Wade Rahn

Baseload matters. The power we use in our homes 24/7/365 comes from many sources, including power plants that convert fossil fuels like coal and natural gas into electricity, nuclear power plants, and renewable energy sources like wind turbines, solar farms, and hydroelectric dams. The electricity supplied from these sources is categorized as baseload, peaking, and intermittent.

The majority of the electricity we use comes from baseload power sources. These always-available power sources are designed to constantly generate large amounts of electricity to ensure the reliable supply of energy we need 24/7/365. As you may expect, these power sources are not designed to ramp up or down quickly in response to a sudden change in electricity demand.

When the demand for electricity spikes suddenly, peaking power plants, usually fueled by natural gas, are designed to quickly power up and come online to meet the sudden demand. These sources run for a short time to meet the increased demand, then quickly power down as the need wanes.

Renewable power sources such as wind and solar are increasingly used to supply the call for cleaner energy. However, these power sources are unreliable and must depend on Mother Nature for fuel. Solar panels are unable to generate enough electricity on cloudy days, and wind turbines will only spin when the right amount of wind speed is present, not too little and not too much.

Batteries are a promising technology to provide storage for renewable energy when there is excess generation to be used at a later time when there is not. Battery storage is an evolving technology but faces its own obstacles, such as production and lithium mining.

Those who are concerned about climate change may wonder why electric suppliers aren’t rushing to replace fossil fuel power with more renewables. The answer is there simply would not be enough power available to meet the needs of today, much less the increasing electric demand of tomorrow. An energy policy that forces early retirement of fossil-fuel plants only exacerbates the energy supply problem and pushes the grid closer to being unable to provide reliable electricity 24/7/365.

Polk County RPPD’s energy supplier, NPPD, works hard to provide a diverse mix of energy sources to ensure reliability and sustainability without sacrificing affordability. You can help, too, by improving your energy efficiency with more efficient lighting, appliances, and usage. Please give us a call to learn more about practical ways you can use less electricity without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

Each year since 1980, the Nebraska Rural Electric Association (NREA) has hosted the Youth Energy Leadership Camp (YELC). Sponsored by Public Power Districts across the state like PCRPPD, this five-day camp offers high school students a chance to develop leadership and teamwork skills, learn about public power, and make lifelong friends.

This year, I again had the privilege of serving as a camp counselor and witnessed firsthand how impactful this experience can be. The camp, held at Camp Comeca near Cozad, Nebraska, provided an ideal environment with excellent facilities.

For 2024, PCRPPD sponsored Jessica Bauers of Stromsburg, Grant Eaton, and Victory Graver-Tart, both from Shelby and Sawyer Anderson of Osceola. The camp is structured to mimic an actual Power District, with campers assigned to teams, electing a Board of Directors, and participating in various educational and recreational activities.

Daily Camp Highlights:

Day One: The camp started with cabin assignments and then an overview of the camp’s operations. Campers were divided into teams and introduced to the various committees they would be part of throughout the week. The day ended with outdoor icebreaker activities, easing any initial nerves and helping campers start forming friendships.

Day Two: The day started with a motivational session from a camp psychologist, followed by hands-on activities, including a high-voltage demonstration, pole climbing, and bucket truck rides. Campers also learned about electricity and safety from industry experts. The day wrapped up with the introduction of those taking part in the Ambassador Program, where campers vied for a spot as one of the camp’s top representatives.

Day Three: The highlight of this day was a tour of NPPD’s Gerald Gentleman Station and the Kingsley Hydro-Electric Generating Station. These tours offered an inside look at how these facilities operate. The day concluded with a cookout and team-building activities at the camp’s adventure course.

Day Four: Campers engaged in sessions about careers in public power and electricity, followed by a STEM challenge. The day also featured a kickball tournament and some free time for those giving speeches later to prepare. In the evening, a banquet was held during which the finalists of the Ambassador Program gave their speeches, which was followed by a dance.

Day Five: The final day involved a General Assembly where campers wrote thank-you notes and letters to themselves, which they will receive next year. The winners of the Ambassador Program, which included our very own Jessica Bauers who will represent PCRPPD and the Nebraska Rural Electric Association next year in Washington D.C. After the “Good Egg” awards were announced before campers packed up and headed home, filled with new knowledge, skills, and friendships.

While this summary offers a glimpse into the YELC camp, it barely scratches the surface of how enriching this experience truly is. Any high school student entering their sophomore to senior year should consider attending next year’s camp. It’s a hidden gem that provides invaluable experiences and opportunities that your child won’t want to miss!

An overhead power line can become damaged or fall due to a severe storm, car accident, public damage or other reasons. If you see a down power lines, take these actions to stay safe.