Project Updates

Computer-Based Safety Training

Project Objective:
To provide a computer-based safety training program that will enhance the cooperative's current safety training program.

Project Summary:

Employee Assistance Program

Project Objective
To provide cooperative employees (and directors) with quality conseling services as a first-dollar benefit under a pooled contract.

Project Summary

Group Purchase of Poles

Project Objective:
To provide a group purchase of poles to reduce ownership costs and time spent on the procurement process while assuring a quality product delivered in a timely manner.

Project Summary:

  1. Vendor: Bids were accepted from several vendors based on species of pole.
    • Bell Pole - Southern Yellow Pine and Western Red Cedar
  2. Costs: Varies with size and species of pole.

Key Accounts Program

Project Objectives:
To provide technical assistance to East River and East River member systems with their needs and their key accounts. The Power Supply Specialist will assist the member systems with their power supply issues as well as their key consumers regarding energy management and usage, power quality, energy technology applications, financial and business development, and other consumer-related issues, with special focus on distributed generation issues.

Project Summary:

  1. Costs: There are no charges for activities that are general in nature for the benefit of all members, such as load management or distributed generation. Members will be charged for those activities that are specific in nature for the benefit of the member such as customer relations. Costs will be actual expenses incurred.
  2. Project Coordinator: Jeff Rud, East River Electric

Pole Inspection Program

Project Objective:
To provide a uniform pole inspection and treatment process at a reduced cost.

Project Summary:

  1. Vendor: SBS Inspections, St. Olathe, CO
  2. Project Coordinator:  Mark Hoffman, East River Electric

Recruitment/Advertising

Project Objective:
To provide an opportunity to advertise for recruitment purposes in area newspapers at a reduced rate.

Project Summary:

  1. Vendor: Sioux Falls Argus Leader
  2. Project Coordinator: Val Manthey, East River Electric

Annual Vehicle Inspections

Project Objective:
To provide a uniform vehicle inspection program at a reduced cost.

Project Summary:

  1. Bidding process: 2 year contract awarded
  2. Current Vendor: Diversified Inspections, Phoenix, AZ
  3. Project Coordinator: Jim Iversen, East River Electric

Electronic MSDS Program

Project Objective:
To provide the opportunity to increase the efficiency of the MSDS program and employee productivity at a greatly reduced cost.

Project Summary:

Stray Voltage Testing Program

Project Objective:
To share resources such as equipment and expertise as well as provide a consistent approach in dealing with stray voltage cases.

Project Summary:

  1. Initial costs: Participating members will equally share in the cost to purchase any and all equipment including a trailer to house the equipment. Members who choose to participate at a later date will be charged the appropriate share of the initial costs and the original participating members will be reimbursed the appropriate amount.
  2. Testing Fees: Members requesting testing services shall be charged $50 per hour of regular time plus travel expenses payable to the cooperative providing such services. A testing fee of $50 shall also be charged per investigation.