ELECTRIC CO-OPS PRACTICE FOR CATASTROPHE
[newsclips]
BY DAN RIEDINGER
W
What if an ice storm damaged or destroyed parts of Colorado’s electric system? What if a computer hacker took out a major transmission system? How would electric co-ops recover and get the lights back on? Those were the questions when more than 3,000 people from 350 organizations convened for a two-day exercise to help utilities prepare for these sorts of disasters. Called “GridEx III,” the event simulated physical and cyber attacks on the nation’s power systems, destruction of communication systems and damage from explosive devices and shootings. A few hundred staffers from 14 electric co-op generation and transmission utilities as well as four distribution co-ops participated in this biennial exercise, which was spearheaded by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. NERC said the exercise was designed to “enhance coordination of cyber
and physical security resources and practices within the industry, as well as communication with government partners and other stakeholders.” “Simulated exercises such as these allow co-ops to practice contingency and response plans, improve them and hone our skills to be prepared for potential future events,” said Duane Highley, one of the electric co-op CEOs involved in the exercise. “This also gives us the opportunity to improve our coordination capabilities with multiple industry sector partners at the local, state and federal levels.” Colorado’s electric co-ops understand how important reliable power is to our members. That’s why they are now reviewing and applying the lessons coming out of GridEx III. Dan Riedinger writes for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Survey Says: Electric Co-op Members Read Colorado Country Life Last fall, randomly-selected readers of Colorado Country Life received a survey asking them about their reading habits and their use of this magazine, which is sent to you by your local electric cooperative. Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey and sent it back. The results are in. More than 80 percent of the nearly 219,000 issues of the magazine that are sent out each month are read by those receiving the magazine. And more than half of those who read the magazine pass it on to others to read. Now that the official, scientific survey is complete, we’d love to hear more about what you like and don’t like about the magazine. Send your comments to info@coloradocountrylife.org.
Thank a Lineman
This month, electric cooperatives throughout Colorado will honor their lineworkers for the work they do. Some co-ops will concentrate their appreciation on Monday, April 11, which designated as National Lineman Appreciation Day by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board of Directors. Others will take the week or the full month of April to honor these crews who are the first responders when the lights go out. Lineworkers work around the clock on highvoltage lines. Conditions can be dangerous and the weather, whether is it hot and windy or cold and icy, can be its own challenge. But Colorado’s lineworkers power through whatever the situation is to ensure reliable service for electric co-op members. This April is a chance to say thanks. Visit the Colorado Rural Electric Association’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ColoradoREA and write a post about what you appreciate about co-op lineworkers using #thankalineman.
People who get their electricity from co-ops aren’t “customers” but “members.” They have a say in how their local utility operates. Local Lights America’s Electric Cooperatives
coloradocountrylife.coop
APRIL 2016
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