Celebrating the Successes of 2023
December is a month steeped in both tradition and anticipation. As we prepare to celebrate the holidays and welcome 2024, I’d ask you to help me celebrate another year of success at MEC. It’s a privilege to highlight the collective achievements of your Cooperative in 2023.
Wildfire Update
MEC is responsible for powering some of the nation’s most fire-prone, fuel-dense areas, and our policies, programs and procedures are designed to manage or reduce the risk of system-caused wildfires. With that in mind, our comprehensive Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) has proven essential to our operations. The WMP details the Co-op’s wildfire mitigation strategies, adopted technologies and operational practices that have been implemented to reduce the potential for system ignitions.
Advancements in new technology have improved our ability to make informed operational decisions, and the Daily Situational Analysis Tool (DSAT) is central to that effort. Introduced in 2022, the DSAT is a vital tool that gives us real-time and six-day predictive weather forecast, allowing us time to modify operations and reprioritize jobs, especially during “red-flag” events. This was our first full wildfire season using the DSAT, and I’m happy to report that the tool worked as we had hoped. Based upon data from the DSAT, our system settings were modified to “non-reclose” for much of 2023 fire season, and additional fine-tuning of the program is already being considered for next year to further reduce the risk of a powerline-sparked wildfire.
A key component of our WMP has always included frequent inspections of assets in the field. The Cooperative targets a full-system inspection every two years, shifting focus between our eastern and western service territories. These observations are classified as safety patrols and rights-of-way (ROW) inspections, which allow for the timely detection and repair of both maintenance issues identified on our powerlines and equipment and for removing hazardous trees or vegetation before problems occur. In 2023, we completed our safety patrols and ROW inspections in the areas south and west of Missoula.
Some of our highest risk areas, particularly those in the “Wildland Urban Interface,” or intersections of heavy development and fuel-dense, fire-prone areas, are tagged as “very high priority” and are inspected and maintained every year before wildfire season begins. During 2023, our crews completed this annual inspection cycle in Huson, Rock Creek, Potomac, the Seeley Lake area and MEC’s transmission corridor. Once all inspections were completed, identified issues were assigned a priority level for the orderly scheduling of follow-up work.
With more than 1,050 miles of overhead line, an expansive service territory, and several high-risk areas and time-sensitive priorities, there is never a shortage of rights-of way to be cleared. For that reason, MEC’s ROW staff grew by two Tree Trimmers in late 2022 with the addition of a crew in Seeley Lake. The additional headcount allowed us to address all high-priority and medium-priority hazards identified during the most recent year’s inspection phase.
In addition to safety patrols and ROW inspections, considerable progress was made on our Strategic Maintenance and Reliability Taskforce (SMART) program. Focused on aggressive line maintenance and system hardening, our line crews worked on the SMART program, focusing on the Lolo and Potomac areas. Rocky Mountain Contractors supported our crew’s efforts in MEC’s service territory west of Missoula.
Throughout the year, the Wildfire Mitigation team informs the Board of Trustees on our progress, and set strategies, priorities, and challenges for the coming year. Our territory is vast and spans several fuel-dense national forests susceptible to wildfire. The work outlined in the WMP will never be complete, as we’re always looking for new technologies or methods to further mitigate the Cooperative’s risk.
Tarkio Rebuild
In mid-September, we launched the Tarkio Rebuild project to underground seven miles of overhead line in the Tarkio area. With the support of a Rocky Mountain Contractors crew, this necessary project will support the continued load growth west of Alberton. Not only that, but these system improvements and upgrades help us mitigate wildfire risk and improve reliability along this corridor. We anticipate completion in early 2024.
Elmar Substation
This spring, MEC upgraded the power transformer in the Elmar Substation. Located just off of Mullan Road in Missoula, the equipment upgrade was necessary for sustaining load growth as development continues along Mullan Road and from Broadway Street to the Wye. The upgrade also allowed us to shift an ever-growing load from the Frenchtown Substation. The project timeline was extended due to supply chain issues and wrapped up late this fall. In 2024, we will be finalizing our plans to complete similar transformer upgrades in our Tarkio and Florence Substations.
Other Projects
Projects of all scopes and sizes are essential to maintain our system’s integrity. Other noteworthy projects in 2023 include cable replacements for aging underground lines in Frenchtown and Big Flat. This work will continue in 2024 with a focus on high-priority replacements. In September, crews set their sights on Powell, Idaho, for the removal of a step-down transformer feeding that area. This transformer was originally installed to reduce operating voltage and extend the life of aging underground cables and equipment. Over time, 100% of the underground cable has been upgraded, and MEC’s crews worked together to remove the step-down transformer, open every distribution transformer and convert them to a higher voltage. This improvement project will improve power quality for Idaho members for decades.
Grant Applications
If you attended MEC’s Fall Festival in October you may recall that I shared positive news from our long-awaited grant submissions with the Department of Energy (DOE). The Cooperative submitted two grant applications and received news that we were selected to advance to the next stage for both grants. While our projects are still far from being funded, we are one of a small handful of cooperatives from across the country to advance to the “negotiation” stage. To say that this process was competitive is an understatement. I could not be prouder of the work that our team produced and submitted for consideration.
The next step is an in-depth review of our proposed projects by DOE, which may take up to four months. These projects include burying overhead lines in high-risk wildfire areas and automating controls on some of our field equipment. A final award would allow for the five-year material procurement and construction phases to begin for both projects. I will keep you updated as negotiations proceed.
As we prepare for a new year, reflecting on the progress made in 2023 is always impressive. Countless milestones were achieved, and challenges were overcome, which is a testament to the dedication of our staff. They are an integral part of the Cooperative, as are you, our members. It is with gratitude that I extend holiday greetings to you and your loved ones.
