Minnesota Public Power Utility Focuses On Bolstering Reliability

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 15, 2022

Minnesota public power utility Blue Earth Light & Water is pursuing a number of projects that will bolster its reliability.

In an interview with Public Power Current, Tim Stoner, General Manager of the Blue Earth, Minn., utility offered details on the projects.

One project involves a transformer upgrade. A second project is a reconductoring of a feeder, while the third project involves building out a looping project for two existing distribution transformers.

“The whole reason for all three of these projects” is for reliability purposes, Stoner noted.

Blue Earth Light & Water is a Diamond level Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) as designated by the American Public Power Association (APPA). Diamond level is the highest level under the RP3 program.

APPA’s RP3 program is based on industry-recognized leading practices in four important disciplines: Reliability, safety, workforce Development and system Improvement.

Supply chain issues remain a concern for Stoner as it relates to the projects. “I don’t think we have a quote for a single transformer right now that’s under 52 weeks,” he said.

APPA and the Large Public Power Council recently provided comments including recommendations to the Department of Energy (DOE) in response to a request for information that DOE issued on energy sector supply chain issues.

Additional information about the utility is available here.