Central Iowa Power Cooperative

Mild weather has helped our Travel and Creston crews make progress on upgrades at Farmers Electric's Orient substation. Last week, crews strung new transmission wire and installed remote operators and interrupters on both substation switches. A temporary planned outage helped minimize disruption to our Member-owners during these upgrades, which will boost our transmission capacity to better manage peak demand. The remote operators also enable us to isolate line sections, allowing quicker power restoration during outages.

Electric cooperatives are built on supporting the hard work of local volunteers and the positive change they bring to our communities every day. During National Co-op Month, we were excited to match donations from a few of our Member co-ops throughout October, including Consumers Energy, Guthrie County REC, and T.I.P. REC, to honor individuals nominated for their impactful contributions in Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives' Shine the Light contest.

This week, member service staff from CIPCO’s Member co-ops met in Creston to tour our Summit Lake Generating Station and Prescott Wind Farm. Providing them with an inside look at how CIPCO generates power helps them better explain to their member-consumers down the line where their power comes from.

New update on our Maquoketa Substation 161kV rebuild! After demoing the old substation yard and preparing the foundations for new equipment, contractors have completed installing underground conduit and a grounding system made of conductive materials to safely ground the substation's new equipment. Late last month, four truckloads of steel arrived on site, and new steel structures are currently being erected.

At CIPCO, our IT team works tirelessly to defend against various risks and attacks. Manager of IT Security & Compliance, Chad Miller, emphasizes the importance of getting it right to protect the power grid, our cooperative and our Member-owners. #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth

This fall, CIPCO’s Ethan Tellier, Sam Stineman, and Morgan Dredge visited the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Iowa State University to connect with future graduates about exciting utility industry opportunities. If you’re a recent or soon-to-be graduate, check out the rewarding careers that are available at electric cooperatives like CIPCO! #CareersInEnergyWeek

Who knew your cell phone could help keep a power plant running smoothly? At CIPCO’s Summit Lake Generating Plant, we use thermal imaging to monitor components like turbos, generators, water pipes and exhaust pipes for excessive heat. Operator Mechanic Klint Craft uses a FLIR One thermal camera adapter with his phone to quickly detect hot spots and prevent costly breakdowns.

We’re excited to announce that the new Mulberry Health Clinic in Muscatine is fully operational as of October 14! CIPCO and Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative proudly supported this $20 million project with $4.36 million in zero-interest loans through the USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program. The 42,000-square-foot clinic, owned by the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine and operated by UnityPoint Health, provides essential access to healthcare for rural Iowans in communities around Muscatine.

At CIPCO, our commitment to powering communities runs in the family! Senior Dispatcher Technician Rick Janney shares how his career in electric utility operations inspired his son to follow in his footsteps. Explore a career at an electric cooperative and make a real impact in your community: https://lnkd.in/gMThQaB6

Earlier this year, the EPA finalized its new power plant rule impacting existing coal and new natural gas plants around the country. The rule threatens reliable electricity by compelling power plant closures and increasing costs to consumers - all while demand for electricity reaches record highs. Learn more about the key factors of the rule and its potential impacts: Per NRECA