Generator Spring 2021

GENERA OR
a publication of Loup Power District SPRING 2021
INSIDE:
New trail at Lake Babcock
Three generations of dredgers
Tree trimming benefits

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ross Knott
Chairman
Alan Drozd
First Vice Chairman
Steve Heesacker
Second Vice Chairman
Robert Cerv
Secretary
Dick Tooley
Treasurer
Rich Aerni
Jim Donoghue
Mike Fleming
Chris Langemeier
Larry Zach
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Neal Suess
President/CEO
Walt Williams
Vice President,
Accounting & Finance/CFO
Todd Duren
Vice President,
Corporate Services
Korey Hobza
Vice President, Engineering
Dan Hellbusch
Vice President, Operations
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
SHOPPING FOR A NEW LIVING SPACE?
Add energy effi ciency to your checklist
If you’re looking for a new place to live, you likely
have a number of “boxes” you’d like to check, such
as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, how
much storage space is available, certainly the cost
of your rent or mortgage, taxes, and perhaps a yard
or close proximity to public transportation—all
important.
But what about the estimated cost of your
future energy bills? The annual energy
bill for a typical single family home
is $2,060, so factoring in energy
efficiency aspects as you prepare
to move can help you make
informed decisions to meet
your energy needs. Beyond
the standard walk-through
and home inspection report,
a home energy audit will give
you a more complete and credible
picture of a home’s energy
use. Below are a few important
aspects of your future home’s
energy use to take into account.
Factoring in energy efficiency
aspects can help you make informed decisions
to meet your energy needs.
APPLIANCES
Appliance use makes up a significant
portion of your electric bill. Replacing
older appliances with ENERGY STAR-rated
appliances is a choice that could be more
expensive at first, but could reduce your
annual energy costs.
If a refrigerator is from 2000 or earlier, a new
ENERGY STAR certified model will cost more
upfront but may use just half the electricity. When
comparing new refrigerators, ENERGY STARcertified
models are about 9 percent more energy
efficient than non-certified models, though they
tend to have a higher sticker price. ENERGY STARcertified
dishwashers are 12 percent more efficient
than non-certified models.
WINDOWS
Windows can be a major draw. Look at that view!
They can also be a major energy waster. Feel that
d r a ft ! Old or inefficient windows can let cold air
encroach in winter and conditioned air escape in
summer. Windows strongly influence the effectiveness
of your home’s most basic energy services —
heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation — which
together account for about two-fifths of a building’s
energy use.
When shopping for a living space, look for
double-paned windows with “low-e” coatings. And
check for weatherstripping, which helps seal in
your home’s climate. If it’s much warmer or colder
outside when you are inspecting a living space,
run your hand around the window edges to feel for
air leaks — feeling hot air in summer or cold air in
winter may signal higher energy bills ahead.
Daylight and views aside, ventilation and heat
from the sun can make a significant impact on your
home’s energy efficiency. If your windows are
letting in too much hot air, your
central air conditioner is going to
work much harder to cool your home
in the summer. If they’re letting in
too much cold air in winter, your
furnace will be working harder
as well.
INSULATION
Properly installed insulation
in walls, floors, and attics keeps
your home or apartment comfortable
in any season. Find out if the
insulation meets the most recent
building code and whether the
building envelope is well sealed so you
can compare the comfort of future living
spaces you’re considering.
R-Value is the thermal resistance measurement
used for insulation, indicating its resistance
to heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the
better the protection against heat and cold.
Be sure to check the insulation levels in any
home you are considering.
HEATING AND COOLING
The effort to heat or cool the air represents one
of the largest energy expenses in any home. Here
are ways to save on your energy bills, while staying
comfortable year-round:
• If you plan to rent, consider a location that has
a programmable or “smart” thermostat already
installed.
• If buying, consider making an early investment
in a smart thermostat. While they come with a
higher upfront cost, they offer dynamic control of
your heating and cooling. The result: savings on
your energy bill.
• Ask to see the heating and cooling units whether
you will buy or rent. Ask questions about their
age and upkeep.
Naturally, you’ve got a lot on your mind when
you’re in the market for a new place to live. Hopefully
these tips can help you simplify the task of
comparing variables like comfort and energy costs
before you make the big decision.
Source: energy.gov
2 | GENERATOR
COVER: Loup Power District assisted with a house move near Humphrey.
Photo by Newman Grove Local Superintendent Alvin Meyer.

pReSIDeNT’S MessAGe
February’s rolling blackouts
prevented electrical catastrophe
Reliability and affordability. Those are two words
for the electricity industry that tend to go hand in
hand. We want to provide reliable electric service to
our customers, yet we also want it to be affordable.
Most of the time it works and nobody knows anything
different.
Then something happens — like the rolling blackouts
throughout Nebraska in mid-February — and
everyone starts questioning what is wrong with the
system.
First and foremost, the electric grid is very complicated
and is made up of a network of generating units
(nuclear, coal, natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, solar,
etc.) and thousands of miles of high voltage transmission
lines. The generating units and transmission
lines work in tandem to bring electricity to our homes
and businesses during all extreme events, including
cold winter days and hot summer days.
In February, the demand for power due to the cold
temperatures in the Midwest created a significant
strain on the electric utility system. Unfortunately
the generating units within the entire region were not
able to meet that increased demand. The question is
why?
This is really the key to what the regional transmission
organizations (such as the Southwest Power
Pool) do as part of their business. They maintain the
balance between the demand of the system and the
generation needed to meet this demand. Unfortunately
what happened in mid-February was an imbalance
of the above.
First and foremost, not all generation in the
Southwest Power Pool was available during the cold
weather, due mostly to fuel supply. There was a lack
of supply of natural gas for natural gas generation,
and some coal-fired generation had issues with coal
piles freezing up and limiting the amount of coal that
could be used to generate electricity.
Additionally, during this time period there was
very little wind available, which limited the amount
of wind resources.
Finally, with the cold weather, the ice buildup in
the rivers reduced the amount of hydroelectric generation.
All of this led to the perfect storm, so to say.
As a distribution utility, the District does not like
to have outages. It reflects poorly on the service we
provide and we do everything we can to avoid this.
That being said, what happened in mid-February
was necessary to avoid a bigger catastrophe, like
what happened in Texas. Had NPPD and the District
(as well as the other wholesale customers of NPPD
and utilities throughout the SPP) not started rolling
blackouts to balance supply and demand, the system
could have had a major default and it may have been
days before power was restored. Although not an
ideal situation, the system worked as intended.
There will be many studies associated with what
happened in mid-February, all in an attempt to
better understand the situation and to keep it from
happening again.
AS AN INDUSTRY, WE WILL BE BETTER
AS A RESULT OF WHAT HAPPENED
AND BE BETTER PREPARED IN THE
FUTURE.
But in the end, it still comes down to the two
words that were mentioned at the beginning of this
article: reliability and affordability.
The District’s Board and management will
continue to work hard for all of our employees and
customers to meet your needs and desires.
Until next time, be happy and stay safe!!
NEAL SUESS
President/CEO
SPRING 2021 | 3

Tips to save energy in the kitchen
Ah, the kitchen. It’s undeniably one of the most-loved rooms
in our homes. It’s where we gather with family and friends for our
favorite meals and memories. But like most of us, you probably aren’t
thinking about saving energy when you’re planning that perfect dish.
Here are four ways you can save energy in the kitchen with minimal
effort.
COOK & BAKE WITH SMALLER APPLIANCES WHEN POSSIBLE
Using smaller kitchen appliances, like slow cookers, toaster
ovens, and convection ovens is more energy efficient than using your
large stove or oven. According to the Department of Energy, a toaster
or convection oven uses one-third to one-half as much energy as a
full-sized oven.
UNPLUG APPLIANCES THAT DRAW PHANTOM ENERGY LOAD
Halloween may be months away, but it’s possible you have energy
vampires in your kitchen – these are the appliances that draw energy
even when they’re not in use, like coffee makers, microwaves, and
toaster ovens. The Department of Energy estimates that one home’s
energy vampires left plugged in year-round can add up to $100–$200
in wasted energy costs. Unplug them when they’re not in use, or
better yet, use a power strip for convenient control.
CHECK YOUR REFRIGERATOR TEMPERATURE
Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended
temperatures are 35–38°F for the fresh food compartment and 0°F
for separate freezers for long-term storage. When it’s time to put
leftovers in the refrigerator, make sure the food is covered and allow
it to cool down first. That way, the fridge doesn’t have to work harder
to cool warm food. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the
compressor work harder.
USE YOUR DISHWASHER EFFICIENTLY
Make sure your dishwasher is full (but not overloaded) and avoid
using the “rinse hold” function on your machine for just a few dirty
dishes — it uses 3–7 gallons of hot water. You can also save energy by
letting your dishes air dry. If your dishwasher doesn’t have an automatic
air-dry switch, simply turn it off after the final rinse and prop
the door open so the dishes will dry faster.
USE YOUR OVEN AND STOVE TOP PROPERLY
Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean; they will reflect the
heat better, and you will save energy. Match the size of the pan to the
heating element. Preheat only when ready and try ceramic or glass
pans. They hold heat better than metal pans so you can cook your
dishes at a lower temperature. And don’t peek! Every time you do,
you lose as much as 25 degrees.
By adjusting a few of your habits in the kitchen,
you’ll be well on your way to energy savings.
4 | GENERATOR

TREE TRIMMING ENSURES
RELIABLE & AFFORDABLE POWER
One of the things we love best about our
communites are the many trees that offer
beauty, shade and habitat for birds and
other wildlife. Our community members also
love having reliable power. At Loup, we must
balance nature and power by keeping power
lines clear in rights of way (ROW).
A right of way is the land we use to
construct, maintain, replace, or repair
underground and overhead power lines. This
enables us to provide clearance from trees
and other obstructions that could hinder the
power line maintenance operation.
ROW areas are typically on public lands
or located near a business or home. Loup
employees must be able to maintain the
power lines above and below the ROW.
That’s why we have a vegetation management
program. The overall goal is to provide
reliable power to our customers while maintaining
the beauty of our communities.
We do this by working closely with
landowners so we have a mutually beneficial
outcome when clearing vegetation.
We trim trees naturally to the point of
growth so trees can recover more quickly.
Loup has a low ground impact personnel lift
that can squeeze through 36-inch gates to
remove vegetation in private ROWs and tight
locations. We’re always on the lookout for
small, unwanted trees that could become a
big problem in the future.
While we recognize and appreciate the
beauty of trees, there are three main benefits
to tree trimming in ROW areas:
SAFETY
First and foremost, we care about our
customers and put their safety and that of
our lineworkers above all else. Overgrown
trees pose a risk to power lines.
For example, if trees are touching power
lines in our your yard, they can pose grave
danger to families. If children can access
those trees, they could climb into a danger
zone. Electricity can arc — or jump — from a
power line to a nearby conductor like a tree.
A proactive approach also diminishes the
chances of fallen branches or trees during
severe weather events that make it more
complicated and dangerous for lineworkers
to restore power.
RELIABILITY
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of
a smart vegetation management program is
reliability.
Strategic tree trimming reduces the
frequency of downed lines causing power
outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees
don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines
don’t cause problems. Proactive trimming
and pruning keeps lines clear to promote
reliability.
We also use data and technology to maximize
the efficiency of our operation. This
includes our vegetation management plan.
Our team uses mapping software that
helps us develop a plan to clear vegetation
from our overhead and underground lines
and equipment.
OUR 3 PRUNING METHODS:
AFFORDABILITY
Loup is a not-for-profit company.
That means we strive to keep our costs
in check in order to keep our rates
affordable. This extends to vegetation
management. If trees grow too close
to power lines, the potential for expensive
repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming
and other vegetation management
efforts keep costs down for everyone.
We appreciate the beauty of trees in our
communities, but we also know residents
there depend on us to provide reliable
energy. Through vegetation management,
we are better able to keep the power lines
clear, prepare for future weather events, and
secure the reliability of the grid.
Graphic by Joe Comstock, Omaha Public Power District
SPRING 2021 | 5

The dotted line shows the trail
that was completed in late
2020.
BLAZING
theTRAIL
Bikers, walkers and runners have been enjoying the trails at Lake
North and Lake Babcock for more than 20 years.
Now, they can finally go all the way around.
Loup Power District's canal crew completed a 2,000-foot by
10-foot trail on the east side of Lake Babcock last fall.
Canal Foreman Lance Ferris said people were already walking and
biking on the undeveloped stretch of trail — so much so there was a
worn dirt path. He said the new packed limestone surface and guardrail
will improve safety and enjoyment of the trail.
Chris Shank, Loup's Civil Engineering Compliance Technician,
said the project was a part of Loup's 2020 recreational plan.
"We budget for recreational opportunities and improvements
every year," he said.
The trail system around both lakes dates back to the late 1990s. In
May 1997, Loup advertised that its canal maintenance roads could be
used by bikers and walkers.
The nonprofit Columbus Area Recreational Trails (CART) group
formed around the same time to provide funding coordination and
master plan development for a trail system in Columbus.
Members began seeking out funding opportunities and set their
sights on Lake North and Lake Babcock because of the area's popularity
with walkers as well as the support of Loup Power District.
In 1998, CART received a federal grant of more than $380,000 to
use for its first proposed trail — The Two Lakes Trail.
The Lower Loup Natural Resources District contributed $48,000
and CART raised an additional $100,000 — more than enough to
cover its 20 percent local share of the $478,000 cost.
The Two Lakes Trail was constructed in 1999 . It runs west from the
Lake North entrance through Lake North and Lake Babcock parks to
Girl Scout Park — about 2.5 miles.
In 2005, the Bob Lake Trail opened on the southwest perimeter of
Lake Babcock. The trail was named in memory of a Lakeview High
School biology teacher and coach who died in 2002. Mr. Lake was a
supporter of the trail system and advocated exercise on the trails.
Loup supplied labor and equipment for the trail construction.
In 2011, the Robert White Trail was dedicated. The trail was named
after Loup's president and CEO from 1987 to 2006. White was a longtime
supporter of CART's efforts.
"The trail concept fits in well with Loup's mission of providing
recreational activities on the canal system," White said at the
6 | GENERATOR

ABOVE: A section of an undeveloped trail on the east side of Lake
Babcock in the fall of 2020 (left) and the finished trail with crushed
limestone in late 2020 (right).
RIGHT: A portion of Two Lakes Trail.
COLUMBUS AREA
RECREATIONAL TRAILS
TWO LAKES TRAIL — 2.4 miles, 8′ wide, Concrete
Follows the north side of Lake North and Lake Babcock,
winding through two tree-lined parks and a wildlife refuge.
CASTNER'S CROSSING — 130 feet long, 10′ wide, Footbridge
This footbridge crosses the Loup canal and connects
the Two Lakes Trail and Bob Lake Trail.
dedication. "But building the trails was not something that fit
well in this mission. That is where CART is a good fit with its
planning and fundraising."
Funding for the Robert White Trail came from Loup and the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
In addition to the trail development on Loup's property,
CART has been actively working to develop trails throughout the
city of Columbus. Loup's employees maintain the trails around
the lakes, while the city and county are in charge of the trails to
the south.
Hydro Superintendent Brad Morton said several nonprofit
groups have organized activities using the trails to benefit their
organizations as well as the community. Those benefits stem
from the hard work of CART members over the years.
Morton said the partnership and cooperation with CART has
been an overwhelming success. A 2010 recreational study found
that Loup’s trails attract more than 3,000 users each month.
“The trails are a great attraction to our parks and can be used
all year for anyone who wants to enjoy nature and exercise,” he
said.
Visit loup.com for a full CART brochure, including
map, trail descriptions, and volunteer information.
BOB LAKE TRAIL — 1.3 miles, 9′ wide, Crushed Limestone
Follows the southwest perimeter of Lake Babcock.
ROBERT WHITE TRAIL — 1.5 miles, 9′ wide, Crushed Limestone
Follows the southern perimeter of Lake Babcock.
MONASTERY TRAIL — 1.5 miles, 10′ wide, Concrete
Runs parallel to 18th Avenue (Monastery Road).
WILDERNESS PARK TRAIL — 1.5 miles, 10′ wide, Concrete
Follows the perimeter of the Wilderness Park Soccer Complex.
PAWNEE PARK TRAIL — 2 miles, 10′ wide, Concrete
A winding path through Pawnee Park along the Loup River.
8th STREET TRAIL — 1,178 feet, 6′ wide, Concrete
Runs from the northwest entrance of Pawnee Park past
Van Berg golf course to the entrance of Stires and Wagners Lakes.
3rd AVE VIADUCT TRAIL — 0.8 miles, 10′ wide, Concrete
Runs parallel to 3rd Avenue from 8th to 19th Street.
SUNSET TRAIL — 1.3 miles, 10′ wide, Concrete
Loops around Lake Ester east of the Columbus Community Hospital.
DISCOVERER TRAIL — 1.1 miles, 10′ wide, Concrete
Runs from Lake Ester south along 41st Avenue to 38th Street,
then east along the north side of 38th Street to 33rd Avenue.
It continues north on the west side of 33rd Avenue.
SPRING 2021 | 7

UP THE MEMORIES
Bob Hoffmeister is a gravel man.
His dad, Frank, was a gravel man, too.
They both operated a dredge for the family
business.
In 2019, Bob's son, Jesse, started working
for Loup Power District. He operates a dredge
as well.
“There are three generations of dredgers,”
Bob said. “That doesn’t happen very often.”
HOFFMEISTER SAND & GRAVEL
Frank started hauling gravel and sand in the
1950s for Central Sand and Gravel.
In 1963, he decided to venture out on his
own and started Hoffmeister Sand & Gravel.
Naturally, Bob began working with his father
as a child.
“I started running the front-end loader
when I was 10 years old,” he said. “My job
was to keep the gravel screens clean and keep
the county trucks underneath the bin and get
gravel for each load.”
Bob bought the business in 1990. But Frank
continued working with him.
Like his father, Jesse spent a lot of time
helping out with the family business. He
remembers working on the dredge in winter
and chopping ice around the pontoon.
But times were a little different by then.
Bob wanted to make sure the kids were safe
first and foremost. So Jesse spent a lot of time
fishing from the gravel pit shore, watching the
work from a safe distance.
LOUP POWER DISTRICT
Jesse started working at Loup Power District
on January 1, 2019. He barely had time to get
his feet wet when a mid-March storm caused
flooding that breached the canal, causing more
than $15 million in damage.
That meant that he would not get to experience
dredging in 2019. By 2020, the District
was able to resume dredging and he joined the
ranks of his father and grandfather.
While each of the Hoffmeisters have operated
dredges, Jesse's role as a Dredge/Maintenance
Canal Tech at the Genoa Headworks is a
bit different.
In the sand and gravel business, the dredge
has a rotating cutter head that loosens and
breaks up the sand, clay, and gravel before
sucking it up. Those materials are then sorted
and prepared for sale.
Loup's Pawnee II is a dustpan dredge. A
water jet system breaks up sediment in the
two-mile setting basin and then sucks it up like
a vacuum. The sediment is pumped to sand
management areas to the north and south of
the canal. This ensures water can flow through
the canal to powerhouses in Monroe and
Columbus.
The District does this work in spring and
DREDGE HEADS
Above: Frank Hoffmeister,
Bob Hoffmeister, and
Jesse Hoffmeister.
Right: Bob Hoffmeister
operates a dredge at
Central Sand and Gravel.
It features a rotating
cutter head that breaks
up sand, clay, and gravel.
The Pawnee II dredge at
the Genoa Headworks
uses a water jet system
to break up sediment
in the two-mile canal
settling basin.
8 | GENERATOR

Jesse helping his dad, Bob, at Hoffmeister Sand & Gravel.
fall, taking a break from June through August to reduce
disturbances to endangered birds that nest in those sand
management areas.
DREDGING TODAY AND TOMORROW
Bob got out of the family business in 1997. He was
feeling too much stress and the financial burden was
high.
“I was burned out,” he said.
He worked for Koch Excavating for a few years and
then hauled pigs. But in the end, he couldn't stay away
and began working as a dredge operator for Central Sand
and Gravel in 2010.
“I’m an old gravel nut,” he said. “So I went back to it.”
Jesse admits he doesn't have the same love for
dredging and gravel that Bob does.
In fact, sometimes the dredging season seems a little
long.
“Dredging today, dredging tomorrow, and dredging
the next day,” he joked.
But he knows the job is important. It clears the canal
and enables the District to generate power.
And the end result is why the job is important to Bob,
too.
Without gravel, there wouldn't be paved roads. And
without good paved roads, it would be harder for people
to get from point A to point B.
Whenever he drives down the highway from St.
Edward to Albion, he thinks about the gravel he supplied
for that road in 1984.
“You can see what you've done,” he said. “And that's a
good thing.”
THREE GENERATIONS
Top: Frank Hoffmeister started Hoffmeister Sand & Gravel in 1963.
Middle: Bob Hoffmeister worked for the family business until the
late 1990s. He currently works as a dredge operator for Central
Sand & Gravel.
Bottom: Jesse Hoffmeister is a Dredge/Canal Maintenance Tech for
Loup Power District.
SPRING 2021 | 9

Counties receive $2 million
Loup Power District recently delivered
its inside revenue payments and the second
half of the in-lieu-of-tax payment to the
counties it serves.
This is a benefit of being served by a
locally controlled, not-for-profit utility.
Like other businesses, Loup Power
District pays sales tax, gasoline taxes, motor
vehicle license fees and permit fees.
The in-lieu-of-tax payments are made to
service area counties in lieu of occupation,
personal property and real estate taxes.
County treasurers will distribute the funds to
the various taxing bodies in each county.
Total in-lieu-of-tax payments for 2020:
Platte — $ 9,713.77
Boone — $5,078.34
Nance — $ 6,445.84
Colfax — $240.48
Madison — $359.27
Total — $ 21,837.70
The District is also required to make
additional payments to the counties to
guarantee they receive 5 percent of the inside
revenues from the various towns in their
areas subject to the in-lieu-of-tax payments.
Additional 2020 county payments:
Madison — $38,793.24
Platte — $1,625,791.21
Nance — $124,687.62
Colfax — $110,142.70
Boone — $189,394.88
Total — $2,088,809.65
Loup delivers
lease payments
Loup officials presented lease payment checks to area communities
in February and March. Each of these communities owns
their electric distribution systems. These payments compensate
them for the use of those systems. Communities use the funds for
a variety of public projects.
Second Half of 2020
$190,465.18
Primrose $2,898.50
Cornlea $3,035.58
Monroe $23,470.90
Tarnov $2,469.57
Cedar Rapids $31,166.25
Fullerton $59,636.44
Howells $33,920.22
Clarkson $33,867.72
Fourth Quarter of 2020
$1,054,079.37
Columbus $ 838,290.89
Belgrade $ 2,877.32
Creston $5,082.58
Genoa $19,396.71
Petersburg $8,903.74
Platte Center $8,789.42
Richland $2,413.50
St. Edward $16,790.37
Lindsay $47,656.28
Leigh $12,685.93
Newman Grove $17,837.95
Albion $41,567.18
Duncan $14,550.91
Humphrey $ 17,236.59
Loup renews
2021 memberships
Loup Power District renewed its membership in
Community Clubs and Chambers of Commerce in towns
throughout its service area.
Checks totaling $30,019 were presented to communities
in Boone, Colfax, Nance, Platte, and Madison
counties. Payment amounts are based on the 2020 gross
revenues in each community.
“Membership renewal demonstrates Loup Power
District’s commitment to community involvement in all
of our area towns,” said Todd Duren, Vice President of
Corporate Services for Loup Power District.
TOWNS AND THEIR PAYMENTS INCLUDE:
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce $21,002
Albion Chamber of Commerce $1,519
Lindsay Community Club $1,407
Fullerton Chamber of Commerce $1,094
Genoa Chamber of Commerce $747
Humphrey Community Club $639
Howells Community Club $584
Clarkson Community Club $560
Newman Grove Community Club $595
St. Edward Community Club $545
Cedar Rapids Community Club $501
Petersburg Community Club $295
Leigh Community Club $431
Primrose Community Club $100
10 | GENERATOR

electrify your
If you’re in the market to upgrade your
lawn care equipment, you may want to
consider electric or battery-powered options.
Electric lawn care equipment options
are becoming more popular than ever,
offering consumers faster charging times,
longer battery life and quieter, greener
products compared to their gas-powered
counterparts.
Here are three ways you can
electrify your lawn care this
spring.
ELECTRIC LAWN MOWERS
Electric lawn mowers have come a long
way over the last few years. Early models
required corded connections, which were
tricky to manage — but the cord has been
cut.
Newer cordless electric mowers are
certainly more expensive than gas-powered
mowers, but much of the upfront cost can be
recovered since electricity is a less expensive
fuel than gas, and electric engines generally
require less maintenance than gas engines.
Cordless electric mowers typically range
from $200 to $650.
Electric mowers are suitable for most
lawn care needs, with batteries that typically
require about one to two hours to fully
charge, and most batteries can run for a full
hour.
Some new battery-powered
mowers can tackle yards of
a half-acre or more.
ELECTRIC TRIMMERS
Cordless electric string trimmers are a
great option for most lawns. Traditionally,
like lawn mowers, string trimmers have typically
been powered by gas. But new versions
of electric trimmers are improving and are
now considered worthy competitors of gaspowered
models.
Cordless electric trimmers are much
quieter and easier to use, with runtimes
of about 30 minutes to 90 minutes. If you
have a lot of space to trim, you may want to
consider a back-up battery or plan to work in
short bursts.
If you’re interested in purchasing an
electric trimmer, the main factors to consider
are the battery’s life, charge time and power.
Costs can vary depending on your needs, but
you can find a quality version for about
$100.
ELECTRIC LEAF BLOWERS
After cutting and trimming your
lawn, you’ll need to clear off those
walkways and patios for the finishing
touch. If you don’t want to deal with the
maintenance of a gas-powered blower or
the restraints of a corded blower, a cordless
electric version is a great option.
Cordless electric leaf blowers are lightweight
and easy to maneuver. If your leaf
blowing and clearing needs are minimal, a
cordless electric leaf blower can definitely
get the job done.
Costs for a cordless electric blower vary
depending on power and battery quality, but
you can purchase a dependable model for
about $150.
If you’re looking to electrify your lawn
care equipment, be sure to do your homework.
Search online for the latest reviews,
and check trusted websites like Consumer-
Reports.org.
ABOVE: the EGO 650 CFM blower has a runtime of
90 minutes with a wind speed of 180 mph.
RIGHT: The EGO SelectCut mower has runtime
of 1 hour and a recharge time of 1 hour. EGO also
has a zero-turn riding lawn mower than can cut
two acres on a single charge using four 10Ah
batteries.
SPRING 2021 | 11

employee notes
NATALIE SHARMAN
Customer Service Representative
Natalie Sharman
joined Loup as a
part time Customer
Service Representative
(CSR) at the St.
Edward Office in
2016. In 2019, she
was promoted to a
full-time CSR serving
both the Fullerton
and Albion offices.
In March of 2020,
5 YEARS
Sharman transferred
to a Full-Time CSR in Fullerton.
Her responsibilities include greeting
customers; processing payments; setting
up, transferring, or closing service;
taking service calls; and preparing
reports.
Sharman is a graduate of Cambridge
High School. She attended the University
of Nebraska—Kearney studying
business and marketing. She and her
husband, Les, are the parents of two
children, Braden and Kinzie. They also
own Sharmz Auto Body in Fullerton.
ARIC ALT
Engineering Technician
Alt joined Loup in
2009 as a temporary
part-time Drafting
Technician. He
was named full-time
Drafting Technician
II in 2011. In 2020,
he was promoted to
Engineering Technician.
In his role as Engineering Technician,
Alt works on substation design.
He coordinates the construction
and inspection of District projects,
orders materials to ensure they meet
Loup’s specifications, and assists with
engineering projects throughout the
District. Other duties include designing
distribution and transmission lines and
surveying.
Alt is a graduate of Shelby Public High
School and has an Associate of Applied
Science degree in Drafting Technology
from Central Community College in
Columbus.
12 | GENERATOR
10 YEARS
JACK JONES
Dredge Operator
Jack Jones of Genoa
was promoted to
Dredge Operator in
February.
As a Dredge Operator,
Jones is part of a
team that operates
and maintains the
District’s dredge
at the Genoa
Headworks.
He joined Loup
in 2016 as a
Maintenance Man at the Genoa
Headworks. He was promoted to
Dredge/Maintenance Canal Tech in
2017 and remained in that role until his
promotion.
A native of Clearwater, Nebraska,
Jones is a graduate of Clearwater
Public High School. He and his wife,
Debbie, are the parents of two sons:
Jaxson and Jed.
JOE KLECKNER
Headworks Operator
Joe Kleckner transferred to Headworks
Operator in February.
In his new role,
Kleckner operates
and maintains 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.
PROMOTION
+ 5 YEARS
TRANSFER
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 in 2018.
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.
CLINT ALBRACHT
Drafting Technician
Clint Albracht of
Columbus joined
Loup Power District
as Drafting Technician
in March.
Albracht’s duties
include revising
distribution and
rural maps using
AutoCAD software;
assisting with line
and substation projects;
and revising
structural, mechanical, and electrical
technical design drawings.
Albracht is a graduate of Lakeview High
School. He earned a degree in Mechanized
Systems Management from the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He previously worked for Duo-Lift
Manufacturing as a Lead Design/
Drafting Engineer.
DALE OBERHAUSER
Headworks Operator
Dale Oberhauser of
Genoa retired from
Loup Power District
after 37 years of
service.
Oberhauser joined
Loup in 1983 as
a Maintenance
Man at the Genoa
Headworks. He
was promoted to
Assistant Dredge
Operator in 1985
and Equipment Operator in 1986.
He was promoted to Headworks
Operator in 1997.
WELCOME
RETIRED
As Heavy Equipment Operator,
Oberhauser’s duties consisted primarily
of operation and maintenance of
the heavy equipment at Loup’s Genoa
Headworks. His other duties included
building discharge pipeline for the
dredge, constructing and maintaining
dikes in the Headworks discharge area,
and other hydro-related tasks.
Oberhauser is a graduate of Lindsay
Holy Family High School. He and

his wife, Roxane, are the parents of three
children: Jill, Sue, and Todd.
TROY DREIFURST
Equipment Operator
Troy Dreifurst joined
Loup Power District in
2020 as a Utilityman
based out of the
Columbus Service
Center.
He was later promoted
to Equipment
Operator for the
District’s Hydro
Department. In this
role, he operates the 1 YEAR
District’s heavy
equipment and is part of the crew that
performs maintenance on the canal system
from Genoa to Columbus.
He also works at the two powerhouses
when needed, helps build substations, and
maintains District parks and lakes.
Dreifurst is a graduate of Lakeview High
School. He and his wife, Denise, have three
children: Brock, Ashton, and Lexi.
Extremely cold temperatures in February caused extra ice
to build-up around Loup’s canal bridges. This ice could
raise up and lift the bridges when more water enters
the canal. So employees worked to break up the ice and
relieve the pressure to protect the bridges.
Pictured are Canal Foreman Lance Ferris and Heavy
Equipment Operator Andy Schmidt (crane operator).
SPRING 2021 | 13

Who do we represent?
Collectively, public power underpins the vitality and viability
of thousands of American communities.
Together, public power utilities serve more than 49 MILLION PEOPLE, including:
19.5 MILLION
HOMES
3 MILLION
BUSINESSES
We manage 10% of electric generating
facilities – including 120 gigawatts in power
plants and other generation infrastructure that
generated more than 390,000 gigawatt-hours of
electricity in 2019.
15%
Our customers buy more than 15% of all
electricity sold in the U.S., bringing more
than $60 billion in revenue to public power
utilities each year.
We also manage critical infrastructure
including hundreds of thousands of miles of
transmission and distribution lines and
thousands of substations.
We also buy a lot of power at wholesale –
purchasing more than 550,000 GWh
in 2019.
We contribute more than $2 billion
each year to the budgets of more than
2,000 cities and towns.
We employ 96,200 people in a wide array
of professional and technical roles. These
stable, hometown jobs represent 16% of
the utility workforce.
We partner and volunteer with other community organizations to
KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES STRONG
– providing our expertise for services such as:
Teaching kids (and adults!)
about electrical safety
Providing electric service to
municipal parks and in
holiday lighting displays
Planting trees
and native plants
Supporting smart
economic development
14 | GENERATOR
We are more than just electric utilities.
We are our communities.

UNLOADING A TRANSFORMER
NEW COLUMBUS SUBSTATION TRANSFORMER
A new transformer will be installed at the Columbus South Substation
near the Columbus Powerhouse later this spring.
Olinger Heavy Haulers transported the 155,000 pound transformer from
Washington, Missouri, to Columbus on a 13-axle trailer. To get it to the
substation, the transformer was moved to a Goldhofer trailer owned by
Oxbow Hauling (top).
Barnhart Crane Service unloaded the transformer with a 450-ton crane
(middle). Loup employees helped set the transformer at the substation
(bottom).
Loup will commission the 56MVA transformer this spring. The process
includes installing porcelain bushings where the electrical connections
are made, filling the radiator with oil, and final testing.
SPRING 2021 | 15

2404 15th Street | PO Box 988
Columbus, NE 68602-0988
Tree Planting
GUIDE
THINK BEFORE PLANTING!
Before you plant, look around
to see how the trees will affect
overhead utility lines. A good rule
of thumb is to plant trees at least as
far away from the utility lines as the
tree is expected to grow.
Learn more about our incentives
and rebates for energy-efficient
home improvements on page 6.
10' 20' 30' 40' 50' 60' 70'
STOP
NO TREE ZONE
No trees within
25' of power lines
CAUTION
SMALL TREE ZONE
Plant trees less than 25'
in height/spread
at least 25' from
power lines
CAUTION
MEDIUM TREE ZONE
Plant trees 25'–40' in
height/spread at least
40' from overhead
power lines
GO
LARGE TREE ZONE
Plant trees larger than 40'
in height/spread at least
60' from overhead
power lines