Basin Electric: Live Wire


Basin Electric: Live Wire is a blog that features some of the people stories and interesting background information that you can't get anywhere else. This blog was started in 2008 on the Wordpress platform, and moved here in 2021. Please find our archives at basinelectric.wordpress.com. You can email editor Tracie Bettenhausen with story ideas.

Recent Posts

Biles makes Western North Dakota safer one smoke alarm at a time

Dakota Gas' Auston Biles is making a difference in Western North Dakota through the American Red Cross.

A team win at Leland Olds Station maintains emissions compliance

For the team at Leland Olds Station, located near Stanton, North Dakota, a plugged hopper-bottom silo sent them into action on the night of Jan. 23.

Building relationships ensures reliability for members

When contracts expire, it can be a difficult process to gain new easements. Thankfully, the relationships Basin Electric continues to build with...

Why Basin? Great benefits, work-life balance, and supportive coworkers

Ryan Koch may be new to Basin Electric, but he's already found that this is the place for him.

How We Serve through instrumentation technicians

Many processes and systems within a plant happen so automatically that it’s easy to forget someone had a role in getting everything set up just...

How and why do Basin Electric linemen barehand 345,000-volt power lines?

Twice each year, Basin Electric’s Transmission System Maintenance (TSM) crews from across its service area are required to participate in live line...

Basin Electric team increases donations for local charities

A team at Basin Electric created an electronic process for its jeans day program, resulting in an increase in donations.

Keeping electricity reliable through scheduled outages

Dakota Gas and Laramie River Station strive to minimize the duration and frequency of essential scheduled outages.

Stay Basin! New opportunities, great coworkers, and career focused

Cody Schmidt has worked for Basin Electric in the Distributed Generation group for a little over six years, but three months ago he began working...

How We Serve: Treasury Management

Employees at Basin Electric understand their roles as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights...

Wartsila engines arrive at Pioneer Generation Station

Construction continues at Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV (PGS IV) with the recent arrival of six Wartsila engines.

Laverdure updates Minot Chamber EDC on Basin Electric’s cooperative power supply

Verendrye Electric Cooperative, a Basin Electric Class C member located in Minot, North Dakota, invited Erin Laverdure, Basin Electric project...

Investing in success: Dakota Gas offers Bismarck State College Process Technology students jobs before graduation

Dakota Gas' partnership with Bismarck State College opens opportunity for full time, paid internships for process technology students.

Why Basin? Supportive work environment, opportunities for growth, and a commitment to excellence

Basin Electric prides itself on its culture and commitment to its employees, offering an impressive benefits package, professional development...

How we serve: Transmission

Employees at Basin Electric understand their roles as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights...

Top Basin Electric stories of 2023

As we’re getting ready to ring in 2024, we tallied up the clicks to see what were the most popular posts and stories of 2023. Grab your hot chocolate.

Cutting-edge energy programs ensure continued reliable electricity

Basin Electric is committed to providing reliable and affordable electricity to its members and the cooperative is dedicated to ensuring there is a...

Iowa Lakes Electric member on move from Germany to Iowa

The Baumanns moved to Iowa to start the second location of HiPer Ceramics, a business Betti’s parents started in Germany in 1995.

Stay Basin! Work/life balance, good pay, and great people

Basin Electric appreciates its employees and works hard to retain its workforce. The cooperative understands employees, with their combined...

Basin Electric generation and transmission infrastructure keeps electricity reliable and efficient

As energy needs continue to grow in Basin Electric’s service area, so does the need for additional generation and transmission resources.

Forming a bond on the lines at Basin Electric

While lineworkers are heroes in the electric industry, they are still human, so performing work on energized lines requires special tools, a...

Basin Electric lineworkers endure harsh weather to keep electricity flowing

When the first snowstorm of the season hit northern North Dakota on Oct. 24, Basin Electric’s lineworkers were out in the snow and ice to repair a...

Serving Basin Electric's members from the warehouse

When you think about the essential roles needed to keep a plant running, a few jobs might pop in your head. Perhaps an electrician or welder, or...

Basin Electric team follows strategic roadmap into 2024

Basin Electric’s strategic roadmap meets member needs, today and tomorrow.

Basin Electric vehicles find new purpose with a local fire department

When Basin Electric's Huron Transmission System Maintenance (TSM) outpost purchased new vehicles, they donated their former side-by-side...

Making shadows on site at Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV

Work in the late summer and fall has been focused on the steel structure and getting it enclosed with sheeting.

Solar energy plays a key role in Basin Electric's all-of-the-above energy strategy

Joe Ibrahim from National Grid Renewables explains how solar works.

Leland Olds Station turns up the heat with employee chili cookoff

At Leland Olds Station, the Safety & Wellness Committee sponsored a 2023 chili cookoff.

Always loved, never forgotten

An unexpected series of events led to a Basin Electric employee carrying out a task her father started more than 30 years ago and form a connection...

Throwback Thursday: November 2001

Recently, the original two turbines from the PrairieWinds Chamberlain Wind Project were decommissioned as they were at the end of their useful life...

Conquering the Maah Daah Hey Trail

This past July, the organization put on a 108.1-mile race starting at the CCC Campground located 15 miles south of Watford City, North Dakota, and...

Why Basin? Salary, benefits, and comprehensive lab equipment

Basin Electric prides itself on its culture and commitment to its employees, offering an impressive benefits package, professional development...

Basin Electric wellness programs ignite a passion for health and fitness

Committed to the well-being of its employees, Basin Electric provides on-site walking paths and fitness centers at most of its facilities, and for...

How we serve: Engineering and Construction

Employees at Basin Electric understand their roles as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights...

Basin Electric unmanned aerial systems team conducts training

The training course is designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology as a way for UAS pilots to objectively measure their flying...

Stay Basin! Advancement opportunities, collaborating with others, and improving processes

Basin Electric appreciates its employees and works hard to retain its workforce. The cooperative understands employees, with their combined...

How We Serve: Dakota Gas

Employees at Basin Electric understand their roles as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights...

Blanket drive at Basin Electric provides warmth and comfort to struggling community members

Basin Electric's Marketing team conducted a blanket and pillow drive for Ministry on the Margins, a local a volunteer-based ministry that supports...

Basin Electric employee receives NRECA Rising Star Award

Basin Electric’s Tony Michlitsch, Leland Olds Station plant superintendent, is one of 20 stand-out cooperative employees to win the National Rural...

Basin Electric attends “Lunch with the Boss” event

Basin Electric was honored at the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) “Lunch with the Boss” event held on Aug. 19.

Seven states represented at electric cooperative key accounts training

Seven of the nine states in Basin Electric’s service territory were represented at the Key Accounts Master Course at Class C member West River...

Why Basin? Learning opportunities, stability, and an impressive benefits package

Basin Electric prides itself on its culture and commitment to its employees, offering an impressive benefits package and professional development...

How We Serve: Human Resources

Employees at Basin Electric understand their role as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights an...

BE Leaders class at Basin Electric creates new mission statement and values

The 2023 BE Leaders team used their teamwork skills when they were tasked with developing a new mission statement and set of values for Basin...

Check out videos and written summaries available from Basin Electric 2023 Annual Meeting

Find videos, written summaries, photos, and more from Basin Electric's 2023 Annual Meeting of the Membership.

How Basin Electric maintains reliability and stability when the Laws of Physics won't change

The Laws of Physics say that at the very second electricity is being used, it must be generated somewhere.

Montana Free Press: What happened when a Tesla came to Ekalaka

See how two self-proclaimed jerks from California made the front desk laugh at Southeast Electric Cooperative.

Affordable cooperative power supports entrepreneurs

Vess Hurley says he was able to diversify and grow because he was willing to adapt.

West River Electric participates in electric vehicle training

As more and more electric vehicles hit the road, the need for safety training increases. West River Electric Association, a Basin Electric Class C...

Watch Live: Basin Electric 2023 Annual Meeting

Watch Basin Electric's 2023 Annual Meeting live online.

Basin Electric employee, daughter hit the mark on family time

Matthew Weigel coaches his daughter in the Junior Marksmanship Program and participates in shooting sports, himself, as well. Sometimes, they even...

Support Center team at Basin Electric achieves Help Desk International certification

The certification will give the Support Center a common language and help standardize their practices to continue to grow their capabilities.

Hieb selected as one of the 2023 top 20 professionals under 40 by the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC

Kayla Hieb, Basin Electric vice president of Human Resources, was selected by the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC as one of the 2023 top 20...

How We Serve: Dakota Gasification Company

Employees at Basin Electric understand their roles as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights...

Get to know the CEO: Interim CEO and General Manager Todd Brickhouse

Todd Brickhouse was named Basin Electric’s interim chief executive officer and general manager in July.

Stay Basin! Workload diversity, flexible schedule, and new challenges

Basin Electric appreciates its employees and works hard to retain its workforce. The cooperative understands employees, with their combined...

It’s nothing to sneeze at

Congestion has always been present on the transmission grid, but it has become increasingly problematic over the past five to 10 years as...

Basin Electric and Powder River Energy Corporation team up with donation to Food Bank of Wyoming

Basin Electric was recently part of a $35,000 donation given to the Food Bank of Wyoming for their September Hungry Awareness Month fundraising...

National Hire a Veteran Day: Basin Electric's commitment to the military and hiring veterans

July 25 is National Hire a Veteran Day, a day created as a call to action for hiring companies, and to encourage veteran job applicants.

A pioneer in power: How Basin Electric has dared to innovate

In honor of Pioneer Day on July 24, we're taking a look back at some of Basin Electric's pivotal decisions, from environmental impacts to new ways...

Basin Electric plans for continued reliability through carbon management solutions

Reliability has ensured Basin Electric’s members can provide opportunities for the breadbasket and energy corridor of America.

Electric cooperatives use solar trailer to educate members on the realities of solar power

Electric cooperatives are using a solar trailer to educate their members by demonstrating how solar power works to help them make educated...

Why Basin? Serving the community, benefits, and a positive work environment

A native of Mandan, North Dakota, Kyren Miller has been with Basin Electric since August 2022, when he started as a training coordinator for...

How we serve through environmental controls

Most of us take clean air for granted as we go about our day, never thinking about what’s in the air we are breathing, while behind the scenes...

In Orange City, Iowa, if you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much

Whether it’s in their blood or they are just Dutch at heart, some 100,000 people flock to northwestern Iowa for the annual Orange City Tulip...

Teams at Basin Electric collaborate to build strong relationships and improve efficiency

As part of a shared team initiative, the Accounts Payable and Financial Operations groups decided to convert more vendors to electronic payments to...

Nearly 200 contractors onsite building Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV

Construction has begun on Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV. Right now, the main objective is to get the buildings erected prior to the winter...

Four generation family business and Basin Electric member on relationships

The Wills say the reliable electricity and small business feel they receive from Capital Electric mean a lot.

Basin Electric donates to Y.E.S. House

Basin Electric made a $150,000 donation to the Y.E.S. House Foundation in Gillette, Wyoming, to help cover ongoing efforts and program needs,...

How We Serve: Chief Operating Officer

Employees at Basin Electric understand their role as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights an...

Basin Electric employees attend career fairs at Bismarck schools

Before the school year ended, Basin Electric employees visited schools in Bismarck, North Dakota to give students information about Basin Electric...

Dr. and Mrs. Doolittle’s animal rehab

Linda and Derek Binstock's love for animals has turned their garage into a makeshift animal rehab facility.

Stay Basin! Problem solving, supportive coworkers, and unique challenges

Basin Electric appreciates its employees and works hard to retain its workforce. The cooperative understands employees, with their combined...

Reliable cooperative electricity powers the ethanol industry

Electric cooperatives deliver reliable, affordable, and responsible electricity to rural America fueling economic prosperity. Here, meet our 2022...

NRECA Employees Tour Dry Fork Station and Dry Fork Mine

NRECA employees were recently given the opportunity to tour Dry Fork Station and the Dry Fork Mine to see how Basin Electric facilities differ from...

Throwback Thursday: August 1999

In 1999, Basin Electric invested more than $100 million to build the infrastructure and pipeline that now delivers carbon dioxide produced at...

Kelby Hovey nominated to the Greater North Dakota Chamber list of 15 Women to Know in North Dakota Business

Kelby Hovey, Basin Electric pilot and safety officer, was recently nominated to the Greater North Dakota Chamber’s (GNDC) inaugural list of 15...

Laramie River Station employee educates high school shop students in OSHA 10

Jason Evans, Laramie River Station safety coordinator, recently spent two days at Wheatland High School teaching OSHA 10 to a group of shop...

Dry Fork Station employees volunteer and bring joy to Gillette Senior Center

Every month, employees at Dry Fork Station volunteer to serve meals at the Gillette Senior Center in Gillette, Wyoming, as a way to show their...

Why Basin? Flexible schedule, professional development, and a healthy work/life balance

Mandan, North Dakota, native Tavis Freidt started at Basin Electric five months ago and finds joy in coming to work every day.

Basin Electric employees’ children get a firsthand view of working at Basin Electric

Family is a core component of being a cooperative. That’s why employees’ children ages 9 to 13 were invited to Basin Electric’s Headquarters for...

How We Serve: Strategic Planning and Communications

Employees at Basin Electric understand their role as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights an...

Come one, come all: Basin Electric celebrates employees and families

Each year, Basin Electric hosts Family Night events for employees at its various locations, but this year, the Family Night event for Headquarters...

Rushmore Electric Power Cooperative hosts first annual Key Accounts Conference

The purpose of the Key Accounts Conference was to bring together the key players in various electric cooperative communities and empower them with...

Basin Electric and Dakota Gas employees have connection to North Dakota film

Basin Electric has several connections to a new film, End of the Rope. The film was shot in North Dakota where several Basin Electric employees and...

National Lineman Appreciation Day: Honoring the backbone of our power grid

In honor of National Lineman Appreciation Day, we asked Basin Electric’s lineworkers to tell us the best parts and the craziest parts of their...

Hail Mary by Basin Electric Procurement team results in millions in lost runtime savings

Procurement's persistence and utilization of industry contacts helped avoid approximately $10 million in lost revenue.

Stay Basin! New challenges, professional development, and great people

Basin Electric appreciates its employees and works hard to retain its workforce. The cooperative understands employees, with their combined...

Basin Electric GIS team instrumental to keeping electricity reliable

Basin Electric’s geographic information systems (GIS) team is charged with organizing project information which allows users to manage the course...

Throwback Thursday: The woman who helped incorporate Basin Electric

On May 5, 1961, 69 people from several states gathered at the Patterson Hotel in Bismarck, ND, to sign Articles of Incorporation for Basin...

Basin Electric works to protect members from volatility

Basin Electric is dedicated to providing reliable, affordable, and responsible electricity to its members.

Basin Electric continues initiative to replace aging transmission infrastructure

As new technology emerges it’s critical to the lifespan of a substation to upgrade equipment before there’s a problem.

Christensen's 'transmission' from rookie to retiree

Throughout his four-decades-long career, Christensen worked in Resource Planning, Transmission, and Marketing and Power Supply before being hired...

Throwback Thursday: The ‘lectric light lady

Life prior to electricity was difficult for both the farmer and his wife. The book, The Next Greatest Thing, detailed how the Country Life...

Winter member managers conference goes virtual

The Member and External Relations team at Basin Electric were faced with last minute changes when the winter member managers conference, usually...

Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV adding mega megawatts

According to the 2023 Basin Electric Member Load Forecast, 92% of Basin Electric's distribution cooperative members are growing.

How We Serve with Human Resources

Human Resources focuses on the development of employees by keeping them trained, engaged, and productive, with an eye on continuous improvement.

Powder River Energy Corporation and Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative employees tour Dry Fork Station

Dry Fork Station hosted a tour of the power plant for employees of Basin Electric Class C member Powder River Energy Corporation and Oregon Trail...

Why Basin? Culture, people, and commitment to community

Basin Electric prides itself on its culture and commitment to its employees, making new hires feel welcome and appreciated from Day 1.

Basin Electric employee helps Pilots for Kids bring holiday cheer to those in need

As a part of the Pilots for Kids program, Basin Electric Pilot Steven Schaffner helped Santa and Mrs. Claus trade in their sleigh and reindeer for...

Deer Creek Station hosts tour for Aurora Volunteer Fire Department

Deer Creek Station hosted a tour with the Aurora (South Dakota) Volunteer Fire Department to grow their working relationship and prepare them in...

Basin Electric donates to youth organizations with Northern Electric Cooperative

Basin Electric recently made donations to community youth organizations in South Dakota through the member match program.

How We Serve: Financial Services

Employees at Basin Electric understand their role as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights...

Co-ops leverage Basin Electric’s rate to build grid-level battery storage

As more electric cooperatives pursue energy storage, a generation and transmission co-op is offering a trial battery rate to help members deliver...

Basin Electric donation keeps Bismarck-Mandan Homeless Shelter open 24-hours a day for winter

Basin Electric made a $75,000 donation to Missouri Slope Areawide United Way, resulting in the reopening of the emergency homeless shelter during...

Dakota Gasification Company earns valuable certification

A few years ago, the team at Dakota Gasification Company was tasked with obtaining what’s called ISO 9001 certification, a metric that ensures...

Strength and value as a generation and transmission cooperative

Unlike other energy providers whose rates may only include energy, Basin Electric's rates include many other essential services.

How we serve with Montana Limestone Company

Montana Limestone Company is a relatively small operation that has a big impact on Basin Electric and its membership.

Top Basin Electric stories of 2022

As we’re getting ready to ring in 2023, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of our popular posts and stories of 2022.

NIPCO reduces costs to member-consumers

The NIPCO-owned Lawton Substation, located within its service area, is home to a 975-kilowatt Tesla® Megapack® .

Scheduled outage means continued reliability at Laramie River Station

Basin Electric coordinates all outages to make sure there’s no disruption in power.

Basin Electric equipment helps young soccer players watch World Cup

Dakota United Soccer Club watched what would be the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team's final game in the World Cup using a Basin Electric projector.

Basin Electric and Dakota Gas employees step up to ensure service during mid-December blizzard

Employees at Antelope Valley Station, Leland Olds Station, the Great Plains Synfuels Plant , and Basin Electric's Security and Response Services...

Thinking big: Minnesota co-op leads tour for local grad students

The following is an excerpt from an article in RE Magazine featuring Dee Anne Norris, CEO of Renville-Sibley Cooperative Power Association, a Basin...

Sustainability a top priority at Basin Electric

At Basin Electric, sustainability is the commitment we make to our members to meet their needs, while ensuring future generations will thrive.

Basin Electric transmission rates team finds an opportunity to cut Basin Electric costs

"That we were able to see an opportunity and capture it to save Basin Electric over $400,000 annually, which could increase every year, makes this...

How We Serve: Resource Planning and Rates

Resource Planning & Rates is responsible for the management of Basin Electric’s long-term origination and resource planning activities which...

2022 Annual Meeting full reporting

Find videos of the presentations on our website, and on our YouTube channel, 2022 Annual Meeting playlist.

PRECorp Leases Electric Vehicle As Part Of Moonshot Initiative

Two years ago, the co-op leased an electric Chevy Bolt to help support its “Moonshot” initiative, with the goal of reducing its megawatt hour (MWh)...

Laramie River Station employees make a splash in their community

Employees at Laramie River Station came together to save their community pool from closing down for the rest of the summer.

Watch LIVE: Basin Electric Annual Meeting 2022

Watch Basin Electric's Annual Meeting live.

Basin Electric Teams Collaborate On Software Upgrade

Upgrading software is no easy thing, and when it comes to Allegro, the Energy Trading and Risk Management solution at Basin Electric, it took 45...

East River Electric Purchases Its First All-Electric Vehicle

East River Electric has been looking into purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) for use as a fleet vehicle for several years.

Basin Electric employees donate 860 lbs. of fresh, local food in 2022

Since 2014, Basin’s Backyard Garden has donated 5,256 lbs. of fresh, mostly local food to local food pantries through the Hunger Free North Dakota...

How We Serve: Government Relations

Employees at Basin Electric understand their role as stewards of service to the members of the cooperative. The “How We Serve” series highlights...

A family tradition: three generations at Dakota Gas

“Sometimes a job can be looked at as just that, but in reality, a job at Dakota Gas has provided for generations for the Carr family, and working...

Former Basin Electric spokesperson honored by Lignite Energy Council

Joan Dietz received the award during LEC's annual meeting on Sept. 28. 

Basin Electric and PRECorp donate $10,000 to local organizations

Basin Electric recently partnered with Class C member Powder River Energy Corporation (PRECorp), headquartered in Sundance, Wyoming, on two...

Basin Electric team continually plans for reliable transmission

The Transmission team at Basin Electric were a part of the recent planning effort that resulted in the approval of more than $500 million in...

The Garfield Dairy shares co-op value of community

The community-minded values of the new Garfield Dairy near Bryant, South Dakota, make it an ideal member for an electric cooperative with the same...

How We Serve: Asset Management and Commodity Strategy

The “How We Serve” series highlights employees and their work group and explains how they serve our members every day.

MREA editorial shows we're all in this together

Reliability means something different to an electric utility than it does to a clean energy advocate.

Transmission projects determined as needed in North Dakota by the Southwest Power Pool

The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) conducted an Integrated Transmission Planning study and in 2021 determined the need for extensive new transmission...

Montana school teacher shows the value of commitment in rural areas

This year, Hill County Electric offered its first ever Teacher Appreciation Award in an effort to help retain these educators that are so critical...

Deer Creek Station serves members with distributed generation

"Basically everything we do affects the membership. What's good for the membership is good for us."

Teamwork at Basin Electric develops new billing system

In 2019, departments at Basin Electric overcame challenges and worked together to develop a new member billing software called MemberBilling.

Feeling the heat puts focus on reliability

Reports of energy shortfalls that could potentially lead to power interruptions left people feeling uneasy this spring and summer.

Basin Electric hosts the South Dakota Rural Electric Association's Youth Excursion

Basin Electric hosted the South Dakota Rural Electric Association’s Youth Excursion, including 14 high school students sponsored by electric...

Old Basin Electric safety inspection vehicle from 1961 found in Ohio

In 1997, an old Basin Electric safety inspection vehicle was found for sale in a newspaper ad by a family from Shreve, Ohio.

Vastness and variety set Montana co-op apart

Doug Hardy says, “I’ve learned to volunteer to do things nobody else wants to do because some of those things have applications you would never...

Basin Electric continues sponsoring Teen Room at The Boys and Girls Club of Campbell County

Due to Basin Electric's sponsorship, the club has been able to market the space for the middle school age group within the community to provide a...

Basin Electric member match goes toward Carhart Trail improvements

Basin Electric provided a member match donation of $2,500 with Class C member San Isabel Electric to a non-profit, entirely volunteer-run...

Basin Electric watches cryptocurrency volatility and risk

Cryptocurrency is a digital form of currency that doesn’t come from central authorities such as governments or banks. Bitcoin, the first form of...

Basin Electric teams up with Powder River Energy for donation to Climb Wyoming

Powder River Energy Foundation and Basin Electric have joined forces to make a $10,000 donation to Climb Wyoming, fostering workforce development...

A day in the life of Basin Electric senior fleet and logistics administrator Nathan Johnson

“I work with employees at our facilities to find out when they need the equipment they ordered, then with trucking companies to coordinate...

Basin Electric pilots fly to East Coast to pick up parts for Dry Fork Station outage

"It is missions like these that really show the true value of the cooperative aircraft."

Rural America becomes even more electrified

“Having more access and reliability for power has been critical,” Eric Watson says. “If we didn’t have reliable power, it would hit every aspect,...

Basin Electric partners with members to support SPURS Therapeutic Riding Center

Basin Electric Class C member Northern Electric Cooperative presented SPURS Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center in Aberdeen, SD with a $2,000...

Trooper Toss event at Basin Electric provides funds for veteran bison hunts

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, employees at Basin Electric’s Headquarters participated in Trooper Toss – a fundraising event for Injured...

Living the cooperative way: Laramie River Station employees serve their community inside and outside of work

The skillsets William Deglman uses in his role as safety coordinator at Laramie River Station are also useful in his role as assistant fire chief...

40 Years of Opportunities: Steve Johnson's story with Basin Electric

One of the reasons Johnson says he’s found success in his career is that he has tried to treat everyone with respect and dignity and give people an...

Co-op members show kindness to line crews during spring snowstorm

North Central Electric linemen worked long, hard hours after a late spring snowstorm knocked out power to some 1,200 accounts. Members were not shy...

Basin Electric Transmission System Maintenance comes to one member’s rescue amid snowstorm

Even with assistance from Basin Electric and other local cooperatives, it took Burke-Divide nearly three weeks to get power back to all residences.

Quick thinking by DGC teams lessen impacts of fire

The quick actions of Operations, Electrical and Instrumentation, and Protection Services helped minimize damage and prevent injuries.

Leland Olds Station and Basin Electric Marketing teams turned a former cost into a benefit

Basin Electric’s Leland Olds Station and Marketing teams partnered to turn an $875,000 cost into a net benefit of $1.6 million annually.

From blizzards to tornadoes, the Basin Electric SRS team managed it all

When historic blizzard, Silas, hit western and central North Dakota starting April 12, the Security and Response Services (SRS) team anticipated...

Basin Electric employee donations help victims reach goals

Employees collected about $10,000 in June 2021 that went to a special fund at Abused Adult Resource Center -- New Directions Education and...

All are Welcome: Homeless Cats find Sanctuary on Basin Electric Employee's Ranch

Tami Lynn Arndt, administrative assistant at Laramie River Station, has always loved animals.

Antelope Valley Station employees get creative in moving coal

When a fire occurred at Antelope Valley Station last September, there was some damage to the L1 chute that brings in the coal fines from Dakota...

Basin Electric employee's quote highlighted by Bismarck Tribune

The Bismarck Tribune runs a weekly feature title "Eminently Quotable."

New Basin Electric Director Jerry Beck: Farmer, father, rural electric leader

Basin Electric’s newest director, Jerry Beck, joined the Basin Electric board in December.

Innovative thinking saves the cooperative $1 million annually

When a project to modify the air quality control system at Dry Fork Station near Gillette, Wyoming, began, the project team had no idea it would...

Sheri Haugen-Hoffart: A woman, a leader, a public servant

In a largely male-dominated industry, she says she never let being in the minority bother her.

A multitasker who loves a challenge

Worker shortages mean some trucking companies are declining to accept jobs moving freight into states like North Dakota and Wyoming.

Strategy for serving power to Basin Electric members, long-term

Basin Electric has generation and transmission facilities on both sides of the grid, and also has access to the DC ties.

Basin Electric employee receives Core Value Award from vendor

Core Values Awards are given each year to celebrate notable individuals in the fleet industry who demonstrate the values that are integral to the...

Basin Electric's load forecasters are crystal ball experts

Robert Frank and Jay Lundstrom are responsible for the load forecasting for Basin Electric's membership. The load forecast is the main tool used...

Embracing change and serving the membership

Dave Raatz, senior vice president of Asset Management, Resource Planning, and Rates, retires after 41 years.

It's just part of living: Iowa man pays it forward to future generations

Retired dentist Dr. George North is one of three winners of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Iowa's Shine the Light contest, a contest that...

Leland Olds Station employees use special equipment to clear ice, get unit back online

With the ice and debris clogging up the intake, a loss of flow of circulated water brought the intake from 40,000 gallons per minute down to 13,000...

'Down Here, It's Pickup Truck Country'

Will rural residents be ready to go electric when EV trucks hit the market?

Helping them be who they were meant to be

East River Electric does its part to benefit a community organization that provides therapies and equipment for differently abled children and...

Three teams work over the holidays to power up Wyoming CarbonSAFE project

It  took a collaborative trio to power the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project at Dry Fork Station.

Sioux Valley's new Beneficial Electrification department responds to members in a powerful way

In a recent survey, 90% of members said they were interested in renewable energy and learning ways to be more energy efficient.

Cooperative leader and Basin Electric's 6th employee dies at 96

Robert Feragan, Basin Electric Cornerstone Award winner, former manager of East River Electric, former Rural Electrification Administrator, and...

Basin Electric holiday treats help neighbors stay warm and full

Basin Electric employees raised money for community members who are homeless or facing homelessness by ordering holiday treat trays, all made by...

Basin Electric employees give Christmas cheer to 176 children

Basin Electric employees donated to 176 children whose names were placed on “angel trees” at five Basin Electric locations.

Dakota Gas food service provider wears angel wings in her off-time

Kim Fischer says she delivers meals to anyone who is sick in the area

Basin Electric partners with Powder River Energy Foundation to provide meals this holiday season

Basin Electric teamed up with Class C member Powder River Energy's Foundation to donate a total of $6,000 to the Silver Sage Senior Center in...

Basin Electric's Paul Sukut talks about his time at the cooperative

Paul Sukut says the cooperative business model and principles give both staff and directors a solid foundation to lean on.

A little tree brings big bucks to Wyoming charity

A team of employees at Dry Fork Station near Gillette, Wyoming entered a decorated tree into the Festival of Trees, hosted by the Northeast Wyoming...

Co-op power proves out in reliable, efficient pasta production

Dakota Growers’ two sister plants (in Minnesota and Virginia) don’t have the cooperative advantages the North Dakota plant does as a member of...

In Depth: Researchers at Wyoming CarbonSAFE project near Dry Fork Station deploy seismic sensors

Researchers recently deployed a series of microseismic sensors as part of the ongoing baseline monitoring operations for the Wyoming CarbonSAFE...

Full reporting: Basin Electric 2021 Annual Meeting

All the information you need from Basin Electric's 2021 Annual Meeting of the Membership.

Basin Electric supports efforts to bring awareness to homelessness

A group from Ministry on the Margins, Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People, Inc., and the University of Mary stood outside from 7 a.m. - 7...

U.S. Air Force conducts training mission on Grayrocks Reservoir

The Air Force wanted to simulate a downed aircraft in a body of water, and another plane needed to drop rescue supplies.

Achievements to be proud of: military accomplishments from Basin Electric's veterans

They say that the greater the challenge, the greater the sense of accomplishment. Many in the military community have encountered situations that...

Wyoming Lime helps give a hero's welcome

Employees hung a large flag from a 90-foot boom to honor a Vietnam vet whose remains were found and returned home after nearly five decades.

Synfuels Plant’s DEF-inite production advantages bring in millions

The shift to producing an increased amount of DEF has had a significant financial impact for Dakota Gas .

Gratitude is sweet at Basin Electric – giving, even sweeter

Candy for a Cause raised almost $8,000 for charity and provided a way for employees to show their appreciation for each other.

Diane Paul looks back with fondness

She says working for the members and employees of Basin Electric was an honor.

Basin Electric member supports organization changing people’s lives

East River Electric’s annual “mountain oyster” feed has raised nearly $850,000 over the past 57 years to help fund Lifescape’s mission.

Huron TSM employee intrigued by electricity since childhood

Malsom and his team work to maintain substations and communication sites that cover about 18,000 square miles of service territory in eastern South...

Daring to innovate: 60 years of ambition at Basin Electric

From environmental impacts to new ways to generate power, Basin Electric has a long history of prioritizing innovation and taking chances. Here’s a...

Basin Electric: Cooks, coats, and a good cause

Five employees from Co-op Café at Headquarters put their cooking skills to the test for a chili cook-off. Each person prepared a large batch of...

Basin Electric employee helps bring clean water for the Roma

Basin Electric employee Mike Martin spent his vacation volunteering in Macedonia. One of the main projects he helped with was getting clean water...

Petals and Panels: A Wright-Hennepin Electric Co-op project

Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association installed two projects that help their members show their environmental values in a way that works...

September 11: A twist of fate that changed one Basin Electric pilot’s future

Ryan Anderson, aviation manager, was an intern with Basin Electric on September 11, 2001 – the day there were four coordinated terrorist attacks...

Throwback Thursday: July 1970

On July 7, 1970, Basin Electric received a $100,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a regional program to...

Basin's Backyard Garden donates food to local pantries every week

Coming back in 2021, the garden decided it enjoyed that work-from-home life.

Employee saves wife's life, credits Basin Electric safety training experience

Jason Halvorsen, mechanic operator-journeyman for Basin Electric’s Transmission System Maintenance (TSM) division based out of Wheatland, Wyoming,...

Member co-ops stay cool in a crisis

Electric cooperative members heard about the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), perhaps for the first time, as their power was cycled off by transmission...

Throwback Thursday: June 1978

In May of 1978, Basin Electric's solar heating project began operation. Construction to install the solar collector plates began in October 1977.

Basin Electric employee shares passion and pride in his work

Working in the energy industry was not initially on Zachary Wager’s radar, despite his father working at Dry Fork Station in Gillette, Wyoming....

Basin Electric members experience catastrophic damage during June storm

Basin Electric members in eastern Montana and western North Dakota suffered catastrophic damage during summery storms June 10-11.

First responders at Leland Olds Station participate in hands-on, lifelike medical training

On May 27, the first response team participated in training facilitated by SIM-ND, a mobile medical education system that uses high-fidelity human...

Meet Basin Electric's 'Maytag repairman' who kept the lights on

Spirit Mound is a peaking power plant, meaning it runs about a dozen times a year, usually during periods of extreme hot or cold weather.

Following common sense principles benefits Basin Electric

When some energy providers saw massive increases in their February electricity bills, Basin Electric members could rest easy.

Basin Electric employees race the clock to beat an energy emergency

In mid-February, employees from Basin Electric’s Transmission System Maintenance (TSM) division stepped up for what became a marathon battle in the...

Remembering winter in the summer

Though it seems like forever, it was just a few short months ago that a winter storm caused an electricity shortage across the central United States.

Basin Electric SRS services reached all the way to Texas during February winter weather event

Basin Electric's Security & Response Services team assisted co-ops from North Dakota to Texas during the extreme winter weather event in February.

Firm pipeline capacity instrumental during energy emergency

In February, the Synfuels Plant was producing natural gas that was desperately needed. Cold weather shut in many gas producers, but not the...

Basin Electric brings truck for kids to explore

Touch A Truck offered children an up-close, hands-on opportunity to explore heavy machinery, safety vehicles, and other cool trucks, as well as ask...

Basin Electric donation aids wildfire relief

Basin Electric donated $10,000 to American Red Cross for the wildfire relief efforts in North Dakota and South Dakota. The donation will be used to...

Basin Electric donation helps individuals purchase affordable items

Basin Electric made a $25,000 to Heaven’s Helpers RePurpose Store in Bismarck, North Dakota. The store accepts donations of a wide range of useful...

Basin Electric funds help construct food distribution center just in time for ‘record-shattering’ need

The number of people served by the Great Plains Food Bank have been up substantially since the pandemic began, some areas seeing as much as an 80%...

Co-ops provide vital gift to North Dakota long-term care facility

Three cooperatives came together to equip a North Dakota long-term care facility with tools needed to care for its residents and staff during the...

Final remaining original incorporator of Basin Electric has died

Leroy Schecher was the last living member of the group who signed the papers to incorporate Basin Electric. He died on Mar. 27.

In Depth: Researcher conducts collaborative soil gas sampling to advance Wyoming CarbonSAFE

As part of the environmental field operations, soil sample composition is intended to establish a baseline of the test site prior to any carbon...

Quick thinking and connections at Basin Electric ‘stuff’ hungry bellies

Dozens of pounds of deer sausage were hanging in the balance, and Lisa Carney had to think fast or the whole stash would be smoked. 

Basin Electric gives the gift of connection

The iPads allow patients to see familiar faces and hear voices clearly without hindrance from full protection from head to toe.

Basin Electric, San Miguel Power matching donations help bring documentary films to students

The grant helps bring the films to thousands of students across the country.

Matching cooperative donations provide needed technology for Montana schools during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

The funds helped purchase 40 Chromebooks for the schools. Along with other donations the schools received, this was enough to provide all students...

Electric co-op family recognized in national contest

The family, members of Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative of Milbank, South Dakota, placed third in Touchstone Energy’s annual #WhoPowersYou...

PRECorp’s donation to WY food pantries and soup kitchens multiplies, cooperative-style

Basin Electric matched the PRECorp funds, resulting in $35,200 in grant awards to help feed the hungry across five northeast Wyoming counties.