Corn Belt Power, Webster City sign new power contract

At the Sept. 30 Corn Belt Power board meeting, General Manager Ken Kuyper reported that the

City of Webster City has approved a new wholesale firm power contract. The contract will keep Corn Belt Power as Webster City Municipal Utilities’ wholesale power supplier until 2050. As previously authorized by the board, Kuyper will execute the contract on behalf of the cooperative. The contract was also presented to and approved by the North Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association, which represents Webster City on the Corn Belt Power board, and will be sent to the Rural Utilities Service for review and approval. Corn Belt Power and Webster City entered into a long-term agreement in 1979, creating a “combined system” that included contribution of Webster City’s share of Neal 4 and the Webster City Combustion Turbine along with combined use of both parties’ transmission lines. Beginning in 2006, Corn Belt Power and Webster City began extensive negotiations concerning the meaning of numerous sections of the existing contract and the looming termination date. With the originators of the old contract no longer involved, it was difficult to determine the true intent in many areas of the contract. The negotiations concluded with agreement on the new power contract that clarifies how the combined system

works for both parties and extends their relationship for the long term. “It was a long and difficult negotiation,” explains Kuyper. “Through it all, both parties were very businesslike and we ultimately ended up in a successful contract signing. We’re pleased that we will continue to be Webster City’s power supplier. “In the long term, both Corn Belt Power and Webster City will see cost benefits from this agreement. Webster City will receive transmission service and long-term access to a reliable power supply. Corn Belt Power will be able to spread costs over a larger pool for the services we provide. It’s a win-win for all involved.”

Webster City Municipal Utilities and Corn Belt Power Cooperative are joint owners of the Neal 4 power plant near Sioux City. Both utilities entered into a long-term agreement in 1979, creating a “combined system” that includes contribution of Web-ster City’s share of Neal 4 and the Webster City Combustion Turbine (below right) along with combined use of both parties’ transmission lines. A new contract clarifies the agreement and extends the relationship until 2050.

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In the long term, both Corn Belt Power and Webster City will see cost

benefits from this agreement.

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I Act University held its Leadership Excellence training Sept 13 and 27, developing the leadership skills of staff members, superintendents and foremen.

Participants took the Dimension of Leadership Assessment to determine individual leadership style preferences. Individuals’ focus of attention fell into one of four categories: character, analysis, accomplishment or interaction. Those dimensions were analyzed for areas of high emphasis or low emphasis. The assessment explained how each type of emphasis influences why people follow, who will follow and when to lead. Those attending also completed the “Red or Black” exercise, which demonstrated that cooperation and collaboration will get a team farther than competition will.

Training focuses

New breakers,relay panels increase system reliability

New technology being installed in Corn Belt Power’s switching stations will not only send notice of any

problems, but will also provide valuable information about locations and causes of faults. Corn Belt Power crews are in the process of installing new breakers and control panels with micro processor-based relays at the Pocahontas Switching Station and Hampton Switching Station. The new equipment will

replace electrical mechanical relays and increase system reliability. “We will receive more information during system problems,” explains Jerry Moritz, system electrical superintendent. “The new microprocessor relay panels communicate fault locations to Corn Belt. They will provide better feedback on what took place when there is a fault. This new technology constantly troubleshoots itself and sends an alarm if the relay encounters problems.”

At the Pocahontas site, four breakers and all of the relay panels are being replaced. Three new breakers and five new relays panels will be installed at the Hampton site. The work is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2011. Two more switching stations will undergo the upgrade in 2012, likely the Sherwood Switching Station and either the Galbraith or Springfield station. Age of equipment will be a primary factor that determines which switching stations are upgraded next. Moritz says work on upgrading the 69-kilovolt stations should be completed in about two more years. Adding the new system protection equipment to the 161-kilovolt stations will follow. ■

leadership style

Above | From left Connor Almond, apprentice electrician, Jon Girres, journeyman electrician, and Mark Saxton, apprentice lineman, remove an old breaker from the Pocahontas Switching Station. New breakers and relay panels will increase system reliability. At right, crews install a new breaker. Crews are also upgrading the Hampton Switching Station, with work to be completed by the end of 2011.

Above | Gary Brinkley, electrical maintenance foreman, holds up both the Red and Black choices during a leadership training exercise Sept. 13. Participants learned that cooperation and collaboration lead to a win/win situation for everyone.

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ACRE gives co-ops a voice Iowa’s electric co-ops have two political action committees that support candidates who represent their interests and views. The Action Committee for Rural Electrification is the national PAC and Friends of Rural Electrification is the Iowa PAC. Both ACRE and FORE are non-partisan in their support. For more information, contact Tim Coonan, Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, tcoonan@iowarec.org or 800-798-7037.

Corn Belt Power awarded REDL&G grant for Kossuth Regional Health Center U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced funding awards that will support rural communities, help create jobs and build regional economies in 34 states. Included is a $300,000 grant to Corn Belt Power for a renovation at the Kossuth Regional Health Center, Algona. Corn Belt Power will match the grant with $60,000. Projects funded as part of USDA’s regional initiative will focus on strategic planning activities to improve economic conditions in rural areas, particularly in underserved communities. The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant

program supports job creation efforts, business development and economic growth in rural communities. Brittany Dickey, development finance director, Corn Belt Power, comments, “We are very excited to receive a new REDL&G to assist the Kossuth hospital with another project. The hospital will be undergoing an Emergency Department renovation beginning in the spring of 2012. Corn Belt Power will loan all $360,000 to the hospital at zero percent interest for 10 years. All REDL&G funds received build Corn Belt Power’s revolving loan fund which will in turn assist nonprofit and for-profit businesses in our area.”

News

Breaker donation

Upgrading equipment in the Pocahontas Switching Station and the Hampton Switching Station will

not only increase reliability in the Corn Belt Power system with newer and faster technology, but will also give students at Northwest Iowa Community College additional opportunities to learn in their field of study. Corn Belt Power donated two 69-kilovolt breakers and five protective relay panels to the Sheldon, Iowa-based college. Students in the new substation technician major will be able to have hands-on training, learning how to install the equipment and trouble-shoot repairs. Representatives of the school came to Corn Belt Power to pick up the donated pieces. Jerry Moritz, system electrical superintendent, explains, “Students will be able to have hands-on training with actual equipment that they will be working on in the future. With this donation, they can get field practice on system protection equipment.”

Above | Corn Belt Power crews assist Northwest Iowa Community College students as they load two donated breakers. Students in the substation technician program will use the equipment to learn about installation and repair.

Devers becomes journeymanMike Devers has completed his apprenticeship steps to become a journeyman field technician effective Oct. 1. Devers has worked in the Field Engineering Department since April 2008.

In Brief

Corn Belt Power donates to Sheldon program

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Vermeer named to Leadership Iowa Position Jim Vermeer, vice president, business development, Corn Belt Power, has been nominated and approved for the ad-hoc member position on the Leadership Iowa Board of Governors. Run by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation, Leadership Iowa is an issues-awareness program promoting leadership within Iowa. The board of governors helps foster the program’s ultimate goal of instilling passion in Iowa’s current and emerging leaders while fostering a high level of civic engagement. Vermeer was a member of the Leadership Iowa 2008-2009 class.

Jim Vermeer

Above | Kossuth Regional HealthCenter recently completed this new three-story addition. A USDA grant to be administered through Corn Belt Power will help the hospital with renovation of its emergency room.

Published monthly for the employees and associates of Corn Belt Power Cooperative.

Watts Watt, the official publication of Corn Belt Power Cooperative, is published monthlyby Corn Belt Power Cooperative, 1300 13th St. North, Humboldt, Iowa 50548-0508.

Copyright 2011Kenneth H. Kuyper, Executive Vice President and General ManagerKathy D. Taylor, Editor; Vice President, Corporate Relations; CCCMarena Fritzler, Graphic Designer

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Nineteen Corn Belt Power employees participated in the Start Somewhere Walk Oct. 7 at noon. The Start Somewhere Walk is part of Iowa's Healthiest State Initiative.

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The power of human connections

Gary Doehrmann, accountant, Butler County REC, demonstrates the Touchstone Energy value of commitment to community by serving as a volunteer fireman in Waverly. He recently taught fire safety to a

kindergarten class, using a simulated smoke-filled trailer to show them how to survive a fire. He says, “I’m a member of the Waverly Volunteer Fire Department because I want to be there to help people in need. One of the jobs I enjoy the most is going to the schools to teach the kids about fire safety. We want them to learn how to prevent fires and teach them what to do if they actually have a fire in their home.”

Touchstone Energy Co-op Values | Integrity | Accountability | Innovation | Commitment to Community

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