official newsletter of the beartooth electric cooperative

beartoothelectric.com | July 2020

INSIDEthis issue...

Can’t Pay Your Electric Bill?

We’re Always Here to Help!

MAPPING THE BEC SYSTEM

BEARTOOTH ELECTRIC

COOPERATIVE FUN FACTS

coconnectsnnectsBEARTOOTHBEARTOOTH

6

5

7

eartooth Electric Cooperative (BEC) is a member-owned cooperative and has been dedicated to serving its members at the highest possible

levels since its founding more than 80 years ago—and especially in troubled times. When the COVID-19 Pandemic started, BEC supported our members by stopping service disconnections due to nonpayment; it was the right thing to do to help members who found themselves in financial difficulty due to the outbreak. We have all been weathering this together.

Now, as our community begins to recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic, BEC will start taking steps to get back to our normal business practices. Our office lobby reopened the end of May, and starting on June 30, BEC will resume disconnections for accounts for nonpayment. We are not making this decision easily, but unpaid accounts have increased significantly in recent weeks. Each month our wholesale power and transmission is due and payable for the energy that consumers use—whether the co-op is paid or not.

If you are a member who has been unable to pay your power bill, we urge you to contact us for assistance—we have people and programs available to help you. Our member services team will work with you to set up payment arrangements and take advantage of assistance programs to help keep your service connected.

BEC Member bill pay assistance programs:

1. BEC Residential Electric Service Deferred Payment Agreement Montana Electric Cooperatives are covered by the recent directives issued by the Governor of the State of Montana, regarding the moratorium on residential electric service disconnects during the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. At this time, a COVID-19 Residential Electric Deferred Payment Agreements is available.

2. BEC Cares COVID-19 Emergency AssistanceThe BEC Cares program is available to active BEC residential members who recently became unemployed, partially unemployed, or cannot work due to the COVID-19 emergency.

3. Operation Round UpORU is designed to provide financial assistance to BEC member families in need of help.

ORU is funded through BEC’s volunteer program in which BEC member-owners agree to have their utility bill “rounded up” to the next whole dollar amount or a defined amount billed monthly, annually, or just one-time. The extra money paid on a utility bill, which is really a donation, goes towards helping the less fortunate pay their bills.

4. Home Energy Assistance BEC Member Services is pleased to announce wehave upgraded the Low Income Senior Citizen (LISC) and Low Income Disabled (LID) Discount Program to allow more members to benefit from the discount.

Eligibility Criteria:• A residential member of Beartooth Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BEC) (primary residence only).• A recipient of benefits under a state or federal assistance program (check all that apply below).

5. Budget BillingBudget billing averages your electric use over the entire year so that your bill amount will be more predictable. Every 3 months, we’ll compare your budget amount to your actual usage, and, if needed, adjust the budget amount. Call the BEC office to enroll at 406-446-2310.

6. Payment ArrangementsSet up a payment arrangement by calling the BEC office at 406-446-2310. Setup payments you can handle to get to zero balance.

7. Federal LIEAP and Weatherization ProgramsThe Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides cash grants for home heating bills and emergencies. The weatherization program offers free weatherization measures to help you reduce your electricity. Contact your state’s program for more information.

Montana: 800-433-1411.

Wyoming: 800-246-4221.

Contact us — together, we’ll weather this storm as we have always done before. Stay well.

CAN’T PAY YOUR ELECTRIC BILL?WE’RE ALWAYS HERE TO HELP!

MEMBER PROGRAMSBy General Manager Kevin P Owens, PE

B

www.beartoothelectric.com • Beartooth Electric Cooperative • 5

MAPPING THE BEC SYSTEM — PLAT SHEET MAPS TO GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)

cross the continental United States west of the Appalachian Mountains, land surveyors mapped the original grid of township and range lines and section boundaries, called the Public Land

Survey (PLS). This system of land subdivision heavily influenced the character and use of the American landscape. The PLS maps are the most comprehensive record known of the nature of the land surface before most European settlements began in the nineteenth century. Covering nearly every square mile of the public domain from Ohio to California, the U.S. General Land Office (GLO) surveyors’ field notes form a systematic collection of historic land data and the basis for every county plat map. It was these original plat maps that served as the basis for the earliest Beartooth Electric system maps. Each BEC plat map sheet indicates, in hand-drawn red lines, the early electric services built by BEC staff and the farmers and ranchers who joined the cooperative to gain access to the long-awaited “electricity.” (BEC was incorporated in 1938 as the Stillwater Valley Rural Electrification Association, a cooperative association. The first service was actually powered in the early 1940s.)

County plat sheets to hand-drawn system mapsThe electrification of BEC’s service area farmers and ranchers continued line by line, year by year, with slow but continuous progress. This electric system progress was accompanied by the transition to hand-drawn maps. The hand-drawn maps implemented the State Water Conservation Board mapping system to achieve a standard scale and data cross-reference. These artful maps were created and carefully updated by hand, typically by the BEC line superintendent. The many pages of the BEC system mapping were bound in large books kept at both the BEC office, as well as in each line truck, up until the early 2000s.

Current Line Superintendent Eric Elton recalls his distant predecessor, Jerry Klem, collecting the line truck books, hand-bound with a heavy rubber cover to withstand in the field linemen use, about every year to update the system maps. The detailed handiwork of system additions, changes, and retirements were completed book by book, proudly dated and signed, then redistributed to the line crews for infield work. Elton stated, “These books were a part of our tools of the trade, actually, our lifeline to the system in the field. I admired Jerry’s neat and detailed work on these maps.” Elton continued, “Jerry would radio everyone on a Friday to bring in the map books, and over the weekend, Jerry would update each one by hand and have them ready on Monday morning for redistribution. Jerry’s work was nothing short of amazing.”

The art of hand-drawn maps—computerized with AutoCADIn 1982, AutoCAD introduced a new computerized desktop app (Autodesk), which ran on microcomputers with internal graphic controllers. For rural electric cooperative system engineers, with limited access to these costly computerized systems and who were quite proud of the hand-drawn artwork they created, were slow to adopt new computerized mapping systems. For BEC, this change came in the early 2000s when new Engineer Thad Moseman joined the team. His vision to obtain the equipment (computer, software, and plotter) and convert all paper maps to digital documents, was a long term plan. Thad figured it would take five-years to draw each map in the CAD system. His labors were quickly rewarded—new maps churned out of the plotter, the walls of the cooperative become papered with the new maps, and when system changes occurred in the field, just a few clicks of a mouse and an updated map was reprinted. The wonders of this new system did not end there, in 2010, a mobile and web app system, AutoCAD 360, was introduced to the BEC team, bringing pdf maps to the field. For the first time since the beginning of BEC’s system mapping history, linemen had field access to pdf maps in the palms of their hands, right on their smartphone screens.

GIS introduces a whole new world to BEC system mappingGeographical Information Systems (GIS) has transformed the utility landscape from traditional to cutting-edge, for cooperatives, and especially for BEC.

We are all familiar with systems going out of date, and BEC’s AutoCAD system was near extinction when Marty Tomlin, BEC staking and engineering technician, knew an expensive AutoCAD upgrade was in order, or perhaps a move to a new mapping system would serve BEC best. System needs and research began with an all-staff approach. Conversations were conducted with numerous other cooperatives and system development teams, including an extensive review of our current office systems provider, National Information Systems Cooperative (NISC), and their MapWise system. Since 2010, NISC has been the BEC office systems provider and the opportunity to extend BEC’s system modules to include mapping made perfect sense.

With all staff on board, BEC began the implementation of the NISC MapWise system in the fall of 2018. The planned project was a long one—five years from system implementation to interactive infield maps. The plan term of five-years matched the CAD mapping project in length, but far outweighed the complexity by not only mapping the entire system, but data collecting every 18,037 miles of wire, poles, transformers, assembly hardware, and service locations—data never before available to BEC in one system.

You may call the BEC Team a glutton for punishment when they decided to add the mobile App, iVUE AppSuite, into the mapping implementation plan. But they thought, “Why wait?” Implementing the desktop MapWise and iPad AppSuite systems at the same time would provide each lineman the opportunity to participate in the system mapping process and also allow immediate access to many system features. With all systems loaded and the line crew outfitted with iPads, the journey began.

Oh, and what a journey it has been—the MapWise desktop system and server installed without a hitch. Current data conversion, including service locations, transformers, etc. experienced a few bumps in the road, but achieved success with time and attention. The iPad based AppSuite system was in Beta development when BEC signed on. BEC Sub-Foreman Gus Behrent and Journeyman Lineman Travis Barker grabbed the reigns

A

Original BEC system maps with service sites hand drawn on county plat sheet copies. Circa 1940s.

BEC hand drawn system maps kept linemen grounded to the work at hand. Shown here, 1. Table of Contents, 2. hand drawn map showing, lines, poles, phases transformers and meter locations, 3. Revision update log (which appears on each map), and 4. Photo of the remaining linemen’s rubber cover system map book. (Photo credits: Kaaren Robbins)

1. 2. 3. 4.

FEATURE STORYBy Kaaren Robbins, Member Communication & Services

6 • Beartooth Electric Cooperative • www.beartoothelectric.com

MAPPING THE BEC SYSTEM — PLAT SHEET MAPS TO GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Nye

Belfry

Luther

Roberts

Columbus

Reedpoint

Red Lodge

Absarokee

East Rosebud

Edgar/Fromberg

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN,and the GIS User Community

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN,and the GIS User Community

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D DD

DD

DD

D

DD

D

D

D

D

D

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

!( !(!(

!(

!(

!(!(

!(

!(!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

##

##

#

%

%

%

3-3-504 3-3-4953-3-506 3-3-5013-3-505 3-3-5003-3-502 3-3-4943-3-5033-3-507 3-3-496

3-3-501L7

3-3-501L4

3-3-501L6

3-3-501R1

3-3-501L3

3-3-501L2

3-3-501L1

3-3-501R2

3-3-501L53-3-501L6R1

3-3-501L5SL222001220

16000018

22001221

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN,and the GIS User Community

right from the start. As a Beta (guinea pig) group for NISC and the new App-based staking process, they both worked very closely and tirelessly, with NISC to get this project off the ground. BEC’s project is significant—entering the entire electric system plus all components. Gus and Travis’ early days were filled with error codes, incomplete nightly runs, and a lot of talk time with NISC developers. BEC’s big job brought new whole system data entry scenarios to the project helped define system critical fixes for the new App. Implementing a system while developing it, is a difficult road. However, it has not gone without recognition. Gus and Travis earned the ‘System Gurus’ title from the much appreciative NISC development team.

The completion of the Meter Upgrade Project at the end of 2019, brought a few more resources to the mapping project. Gus and Travis taught the newly recruited line crew the mapping process: 1) physically going to each pole or URD (cabinets, transformers, etc.) location to input all material and system components, i.e., wire size and lengths, poles and height, transformers, assembly hardware, phase, etc. to the iPad app, 2) After in field data entry, the information is uploaded into the MapWise system. Here Gus and Travis build out the data and input it into the MapWise system, and 3) Each evening, an overnight process is conducted to convert all data into the permanent mapping systems for use on the desktop and iPad system. Both Gus and Travis are ever so eager to share, “This new system is very accurate, and we are able to get inventory on everything we have mapped. Once we’re 100% completed, it will be easy to track the whole system, as well as any specific area, such as substation, line sections, feeder, subdivision, etc. The iPad systems is easy to maneuver around and has so much more information available to us than the old system. No longer do we need to go look up a map location in one system, then go look up member information in another system or vise-versa. It’s now all right there, on our iPads out in the field, and with more information than we’ve ever had before.”

In mid-March this year, the BEC COVID-19 implemented precautions of suspending new construction activities and keeping one lineman to a vehicle, presented a timely opportunity to have the entire crew on mapping assignment. “The line crew team effort for the last couple of months has been incredible,” stated General Manager, Kevin Owens. “The crew was able to map over 70% of the system—far exceeding our wildest expectations. With the commencement of Phase Two of the COVID-19 reopening plan, we are edging the crew back into new construction and high maintenance items. However, with the mapping success achieved, we’ve moved the mapping completion date up to the end of 2020—three years ahead of schedule.”

The new MapWise system brings the office-wide benefit of centralized data. However, BEC has found that the iPad AppSuite mobile aspect has proven to be just as valuable. The new systems have made the lives of field crews significantly easier, especially in outage situations. Dispatchers now know where the crews are in the field and which crew is closest to the outage. More significantly, it tracks service to BEC’s greatest asset: the member. With the implementation of BEC’s new Outage Management System (OMS) which is tied in with the MapWise and iPad systems, a single-case outage scenario now begins a positive chain of events: the member calls in an outage, the outage management system (OMS) is updated with the information (which is automatically linked to a map location number, resulting in the location popping up on the map).

Additionally, if multiple members call in, the system can roll up the data together in a bundle along with asset and map information and predict locations for the outage. If, for example, five members on the same single-phase line call and report an outage, the system will predict the nearest up-line device with a problem, such as a fuse or a recloser. This invaluable, immediate information would have taken a crew to be assigned, a truck to roll, and boots on the ground to investigate and identify the outage device.

Where is BEC’s mapping system headed in the future?Today’s system plays a significant role in the automation of tasks that used to be done manually. However, once the mapping project is 100% complete, it undoubtedly will be the center of the utility’s technology hub with its vital interface with every module in the BEC office suite.

“In the future, BEC will be putting more emphasis on modeling, especially with the accuracy of the mapping system and its use for connectivity,” noted Owens. “The MapWise system creates a connectivity model that will be the centerpiece of the cooperative’s new Outage Management System. My near-future vision is a war room scenario set up in our conference with BEC’s entire distribution system displayed on our large screen video system with green dots illuminated where the system is live and red dots illuminated where we have current outages.”

Owens added that the war room scenario would also conduct prediction modeling along with the SCADA system. Typically, a SCADA system only monitors substations and a few key locations on the distribution system, approximately 10 to 20 values or points. That leaves a lot of gaps. Modeling will fill in the gaps. System Modeling will also eventually help with engineering system studies in the areas of construction work planning, long-range planning, sectionalizing studies, and arc flash studies.

BEC has already been able to use the MapWise and AppSuite systems to improve day-to-day operating efficiencies and significantly improve service reliability to members. Our future standard operations, based on the MapWise system, will allow a system designer to design expansions without leaving the office in some cases. It will let a dispatcher look at the structure type and advise appropriate repair materials in advance. It will allow an engineer to model the electric system for reliability and performance enhancements more accurately. It will enable outages to be handled much more expeditiously. It will allow assets to be accurately cataloged and managed.” Owens concluded, “What an incredible asset for a 4,600 member rural electric cooperative in Montana. BEC—always the little co-op that can!”

AppSuite iPad—mapping screen display.

Mapwise desktop system—BEC’s substations in street view.

Mapwise desktop system—Wyoming distribution system in street view.

MapWise desktop system—section map display in satellite view.

www.beartoothelectric.com • Beartooth Electric Cooperative • 7

2019 FUN

FACTS

Beartooth Electric Cooperative, Inc.PO Box 1110, 1306 Broadway Ave NRed Lodge, MT 59068406-446-2310 | 800-472-9821email: bec@beartoothelectric.comwebsite: www.beartoothelectric.com

fconnect with us !

Year Organized 1938

Power Supplier Western Area Power Administration (WAPA); Morgan Stanley Capital Group, Inc.

Work Force 17 full-time employees, 1 part-time employee.

Service Territory

Beartooth Electric’s 2,225 square-mile service territory includes Carbon, and parts of Stillwater and Sweetgrass Counties in Montana and part of Park County in Wyoming.

Miles of Energized Line1,822 miles of energized line; 1,307 mile overhead, 500 mile underground, 15 mile transmission, and 10 substations.

Total Plant in Service $33,821,340

Total Assets $20,677,477

Total Membership 4,536

Total Meters in Place 6,184

Total kWh Sold 70,408,925

Average kWh Wholesale Cost $.0436

Total Revenue Sales of Electric Energy $8,819,936

Total Capital Credits Paid to Date $4,463,282

Total Capital Credits Paid this Year (General & Special Retirements)

$494,016 (the remaining 39% of 1994, 100% 1995, and 52% 1996 plus special retirements)

Total Allocated Capital Credits $353,292

Types of Service Residential, Irrigation, Small Commercial, Large Commercial, Industrial, and Net-Metered

New Construction Services 91

Retired Services 35

BEARTOOTH ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

SHERRI CARL

30 YEARS OF SERVICEMECA Publications Technician

Be proud of the work you accomplished,

The person you are,The difference you have made.

THANK YOU!

The Board and Staff of Beartooth Electric

Wish You —HAPPY

RETIREMENT

8 • Beartooth Electric Cooperative • www.beartoothelectric.com