Annual Financial Report: 2020

The pandemic affected several businesses, farms and households and it was no different here at the Stanton County Public Power District.  We worked through the pandemic without significant impacts to our financial strength.  We continue to monitor expenses, customer accounts and investments including utility plant to ensure we are in strong financial position to continue serving the customer long into the future.  Our focus will always focus be on delivering safe, reliable electric service to customers as safely as possible. 

There were no electric rate increases in 2020 for the sixth year in a row and we have actually lowered a few rates over that period of time.  We continue to pass through a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) credit from our wholesale power supply back to the end use customer.

You can find your PCA credit listed as a line item on your electric bill.  This PCA credit will continue through 2021. We understand the role of Public Power and just how important low cost, reliable electric service is to the area we serve.  We will continue to strategically position the District financially to adapt to the changes coming in this industry. 

Chad Waldow; General Manager CEO

Maintenance and New Construction

Stanton County Public Power District crews are always busy working to keep our services up and running consistently. The spring season is usually the time for large projects. This year the crews are rebuilding and upgrading the line near Hwy 15 and Golf Course Road. We are also building services to a few new irrigation, and looking at additional upgrade projects later this summer.

Check out our Facebook page for a video of a pole replacement!

Traditional incandescent bulbs produce light by heating a wire filament to a temperature that results in a generation of light. Incandescent bulbs were popular because they were inexpensive and available in a wide range of colors. However, much of their energy went into heat production and very little toward emitting light.

Incandescent light bulbs also have a very short lifespan, lasting only about one year on average. Although they are no longer available in U.S. stores, the energy costs associated with the once-popular bulb, along with its stunted lifespan, far outweigh the initial savings at the cash register. Since incandescent bulbs produce a lot of heat, they may cause burn injuries and pose a fire risk.

Nowadays, the three most popular light bulbs are the light-emittings diode (LED), the halogen incandescent and the compact fluorescent light (CFL). LED light bulbs work when an electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the tiny light sources we call LED’s, and the result is visible light. LED light bulbs produce light up to 90% more efficiently than traditional incandescent light bulbs. They also include features that keep the bulb cooler to the touch, which avoids potential injuries and fire risks.

 

 

Load Management season has begun! Updates can be seen here on our website each morning. Click on the Irrigation Tab and search “Today’s Load Control” for additional information.

We encourage all irrigation operators  to be safe. Here are a few things to remember as you are using your systems this season:

• 1 – Look up for overhead wires when moving irrigation pipe.
• 2 – All motor screens should be in place and checked for blockage from foreign material such as lint,
dirt, or insects. Cross-ventilation of closed pump house structures should be provided with doors or
louvers.
• 3 – If belts or pulleys are exposed, they should have guards in place.
• 4 – Doors must have positive catches to prevent closing. Keep controls out of the sun.
• 5 – Avoid getting any portion of your body in contact with high-pressure water streams, such as the
end guns on center pivots. Be careful of fast return end guns.
• 6 – Block all electrical box unclosed openings (knockouts) to prevent rodent entry.
• 7 – Discourage children from playing or climbing around irrigation equipment.
• 8 – Stay away from a center pivot during an electric storm.
• 9 – If you suspect a short circuit due to a “tingle”, do not touch the machine again. Have an electrician
check the machine.
• 10 – Bury and guard all power lines around a center pivot. Mark the area with a buried line sign.
• 11 – Never service a center pivot without personally shutting off and locking the master disconnect
switch
• 12 – When working on a tower or tower motor, turn off the tower control switch. If a system restart
should occur and the tower switch is on , the wires you’re holding will be energized.