LINEMEN APPRECIATION

G unnison County Electric Association depends on all employees to keep the company

running smoothly, but on Monday, April 13, 2020, we honor past and present linemen who may find themselves in dangerous situ-ations when working to keep the power on.

Linemen work 365 days per year under risky conditions to make sure the power is working so we can enjoy today’s modern lifestyle. They do not wait for the weather to pass and for the sun to shine — they get out, restoring the power.

A lot of extra work goes into their job, more than just repairing equipment during an outage. The linemen take care of equipment maintenance, electrical safety practices, maintaining infrastructure and so much more. This preventive work ensures we have fewer outages, and power will continue to run safely and efficiently.TRAININGLinemen go through difficult training to become qualified to work with electricity. For example, the list of required training includes pole top rescue, bucket truck rescue, fire extinguisher use, blood borne

pathogens protocol, drug and alcohol restrictions, unlawful harassment, spill control and countermeasures, confined space safety, hazard communications and excavations. Some of these trainings are required annually and others are required every two or three years. This is just a list of OSHA and Colorado Rural Electric Association required training. GCEA linemen also have monthly safety meetings to stay up to date on all safety requirements. CERTIFICATIONEach lineman is required to have:

• Certifications in first aid• Automated external defibrillator

training• CPR training• Flagging certification• Tr i -St ate G enerat ion and

Transmission and substation switching certification

• A Class A commercial driver’s license and CDL medical card, and is required to take random drug tests.

Not only do linemen take care of keeping

Linemen demonstrate electrical safety to the public at GCEA’s annual meeting.

BY LOGANN LONG COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR

APRIL 2020

Powering Possibilities

GUNNISON C O U N T YELECTRICASSOCIATION

MAILING ADDRESSP.O. Box 180

Gunnison, CO 81230-0180

STREET ADDRESS37250 West Highway 50

Gunnison, CO 81230

ph 970-641-3520 tf 800-726-3523 fax 970-641-7333 web www.gcea.coop email gcea@gcea.coop

facebook.com/GunnisonCountyElectricAssociation

@GunnisonREA

LOGANN LONG

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THE MEN BEHIND GCEA’S POWER

GUNNISON LINEMEN John Stoeber Line superintendent, 25 yearsTodd Fuller Gunnison working foreman, 12 years

Dustin Cadwell Journeyman lineman, 11 years

Robert Summer Apprentice lineman, 3 years

Justin Hulick Apprentice lineman, 2 years

CRESTED BUTTE LINEMENJeff Hanggi Crested Butte working foreman, 24 years

Dan Oberosler Journeyman lineman, 27 years

Andy Holsteen Journeyman lineman, 7 years

Mike Pendy Journeyman lineman, 4 years

LAKE CITY LINEMENLogan Rhodes Journeyman lineman, 6 years

Brent Boyce Lake City lead lineman, 4 years

the lights on, but they also perform electrical safety demonstrations for the community. The high-voltage demonstration trailer can be used as an educational tool to show just how dangerous it can be to come into contact with high-voltage wires.

The second Monday of April is designated as a day to appreciate and honor linemen. Thank you to past and present GCEA linemen for keeping the lights on. Remember, your power works because they do.

Crested Butte Lineman Jeff Hanggi and Line Superintendent John Stoeber pose with Power.

Gunnison Linemen Dustin Cadwell, Justin Hulick and Line Superintendent John Stoeber.

YARD WORKE L E C T R I F I E DOutdoor Power Equipment

Electrification Rebates

Low Noise, Low Maintenance, Zero Emissions

Lawn MowerSnow BlowerLeaf Blower

ChainsawPruner

Trimmer

For more information, visit www.gcea.coop/Rebates

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LINEWORKER SCHOOLAre you interested in becoming a lineworker?

The co-op power industry is rapidly growing and in need of more people to join the lineworker trade. Are you interested in joining the trade?This line of work has been around for quite some time and is not going anywhere. Lineworkers are some of the top paid employees in the electric industry. If you are looking for a stable job and great income, then this career is for you.

Electric lineworkers install and repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. They locate line trouble, climb poles, use hot line tools and operate and maintain substations.

GCEA offers scholarship opportunities to men and women interested in joining the electrical lineworker field. For more information, please visit www.gcea.coop/Lineworker-School.

You can find information about lineworker training from the schools listed at the right.

Western Colorado Community College2508 Blichmann Ave.Grand Junction, CO 81505www.coloradomesa.edu/wccc/programs/lineworker.html

The electric lineworker program at Western Colorado Community College covers all areas of training needed for those who desire to become an apprentice electric lineman. Students learn the basic skills in the study of electricity, the fundamentals of electric linework and transformer connections, as well as underground repair and installation. The electric lineworker program operates within an indoor and outdoor, hands-on electric training facility with classrooms on site.

Rocky Mountain Lineman SchoolColorado Springs, Colorado800-621-8752www.trinidadstate.edu/line-tech

Colorado Springs Utilities has collaborated with Trinidad State Junior College and Pikes Peak Community College to offer utility linework training to approximately 25 students each year. Students learn the skills and values utility companies seek when hiring apprentice linemen, including a strong work ethic, good attitude, dependability and climbing experience.

April 2020

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Wash laundry in cold water and full loads.

Your washing machine uses the same amount of energy whether it’s

a full or small load, and 90% of the energy used

is to heat water, so washing your laundry in cold water will save

energy and money.

Celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 13No matter what Mother Nature has in store, Colorado’s electric cooperative lineworkers are ready to answer the call, ensuring you have the safe, reliable power you depend on. Our local communities are brighter, safer and stronger because of the selfless sacrifices of these unsung heroes.

Today and every day, let’s thank electric lineworkers for powering our lives.

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HOW WILL YOU CELEBRATE EARTH DAY?

E arth Day is April 22. There are many ways GCEA members can help the environment through GCEA. Here

are some easy ways to help reduce your environmental impact.Community solar garden Members can lease a solar panel through GCEA’s community solar garden. This is an easy and affordable way for members to participate in local renewable energy. Net metering Net metering is a service available to members who generate energy on their property from a renewable source connected to GCEA’s distribution system and that is capable of being operated in a safe and reliable manner.Local renewable fundIf you want to support the future develop-ment of local projects, you can sign up for a monthly contribution. Your contribution will be combined with other contributions and used when needed to overcome a financial hurdle to a local project. GCEA is currently working on possible solar and hydro projects. GCEA will not purchase renewable energy credits for you under this option.

• Local Renewable Plus — 12 cents per 100 kWh used; 100% goes to the local project fund.

• Local Renewable Advocate — Any monthly amount the member desig-nates; 100% goes to the local project fund.

Paperless billingIt is easy and convenient for you, saves your co-op money and helps the environment by reducing paper waste. Members who are not already participating in paperless billing and sign up will be entered into GCEA’s paperless billing contest.

NEW CHARGER GCEA recently switched the Elk and 6th Street electric vehicle charging station in Crested Butte to a ChargePoint Charger. To find all GCEA stations, please visit www.gcea.coop/ev-charging.

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