Generator — Winter2020

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employee notes John Czarnick retires after 45 years In 1974, John Czarnick was working at New Holland in Grand Island. While the job paid the bills, the Genoa native was eager to move back home. When he heard about a job opening at Loup Power District, he applied right away. Forty-five years later, he retired from Loup. He doesn’t consider it out of the ordinary to spend that many years working for the same employer — especially when you love the job. “When you start working, if you like the work, you just stay there and keep working for your family,” he said. “I liked working here.” Czarnick started out as Shop Welder-Mechanic at the Columbus Service Center. He was promoted to Mechanic- Welder in 1977 and to Heavy Tractor Operator in 1981. In 1982, he transferred to the Genoa Headworks as a Dragline Operator. He was promoted to Heavy Equipment Operator in 1986. Czarnick transferred to the Hydro Division at the Columbus Service Center in 1997 and was promoted to Canal Foreman and stayed in that role until his retirement. While he loved all his jobs at Loup, Canal Foreman was the most enjoyable. “These last 22 years just flew by,” Czarnick said. As Canal Foreman, Czarnick oversaw canal-related projects from the railroad siphon east of Genoa to the tailrace area southeast of Columbus. His crew also assisted with substation and construction work throughout the District. Over the years, he saw lots of changes in the industry, including heavier regulation from government agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Another change that made work easier was the evolution of heavy equipment. “We started off with three-yard dump trucks and we have 10 yards now.” Czarnick said. “There’s a lot of difference.” While he loved his work at Loup, Czarnick said not everyone enjoys working outside and doing repair work. “There aren’t that many people who want to do the kind of work that I did,” he said. “It takes certain people to do this kind of work.” He and his wife, Sally, are planning to move to Omaha to be closer to their seven granddaughters. Czarnick will miss the variety of work, traveling around the District, and working with coworkers and the public. “I’m going to miss it, but it’s time to move on,” he said. Community lease payments total more than $1M Loup Power District officials presented lease payment checks totaling more than $1.1 million to area communities in November. Each of these communities owns their electric distribution systems. These payments compensate them for the use of those systems for the third quarter of 2019. Communities use the funds for a variety of public projects. The payments were: Columbus — $1,044,221.24; Creston — $4,929.59; Genoa — $23,252.57; Lindsay — $41,854.05; Leigh — $13,803.70; Newman Grove — $20,185.69. 18 GENERATOR
No change to retail rates in 2019 Retail rates for Loup Power District’s retail customers will remain the same in 2020 for the third consecutive year. The Loup Power District Board of Directors reviewed current rate levels as well as budgeted revenue and expenses at the November and December board meetings. As part of this review, the board analyzed the purchased power costs from Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), the District’s wholesale power supplier. NPPD’s overall costs and rates to Loup did not change for 2020. 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 worked with management to keep retail rate levels steady for 2020.” Donoghue added that Loup’s board has implemented a long-term strategy to maintain its reserve margin at reasonable levels and keep retail rates competitive. “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,” he said. Loup Power District’s overall rates were 25.7 percent below the national average and 12.4 percent below the Nebraska average based on data from a 2018 American Public Power Association survey. “Loup’s rates remain among the lowest in Nebraska and the Nation,” said Loup Board Chairman Larry Zach. Overall, Loup Power District’s rates are in the lowest tenth percentile both statewide and nationally. Energy or kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage is always the determining factor in a customer’s bill. Customers in all rate classifications continue to have opportunities to reduce their costs by taking advantage of numerous programs offered by the District. These programs include energy incentives and home energy audits. For more information on the District’s retail rates and energysaving programs, visit the District’s website at www.loup.com. 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 2020 19
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Generator — Winter2020

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