B A S I N T O D AY BASIN EL EC T RIC P OW ER COOPER AT I V E
JULY | AUGUST 2017
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M AG A ZINE
CONSTRUCTION NEARING COMPLETION ON KEY PROJECTS
In Campbell County, WY, where the depression and suicide rate among teens is alarmingly high, the activities committee at Dry Fork Station has stepped in to create some positive energy. Campbell County donated a former elementary school to be used as a community center and the headquarters for several community organizations including the Boys & Girls Club of Campbell County, which provides a safe, sober environment for area youth. The building needed remodeling, so local businesses and organizations were asked to help by sponsoring a room of their choice. Dry Fork employees elected to sponsor the teen room. Through a grant from Basin Electric’s Charitable Giving Program, staff purchased materials to help make the room feel like home. Employee volunteers (front from left) Nicole Heafner, Eric Williams, Dawn Fulciniti, Ashley Fraser, (back from left) Chris Lotvedt, Ronda Warner, and Tracey Krusi (not pictured) took one day to clean out the room, paint it, hang the TV, and equip it with all the goodies that fill it with positive energy. The day after the work was done, the club’s staff couldn’t say enough about how great it looked and how excited the kids were to have such a fun place to hang out. http://bit.ly/DFSBoysGirls
CONTENTS VOLUME 20
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NUMBER 4
ON THE COVER Construction activities on key projects throughout the cooperative are coming to an end this year and in early 2019. These projects include Headquarters building, the Antelope Valley Station to Neset transmission line, and the Urea project at Dakota Gas. The Tande substation featured on the cover is part of the AVS to Neset Project. Read more on page 6. IN EVERY ISSUE 2 CEO and general manager column: Paul Sukut 4 In brief 12 Member focus: Giving the gift of life 14 Feature series: A day in the life of ... Performance Engineer Josh Raynes 19 Employee highlights FEATURE STORIES 6 Construction zone 8 A digital showcase of American pride 1 0 Taking care of the land 16 Scholarship recipients 18 Industry leaders meet with EPA Administrator to discuss regulations
CONTRIBUTORS
Editor:
Andrea Blowers (ablowers@bepc.com)
Publications manager:
Andrea Blowers
Graphic designers:
Nicole Perreault & Nichole Rohrich
Photographers:
Chelsy Ciavarella, Jade Neumann, & Greg DeSaye
Writers:
Tracie Bettenhausen, Chris Gessele, Tammy Langerud, Angela Magstadt, & Joan Dietz
Use your smartphone barcode scanner to view stories online. JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 1
CEO A ND G E NE R A L M A N AG E R C OL UMN
PAUL SUKUT THANKFUL PAST, HOPEFUL FUTURE I see something different nowadays when I walk through our facilities. Of course I see employees going to and from meetings, hitting the road for other facilities or a member co-op, or safely going about their work. But what really catches my eye is most of them are no longer the Baby Boomers of my generation, but younger, fresh-faced employees who are eager to put their skills and ideas into action. To illustrate my point, the average age of our workforce (43) is declining, as well as employee tenure (12 years). But what’s remarkable is that 35 percent of employees are new to the cooperative since 2013, and more than 70 percent of our employees are new to their positions in the last four years. We’ve seen a lot of institutional knowledge retire from the cooperative the last few years. Looking forward, we can expect more of the same. In the next 10 years, almost one-third of the co-op’s existing workforce will reach normal retirement age. Merely reporting the numbers doesn’t do these employees justice. We’ve had some of the nicest, most talented, and dedicated people at our facilities. I can’t thank them enough for the years they have given to Basin Electric and the cooperative mission. From a strategic standpoint, however, we’re working hard to ensure that this employee turnover
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will not catch Basin Electric flat-footed. There’s no doubt we’re facing challenges in a pivotal time in our industry and at Basin Electric. Basin Electric’s Human Resources (HR) Department recently finished the co-op’s workforce plan. The annual plan is a succession planning tool that gives senior staff a snapshot of the current employee base and a comprehensive look at concerns Basin Electric could face with its workforce. The plan helps Basin Electric prepare for the future, develop a proactive approach to retaining and recruiting employees, and pinpoints areas where the co-op could operate more efficiently to best meet our members’ needs. I believe our opportunity to help employees develop their skills to best serve our members begins when we first welcome new employees to the cooperative. It’s important that our new workforce understands Basin Electric’s history, our culture, and what the future might hold for the cooperative. We must then train and mentor these employees to equip them for not only a career that’s productive, but one that truly fulfills them and encourages their personal development. We are accomplishing this development through some of the employee programs I’ve mentioned before, such as BE Leaders, our revamped new employee
orientation, and Building Cooperative Connections. All of this ties into the cooperative’s commitment to continuous improvement, one of eight objectives in our long-term strategic plan and a strategy which will serve us well as we face continued challenges. As we prepare for the future, our strategic plan also calls for fiscal discipline. In this time of strategic cost management, we must be smart about any positions we may fill as our workforce retires, and be creative in how we train, develop, and utilize employees and their skillsets in their current and future positions. I have said it before and I’ll say it again – Basin Electric is made up of great people working hard to serve great people. As a cooperative, we’re built to be nimble and adaptable, and I look forward to watching this new wave of employees continue to build on our history of commitment and dedication to our members.
Paul Sukut, CEO and general manager
JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 3
IN B RIE F Basin Electric subsidiary buys turbines from South Dakota Wind Partners
According to the agreements, Montana Limestone Company will remain the operator of the quarry and will continue to supply limestone for Dakota Coal’s Wyoming Lime Producers lime kiln in Frannie, WY, and Basin Electric’s Leland Olds Station near Stanton, ND, and Western Sugar’s specific sugar beet factories, along with other customers. The new agreements are effective for 10 years. http://bit.ly/MLCWesternSugar
Deer Creek Station enclosure project completed At their July meeting, PrairieWinds SD 1 directors approved the purchase of wind turbines from the South Dakota Wind Partners. PrairieWinds SD 1 is the Basin Electric subsidiary that built and owns the Crow Lake Wind Project located near White Lake, SD. In 2010, PrairieWinds SD 1 and the South Dakota Wind Partners entered into a contract in which the South Dakota Wind Partners would own seven turbines in the Crow Lake Wind Project, and Basin Electric would buy the power. The deal was made, in part, to raise support for wind in the area, and provide a positive investment opportunity for local ownership. Per the contract, South Dakota Wind Partners chose to sell the turbines to PrairieWinds SD 1. Because the subsidiary now owns the turbines, Basin Electric gains dispatch control and potential curtailment of their operation. As a result of the purchase, PrairieWinds SD 1 will no longer have the expense of the purchased power from the turbine output. Commissioned in 2011, Crow Lake Wind consists of 108 General Electric 1.5-megawatt turbines, one of which is owned by Mitchell Technical Institute and used for training future wind technicians. Crow Lake Wind is the largest wind project owned solely by a cooperative in the United States.
Montana Limestone and Western Sugar finalize agreements for quarry A series of agreements regarding the limestone quarry in Warren, MT, were finalized between Montana Limestone Company, a subsidiary of Dakota Coal Company, and Western Sugar Cooperative, headquartered out of Denver, CO. Montana Limestone and Western Sugar are co-owners of Bighorn Limestone Company, which owns the quarry reserves.
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Enclosure of Deer Creek Station’s heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) has reached functional completion. Construction on the $22-million enclosure project started in October 2015. Challenges included designing the enclosure for temperature extremes. The enclosure was considered during original construction of Deer Creek Station, but it was decided to leave the HRSG outdoors and insulate and heat by other measures to save on construction costs. Those measures proved inadequate during the plant’s first winter season. Deer Creek is an intermediate generation natural gas combined cycle facility that went commercial in August 2012. The plant consists of two turbines, one fired by natural gas and the other driven by steam. Exhaust from the natural gas-fired turbine is passed through the HRSG, which uses the hot exhaust to heat water. The steam produced from the heated water then goes through a steam turbine to generate electricity. http://bit.ly/DCSEnclosure
Basin Electric employees present $23,000 to Great Plains Food Bank
FIND US ON THE WEB BasinElectric.com DakotaGas.com
$23,000
70,000 MEALS
Basin Electric employees raised $23,000 for the Great Plains Food Bank, North Dakota’s largest hunger relief organization and the state’s only food bank. For every dollar donated to Great Plains Food Bank, 97 cents goes directly to hunger relief efforts. This is the second year employees have gone Casual for a Cause. That means employees contribute to a charity to get the privilege of wearing jeans all summer, Memorial Day through Labor Day. The gift from Basin Electric employees will provide nearly 70,000 meals. Employees are also committed to serving Missouri Slope Areawide United Way summer meals once a week throughout the summer. The organization serves free meals every weekday throughout the summer for those who need it. In May, employees also packed nearly 900 backpacks for kids in the Bismarck-Mandan, ND, area as part of Missouri Slope Areawide United Way’s Backpack Program. This is the third year employees have pitched in to fill backpacks for kids who would otherwise not have access to regular, healthy meals over the weekend.
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linkedin.com/company/ basin-electric-power-cooperative JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 5
Basin Electric’s Headquarters West (new building) took on a new look this summer. In late June, contractors started painting the outside of the building, giving it a white finish to match Headquarters East (the existing building). Painting will be done in August, depending on weather.
CONSTRUCTION ZONE By Tammy Langerud There’s a saying that there are two seasons in the Midwest: winter and construction season. Basin Electric has three major construction projects underway that are an investment to the future of the cooperative, its employees, and its members.
Headquarters construction Contractors are busy working inside Headquarters West. The more visible projects, which give the interior a new look almost daily, include installing drywall, tile, and carpet throughout the building.
The Headquarters expansion project also includes the construction of an onsite warehouse/shop, which was completed last winter and came in $500,000 under budget. The shop’s size and features enhance the safety for and productivity of the facilities division.
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In 2015, Basin Electric’s board of directors approved an addition to the Headquarters building in Bismarck to support the future of the cooperative workforce. Headquarters West (new building) will add 91,000 square feet to the existing Headquarters building. This will allow all Headquarters employees, who have been spread out across four locations due to limited office space, to work at one location. Headquarters West, which will be four stories tall, will be completed in October. In November, approximately 175 employees will move in. A remodel of the existing building will be completed by early 2019.
Located near Tioga, ND, the Tande Substation is part of the Antelope Valley Station (AVS) to Neset transmission project. The complete AVS to Neset project is expected to be in service by Oct. 31.
Antelope Valley Station to Neset transmission project Three elements remain in the Antelope Valley Station (AVS) to Neset transmission project. Crews are currently working on the Judson to Neset line, which will contain 60 miles of 345-kilovolt (kV) line supported by 375 poles. At of the end of July, 90 percent of the structures were complete and 70 percent of the conductor was strung. The project also includes the installation of the new Tande Substation and modifications to the existing Neset Substation, both located near Tioga, ND. Both substation work efforts are in final construction phase, followed by commissioning efforts. The complete AVS to Neset project, which was started in 2014 and includes a total of 200 miles of line, is expected to be in service by Oct. 31. The remaining efforts that will continue into 2018-2019 include completing reclamation and re-vegetation, and monitoring of those areas until achieving satisfactory results. In addition, Basin Electric will replace trees and shrubs that were removed for the project and monitor their survival rates.
for granular urea, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and carbon dioxide, a rail spur, and rail and truck load-out facilities. The completion of the project will add three new products made at the Synfuels Plant. • Urea, a granular fertilizer that adds nitrogen into soil, will be the 11th product made at the Synfuels Plant. Urea production requires anhydrous ammonia and carbon dioxide, both of which are already produced at the Synfuels Plant. • DEF will be the 12th product for the Synfuels Plant. DEF is a water solution of urea used to reduce NOx emissions in diesel engines, as mandated by the federal government on all new diesel engines. • The urea facility will also produce a high-purity liquid carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 will be stored onsite for use in urea production in the event of an ammonia plant outage. Additionally, some liquid will be available for local markets.
Blaisdell to Plaza transmission The Blaisdell to Plaza project consists of 30 miles of 115-kV line, running between Blaisdell and Plaza, ND. Construction crews started working on the foundations in early July, and started setting structures in early August. This project will be completed by the end of 2017.
Urea project The urea construction project at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant is about 90 percent complete, with anticipated commercial operation beginning in January 2018. Located within the existing Synfuels Plant, it occupies more than 20 acres of the 640-acre plant site. The project, which started in June 2014, includes construction of the production plant, storage facilities
The portal reclaimer will reclaim and transfer product from the urea storage building to the screening tower for final screening before being loaded on trucks to rail and delivered to customers. The 53,000-ton storage building, which was destroyed in a July 2016 storm, is now nearly complete with contractors installing wall and roof cladding, as well as the remaining structural steel on the outside of the building. On the inside, contractors continue work on the retaining walls, floor, and anchor rods for the portal reclaimer rail. JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 7
A DIGITAL SHOWCASE OF
American pride Fireworks, family, the American flag, and parades. As members celebrated their patriotic spirit in their local community, they also commemorated July 4th in their online social communities. Here’s a recap of the online American pride from Basin Electric co-op members.
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JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 9
TAKING CARE OF THE LAND BASIN ELECTRIC PARTNERS WITH LIVING THINGS IN SOME RECLAMATION By Tracie Bettenhausen
Dusty Backer, owner of Backer Bees, checks on the bees after moving them to Glenharold Mine, a reclaimed coal mine.
Commitment to the environment can be shown in a variety of ways. Following are a few ways Basin Electric keeps nature in mind in its reclamation practices.
Busy bees Backer Bees is one of three beekeepers who keep their bees at the Glenharold Mine, a reclaimed coal mine that used to supply coal to Leland Olds Station, Basin Electric’s first coal-based power plant located near Stanton, ND. Dusty Backer, owner of Backer Bees, keeps 1,800-2,500 hives in North Dakota. “There is such a variety of flowers. Alfalfa, clover, canola, sunflowers, a lot of wildflowers,” he says. “This area is one of the best in the nation to raise bees, a really healthy place to raise bees. Anywhere within a 30-mile radius of this spot (Glenharold Mine) is awesome bee country.” The bees come to North Dakota from Texas in late June, and leave in mid-October for California. “It’s extremely important this land in North Dakota is available to bees,” Backer says. “Where I grew up in Nebraska, there’s a lot of corn and beans. That’s not great for bees because they need a variety of pollen. Bees are like us, they need a variety of food. At Glenharold Mine, there’s acres and acres of untouched pasture. I know I say ‘untouched,’ and that’s not actually correct because it was mined, but that’s how it serves for us now that it’s been reclaimed.”
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North Dakota also has long daylight hours in the summer, meaning bees get at least two more hours of fly time than in the southern United States. Glenharold Mine has been habitat for bees since 2004.
Leafy greens The North Dakota prairie is known for a couple of things: there are hardly any trees, and there is a lot of wind. Both of those truths meet in this story. Per North Dakota Public Service Commission policy, replacement trees and shrubs must be replaced on a two-for-onebasis when performing reclamation on a project with Public Service Commission oversight. When PrairieWinds 1 was built near Minot, ND, in 2009, approximately 989 trees and 345 shrubs were removed during construction of the 115.5-megawatt wind project. Twenty-three landowners were contacted and given the choice of having the replacement trees or shrubs planted on their property or waiving the replanting and allowing these replacement trees or shrubs to be planted in an alternate location. That meant about 1,978 trees and 690 shrubs were needed as replacements. Most of the trees were planted by the Ward County Soil Conservation Service, an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture. In 2013, Basin Electric employees Kevin Solie, senior environmental compliance administrator, Kyle
The Krabbenhofts walk the pasture, sweeping nets near the ground to collect the beetles. Depending on how thick the beetles are, it’ll take anywhere from 1 minute to 30 minutes to catch 1,000 beetles. “In 2004, we had a year where the leafy spurge was really thin and the beetles were thick. We caught 1 million beetles in an hour,” he says. The Krabbenhofts count the beetles when they get back to their pickup truck; the scoop cup they use holds about 50,000 beetles. The beetles work effectively in that they kill the plant at the root, whereas pesticide will only kill the plant out of the ground. “When the beetles lay their eggs, they lay them adjacent to the plant. The eggs will hatch and burrow down to find the first lateral root, and stay there all winter and feed off the root system,” Krabbenhoft says. “The beetles don’t eat anything other than Kyle Opp, maintenance coordinator, and Darrell Schulz, leafy spurge, so they only affect the bad weeds, and lead maintenance coordinator/food services, plant a not the plants that cattle like to eat.” replacement tree on private land near PrairieWinds 1, The Krabbenhofts move the beetles to the edges south of Minot, ND, in 2013. of large patches of leafy spurge, and the beetles will Opp, maintenance coordinator, and Darrell Schulz, work their way in. lead maintenance coordinator/food services, helped “Doing this is a more natural method of dealfinish the final stretch – about 100 trees and shrubs. ing with noxious weeds than spraying,” Krabbenhoft “We planted cottonwood, hackberry, chokesays. “Spreading leafy spurge beetles doesn’t affect cherry, plum, lilac, green ash, pine trees, a wide the bees, butterflies, other insects who were out here variety,” Solie says. “Because of the survival rate to begin with.” we’re looking for, ultimately we plant 10- to 15-percent Michelle Schroeder, Basin Electric property and over what is required. … It’s important to bring the right of way agent, says Basin Electric has used leafy landscape back to what it was, spurge beetles to control the the best that we can. Trees are weed since 1997. “The state fairly rare in North Dakota, and of North Dakota requires keepI think that’s why the Public Sering a handle on leafy spurge, vice Commission put together so we will use pesticide on that policy for replacement.” the highly visible areas of the reclaimed land, and the Creepy crawlies areas near other landownUnseen to most of us, milers,” she says. “If we don’t lions of little helpers are doing contain it, it will go rampant. damage control on reclaimed But when you get out into the coal mine land. land, we prefer to use the Beetles are spread at the beetles. Not only is using the Glenharold Mine to control the Leafy spurge beetles at Glenharold Mine, a beetles less expensive than reclaimed coal mine. The beetles kill the noxious noxious weed, leafy spurge. spraying but it’s also better weed by feeding on the root system. Kelly and Julie Krabbenenvironmentally.” hoft, KDK Consulting, are the contractors hired by Schroeder says the one area of the mine used to be Basin Electric to do the work of moving the beetles nicknamed, “‘Leafy spurge valley.’ You look at that area in the spring and early summer to make sure the beenow, and it’s mostly grass, all taken care of by beetles.” tles are doing the most damage to the weeds as they basinelectric.wordpress.com possibly can.
JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 11
M E M B E R F OCUS
Giving THE GIFT OF
life By Andrea Blowers
Kayla McCloud is the fifth in her family to donate a kidney to another member of her family with polycystic kidney disease.
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Kayla McCloud has known for much of her life she might donate a kidney one day. That’s not something you typically hear. But, for McCloud and others in her family it’s part of who they are – in more ways than one. Through generations, members of McCloud’s family have had a genetic disorder called polycystic kidney disease (PKD). According to the National Kidney Foundation, PKD causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys. These cysts are filled with fluid. If too many cysts grow or if they get too big, the kidneys can become damaged. PKD cysts can slowly replace much of the kidneys, reducing kidney function and leading to kidney failure. On June 21, McCloud, who is a member of Basin Electric Class C member Capital Electric Cooperative in Bismarck, ND, became the fifth person in her family to donate a kidney to another family member. Her father was the first in 1989. “When I was about 10 years old, my dad donated to my aunt, his sister, Rosemary. When he donated, I remember my mom stayed home with us. He went to the cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN) and came home to recover.” McCloud grew up on a farm in southeast North Dakota in Geneseo. “It’s a small town with a bar, a church, an elevator, and a well drilling shop,” McCloud says. They were members of Dakota Valley ElecIt was a bit of a roller tric Cooperative in Milnor, ND. coaster to be committed and “Dad’s recovery took a good two then having to wait another months before he was back to his farm year and go through all the life, so many neighbors and others helped tests again. out with the chores. He’s been good since.” After her dad, McCloud’s aunt, Cece, Kayla McCloud donated to her uncle, Pete, and her cousin, Clet, donated to her aunt, Vonnie. And, McCloud’s cousin, Mitch, donated to his brother, Clint, about three years ago. McCloud says two years ago, in August 2015, she decided to get checked to find out if she was a match for her cousin, Carla Bock, who she learned would need a transplant or would have to start dialysis. “The recipient can’t ask people to be a donor, and they can’t compensate you in any way,” McCloud says.
a few weeks in the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, MN, for tests to make sure the kidney she received from McCloud continued to function properly. All looks good. McCloud was on restrictions for four weeks and has been able to begin mild activity. She says it could take up to a year to feel 100 percent again, but everyone is different. She’s been recovering well and one of the reasons is because she was healthy and active before the procedure. Just one month before McCloud donated her kidney, she ran the Fargo Half Marathon. “Carla assured Carla Bock (left) is the cousin of Kayla McCloud (right) and received a kidney from her on June 21, 2017. me I should run it. She said, ‘It’s the last time that kidney’s ever going to run.’” McCloud says laughing. “I told “First, we had to be a blood match, then follow her that may not be true. She might feel good enough to start running.” up with a number of other tests to determine if we were compatible for transplant,” McCloud says. “We McCloud says a kidney donation is typically harder were originally preparing to on the donor than the recipient. However, have the procedures done in when you have a kidney removed, the remainYou are giving 2016, but the function of Caring kidney will pick up some of the slack and la’s kidneys improved slightly, will grow larger. another person a bet“After the procedure, I didn’t feel like I and she had to have another ter quality of life. procedure for her heart, so we was missing an organ,” she says. “I’ve felt Kayla McCloud delayed it until this year. With pain, but that’s it. It was for the most part that, then I had to be retested what I thought it would be. If we can have because we were past the a baby, we can donate an organ.” 18-month window in which the results are good.” McCloud says she would tell anyone to donate. So, earlier this year, McCloud was retested and “You are giving another person a better quality of life,” was able to continue with the donation. she says. Bock’s life is now extended by decades and medicine is continuing to improve for those who have “It was a bit of a roller coaster to be committed the disease. and then having to wait another year and go through all the tests again,” she says. Up until two weeks before the procedure, McCloud and Bock didn’t know exactly when the transplant would happen. But, McCloud says slowly the appointments started showing up on her account and they made plans to travel to Mayo Clinic, where the transplant took place. Once there, all the tests were good the day before the transplant and the proMcCloud says it could take up to a year to feel 100 cedure was finally completed. percent again, but she has been recovering well. She was And, just a few short weeks after receiving her given a certificate and a kidney-shaped pillow signed by new kidney, Bock says she feels great. She spent her doctors and care staff in appreciation for her donation.
JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 13
F E AT URE SE RIES
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF …
PERFORMANCE ENGINEER
JOSH RAYNES By Chris Gessele The bags of fly ash, still warm from the 2,000-degree boiler, were plopped down on the desk in the control room at Antelope Valley Station near Beulah, ND. “Looks just like flour – and still warm,” says Josh Raynes, Basin Electric performance engineer, resting his hand on one of the bags. Raynes planned to take the ash samples with him to a lab in Bismarck, ND, where they would be tested for unburnt coal, or loss of ignition (LOI). The test results would help Raynes figure out how to fine-tune his current project, installation of combustion optimizer technology on both units at Antelope Valley Station. Raynes traveled to Antelope Valley Station June 28 to meet with Kyle Keidel, a performance engineer at Antelope Valley Station, and hold a conference call with product manufacturers as the technology was put into action. Raynes and Keidel work closely together on the project’s day-to-day activities. Keidel started at Basin Electric in March 2016 and immediately started on the project. He was working on a similar project at Minnkota Power Cooperative. “So I pretty much picked up at Basin Electric where I left off at Minnkota,” he says. The combustion optimizer at Antelope Valley Station consists of a model-based system that examines the coal combustion process within the furnace in real time. Instrument probes in the flue gas, a grid of lasers in the boiler, and digital readings will help control room operators run the plant as efficiently as possible. The flue gas probes measure oxygen – which helps determine if the fuel is fully combusting – and carbon monoxide levels. The lasers line the wall of the boiler and form
14 | BASIN TODAY
a grid to measure light absorption, which in turn tells the temperature in the boiler. According to Raynes, control room operators temperature and other varia half-percent improvement in heat rate could mean ables inside the boiler. significant fuel cost savings per year. “The probes and lasers measure some of the Secondly, by reducing the amount of fuel required to produce the same same things, but in different ways,” Raynes says. “Together amount of electricity, the plant’s The goal is to produce they provide a more complete emission intensity is lower, thereby power at a reduced cost, picture and serve as a tool for reducing the plant’s operating and which is then passed down the control room operators in maintenance costs and lowering to the member-owners at order to optimize the plant’s the environmental footprint of the the end of the line. performance.” facility. A win on all fronts. The ultimate goals of the Raynes started on the projJosh Raynes technology are two-fold, Raynes ect in 2015. The system should says. First, it could potentially be commissioned by the end of increase the plant’s operating August 2017. efficiency. That’s accomplished by reducing the Raynes’ assignment to the combustion optiamount of fuel burned in the boiler while maintaining mization project at Antelope Valley Station is out of the ordinary for him. While many engineers are generally assigned to specific projects, Raynes generally works on various tasks attributed to several different projects. “I usually get a lot of data requests and dabble in several projects at once,” Raynes says. “I’m a jack of all trades, master of none.” Combustion optimizer technology, which is now installed on all of Basin Electric’s coal units, is one of several innovative efforts underway throughout the cooperative. To Raynes, the mission is clear. Josh Raynes explains how the combustion optimizer’s “The goal is to produce power at a reduced 24 high-powered lasers form a grid to measure variables cost, which is then passed down to the membersuch as temperature inside the boiler without the need to insert a probe into the boiler fireball. owners at the end of the line.”
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2017 BASIN ELECTRIC SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Twenty-five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to children of Basin Electric and subsidiary employees to further their education this fall. Recipients were chosen for their participation in school and community activities, academic excellence, work experience, and career goals.
Alec Battest, son of Scott (Dakota Gasification Company) Battest, will be attending Dickinson (ND) State University to major in computer technology management and business education. Drew Biffert son of Doug (Dakota Gasification Company) and Kim Biffert. He will be a freshman attending North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, majoring in land surveying and civil engineering technology. Chase Bruner, son of David (Antelope Valley Station) and Sheila Bruner, will be a sophomore at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, majoring in biology. Connor Candrian is the son of Dennis (Dakota Gasification Company) and Kim Candrian. He will be a senior at North Dakota State University majoring in civil engineering. Dakota Degenstein, son of Mark (Dakota Gasification Company) and Kassandra Degenstein, will be a senior majoring in biology and psychology at University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
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Victoria Degenstein is the daughter of Mark (Dakota Gasification Company) and Kassandra Degenstein. She will be a senior majoring in nursing at the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND. Rachel Eliason, daughter of Daren (Dakota Gasification Company) and Sheila Eliason, will be a junior at Minot (ND) State University. She is majoring in business management. Nicholas Erickson is the son of John (Leland Olds Station) and Sheri Erickson. He will be a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Rachel Funkhouser is the daughter of A.T. (Dakota Gasification Company) and Janet Funkhouser. She will be a senior majoring in accounting at University of North Dakota. Zachary Kessler, son of Kim (Dakota Gasification Company) and Trisha Kessler, will be attending Bismarck (ND) State College, majoring in information technology management. Grace Letteer is the daughter of Scott (Dakota Gasification Company) and Carol Letteer. She will be attending Bismarck (ND) State College, majoring in business.
Hannah Lundstrom is the daughter of David (Antelope Valley Station) and Elizabeth Lundstrom. She will be a sophomore at North Dakota State University, majoring in mechanical engineering. Patrick McCarthy is the son of Greg (Dakota Gasification Company) and Susan McCarthy. He will be a sophomore at Valley City (ND) State University majoring in software engineering. Macy Merkel, daughter of Karla (Headquarters) and Kevin Merkel, will attend North Dakota State University as a sophomore to major in civil engineering. Emily Mundahl, daughter of Steven (Headquarters) and Carrie Mundahl, will be a senior majoring in exercise science at the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND. Noah Nelson, is the son of Gary (Laramie River Station) and Sarah Lockman. He will attend University of Wyoming, where he will be a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.
Kayly Scheller, daughter of Scott (Laramie River Station) and Siri Scheller, will be a junior at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD.
Nicole Schramm is the daughter of Voni (Dakota Gasification Company) and Jim Rueb, and Jacob Schramm. She will be a junior at North Dakota State University in Fargo majoring in nursing. Hunter Schroetlin, son of Neil (Dakota Gasification Company) and Coleen Schroetlin, will be a sophomore at University of North Dakota, majoring in mechanical engineering. Mariah Sellon, daughter of Dawn (Dakota Gasification Company) and Shane Sellon, will be a sophomore majoring in power plant technology at Bismarck (ND) State College. Joshua Snyder is the son of Kelly (Leland Olds Station) and Jonella Snyder. He will be a sophomore at University of Mary, Bismarck, ND, majoring in biology.
Austin Pouliot, son of Steven (Dakota Gasification Company) and Linda Pouliot. He will be a freshman at Bismarck (ND) State College, ND, majoring in process plant technology.
Cole Solem, son of Todd (Dakota Gasification Company) and Jennifer Steffan, will be a sophomore attending Bismarck (ND) State College to major in instrumentation and control technology.
Jace Reisenauer is the son of Chad (Headquarters) and Lacie Reisenauer. He will be a freshman at North Dakota State University, majoring in mechanical engineering.
Taryn Zacher is the daughter of Jamie (Antelope Valley Station) and Sherry Zacher. She will be a senior at University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, majoring in industrial design.
JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 17
INDUSTRY LEADERS MEET WITH EPA ADMINISTRATOR TO DISCUSS REGULATIONS By Angela Magstadt
At the invitation of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, Basin Electric CEO and General Manager Paul Sukut joined nearly 30 CEOs from cooperatives, municipal and investorowned utilities, and several trade associations from across the country to discuss government regulations and their effects on the energy industry. The meeting provided an opportunity for utility leaders to share their thoughts about the current regulatory environment, and while Pruitt never specifically mentioned the Clean Power Plan, that was the main topic of discussion. “We were all in agreement that we’d like He is an intense person and a to see the CPP replaced quick study and is truly interested with something that’s in helping our industry, there is no not quite so stringent,” doubt about it. I never expected Sukut says. “We are such a good outcome. working hard to reduce our carbon footprint, but Paul Sukut we need time and flexibility to do it.” The leaders also agreed that it wouldn’t be wise to challenge the endangerment finding, which concludes that greenhouse gases are a threat to human health and welfare and gave EPA the authority to regulate them. That came as a surprise to Pruitt, Sukut says. Other discussion included concerns with New Source Review permitting and the concurrence that rulemaking should be determined at the state, not
18 | BASIN TODAY
federal level. “He even asked what it would take to build new coal-fired plants,” Sukut says, “but a representative from Duke Energy said that would be next to impossible. We all understand that regulations alone aren’t pushing coal out. Regulations combined with the effects of low-priced natural gas have on the markets are.” While Pruitt didn’t commit to a timeframe for action, he did say he would invite industry leaders back to discuss these issues further. And, he did make one reference to possibly withdrawing the existing rule in the fall. Sukut says the meeting went better than he thought it would. “Administrator Pruitt was genuinely interested in what we had to say. He is an intense person and a quick study and is truly interested in helping our industry, there is no doubt about it. I never expected such a good outcome.”
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt with Basin Electric CEO and General Manager Paul Sukut.
E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S
BJORNSON RETIRES WITH RECORD OF
LONGEST-TENURED EMPLOYEE
Doug Bjornson, mechanic I at Antelope Valley Casey Stern, mechanical maintenance supervisor, Station, set a new record at Basin Electric. agrees. “Doug’s mechanical aptitude and knowledge of When he retired July 7, he did so with the title AVS was amazing. You can ask Doug a question, and he of the longest-tenured employee at the co-op – 46 knows the answer off the top of his head.” years to be exact. Stern notes that Bjornson is a very well respected, “I wasn’t really trying to get to that point,” Bjornadmired, and dependable employee at Antelope Valson says. “I just enjoyed my work. I was healthy and ley. “He was always the last to go to break and the first just kept going. But I now feel it’s time to retire.” to get back,” Stern says. “When we had an important Bjornson’s career began in job, Doug was the person we 1971 as a coalman at the William leaned on to get the job done The people here are the J. Neal Station in Velva, ND. He on time and correctly.” best memories, I think. I’m going became a Basin Electric employee Like Bjornson’s dedicato miss everything. The job, the in 1973 when the co-op acquired tion to his job, he has another people, Basin Electric. the plant. In 1985, Bjornson transmainstay in his life, his first ferred to Antelope Valley Station car – a 1953 Ford Victoria he Doug Bjornson (AVS), where he rounded out his hopes to give some TLC to durcareer. ing retirement. From the beginning to the end “I’ve had it since was of his career, Bjornson also held positions of plant sophomore in high school, and have never gotten rid of attendant, operator helper, mechanic II, mechanic/ it,” Bjornson says. “It’s in pretty rough shape.” welder, and mechanic I. When not working on his car, home projects and Ask Bjornson about his career at Basin Electric, traveling to visit kids and grandkids will keep him and and he quickly rattles off dates of when he started his wife busy. different jobs. His sharp memory also applies to hisAfter 46 years on the job, surely Bjornson has favortorical knowledge about Antelope Valley. ite memories of working at Antelope Valley. “My co-workers kid me about my memory,” “There’s just so many,“ he says. But, the people he says. “They say, ‘if they don’t know it over there, here are the best memories, I think. I’m going to miss Doug will know it.’” everything. The job, the people, Basin Electric.”
JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 19
E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S
Murray receives International Right of Way Professional of the Year award
Mike Murray, property and right of way manager, recently received the International Right of Way Association’s highest honor, the Frank C. Balfour Professional of the Year award. Mary Anne Marr, International Executive Committee president of the International Right of Way Association, presented the award to him.
Mike Murray, property and right of way manMurray was nominated by his local IRWA ager, was recognized by his professional peers within Dakotas Chapter 72 and his property and right of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) by way team followed that up with a letter of recombeing awarded the Frank C. Balfour Professional of the mendation that was later presented to Murray for his reading. Year award. This prestigious award is the IRWA’s highest honor bestowed upon the association’s members. “Being nominated and selected for this award Murray was notified that his selection was the by my peers was one thing, but to read the letfirst time the Nominations and ter of recommendation Elections Committee voted unansubmitted by my Basin Being nominated and selected imously in support of the award team was totally heartfor this award by my peers was one recipient with no other finalists. warming,” Murray says. thing, but to read the letter of recomPresented annually, the “Basin’s long-standing mendation submitted by my Basin Frank C. Balfour Professional of and continued support team was totally heartwarming. the Year award honors right of of the IRWA as the premier association way professionals who have demMike Murray for land agent trainonstrated exemplary support to the IRWA. ing and development The committee appoints the has gone a long way in winner based on outstanding contributions made the professional development and success of the through leadership positions in the chapter, regional, and property and right of way team, and for that I am international levels; fulfillment of educational courses forever grateful.” and activities; participation in association regional and Murray has been in the right of way profesinternational activities; and achievement of IRWA prosion for 17 years, all of them with Basin Electric. fessional designations.
20 | BASIN TODAY
Sorensen attends invite-only women’s leadership luncheon with Carly Fiorina
Bettenhausen appointed to IABC Pacific Plains Region board of directors
Sue Sorensen, Basin Electric vice president & treasurer, was one of 25 women in a co-op leadership position to attend an invite-only women’s leadership luncheon with Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO who sought a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. The women’s leadership luncheon was held during the CFC’s Forum 2017 conference, where Fiorina also provided the opening keynote. During the women’s leadership luncheon, Fiorina talked about her career path, being a female leader in a male-dominated industry, and her recent run for the presidential nomination. She then had a question and answer session with the attendees. “It was awesome,” Sorensen says of the opportunity to listen to and visit with Fiorina. “She was inspiring and motivating. As the first female to lead a top-20 company, as ranked by Fortune Magazine, Fiorina reminded us that females deserve to be at the table, and often bring a different perspective that unlocks optimism. She encouraged us to use our talents, identify problems, and work with others to solve the problem, challenge the status quo, and don’t back down just because we’re female.” Fiorina also talked about the importance of electric cooperatives, noting that without electrification of rural America, the U.S. wouldn’t be a world leader right now. She commended the electric cooperative model, saying people saw a problem, and worked together to solve it.
Tracie Bettenhausen has been elected to the board of directors of the Pacific Plains Region of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Bettenhausen is a senior staff writer/editor at Basin Electric Power Cooperative in Bismarck, ND. She serves as editor for the cooperative’s public websites and blog, manages social media feeds, writes for weekly and bi-monthly publications, and reports on monthly activities by the organizations’ boards. She began serving the Pacific Plains Region as chapter advocate for a two-year term beginning July 1. Bettenhausen has a degree in communications from University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Before taking her position at Basin Electric, she worked in television news as an anchor and reporter. Prior to joining the IABC Pacific Plains Region, Bettenhausen served on the IABC Great Plains as past president and professional development chair. She organizes Basin’s Backyard Garden, a Basin Electric employee-volunteer tended vegetable and flower garden on its Headquarters campus, from which the produce is delivered to local food pantries. She also writes semi-regularly for a local magazine, Inspired Woman magazine. The Pacific Plains Region of IABC supports the leaders and members of the region’s IABC chapters with resources and professional development opportunities. The goal of IABC PPR is to foster a collegial network of professionals engaged in all aspects of corporate communication and to extend opportunities to members to expand their leadership skills and experience by participating at the local, regional, and international level. Pacific Plains embraces 16 chapters and members-at-large in 17 states from Wisconsin to California.
JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 21
E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S
New employees Daltin Berger, process operations field technician, started work May 15 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He has an associate degree in power plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College. Jerald Berger was hired May 15 as a process operations field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Mandan, ND, native previously worked for All Seasons Landscape in Mandan, and has an associate degree in power plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College. Andrew Burckhard started work June 12 as a maintenance field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He previously worked for General Equipment & Supplies in Bismarck, ND. Lance Comeau, process operations field technician, began working at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant May 22. The Bismarck, ND, native previously worked as an operator at the Tesoro Refinery in Mandan, ND. David DelGarbino, maintenance field technician, started work June 12 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Hartford, OH, native previously worked as a foreman for McGraw/ Kokosing in Lordstown, OH. Steven Eisenzimmer was hired June 26 as a maintenance field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He’s from Devils Lake, ND, and most recently worked for Dayton Power and Light in Ohio.
22 | BASIN TODAY
Trever Erickson, maintenance field technician, started work May 22 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He’s from Beulah, ND.
Adam Goroski began working May 22 as a process operations field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Mandan, ND, native has an associate degree in process plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College. He previously worked as a service technician at Kupper Chevrolet. Casey Hausauer started work May 22 as a process operations field operator technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He has a bachelor’s degree in health and fitness administration from University of Jamestown (ND) and an associate degree in process plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College. Tate Hoffman, process operations field technician, started work May 15 at Great Plains Synfuels Plant.
Jesse Huether was hired June 12 as a process operations field technician at Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Beulah, ND, native previously worked for Basin Transload in North Dakota. Cole Koppinger, process operations field technician, began work May 22 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He has an associate degree in process plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College.
Luke Kordonowy, maintenance field technician, started work July 10 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He has an associate degree in electronics technology and instrumentation & control from Bismarck (ND) State College. Bryce Lutz was hired May 30 as a maintenance field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He is originally from Selby, SD.
Jody Oswald began working June 26 as a maintenance field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. She has an associate degree in electrical technology and previously worked as a journeyman electrician for IBEW in Bismarck, ND.
John Rosecrans, electrician II, was hired May 15 at Leland Olds Station. He previously worked for Energy Tech Systems, Inc., as a journeyman electrician. Rosecrans has an associate degree in electrical technology from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. Jordan Kenner started work May 15 at Leland Olds Station as a coalman. He has an associate degree in power plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College. Kori Link, laborer, began work May 15 at Leland Olds Station. She has an associate degree in power plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College.
Garrett Nelson, protection services specialist I, started June 12 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. The Spearfish, SD, native has an associate degree in fire science from Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City, SD.
Derek Fiedler was hired May 15 as a laborer at Leland Olds Station. He previously worked as an operator technician at Blue Flint Ethanol in Underwood, ND, and has an associate degree in power plant technology from Bismarck (ND) State College.
Ryan Waechter started work June 12 at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant as a process operations field technician. He’s from Park River, ND.
Bill Rott began working May 15 as a laborer at Leland Olds Station. He previously worked at Great River Energy’s Stanton Station, near Stanton, ND.
Logan Wehri was hired June 12 as a process operations field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He’s from Hebron, ND.
Sandy Schroyer, receptionist, started work June 5 at Dry Fork Station. She previously worked as a receptionist for the Conestoga Elementary School in Gillette, WY.
Bill Wahlman started work May 22 as a process operations field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. He’s from Pick City, ND.
Kendall Hazen, laborer, started work May 15 at Leland Olds Station. The Fort Benton, MT, native previously worked as a utility operator for Red Trail Energy in Richardton, ND.
JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 23
E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S
Service awards
Ricky Mitzel
Mary Randle
Mike Sayler
Andy Wolf
Audrey Vind
Myron Mattern
operations superintendent
mechanic-lead
shift supervisor
control room operator
administrative assistant III
maintenance planner/scheduler
35 years
35 years
Antelope Valley Station
35 years
Antelope Valley Station
35 years
Antelope Valley Station
Antelope Valley Station
Antelope Valley Station
35 years
Laramie River Station
Chris Adamo
Megan Petersen
Kim Jackson
Daren Eliason
Lyle Zachmeier
Robert Jacobson
instrument I
shift supervisor
supervisor, instrumentation & control
process engineer technical advisor
yard operator
electrician I
30 years
Laramie River Station
30 years
Laramie River Station
30 years
Leland Olds Station
25 years
25 years
Leland Olds Station
20 years
Antelope Valley Station
Dakota Gasification Company
Lynn Bruce
Kurt Dutchuk
Deirdre Forstner
Todd Grosz
Julie Knudson
Steve Marquardt
Field technician
supervisor, pipeline
senior enterprise applications architect
field technician
Administrative assistant III
shift supervisor, fertilizer
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
Brian Lazier 25 years
turbine electric operator Leland Olds Station
Brant Munson 20 years
Chad Miller
Russ Schantz
field technician
field technician
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
field technician
Dakota Gasification Company
Chad Westerhausen 20 years
enterprise virtual administrator III Headquarters
24 | BASIN TODAY
35 years
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
Retirees Editor’s note: Expanded retirement stories were written only for those who returned their questionnaire to Basin Today staff.
Steve Tomac, senior legislative representative, retired from Headquarters after working for Basin Electric in this role for nine years. Before joining Basin Electric, Tomac was the executive director of the North Dakota Farm Credit Council, a director with Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, and a director with the Southwest Water Authority. Prior to that, Tomac served 16 years in the North Dakota legislature. Jerry Swanson, shift supervisor, retired from Laramie River Station April 26, rounding out a 36-year career with the cooperative. In 1981, Swanson started working at Laramie River as a laborer. One year later, he was promoted to auxiliary equipment operator, and in 2000 he was promoted to scrubber operator. In 2012, he was promoted to shift supervisor, the position he held at retirement. Before working at Laramie River Station, Swanson worked as a photographer, news writer, and editor for the Platte County Record Times newspaper in Wheatland, WY.
The Empower Youth program aims to help students in grades 9-12 recognize their potential to be leaders in their communities. It’s a great way for your co-op to give back to the community, and play a role in bettering our collective future!
BENEFITS TO YOU:
Build local leaders
You get the chance to help create a better tomorrow for your community by connecting with, and engaging, the next generation. And you never know – a program graduate might someday serve on your co-op’s board!
Cooperative Principles
Once the program is up and running, your co-op will come to be the face of the program within your community. You’ll be a walking, talking example of the Cooperative Principles!
COST TO YOU:
Lodging and meals
Students participating in the program will be responsible for their meals and lodging, however, your co-op may decide to cover these expenses for students who need to travel to attend a session. Co-ops are asked to express their interest in being part of the program by Oct. 1, 2017.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kristie Ching, program director Phone: 605-542-7416 Email: empoweryouth@bepc.com Website: www.empoweryouth.coop
JULY - AUGUST 2017 | 25
1717 EAST INTERSTATE AVENUE BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA 58503-0564 701-223-0441
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BISMARCK, ND PERMIT 224
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Be the light. There are many reasons we reclaim land previously used for mining coal to as good or better than it was before. One, however, has just a little more buzz, and it’s a whole lot sweeter. To provide a home for bees.
Your energy starts here.
basinelectric.com/bethelight