Board Highlights - Powder River Energy Corporation

Board Highlights
JAN U ARY
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of
Powder River Energy Corporation was called to order
at 9:32 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 in Sundance
by President Walt Christensen. All board members were
present except for Pam Kinchen.
Financials
System sales for November 2012 are down 5.4% compared to November 2011. Manager of Accounting Karri
Blasi gave an update on Accounts Receivable.
Safety
The safety minutes for the December 2012 safety
meetings were approved.
CEO Report
CEO Easley provided updates on cooperative outreach, Forward Sheridan, renewable energy credits, and
upcoming meeting with Basin Electric and WREA.
Dialogue will continue at the next customer meeting on the strategy to reshape customer meetings. Walt
Christensen will attend as a board representative.
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Approved Items
• Develop an agreement with the Wyoming Business Council regarding the use of renewable energy
credits for economic development.
• Develop a proposal for long-term power service for
the Cam-Plex in Gillette.
• Purchase a backup 100 MVA 230/69kV transformer
for the Wright area.
• Transfer the unclaimed Capital Credit balance for
2012 to the Powder River Energy Foundation.
• Move September Board of Directors meeting to
Monday, September 16, at 9:30 a.m. in Sheridan.
• Move October Board of Directors meeting to Tuesday, October 22, at 9:30 a.m., in Sundance.
Board Highlights
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reported on legal issues relevant to PRECorp.
Executive Staff Reports
VP Mills presented the 2013 Random Drug Testing
program.
Sr. VP Engineering and Technical Services Matt Davis
answered questions from the board regarding the ongoing Gillette Northern Drive line relocation. The project
should be wrapping up within the next few months.
Chief Information Officer Doug Wilson reviewed the
2012 Balanced Scorecard final results. The draft 2013 Balanced Scorecard was reviewed and will align with the
Initiatives and Strategy Map.
General Information
Manager of System Operations Support Services
Steve Eliason provided an update on the Mobile Radio
Project, a Critical Priority initiative. The cutover was
complete on December 17, 2012.
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees Libby Opstedahl, Karri Blasi,
Curtis Mock, Tim Velder, John Tieman, Josh Gray, and
Steve Eliason.
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
Tim Velder/PRECorp Marketing Communications
The inspection tags on this Newcastle area pole
could soon be joined by a new marker as PRECorp
performs pole and line inspections this year as part of
its 2013 maintenance plan.
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
F E BR U ARY
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of
Powder River Energy Corporation was called to order
at 9:25 a.m. on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, in Gillette by
President Walt Christensen. Board members Reuben Ritthaler, Leo Ankney, Mike Lohse, and Dave Hoyt were
not present as they were attending the National Rural
Electric Cooperatives Annual Meeting.
Financials
System sales for December 2012 are down 3.8%
compared to December 2011. Purchasing and Contract
Administrator Ray Miner gave an update on fleet and
maintenance inspections.
Safety
The safety minutes for the January 2013 safety meetings were approved.
CEO Report
CEO Easley provided updates on cooperative outreach, strategic and operational discussions at customer
meetings, and the annual All-Team Meeting.
Walt Christensen, Philip Habeck, and Reuben Ritthaler will participate in a panel discussion for the All-Team
Meeting.
Board Highlights
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reported on legal issues relevant to PRECorp.
Executive Staff Reports
VP Mills discussed the status of part-time employees
and health care coverage costs, which is not believed to
be an impact on PRECorp.
Sr. VP Engineering and Technical Services Matt Davis reviewed the status of a partnership project with a
landowner.
Chief Information Officer Doug Wilson reviewed the
status of the radio system upgrade and punchlist items
with the vendor.
Sr. VP Schloredt reviewed the status of two member
cases that are nearing resolution.
sion, Mark Christensen, Matt Avery, and Robert Palmer
requested information to better understand PRECorp’s
position in the dispute with the City of Gillette regarding
power service to the Cam-Plex. CEO Easley detailed the
history of service to Cam-Plex.
WREA Executvie Director Shawn Taylor briefed the
Board members via teleconference on the status of legislation in Cheyenne.
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees John Tieman, Tim Velder, Curtis
Mock, Libby Opstedahl, Ray Miner, Kristin Kelly, Bruce
Olson, and Chris Arneson; PRECorp member Verlin
Dannar of Luca Technologies was present for Member
Comments; and, Campbell County Commission representatives Mark Christensen, Matt Avery, and Robert
Palmer, were present during the Unfinished Business
portion of the meeting.
Approved Items
• Designate Clayton Svalina as recipient of the Basin
Member Scholarship, and Karina Ike as alternate.
Designate Alexis Engstrom as the Basin Employee
Scholarship nominee, and Justin Jones as alternate;
• Liebherr Mining and GAP Substation Switch Installations;
• West Fiddler Redesign project; and
• Merit Energy project.
General Information
Chris Arneson presented the new mapping system to
the Board. He provided information on the databases
available and the uses for the system.
Representatives of the Campbell County Commis-
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
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Special Meeting:
A Special Meeting of the Board of Directors was
called to order at 12:54 p.m. Tuesday, February 26,
2013, by President Walt Christensen. All directors
were present.
CEO Report
CEO Easley and President Christensen met with
officials of Luca Technologies regarding a proposed
CBM recovery project.
Approved Items
• Resolution to rescind permission for the City of
Gillette to sell electrical service to the Cam-Plex.
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
MAR C H
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of
Powder River Energy Corporation was called to order
at 9:32 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, in Sheridan by
President Walt Christensen.
Financials
System sales for January 2013 are down 7.2% compared to January 2012. Manager of Financial Planning
Curtis Mock gave an update on Contributions in Aid to
Construction.
Safety
The safety minutes for the February 2013 safety meetings were accepted.
CEO Report
CEO Mike Easley provided updates on cooperative
outreach, renewable energy credits, and upcoming
meetings with officials in Washington, D.C.
CEO Easley also reported on the status of electrical
service to the Cam-Plex, and potential annexation of the
property into the city of Gillette.
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Board members outlined the plans for the nominating
committee process for the board election at the Annual
Meeting.
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees Curtis Mock, Gary Kipp, Tim
Velder, John Tieman, Josh Gray, Quentin Rogers, and
Tracy Jones.
Basin Electric staff members included CEO Andrew
Serri, Dave Raatz, and Shanda Traiser.
Approved Items
• Kaycee to Clear Creek Rebuild – Part 1
• Hulett Tie
• Hulett Circuit 4 XLP Replacement
• Avian Protection Project work orders
• Sundance substation 230/69kV
Board Highlights
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reported on legal issues relevant to PRECorp.
Executive Staff Reports
COO-GM Les Penning reported on ideas for support
of local volunteer fire departments within PRECorp’s
service territory. Penning also discussed language that
could be added to easements to address damages to
landowners.
VP of Operations Mike Pommarane presented project
information and bids.
HRO Brian Mills presented the outline for the Rural
Electric Safety Achievement Program and activities related to that project.
General Information
Project Manager Distribution Quentin Rogers discussed additional work planned for the Hulett area to
create continued outage safeguards.
Rogers also presented work plans for proposed system upgrades for the Sundance to Osage distribution.
Basin Electric CEO Andrew Serri and VP of Cooperative Planning Dave Raatz updated the board on the status of the RTO.
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
Tim Velder/PRECorp Marketing Communications
Members of the Gillette line crew for PRECorp assist
the Gillette Chamber of Commerce with the hanging
of an aerial banner across Highway 14-16 announcing the NEWCA Home Show. This is an annual assist
PRECorp gives to the Chamber. Pictured are Randy
Redetzke, Deaver Arrants, TJ Drake, Tyler Nash, Cory
Erickson, and Randy Himle in the bucket.
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
AP R I L
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of
Powder River Energy Corporation was called to order
at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, in Sundance by
President Walt Christensen.
Financials
System sales for January 2013 are down 8.4% compared to February 2012. Manager of Financial Planning
Curtis Mock gave an update on Board-related expenses
and Accountant Danea Crowder provided data on liability insurance coverages.
Safety
The safety minutes for the March 2013 safety meetings
were accepted.
CEO Report
CEO Mike Easley provided updates on cooperative outreach, renewable energy credits, meetings with
Wyoming State officials, and discussions with officials
in Washington, D.C.
CEO Easley also reported
on the status of electrical service to the Cam-Plex, and potential annexation of the property into the city of Gillette.
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General Information
Several surplus PRECorp units will go on sale on
eBay on May 4 through May 13, 2013.
Board members and staff discussed the potential
ramifications to PRECorp of a proposed Federal “threatened” listing of a species of woodpecker.
Board members reviewed the nominating committee
process for the board election at the Annual Meeting.
The PRECorp Annual Meeting will be held Saturday,
August 24, in Hulett.
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees Curtis Mock, Libby Opstedahl, Tim Velder, John Tieman, Betty Finn, and Danea
Crowder.
Approved Items
• Pine Haven Underground Phase 4
• D-Road Galloping Project
• PRECorp/PRECorp Foundation Joint Resolution
2013-03 in recognition of Jim Brown of HD Supply
• Avian Protection Project work orders
Board Highlights
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reported on legal issues relevant
to PRECorp.
Executive Staff Reports
COO-GM Les Penning reported on a vandalism event
that occurred at a PRECorp
substation in southern Crook
County.
VP of Operations Mike
Pommarane presented project
information and bids.
VP of Engineering Matt Davis provided information on
proposed projects to upgrade
Tim Velder/PRECorp Marketing Communications
facilities in the PRECorp ser- PRECorp Manager of Service Operations Peter Rossi enters data during a subvice territory.
station inspection near Sundance. System Operations staff have been conducting detailed inspections this spring of all PRECorp facilities.
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
MAY
The Regular Meeting of the
Board of Directors of Powder River
Energy Corporation was called to
order at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May
21, 2013, in Gillette by President
Walt Christensen.
Financials
System sales for March 2013 are
up 5% compared to March 2012.
Safety
The minutes for the April safety
meetings were approved.
CEO Report
CEO Easley provided updates to
the Governor’s Energy Strategy announcement. Easley was a member
of the panel that helped create the
strategy.
bers to review the findings in detail
for the membership.
Local legislators reviewed the
status of state issues including the
Superintendent of Public Instruction, and eminent domain changes.
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees Gary
Kipp, Peter Rossi, Kristin Kelly,
Curtis Mock, Libby Opstedahl;
WREA Executive Director Shawn
Taylor; local legislators Rep. Mark
Semlek, Rep. Eric Barlow, Rep.
Thomas Lubnau, Rep. Michael
Madden, Rep. Gregg Blikre, Sen.
Ogden Driskill, Sen. John J. Hines,
and Sen. Michael Von Flatern.
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Approved Items
• PRECorp sponsorship of Basin
Member Scholarship for Korina Ike; and PRECorp sponsorship of Alexis Engstrom and
Justin Jones as the Basin Employee Scholarship recipients;
• Approve Wyoming Business
Council grant application for
Sundance Substation project;
• Approve grant package for the
Solar Water Pump Program;
• Approve restructuring of the
Engineering and Technical
Services department.
The next regular meeting will be
June 17-18 in Sheridan. The meeting begins at noon on June 17, and
resumes at 9:30 a.m. June 18.
Board Highlights
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reported
on legal issues relevant to PRECorp.
Executive Staff Reports
Sr. VP Engineering and Technical Services Matt Davis reviewed
changes to the organizational structure of the engineering department.
Chief Information Officer Doug
Wilson reviewed the status of the
Balance Scorecard initiatives.
Sr. VP Schloredt reviewed pending metering data investigations.
General Information
WREA Executive Director Shawn
Taylor briefed the Board on the status of the “Our Energy, Our Future”
grassroots member engagement
campaign, and legislative happenings in Washington, DC.
Representatives of CH Guernsey
reviewed the findings of the recent
Cost of Service Study for PRECorp.
Meetings will be held in the summer with stakeholders and mem-
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
Photo by Tim Velder/PRECorp Marketing Communications
PRECorp Operations and Engineering teams test pole stress limits in
Newcastle. Pictured from left are engineer James Carlin, Operations
Supervisor Gary Kipp, engineer Quentin Rogers, and Newcastle District Foreman Duffy Buresh. The tests were designed to check the work
of a pole study that removed selected poles from the system based
on various criteria. Those removed poles were bent with a winch until
they snapped. The guage the men are looking at posted the pounds of
stress the pole withstood before it broke. This data will be compared to
the field estimates from the testing company.
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
JU N E
The Regular Meeting of the Board
of Directors of Powder River Energy
Corporation was called to order at
4:12 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2013,
in Sheridan by President Walt Christensen and adjourned at 1:13 p.m. on
Tuesday, June 18, 2013.
Financials
System sales for April 2013 are
down 5.7% from April 2012 but were
5.6% over budget.
fossil fuel industry. Manager of Finance Curtis Mock gave a COSS update. CEO Easley reviewed the long
range organizational development
plan and the Zero Incident Safety
Program. Dan Bruning of NRECA
provided a presentation to review
the compensation plan management.
The process for the 2013 Employee
Survey and the 360 CEO survey
process was reviewed by HR Officer
Mills.
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Approved Items
•
Retirement Fund HRA Resolution for PRECorp retirees;
•
Approve pole testing contract
for 2013;
•
Engineering construction projects approved for Buffalo Creek
Phase I rebuild, North Bear
Lodge CWP, and Sundance-Upton Skull Creek Tie Line project;
Safety
The minutes for the May safety
meetings were approved.
CEO Report
CEO Easley reported Town Hall
Meetings will be held to discuss the
COSS with stakeholders. CEO Easley was the featured speaker at the
Fergus Annual Meeting in MT. An
upcoming WIA cabinet meeting will
address Energy Strategy.
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees, Josh Gray,
Kristin Kelly, Curtis Mock, John Tieman, and Tim Velder. New PRECorp
Engineering staff Joe Roth, Brock
May, and Adam Granger, formerly
of Baccari and Associates. NRECA
representative, Dan Bruning; Representatives of Fergus Electric and
Mid-Yellowstone Electric of Montana were also in attendance.
•
PRECorp
scholarships
were
awarded to 15 student dependents of PRECorp members.
The next regular meeting will be July
16, 2013 in Sundance. The meeting
begins at 9:30 a.m.
Board Highlights
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reported
on legal issues relevant to PRECorp.
Executive Staff Reports
HR Officer Mills reported that
a Newcastle journeyman/apprentice journeyman position has been
opened.
Sr. VP Schloredt reported on the
account status of member in bankruptcy.
General Information
Tom Dennis of Cassidy and Associates in DC attended telephonically to
update the board on national legislative matters: sequestration, right of
way processes, endangered species
and the DOE’s policies impact on the
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
Photo by Tim Velder/PRECorp Marketing Communications
PRECorp’s Sheridan Linecrew members participate in a safety training and
rescue exercise in the Sheridan office yard. Pictured: Bruce Burr, Sheridan
Journeyman Lineman. The exercise is part of the PRECorp’s dedication to
safety and preparedness.
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
J U LY
The Regular Meeting of the Board
of Directors of Powder River Energy
Corporation was called to order at
9:30 a.m. on Monday, July 16, 2013,
in Sundance by President Walt Christensen. All board members were in
attendance except Don Hamm and
Tom Davis. Reuben Ritthaler joined
the meeting at 9:53 a.m.
Financials
System sales for May 2013 are
down 4.9% from May 2012.
Safety
The minutes for the June safety
meetings were approved.
CEO Report
CEO Easley reported on activities
involving the WIA, cooperative outreach, launch of the WyoREC renewable energy credit certificates, and
forthcoming testimony regarding the
EPA governance of Wyoming’s regional haze regulations.
Pam Kinchen asked HRO Mills
about the changes in the healthcare
mandates deadlines and he reported
there will be group panel discussions
coming up this fall.
General Information
PRECorp employee Hazel Smith
gave a presentation to the board on
her trip to the CFC Forum in Indianapolis.
CEO Easley reported on Economic
Development opportunities and
funding support history for Forward
Sheridan, NEWEDC, and CCEDC.
Financial Analyst Libby Opstedahl
reviewed the completed 2012 IRS
Form 990 with the board.
Reuben Ritthaler reported on the
Basin Electric financial forecast.
The 4-H livestock sale purchases,
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dates, and assignments were discussed.
The 2013 Annual Meeting election
judges were appointed.
Guests to the Meeting:
Corporate
Attorney
Mark
Hughes, Guernsey representative
David Hedrick, PRECorp employees Libby Opstedahl, Curtis Mock,
Karri Blasi, Tim Velder, John Tieman, Hazel Smith, Quentin Rogers,
and Tracy Jones.
Approved Items
• Donkey Creek 69kV transmission line project;
• Funding requests from Forward
Sheridan and NEWEDC.
The next regular meeting will be at
9:30 a.m., August 20, 2013 in Gillette.
Board Highlights
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reported
on legal issues relevant to PRECorp.
Executive Staff Reports
MCD Specialist Tim Velder, representing Sr. VP Member Service Dolly
Schloredt, reported the northeast
Wyoming mayors will host a Congressional Tour August 5-8. The tour
will be in Sundance on August 7. PRECorp will co-sponsor lunch and COO
Les Penning is scheduled as a guest
speaker.
Philip Habeck reported that he
fielded questions from a member regarding the newspaper ads for Unclaimed Capital Credits.
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
Photo by Dale Crabb/PRECorp
PRECorp’s tower site near Sheridan is surrounded by blooming wildflowers.
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
AU GU ST
The Regular Meeting of the Board
of Directors of Powder River Energy Corporation was called to order
at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20,
2013, in Gillette by President Walt
Christensen. All board members
were in attendance.
Financials
System sales for June 2013 are
down 4.3% from June 2012.
Safety
The minutes for the June safety
meetings were approved.
Board Highlights
CEO Report
CEO Easley reported on activities involving interaction with the
Wyoming congressional delegation,
cooperative outreach, and upcoming Board meetings.
Executive Staff Reports
Sr. VP of Operations Mike Pommarane discussed the process for
cross training staff for projects of
varying sizes.
Sr. VP of Engineering Matt Davis
discussed ferroresonance issues
which can occur and cause catastrophic failures in underground
systems which can blow a transformer.
Sr. VP of Member Service Dolly
Schloredt discussed pending bankruptcy filings, and zero-use service
inventory.
General Information
A Gillette Cam-Plex annexation
hearing is set for 7 p.m., September
16. There was also discussion on the
number of PRECorp meters proposed to be taken over by the City
of Gillette.
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
Manager of Financial Planning
Curtis Mock reviewed the CBM
retirment fund structure with the
board. Mock also reviewed the 2014
Budget process.
PRECorp Financial Analyst Libby Opstedahl provided a plan for
the 2014 Financial Forecast.
Ray Miner explained details of
the physical inventory report.
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reported
on legal issues relevant to PRECorp.
Guests to the Meeting:
Corporate
Attorney
Mark
Hughes, Guernsey representative
David Hedrick (via teleconference),
PRECorp employees Ray Miner,
Tim Velder, Libby Opstedahl, Curtis Mock, and John Tieman.
Approved Items
• Avian retrofitting project in
Campbell County;
• Tabled action on proposed rate
case;
•
•
2 0 1 3
Called a special meeting for
10 a.m. August 24, to consider
member input on the rate case;
D-Road dampening project.
Special Meeting/Annual Meeting:
A special meeting of the Board of
Directors of Powder River Energy
Corporation was called to order
at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24,
2013, in Hulett by President Walt
Christensen. All board members
were in attendance. The board approved the filing of the 2013 Cost of
Service Study Rate Case as presented by the Financial Planning staff.
The 68th PRECorp Annual Meeting was called to order at 12:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 24, in Hulett by
President Walt Christensen. Members cast ballots for three director
seats. Pam Kinchen, Reuben Ritthaler, and Gerry Geis were elected
to three-year terms.
The next regular meeting will be at
9:30 a.m., September 23 and 24, 2013
Photo by Tim Velder/PRECorp Marketing Communications
PRECorp Metering Foreman Cory Jensen, right, leads a class on “Metering
for Linemen” at the Cody Hotlines School, August 13-15, in Cody, Wyoming.
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
Board Highlights
SE P TE MBE R
The Powder River Energy Corporation Board of Directors reorganizational meeting was held at Monday
and Tuesday, September 23 and 24,
in Sheridan.
Walt Christensen was re-elected
chairman and presided over the rest
of the meeting. Paul Baker was elected vice-chairman and Philip Habeck
was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer.
New board member Gerry Geis,
Campbell County, was officially
seated. The current slate of committee members was reinstated to the
Policy and Bylaw committees.
Financials
CFO Floyd Kanode reviewed the
financial statements for the month
of July 2013. System sales through
July 2013 are down 4.1 percent over
last year. Kanode reviewed the 5 mill
surcharge on CBM kWh sales.
Safety
The minutes from the August
safety meetings were approved.
Legal Report
Attorney Hughes was not present,
and the board reviewed a written report on the progress of legal matters
relevant to PRECorp.
CEO Report
CEO Easley reported on grass
roots program ideas, involving lowtech ways for members to reach out
to their elected officials. This will
help members who do not have access to internet/email. The goal is
to telephone at least 100 PRECorp
members and inform them of key
federal issues affecting PRECorp.
The members would be encouraged
to write and send letters to PRECorp.
PRECorp would send the bundled
letters to decision-makers to convey
a unified message from PRECorp
members.
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
CEO Easley has been elected to
chair the WREA managers’ group.
He will continue initiatives of his
predecessor. Over the next year, the
group will focus on political relevancy, leadership development, and
sharing best practices. The managers group will meet in conjunction
with the WREA meetings.
Executive Staff Reports
COO Penning reported on Touchstone Energy Board activity, on
which Penning is a director.
HRO Mills updated the board on
the Continuous Improvement Team
meetings for the ongoing safety improvement process.
Sr. VP Schloredt updated the
board on member accounts.
General Information
COO Penning reviewed the nominees for reappointment to the PRECorp Foundation Board. The Board
approved the appointments and expressed appreciation to the directors
for volunteering their time to serve.
Board member Leo Ankney reported on the WREA annual meeting. Next year’s meeting will be held
in the PRECorp service territory.
Scholarship recipient Morghan
West thanked the board for their financial support of her education.
Approved Items
• Reappointed Foundation Directors Billie Little and Kathleen
Tavegie; appointed new At-large
member Zeta Anderson;
• Designated Moorcroft as the site
of the 2014 Annual Meeting;
• Approved a new Clear Creek
Substation lease agreement;
• Conditional approval of Butte
Electric (S.D.) request to serve
within PRECorp territory;
• Approved bids for Knox Insu-
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
2 0 1 3
lator Replacement; Lake Stop
Phase III; PRECorp Retirement
ISR 2013-44; PRECorp Retrofitting work orders.
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees John Tieman, Tracy Jones, Tim Velder, Kristin Kelly, Libby Opstedahl, and
Curtis Mock; Scholarship recipient
Morghan West; and representatives
from Big Horn REA, Fergus REA,
and Tongue River REA.
The next regular meeting will be
held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, October
21, 2013, in Sundance.
Photo by Tim Velder/PRECorp
PRECorp Journeyman Lineman Tyler
Nash, Gillette, ascends a pole that
was set to build a rookery for Great
Blue Herons at Wyoming Game and
Fish Reservoir #37 near New Haven.
The September 5 project was a service activity to enhance wildlife habitate in the area.
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
OC TOBE R
The Powder River Energy Corporation Board of Directors regular meeting was called to order by
President Walt Christensen at 9:30
a.m. on Monday. October 21, in
Sundance. All members were present except for Philip Habeck.
Financials
CFO Floyd Kanode reviewed
the financial statements for the
month of August 2013. System
sales through August 2013 are
down 3.8 percent over last year.
Kanode reviewed growth rates
and balance sheets.
CEO Report
CEO Easley reported on cooperative outreach activities; rate case at
PSC; and WREA managers meetings.
Board Highlights
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reviewed
the progress of legal matters relevant
to PRECorp.
Safety
The minutes from the September
safety meetings were approved.
HRO Brian Mills updated the
board on its safety accreditation.
NRECA has awarded a safety
achievement certificate to PRECorp,
pertaining to its continuous improvement process.
Executive Staff Reports
COO Les Penning reported on
PRECorp Foundation activities,
Touchstone Energy, and NRECA
structure.
Sr. VP of System Operations Mike
Pommarane outlined a report on
the October 4-5 blizzard outage response.
Sr. VP of Engineering Matt Davis
updated the board on miscellaneous
system upgrade requests.
2 0 1 3
Approved Items
• Retirement of $1,990,000 in capital credits.
• Low bid for LR3 rebuild
General Information
Peter Barron Stark gave an overview of the annual employee opinion survey.
CIO Doug Wilson gave a quarterly update of the 2013 Balanced
Scorecard, and its alignment to the
Strategy Map.
Libby Opstedahl updated the
board on the progress of the 2014
budget, and the 2014 financial forecasts.
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees John Tieman, Tim Velder, Betty Finn, Libby Opstedahl, Hoby Hughes, and
Karri Blasi; and Peter Barron Stark.
The next regular meeting will be
held at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 19, in Gillette.
Photo by Tim Velder/PRECorp
PRECorp Journeyman Lineman Rick Gill, Sundance, wades through deep snow to inspect a downed tree in a power
line during a major blizzard event October 4-6 in northeast Wyoming.
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
GILLETTE
200 Garner Lake Road • P.O. Box 937 • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
Board Highlights
N OVE MBE R
The Powder River Energy Corporation Board of Directors regular meeting was called to order by
President Walt Christensen at 9:30
a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, in
Gillette. All members were present
except for Reuben Ritthaler.
Financials
CFAO Curtis Mock reviewed
the financial statements for the
month of September 2013. System
sales through September 2013 are
down 3.6 percent over last year.
Mock reviewed growth rates and
balance sheets.
CEO Report
CEO Easley reported on cooperative outreach activities, and WREA
managers meetings.
Easley and COO Les Penning attended the Summit and Balanced
Scorecard Hall of Fame Induction
Ceremony in Boston October 28-November 1. The award from Palladium has garnered national press.
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reviewed
the progress of legal matters relevant
to PRECorp.
Safety
The minutes from the October
safety meetings were approved.
Executive Staff Reports
COO Les Penning reported on
PRECorp Foundation activities. The
Foundation is planning a strategic
planning retreat and invited PRECorp Board members to attend.
Sr. VP of System Operations Mike
Pommarane discussed incident reports.
CIO Doug Wilson reported on
the outage management system and
its availability on the precorp.coop
website. The OMS is still undergoing
additional technical revisions.
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
General Information
Auditor Larry Lane from Schmidt
and Company reported on the audit of PRECorp financial statements
from July 2012 to June 2013.
The City of Gillette has completed
paperwork for annexation of the
Cam-Plex properties.
“Bill Durfee Substation” is the official name of the new substation project planned on Mason Creek Road in
Crook County.
Libby Nisley reported on the 10year financial forecast, and budget
updates.
Sr. VP of System Operations Pommarane gave analysis of the Wright
shop and equipment storage.
Josh Gray and Mandy Marr demonstrated the SmartHub bill pay app
launching in December.
Danea Crowder reported on property and casualty insurance proposals.
2 0 1 3
Sr. VP Schloredt requested replacement of Gillette drive-up with
a drive-through payment kiosk to
accomodate around-the-clock bill
pay traffic.
Approved Items
• Operating and capital budget for
2014
• Northwest Energy Retirement
• Property and casualty insurance
• Auto-payment kiosk in Gillette
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees Tim Velder,
Betty Finn, Libby Opstedahl, Kristin Kelly, Danea Crowder, Mandy
Marr, Josh Gray, John Tieman, and
Karri Blasi; attorney Kara Ellsbury
of Hughes Law Office; and Larry
Lane of Schmidt and Company.
The next meeting will be held
Monday and Tuesday, December
16-17, in Sheridan. The meeting
begins at 1 p.m. on Monday.
Photo by Tim Velder/PRECorp
The hair-raising experience of static electricity is one of the highlights of the
PRECorp/Basin Electric “Story Behind the Switch” demonstrations held in
Newcastle, Upton, Hulett, Sundance, and Moorcroft in October.
GILLETTE
200 S. Garner Lake Road • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax
Board Highlights
D E C E MBE R
The Powder River Energy Corporation Board of Directors regular meeting was called to order
by President Walt Christensen
at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, December 16, in Sheridan. All members
were present. The meeting recessed and resumed on Tuesday,
December 17, at the Sheridan
Holiday Inn.
Financials
CFAO Curtis Mock reviewed
the financial statements for the
month of October 2013. System
sales through October 2013 are
down 3.6 percent over last year.
Mock reviewed growth rates and
balance sheets.
Board Highlights
CEO Report
CEO Mike Easley reported on
meetings with officials from Basin Electric on matters relevant to
PRECorp.
Easley updated the board on
statewide initiatives related to innovations in the energy industry.
ficials will meet with the USF&WS
regarding the Avian Protection
Plan in February.
Sr. VP of System Operations
Mike Pommarane discussed the
2013 maintenance plan. He reported the goal of inspecting one-fifth
of the system will be completed at
the end of the year. Eleven substations were also given detailed inspections. Pommarane praised the
efforts of the crews and was optimistic that the number of outages
would be reduced. Pommarane explained some of the points of emphasis, particularly efforts to upgrade the Osage to Sundance line.
General Information
Libby Nisley reported on the 10year financial forecast.
Kristin Kelly and Tim Velder
presented information on the
2 0 1 3
PRECorp Local Action Network
(PLAN) porgram to encourage
grassroots participation by members.
Approved Items
• Pension Restoration Plan Resolution 2013-06
• Knox Insulator Replacement
Project
• CBM retirement Contract
Awards
Guests to the Meeting:
PRECorp employees Tim
Velder, Betty Finn, Libby Opstedahl, Kristin Kelly, John Tieman,
Joe Roth; representatives from
Big Horn and Tongue River electric cooperatives; Dave Hedrick,
Guernsey.
The next meeting will be held
at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 21,
in Sundance.
Legal Report
Attorney Mark Hughes reviewed the progress of legal matters relevant to PRECorp.
Safety
The minutes from the November
safety meetings were approved.
Executive Staff Reports
COO Les Penning reported on
PRECorp Foundation activities.
The Foundation is planning a strategic retreat and invited PRECorp
Board members to attend.
VP Matt Davis said PRECorp of-
SUNDANCE – CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
221 Main Street • P.O. Box 930 • Sundance, WY 82729
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 283-3527 Fax
Photo by Tim Velder/PRECorp
Music on the Lines is the theme of the 2013 Sundance Parade of Lights float
PRECorp volunteers created recently.
GILLETTE
200 S. Garner Lake Road • Gillette, WY 82718
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 682-0733 Fax
www.precorp.coop
SHERIDAN
1095 Brundage Lane • P.O. Box 5087 • Sheridan, WY 82801
(800) 442-3630 Phone • (307) 674-9018 Fax