November / December - Nebraska Public Power District

November / December 2010
Volume 3
Current news about
N E B R A S K A’ s
Nebraska Public Power District
Issue 6
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Energy Insight is published by
the Nebraska Public Power District
Corporate Communications Department
as a service for employees, customers
and friends of NPPD. Its purpose
is to communicate NPPD news
and information and to recognize
achievements of employees, retirees
and their families.
Board of Directors
Larry Linstrom, Chairman
Ronald Larsen, First Vice Chairman
Gary Thompson, Second Vice Chairman
Mary Harding, Secretary
Wayne Boyd
Jerry Chlopek
Virgil Froehlich
Ken Kunze
Darrell Nelson
Dennis Rasmussen
Edward Schrock
Senior Manager, Government and
Public Relations
Beth Boesch
Executive Editor
Brenda Sanne
Managing Editor
Jill Novicki, [email protected]
Photography
Gary Pelster
Contributors
Mark Becker
Evelyn Chittenden
Jeanne Schieffer
Graphic Design
Bill Haack
Dan Zastera
Reporters
Marjorie Allen, Chadron
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3 Winter Weather
Safety Winter officially begins
Dec. 21, but don’t wait until then
to prepare for the cold. The
American Red Cross provides
some timely tips for coping with
winter weather.
11 Nebraska’s
6 A Fond Farewell
With much pride, Director Darrell
Nelson shares his thoughts
on his 41 year career in public
power.
8 Cooper Milestones
Cooper Nuclear Station’s
operating license was recently
extended for an additional 20
years. Read about this and other
milestones for the plant.
Christmas traditions are
important to Minden,
Nebraska’s Christmas City.
12 Public Power’s
Progress
Check out current industry
happenings and photos to
learn more about NPPD’s
recent activities.
4 President’s Message
With the help of some of its
wholesale and retail customers,
NPPD is focused on updating its
strategic plan.
Christmas City
14 News From Around
the State
Read about activities and
accomplishments of employees
and their children.
16 Retiree News
Bev Kudron and Jack Steiner
are honored at retirement
celebrations.
18 Our Sympathies
Included in this issue’s
condolences is Ogallala
Substation Support Specialist
Marita DeVoe who passed
away Sept. 21.
Darla Wait, Chadron
Kathy Fadschild, Columbus
Drew Niehaus, Cooper Nuclear Station
Kathy Nelson, Doniphan Control Center
Lynn Phagan, Gerald Gentleman Station
Lisa Willson, Kearney
Carol Johnson, Lincoln
Kathy Eaton, McCook
Helen Hinz, McCook
Barb Keating, Norfolk
Mindy Leaverton, Norfolk
Connie Knapp, Ogallala
Eileen Osborne, O’Neill
Lottie Kellison, Plattsmouth
Colleen Mathewson, Scottsbluff
Cindy Holsing, Sheldon Station
Kris Cross, South Sioux City
Pam Hoeft, York
About the Cover:
Minden is fondly known as
Nebraska’s Christmas City.
Decorating the Kearney County
Courthouse is a tradition that
began in 1915. Read all about it
on page 11.
E N E R G Y
Preparing for...
Winter Weather
Prepare for extremely cold weather every winter —
it’s always a possibility. Although periods of extreme
cold cannot always be predicted far in advance,
weather forecasts can sometimes provide you with
several days notice. Listen to weather forecasts
regularly and check your emergency supplies often.
Pre-winter to-do list
• Have heating equipment and chimneys checked
yearly before winter.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms on every floor.
Carbon monoxide, which can be deadly, is a primary
hazard when using alternative sources for electricity,
heating or cooking.
• Create emergency plans for early dismissal of
schoolchildren, for early closing of a day care center.
• Create a separate emergency plan for your pets.
Humans and service animals can go to emergency
shelters, but household pets usually cannot.
• Have an alternative heating method, such as a
fireplace or wood stove, if possible.
Prepare your car
• Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full.
• Keep a disaster supply kit in your vehicle. The kit
should include a brightly colored cloth to tie to the
antenna or door handle if you get stuck, flashlight
with extra batteries or windup light, windshield
scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal,
small sack of sand to generate traction under wheels,
matches in a waterproof container, candle and sturdy
can for burning it in, cards and games, jumper
cables, small shovel, pocket knife and small tools,
several blankets or sleeping bags, rain gear, set of dry
clothing, mittens, socks, hat, bottled water (eating
snow will lower your body temperature; if necessary,
melt snow before drinking), energy bars, dried fruits,
nuts, first aid kit, needed medications, newspapers
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for insulation, plastic bags for sanitation and handsanitizing gel.
• Stay with your vehicle if you get stuck, unless you
can see assistance within 100 yards.
General tips for surviving a
winter storm
• Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart.
If you have heart disease or high blood pressure,
follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or
performing other strenuous work in the cold. If you
have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and
work slowly.
• Dress in layered clothing if you must be outside.
Wear mittens, which keep hands warmer than gloves,
and a hat that covers ears. Wear waterproof, insulated
boots.
• If you must travel, listen to weather reports and
check road conditions. Let someone know your
destination, route and estimated time of arrival.
Travel during daylight and with another person when
possible.
• Bring pets indoors if they usually stay outside. Be
sure livestock has access to water that will not freeze.
Some livestock may need to be moved to shelter.
• Keep indoor taps open slightly if they tend to
freeze. The trickle of water helps prevent freezing.
• Do not use devices powered by gasoline, propane,
natural gas or charcoal in a closed area. Be certain that
all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside and
that the vents are clear.
• Use sand, rock salt or nonclumping kitty litter to
ease walking on slippery surfaces.
• Keep cell phones charged.
• Avoid candles for lighting if the power fails, due to
the potential for a fire.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how
to safely use a space heater. Place it on a level, hard,
nonflammable surface. Turn the space heater off when
you leave the room or go to sleep. Keep children and
pets away from the space heater and do not use it to
dry wet clothing.
Source: American Red Cross
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Rice,
Roots
and Reliability
from the
PRESIDENT & CEO
RON ASCHE
If you are planning for one year, grow
rice; if you are planning for 20 years,
grow trees. – Chinese Proverb
NPPD doesn’t grow rice; we
make electricity. Yet, I like
the above proverb and feel
it applies to the Board of
Directors’ recent decision
to update NPPD’s Strategic
Plan.
F
or the last several years, we have made
periodic updates to our strategic plan, in order
to address emerging trends in our industry.
For instance, two years ago, the Board added the goal
“to evaluate all forms of renewable resources feasible
in Nebraska and incorporate them in the total mix
of NPPD-owned generation and contract purchases,
with a goal of achieving 10% of our energy supply for
NPPD’s native load from renewable energy resources
by 2020.”
However, the future of the electric industry is
changing at such a pace that, to meet the needs of
tomorrow’s generation, NPPD must “plant trees”
for the long-term. Our strong roots in service and
reliability have set the expectation that NPPD will
“Always be there when you need us,” but how will
customers need us in the future? Will their use of
electricity change? We need to step back and take a
comprehensive look at what type of utility we should
be 10 to 20 years from now.
To do this, NPPD’s Board has taken a unique
approach. In addition to NPPD staff, more than 30
individuals representing NPPD’s wholesale
and retail customers are helping NPPD assess
its current state, propose future scenarios, and identify
the best ways to serve end-use customers and preserve
public power.
E N E R G Y
These customer representatives serve as
members of eight issue teams researching
the influential drivers that could change our
industry and business. Specifically, the eight
topics under evaluation are:
Governance and business model
– What business and governance model provides the
most value for end-use customers?
Generation technologies – What
should be NPPD’s mix of generation assets and
purchased power to assure an affordable and reliable
electric supply for our customers at a competitive price?
Customer base and contracts –
How will our customer base change, what implications
will there be to our business, and are NPPD’s power
contracts aligned with future business and resource
needs?
Energy markets and
transmission – What options and opportunities
in the areas of energy markets and transmission should
NPPD pursue in the next 5 to 10 years and beyond?
Energy efficiency and end-use
innovation – How will NPPD support the
changing needs of our customers, based on their
adoption of new technologies, and what technologies
will NPPD adopt itself (e.g. smart grid)?
Legislative and regulatory
issues – What legislative and/or regulatory
requirements will affect NPPD’s generation of
electricity?
Liquidity and capital needs – How
should NPPD manage its finances to meet the needs of
our customers today and in the future?
Workforce needs – How can NPPD continue
to attract, develop and maintain a capable workforce?
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I invite you to be part of this process
as well. To stay abreast of the teams’
discussions, a Strategic Planning website
is accessible on the front page of nppd.com
under the “Current Topics” section.
Meeting notes, videos and opportunities to
provide feedback to team sponsors through
email or Facebook™ are available.
This is a major, but important, undertaking
for NPPD, and it is already proving its value. We
have repeatedly heard positive comments from our
customers who appreciate NPPD’s transparency
and willingness to include them in the discussions.
While the executive sponsors and NPPD staff
members benefit from customers’ questions and
comments, our customers are garnering insights
as to the complexity involved in many aspects of
our business. In addition, customers are gaining an
appreciation of the many uncertainties, particularly
in regard to the regulatory and legislative issues
that exist in today’s electric utility industry.
Team meetings kicked off in October and will
run through the end of the first quarter in 2011.
Each team will develop a white paper that includes
options from which NPPD’s Board of Directors
will consider for incorporating into an updated,
long-term strategic plan.
I am quite excited about the process. The
logistics of the project are not easy, and the time
commitment of NPPD staff, the Board and our
customers is enormous. Yet, to quote another
Chinese proverb: “Even the longest journey begins
with a single step.”
Well, we have taken that first step, are in
lockstep with our customers, and partway down
our path. We are growing the trees that will ensure
NPPD has a strong and vibrant future.
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Darrell and his wife, Cleo, celebrated
60 years of wedded bliss in August.
True Blue means “Loyal and
unwavering in one’s opinions or support
for a cause.” The phrase describes Board
Director Darrell Nelson to a “T”. Having
served on the NPPD Board since 1985,
Nelson is known by friends and fellow
Board members as an intelligent and
dedicated man, with a particular passion
for causes which have benefitted NPPD’s
rural rate-payers.
F
or those who don’t know Nelson as well, here’s
some background. Nelson served on the Custer
Public Power District Board for 15 years before
winning a seat on the NPPD Board. He was elected to
his fifth term on NPPD’s Board in 2007. In September,
Nelson announced he would step down from the Board at
the end of the year due to health issues.
The 83-year-old Nelson said he has witnessed a lot of
change in the utility industry in his 41 years of service.
He said he is pleased with the relationship NPPD has
with its customer base and believes this relationship is
the best he has seen in his career. “A good example of effective cooperation between
the wholesale customers and NPPD is the Irrigation Load
Management program. It has saved ratepayers from $20
to $30 million annually since the early 1980s. It delayed
the debt service costs of the Beatrice gas-fired plant for
10 to 15 years,” he said. “I have been gratified to watch
NPPD develop and polish the process until it works
amazingly well. This kind of effort requires strong trust
between the power supplier, the local distribution system
and the farmer. I take great pride in the colleagues at the
Doniphan Control Center who have so efficiently and
fairly operated Load Management.”
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energy efficient heat pump. The first year they lived in
the house they spent an average of $21.67 per month
on heating and cooling.
A difficult decision
At its annual meeting, the Nebraska Rural Electric Association
honored Nelson for his years of service to public power. Here,
Dawson PPD General Manager Bob Heinz congratulates Nelson.
A strong proponent of education, Nelson
spearheaded the idea of partnering with the University
of Nebraska-Lincoln on domestic energy research.
The result was the formation of the Nebraska Center
for Energy Sciences Research. Formed in 2006,
the mission of the NCESR is to conduct research
that results in new technologies and processes that
will develop domestic energy sources, increase
energy efficiency, and improve the quality of life
and economic opportunities for Nebraskans. “Our
partnership with UNL has grown bigger and better
than I ever dreamed,” Nelson said. “We put $1 million
a year into it now and I believe we get our money’s
worth.” The District invests another $1 million a year
in energy-related technology demonstration projects,
some of which are showcased at the new Norfolk
Operations Center.
Energy efficiency is important to Nelson and his
home in Broken Bow is a testament to that. When it
came time to retire and move from the family farm
near Oconto to the town of Broken Bow, Nelson and
his wife, Cleo, looked for an energy efficient home.
The couple chose a Champion brand home and
quickly replaced the never-used gas furnace with an
Stepping down from the NPPD Board was not an
easy decision, Nelson said. “I’ve truly enjoyed my
time on the Board, and I appreciate all the bright,
young colleagues who have been so patient in
explaining technicalities to me,” he said.
When asked about challenges ahead of NPPD and
public power in general, Nelson replied, “Keeping
electricity affordable will be a big challenge. We are
highly regulated right now and those regulations are a
significant part of the rate-payer’s bill.”
“We’ve already spent a lot of money to control
emissions,” he continued. “I believe coal will be
prominent in the NPPD generation mix for many
years.”
“It has been a great 40+ years,” Nelson concluded.
“And while there have been some challenges, I do
appreciate all my friends and colleagues at NPPD.
We have a great bunch of people here. I am sure my
interest in public power and my great relationships
with the folks at NPPD will continue.”
A fond farewell
President and CEO Ron Asche said he is sorry
to see Nelson leave the Board. “His knowledge
and experience regarding the public power
industry in Nebraska will be missed. Darrell
takes his responsibility as a Board member
very seriously,” Asche said. “He is always well
prepared for the meetings and makes thoughtful
decisions on behalf of the District’s customers. His
first and foremost goal is to provide value to our
customers by keeping rates affordable and service
reliable. His experience has been extremely helpful
to NPPD as the industry has undergone significant
change through the years.”
Gov. Dave Heineman has a big job ahead
of him. He will appoint someone to fill out the
remainder of Nelson’s term. It won’t be easy to
replace the trusted and experienced Nelson--a man
whose dedication to public power will shine ahead
for years to come.
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Cooper
milestones
It’s an exciting time for Cooper Nuclear Station. Recently,
the station received notice from the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission that its operating license was extended for an
additional 20 years. Read about this and more milestone
events in the following article.
Another 20 years
NPPD officials are looking forward to operating
Cooper Nuclear Station an additional 20 years,
following the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s
approval to renew the facility’s operating license.
Eric Leeds, director of NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation,
presents NPPD President and CEO Ron Asche with the signed license
renewal to operate Cooper Nuclear Station for an additional 20 years.
President and Chief Executive Officer Ron Asche and Board of
Directors’ Chairman Larry Linstrom attended the event at NRC’s
headquarters in Rockville, Md., where the official signing took place
Monday, Nov. 29.
“This achievement represents a significant milestone of strategic
importance to NPPD, its Board of Directors, the employees of
Cooper Nuclear Station, southeast Nebraska communities, and our
customers,” said Asche. “Receiving license renewal allows Cooper
to continue to play a key role in our long-term power generation
resource mix to meet our customers’ future energy requirements.”
When operations began at CNS in 1974, the facility was granted
a 40-year operating license by the NRC, which was set to expire on
Jan. 18, 2014. The license renewal extends the facility’s operating
life to 2034. The process for the license extension took 26 months
E N E R G Y
NPPD held a relicensing
celebration with employees
on Wednesday, Dec. 8,
followed by a celebration at
the Emergency Operations
Facility in Auburn for
the plant’s neighboring
communities. During the
community event, President
and CEO Ron Asche
expressed his gratitude for
the support NPPD received
during the relicensing effort.
to complete, following NPPD’s formal application to
the NRC on Sept. 29, 2008. Planning for the license
renewal application began much earlier with initial
work started during the summer of 2005. Overall, the
project took approximately five-and-a-half years to
complete. The license includes several conditions and
requirements that NPPD will perform to ensure the
plant continues to operate safely.
“The NRC’s license renewal process is thorough
and comprehensive, with the ultimate goal of making
sure the plant can operate safely, reliably and without
adverse environmental impacts for an additional 20
years,” Asche pointed out. “The effort put forth by
those on the license renewal team, which included
technical support personnel from Entergy Nuclear
Nebraska Inc., and other colleagues at the plant, was
truly outstanding.”
A safety review was conducted by the Advisory
Committee on Reactor Safeguards, an independent
body of nuclear safety experts that advises the NRC,
and the NRC held two public hearings in Auburn over
the past 26 months regarding environmental aspects of
the license renewal. Various state and federal agencies
as well as public representatives attended the hearings
and offered comments of support.
Asche noted the Board of Directors commitment
to CNS is quite clear, saying, “NPPD has made
significant investments at Cooper Nuclear Station
and looks forward to the continued safe operation of
the plant now and into the extended period of license
renewal.”
Asche also noted CNS’s economic value to the
state. “Granting of the license renewal by NRC from
2014 to 2034, not only provides a reliable source of
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electricity for our customers,” he said, “but
it provides continued economic stability for
southeast Nebraska. We are fortunate we have
received outstanding support over the years
from the communities near CNS. Their support
is greatly appreciated by NPPD, and its Board
of Directors.”
On-site storage
Cooper Nuclear Station and other nuclear
power stations have been awaiting the opening
of a permanent federal storage facility for used
nuclear fuel for a number of years. The federal
government designated Yucca Mountain in
Nevada as a permanent repository but the
Obama administration pulled the plug on the
facility, leaving the U.S. with nowhere to store
its growing stockpile of used nuclear fuel.
The used nuclear fuel at CNS was being stored in
the station’s fuel pool; however, nuclear power plants
must have enough space in their fuel pool to allow
for the discharge of used fuel so that new fuel can be
added to the reactor during refueling operations. It is
also important to have sufficient room in the fuel pool
to unload all of the 548 assemblies contained in the
reactor core if certain conditions warrant that action.
In the spring of 2008, construction began on
Cooper’s $80.9 million on-site Independent Spent
Fuel Storage Installation Facility. “The spent fuel
pool was almost full before the ISFSI project began,”
said Sterling Bray, dry cask storage program
manager.
The storage system consists of stainless steel
casks, large, secure concrete and steel enclosures
called “overpacks” in which the canisters are stored,
The cask exits the Reactor Building. It then travels on the
heavy-haul road to the horizontal storage module.
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equipment to handle the casks, equipment to load,
drain and seal the casks, and equipment to move the
casks from the reactor building to the storage site.
In October 2010, the used nuclear fuel from the
fuel pool began to be transferred into casks and then
taken to the storage pad for long-term storage. One
cask can hold 61 used fuel assemblies. The process
of loading and moving a cask of fuel to the pad takes
several days.
Dry cask storage has been safely used for more
than 20 years. It is highly secure, less costly to
maintain, and renders the fuel ready to transport for
off-site disposal, storage or recycling. The new system
will allow Cooper to continue to have the storage
capacity necessary for years to come while also
providing safety and security of the material while in
storage.
chemical decontamination of major systems, reactor
feed pump turbine overhaul, high pressure coolant
injection overhaul, approximately 1,300 preventative
maintenance work orders and refueling of the reactor,
to name a few. Effective planning and preparation are
vital to a successful outage.
“Refueling outages provide a unique opportunity
to improve the material condition of the plant beyond
what can be accomplished on-line,” said Outage
Manager Bill Chapin. “The magnitude of work and
resources required for a refueling outage provide
one of the greatest opportunities to positively impact
the station’s safety and production costs. Successful
outages prepare the station for breaker to breaker runs,
and safe and reliable operations for NPPD and our
customers, which in turn improves the quality of life
for each and every one of us.”
Enhanced security
More nuclear?
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, investment in
security at nuclear facilities increased dramatically.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is doing its
job to ensure high levels of safety and security at the
nation’s nuclear plants, which are under increasing
federal regulatory oversight. In addition to increasing
the number of security personnel at Cooper, the NRC
dictated that the plant expand its protected area;
therefore, a new Access Control Building was built
and became operational in late October. The building
serves as the access point to the protected area, as
well as houses Access Authorization/Fitness for
Duty. Among other things, badging procedures are
conducted in the new building.
Corporate Nuclear Business Manager Alan Dostal
said that NPPD, like many other utilities, would like
to see nuclear power plant expansion. However, there
would need to be: expanded manufacturing capacity
to support new nuclear construction – presently
no major nuclear components are manufactured in
the U.S.; federal loan guarantees to reduce risk to
individual utilities; a predictable regulatory process
for new plants; a long-term solution for radioactive
waste issues; a talent pool of highly trained workers,
and a growing economy. A new area of interest for smaller utilities is the
development of small modular nuclear reactors.
“Components for these smaller (50 to 125 megawatt)
units can be largely built in factories which should
help speed the construction process and would
have significant advantages over current on site
construction techniques. However, the economics of
operating these smaller units will have to be better
understood before this technology can be deployed,”
said Dostal. The District has no need for new base load
generation at this time, and the financial, political and
regulatory uncertainties associated with building new
nuclear plants will make it a challenging endeavor
when new generation is needed.
“NPPD will keep the door open to a new nuclear
plant in Nebraska many years in the future, however,
such involvement will need to be in partnership with
other utilities to share the cost and energy from the
unit,” said Dostal.
Longest continuous run
Cooper hit a milestone in its longest continuous run
with a full year of continuous operation on Saturday,
Nov. 13, and the plant is still going strong. “Our
continued safe and successful operation is a direct
result of the dedication and hard work of all CNS
personnel,” said Operations Manager Rod Penfield.
“Our number one priority is and always will be safety.
During extended runs such as this, the likelihood for
component failures increases. As our run extends, we
remain steadfast in our constant vigilance for safety.”
Refueling outage
Cooper’s next refueling outage, RE 26, is set
to begin March 13, 2011. A myriad of duties are
performed during a refueling outage, such as
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N E BR A SK A’s
Minden is known as Nebraska’s Christmas city and
rightly so. City workers busy themselves in October
making sure this small town is ready for the Christmas
season. Stringing lights and hooking up power to light
up the Kearney County Courthouse is quite a job, as
more than 12,000 lights adorn the courthouse dome
and city business square. Certainly well worth the
effort when Minden welcomes onlookers from near
and far who come to view the beautiful lights.
“You can see the lights as far as 10 miles away,”
said Minden Mayor Roger Jones. “The lights go on
Friday night after Thanksgiving and stay on until right
around Jan. 1.
The annual illumination of the courthouse began
in 1915 as a city-wide attempt to impress the state
convention of the Grand Army of the Republic to be
held in Minden’s city auditorium that May. Electric
lights and welcome signs were strung along Minden
Avenue from the Burlington Depot to the Kearney
Courthouse Square. A parade was planned. But, weeklong freezing rain put a damper on the celebration that
was eventually cancelled.
Disappointed, City Light Commissioner J.H.
“Jack” Haws took down the lights and carefully put
the strings away. Months later, Haws perfected a
plan to use the lights when surely there wouldn’t be
any rain. Working quietly by himself, he placed four
strings of lights from the flag pole on the dome to the
four corners of the courthouse. On Christmas Eve,
1915, Haws surprised the Minden residents when he
pushed the switch to turn on the 5,000 beautiful white
lights. A Christmas tradition was born.
In another tradition, Minden hosts an annual
“The Light of the World” Christmas pageant in the
downtown square. The pageant is held the Saturday
following Thanksgiving, as well as the first two
Sundays in December, and packs a crowd. Performed
by local residents, the pageant has a cast of 100 or
so members with some playing the same roles for
decades.
The Christmas lights aren’t the only popular
attraction for Minden. The city’s state-of-the-art Opera
House is a big draw. The 1891 building was close to
being torn down before being renovated in 2000. “It
Top right shows the exterior of the Minden Opera House. Going
counterclockwise, the Opera House House interior, the Opera
House ceiling mural and, lastly, the Kearney County Courthouse.
was in terrible shape,” said Jones. “But the Minden
residents wanted to save the Opera House and started
a fundraising effort. Raising between $2.5 to $3
million, the city is proud that no tax dollars were used
for the renovations.”
Today numerous events are held at the Opera
House such as wedding receptions, school activities,
conferences, theatrical productions, art shows, dances,
and much more.
The impressive ceiling mural in the Opera
House, lit by more than 2,500 fiber optic lights, tells
Kearney County’s story. After doing research in the
community, Les Seymour and Associates completed
the mural in their San Francisco studio. The mural,
which was on heavy muslin paper, was rolled up,
flown to Minden, and installed like wallpaper on
the ceiling. The mural depicts the history and the
agricultural economy of the County, with a seasonal
orientation.
“If you are in the neighborhood, stop by,” says
Mayor Jones. “The coffee pot is always on.”
The city of Minden has a population of nearly
3,000 and is an NPPD wholesale customer.
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Direct Drive Wind Turbines Coming to Springview
Wind turbines will
once again be part
of the skyline at the
former Springview
Wind Facility in
Keya Paha County,
following the signing
of a power purchase
agreement between
NPPD and Bluestem LLC, based in Omaha.
NPPD’s Board of Directors gave approval in
September for management to seek a power purchase
agreement for two, new 1.5 megawatt direct drive
wind turbines, a new technology in the design of
utility-scale wind turbines. The facility is expected
to be operational by mid-2011. The two new turbines
will bring Nebraska’s first wind farm back into
operation for the first time since 2007.
Partners for Springview with NPPD include
Omaha Public Power District, Lincoln Electric
System, Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska,
Grand Island Utilities, and KBR Public Power
District, headquartered in Ainsworth.
“This is new technology in the wind industry
we want to thoroughly look at, particularly in
maintenance costs and turbine availability,” said Dave
Rich, renewable energy manager.
Direct-drive wind turbines are significantly
different than the wind turbines used at NPPD’s
Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility and other wind farms
in Nebraska. Direct-drive turbines do not use a gear
box, which is a major component used to increase
the slow rotation speed of the large rotor to several
hundred revolutions per minute for the generator. For
this new technology, electric inverters are used to
synchronize the generator into the grid versus using
gearboxes.
The power purchase agreement is for a period
of 20 years with NPPD purchasing the electric
energy produced by the turbines. Bluestem LLC will
be responsible for construction, maintenance and
operation of the facility. Energy generated from the
two turbines will be interconnected into the KBR
Rural Public Power District electric distribution
system, as were the former Springview wind turbines.
The original turbines at Springview began
operation in 1998 as a demonstration project to verify
turbine technology available at that time, and to
prove the efficiency and reliability of wind energy at
distribution voltages in Nebraska.
In 2007, after nearly 10 years of operation, the
two 750-kilowatt wind turbines at the Springview
Wind Energy Facility were retired. Lack of available
replacement parts, significant maintenance issues as
the units aged, and the opportunity to sell the turbines
at an attractive price, were the prime reasons for the
decision to retire the units at Springview.
NPPD Board Directors
Retain Seats
I
n the race for a seat on the NPPD Board of
Directors, incumbent Gary Thompson of
Beatrice defeated Kevin Pollard in subdivision 8. Other
Board members who ran unopposed were incumbent
Ron Larsen in Subdivision 3, incumbent Larry
Linstrom in Subdivision 4, and incumbent Virgil
Froehlich in subdivision 10. All were elected for an
additional six-year term, beginning in January 2011.
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NPPD’s Board of Directors Approves 2011 Rate Increases
At its November meeting, NPPD’s Board of
Directors approved electric rate increases for
the District’s retail and wholesale customers.
Effective Jan. 1, 2011, rates for NPPD’s
wholesale customers will increase an average
of 9.7 percent, while rates for NPPD’s retail
customers will increase an average of 11.4
percent.
Revenues from the increases will be used to
support investments in NPPD’s power plants, highvoltage transmission lines, and distribution facilities.
Major factors driving the wholesale and retail rate
hikes include increases in fuel costs, two major
generation plant outages in 2011, and a decrease in
revenues from energy market sales that offset fixed
costs of NPPD’s generation facilities. Retail rate
increases are also affected by increased delivery costs
due to power line improvements and the installation of
new electronic meters.
The actual percentage a customer will incur
depends on the type of customer (i.e., residential
versus commercial) and the amount of power used
during a month’s time. The increase to NPPD retail
residential customers, using 1,000-kilowatt hours per
month, equates to approximately $12 a month.
Since 2006, costs for coal and nuclear fuel have
increased by 40 percent, which is considerably higher
than the general inflation rate. In 2011, the District
will have a maintenance outage at Gerald Gentleman
Station (delayed from 2009) to help ensure long-term
reliability. Cooper Nuclear Station will go through
a refueling outage in 2011, which is currently done
every 18 months. The two outages will increase costs
by approximately $30 million.
President and CEO Ron Asche noted that the price
of electricity sold in the energy market has gone down
considerably, dropping from an average sale price of
$48 per megawatt-hour in 2008, to an average of $28
per megawatt-hour in 2010. Lower market prices,
coupled with reduced sales outside the state means
less sales revenue returned to NPPD to offset fixed
costs of its generation facilities. In turn, these fixed
costs must be recovered from NPPD’s Nebraska
customers.
“NPPD does not take raising rates
lightly, ...We work diligently to contain
costs and have made significant
reductions wherever possible, without
impacting safety or reliability of the
electric system.”
- CEO Ron Asche
NPPD has reduced its 2011 capital and expense
budgets by $45 million. Besides deferring numerous
projects, NPPD has financed more capital projects
from debt spreading the costs of these investments
over a longer period. In addition, employee pay
increases in 2010 were cancelled; the use of outside
services reduced; repayment of short term debt
deferred; travel and training were limited; and open
positions created by resignations or retirements are
being eliminated where possible.
NPPD’s wholesale customers include 52
municipalities and 25 other public power utilities and
rural cooperatives, each which purchases varying
amounts of energy from NPPD depending on their
respective retail customer needs.
NPPD’s 89,000 retail customers live in 80
communities throughout the state. NPPD’s retail
customers also include large and small
commercial businesses, irrigators, and
industrial customers. Approximately
two-thirds of the average retail
customer’s bill pays for “wholesale
power costs,” which are the costs
of generating electricity and
delivering it across highvoltage transmission lines
throughout the state.
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from around the state
South Sioux City / Kris Cross, Distribution Support
Columbus / Kathy Fadschild, Administrative Assistant /
Director Wayne
Boyd received the
prestigious James H.
Epps III Award for
40 years of service
to various northeast
Nebraska cities during
the International
Municipal Lawyers
Association annual
conference held
in New Orleans
Wayne Boyd
in October. The
award recognizes
local government attorneys who have distinguished
themselves by years of service to the same
community. Boyd has been South Sioux City's city
attorney since 1968. He also has been the city attorney
for Dakota City and the attorney for the village of
Hubbard since 1987. Boyd has served as a member of
NPPD’s Board since 1982.
FC/AFC Rebel
Rouser Wimp
ET, “Wimp,”
won the 2010
Vizsla Club of
America National
Amateur Field
Championship
held at Fort
Robinson State
Park in October.
Wimp is owned
by Ethan Bender
and is handled
and trained by
his father, Jack.
Jack and Wimp
competed against
44 other Vizslas
Jack Bender and Wimp
and their trainers
from all across the United States and Canada. Also,
Rebel Rouser Ima Little Wimp, “Hank,” Wimp’s
son, was given a Judge’s Award of Merit for his
performance against 16 other Vizslas in the puppy
class. Both dogs are out of Rebel Rouser Kennels.
Ethan is the son of Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer Traci and Jack Bender.
Specialist / [email protected]
Kearney / Lisa Willson, Administrative Assistant /
[email protected]
The Power Talkers Toastmasters
Club 1420038 held its Charter
Ceremony on Oct. 8 in Kearney.
Attending the ceremony were
Club President Diana Luscher
(community relations and education
specialist), District 24 Governor
George Volz, President of Toastmasters International
Pat Johnson, and Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse
(account manager).
[email protected]
Cody Hillen, son of
Machine Operator Linda
and Dennis Hillen passed
his architectural licensing
exams in September. Cody
is a Licensed Professional
Architect with DLR Group
in Omaha.
Cody Hillen
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on the
Kyle Bantz, fix-it-now team supervisor (temporary
assignment), Cooper Nuclear Station, to fix-it-now
team supervisor.
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N E W S
Ron Hostetter honored for
years of service
Tiah Becker, instrument and control technician, CNS,
to nuclear instructor.
Charles Comstock, human performance and safety
coordinator, CNS, to emergency preparedness training
coordinator.
Barton Crow, shift technical engineer, CNS, to shift
manager.
John Crowdell, material controller, York, to lead
material controller.
Mike Dixon, senior financial analyst, Columbus, to
senior project coordinator.
Christine Gaedeke, procurement coordinator,
Columbus, to accountant.
Justin Harre, warehouse attendant, York, to material
controller.
Matt Hug, fix-it-now team superintendent, CNS, to
assistant maintenance manager.
Dennis Kirkpatrick, radiological protection/
chemistry shift technician, CNS, to quality control
program coordinator.
Kurt Kreifels, project supervisor, CNS, to quality
assurance assessment leader.
At its November meeting, NPPD’s Board of Directors passed
a resolution honoring Cornhusker Public Power District CEO/
General Manager Ron Hostetter. Hostetter, who will retire
Dec. 31, has served as Cornhusker’s CEO since January
1993. Clay Gibbs was named CEO/General Manager InTraining in March 2009 to help ensure a smooth leadership
transition.
R E T I R E E
N E W S
Lorraine Mehring celebrates
100 years
Deana Magnussen, customer service support
specialist, Norfolk, to meter data controller,
Columbus.
Mark Ray, performance improvement analyst, CNS,
to engineer.
John Rightsell, utility service technician, CNS, to
non-licensed nuclear plant operator.
Mitchell Schlegelmilch, material controller, York, to
lead material controller.
Benjamin Stanley, security officer, CNS, to utility
service technician.
Retired President and CEO Don Schaufelberger and his wife,
Norma, attended a 100th birthday celebration for Lorraine
Mehring (center), widow of retired Safety Supervisor Milford
Mehring, at the PEO Home in Beatrice.
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Bev Kudron honored with unique retirement celebration
A
nyone
co-workers
acquainted
and friends
with Bev Kudron
and additional
knows she bleeds
gifts for Bev,
“Husker Red.”
which included
To kick-off her
a cardinal wind
retirement, Bev’s
chime, stone
daughter, Camie
figurine, metal
McIalwain, arranged
sculptured
a congratulatory
butterfly and a
phone call from
Husker lantern.
UNL Athletic
In recognition
Director Tom
of Bev and
Osborne. The
Dave’s plan to
personal call from
spend part of
the former Husker
the Nebraska
Dave and Bev Kudron at Bev’s retirement party in rural Bellwood.
coach was just
winters in a
the beginning of a
tropical locale,
unique retirement celebration.
Bev’s sisters, Christine Wolfe of St. Edward and
Guests at the reception held Sept. 3, met in a
Karen Nixon of Oconto; friend Sue Damelson of
pasture in rural Bellwood owned by the Kudrons.
Omaha; and daughter, Ceisha, entertained guests with
Wunderlich’s Catering provided fried chicken and
their rendition of a Caribbean dance to the tune of
fixings, which was enjoyed picnic-style.
“Celebrate Good Times.”
Honored guests were Bev’s husband, Dave; son
Earlier, a formal presentation of Bev’s gift from
and daughter-in-law, Chris and Kim Kudron and
NPPD, a Peridot ring, was held in the General Office
grandchildren Tyler, Emily and Olivia of Lincoln;
by Information and Telecommunications Technology
son and daughter-in-law, Cary and Dencia Kudron
Security Supervisor Orlando Stevenson.
and grandchildren, Chloe, Kabrie, Gaige, Ellsie and
Bev’s career spanned more than 41 years. She
Carys of Fort Morgan, Colo.; daughter and son-inwas hired June 1, 1969 as a key punch operator
law, Camie and Ken McIalwain of Omaha; daughter,
in Columbus. She was promoted to work as head
Ceisha Kudron and her fiancé, Jim Deitering; and
key punch operator in October of 1971 and as a
son and daughter-in-law, Cade and Heather Kudron
programmer in March of 1979. Bev continued to
and grandson, Crew, all of Omaha.
expand her career in the Information Technology field
Former NPPD colleague Ken Scholz of Kansas
and accepted duties as a technical analyst, IT process
City, Mo., served as Master of Ceremonies. President
assistant and ITT access control system administrator,
and CEO Ron Asche presented Bev with her official
a position she held at the time of her retirement on
retirement document. Retired Technical Analyst
Aug. 31.
and good friend, Alice Staroscik-Chleboun of
Bev plans to spend time with her grandchildren,
Columbus, who also served as coordinator for the
travel and catch-up on scrapbooking.
party arrangements, presented a gift of cash from
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Jack Steiner retires after 33-year career
ept. 9 marked the end of Jack Steiner’s
33-year career with NPPD. He was hired
May 2, 1977 as a line design engineering technician
for transmission and distribution. After advancing
through the ranks from technician II to technician
I, in 1981, he transferred to the construction
management department. On Oct. 1, 1987, he
accepted duties as a senior engineering technician in
the nuclear engineering department. Jack continued
to work in the nuclear department as a project
scheduler and as a senior engineering scheduler.
In 1995, he transferred to Cooper Nuclear Station.
In August of 2001, he accepted a position as a
scheduler and relocated to York. Jack remained in
York until July of 2007, when he was promoted to
project manager, a position which involved a move
back to Columbus. Jack worked in that capacity until
the time of his retirement.
A reception in his honor was held Sept. 24 at the
VFW Club in Columbus. Honored guests included
his wife, Kay, daughter and son-in-law, Julie
and Tom Pearson and granddaughter Rease of
Bennington, and son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and
Audra Steiner and grandchildren Nicholas, Maddie
and Ally Jo of Topeka, Kan. Other family members
attending were Jack’s brothers, Mike, Dave, Dan
and his wife, Jacki, and his father-in-law, Tom
Seidel, all of Columbus. Special guests included four
long-time friends who served in Vietnam with Jack,
Paul Keppler, Amos Lemmerman, Jim Halek and
Mike Berlinger.
York Senior
Project Manager
Craig Holthe,
who served
as master of
ceremonies,
presented
Jack’s official
retirement
document
and gift from
the District, a
Home Depot
gift certificate.
To get Jack’s
retirement off to
a good start, his
Jack and Kay Steiner
grandchildren,
along with help
from Craig, presented gifts of a fishing pole, apron,
golf cap and coffee cup.
Special thanks was given to his wife, Kay, for
creating the display of family photographs highlighting
memorable moments of their lives; and to Project
Support Specialist Brenda Blatchford and ETR
Administrative Assistant Marlene Lentfer for
handling the party arrangements.
Jack’s retirement plans include golf, hunting,
fishing, woodworking and volunteering time to church
and other organizations.
RETIREES
Columbus Energizers
Low Voltage Panhandlers
NPPD Antiques will meet
Klassy Kilowatts will meet
Northern Lights have no
Retired & Rewired have no
will meet Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 at
8:30 a.m. at Stack ‘N Steak.
Paul Badje, (402) 564-8863,
[email protected]
Jan. 17 and Feb. 21 at 12:30 p.m.
CST at the North Platte Airport.
Tom Pendelton, (308) 532-5040
[email protected]
will meet Feb. 15 at the Whistle
Stop Restaurant at 9 a.m.
Don Koralewski, (308) 783-1851
[email protected]
meetings currently scheduled.
Jim Decker, (402) 357-3788
Jan. 3, Feb. 7 and March 7 at 8:30 a.m. at Country Cooking in
Beatrice.
Dot Cornelius, (402) 228-0494
meetings currently scheduled.
Lois McCoy, (308) 665-1625,
[email protected]
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our sympathies go out to the following families
Sharri Rosendahl, Columbus administrative
assistant, on the death of her father, Edgar Korte
Columbus Power Plant Records Lead Judy Dush
and retired Columbus Custodian Arlene Engel on the
death of their sister, Mary Ainsworth
Julee Lubken, Doniphan contract and analysis
specialist, on the death of her father, Loren “Bruce”
Book
Robin Whittington, CNS nuclear support, on the
death of her mother-in-law, Geraldine “Jerry”
Jim Fox, York senior line technician, on the death of
his wife, LaVonne
Scott Margheim, Columbus advertising specialist, on
the death of his father-in-law, Frank Hecht
Thrina Brezenski, Columbus web development
specialist, on the death of her mother-in-law,
Evangeline
Duane Boggs, GGS shift leader, on the death of his
mother, Wanda
Jim Knothe, Paxton water systems civil maintenance
technician, on the death of his mother, Betty
Canaday Plant Technician Cliff Jarecke and Sheldon
Station Station Operator Todd Jarecke on the death
of their father and grandfather, respectively, Edward
Jarecke
Tim Stehlik, Sheldon Station instrument and control
technician, on the death of his grandmother, Betty
June Knox
John Ohrt, CNS security officer, on the death of his
father, John Henry
Lori Brabec, Columbus cash and billing analyst, on
the death of her father, Randy Herchenbach
Retired Columbus Word Processing Supervisor
Bernice Busteed on the death of her husband, Gary.
Gary was also the stepfather of Columbus Contract
Administrative Specialist Lynn Sjuts and stepfatherin-law of Columbus Operations Contract Coordinator
Bob Sjuts.
Retired Canaday Plant Technician David E. Klein and
Doniphan System Operator Greg Portwine on the
death of their brother and father-in-law, respectively,
Jerry Klein
Rick Mueller, Kearney CSD project inspector, on the
death of his father, Richard
CNS Mechanic Van Allen and CNS Quality Control
Program Coordinator Mike Allen on the death of
their father, Leonard. Leonard was also the father-inlaw of CNS Nuclear Support Lea Ann Allen, and the
grandfather of CNS Mechanic Kent Allen.
Columbus Economic Data Coordinator Ardith
Behlen and Columbus Accounting Analyst Michele
Matteson on the death of their mother-in-law and
grandmother, respectively, Virgie Behlen
Retired CNS Nuclear Instructor Steve Ketelsen and
CNS Nuclear Support Specialist Sharon Ketelsen
on the death of his mother and her mother-in-law,
Georgia Ketelsen Fox
Mike Snyder, Geneva local manager, on the death of
his father-in-law, Louis Domeier
Larry Vogel, Plattsmouth asset management work
management consultant, on the death of his father-inlaw, Alvin Willers
Al Clark, Sheldon Station material handler, on the
death of his brother, D.C. Clark
Bob Shively, retired marketing manager, on the death
of his wife, Nancy
Craig Holthe, York senior project manager, on the
death of his father-in-law, Clifford Askeland
Bobbie Morford, Lincoln administrative assistant, on
the death of her mother, Barbara Grant
Steve Smallfoot, CNS surveillance coordinator, on
the death of his father, Robert
Eric Seaman, Cozad irrigation customer
representative, on the death of his mother-in-law,
Sharon Myer
Josh Hipwell, Doniphan energy supply operator, on
the death of his grandmother, Wilma
Jack Henderson, Norfolk account manager, on the
death of his father-in-law, Robert Thomas
Columbus Senior Accounting Analyst Joan Price and
Columbus Senior Systems Analyst John Price on the
death of her brother and his brother-in-law, Joseph
Breunig
Kirk Kloepping, Cozad irrigation customer
representative, on the death of his stepfather, Rodney
Walters
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of events
JANUARY
13-14 NPPD Board Meeting
Columbus
25 Rate Review Committee /
Power Resources Advisory Board /
Customer Meeting
Grand Island Interstate Quality Inn
FEBRUARY
10-11 NPPD Board Meeting
Columbus
17 Rate Review Committee /
Power Resources Advisory Board /
Customer Meeting
York Holiday Inn
Family, friends say goodbye to Marita DeVoe
Ogallala Substation Support Specialist Marita DeVoe, 67, passed away Sept. 21 following a
lengthy illness. Marita joined the District in 1989 as a part-time general clerk. She began fulltime employment in 1992 and was named transmission support clerk in 1997. She was named
maintenance and construction support clerk in 2003, administrative clerk in 2005, customer
services and delivery representative in 2006 and substation support specialist in 2009. She
is survived by her husband, Harold; daughters, Dana (Trevor) Foster and Debra (Randy)
Marita DeVoe
Roland; son, Darin; sister, Karelyn (Noel) Bullock; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Karen
Helmuth, Mary (Jim) McChesney, Bob DeVoe, Konee Carlson, Dee Ann (Lance) Lind, and Bruce DeVoe; and
six grandchildren.
Retired Ogallala Power Plant Operator Travis
Fleming, 99, of Fort Collins, Colo., passed away
Sept. 1. Travis joined the District in 1956 and retired
in 1973. He is survived by his daughters, Evelyn
Fleming and Jean and Don Printz, Ogallala journey
substation technician; two grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren; sister, Zona Wyscaver; and
brother-in-law, Floyd (Esther) Young.
Retired CNS Training Instructor William Green,
65, of Auburn, passed away Sept. 2. William began
his NPPD career in 1996 and retired in 2005. He
is survived by his wife, Eddie; son, James (Vicki);
daughters, Kelly Ann Junkins and Kimberly Green
and partner Jason Grodin; two grandsons; sister, Alex
Vaughn; and brother, John.
Retired Columbus Division Manager of Purchasing
Gale Dierberger, 82, of Columbus, passed away
Oct. 14. Gale joined the District in 1948 and retired
in 1996. He is survived by his wife, Lureta; sons,
Stephen (Susan) and Scott (Lynn); daughters, Linda
(Michael) Streck and Laurie (Gary) Andrews; nine
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and a
sister, Betty Jean Kolterman.
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nppd.com | 877.ASK.NPPD (275.6773)
At Nebraska Public Power District, we do much more than
generate and deliver reliable, affordable electricity to customers.
We are a service-oriented utility, focused on:
G135711
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation
• Economic Development
• Energy Education and Safety
• Energy Science Research with UNL
• Environmental Stewardship
• Industry Career Outreach
Each day, the services we provide deliver on our promise to enhance
the quality of life for Nebraskans — now and for generations to come.