulak on
the death of his father and her father-in-law, Rey
Sondra Sedlacek, Columbus project analyst, on the
death of her mother-in-law, Adeline
Jerry Brown, Beatrice asset management specialist,
on the death of his mother, Emajo
Steve Howard, Cooper security officer, on the death
of his step-father, Ron DeVorss
Jack Martin, Ainsworth renewable energy technician,
on the death of his father-in-law, Marvin Lewis
Evelyn Rhoads, Cooper radiological protection
technician, on the death of her mother, Aneta Bitting
Scotty Andreasen, Columbus engineering specialist,
on the death of his father, Doyle
Terry Sutton, Columbus engineering specialist, on
the death of his mother-in-law, Mary Frances Jensen
Sharon Ketelsen, CNS administrative assistant, on
the death of her mother, Lillian Landis
Sue Ligenza, Columbus custodian, on the death of her
mother, Kathleen Schrage

Fred Humm
Retired CNS Security Officer
Fred Humm, 67, of rural Auburn
passed away Dec. 17 at his
home. Fred joined the District
in 1998 and retired in 2009. He
is survived by his wife, Connie;
sons, Shawn and David (Kayla);
daughter, Holly (Ken) Riley; six
grandchildren; brothers, Robert
(June), John, Charles and James;
sisters, Katherine (Monte) Cox,
Margie (Larry) Cook, Mary
(Leon) Wenz, and Patty (Francis)
Simmonds; brother-in-law,
Myron Whitten; and many nieces,
nephews, other relatives and
friends
Retired Orchard Local Manager
Larry Mattern, 74, of Orchard
passed away Jan. 8 at Sunrise
Hospital in Las Vegas following
a 10-year
battle with
cancer.
Larry
began his
utility
career in
1958 as a
lineman
on the
Norfolk Larry Mattern
Construction
Crew. He retired in 1996. He
is survived by his wife, Mona;
sons, Greg (Shari), Steve (Cindy),
and Kevin (Loretta); daughters,
Kimberly (Dave) Peterson and
Terra (Mike) Moore; mother, Ilene
Mattern; sister, Suzanne (Terry)
Young; brothers, Bob (Sheila),
Tom (Darlene) and Rodger
(Sharon); brothers-in-law, Randy
(Pam) Grosse and LeRoy (Linda)
Henry; sister-in-law, Jan Grosse;
15 grandchildren, 12 greatgrandchildren
and many nieces
and nephews.
Retired
Norfolk
Operations
Foreman
Lavern
Steiner,
88, of
Norfolk
passed
away
Jan. 19.
Lavern Steiner
ENERGY INSIGHT • MaRcH / apRIl 2012
Lavern began his utility career
in 1950 as a groundsman on the
Kearney Construction Crew. He
retired in 1987. He is survived
by daughters, Colleen (Charles)
Taylor, Cheryl (Terry) Ralston and
Lynn (Robert) Baker; son, Kent
(Chris); five grandchildren and
two great-grandchildren; brothers,
Joe (Mary Ann) and Dennis
(Betty); sisters, Patty Steiner,
Agnes Steiner, Judy Steiner, Rose
Wahlgren, Bernadette Sueper and
Mary (Gene) Bierman.
Retired
Spencer
Hydro
Operator
Lloyd
Claassen,
81, of
Spencer,
passed
away
Jan. 26 at
Butte Health Lloyd Claassen
Care Center.
Lloyd joined the District in 1971
as a maintenance man at Spencer.
He retired in 1991. Lloyd is
survived by daughters, Connie
(Jay) Seger and Julie (Marvin)
Reiser; brothers, Dean and Gary;
sisters, Betty and Dr. Shirley;
brother-in-law, Ronald Schumann;
sister-in-law, Sharron Lukens; six
grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.
19

P.O. Box 499
Columbus, NE 68602-0499
Address Service Requested
NPPD 7.5x5 March 2012 INSIGHT Ad
WE PUT IT
ON THE LINE
Rain or shine, public power employees work hard for their
friends, relatives and neighbors who — like them — are
owners of their local utility. That’s the strength of Nebraska’s
“public” power system.
Scan to learn
more about
the benefits of
public power.
nppd.com 877-275-6773 (ASK-NPPD)
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