Great River Energy transmission line damaged by high winds
Elk River, MN (August 14, 2000) - The severe storm system that passed through Devils Lake, ND, last Friday night damaged 68 consecutive structures on Great River Energy's 230 kV line west of the city. According to Paul Telehey, Great River Energy's ND field service supervisor, the structures span nearly 10 miles, in and out of water.
Telehey said initial cleanup consisted of getting poles and wires off roadways. "Our number one concern was to make certain there was no threat to people or livestock near the line," he said. Independent contractor crews will be hired to clean up the pole and line mess left in the wake of the storm. Several structures are standing in more than 30 to 40 feet of water, which will make the cleanup efforts more difficult.
Electricity carried on that line is generated at Great River Energy's Stanton Station facility near Stanton, ND. The plant continues to operate at full load, because of transmission connections with other power companies in North Dakota.
"We are currently considering our options, which include rebuilding or rerouting the line," said Will Kaul, Great River Energy's vice president of transmission. He estimates it will cost millions of dollars to repair or rebuild the line.
Great River Energy is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Elk River, MN, owning Stanton Station and Coal Creek Station generation facilities in North Dakota. Great River Energy has a field services outpost east of Devils Lake.
