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Oct. / Nov. / Dec. 2009 - Nebraska Public Power District

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Current news about <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong><br />

<strong>Oct</strong>ober / <strong>Nov</strong>ember / <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2009</strong><br />

Volume 2 Issue 5


2<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

Energy Insight is published by<br />

the <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong><br />

Corporate Communications Department<br />

as a service for employees, customers<br />

and friends of NPPD. Its purpose<br />

is to communicate NPPD news<br />

and information and to recognize<br />

achievements of employees, retirees<br />

and their families.<br />

Board of Directors<br />

Dennis Rasmussen, Chairman<br />

Larry Linstrom, First Vice Chairman<br />

Ron Larsen, Second Vice Chairman<br />

Mary Harding, Secretary<br />

Wayne Boyd<br />

Jerry Chlopek<br />

Virg Froehlich<br />

Ken Kunze<br />

Darrell Nelson<br />

Ed Schrock<br />

Gary Thompson<br />

Senior Manager, Government and<br />

<strong>Public</strong> Relations<br />

Beth Boesch<br />

Executive Editor<br />

Brenda Sanne<br />

Managing Editor<br />

Jill <strong>Nov</strong>icki, jrnovic@nppd.com<br />

Photography<br />

Gary Pelster<br />

Contributors<br />

Evelyn Chittenden<br />

Chad Johnson<br />

Mark Miller<br />

Lisa Mohr<br />

Graphic Design<br />

Bill Haack<br />

Dan Zastera<br />

Reporters<br />

Marjorie Allen, Chadron<br />

Darla Wait, Chadron<br />

Kathy Fadschild, Columbus<br />

Glenn Troester, Cooper Nuclear Station<br />

Kathy Nelson, Doniphan Control Center<br />

Lynn Phagan, Gerald Gentleman Station<br />

Lisa Willson, Kearney<br />

Bobbie Morford, Lincoln<br />

Kathy Eaton, McCook<br />

Helen Hinz, McCook<br />

Barb Keating, Norfolk<br />

Mindy Leaverton, Norfolk<br />

Connie Knapp, Ogallala<br />

Eileen Osborne, O’Neill<br />

Lottie Kellison, Plattsmouth<br />

Colleen Mathewson, Scottsbluff<br />

Cindy Holsing, Sheldon Station<br />

Kris Cross, South Sioux City<br />

Cindy Klein, York<br />

3 Where Germs Hide<br />

The Hygiene Council lets<br />

readers know the results of an<br />

International Home Hygiene<br />

Study and gives tips on how to<br />

help keep your home germ-free.<br />

4 President’s Message<br />

President and CEO Ron Asche<br />

shares his thoughts on wind<br />

generation development.<br />

6 Investing for the<br />

Future<br />

Wholesale and retail rate<br />

increases help pay for<br />

infrastructure improvements.<br />

8 Tools of the Trade<br />

Learn how NPPD is either using<br />

or plans to use social media<br />

tools to communicate with target<br />

audiences.<br />

10 <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong>’s<br />

Progress<br />

Check out current industry<br />

happenings and photos from<br />

around the state to learn more<br />

about NPPD’s recent activities.<br />

16 News From Around<br />

the State<br />

Read about activities and<br />

accomplishments of employees<br />

and their children.<br />

22 Customer News<br />

New Dawson PPD facility and<br />

Cornhusker’s Ron Hostetter<br />

make headlines.<br />

23 Retiree News<br />

Read retiree news and the<br />

schedule for future meetings.<br />

About the Cover:<br />

Happy Holidays from the<br />

Energy Insight staff.


Wash your hands. That’s a common<br />

mantra – and a worthy one – as<br />

the H1N1 flu continues to spread<br />

around the globe. But all the<br />

hand-washing in the world may<br />

not be a match for the germs and<br />

viruses lurking on household<br />

surfaces.<br />

The Hygiene Council –<br />

composed of global experts in the field<br />

of public health and infectious diseases<br />

– released the results of its second annual<br />

International Home Hygiene Study.<br />

The <strong>2009</strong> survey of bacteria found on home surfaces<br />

in eight countries, including the U.S., shows that<br />

the kitchen remains the source of the most germy<br />

surfaces.<br />

Members of the Hygiene Council identified the<br />

dirtiest places in the home and gave advice on how to<br />

keep them germ-free.<br />

1. Kitchen cloths, sponges<br />

People frequently use sponges or cloths to wipe<br />

germs from surfaces in the kitchen. The council<br />

recommends running sponges through the<br />

dishwasher regularly and washing kitchen cloths<br />

on the hot cycle in the washing machine.<br />

2. Kitchen faucets<br />

Typically people wash their hands after handling<br />

raw meat in the kitchen, but they touch the faucet<br />

to turn on the water and do not think about the<br />

bacteria that they leave. Use a disinfectant spray<br />

on faucets to kill germs.<br />

3. Tub and shower<br />

The shower is the third germiest place in the<br />

home. The Hygiene Council recommends that<br />

showers and tubs be disinfected twice a week to<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 3<br />

get rid of dead skin cells left in the tub that<br />

can carry germs.<br />

4. Pet food dish<br />

Most pet food dishes stay on<br />

the floor and do not get washed<br />

regularly. While it isn’t practical<br />

to disinfect the pet food dish every<br />

time you feed the pet, you should<br />

wash your hands after your touch<br />

it.<br />

5. Microwave touch screen<br />

This spot is notorious for not getting<br />

cleaned. People may put something in the<br />

microwave that is raw to cook it and you<br />

could leave behind E. coli or salmonella. Even<br />

though the food comes out cooked, the germs<br />

that can make you sick are left on the outside<br />

of the microwave for the next person to touch.<br />

It is important to wipe down the touch screen<br />

regularly, especially after<br />

cooking raw meat.<br />

6. TV remote<br />

Sanitize the<br />

remote control<br />

regularly<br />

to prevent<br />

sickness.<br />

7. Light<br />

switches<br />

Touching the<br />

light switch<br />

is practically<br />

unavoidable,<br />

but keeping it<br />

clean is not. Disinfect<br />

light switches twice a<br />

week or every day if a member<br />

of your household is sick.


4<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

Wind<br />

from the<br />

PRESIDENT & CEO<br />

RON ASCHE<br />

If you follow the news on a regular basis, you are<br />

aware of the increasing interest in wind generation in<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong>. There are some who say the central U.S.<br />

is the “Saudi Arabia” of wind, and that <strong>Nebraska</strong> is<br />

behind in capitalizing on this “free” natural resource.<br />

You may have seen headlines stating that public power<br />

is stalling wind development in <strong>Nebraska</strong>. There<br />

are others who are more reserved regarding windpowered<br />

generation, and would like to see NPPD go<br />

slower in building wind facilities or in purchasing<br />

wind energy from other entities. I would like to<br />

explain NPPD’s position on wind development, both<br />

for use in <strong>Nebraska</strong> and for export to other states.<br />

By now, I hope you are aware of the NPPD<br />

Board’s strategic goal to achieve 10 percent<br />

of our energy supply from new renewable<br />

resources by 2020. To meet that goal, NPPD is<br />

following a process of adding around 80 megawatts<br />

of renewable generation every other year, until<br />

we achieve approximately 500-550 megawatts of<br />

renewable generation on our system. Thus far, we<br />

own or have contracted for a total of 112 megawatts<br />

of wind generation, which includes NPPD’s 32<br />

megawatt share of our own 60-megawatt Ainsworth<br />

Wind Energy Facility, NPPD’s 40 MW share of<br />

the privately-owned 80-MW Elkhorn Ridge Wind<br />

Farm near Bloomfield, and the planned privatelyowned<br />

40-MW Crofton Hills Wind Farm. We are<br />

Prudence<br />

and patience<br />

needed in...<br />

GENERATION<br />

DEVELOPMENT<br />

under negotiations to purchase energy from another<br />

privately-owned 80-MW facility to be built near<br />

Petersburg, in which we hope to share 20 to 40 MW<br />

with other <strong>Nebraska</strong> utilities. We are also looking for<br />

participants in a potential 80-MW wind facility which<br />

may be privately developed near Broken Bow. Since<br />

comparable federal and state financial incentives<br />

are not available to NPPD, we are purchasing from<br />

private developers rather than developing more<br />

NPPD-owned wind farms.<br />

Is NPPD moving fast enough?<br />

As indicated above, it depends upon whom you<br />

talk to. The majority of NPPD’s wholesale customers<br />

believe we are. Other proponents believe there should<br />

be even greater investment in renewables in <strong>Nebraska</strong>.<br />

They believe the state could see tremendous benefit by<br />

selling wind energy to customers either in <strong>Nebraska</strong><br />

or for export to other states. While this may someday<br />

be the case, I don’t see it happening on a large scale<br />

in the near future. There are many transmission<br />

and market issues that have to be addressed to<br />

accommodate large amounts of “wind for export”<br />

projects.<br />

With many businesses reeling from the recent<br />

recession, coupled with a relatively cool and wet<br />

summer, electric loads are down in our region. Many<br />

utilities have surplus generation, are not finding<br />

adequate markets to sell the generation they already<br />

have, and are selling excesses at sharply lower prices


than in the past. NPPD recently reviewed our longterm<br />

plan for adding baseload generation to our<br />

system. The Integrated Resource Plan, completed<br />

in 2008, indicated we would not need another base<br />

load plant (nuclear or coal) or intermediate load<br />

plant (gas-fired) until 2018. However, due to reduced<br />

load forecasts and a surplus of generating capacity,<br />

recent calculations show we may not need additional<br />

generating facilities for another 15-20 years. If that<br />

is the case, will we still add wind generation to our<br />

system? Yes, but perhaps not as fast as some may like.<br />

<strong>Public</strong> power’s mission is to provide low-cost,<br />

reliable electricity to <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns. Our state’s utilities<br />

are accomplishing that goal. Service reliability is<br />

very high, and electric rates are fifth lowest in the<br />

nation, according to the Federal Energy Information<br />

Administration. Should utilities in <strong>Nebraska</strong> focus<br />

more on exporting electricity to consumers in other<br />

states? Could we do this? Sure. But here are some<br />

things that would be required:<br />

Changes in state statutes<br />

The authority to construct wind generation and<br />

related facilities for export is not clear under current<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong> statutes. The <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Power</strong> Review Board<br />

may need explicit authority to approve such facilities,<br />

whether built by public or private ownership.<br />

Renewable energy electricity<br />

markets<br />

Whether built by public power districts or private<br />

developers, contracts would need to be in place for<br />

sale of the electricity so that <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns are not<br />

forced to bear the financial burden of wind generation<br />

and related transmission facilities built for export.<br />

Clear commitments for the purchase of the output<br />

from the wind farms is needed so that the money<br />

borrowed to build the facilities will be paid back. The<br />

revenue stream needs to be assured, not speculative.<br />

We are not convinced that such a market exists<br />

today. Many states have indicated they want to build<br />

their own renewables, rather than pay for expensive<br />

high voltage transmission lines to import the power<br />

from <strong>Nebraska</strong> or other Midwestern states over<br />

long distances. If the Federal government mandates<br />

that a certain amount of electricity be generated by<br />

renewables by a certain date, markets for renewable<br />

energy will be more clearly established, and more<br />

renewables will be built, including “wind for export”<br />

projects.<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 5<br />

Significant investment in<br />

transmission facilities<br />

Building wind generation for export will require<br />

billions of dollars to be invested in a high-voltage,<br />

transmission system, both in <strong>Nebraska</strong>, the region<br />

and across the United States. NPPD believes the<br />

regional transmission organizations, such as the<br />

Southwest <strong>Power</strong> Pool, which NPPD is a member<br />

of, and possibly the Federal government will need<br />

to be primary players in planning and development<br />

of a nationwide, high-voltage system, similar to<br />

when the interstate highway system was built. This<br />

will require comprehensive long-term planning and<br />

siting authority for transmission line construction<br />

and coordination. Even if the Federal government<br />

provided the bulk of the financing for such a system, it<br />

would not be built overnight.<br />

Where does NPPD stand on the<br />

issue?<br />

NPPD respects the environment in which we<br />

live and supports development of wind and other<br />

renewable generation for our customers. We support<br />

LR 83, the <strong>Nebraska</strong> Legislature’s study of wind<br />

generation for use in <strong>Nebraska</strong> and for export and<br />

will work to educate <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns on the complexity<br />

of this issue. We are proud of our current generation<br />

mix, including hydro, nuclear and wind generation<br />

facilities, 40 percent of which is already greenhouse<br />

gas emission-free, but we will also pursue our goal<br />

of generating 10 percent of our electricity with new<br />

renewable generation by 2020.<br />

We are not opposed to privately-owned facilities<br />

being built for export of renewable energy to other<br />

states. But, contrary to what many people believe,<br />

wind generation is not free, and our customers in<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong> should not have to pay for or bear the<br />

financial risk associated with renewables built<br />

primarily for export to other states.<br />

What can you do?<br />

Stay informed on this issue. Help educate your<br />

friends and neighbors. <strong>Public</strong> power is not<br />

blocking wind development. We are being prudent<br />

and remain committed to our basic mission<br />

of providing low-cost, reliable energy to our<br />

customers and doing so in an environmentally<br />

responsible manner.


6<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

Maintaining<br />

reliability<br />

comes with<br />

a cost<br />

Those of us who work for NPPD (or know someone<br />

who does) recognize the electric utility business is<br />

complex.<br />

Nuclear physics aside, it is<br />

challenging to describe how<br />

something as simple as steam<br />

can be used to spin a turbine<br />

generator and produce<br />

enough electricity to operate<br />

thousands of homes and<br />

hundreds of manufacturing<br />

businesses. We can’t see the<br />

electrons that instantaneously<br />

cross hundreds of miles of<br />

power lines built decades ago<br />

yet, perhaps, refurbished a<br />

week ago.<br />

When the science of power generation<br />

is combined with such things as<br />

seasonal weather, transmission and<br />

distribution grid operations, bond ratings, capital<br />

investments, fuel cost volatility, rate classes,<br />

off-system sales, debt payments, economic<br />

conditions, regulatory requirements, etc., it<br />

becomes difficult to answer our neighbor’s simple<br />

question, “Why is my electric bill going up?”<br />

“The primary reason NPPD needs<br />

to raise its rates in 2010 is to fund<br />

investments that help us maintain<br />

the reliability of our power plants and<br />

transmission systems,” said Todd Swartz,<br />

NPPD’s pricing, rates, and wholesale billing manager.<br />

His department is responsible for conducting costof-service<br />

studies that determine how much money<br />

NPPD needs from each customer class to generate<br />

and deliver power to them throughout the state.<br />

(Remember, as a public power utility, NPPD does<br />

not make a profit; revenues only pay for the cost of<br />

providing service.)<br />

Cost-of-service studies completed in early fall <strong>2009</strong><br />

determined an additional $25 million is needed next<br />

year to cover NPPD’s costs to serve its 77 wholesale<br />

customers, and an additional $13 million is needed to<br />

cover what it costs to serve NPPD’s retail (or end-use)<br />

customers. The average rate increases in 2010 are 5.9<br />

percent for wholesale customers and 5.7 percent for<br />

retail customers, respectively. Actual increases will<br />

depend upon individual customer’s use. The average<br />

residential customer will pay about 20 cents a day or<br />

$6 more per month.<br />

“The additional revenues are necessary. We must<br />

begin paying back the principal and interest on<br />

$198 million NPPD borrowed to pay its share in<br />

the construction of Omaha <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong>’s<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong> City II power plant,” said Swartz. “For this<br />

investment, we are receiving 161 megawatts from the<br />

facility. When added to our generation fleet, this coalfired<br />

resource increases NPPD’s ability to meet the<br />

electrical needs of our customers well into the future.”


The rate increase will also generate the funds<br />

needed to build new or maintain power lines that<br />

will keep electricity flowing, without constraints,<br />

throughout the state. One such example is the 80-mile,<br />

high-voltage transmission line between Norfolk and<br />

Lincoln that took three years to build and cost $152<br />

million. It was energized <strong>Dec</strong>ember 11.<br />

“NPPD doesn’t like to raise rates,<br />

especially in an economic downturn,”<br />

said Traci Bender, vice president-finance. “That’s<br />

why President and CEO Ron Asche<br />

asked all of NPPD’s business units<br />

to find ways to reduce their budgets<br />

both for <strong>2009</strong> and 2010 – without<br />

jeopardizing employee safety or NPPD’s<br />

reliability.” Employees answered the call and<br />

reduced next year’s budget by approximately $32<br />

million.<br />

The 2010 budget cuts include: $19 million in<br />

cost reductions related to the freezing of executive<br />

salaries; the deferral of employee merit pay increases<br />

from March of next year until, at least, September<br />

or <strong>Oct</strong>ober (and then only if our financial condition<br />

has improved); reducing part-time, co-op, and intern<br />

positions; holding vacant positions open; deferring<br />

changes to NPPD’s employee retirement program;<br />

and reducing training, outside services, materials, and<br />

supplies, where possible.<br />

More than $13 million in cost reductions will come<br />

from changes NPPD made to some of its short-term<br />

financing plans; another $60 million of capital project<br />

costs have been deferred from NPPD’s 2010 capital<br />

budget.<br />

“These efforts helped considerably, but they still<br />

aren’t enough to cover what it will cost NPPD to<br />

conduct business in 2010,” said Bender. “NPPD<br />

cannot stop investing in a system on which hundreds<br />

of thousands of <strong>Nebraska</strong>ns depend. Maintaining<br />

reliability comes with a cost. It is a complex and<br />

challenging dilemma to keep rates as low as possible<br />

while still investing in a $4 billion business. What we<br />

can do is continue to control costs where possible, and<br />

do our best to reduce the need for rate increases in the<br />

future.”<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 7<br />

Help Lighten<br />

Someone’s Load<br />

Consider donating to NPPD’s<br />

Pennies for <strong>Power</strong> energy assistance<br />

program, where small change can<br />

make a big difference. Donating<br />

is easy; you can make a one-time<br />

contribution, add a specific amount<br />

to your monthly bill, or round your<br />

monthly bill up to the nearest dollar.<br />

Your donations can<br />

make a difference<br />

in alleviating the<br />

stress and worry<br />

associated with<br />

difficult financial<br />

times. To learn<br />

more about<br />

Pennies for <strong>Power</strong>,<br />

become a program<br />

contributor, or find<br />

out how to apply for<br />

assistance, call our<br />

toll-free number 24<br />

hours a day at 877-<br />

ASK-NPPD (877-<br />

275-6773).<br />

See related article in the Kearney around<br />

the state section on page 16.


8<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

Social Media<br />

and<br />

You!<br />

Social media is a term that is<br />

tossed around a lot these days. People are<br />

talking about it—and talking with it, but<br />

what is it? As a quick explanation, “Social<br />

media is any online media that allows users<br />

to interact with one another.” There are<br />

numerous social media tools, and many are<br />

free to use. You might even find yourself<br />

using one or two without realizing it. Read<br />

on for a quick look at some popular social<br />

media tools and how NPPD is either using<br />

or plans to use them. For the most part,<br />

NPPD is targeting the use of these tools<br />

toward external audiences.<br />

Social Media Tools<br />

Twitter is a free, social networking and<br />

micro-blogging service that enables its users to<br />

send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets<br />

are text-based posts of up to 140 characters<br />

displayed on the author’s profile page and<br />

delivered to the author’s subscribers who are<br />

known as followers.<br />

With 25 million users and growing exponentially,<br />

Twitter is a popular way to reach out to consumers.<br />

While not actively using Twitter yet, NPPD is testing<br />

several Twitter accounts to determine if they will<br />

work well to send key messages to specific groups.<br />

For instance, an It’s Your <strong>Power</strong> feed was created for<br />

ItsYour<strong>Power</strong>.org to educate media and customers on<br />

global warming, its impact on NPPD and what we’re<br />

doing to address it. Another account is testing how<br />

NPPD can provide outage information to customers,<br />

while yet another Twitter account may be used to<br />

communicate job openings to those interested in<br />

working for NPPD.<br />

YouTube is a video sharing website. With<br />

its simple interface, YouTube makes it possible<br />

for anyone with an Internet connection to post a<br />

video a worldwide audience could watch within<br />

a few minutes. Most of the content on YouTube<br />

has been uploaded by individuals, although media<br />

corporations such as CBS and others offer some<br />

of their material on the site. With more than 100<br />

million viewers and 6 billion videos and growing,<br />

YouTube is the second most popular search<br />

engine in the world.<br />

“YouTube provides a platform for NPPD to use as<br />

an external video gallery,” stated Communications<br />

Technology Supervisor Clint Przymus. “We’ve<br />

developed a YouTube channel called NPPDTV (www.<br />

youtube.com/nppdtv) that will display and share<br />

videos produced by our staff for external audiences.”<br />

Facebook is a global social networking<br />

website. The website is free and users can create<br />

profiles including photos and lists of personal<br />

interests, exchange private or public messages,<br />

and join groups of friends.


An NPPD Facebook account was set up primarily<br />

for employment branding and recruiting purposes and<br />

includes photos and videos about working for NPPD.<br />

LinkedIn allows registered users to maintain<br />

a list of contact details of people they know<br />

and trust in business. The people in the list are<br />

called Connections. Users can invite anyone to<br />

become a connection. Connections are made<br />

via introductions to someone a person wishes<br />

to know through a mutual, trusted contact. The<br />

social media tool is primarily used to find jobs,<br />

people and business opportunities recommended<br />

by someone in one’s contact network. Employers<br />

can list jobs and search for potential candidates.<br />

Job seekers can review the profile of hiring<br />

managers and discover which of their existing<br />

contacts can introduce them.<br />

NPPD has a LinkedIn account primarily to be<br />

used as a Human Resources tool. However, NPPD’s<br />

Economic Development department has shared that<br />

LinkedIn has been a social network of choice for<br />

economic development consultants and prospects.<br />

Flickr is a popular website for users to share<br />

personal photographs, and is a service widely<br />

used by bloggers as a photo repository.<br />

“NPPD used Flickr for the <strong>2009</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong> Open,”<br />

stated Przymus. “Instead of printing photos for all<br />

participants, we posted them on Flickr and provided a<br />

URL for them to download and share, thus saving us<br />

hundreds of dollars.”<br />

A blog is a type of website, usually<br />

maintained by an individual with regular entries<br />

of commentary, descriptions of events, or other<br />

material such as graphics or video.<br />

“Blogs provide a great platform for sharing<br />

information and starting a conversation,” stated<br />

Przymus. “NPPD has set up test blogs to evaluate<br />

potential future use. Topics considered include energy<br />

efficiency or industry issues, which could be displayed<br />

on nppd.com and ItsYour<strong>Power</strong>.org. We may also<br />

simply use the technology as a platform to distribute<br />

news to our customers and retirees with the additional<br />

added benefit of providing an opportunity to start or<br />

participate in a conversation around the issues.”<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 9<br />

Social Media for<br />

business purposes<br />

In summary, NPPD is exploring the use of social<br />

media today primarily to communicate with external<br />

audiences for employment branding and recruiting,<br />

media relations and issues management.<br />

While the <strong>District</strong> is getting acquainted with<br />

the tools, it is important to remember that the<br />

tools are being looked at for business purposes<br />

and are not without risk stated Information and<br />

Telecommunications Technology Manager and<br />

Management Planning Council Chair Dave Webb.<br />

“I am excited about the potential these new<br />

technologies represent for NPPD,” he said. “Of<br />

course, as ITT Manager, I am also responsible for<br />

ensuring appropriate security for NPPD applications<br />

and content. As they have become more popular,<br />

Web 2.0 technologies as they’re often called, are<br />

increasingly used for attacks. Even with access<br />

restricted to business need only, ITT Security had to<br />

temporarily block all access to Facebook twice this<br />

year to prevent active attacks from impacting our<br />

facilities. The MPC has also discussed this, and while<br />

we recognize the potential for mis-use, we also noted<br />

similar concerns when email, personal computers and<br />

other new technologies were introduced. Like any<br />

tool, we recognize the need to manage social media,<br />

but we fully support providing the best technology to<br />

those who need it.”<br />

“One could look at social media as additional<br />

tools for our communication toolbox,” said<br />

Communications Supervisor Brenda Sanne. “Despite<br />

the growing popularity and interest of social media,<br />

it is important we evaluate the application and use of<br />

these tools in a business environment. If we can safely<br />

and securely add a new social media tool that will add<br />

value and help us be more effective at telling NPPD’s<br />

story, then we may consider using it when and where<br />

it makes the most sense. At this time, most of the<br />

social media uses we have identified are targeted at<br />

niche external audiences.”<br />

Source: Wikipedia


10<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

New high-voltage power line energized<br />

Following about three-and-a-half<br />

years of planning, public meetings,<br />

material procurement and construction,<br />

the Electric Reliability Project for<br />

East-Central <strong>Nebraska</strong> reached one of<br />

the last major milestones.<br />

NPPD’s new, 80-mile, 345,000-volt transmission<br />

line between Columbus and Lincoln was energized at<br />

8:13 a.m. on Friday, <strong>Dec</strong>. 11 during a videoconference<br />

with Transmission System Control Supervisor<br />

Ron Gunderson at the System Control Center in<br />

Doniphan. Upon the request of Board Chairman<br />

Dennis Rasmussen that the line be brought<br />

into service, Gunderson coordinated the steps of<br />

energizing the line with assistance from System<br />

Operator Dan Evans and Lincoln Electric System.<br />

The line was built to ensure the continued reliable<br />

delivery of electric energy in east-central <strong>Nebraska</strong> –<br />

in light of projected increases in the need for energy<br />

– and to strengthen vulnerable locations in the electric<br />

grid that, during some peak conditions, operated<br />

at near capacity. These factors, along with record<br />

demand for electric energy in the summers of 2005<br />

and 2006, and an NPPD transmission study completed<br />

in May 2006, indicated the need for additional<br />

transmission infrastructure in the east-central part of<br />

the state.<br />

“The project has gone<br />

well,” said Senior Project<br />

Manager Craig Holthe.<br />

“The line was built safely,<br />

and approximately 98<br />

percent of the easements<br />

needed for the project were<br />

obtained voluntarily. NPPD<br />

also received excellent<br />

Craig Holthe support throughout<br />

the project from wholesale<br />

customers in the area.”<br />

Final price tag of the project will be in the $152<br />

million range, Holthe indicated, with it likely being<br />

slightly less once all the costs are tallied. “This<br />

project was a team effort, and there are many to thank<br />

for its successful completion,” Holthe said. “The<br />

leadership of the NPPD Board and management and<br />

the outstanding service provided us and, ultimately,<br />

our customers by the project’s engineering consultant<br />

POWER Engineers, Inc. contributed greatly to the<br />

project coming in under budget and ahead of its<br />

original schedule.”<br />

After the line is energized, all that remains to<br />

complete is a small amount of construction cleanup<br />

and property restoration. Then right-of-way agents<br />

will follow up with damage compensation to property<br />

owners. For more information about the ETR<br />

Project, go to nppd.com and click on Grid Essential –<br />

Transmission Line Projects, then click on ETR.


Norfolk Operations Center trio starts turning<br />

Three wind turbines to be used for demonstration and public education<br />

purposes, were erected at NPPD’s new Norfolk Operations Center <strong>Dec</strong>. 1. Once<br />

construction of the NOC is complete, the turbines will be linked electronically to<br />

the NOC, allowing visitors to see the wind generating electric energy via remote<br />

monitors. The turbines are set at three heights -- 30 feet, 45 feet and 60 feet -- to<br />

provide information about the consistency of wind velocity at different levels. Each<br />

turbine is rated at 2 kilowatts.<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 11


12<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

Auburn<br />

... an<br />

Electrifying<br />

Success<br />

The second annual Auburn <strong>Public</strong><br />

<strong>Power</strong> Energy Fest, hosted by the<br />

Auburn Board of <strong>Public</strong> Works with<br />

support from NPPD, was a major<br />

success. The Sept. 11 event, held at the<br />

BPW service center, drew 158 third-,<br />

fourth- and fifth-graders from Auburn<br />

and Johnson-Brock schools. The safety<br />

demonstration by NPPD line and<br />

substation crewmen from Humboldt and<br />

Plattsmouth showed children what can<br />

happen if a kite contacts a 7,500 volt<br />

power line, a lesson they won’t soon<br />

forget.<br />

A stationary bike outfitted with<br />

a generator helped demonstrate<br />

how difficult it would be if<br />

humans were the primary energy<br />

source. The kids pedaled to<br />

power a series of lights. They<br />

learned that it takes a lot of work<br />

to transform human muscle<br />

power into enough electricity to<br />

energize even three small lights.


Cooper completes<br />

refueling and<br />

maintenance outage<br />

Employees at Cooper Nuclear Station completed<br />

the station’s 25th refueling and maintenance outage<br />

on <strong>Nov</strong>. 6. The refueling outage lasted 41 days, and<br />

many significant tasks were completed that will result<br />

in more reliable power generation in the future. In<br />

addition to replacing 128 fuel rods in the reactor vessel,<br />

some of the maintenance activities included:<br />

● Replaced four, massive feedwater heaters and<br />

overhauled a fifth. The 10-unit system heats water<br />

before going into the reactor pressure vessel. Eight<br />

of the 10 heaters have been replaced in the last few<br />

years.<br />

● Replaced the turbine control system.<br />

● Inspected and overhauled the high-pressure turbine.<br />

● Overhauled the condensate booster pump and<br />

condensate pump.<br />

● Replaced one of two reactor water recirculation<br />

motor generators.<br />

● Replaced reactor protection system transfer<br />

switches.<br />

● Updated critical switchgear and safety-related<br />

power supplies.<br />

● Cleaned the service-water intake and discharge<br />

canal that allow use of Missouri River water to cool<br />

the reactor.<br />

In other good news, Cooper moved into column<br />

one of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s action<br />

matrix. The matrix has five columns: 1) licensee<br />

response, 2) regulatory response, 3) degraded<br />

cornerstone, 4) multiple/ repetitive degraded<br />

cornerstone, and 5) unacceptable performance.<br />

Cooper had been in column two during the<br />

second quarter. Moving up to column one means<br />

that Cooper will be subject to the customary baseline<br />

NRC inspections but not the additional oversight that<br />

reactors in column two receive.<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 13<br />

CNS Utility Service<br />

Technicians Brian<br />

Stanley and Brad<br />

Schulenberger<br />

prepare filter<br />

material for the<br />

temporary filtration<br />

system in the<br />

drywell.<br />

CNS Senior<br />

System Analysts<br />

Kevin Fairbainks<br />

and Dan Vice were<br />

working far from<br />

the computer room<br />

during the outage.<br />

Here they’re getting<br />

ready to adjust<br />

nozzle plugs in the<br />

torus.<br />

CNS<br />

Instrumentation<br />

Supervisor Dale<br />

Cunningham, CNS<br />

Electrician Derek<br />

Niedermeyer<br />

and Plattsmouth<br />

Journey Line<br />

Technician Kevin<br />

Wagner were<br />

working deep in<br />

the pipe work of<br />

the condensate<br />

booster pump.<br />

CNS Machinist<br />

Alan Hutton drills<br />

holes in thick steel<br />

plates while Shift<br />

Manager Terry<br />

Borgan observes.


14<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

Norfolk fire<br />

prompts<br />

evacuations<br />

Firefighters responded to a huge<br />

blaze around 7 a.m. on <strong>Dec</strong>. 10 at<br />

the closed Protient plant in Norfolk.<br />

Officials cleared everyone in a one-<br />

mile radius in Norfolk because they<br />

were concerned a 30,000 gallon<br />

propane tank would explode.<br />

NPPD’s Centralized Customer Care<br />

Center was evacuated around 9 a.m. During the<br />

evacuation, NPPD transferred incoming customer<br />

calls to its Norfolk, Kearney and Scottsbluff Customer<br />

Service Centers and a temporary call center was set up<br />

at the Columbus General Office.<br />

“This event was an excellent test of the contingency<br />

plan we have in place for our facility. We’ve drilled for<br />

emergencies, but a drill can’t compare to an actual<br />

situation. We discovered some things in the plan worked<br />

really well, and we also found some improvement areas.”<br />

- Cindy LaCroix<br />

Customer Services Leader<br />

By noon, crews had contained much of the fire.<br />

It took three crews to turn off the flow of propane<br />

fueling the fire.<br />

NPPD Call Center staff resumed normal operations<br />

at 1:22 that afternoon. Customer Care Business<br />

Manager Russ McKillip expressed his appreciation<br />

to NPPD staff across the state who helped during<br />

this emergency. “This was an outstanding showing<br />

of professionalism and excellence for which we have<br />

all come to expect from our NPPD colleagues,” he<br />

said. “Keeping our employees safe is always our<br />

top priority, followed closely be keeping the lines of<br />

communication open for our customers.”<br />

Protient had manufactured and marketed dairybased<br />

ingredients for dairy products. It closed in<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>ober 2008.<br />

A temporary call center was established at the<br />

General Office.


Entergy<br />

Nuclear signs<br />

until 2029<br />

An extension to the Cooper Nuclear<br />

Station Support Services Agreement<br />

with Entergy Nuclear was approved<br />

by NPPD’s Board of Directors at its<br />

<strong>Dec</strong>ember meeting. The amendment<br />

extends the current agreement for<br />

an additional term of 15 years until<br />

Jan. 18, 2029.<br />

“The decision to extend the Support Services Agreement<br />

was based on the significant improvements in regulatory<br />

and operational performance realized at CNS since the<br />

beginning of the agreement in <strong>Oct</strong>ober 2003.”<br />

- President and CEO Ron Asche<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 15<br />

“I believe that NPPD and Entergy have established<br />

an effective partnership that bodes well for the future<br />

of CNS. NPPD has invested heavily in the plant to<br />

help set the stage for License Renewal. Preliminary<br />

work is also being performed to evaluate the<br />

feasibility of an extended power uprate for CNS. Our<br />

partnership with Entergy supports both of these longterm<br />

objectives.”<br />

“An additional feature of the amendment is to<br />

change certain provisions pertaining to compensation<br />

of Entergy that will allow NPPD to meet certain<br />

IRS tax exempt debt financing tests. This change, in<br />

conjunction with the expiration of the MidAmerican<br />

<strong>Power</strong> Sales Contract later this year, will allow the<br />

<strong>District</strong> to use tax exempt debt, instead of higher cost<br />

taxable debt, to finance capital projects at Cooper.<br />

This will result in lower overall power costs for<br />

Cooper Station in the future,” said Asche.<br />

In written comments to CNS employees, Asche said,<br />

“The Support Services Agreement has allowed NPPD<br />

to remain in the nuclear generation business which<br />

is a proud part of our heritage. It remains important<br />

to our Board that NPPD retain the CNS operating<br />

license. The Board also recognizes the importance of<br />

all the NPPD employees that help manage and operate<br />

the plant on a daily basis. It would be extremely<br />

challenging to operate in today’s environment without<br />

the benefit of the fleet affiliation that the agreement<br />

with Entergy allows. With climate change concerns,<br />

having CNS as an important part of our diverse<br />

generation mix is now more critical than ever.”


16<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

Kearney / Lisa Willson, Administrative Assistant /<br />

lmwills@nppd.com<br />

from around the state<br />

In March 2008, Customer Services Leader Nicole<br />

Brumbaugh issued a monthly challenge to the<br />

customer services support specialists in Aurora,<br />

Kearney and York asking them to try to sign up<br />

1,000 customers for the Pennies for <strong>Power</strong> Program.<br />

In <strong>Nov</strong>ember, the group celebrated their success<br />

of signing up 1,063 customers. Congratulations<br />

to Customer Services Support Specialists Connie<br />

Stover, Brenda Norris, Patty Freburg and Carol<br />

Lentell of Kearney; Karen Wilshusen of Aurora;<br />

and Wendy Rathjen and Stacey Schlueter of York.<br />

Across the state, 5,396 customers and 89 employees<br />

contribute an average $3,357 to the program each<br />

month.<br />

NPPD employees walked in the annual University of<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong>-Kearney band day parade in September.<br />

Pictured from left, front row: Shaina Meier; Kearney<br />

Engineer Corey McIntosh; Customer Services Specialist<br />

Connie Stover; Financial Analyst Renee Coughlin and<br />

her daughter, Tara, and grandsons, Will and Alex. Back<br />

row: <strong>District</strong> Engineering Manager Jay Dring; Utility<br />

Service Technician Jim Fitzgerald and grandson, Ryan,<br />

granddaughter, Madison, and son, Matt; Administrative<br />

Assistant Lisa Willson, Customer Services Specialist<br />

Brenda Norris; and, Customer Services Leader Nicole<br />

Brumbaugh and her son, Cale.<br />

Wild West was the theme for the University of<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong>-Kearney Homecoming Parade in late<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>ober. NPPD was among the more than 150 parade<br />

entries.<br />

Pictured from left: Administrative Assistant Lisa Willson;<br />

Kelsey Graham, daughter of Journey Line Technician Chet<br />

Graham and her friend; Distribution Support Specialist<br />

Sandy Stroh; Community Relations/Education Specialist<br />

Diana Luscher; Planner Scheduler Dan Persson; Engineer<br />

Doug Jebens and his daughter, Kalie, and son, Nick; and<br />

Senior Line Technician Ray Panowicz. Chelsea Willson,<br />

daughter of Lisa Willson, was Cowboy Louie for the event.<br />

Norfolk / Barb Keating, Customer Contact Specialist /<br />

bjkeati@nppd.com<br />

<strong>Nov</strong>ember is the time of the year when we remember<br />

to give<br />

thanks for<br />

all that<br />

we have.<br />

This year,<br />

NPPD<br />

Call<br />

Center<br />

colleagues<br />

helped<br />

support<br />

This pictures shows some of the items Call<br />

two local Center colleagues collected for our troops.<br />

causes.<br />

Through Veteran’s Day week, colleagues collected<br />

items for “Care Packages” to be sent to our troops. On<br />

<strong>Nov</strong>. 23, nine full boxes of food were delivered to the<br />

Improved Living Food Bank in Norfolk to help those<br />

struggling to put food on their tables.


York / Cindy Klein, Customer Services & Delivery<br />

Representative / ceklein@nppd.com<br />

On <strong>Nov</strong>. 16, the managers at the York Operations<br />

Center served breakfast to colleagues in celebration of<br />

a new safety record - accident free for 145 days.<br />

York employees enjoy a safety celebration breakfast.<br />

Account Manager Craig Vincent was awarded a<br />

diploma and commemorative plaque at the State<br />

Chamber’s Leadership <strong>Nebraska</strong> Commencement<br />

ceremony held <strong>Oct</strong>. 23 in Lincoln. Class graduates<br />

participated in six sessions that featured top-notch<br />

speakers, an agricultural tour of <strong>Nebraska</strong>, firsthand<br />

experiences in state public policy, economic<br />

development, education, and healthcare and human<br />

services. Leadership <strong>Nebraska</strong> is dedicated to the<br />

development of informed leaders that understand<br />

issues, define problems, develop solutions and achieve<br />

positions of higher responsibility in <strong>Nebraska</strong>.<br />

Craig Vincent (right) receives his Leadership<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong> diploma and commemorative plaque.<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 17<br />

NPPD employees and families walked in the 30th<br />

annual Yorkfest parade in September.<br />

Warehouse Attendant Rolland Peterson; Procurement Specialist<br />

Paige, Tim, Matti and Christian Stacy; Energy Efficiency Consultant<br />

Mike Teetor; Fleet Operations Assistant Julie Hoff (Louie); CSD<br />

Material Coordinator Gaylen Thomsen and grandson, Hayden;<br />

Paige Homan(Light bulb), daughter of Custodian Celeste Homan;<br />

Customer Services Support Specialist Wendy and Matt Rathjen<br />

and her son, Josh Brahmsteadt; Transmission Supervisor Greg<br />

and Jackie Meier and sons; Account Manager Craig Vincent;<br />

Journey Line Technician Ray, Tammy, Syras and Sabryna<br />

Boston; Substation Technician Tim Norquest and Apprentice Line<br />

Technician in Training Brad Christo.<br />

Norfolk / Mindy Leaverton, Customer Services Support<br />

Specialist / maleave@nppd.com<br />

Colton Fritz<br />

Dylan Delka<br />

Colton Fritz and Dylan Delka were selected as<br />

“Super Jays” for <strong>Oct</strong>ober at Pierce Elementary<br />

School. The boys were honored for displaying<br />

outstanding characteristics inside the classroom.<br />

Colton, a kindergartener, is the son of Transmission<br />

Supervisor Scott and Jennifer Fritz. Dylan, a thirdgrader,<br />

also received the honor last May. He is the son<br />

of Senior Line Technician Chris and Gaye Delka.


18 ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

Chadron / Darla Wait, Distribution Support Specialist /<br />

dkwait@nppd.com<br />

Chadron crews gave a safety demonstration to a group<br />

of Chadron High School students. “Electricity is very<br />

unforgiving and unpredictable,” Line Technician<br />

Marshall Rosenblad told the students, after<br />

explaining the dangers of short circuit that can result<br />

from storms, accidents that damage power poles, or<br />

tree limbs touching wires.<br />

Pictured with the students is Line Technician Matt Nelson.<br />

Not pictured are Line Technician Marshall Rosenblad and<br />

Lead Line Technician Casey Wait.<br />

Cooper Nuclear Station / Glenn Troester,<br />

Communications Coordinator / grtroes@nppd.com<br />

Garrett Schwindt was one<br />

of 21 <strong>Nebraska</strong> high school<br />

juniors and seniors who<br />

participated in the <strong>2009</strong> Health<br />

Professions Career Workshop<br />

at the University of <strong>Nebraska</strong><br />

Medical Center. The workshop<br />

exposes students to available<br />

health careers. Garrett, a<br />

junior at Auburn High School,<br />

is the son of Nuclear Instructor<br />

Warren Schwindt.<br />

Garrett Schwindt<br />

Scottsbluff / Colleen Mathewson, Distribution Support<br />

Specialist / cmmathe@nppd.com<br />

Scottsbluff colleagues celebrated the Veteran’s Day<br />

holiday by participating in the annual parade.<br />

Helping honor veterans in the annual Scottsbluff parade<br />

are: Finance Analyst Lad Kocer; Utility Service Technician<br />

Shawn Krause; Customer Service Support Specialist<br />

Lorraine Huerta; Senior Planner/Scheduler Chuck Vacha;<br />

Customer Service Support Specialist Sarah Stretch, and<br />

Customer Services Leader Melody Baily.<br />

Columbus / Kathy Fadschild, Administrative Assistant /<br />

klfadsc@nppd.com<br />

Air National Guard<br />

Airman 1st Class<br />

Eric Miksch<br />

graduated from basic<br />

military training<br />

at Lackland Air<br />

Force Base, San<br />

Antonio, Texas. The<br />

airman completed<br />

an intensive eightweek<br />

program that<br />

included training in<br />

military discipline<br />

and studies, Air<br />

Eric Miksch<br />

Force core values,<br />

physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and<br />

skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four<br />

credits toward an associate in applied science degree<br />

through the Community College of the Air Force.<br />

Miksch earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is<br />

the son of Drafter Dale and Valerie Miksch.


Tyler Micek, son of Records<br />

Analyst Gina and Joe Micek,<br />

was crowned homecoming<br />

prince during Homecoming<br />

activities at the University of<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong>-Omaha. Tyler is a<br />

senior Secondary Education<br />

and Math major and represents<br />

Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.<br />

He is President of the Inter<br />

Fraternity Council, President of<br />

Order of Omega, the Emerging<br />

Leaders Program Coordinator,<br />

a New Student Orientation<br />

Leader, and a member of the UNO<br />

Matadors.<br />

Laura Zach, daughter<br />

of Energy Efficiency<br />

Consultant Steve and<br />

Marie Zach, was a<br />

member of the Scotus<br />

Central Catholic<br />

volleyball team that<br />

won the state C-1<br />

championship game in<br />

Lincoln. The Scotus<br />

team finished the year<br />

with a record of 24-5.<br />

Laura Zach<br />

Tyler Micek<br />

Krista Mulligan was one<br />

of 16 students elected<br />

to the Judicial Board<br />

at Central Community<br />

College-Columbus for the<br />

<strong>2009</strong>-2010 academic years.<br />

The Judicial Board is<br />

authorized by the campus<br />

administration to hear<br />

and judge cases involving<br />

student violations of<br />

Krista Mulligan<br />

rules and regulations in<br />

the residence halls on the campus. Krista is a <strong>2009</strong><br />

graduate of Scotus Central Catholic High School and<br />

is a psychology and criminal justice major. She is the<br />

daughter of Custodian Duane and Janet Mulligan.<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 19<br />

Phil Awtry and his family in Australia.<br />

Business Analyst Phil Awtry was asked to present<br />

the keynote address at the Mastering SAP Plant<br />

Maintenance Conference in Gold Coast, Australia in<br />

<strong>Nov</strong>ember. Phil’s trip, which included his family, was<br />

paid for by the conference and himself. He received<br />

rave reviews for his presentation, “Piloting Your<br />

Maintenance Program Into the Future,” which touched<br />

on NPPD’s work in the area of business intelligence<br />

and work/asset management reporting. According to<br />

the conference organizers, Awtry’s keynote scored<br />

highest among the conference speakers. Phil also<br />

presented a second session on developing a business<br />

case for asset-centric document management. NPPD<br />

ITT Manager Dave Webb praised Awtry, who speaks<br />

often at SAP and utilities events, for representing<br />

NPPD well and making new contacts that will help us<br />

with future business and technology initiatives.<br />

G.O. employees<br />

helped make the<br />

world a warmer,<br />

greener place by<br />

hosting a coat<br />

collection drive<br />

to commemorate<br />

America Recycles<br />

Day. Fifty-three<br />

gently used coats<br />

were gathered over a<br />

two-week period and<br />

were donated to a local<br />

charity where they will<br />

be given to those in<br />

need free of charge. A<br />

G.O. employees donated enough<br />

coats and other cold-weather<br />

clothing to fill this bin. The supplies<br />

were donated to a local charity.<br />

generous amount of hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and<br />

boots were also donated.


20<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

Asset Value Consultant<br />

Sharon Brown was<br />

named Toastmaster of<br />

the Year by members of<br />

the NPPD Club #1029<br />

on Sept. 14. Sharon has<br />

served as the Club’s<br />

president and currently<br />

serves as area Governor<br />

of <strong>District</strong> 13.<br />

Sharon Brown<br />

Webb credits team for national CIO award<br />

Sierra Energy Group/Energy Central<br />

recognized Information Technology and<br />

Telecommunications Manager Dave Webb with<br />

its Chief Information Officer 1st Runner Up<br />

KITE Award in the small utility category at the<br />

Knowledge Utility CIO Summit in <strong>Oct</strong>ober.<br />

Dave Webb (left) accepts CIO runner up plaque as part of<br />

a national award contest.<br />

Megan Albracht was<br />

among 442 students<br />

selected to be a part of the<br />

<strong>2009</strong> All-State Chorus.<br />

The chorus performed<br />

at the University of<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong>-Lincoln campus<br />

in <strong>Nov</strong>ember. Selection<br />

as a member into this<br />

group is one of the highest<br />

musical honors attainable<br />

in <strong>Nebraska</strong>. Megan, a<br />

Megan Albracht<br />

sophomore at Lakeview High<br />

School, is the daughter of System Specialist Barb and<br />

Engineering Technician Joe Albracht.<br />

Selections for the award are made by a distinguished<br />

panel of anonymous judges consisting of magazine<br />

editors, industry analysts, former utility CIOs and<br />

college professors.<br />

The KITE awards stand for Knowledge, Innovation,<br />

Technology and Excellence--characteristics that set<br />

inspirational utility IT leaders apart from the pack.<br />

The judging criteria include the following four<br />

elements: leadership, support for strategic objectives,<br />

results achieved and accomplishments.<br />

Webb serves as a member of the Large <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong><br />

Council CIO committee and credits receipt of this<br />

award to his team of technology professionals who<br />

work hard to stay on top of the changing technology<br />

environment to ensure NPPD customers and<br />

employees are provided with secure and practical<br />

computer, software and infrastructure solutions.<br />

“I’m proud of my management team and all ITT<br />

colleagues and the work they do day in and day out.<br />

Thanks to them, I am able to participate in initiatives<br />

like the State Radio partnership and NPPD’s Smart<br />

Grid effort. I also owe special thanks to Pat Pope<br />

for his support and recognition of the critical role<br />

technology plays in NPPD’s success. That is certainly<br />

a major factor in NPPD being recognized with this<br />

national award,” he said.


on the<br />

Kris Anderson, human resources assistant,<br />

Columbus, to dispatch specialist, Norfolk.<br />

Troy Barker, procurement engineering and<br />

configuration management supervisor (TA), Cooper<br />

Nuclear Station, to quality assurance manager.<br />

David Bird, instrument and control supervisor (TA),<br />

CNS, to step up supervisor (TA).<br />

Richard Bolduc, operations training supervisor, CNS,<br />

to nuclear instructor.<br />

Corey Boyle, apprentice line technician in-training,<br />

Ogallala, to apprentice line technician.<br />

Dan Buman, director of engineering (TA), CNS, to<br />

director of engineering.<br />

Christopher Carpenter, non-licensed nuclear plant<br />

operator, CNS, to control room operator.<br />

Lee Conner, scheduler, CNS, to operations support<br />

group specialist.<br />

Stan Domikaitis, engineer—Engineering Support<br />

Department, CNS, to engineer—Nuclear Engineering<br />

Department—Risk Management.<br />

Tony Eddleman, system control technology<br />

supervisor, Doniphan, to electric reliability<br />

compliance supervisor.<br />

Clyde Edgington, control room operator, CNS, to<br />

control room supervisor.<br />

Roman Estrada, corrective action and assessments<br />

manager, CNS, to design engineering manager.<br />

William Gray, non-licensed nuclear plant operator,<br />

CNS, to control room operator.<br />

Martin Hannaford, work week director (TA), CNS,<br />

to work week director.<br />

David Hicks, non-licensed nuclear plant operator,<br />

CNS, to control room operator.<br />

Nathan Jones, apprentice telecommunications<br />

technician, York, to telecommunications technician.<br />

Shawn Krause, utility service technician (TA),<br />

Scottsbluff, to utility service technician.<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 21<br />

Chris Lammers, apprentice line technician<br />

in-training, O’Neill, to apprentice line technician,<br />

Ainsworth.<br />

Nancy Lowe, customer services and delivery<br />

representative, Kearney, to subtransmission and<br />

distribution system analyst.<br />

Mike Maness, control room operator, CNS, to control<br />

room supervisor.<br />

Philip Martin, non-licensed nuclear plant operator,<br />

CNS, to control room operator.<br />

Ryan Miller, operator (relief), Kearney, to station<br />

operator, Sheldon Station.<br />

Charles Murphy, non-licensed nuclear plant<br />

operator, CNS, to control room supervisor.<br />

Timothy Ommert, non-licensed nuclear plant<br />

operator, CNS, to control room operator.<br />

Justin Reimers, engineer—Systems Engineering<br />

Department, CNS, to shift technical engineer—<br />

Operations.<br />

Doug Rieger, investment and financial specialist,<br />

CGO, to part-time investment and financial specialist.<br />

James Short, non-licensed nuclear plant operator,<br />

CNS, to control room operator.<br />

Brian Stander, shift technical engineer, CNS, to<br />

control room supervisor.<br />

Joyce Steffensmeier, human resources assistant,<br />

CGO, to health service technician.<br />

Todd Stevens, design engineering manager, CNS, to<br />

project manager.<br />

Sandy Stroh, customer services and delivery<br />

representative, Kearney, to distribution support<br />

specialist.<br />

Andy Vaughn, control room operator, CNS, to control<br />

room supervisor.<br />

Gary Vavra, technical operations center analyst,<br />

York, to telecommunications engineering analyst.<br />

James Webster, senior project manager, CNS, to<br />

nuclear projects manager.<br />

Mark Weeder, procurement specialist, CGO, to<br />

investment and financial leader.


22<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

C U S T O M E R N E W S<br />

Dawson PPD holds open house for new facility<br />

Nearly 700 people attended an open<br />

house at Dawson <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong><br />

<strong>District</strong>’s new headquarters on <strong>Oct</strong>. 10.<br />

Geothermal technology is used to heat<br />

and cool the building. The facility is also<br />

designed with energy efficient lighting,<br />

adequate insulation and programmable<br />

heating and cooling systems.<br />

Billing Supervisor Connie Hird welcomes customers at<br />

Dawson PPD’s open house.<br />

Dawson PPD Purchasing and Facilities Manager<br />

Scott Fagot with Louie the Lightning Bug.


Ron Hostetter honored with Archway Award<br />

At the Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame<br />

Banquet on <strong>Nov</strong>. 17, Ron Hostetter received<br />

the 21st annual Archway Award for his business<br />

contributions. He is CEO and general manager of<br />

Cornhusker <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong>.<br />

Hostetter has been working in utilities since 1972.<br />

He first worked at Omaha <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>District</strong>, then<br />

NPPD in 1977. He began working at Cornhusker in<br />

1985 as director of technical operations. In 1993, he<br />

was named CEO and general manager.<br />

“It’s been great in Columbus. Columbus as we all<br />

know, for sure, is the national capitol of public power.<br />

It just serves us so well to have three power districts<br />

here,” he said.<br />

Under his direction Cornhusker received a national<br />

award for the Community Builders Program, which is<br />

a program that allows nearly 20 regional communities<br />

to meet at rotating locations four times a year. The<br />

business also started the Cornhusker Goodwill Fund<br />

through which customers can round up their power<br />

bills to fund community projects. Nearly $200,000 has<br />

been distributed through that project by Cornhusker to<br />

the community.<br />

Hostetter also is a member of the Columbus<br />

Economic Council and a <strong>Nebraska</strong> diplomat. He was<br />

elected to the National Rural Electric Cooperative<br />

On <strong>Oct</strong>. 30, retired Economist<br />

Donis Petersan received a<br />

lifetime achievement award from the<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong> Economics and Business<br />

Association (NEBA) during its<br />

annual meeting at the Omaha Branch<br />

of the Federal Reserve.<br />

NEBA is a statewide organization<br />

of professional and academic<br />

economists and researchers<br />

involved with issues and research<br />

on economics and business topics<br />

in general, and focuses on issues<br />

and research related to the economy of<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong> and the Great Plains. Petersan<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 23<br />

R E T I R E E N E W S<br />

Donis Petersan earns Lifetime Achievement Award<br />

Donis Petersan<br />

Ron Hostetter with the 21st annual Archway Award.<br />

Association Marketing committee, served on the<br />

NRECA Issues Committee, the <strong>Nebraska</strong> Rural<br />

Electric Association Job Training and Safety and<br />

Legislative Committees, and the <strong>Power</strong> Advisory<br />

Committee for NPPD. He also was elected chairman<br />

of the Midplains Energy Services Alliance.<br />

Hostetter also was a past recipient of the Charles<br />

E. Farnham Volunteer of the Year in 2004 for his<br />

community involvement. He and his wife, Mary, have<br />

three married daughters and one granddaughter.<br />

has been a member of NEBA since<br />

1969 and is a past president.<br />

A lifetime member and past<br />

president of the <strong>Nebraska</strong> Economic<br />

Developers Association, Petersan<br />

is also a long-time member of the<br />

International Economic Development<br />

Council (IEDC) and was awarded an<br />

Honorary Life Membership in IEDC<br />

before his retirement.<br />

Petersan holds a Ph.D. in economics<br />

from the University of <strong>Nebraska</strong>-<br />

Lincoln. He retired in February 2008<br />

after 29 years of employment with the<br />

<strong>District</strong>.


24<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

R E T I R E E N E W S<br />

Erma Nolan to volunteer time, talent during retirement<br />

retirement dinner honoring Columbus<br />

A Wholesale<br />

Billing Specialist Erma<br />

Nolan was held July<br />

17 at Wunderlich’s in<br />

Columbus.<br />

Columbus Contracts<br />

Manager Rod Rinne<br />

began the evening<br />

with an opening prayer<br />

and served as Master<br />

of Ceremonies for<br />

the occasion. Special<br />

guests included Erma’s<br />

sister and brother-inlaw,<br />

Ann and Jerry<br />

Woods; nephews,<br />

Gerald Woods., Randall<br />

Woods and Roger and Pam Reed; niece, Wendy and<br />

Ken Keener; and her sisters-in-law, Rama and Paul<br />

Badje, Madge and Vivian Bentley and Jean Coates.<br />

Also attending were special friends, Larry Navrkal and<br />

Pastor Glenn and Julie Williamson.<br />

Columbus Wholesale Billing Supervisor Jim<br />

Bernt presented Erma with her official retirement<br />

Columbus Energizers<br />

will meet Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 at<br />

8:30 a.m. at Stack ‘N Steak.<br />

Paul Badje, (402) 564-8863,<br />

tailor@neb.rr.com<br />

Klassy Kilowatts will meet<br />

Jan. 18, and Feb. 15 at 12:30<br />

p.m. CST at the Airport Inn in<br />

North Platte. NPPD Engineer Ed<br />

Dekleva will be the guest speaker<br />

at the January meeting.<br />

Tom Pendelton, (308) 532-5040<br />

tmpen@hamilton.net<br />

Erma Nolan at her retirement dinner.<br />

RETIREES<br />

Low Voltage Panhandlers<br />

will meet Feb. 16 at 9 a.m. at the<br />

Farm and Ranch Museum.<br />

Don Koralewski, (308) 783-1851<br />

donaldkoralewski340@gmail.com<br />

Northern Lights will meet<br />

April 26 for a tour of Ponca State<br />

Park and the Big Bear Lodge. More<br />

details in the next issue.<br />

Jim <strong>Dec</strong>ker, (402) 357-3788<br />

document and gifts from the <strong>District</strong>, a pair of<br />

Pentax binoculars and<br />

a corsage. Along with a<br />

monetary gift from her<br />

co-workers, the evening<br />

was made memorable<br />

by the special talents<br />

of master gardener Jim<br />

Bernt, who created<br />

the table centerpieces.<br />

Pastor Williamson<br />

ended the evening with<br />

a prayer of thankfulness<br />

and celebration.<br />

The occasion marked<br />

more than 35 years<br />

of employment with<br />

the <strong>District</strong>. Erma began<br />

her career Feb. 1, 1974 as a clerk in the Planning<br />

Department. She was promoted to Wholesale Billing<br />

Specialist in September of 2000, a position she held<br />

until the time of her retirement on June 30, <strong>2009</strong>.<br />

Erma plans to become more involved with Bible<br />

study, volunteer her time and talent, and travel.<br />

NPPD Antiques will meet<br />

Jan. 4 and Feb. 1 at 8:30 a.m. at<br />

Country Cooking in Beatrice. All<br />

meetings are scheduled for the<br />

first Monday of the month unless<br />

that date is a holiday.<br />

Dot Cornelius, (402) 228-0494<br />

Retired & Rewired will<br />

meet Jan. 8 at the Winery/Country<br />

Kitchen, social at 5:30, dinner at<br />

6 p.m.<br />

Lois McCoy, (308) 665-1625,<br />

lmccoy919@gmail.com<br />

Make plans to attend your local retiree meeting


Charlie Magnussen celebrates retirement<br />

Ainsworth Local Manager<br />

Charlie Magnussen was<br />

honored at a retirement dinner on<br />

Aug. 8 at the American Legion Club<br />

in Bassett. Special guests included his<br />

wife, Kathy; son and daughter-in-law,<br />

Chris and Jenn Magnussen; son, Matt<br />

Magnussen; daughter, Sherri Stapleton;<br />

stepsons, Mark and Kari Gurnsey and<br />

family and Justin and Amy Gurnsey<br />

and family; stepdaughter, Nikki and<br />

Barry Lovitt and family; stepfather,<br />

Spec Retzlaff; brothers and sisters-inlaw,<br />

Rod and Connie Magnussen and<br />

York Apprentice Substation Construction<br />

Technician Rog “Sugar” and Carol<br />

Magnussen.<br />

O’Neill Distribution Supervisor Mike Marvin<br />

served as Master of Ceremonies and presented Charlie<br />

with his official retirement document and gift from<br />

NPPD, a set of golf clubs.<br />

At a special presentation, Ainsworth Local Manager<br />

Todd Keller and Ainsworth Senior Line Technician<br />

Lee Conroy unveiled a hand-crafted work-of-art<br />

containing memorabilia from Charlie’s 40-year career.<br />

The creation was centered around a cross-arm that had<br />

been struck by lightning and contained some standard<br />

tools of the trade used by Charlie as well as items that<br />

held “special” meaning.<br />

Sons, Chris and Matt, gave their father an original<br />

General Electric meter from 1920 as a reminder of<br />

his career and as a thank you from the family for the<br />

security his dedication to his job provided for them.<br />

The late Eben Gifford, retired<br />

Paxton welder/mechanic, and Boyd<br />

Bryant of North Platte, also known as<br />

The Hillbillies, were inducted into the<br />

<strong>Nebraska</strong> Country Music Foundation<br />

Hall of Fame in <strong>Oct</strong>ober. The singing,<br />

guitar-playing duo were together for<br />

more than two decades entertaining<br />

fans in <strong>Nebraska</strong>, South Dakota,<br />

Montana and Wyoming.<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 25<br />

Charlie Magnussen retires after more than 40 years of service to NPPD.<br />

Magnussen began his career on June 9, 1969 as<br />

a truck driver for the Norfolk Construction Crew.<br />

He began lineman training in 1970 and worked<br />

as an apprentice lineman, lineman, substation<br />

foreman, journeyman lineman and sub-transmission<br />

dispatcher in Norfolk. While in Norfolk, he<br />

completed his training and passed the lineman’s<br />

examination in 1975. On April 16, 1985, Charlie<br />

accepted a promotion to work as the local manager<br />

in Bassett. On March 16, 2006, he advanced to<br />

work as the local manager in Ainsworth, a position<br />

he held at the time of his retirement on <strong>Nov</strong>. 30,<br />

<strong>2009</strong>.<br />

You can expect to see Charlie riding his Harley,<br />

and spending the days of his retirement hunting,<br />

fishing, camping, golfing and traveling.<br />

Eben Gifford honored posthumously<br />

“Neither of us could read music,” said Bryant. “We<br />

just loved music and we loved playing it.”<br />

The Hillbillies informally dissolved in the 1980s.<br />

“When the grandchildren came to visit, they always<br />

asked grandpa to play and sing for them. He loved<br />

that,” said Margaret Gifford, Eben’s widow.<br />

Eben, who passed away in 2000, has two proud<br />

sons who work at Gerald Gentleman Station: Fire/<br />

Safety Specialist Bob Gifford and Material Handler<br />

Lonnie Gifford.


26<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

We will<br />

remember<br />

Nancy Schwank, Columbus benefits coordinator,<br />

on the death of her mother, Mary Agnes<br />

“Aggie” Bruckner<br />

Larry Budler, CGO protection engineer, on the death<br />

of his father-in-law, Virgil Brand<br />

Greg Heidbreder, Kearney journey line technician,<br />

on the death of his mother, Colleen<br />

the family of Shirley M. Hahn, widow of retired<br />

Osceola <strong>District</strong> Manager John W. Hahn<br />

Bev Reiman, YOC planning analyst, on the death of<br />

her mother, Cleo Rieck<br />

Sandy French, CGO drafting services clerk, on the<br />

death of her father-in-law, William<br />

Bert Cole, CNS security officer, on the death of his<br />

father-in-law, Robert “Bob” Breazile, Jr.<br />

Mike Schmit, Scottsbluff area storekeeper, on the<br />

death of his mother-in-law, Delphine Heitman<br />

Brian Baack, CNS security officer, on the death of<br />

his grandmother, Ella (Oestmann) Bergmann<br />

John Atkins, CGO planner/scheduler, on the death of<br />

his wife, Shirley<br />

Mark Lloyd, Sheldon Station plant support<br />

technician, on the death of his father, Edward<br />

Larry Arens, Norfolk account manager, on the death<br />

of his mother-in-law, Katherine Wintz Abts<br />

Chris Lampe, Sheldon Station shift leader, and Curt<br />

Lampe, GGS material handler, on the death of their<br />

mother, Gloria<br />

Jason Morrison, Sheldon Station station operator, on<br />

the death of his grandfather, Donald Mutzebaugh<br />

Ed Kohmetscher, retired KCC senior systems<br />

analyst, on the death of his father, William<br />

our sympathies go out to the following families<br />

Carol Lentell, Kearney customer service support<br />

specialist, on the death of her father-in-law, Jay<br />

Paul Baustian, Norfolk desktop support specialist, on<br />

the death of his mother, Arlet Corrine<br />

Ann Tonniges, CGO web development specialist, on<br />

the death of her father-in-law, Melvin<br />

Tim Bruder, Sheldon Station material handler, on the<br />

death of his mother, Kay<br />

Richard Fleischer, retired CGO property records<br />

accountant, on the death of his wife, Connie<br />

Mike Dixon, Columbus cost management process<br />

lead, on the death of his son, Brent<br />

Mary Harding, NPPD Director, on the death of her<br />

father, Gene<br />

Kathy Hopwood, CGO records analyst, on the death<br />

of her father-in-law, Robert<br />

Patty Freburg, Kearney customer service specialist,<br />

on the death of her brother, Steve Velder<br />

Tom Black, CNS part-time nuclear engineering<br />

department engineer, on the death of his mother, Dorie<br />

the family of Bonnea Smith, widow of retired<br />

Scottsbluff Regional Equipment Maintenance<br />

Technician Walt Smith<br />

Brian Vasa, Ogallala economic development<br />

consultant, on the death of his mother, Phyllis<br />

CGO Part-time Clerk Millie Ludden and CGO<br />

Administrative Support Barb Ludden on the death of<br />

Millie’s husband and Barb’s father-in-law, Ted<br />

Doniphan Lead Real-Time Application Analyst<br />

Vic Bockerman and Kearney Coordinator Nick<br />

Bockerman on the death of Vic’s mother-in-law and<br />

Nick’s grandmother, Betty Allen


J A N U A R Y<br />

of events<br />

1 New Year’s Day Holiday<br />

14-15 NPPD Board Meeting<br />

Columbus<br />

22 Customer Meeting<br />

York Holiday Inn<br />

F E B R U A R Y<br />

11-12 NPPD Board Meeting<br />

Columbus<br />

Retired Sheldon Station Mechanic Virgil Leon<br />

Simmons, 83, who passed away <strong>Oct</strong>. 19. Virgil joined<br />

the <strong>District</strong> in 1953 and retired in 1984. Survivors<br />

include his wife, Eileen; son, Rick Simmons and<br />

wife, Mary; sister, Rose Nicholson and husband, Ivan;<br />

brother, Allen (Niles) Simmons and wife, Phyllis;<br />

sister-in-law, Melvadene Arntt; brother-in-law,<br />

Richard Arntt; half-brother, Kenny Cumpston; and<br />

nieces and nephews.<br />

ENERGY INSIGHT • JULY / AUGUST / SEPTEMBER <strong>2009</strong><br />

M A R C H<br />

2-3 <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Power</strong> Association<br />

Annual Meeting<br />

Cornhusker Hotel, Lincoln<br />

11-12 NPPD Board Meeting<br />

Columbus<br />

17 Customer Meeting<br />

Kearney Holiday Inn<br />

Retired Columbus Secretary Vera Pillen, 75, who<br />

passed away <strong>Nov</strong>. 2. Vera began her NPPD career<br />

in 1986 and retired in 1996. Survivors include<br />

daughters, Natalie (Ron) Kenkel, Kim (Brian) Kruger,<br />

Stephanie (John) Richardson and Melissa (Jeff)<br />

Lowe; step-sons, CGO Senior Project Coordinator<br />

Tom and Debbie Pillen, Jim and Suzanne Pillen,<br />

and Clete and CGO Investment Portfolio and Debt<br />

Administrator Christine Pillen; brother, Robert<br />

(Jeanette) Pembroke; 12 grandchildren and 10 stepgrandchildren.<br />

27


P.O.<br />

P.O.<br />

Box<br />

Box<br />

499<br />

499<br />

Columbus,<br />

Columbus,<br />

NE<br />

NE<br />

68602-0499<br />

68602-0499<br />

Address<br />

Address<br />

Service<br />

Service<br />

Requested<br />

Requested<br />

Together with your local public power utility.<br />

PRSRT STD<br />

PRSRT STD<br />

US POSTAGE<br />

US POSTAGE<br />

PAID<br />

PAID<br />

COLUMBUS NE<br />

COLUMBUS NE<br />

PERMIT NO. 3<br />

PERMIT NO. 3<br />

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