B A S I N T O D AY BASIN EL EC T RIC P OW ER COOPER AT I V E
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M AG A ZINE
A MOON SHOT M AY | JUNE 2016
IN WYOMING
Employees’ children ages 9-14 participated in the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day April 28. The event is a national campaign that works to inspire youth through sharing moments of discovery in the workplace and a variety of careers. The kids received specially ??????????????? designed photo badge stickers; had the opportunity to see themselves on the TV screen in various scenes; get their photo on the cover of a publication; see corporate planes up close and use flight simulators. http://bit.ly/BasinKidsDay2016
CONTENTS V O L U M E 19
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NUMBER 3
ON THE COVER During the groundbreaking ceremony held April 27 for the Integrated Test Center at the Dry Fork Station in Wyoming, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead called the endeavor “a moon shot. ... I don’t know the solution, what it will be, but this is a moon shot. … It’s happening right here in Campbell County at this wonderful plant,” Mead said. IN EVERY ISSUE 2 CEO and general manager column: Paul Sukut 4 In brief 16 Co-op focus: Co-op grassroots, app style 18 Feature series: A day in the life of ... Mechanic Lead Mary Jo Randle 21 Employee highlights FEATURE STORIES 6 Dry Fork Station hosts groundbreaking for Integrated Test Center 9 Projects positioning co-op to meet continued need 12 Addressing community hunger the cooperative way 20 Serving the co-op through subsidiaries CONTRIBUTORS Editor: Andrea Blowers (ablowers@bepc.com) Publications manager:
Mary Miller
Graphic designers:
Nicole Perreault
Photographers:
Chelsy Ciavarella, Jade Neumann & Greg DeSaye
Writers:
Tracie Bettenhausen, Tammy Langerud, Chris Gessele, Dain Sullivan & Joan Dietz
Use your smartphone barcode scanner to view stories online. MAY – JUNE 2016 | 1
CEO A ND G E NE R A L M A N AG E R C OL UMN
PAUL SUKUT FROM ITC TO ALLAM CYCLE, WE’RE SPARKING HOPE I’ve just left Wyoming where we broke ground on the Wyoming Integrated Test Center (ITC), which will be hosted at our Dry Fork Station near Gillette. It was a rainy and cold day, but the enthusiasm for this project was anything but dreary. Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead led the event on April 27, and I was pleased to join state and local leaders, PRECorp’s Mike Easely, Tri-State’s Ellen Connor, and representatives from NRECA and the Carbon XPRIZE project. The ITC is a public-private partnership designed to foster the next generation of energy technology. The ITC will provide space for researchers to test Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) technologies using actual coal-based flue gas from the Dry Fork Station near Gillette. You can read more about this project on page 6. There’s a lot of promise with this project. I can’t think of a more pivotal time for our industry. Low natural gas prices, the Clean Power Plan and national pressure on coal are making it challenging to operate coal-based power plants in this country. At Basin Electric, we’re doing something about it. Not only have we diversified our energy portfolio, adding significant amounts of natural gas and wind generation to our mix, but I mentioned in my last column that we’re digging deep and looking at what a carbon-constrained future might look like. We’re actively seeking ways to reduce our carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint. Through all these efforts, however, we cannot abandon our innovative roots. Cooperatives have historically led the way in finding solutions to problems. It is how we started, and it’s how we’re getting through our challenges today.
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Just look at some of our accomplishments: • In the mid-1960s, the cooperative proposed laws to the North Dakota Legislature to protect the air, water and land, advocating for legislation that required mined land to be reclaimed, and prohibition of fly ash disposal and other industrial wastes into rivers. • Basin Electric is the first utility in the nation to issue a request for proposals from carbon dioxide technology providers. We completed a front-end engineering and design study with HTC Purenergy and Doosan Babcock that explored the feasibility of capturing CO2 from our Antelope Valley Station. • Two Basin Electric subsidiaries own and operate wind projects in North Dakota and South Dakota that are the largest owned solely by a cooperative in the United States. We are also the first utility in the world to proactively implement recovered energy generation, which uses exhaust heat from natural gas pipeline compressor stations to generate electricity. There’s good reason Basin Electric and other co-ops are so progressive and forward-thinking. We have a business model with an intangible purpose. Though we are good financial stewards, we are focused on improving the quality of life for our member-owners. We work for you. Though we don’t know what will emerge from the ITC project, it represents a spark of hope and
a symbol of ingenuity, partnerships and a belief in a stronger tomorrow. Basin Electric is committed to keep doing our part. Our Horizons team at Basin Electric is responsible for monitoring and disseminating information regarding major environmental issues and new technologies – another being the Allam Cycle. To this end, we’re helping fund a research project that could have big implications for carbon capture and future coal use. The vision for the Allam Cycle consists of gasifying lignite coal to produce synthetic natural gas, which would then be used along with oxygen and CO2 to drive a turbine generator. The cycle also captures a stream of pure CO2 that can be directed to enhanced oil recovery or other purposes. The end-result? Zero to no CO2 emissions. While we don’t know what tomorrow’s technological innovations will bring, we’re hopeful they bring solutions and a viable energy future for not only coal, but all energy sources. We know there are challenges. We know it may be tempting to throw our arms in the air and watch the regulations come. But, we believe in a better way. If we hold true to our innovative roots, we may just write the next chapter, and it may be our best yet.
Paul Sukut, CEO and general manager
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IN B RIE F
2016 EOY generation statistics show increase in renewables
Basin Electric’s projected generation statistics for 2016 end of year (EOY) are now posted online, and show continued increase in renewable generation capacity. Basin Electric’s total winter season generation capacity portfolio by 2016 EOY will be 6,555 megawatts (MW). Of that total, 45.6 percent, or 2,991 MW, is coal-based generation. Natural gas peaking generation projections climbed to more than 1,228 MW, or 18.7 percent of the cooperative’s generation portfolio, while projections for renewable forms of generation climbed to more than 1,570 MW, or 24.1 percent of the cooperative’s total generation capacity. Find more on Basin Electric’s At a Glance page: https://www.basinelectric.com/ About-Us/Organization/At-a-Glance/
Basin Electric owns generation in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Iowa, and purchases power from facilities in Minnesota and Nebraska. http://bit.ly/2016GenerationStats
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Dakota Gas receives awards Dakota Gasification Company received two awards for its health, safety and environmental performance at the 2016 Responsible Care® Conference and Expo April 24-27 in Miami, FL; and GE Water and Process Technologies (W&PT) recently recognized Dakota Gasification Company’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant with an award for a reverse osmosis boiler blowdown recovery project completed in 2015. Responsible Care awards At the Responsible Care conference, Dakota Gas received the Waste Minimization, Reuse and Recycling Award for upgrading the Great Plains Synfuels Plant superheater burners. The upgrade gives Dakota Gas the option to burn synthetic natural gas, which reduces emissions. Only 12 of nearly 160 member companies received recognition. Dakota Gas also won the Energy Efficiency Award for reducing the feed temperature to the ammonia plant’s secondary reformer. Reducing the temperature resulted in a 3.2-percent energy savings per unit of ammonia production, which translates into an energy savings of about 380,000 MMBtu per year. The amount of energy saved is comparable to the yearly energy consumption of 1,100 Americans. http://bit.ly/DGCResponsibleCareAward
GE award GE W&PT provides water treatment, wastewater treatment and process system solutions. Dakota Gas employees worked with the company to find a solution to reduce the volume of water disposed in the deepwells at the Synfuels Plant. Dakota Gas employees on the project team were Karen Olson and Robin Braun, both process engineers; Brady Feiring, control systems engineer; and John Haag, mechanical engineer. The project, installed in 2015, is currently in the startup phase and is being adjusted for continual operation. Olson said the project saved the company about $3.9 million versus the alternative projects of
adding a third deepwell to the plant or using another technology to reduce the boiler blowdown. GE W&PT awards only two ecomagination Leadership Awards each year. The award is based on a three-tiered approval process and a thorough examination of environmental, financial and industrial benefits.
GE representatives Aaron Edland (far left) and Brie Nodland (far right) presented the award to Dakota Gas employees Brady Feiring (second from left), Karen Olson and Robin Braun. http://bit.ly/DGCGEAward
Co-ops take message to Capitol Hill Basin Electric representatives were part of the nearly 1,500 electric cooperative leaders who met May 1-3 in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Legislative Conference. Attending from Basin Electric were board director Troy Presser, District 3, and government relations employees Mike Eggl, Dale Niezwaag, Jean Schafer and Steve Tomac. Among topics discussed with delegations and their staffs were the Clean Power Plan, as well as legislation pertaining to coal combustion residuals, Federal Emergency Management Agency reauthorization, extension of the tax credit for energy efficient geothermal heat pumps, and land management policy improvement.
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Dakota Gas website has new look
DakotaGas.com
Read Basin Today online @ basinelectric.com/BasinToday Read Basin Electric news online @ basinelectric.com/NewsBriefs
Dakota Gasification Company’s public website got a new look and improved usability on mobile devices. Dakotagas.com went live this week, featuring a new site layout. The newly revamped Dakota Gas public website reflects a similar layout to basinelectric.com, and includes a wealth of information.
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‘A MOON SHOT’ DRY FORK STATION HOSTS GROUNDBREAKING FOR INTEGRATED TEST CENTER By Tracie Bettenhausen During a groundbreaking event held at Dry Fork When referring to something as ‘a moon shot,’ Station April 27, state and local officials, cooperative you’re aiming high. representatives, power plant employees and news ‘Moon shot’ is the term Wyoming Gov. Matt media packed a conference room at the plant. “I Mead used to describe the goal being launched at the don’t know the solution, what Dry Fork Station, a Basin Electric it will be, but this is a moon and Wyoming Municipal Power I hope all of you take shot. … It’s happening right Agency coal-based power plant pride in participating in that here in Campbell County at this near Gillette, WY. because when you can make a wonderful plant,” Mead said. During the power plant’s change like that for the world, “I hope all of you take pride in most recent outage, crews made it’s very, very significant. It participating in that because the necessary modifications to the couldn’t happen at a better when you can make a change like plant to build the Integrated Test place right here in the energy that for the world, it’s very, very Center (ITC), a carbon research capital of the country. significant. It couldn’t happen at facility. Gov. Matt Mead a better place right here in the The ITC will provide space energy capital of the country.” for researchers to test Carbon The ITC is scheduled to be Capture, Utilization and Sequescomplete in summer 2017. See tration (CCUS) technologies using the timeline for more details on the process toward coal-based flue gas from the Dry Fork Station. Those XPRIZE awards. doing the research there will be part of the NRG COSIA Mead announced Dry Fork Station as the location Carbon XPRIZE, an international competition to find for the ITC in October 2015, just a few months following a use for carbon that generates the most revenue.
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MARKS THE SPOT April 27, 2016 Integrated Test Center groundbreaking
July 15, 2016 Deadline for teams to sign up
2017 Semi-finalists demonstrate their theory in a lab, then ten are chosen to receive influx of $500,000
2018-19 Finalists begin building and testing at the Integrated Test Center
2020 Grand prize winners chosen
Bunje said the teams will work to demonstrate the Environmental Protection Agency’s release of carbon conversion technologies. “Technologies that the final Clean Power Plan. The Clean Power Plan is we’ve never seen before. They are going to have done seen by many as a means to shut down coal-based this at a rate and a pace of technological innovation power plants. that almost none of us have probably seen,” he said. Mead said people who once were “banging on the “The real transformation begins gates of coal-fired plants saying the day the prize is won because we need to shut these down” Basin Electric is pleased that’s when the market takes would soon be “banging on the to provide the host site for over. That’s the real prize in this. gates saying, ‘We want in because this innovative project, which When you can think about all of we want all the product, we want has much potential for our enthose power plants around the the CO2 (carbon dioxide).’” ergy future. world that are producing what Paul Bunje, principal and Paul Sukut now will be a feed-stock for new senior scientist, Energy & Environproducts, what you’re looking ment and XPRIZE representative, at are potentially billion dollar said the way XPRIZE works is industries growing over the next decade.” simple. “XPRIZE likes to put a target on the back The state of Wyoming is funding the project with of some of the world’s biggest problems and invite $15 million, while Tri-State G&T Association contributed anybody in the world to solve them,” he said. “If you $5 million. The National Rural Electric Cooperative solve it, you win and you win lots and lots of money. Association contributed another $1 million. Basin … How do you take something like carbon dioxide Electric, along with hosting the facility through Dry emissions and not think of them just as a liability, as Fork Station, is supplying in-kind expertise with a waste product, but as a real thing?”
Paul Sukut, Basin Electric CEO and general manger, says “This project is so important for coal in this country and in the world. ... Basin Electric is pleased to provide the host site for this innovative project.”
MAY – JUNE 2016 | 7
design, engineering and construction of the Integrated which led to a meeting with the XPRIZE Foundation. Test Center. The Wyoming Infrastructure Authority is “Coal is an important part of our energy today and managing the pre-commissioning phase of the project. it will be in the future,” Conner said. “As we do in “When you combine vision with leadership, in Gov. the west, we think a little differently and we think Mead’s case, good things happen,” said Paul Sukut, independently and we come together to find soluBasin Electric CEO and general manager. “Basin Electric tions. … Tri-State’s intention all along was to bring is pleased to provide the host site for this innovative great partners together to bring the project across project, which has much potential for the finish line.” our energy future. We believe that Easley said the current Coal is an imporbetween human and industry ingenuity, climate in Wyoming, with coal tant part of our energy partnerships and bold leadership, we mine shutdowns and layof fs, today and it will be in can not only create a viable future for means this project comes at an the future. coal but reduce carbon dioxide emisimportant time. sions without adversely impacting our “Never has the time been Ellen Conner local economies. This project is one better and more urgent for good step in that direction, and we look leadership to dispense hope. And forward to seeing the results of so this project is technological, it’s many innovative individuals.” innovative, it’s game-changing, it’s world-changing, Ellen Conner, Tri-State G&T chief technology officer potentially money-making, but it’s really about and senior vice president of organizational services, and dispensing hope and Wyoming, Campbell County, Mike Easley, Powder River Energy Corporation general Gillette, rural America need that hope dispensed,” manager, also offered remarks. Easley said. “We have the means, we have intellect, Tri-State G&T Association, a Basin Electric Class we have the people, we have the drive, we have A member headquartered in Westminster, CO, began the expertise, and we have the leadership in us and exploring carbon management several years ago, among us to dispense the kind of hope that we need.” http://bit.ly/ITCGroundbreaking
Thinning the field How many people are interested in turning carbon dioxide into a money-maker? Paul Bunje of XPRIZE broke down the numbers.
120 FORMED TEAMS
1,400 INDIVIDUALS
30 SEMI-FINALISTS CHOSEN
“WE NEED TO REGISTER FOR XPRIZE.”
RAISED THEIR HANDS “THIS IS COOL, I WANT TO DO SOMETHING.”
“WE CAN DEMONSTRATE IN A LAB CONVERSION OF CO2 FROM SIMULATED FLUE GAS INTO A PRODUCT.”
$
$ $ 10 FINALISTS
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“WE GOT $500,000 MILESTONE PRIZE! NOW WE GET TO BUILD AND TEST AT ITC!”
2 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
“WE WON $10 MILLION AND HELPED FIND A SOLUTION FOR CO2!”
Phase III construction at Lonesome Creek Station is wrapping up. Phase III will add 90 megawatts of additional peaking capacity for Basin Electric’s membership.
PROJECTS POSITIONING CO-OP TO MEET CONTINUED NEED By Chris Gessele For the last several months, the headlines out of Construction continues at two natural gas-based the Williston Basin have not been ideal with commodity peaking stations in western North Dakota. prices remaining low. At Lonesome Creek Station, west of Watford However, the need for safe, reliable and affordable City, ND, planned Phase III construction is just about power continues, and Basin Electric is working to provide wrapped up. The project will then move into a testing just that for its members. phase to work out any operational issues prior to “The last few years have been an interesting and the units being declared commercial later this year. challenging time for us,” says Matthew Greek, senior Phase III consists of the addition of Units 4 and 5, with vice president of Engineering and the addition of a sixth unit Construction. “Member growth should load forecasts require Especially with coal unhas driven a seemingly continuous additional generation in the der the microscope right now, stream of transmission and generaWilliston Basin. this facility is just another tion work to support it; our continued “Units 4 and 5 will add notch in assuring we’ll proefforts to plan for a successful future 90 MW to the plant, bringing duce quality power for Basin at Dakota Gasification Company the plant’s total capacity up to members. gave us the urea project; and a 225 MW,” says Darrell Slavick, Mark Winn torrent of new and more challenging construction coordinator. environmental regulations has led to The Lonesome Creek a variety of projects at each of our units will be able to be fired up coal facilities.” and running within 10 minutes Below are updates on several of the cooperative’s of notice to provide energy and voltage support to projects currently under way that will enable the the region. cooperative to serve its members far into the future. “The overall safety culture during construction has been very good and we’re looking forward to wrapping Peaking at the right time things up,” Slavick says. Two units have been added to Lonesome Creek Station Currently at 135 MW, Pioneer Generation Station, to bring the plant’s total capacity to 225 megawatts (MW). northwest of Williston, ND, is in the midst of Phase III
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Work is progressing on setting the steel towers on the concrete foundations for the North Killdeer Loop transmission project. There are 161 structures being set in total.
construction, adding 110 MW to the grid, provided by 12 natural gas-based reciprocating engines that each have a generating capacity of 9.3 MW. First fire of the first reciprocating engine was achieved on April 27, and the second engine was fired up on April 28. The remaining engines will be fired up in the next several weeks. “Especially with coal under the microscope right now, this facility is just another notch in assuring we’ll produce quality power for Basin members,” says Mark Winn, construction coordinator II. The new additions to both Lonesome Creek and Pioneer Generation Stations are expected to go commercial after operational testing in late 2016.
Transmission projects progressing Generated power can’t get where it’s needed without a reliable way to deliver that power. That’s where the 345-kilovolt (kV) Antelope Valley Station (AVS) to Neset and North Killdeer Loop transmission projects come into play. Reclamation is in the works along the nowenergized AVS to Judson section of the 200-mile AVS to Neset transmission project and assembly of the Roundup Substation is nearly complete. Construction is under way on the final stretch of the AVS to Neset transmission line – Judson to Neset – and should be complete by the end of 2017. Phase I of the North Killdeer Loop, an addition to the AVS to Neset transmission project, consists of about 28 miles of 345-kV transmission line and two substations that will deliver power into member cooperative McKenzie Electric Cooperative’s service territory.
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Construction of Kummer Ridge and Patent Gate substations should be complete in time for the North Killdeer Loop Phase I project’s energization by the end of August. As of late April, about half of the 161 steel poles were in place, according to Paul Telehey, construction coordinator. Conductor will be strung on the poles starting mid-May. “With the good weather we’re moving along quite well. Spring has been great,” Telehey says. The project is scheduled to be operational by late 2016.
Emissions control project update A project to install selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) equipment at Leland Olds Station near Stanton, ND, is under way. The equipment will help the power plant meet NOX reduction standards identified in the North Dakota Department of Health’s Regional Haze Implementation Program. Both units at Leland Olds will be fitted with this equipment at a total cost of about $29 million. According to Jim Lund, senior project manager, the installation project began in August 2014 and plans are to begin testing in spring 2016. Leland Olds Station must be in compliance by April 2017. The SNCRs will be comprised of several components, including a urea storage building, urea mixing equipment and piping to the injection ports to the boiler. The Laramie River Station near Wheatland, WY, is planning for the installation of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emission control technology on one unit. SCR is a process where precise amounts of ammonia-based reagent are combined with the flue
22 miles of pipe, delivered by manufacturers from gas to speed the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx). the Gulf Coast and Midwest. One of the most visible components of the “This unique, innovative project overall is project will be the 250-foot tall SCR catalyst reactor. progressing right before our eyes. We have a great The project is estimated to cost about $330 million team of people, from the many disciplines of craft and construction is expected to begin in spring 2017. workers, to engineers, pipefitters and electricians At Antelope Valley Station near Beulah, ND, from literally all over the country,” Greer says. “I am separated over-fire air (SOFA) and natural gas ignition very pleased to see everyone work hard together projects are under way on Unit 2 to stay in compliance in sync, safely and timely to get with NO x emissions to meet these results.” regional haze requirements. The urea facility is slated SOFA is a method of We are proud to be part to be operational by mid-2017. controlling nitrogen oxide emisof safely developing and com“We are proud to be part of sions by introducing combustion pleting these projects to meet safely developing and completat a higher point in the furnace, our members’ needs. ing these projects to meet which reduces the fireball Matt Greek our members’ needs. Still we temperature inside the boiler. continue to look to the future by The natural gas igniters planning and developing costare used for unit startups. The effective options for addressing these same basic Antelope Valley units were designed to use fuel oil challenges in the coming years,” Greek says. during startup. During startup with fuel oil, flue gas “While we can’t say for sure what growth would bypass the baghouse, which removes fly ash, or regulations will come our way, we can lay the otherwise the fuel oil would damage the fabric bags groundwork for future projects both through earlyin the baghouse. stage development activities like site selection as Environmental regulations no longer allow flue well as research and development of promising gas to bypass the baghouse during startup, so Basin technologies.” Electric switched its startup fuel to natural gas. A newly-installed pipeline delivers natural gas from Dakota Gasification Company’s neighboring Great Plains Synfuels Plant to Antelope Valley. Total investment in both Antelope Valley projects is estimated at $20 million. SOFA and natural gas igniters were installed on Unit 1 in 2014.
Fertilizer for local farmers With engineering completed and construction about 30-percent complete, the urea production facility at Dakota Gasification Company’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant is making big strides. The onsite workforce recently reached nearly 500 construction workers as eight different contract companies are working on the general construction, power supply, concrete foundations, tanks, earth work and piping, according to Jim Greer, project manager. Critical pieces of equipment were manufactured and have traveled from places such as Austria and Japan. The project will also include more than
The 250-ton pool reactor is set in place as part of Dakota Gasification Company’s urea facility construction project.
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ADDRESSING COMMUNITY HUNGER
THE COOPERATIVE WAY By Chris Gessele
When you hear “Basin Electric,” what comes to mind? For some it might be the baseload power plants, wind turbines or natural gas facilities providing energy for the region. For others, it might be recollections of Basin Electric’s name seen and heard at events and charitable causes in communities throughout the cooperative’s nine-state service territory. As a cooperative, the community service mindset is part of Basin Electric’s DNA. As part of its mission, Basin Electric works to improve the quality of life for its members. One way it does that is through work to address hunger in its communities.
Led by employee Paul Cook (pictured), Basin Electric employees filled nearly 800 bags with food to be delivered to children in need at Bismarck and Mandan schools as part of the 2016 Feeding Our Future food drive.
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Bismarck first graders got a crash-course in gardening as they helped plant Basin’s Backyard Garden in 2015.
Growing goodwill
into my head: I thought we could plant a garden on Basin’s lawn. We have so much space on our lawn One example of these efforts is Basin’s Backyard that could be used to grow a garden, so why not?” Garden, which is entering its third year of helping to Three years later, the garden has expanded feed the community. in both size and support. About 30 volunteers are In 2015, about 500 pounds of produce was planning to weed, harvest and donated to local charities, raising donate throughout the summer the total to more than 1,000 and into fall. pounds of donated produce in This garden gives people a In addition to helping feed its first two years. chance to work alongside peothe community, the garden is Much of the garden’s ple they’d otherwise never see also bringing coworkers closer. produce has gone toward the in their day-to-day work. “This garden gives people Hunger Free North Dakota ProjTracie Bettenhausen a chance to work alongside ect, which is organized by the people they’d otherwise never North Dakota Department of see in their day-to-day work,” Agriculture to grow and distribBettenhausen says. “It gives ute fresh fruits and vegetables employees a chance to get to know each other better.” to the state’s food pantries, shelters and charitable The garden helps employees understand cooporganizations. erative philosophy and the cooperative principles Basin’s Backyard Garden was the idea of Tracie of concern for community; education, training and Bettenhausen, Basin Electric senior staff writer/editor. information; and cooperation among cooperatives. “Since we’ve had a lot of new people start workSeveral events have been held at the garden to raise ing at Basin Electric over the last few years, we were cooperative awareness among employees and the trying to think of ways to remind our employees of what community, including “Co-op Coffee in the Garden” it means to be a cooperative,” Bettenhausen says. and activities with local elementary school students. “I’ve always enjoyed gardening and this idea popped
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Feeding our future In May, Basin Electric conducted its second Feeding Our Future food drive to benefit the United Way Backpack Program. The program aims to provide a weekend’s worth of food to children who rely on school lunches as their only source of regular nutritious meals. Paul Cook, Basin Electric supervisor of web services, heads the food drive efforts as part of Basin Electric’s United Way Committee. “Co-op employees show great compassion and Dakota Gas employee’s daughter commitment to those in the community who need runs PB&J food drive our help,” Cook says. “We hope this food will be a bright spot in the lives of some kids who need an Employees’ community mindedness is infectious. opportunity for a better future.” Lauryn Hinckley (second from left), daughter In 2015, the cooperative’s employees donated of Dakota Gasification Company employee Lewis enough food items to fill about 350 bags to deliver Hinckley, organized her sixth annual peanut butter to children at local schools. This year, that number and jelly food drive this year to benefit the United Way increased to about 800 bags as need in the community Backpack Program. is growing and food delivery expanded to Mandan. This year’s food drive ran March 28-April 12, and “It’s so sad to see the growing need in our generated 7,928 pounds of peanut butter and jelly and communities, but our employees are always more $3,720 in donations. than willing to step up and address that need,” Read more and watch the video of Lauryn’s food says Jennifer Holen, Basin Electric’s supervisor of drive at: community and employee http://bit.ly/PBJdrive2016 engagement. “When they It’s so sad to see the growheard that we’d need to ing need in our communities, but fill more than twice the our employees are always more number of bags this year, than willing to step up and adthey said ‘Bring it on – dress that growing need. we’ll figure this out.’ It’s the cooperative way.” Jennifer Holen Many Basin Electric employees are also taking part in “Casual for a Cause.” Employees can donate to the program OF PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY in order to wear jeans from Memorial Day through Labor Day this year. The funds collected will be split between the Great Plains Food Bank and the Backpacks for Kids programs coordinated by United IN DONATIONS Way and Community Action.
7,928 POUNDS
$3,720
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Be the light. We provide power and light. Sometimes that light shines in unexpected ways – such as through partnerships with child care facilities to help expand their services. It’s the assurance that we’re more than electricity; we’re a light in our communities.
Your energy starts here.
basinelectric.com
C O - OP F OCUS
CO-OP GRASSROOTS, APP STYLE By Tammy Langerud
The phrase “cooperation among cooperatives” SDREA modified Oklahoma Association of Electric might bring up thoughts of co-ops helping each other Cooperatives’ app. SDREA chose it, in part because the in times of need, like repairing downed power lines app features a robust layered GIS-based map, showing after a devastating winter storm. But in today’s digital an overlay of a district’s state representative, state world, Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association senator and co-op. (MECA) and South Dakota Rural Electric Association “This feature is very important because in South (SDREA) have benefited in another way. Dakota our co-ops’ service areas don’t necessarily align In 2012, MECA’s board decided an app was the with all legislative districts,” Kleinjan notes. next step for its popular legislative guide. SDREA launched its South Dakota Legislative “We knew technology was Roster app in 2014, followed by where things were headed, and its Member Directory app one We knew technology was an app was an opportunity to year later. where things were headed, and make it easier to get the informaMECA’s Association app an app was an opportunity to tion out there,” says Ryan Hall, and SDREA’s Member Directory make it easier to get the inforMECA communications director. app feature most information mation out there. MECA turned to Tennessee members can find in the printed Ryan Hall Electric Cooperative Associadirectory, but now from a smarttion (TECA), which had already phone or tablet. Both are limited developed a similar app, and to only co-op employees. modified TECA’s app to suit its needs. Enhancing connectivity In January 2013, MECA launched the Montana Legislative Guide app to an overwhelming response. In today’s digital world, old-fashioned face-to-face A year later, MECA developed a second app based communication still can’t be beat. Both Kleinjan and upon its Association Directory. Hall say they’ve seen first-hand and also received posiAround the same time, SDREA noticed such an tive feedback about the apps being important tools to app didn’t exist for South Dakota and took action. connect people. Brenda Kleinjan, SDREA director of commuMany Montana co-ops use MECA’s Association app nications and member relations, also leveraged as a tool for new board members. “At meetings, I’ve seen cooperation among co-ops. “We looked at who’s new board members open the app, look around the room doing this, who’s doing it well, and asked what they at the many new faces that person is about to meet and try liked and didn’t like about their app,” she says. to put a face with a name before they connect,” Hall says.
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Or, there’s the situation we’ve all experienced: forgetting someone’s name after meeting for the first time. This is where the member association app also shines, according to feedback Kleinjan has received from co-op employees. “The app helps jog the memory, and you can easily put two and two together. It gives an extra layer of employee connectivity.” Basin Electric Senior Legislative Representative Steve Tomac is an avid user and evangelist of both MECA’s and SDREA’s Legislative Guide apps. The legislative apps are interactive directories for each state’s current legislative session. Users can quickly find contact, staff and committee information for state representatives, along with their social media presence. using the app while they helped during the session. “Co-ops are known for their strong grassroots MECA and SDREA aren’t just staying relevant by engagement, and these apps enhance that engageoffering apps, but also by providing current information. ment with our membership and legislators,” Tomac Hall refers to the MECA apps as living, breathing says. “It helps you put a face documents because they are with a name, while easily giving database apps. Every time the Co-ops are known for you information the moment user closes and opens the apps, their strong grassroots enyou need it – at your fingertips.” the information automatically gagement, and these apps are updates; the user doesn’t need Hall says the MECA Legisreally helpful to enhance that to update them from AppStore lative Guide is designed as a engagement with our memor Google Play. non-partisan tool for anyone’s use. bership and legislators. Relevant and current informa“We want it to be univertion combined with convenience sally accepted. It’s not a Steve Tomac have made both states’ apps a communication tool in terms of hit. The popularity is especially what any of our strategies are,” noticed the day after election he says. “We don’t highlight bills when Hall and Kleinjan both receive calls for the on it or feature ‘vote yes’ or ‘vote no’ messages. It’s updated legislative apps. just a guide and a tool for everyone’s use.” “The apps help The legislative apps for both states can be us provide an addidownloaded by anyone. In fact, legislators, newspational service, and pers, lobbyists and other groups and individuals are we’re meeting our known to use it. members where they Staying current to tell us they want to reach more audiences be,” Kleinjan says. Both of MECA’s Reaching younger demographics was one of and SDREA’s apps MECA’s goals for its legislative app. “We viewed this can be used on an as a chance to get information in their hands,” Hall iPhone and Android. says. “Aside from providing the Legislative Guide, it’s They can be downalso a way for us to connect with and direct younger loaded for free on demographics to our magazine, website, or encourage the App Store and them to call their co-op.” During South Dakota’s last legislative session, Google Play. Kleinjan noticed many high school-aged students
MAY – JUNE 2016 | 17
F E AT URE SE RIES
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF … MECHANIC LEAD
MARY JO RANDLE By Dain Robert Sullivan
Mary Jo Randle, Antelope Valley mechanic lead, assists employees when they have questions regarding plant maintenance.
18 | BASIN TODAY
According to her mom, Mary Jo Randle has the “gift of gab.” A chat with Randle is easy, and it only takes a few minutes to feel like you’ve known her for years. That’s not always been the case. Before attending North Dakota State College of Science more than 35 years ago, she was extremely shy. It wasn’t until Randle pursued a career in welding that she discovered her true voice, one that would become incredibly valuable to Basin Electric. Today, Randle serves as mechanic lead at the cooperative’s Antelope Valley Station in Beulah, ND. She’s the main person employees go to when they have questions regarding plant maintenance. The Valley City, ND, native has an open-door policy for her employees. On this particular April day, as Antelope Valley undergoes a scheduled maintenance outage, her office door’s been opening quite a bit – but she enjoys it. Sporting safety glasses and a red shirt that says “Believe in heroes,” Randle is in and out of her office. With her office being right next to the maintenance shop, Randle doesn’t seem to mind starting each day by sweeping the floor. It’s a simple reminder that hard work is getting done and progress is being made. She also keeps a very organized office. An employee assignment board hangs from her wall, sticky notes spread in even lines along her clutter-free workspace, and a collection of charging radios stand in a row on the top shelf. If there’s ever a quiet moment – which is rare in Randle’s world – she’ll even grab a mop and clean around her employees’ workstations.
“I care that I’m safe at work so I can go home and Today is business as usual. Queue Dale Howard, see my son every night,” she says. “I want to keep Antelope Valley electrician I. my fingers, toes, hearing and sight.” Howard walks into Randle’s office with a cracked Randle’s made a habit of sharing safety tips with coupling. If there’s any chance it’s worth repairing, he her son. She gives an example of how she’s encouraged wants to make sure he doesn’t waste a useful part. him to wear ear plugs, safety glasses and gloves when After taking a few moments to inspect it, Randle mowing the lawn. decides the coupling should be replaced. She and While practicing safety, Randle has also kept Howard also share some friendly chit-chat. her sights on growing her professional skills. After The two have worked for Basin Electric since starting as a machinist, she quickly earned a mechanic before the plant became operational in 1984. Everyone position, and was promoted else in the department has six or more to her current position three years of experience at Antelope I was extremely happy years ago. Valley, which makes for a knowledge“I’ve learned a lot here,” able crew. to start my journey at Basin she says. “Basin Electric “There are a few of us oldies Electric. It’s a great company helped me grow. They shaped here,” she says as they laugh. to work for. I couldn’t have and molded me.” Randle started at Basin Electric asked for anything better comRandle says she’s worked shortly before she graduated from ing right out of college. with parts from just about college. She thinks back to how far Mary Jo Randle every area of the plant. On any she’s come since her interview. given day, she feels at home “Being a woman at that time, cooling an overheated seal or and being 20 years old, I was scared,” touching up worn-down fan blades. she says. Without saying a word, another employee visits But, she was also driven. Shortly following her Randle’s office and holds up a part. She immediately interview, Randle received a phone call with a job offer understands he wants to know where he can find for an apprentice machinist position. more, and she points to a nearby storage area. “I was extremely happy to start my journey at Randle’s employees seem to trust they can Basin Electric,” she says. “It’s a great company to work get guidance from her in three seconds or less. Her for. I couldn’t have asked for anything better coming confidence in them is equally strong. right out of college.” “They all know what they’re doing,” she says. “We A large part of Randle’s journey at Basin Electric try to help everybody and make things run smoothly.” has involved growing the safety culture at Antelope It’s clear Randle enjoys her job. Valley. She appreciates working for a company that “I haven’t regretted a day I’ve been here.” cares for its employees.
MAY – JUNE 2016 | 19
SERVING THE CO-OP THROUGH SUBSIDIARIES DAKOTA COAL CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER BOB BARTOSH RETIRES
Bob Bartosh with wife Deb at his retirement party.
By Tracie Bettenhausen the gift I had been given of employment and to work Bob Bartosh’s career at Basin Electric has for and with the people I did.” (Janssen, now retired, centered on its subsidiaries, even before they were was the vice president and chief operating officer, subsidiaries. overseeing Dakota Gas and Dakota Coal.) Bartosh, Basin Electric senior vice president Bartosh says after spending a career in the coal and chief operating officer of Dakota Coal Company, industry, he’s been proud to see the industry adapt. retired May 6 with 37 years of service. Basin Electric taking control of the limestone quarry In his early years, he worked for ANG Coal in Montana and the fine grind plant and constructing Gasification Company in Detroit, MI, when they were the lime plant in Wyoming is part of that. The lime designing the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, well before and limestone is used in Basin Electric coal power it was owned by Dakota Gasification Company, Basin plants to remove sulfur dioxide Electric subsidiary. He was the mining from flue gas. Montana Limestone engineer, developing coal reserves in I’ve never seen Company is a subsidiary of Dakota five states, including North Dakota. At as much ownership by Coal, and Wyoming Lime Producers the end of 1979, he moved to Bismarck, people from the bottom is a division of Dakota Coal. ND, to be part of the team that would all the way up to the top Bartosh is known for opening build the coal mine, today known as in a safety process as and ending most every presentathe Freedom Mine. this one. tion he gives with safety, and When ANG and the other owners Bob Bartosh perhaps his legacy at Basin Electric abandoned the Great Plains Synfuels will be his role in helping initiate Plant in 1985, Bartosh says the the Our Power, My Safety process. employees of Great Plains Gasification “I’ve never seen as much ownerAssociates continued to work. “The ship by people from the bottom all the way up to the U.S. Department of Energy assumed ownership of the top in a safety process as this one,” he says. “When plant upon a default of the loan guarantee agreement I see people take ownership, and even the naysayers in 1986 with the final intent of selling it to the private start to say, ‘Ah, maybe there’s something to this,’ sector. We continued as if nothing was happening then I know you’ve changed the culture, then I know other than normal operations,” he says. you’ve changed some attitudes. That can do nothing Bartosh was part of the team that put together but help.” presentations for prospective buyers, and eventually Bartosh says Our Power, My Safety is a great presented to Basin Electric employees. “When it was example of the theory he’s developed over the years. decided Basin would be awarded the plant, pipeline “When you do the right things often enough, you win. and coal mine … Kent Janssen came over and asked You get people to where they need to be. A person if I would work for him. … I was not happy when I first needs to know the answer to, ‘What is in this for me?’” came over here, but realized a couple of years later 20 | BASIN TODAY
E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S
PEDALING FOR A PURPOSE Members of Basin Electric’s Go Big or Go Home and Basin Power Pedalers gather for team photos during the event.
Basin Electric Headquarters employees once again pedaled for a purpose in the 20th annual Great American Bike Race (GABR). The event raises money for local children with cerebral palsy and related disabilities. GABR funds help pay for equipment and services that insurance doesn’t cover. This is the 15th year Basin Electric has had a team entered in GABR. In fact, strong employee participation resulted in two Basin Electric teams: Basin Power Pedalers and Go Big or Go Home. Team Go Big or Go Home biked 88.07 miles and Basin Power Pedalers biked 80.23 miles. Together they raised $8,677. Overall, GABR raised more than $400,000 with participants biking 7,869 miles. Mark Foss, senior vice president and General Counsel, bikes while being fanned by a teammate. Foss was involved in the very first Great American Bike Race. “It was held at the Northbrook Mall in Bismarck and I believe I donated one of the five ten-speed bikes that were there,” Foss says with a laugh. “So it has grown quite a bit, to say the least.”
Lynn Beiswanger, director of learning and development, encourages Jesse Huber, team captain of Basin Power Pedalers, as she cycles. Beiswanger was the team captain of “Go Big or Go Home.” He also served a team cheerleader, encouraging team members to pedal more and faster! An avid cyclist, Beiswanger has participated in the Great American Bike Race for 15 years.
We did it! Lori Leier (left), tax analyst II, and Randy Zimmerman, network security analyst III, celebrate at the end of their 20-minute cycling heat.
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E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S
Employee’s time and talents help outdoor summer theater productions
Gavin McCollam, engineering services director, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for new light towers at Sleepy Hollow. Behind him is the cast and Sleepy Hollow executive directors.
Gavin McCollam tests the flying apparatus he created for Sleepy Hollow’s production of Peter Pan.
is when he unleashed his inner kid, while tapping into It’s often said that kids keep their parents his engineering prowess. young at heart and help broaden their horizons. Gavin McCollam, engineering services director at “It (the flying apparatus) was rudimentary, but Headquarters, can vouch for that. for our level it was pretty cool,” says McCollam. “I Since 2003, McCollam has been involved with made sure it was done right because we had kids the Sleepy Hollow Theatre & up in the air. I thought ‘no kid Arts Park, an outdoor theatre is going up here without me in Bismarck, ND, that provides trying it first,’ which I did. It was And I have satisfacyouth with pre-professional and pretty fun!” tion that I was part of someeducational arts opportunities. At Six years later, when the thing that brings joy to the the time, his daughter Jessamyn, technical directors couldn’t community in a way that I now 25, tried out for and was cast arrive on time to build the set, could never do. All I can do in the summer 2003 production. McCollam basically gave up his is build things. I couldn’t get A few years later, his daughter summer, spending evening and up and sing and dance. Yet, Jiselle, now 21, followed suit. weekends constructing the set I can still be a part of it and For 11 years, as his daughmostly by himself and with the think, ‘I helped do this.’ ters explored their interest in cast. His efforts earned him the Gavin McCollam the arts through Sleepy Hollow, special title of “master carpenMcCollam did, too, by way of ter” for the 2011 production. volunteering his time and talents Cast members’ parents are to each summer production. expected to help with various His two biggest undertakings include creating an aspects of the summer production, and McCollam apparatus so the cast could fly across the stage and greatly enjoyed the time he spent with his wife and building a theater set mostly by himself. daughters working on the set. McCollam helped design and build the flying “I grew up playing sports, and they really didn’t mechanism for the 2005 production of Peter Pan. This do that as much,” says McCollam. “So, this was one
22 | BASIN TODAY
thing we could spend quality time on – building sets in the summer.” His daughters are no longer involved in Sleepy Hollow, but McCollam stills helps with technical questions or issues. Last summer, McCollam and his wife Valerie were named the honorary chair couple, in recognition of their continued time and dedication to Sleepy Hollow. McCollam credits Sleepy Hollow as an arts organization that fills a gap in the Bismarck-Mandan community. ”It provides a level of confidence for kids I don’t think they could get anywhere else,” he says. His daughters Jessamyn and Jiselle are two examples. He saw daughter Jessamyn, who’s quiet and reserved, “transform into something new and different on the stage.” And McCollam credits Jiselle’s Sleepy Hollow experience in providing her with confidence and skills to audition and be accepted into the New School, a performing arts school in New York City. She decided to remain at the University of Minnesota. Little did McCollam know that his daughters’ appreciation for theatre, music and arts would rub off on him. “I have a whole new appreciation for people who have that talent and what goes into a production. “And I have satisfaction that I was part of something that brings joy to the community in a way that I could never do,” he says. “All I can do is build things. I couldn’t get up and sing and dance. Yet, I can still be a part of it and think, ‘I helped do this.’”
Sleepy Hollow Theatre’s 2016 Production Beauty and the Beast July 12-16, 19-23, 26-30 Cabaret August 2-6 Basin Electric, through its charitable giving program, donated money to Sleepy Hollow for new light towers. In honor of this donation, Sleepy Hollow has declared the July 15 and Aug. 5 performances as “Basin Electric Night.”
Spilman named Right of Way Professional of the Year Amy Spilman, senior property and right of way specialist at Basin Electric Headquarters, was recently honored by the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) Region 3 as the 2015 Professional of the Year. Region 3 consists of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota. The IRWA is a professional membership association with nearly 10,000 members from 15 countries. Members are industry professionals who acquire, manage and transfer the land rights needed for building and maintaining energy and transportation infrastructure.
New employees Sterling Berger, laborer, started work March 14 at Antelope Valley Station. He previously worked at the Hazen Golf Course.
Kyle Keidel started work March 14 as a performance engineer I at Antelope Valley Station. Prior to joining Basin Electric, he worked at Minnkota Power Cooperative as a mechanical engineer II. Chance Wilhelm started work March 14 at Antelope Valley Station as a laborer. The Beulah, ND, native previously worked as a laborer for Dakota Westmoreland in Beulah. Josh Mindt, process operations field technician, started work at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant April 4. The Beulah, ND, native previously worked at Clean Energy in Dallas, TX, as a plant operator.
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E M P L OY E E HIG HL IG H T S
Service awards
Spencer Giddings
Lynn McNulty
Steve Mundahl
David Roberts
Bud Bussard
manager – material services
manager – drafting/ engineering services
instrumentation & controls engineering supervisor
senior enterprise applications administrator
planner/scheduler assistant
35 years
Headquarters
35 years
Headquarters
35 years
Headquarters
35 years
Headquarters
Laramie River Station
Kim Kimura
Nick Moore
Kevin Robinson
Steven Mittelsteadt
Gregory Aufenthie
warehouse supervisor
shift supervisor
shift supervisor
substation engineering supervisor
manager – network/telecom
35 years
Laramie River Station
35 years
Laramie River Station
35 years
Laramie River Station
35 years
Transmission Systems Maintenance-Mandan
30 years
Headquarters
Joan Barnhardt
Cris Miller
Bob Buettner
Mike Forrest
Jacqueline Neuberger
senior enterprise resource planning administrator
senior environmental project specialist
instrument lead
area planner
lead food services
30 years
Headquarters
25 years
Headquarters
Sheila Brunner
Mitch Stafford
buyer
senior business process analyst
20 years
Headquarters
20 years
Headquarters
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35 years
25 years
Laramie River Station
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
20 years
Dakota Gasification Company
Retirees
We will remember…
Editor’s note: Expanded retirement stories were written only for those who returned their questionnaire to Basin Today staff.
Harley Schumacher, field technician in shift maintenance at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, passed way March 29 at the age of 36. Harley joined Dakota Gasification in September 2015. Mike Fisk, maintenance supervisor at the Synfuels Plant, remembers Schumacher as a person who came to work with a smile and left at the end of the day with a smile. “Whenever you needed to pick up your day, just talk to Harley and everything seemed better,” Fisk says. “Everybody enjoyed working with him because he was an enthusiastic worker, mechanically intelligent, and always willing to help or assist anybody on his maintenance crew.”
Scott Obertal, assistant coal and water supervisor at Laramie River Station, retired April 15 after 36 years of service. Prior to joining Laramie River Station (LRS) in 1980, Obertal was a boiler technician in the U.S. Navy. His first job at Laramie River Station was as a laborer. He was later promoted to boiler attendant, followed by promotions to the following positions of auxiliary equipment operator, painter/insulator/metalsmith, mechanic/welder, lead mechanic, assistant mechanical supervisor, and then finally assistant coal and water supervisor. During his career at Laramie River, Obertal was involved in various projects including the complete overhaul and build up of Unit 1 boiler feed pumps and system, as well as working with engineering on the flow accelerated erosion. Obertal was issued several certificates and services awards, but is most proud of the recognition from Wyoming AFL-CIO as Labor Leader of the Year. Also he’s proud of Basin Electric’s recognition as a Patriotic employer, which stemmed from a nomination by a veteran on Obertal’s crew. Walt Sturdivant, coal yard supervisor at Laramie River Station, says one word describes Obertal: passionate. “Scott was passionate about his work at Laramie River, whether you are talking about his operational days, his mechanical days, or his days as a supervisor,” Sturdivant says. “He loved the job, well maybe not every day, but most of it, and he loved the people he worked with.” Sturdivant worked with and around Obertal since 1985. “When you work with someone that long there are lots of stories to share, but most are not best shared in print,” Sturdivant says. “Often, when the two of us were together we thought too much alike, and that wasn’t always the best, but it was fun.” “Scott was just a good egg, and I miss him,” Sturdivant says. “I hope that he has a long and happy retirement and we stay in touch.”
Brian Wallender, 57, MIS process operations field technician at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, died from a motorcycle accident May 5. He began working at the Synfuels Plant in May of 1983. Brian was born Jan. 23, 1959, to Albert and Esther (Bates) Wallender. He was raised and educated in Beulah, ND, and married Lora DuBois Dec. 3, 1983. Brian loved his family deeply and enjoyed spending time with them. The lights of his life were his grandkids, Caleb, Garret and Presley. Brian and his family have made Dakota Gas their career. Brian’s wife, Lora, together with their sons Paul and Phil, and brother-in-law Randy Zimmerman, all work at the Synfuels Plant, and his brother, Brent, is a retiree. Brian planned to retire in June. Chuck Fritel, shift superintendent at the Synfuels Plant, said, “I enjoyed working with Brian and getting to know him the last couple years. You could always rely on him to do his job and knew he was conscious of making sure he did it right. He was easy to talk to about anything, and will be missed at work.”
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