Winter 2019 Generator

GENERA OR
a publication of Loup Power District WINTER 2019
SOLAR
in SCHUYLER
— page 8

BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Larry Zach
Chairman
Chris Langemeier
First Vice Chairman
Ross Knott
Second Vice Chairman
Alan Drozd
Secretary
Dick Tooley
Treasurer
Rich Aerni
Robert Cerv
Jim Donoghue
Mike Fleming
Steve Heesacker
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Neal Suess
President/ CEO
Walt Williams
Vice President,
Administrative Services/CFO
David Bell
Vice President,
Development/Marketing
Ron Ziola
Vice President, Engineering
Dan Hellbusch
Vice President, Operations
The
The
difference
difference
a
a
bulb
bulb
makes
makes
Just how much difference does choosing a
Just how much difference does choosing a
different kind of light bulb make on how much
different kind of light bulb make on how much
you spend on energy? Here’s a quick
you spend on energy? Here’s a quick
comparison of key stats about incandescent,
comparison of key stats about incandescent,
compact fluorescent (CFL), and light-emitting
compact fluorescent (CFL), and light-emitting
diode (LED) bulbs.
diode (LED) bulbs.
The difference a bulb makes
Just how much difference does choosing a different kind of
light bulb make on how much you spend on energy? Here’s a
quick comparison of key stats about incandescent, compact
fluorescent (CFL), and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
INCANDESCENT CFL LED
Brightness 800 lumens 840 lumens 840 lumens
Energy used 60 watts 13 watts 9 watts
Cost per bulb* $1.49 $2.49 $1.37
Yearly energy $7.55 $1.64 $1.13
cost**
Estimated 1.8 years 11 years 13 years
lifespan (2,000 hours) (12,000 hours) (15,000 hours)
Total cost $83.78 $18.89 $12.67
over 10 years
*Prices quoted all come from the same large retailer
for comparably sized and style bulbs
**Assumes use of 3 hrs/day at average public power
bundled rate of 11.5 cents/kwh
*Prices quoted all come from the same large retailer for comparably sized and style bulbs
**Assumes use of 3 hrs/day at average public power bundled rate of 11.5 cents/kwh
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
Considering the average
home uses about 40
bulbs, the difference for
one home over 10 years is
more than $2,800 in cost
savings, and more than
22,000 kilowatt hours in
energy savings.
Considering the average
Considering the average
home uses about 40
home uses about 40
bulbs, the difference for
bulbs, the difference for
one home over 10 years is
one home over 10 years is
more than $2,800 in cost
more than $2,800 in cost
savings, and more than
22,000
savings,
kilowatt
and more
hours
than
in
22,000
energy
kilowatt
savings.
hours in
energy savings.
2 GENERATOR

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Board of Directors changes for 2019
As a result of the election in November,
the District will see a change in the Board
of Directors, although not as dramatic of a
change as we saw in the 2016 elections.
There was also change in the local,
statewide and national elections, although,
similar to the elections for the District’s
Board of Directors, not as much change as
was seen during the 2016 election cycle.
This change is what makes life
fascinating and what creates challenges
and opportunities for all who work in an
environment that is driven by such change.
First of all, two existing directors
— Director Mike Fleming of Columbus
and Director Robert Cerv of Clarkson —
both ran unopposed and were elected to
continue to serve on the Board of Directors.
Director Cerv has been on the Board
since early 2005 and Director Fleming
has served on the Board since 2013. We
are excited to have both Director Cerv and
Director Fleming return to the Board of
Directors.
Loup Power District will have one new
Board member in 2019. I would like to
welcome Mr. Steve Heesacker of Humphrey
to the Board as the newest Director to serve
the District.
Mr. Heesacker and his wife Monica
have two sons, Bryce and Holden, and live
outside of Humphrey. Mr. Heesacker owns
Heesacker Realty and Auction Company in
Humphrey. Mr. Heesacker is well known
throughout the Humphrey area and we look
forward to having him serve on the Board.
Loup Power District will be saying
goodbye to its current longest-tenured
Board member — Director Francis Sand of
Humphrey. Director Sand decided not to
rerun for the Board of Directors position in
2018.
Director Sand served on the Board from
1977 through 1982 and again from 1984
through the present.
Director Sand served as the Board
Chairman on five separate occasions in
1981, 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2014.
Director Sand was always a great
supporter of management and the
employees of the District and was very
mindful of the effect that decisions of
the Board had on his constituency from
Humphrey.
When I was thinking about applying
for the position of President/CEO of Loup
Power District, Director Sand encouraged
me to throw my name in the hat. I
have also been grateful to him for that
encouragement.
In addition, Director Sand and his
wife, Lucille, loved to travel to the
American Public Power Association annual
conference, located in different cities each
year, and he was very knowledgeable about
the ongoing changes in the electric utility
industry.
Director Sand has always been a
tremendous supporter of the District and of
public power.
We wish Francis and Lucille the very
best and look forward to seeing them in the
community as part of our everyday lives.
We here at the District look forward
to these changes and working with our
newest Board member. Please take time to
congratulate Director Heesacker on his new
position on the Board and to thank Director
Sand for his dedication and service to the
Board.
by NEAL SUESS
President/CEO
FRANCIS SAND
MIKE FLEMING
ROBERT CERV
STEVE HEESACKER
Retired
Re-elected
Re-elected
Newly Elected
1977–1982, 1984–2018
Through 2025
Through 2025
Through 2025
WINTER 2019 3

are you
Check out these energy-saving incentives!
NEW!
Smart Thermostat Program
According to a Nebraska energy burden study,
the average Nebraska household spends
more than $2,400 on the energy needed to
run their home. What if you could reduce your
heating and cooling needs by up to ten percent
while helping to automate your home?
If you have a home Wi-Fi connection and a central
air-conditioning or heat pump system, you may
qualify for an EnergyWise SM incentive of up to $100 for
installing a qualifying smart thermostat.
Smart thermostat technology is most beneficial for households that have
extended periods during the day when no one is home or turn their
thermostat down during bedtime hours. It is also a great option for homes
that have irregular occupancy through the week, month or year.
SYSTEM TYPE
INCENTIVE
Primarily Electric Heat (Professionally Installed) $100
Primarily Electric Heat (Customer Installed) $75
Primarily Fossil-Fuel Heat (Professionally Installed) $50
Primarily Fossil-Fuel Heat (Customer Installed) $25
Attic Insulation
Residential customers who have 6” or less
of attic insulation and have electric heating
systems are eligible for an incentive of 15¢
per square foot if they add at least 6”, or an
additional R-19, of insulation to their attic
space.
The maximum incentive amount is $300
per dwelling.
Variable Frequency
Drives
Commercial and industrial customers can
receive an incentive for installing variable
frequency drives (VFDs) on centrifugal fans
and pumps.
The incentive is $30 per horsepower for
VFDs from 1 to 200 horsepower, operating
a minimum of 2,000 hours annually.
Agricultural Efficiency
Customers can receive reimbursement for
installing electric heating mats in their hog
farrowing operations. Incentives range from
$40 to $80 per mat.
Irrigation Efficiency
Customers can receive
reimbursement for a system
efficiency test of the variable
frequency drive on corner pivot systems,
and for improvements leading to demand
reductions.
Eligible projects include pressure
regulator replacement, pump
refurbishment and more.
4 GENERATOR

High Efficiency Heat Pumps
Option 1: Direct incentive
SYSTEM TYPE CRITERIA INCENTIVE
Air Source Heat Pump
Air Source Heat Pump
15-15.9 SEER, 12.5 EER,
8.5 HSPF
16-17.9 SEER, 12.5 EER,
8.5 HSPF
$300
$600
Air Source Heat Pump 3 or more stages $600
Air Source Heat Pump 18+ SEER, 12.5 EER, 8.5 HSPF $900
Air Source Heat Pump Variable Capacity $900
Water or Ground Source
Heat Pump – 1 or 2 stages
Water or Ground Source
Heat Pump - variable
capacity
Option 2: Low Interest Loan Program
Any EER $1,800
35+ EER, 5.0+ COP in GLHP -
partial load column of AHRI
or Energy Star certificate
$2,500
Through a partnership with the Nebraska Energy Office and approximately 600
financial institutions throughout the state, you can finance your new heat pump
system at a low interest rate.
Customers cannot proceed with the installation until the Nebraska Energy Office
has processed the loan paperwork; this can take as many as 10 business days.
Homes built within the last five years are not eligible for the low interest loan (but
they are eligible for the incentive).
Electric Vehicle Charging
Station Program
Loup customers are eligible to receive
a $200 incentive for the installation of a
ChargePoint 32-amp Wi-Fi enabled station.
Other charging stations may be eligible
for incentives, but must pass pre-approval
criteria.
Cooling System Tune Up
Residential customers are eligible for a
$30 incentive (every 3 years) when they
have their cooling system tuned up by an
HVAC contractor.
Heat Pump Water Heater
SYSTEM TYPE CRITERIA INCENTIVE
Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater EF > 1.9 $300
Water or Ground Source
Heat Pump Water Heater
COP> 2.8 $500
HVAC System
Optimization
Incentives are provided to commercial
(and industrial) customers for improving
the efficiency of their existing heating,
cooling, and ventilating systems.
Prescriptive
and Custom Lighting
LED lighting incentives are provided for
commercial and industrial customers via a
prescriptive program (an incentive based
on a table for predetermined fixture or
lamp replacements) and a custom incentive
program for lighting systems not offered in
the prescriptive program.
Industrial Process Incentive
Incentives are provided to industrial customers for
improving the efficiency of their processes.
Commercial HVAC
Incentives are provided to commercial (and industrial)
customers for installing high-efficiency HVAC equipment
via a prescriptive program where the incentive is calculated
based on the specific efficiency improvement.
Additional program details are available at loup.com
or by calling Rick Cheloha at 402-562-5718.
WINTER 2019 5

Fleming receives Chamber’s 2018 Archway Award
Loup delivers
lease payments
Loup Power District Director Mike Fleming received the 2018 Archway Award from the
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented at the Chamber’s Columbus
Area Business Hall of Fame Banquet in November.
Fleming has owned and operated Mike’s Auto Sales and Towing since 1974. He has grown
the business over 44 years through hard work and innovation including the implementation of
online sales.
The business brings buyers to Columbus from across the United States, expanding Mike’s
Auto Sales’ footprint and creating local revenue.
In addition to sitting on Loup’s Board of Directors, Fleming has served his community as a
City Councilman and and in various roles related to area youth.
The Archway Award is awarded annually to the area’s outstanding businessman by Pinnacle
Bank.
Loup Power District officials
presented lease payment checks
totaling more than $1.1 million to
area communities in November.
The payments represent 10 percent
of the retail revenue generated
by the sale of electric power in
the communities during the third
quarter of 2018.
The payments were:
Columbus — $1,068,859.06
Genoa — $33,416.27
Creston — $5,319.51
Lindsay
— $41,483.20
Newman Grove — $19,974.50
These communities own their
electric distribution systems.
These payments compensate
them for the use of those systems.
Communities use the funds for a
variety of public projects.
LAUNDRY TIP:
Dry towels and
heavier cottons
separately from
lighter-weight
clothing. You’ll
spend less time
running the dryer
for lighter items
which saves energy.
Source: energy.gov
HELPER FUND
Share the warmth this winter
Many of us take a warm house for granted. Others face winter knowing they
can’t afford to heat their homes.
Loup Power District established the Heat Helper Fund with the goal of helping
people stay warm.
Loup customers can donate to the fund by adding a few dollars to their Loup
payment or by writing a check directly to Heat Helper Fund and sending it to
PO Box 164, Columbus, NE 68602-0164. A donation receptacle is also available
at Loup area offices.
Donations are tax deductible and are handled locally through Columbus
Emergency Relief, Inc. There are no administrative fees so 100 percent
of donations are used to pay electric heating bills for Loup Power District
customers in Boone, Colfax, Nance and Platte Counties and part of Madison
County.
Columbus Emergency Relief, Inc., is located at 3020 18th Street in Columbus
and provides emergency help with utility, housing, medical and transportation
needs. Call 402-564-4184 for more information.
6 GENERATOR

SWITCH TO LED LIGHTING
LED bulbs use 90% less electricity than
incandescents and up to 60% less
energy than fluorescents for the same
amount of light. Many fluorescent
lights will not even operate below 10°F.
In contrast, LEDs slightly increase their
light output the colder it gets.
tips for an energy-efficient
GARAGE
A typical two-car garage measures 480 square feet,
or about 20 percent of the size of the average U.S.
home. Yet, it is often the least insulated and sealed,
uses the least efficient lighting, and is home to
older appliances.
Consider a few of the following projects to keep
your energy use from going through the roof.
INSULATE THE WALLS
Many older homes (and even some newer
ones) were not built with insulation in the walls
of the garage. While most have outside siding,
sheathing and a layer of particle board to keep
elements out, these materials do little to retain
heat. Insulating can be as easy as tacking
fiberglass insulation between exposed joists. If
your garage walls are finished, blow in insulation
through a small hole in the drywall or paneling.
SEAL THE DOOR BETWEEN
THE HOUSE AND GARAGE
If your garage is attached to the house, this door
is often a major source of cold air coming into your
home. If your garage is detached, it may be letting
much of your garage heat escape. Check to ensure
weather-stripping is installed around the entire door
frame, and that it’s intact, pliable and provides a snug
seal. Also, ensure your threshold and door sweep are
sealing the bottom.
INSULATE THE GARAGE DOOR
Even some garages with properly-insulated walls were
constructed with an uninsulated garage door. This negates
much of the benefit from insulated walls. A new, insulated
door will cost several hundreds of dollars or more, but will
provide a clean appearance. A lower-cost solution is to
purchase foam board insulation and install it on the inside
panels of your existing doors. Remember, you must cut the
foam board to a size a little smaller than your garage door’s
panels so it doesn’t smash together with insulation on other
panels as the door rolls up and down.
CAULK BETWEEN THE WALL
AND THE CONCRETE WALL OR FLOOR
Most garages were not built using compressible foam between the
lower framing and concrete floor. Over time, this connection swells,
shrinks and moves, leaving spaces that allow air from the outside to
leak in. Use a foam sealant or a latex/silicone-based caulk to seal this
often overlooked area.
REPLACE OLDER APPLIANCES
If you have an older model refrigerator or freezer in your garage, it may cost more money for you to
operate it over time than it would to invest into a new unit. Although the energy savings are smaller
in the winter, consider how hot your garage becomes in the summer. Some people move their old
televisions to the garage, too. Older televisions can use up to 10 times more energy than newer
models. If you use these older appliances quite a bit, consider purchasing a new ENERGY STAR
appliance. If you are not ready to replace the old one, at least unplug it when not in use to save
electricity.
WINTER 2019 7

SCHUYLER SOLAR
Department of Utilities constructs 500 kW solar farm
Jim McGowen will be the first to tell you that he’s
not a big proponent of renewable energy because of
reliability concerns.
Still, he spearheaded a $750,000
solar farm project for the Schuyler
Department of Utilities that went online
last month.
“Solar started looking more enticing
because they’re doing a better job
building panels and they’re bringing
the cost down,” said McGowen,
Superintendent for the Schuyler
Department of Utilities. “I thought it was
worth looking at mainly because we’ve
had customers come in and ask if they
could put it on their homes.”
McGowen began researching the
viability of a solar farm in Schuyler
about two years ago.
The community’s Board of Public
Works supported the idea and they
decided to move forward, awarding the bid to GenPro
Energy Solutions out of Piedmont, SD.
The 500 kW solar farm was constructed on the
east side of Schuyler. It has about 1,500 solar panels
surrounded by a 300-foot by 500-foot fence.
The solar arrays move with the sun to maximize the
amount of electricity they can generate. The system also
monitors weather and can move the panels to avoid a
direct hit from hail and other hazards.
Board member Tom Healy said the
project made sense economically and
environmentally and it has been exciting
to watch the project develop.
For the next year, Schuyler will use the
solar farm’s generation to run its public
supply wells. Any excess electricity will go
into the general distribution system.
This will give Department of Utilities
time to analyze the operations and
maintenance costs before determining
how to offer the solar energy to customers
via a community solar program.
“I think the right approach is to study
it and know exactly what our costs are
before offering it to customers,” Healy
said.
McGowen is predicting that the farm
will require minimal maintenance.
“This is something that we think will operate itself,”
he said. “We’ll know in a year.”
He is now a believer that renewables definitely have
their place in the energy grid.“Every community needs
to have an attitude that renewable energy is important to
sustain us during peaks,” McGowen said.
The 500 kW solar farm’s generation is about the same
8 GENERATOR

How Community Solar Works
1 A community solar
project generates clean
solar energy.
2 Customers sign up to
purchase and receive energy
from a certain number of panels.
3 Customers participating in community
solar receive a credit based on the amount
of energy produced by the panels.
as the Department’s irrigation load in the summer and
could help Schuyler balance that load.
The Schuyler Department of Utilities has made other
efforts to reduce costs and become more efficient.
It recently replaced metal halide streetlights with longlasting,
energy-efficient LED fixtures and bulbs. They paid
for themselves in three years.
“We had an 80 percent reduction in our operation and
maintenance costs for street lighting,” he said.
Prior to the change, crews would spend almost every
Friday afternoon working on streetlight repairs.
Reducing operations and maintenance costs ensures
that the Department of Utilities can offer the best value to
customers.
“The most important thing we do is what we do for our
customers,” McGowen said.
He said Nebraskans are fortunate to have access to
reliable, low-cost electricity.
That’s been a goal of the city’s Board of Public Works
since the mid-1960s, when Schuyler quit generating its
own electricity via a steam powerhouse and joined the
Nebraska Public Power System.
“We’re fortunate that they partnered with Loup to do
that,” McGowen said. “The Board of Public Works had that
vision.”
Above: Electric Linemen Garrett Korth terminates the
underground tie line to the solar farm distribution system.
Lower left: Schuyler’s solar farm on east 16th Street has
about 1,500 solar panels.
Upper left: The solar panels rotate with the sun to maximize
the amount of energy they can produce.
Every community needs to have
an attitude that renewable
energy is important.
JIM McGOWEN
Superintendent, Dept o Utilities
WINTER 2019 9

RELIABILITY’S
MOST WANTED
Public power utilities work hard to
prevent and reduce outages. To do
so, they must fight five adversaries in
their quest for increased reliability.
But fear not, reliability renegades:
each foe can be countered.
10 GENERATOR

WINTER 2019 11

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
LEIGH
building in Leigh.
So, the company — based out of
Sleepy Eye, Minn. — tore down an
old building on the corner and built
new. The building was finished this
spring.
Operations Manager Larry Kubicek
explained the business’ operations to
the Community Builders group.
Schwartz Farms is a wean-finish
pork production company with farms
in Platte, Colfax and Stanton counties
in Nebraska.
Schwartz Farms has about 300
employees nationwide. Depending
on the day, the Leigh office
houses anywhere from one to five
employees.
Community Builders met in Leigh
on Oct. 25. The group visited several
businesses in Leigh and ate at Park
Place Restaurant.
Dr. Ken Lemke, Economist with
Nebraska Public Power District,
informed the group about rural
population and demographic trends.
LARSON DAIRY
Bob and Kelsey Larson moved
cows into their new Dairy barn near
Creston in February and haven’t
looked back since.
The couple has 240 cattle that are
now trained to make their way to
robotic milkers up to six times a day.
The cow enters the milking chute
where her udders are sanitized and
she is offered a special feed.
The milker sanitizes the udders
and scans the cow to see where her
udders are before moving up to begin
milking.
The robot can sense the cow’s
movements and will move with her
while milking as she moves around.
After about six minutes, the chute
opens and lets her out.
The milker then cleans itself for
about three minutes.
Each cow is fitted with a
“necklace” that is scanned each
time she enters the chute. Data is
transmitted to a computer where the
Larsons can get detailed information
about the cow.
The data includes the cow’s
temperature and weight, her fat
content, how much milk she’s
produced and how much she’s
chewing throughout the day.
The Larsons sell the milk to Dairy
Farmers of America. A driver stops by
every two days to pick up the milk.
SCHWARTZ FARMS
Schwartz Farms was outgrowing
its office space in an old library
143 VINTAGE
The building at 143 Main Street in
Leigh started off as a theater.
Today, visitors to 143 Vintage
can see where the theater’s seats
were bolted down to the original
flooring.
Samantha Wietfeld’s husband
and brother purchased the building
for office space for their trucking
business.
She knew the first level of the
building had retail potential. The
family, including her sister-in-law,
Liz Hellbusch, tore out the old carpet
and a few walls to get ready to open
their vintage store.
Wietfeld said she enjoys finding
old furniture at auctions. Occasionally
people will ask her if she’d like to go
through an old building that’s about
to be torn down.
“Those are the best picks,” she
said. “Going through an old, dirty
barn and finding some treasures in
there.”
Wietfeld and Hellbusch paint
furniture or distress it to give it an
antique look. They also have vintage
and new home decor items.
143 Vintage has been open since
August 2017 and is open the first
Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.
to 2 p.m. or by appointment.
12 GENERATOR

Far left: Bob Larson explains how the robotic milkers work at
Larson Dairy.
Left: Samantha Wietfeld’s store, 143 Vintage, opened in August
2017. The building was a theater, shoe store and residence
before being remodeled for her vintage store.
Above: Cal Liermann, Nebraska Maintenance Supervisor with
Schwartz Farms, talks about the company’s new building in
Leigh. Schwartz Farms Operations Manager Larry Kubicek
(right) said the business has operations in Platte, Colfax
and Stanton counties.
Community Builders tours towns in Colfax, Boone, Nance and
Platte Counties and a portion of Madison County. Cornhusker
Public Power District, Loup Power District and Central
Community College sponsor the program. Guests are
welcome to attend.
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
NPPD Economist Ken Lemke gave a presentation on
population and the economy while the group ate at The
Park Place.
He said the farm economy is continuing its decline.
Lemke said area bankers have noticed the farming
economy’s problems are hitting younger farmers
especially hard since they don’t have a lot of capital.
While land prices have helped some of those farmers in
the past, the same can’t be guaranteed going forward.
“As crop prices and commodity prices have declined,
it’s had an impact on land prices,” Lemke said.
He also discussed how Nebraska’s population is
changing.
Mapping the data shows a “fish hook” of sorts that
follows Interstate 80 and curves up along Highway 81
toward Norfolk.
Most towns along that fish hook grew since 1970.
Most towns outside that fishhook declined with a few
exceptions.
Lemke said from 1980 to 1990, the only communities
that really grew were those with populations above
10,000. Things improved in the nineties.
“Everything grew except for the very smallest towns,”
he said.
Lemke said 2017 estimates show a pattern similar to
the 1980s.“Our population growth has turned negative in
the smaller communities.”
Lemke said Leigh’s population was 400 in 1970. Today,
it is 412.
“You’ve grown,” he said. “You’re in that minority.”
Lemke also discussed changes in race in ethnicity in
Colfax County and Nebraska as a whole.
Since 2000, Colfax County has gained 151 residents
overall. The county gained 2,182 Hispanic residents and
lost 2,480 white, non-Hispanic residents.
Nebraska has gained 208,846 residents. Of those,
116,492 are Hispanic and 19,880 are white, non-Hispanic.
WINTER 2019 13

employee notes
GARY PEARSON
Headworks Supervisor
Retired!
Gary Pearson of Genoa retired from Loup Power District after more than 35 years of
service.
Pearson joined Loup in 1983 as a Maintenance Man at the Genoa Headworks. He was
promoted to Equipment Operator in 1986, and Dredge Operator in 1990. Pearson was
promoted to his current position of Headworks Supervisor in 1997.
As Headworks Supervisor, Pearson oversaw Loup’s operations at the Genoa Headworks
and coordinated the activities of 12 employees. He was also in charge of ordering supplies
for the Headworks.
Pearson is a graduate of Genoa High School. He also attended Central Community
College–Columbus.
Pearson and his wife, Betty, are the parents of two children: Brooke and Brett. They
have 7 grandchildren.
Promotion
DAN QUINN
Line Foreman
Dan Quinn of Columbus was promoted to Columbus
Service Center Line Foreman.
As Line Foreman, Quinn is charge of the line crew that
is responsible for construction and maintenance of Loup’s
electrical transmission and distribution system in the
Columbus Division which includes the southeastern part
of Platte County and part of Colfax County.
Quinn joined Loup in 1994 as an Apprentice Lineman in
the Albion Division. He was promoted to Lineman in 1995
and transferred to the Columbus Line Crew in 1997. Quinn
was promoted to Journeyman Lineman in 2000 and served
in that position until his promotion.
Quinn is a graduate of Lakeview High School and
earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Utility
Line from Northeast Community College in Norfolk.
He and his wife, Crystal, are the parents of five children
— Zack, Matt, Adam, Sydney, and Sierra.
Promotion
GINNY JOHNSON
Customer Service Rep
Ginny Johnson of Genoa was promoted to
full-time Customer Service Representative.
Johnson joined Loup as a part-time Customer
Service Representative at the Genoa office in
1994 and continued in that position until this
promotion.
Johnson’s responsibilities include greeting
customers; processing payments; setting up,
transferring, or closing service; taking service
calls; and preparing reports at both the Genoa
and Fullerton offices.
Johnson is a graduate of Genoa High School.
She also took accounting and computer courses at
Central Community College–Columbus. Johnson
and her husband, Don, are the parents of four
sons: J.J., Andy, Craig, and Scott. They have six
grandchildren.
14 GENERATOR

JOHN WILLIAMS
Journeyman Lineman/Serviceman
John Williams of Columbus retired from Loup Power District after more than 30 years of
service.
Williams joined Loup in 1986 as a Groundman at the Columbus Retail Operation. He was
promoted to Apprentice Lineman in 1988 and to Lineman in 1990. In 1993, he was promoted
to Journeyman Lineman. The following year, he was promoted to Journeyman Lineman/
Serviceman for the Columbus Retail Operation. He continued in that position until his
retirement.
Williams’ duties included street light maintenance and working with customers during
outages and during the installation of new electric services. He also located underground
utility lines.
Williams is a graduate of Newman Grove High School. He attended Northeast Community
College in Norfolk where he earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Heating and
Air Conditioning.
Williams and his wife, Ella, are the parents of three children: Tara, Clint, and Ashley.
Retired
Promoted
RANDY PROSOSKI
Headworks Supervisor
Randy Prososki of Genoa was promoted to
Headworks Supervisor at Loup Power District.
Prososki joined Loup in 1993 as a Maintenance
Man at the Headworks. He was promoted to Dredge
Operator in 1997 and transferred to Heavy Equipment
Operator in January 2018 before being named
Headworks Supervisor.
As Headworks Supervisor, Prososki oversees
Loup’s operations at the Genoa Headworks. He
also coordinates the activities of the Headworks
employees and purchases supplies.
A native of Belgrade, Nebraska, Prososki is a
graduate of Fullerton High School.
Prososki and his wife, Sena, are the parents of
three children: Eric, Chelsa, and Breana; and five
grandchildren.
5 Years
JUSTIN KOHL
Columbus Plant Operator
Justin Kohl of Columbus joined Loup in 2013.
As a plant operator, Kohl monitors and controls the
three generation units at Columbus and remotely controls
the Monroe Powerhouse.
He also works closely with the Genoa Headworks to
divert maximum Loup River water into the District canal
system for power plant generation.
Kohl’s other duties include coordinating generation
with NPPD’s control center in Doniphan and monitoring
Loup’s 115 kV and 34.5 kV subtransmission system.
A native of Clarks, Nebraska, Kohl is a graduate of
Clarks High School. He and his wife, Amber, are the
parents of three sons, Zandyr, Cruz, and Dash.
WINTER 2019 15

employee notes
DAN McCAWLEY
Electrical/Mechanical Technician
Retired!
Dan McCawley of Rising City retired after more than 26 years of service.
McCawley joined Loup in 1992 as an Assistant Plant Operator at the Columbus
Powerhouse. He was promoted to Plant Operator at the Columbus Powerhouse in 1993. In
2001, he was promoted to Electrical/Mechanical Technician at the Columbus Powerhouse.
As Electrical/Mechanical Technician, McCawley performed maintenance and repair on
the equipment at the Columbus and Monroe Powerhouses.
McCawley grew up on a farm near Bellwood and is a graduate of David City Aquinas
High School. He holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Mechanical
Maintenance from Central Community College-Columbus.
McCawley and his wife, Cathy, are the parents of three children: Emily, Paul, and Will.
Transfer
SCOTT SNYDER
Heavy Equipment Operator
Scott Snyder of Genoa transferred to Heavy
Equipment Operator.
Snyder joined Loup in 1992 as a Maintenance Man
at the Genoa Headworks and was promoted to Dredge
Operator in 1998 before this transfer.
As Heavy Equipment Operator, Snyder’s duties
consist primarily of operation and maintenance of
the heavy equipment at Loup’s Genoa Headworks.
His other duties include building discharge
pipeline for the dredge, constructing and maintaining
dikes in the Headworks discharge area, and other
hydro-related tasks.
Snyder is a native of Genoa and a graduate of
Genoa High School.
He and his wife, Rose, are the parents of a
daughter: Tanya, and a grandson, Easton.
Promotion
JOE KLECKNER
Dredge Operator
Joe Kleckner of Genoa was promoted to Dredge
Operator.
In his new role as Dredge Operator, Kleckner is part
of a team that operates and maintains the District’s
dredge at the Genoa Headworks.
Kleckner joined Loup in 2008 as a Maintenance
Man at the Genoa Headworks.
He was promoted to Equipment Operator in 2011
before being named Dredge Operator.
A native of Genoa, Kleckner is a graduate of Genoa
High School. He and his wife, Brooke, are the parents
of two children: Ryder and Annabelle.
16 GENERATOR

STAN WIELGUS
Line Foreman
Line Foreman Stan Wielgus retired after more than 38 years of service.
Wielgus joined Loup in 1980 as an Apprentice Lineman at the Columbus Service Center.
He was promoted to Lineman the following year and was promoted to Journeyman Lineman
in 1984.
Wielgus was named Service Foreman in 1990 and became Line Foreman in 2012.
As Line Foreman, Wielgus was in charge of the line crew that is responsible for
construction and maintenance of Loup’s electrical transmission and distribution system
in the Columbus Division. The Columbus Division includes the southeastern part of Platte
County and part of Colfax County.
A graduate of Columbus High School, Weilgus holds an Associate of Applied Science
Degree in Electricity/Management from Central Community College-Columbus.
Retired!
GENERATION RECORDS
Another generation record! October’s generation of
22,222,000 kWh broke the previous October monthly
generation record of 20,663,000 kWh set in 2008.
2018 and 2008 are the only years Loup has generated more
than 20,000,000 kWh during the month of October. Average
October generation is 14,565,000 kWh.
Loup set new monthly generation records for January, July,
August, September and October in 2018 thanks to favorable
weather conditions and employee dedication.
NEW TREES AT LOUP PARKS
Loup employees Andy Schmidt, Trent Crumley and Lance
Ferris planted nine new trees at Powerhouse Park, Lake
North and Loup Park this fall.
WINTER 2019 17

around the District
UPGRADES IN LEIGH
Leigh became a retail customer in October. Since then, Loup employees
have been working to upgrade equipment in the community including
power poles (left) and electrical meters (above).
The Gridstream automated meters installed by Keith Shonka and Tim
Ramaekers (top) alert Loup to outages almost as soon as they occur. They
also store data that can help verify usage if there is an unusually high bill.
18 GENERATOR
ALBION LIGHTS PARADE
Albion Division employees Sheila Sup, Adam Babl and
Cam Knopik did a fantastic job decorating a Loup truck
for the Albion Chamber of Commerce Light Parade on
November 29.

No change to retail rates in 2019
Retail rates for Loup Power District’s
retail customers will remain the same
for 2019.
The Loup Power District Board of
Directors reviewed and approved a
retail cost of service and rate design
study at the December 20 board
meeting.
The board analyzed the purchased
power costs from Nebraska Public
Power District (NPPD), the District’s
wholesale power supplier.
NPPD’s overall costs to Loup did not
change, although the allocation of
costs between the winter and summer
seasons did change.
Therefore, the District’s Board of
Directors felt there was no need to
change retail rates.
“Over the past several years the
District has reacted to changes in
wholesale power and operational
costs by making changes to the retail
rates,” said Jim Donoghue, chairman
of Loup’s Rates Committee.
“However, the District Board has
worked with management to keep
retail rate levels the same in 2019 as
they were in 2018.”
Donoghue added that Loup’s board
has implemented a long-term
strategy to maintain its reserve
margin at reasonable levels and keep
retail rates competitive.
“Over the past several years, the
District’s costs have shifted from
the summer months to the winter
months due to rate methodology
shifts from NPPD.”
Loup Power District’s overall rates
were 25.4 percent below the national
average and 12.5 percent below the
Nebraska average based on data
from a 2017 American Public Power
Association survey.
“Loup’s rates remain among the
Average Prices for Residential Electricity
2017 figures, in cents per kWh
CA
18.3¢
WA
9.7¢
OR
10.7¢
NV
12¢
AK
21.3¢
ID
10¢
UT
11¢
AZ
12.4¢
MT
11¢
WY
11.4¢
CO
12.2¢
NM
12.9¢
HI
29.5¢
ND
10.3¢
SD
11.8¢
NE
11¢
lowest in Nebraska and the Nation,”
said Loup Board Chairman Rich Aerni.
Overall, Loup Power District’s rates
are in the lowest tenth percentile
both statewide and nationally.
Energy or kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage
is always the determining factor in a
customer’s bill.
Customers in all rate classifications
continue to have opportunities
to reduce their costs by taking
advantage of numerous programs
offered by the District.
These programs include energy
incentives and home energy audits.
KS
13.3¢
TX
11¢
OK
10.6¢
MN
13¢
IA
12.3¢
MO
11.6¢
AR
10.3¢
WI
14.4¢
LA
9.7¢
IL
13¢
MS
11.1¢
U.S. Average: 12.9¢ per kWh
MI
15.4¢
AL
12.6¢
VT: 17.7¢
NH: 19.2¢
MA: 20.1¢
RI: 18.3¢
CT: 20.3¢
PA
14.2¢
NY
18¢
IN OH
12.3¢ 12.6¢
WV
VA
KY 11.6¢
11.6¢
10.9¢ NC
TN
10.9¢
10.7¢
GA
11.9¢
SC
13¢
FL
11.6¢
ME
16¢
NJ: 15.7¢
DE: 13.4¢
MD: 14¢
DC: 12.9¢
Residential Average Price
(cents per kilowatt-hour)
Under 10 ¢ Over 12.5¢
10¢ to 12.5¢
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
Numbers rounded to nearest tenth of a cent
Loup Power
District’s rates
are in the lowest
tenth percentile
statewide and
nationally.
For more information on the District’s retail rates and energy-saving programs,
visit the District’s website at www.loup.com.
WINTER 2019 19

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