Home Safe Home:

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, faulty home electrical wiring causes more than 24,000 residential fires a year, hundreds of deaths, and thousands of injuries.

Unfortunately, electrical hazards often go unaddressed until it is too late.

Safe Electricity has the following tips to help you find and correct hazards that may be lurking around the home:

• Check electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs that can cause shocks or start fires. Replace missing or broken wall plates, so the inner wiring components are not exposed.
• If you have young children, use safety covers on unused outlets. Consider installing tamper-resistant receptacles with a built-in shutter system that prevents hairpins and other small objects from being inserted into the outlet.
• Check the cords of the appliances in your home, as well as the plugs and connectors. Make sure they are not frayed, cracked or damaged, placed under rugs or carpets, resting on furniture, or in high traffic areas. Do not nail or staple cords to walls, floors, or any other objects.
• Extension cords should be used on a temporary basis only. They are not a permanent wiring solution. Have additional outlets installed where you need them. If you are using extension cords, make sure they have safety closures to protect young children from shocks or mouth burns.
• Never use an indoor extension cord for outdoor use. Use an extension cord specifically for outdoors; they are heavier and less likely to be damaged.
• Check your electric panel to make sure the breakers and fuses are properly rated for the circuit they are protecting. Have a qualified electrician identify and label the correct size to be used if you are unsure. When replacing a fuse, use the same size.
• Check light bulbs and appliances to make sure the wattage matches fixture requirements. Do not replace bulbs with higher wattage than recommended. The bulb should be securely screwed in to prevent overheating.
• If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker, or gives you an electrical shock, immediately unplug, repair, or replace it.
• Check for or install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). A GFCI is an inexpensive electrical device that shuts off power instantly if there is problem. GFCIs should be installed in all “wet” areas of the home, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
• GFCIs should be tested monthly to ensure they are working properly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates GFCIs could prevent more than two-thirds of the roughly 300 electrocutions that happen each year in the home.
• Consider installing arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) on bedroom circuits, have smoke detectors in all bedrooms and in hallways within 15 feet of bedrooms, and at least one smoke detector on every level. Carbon monoxide detectors should also be within 15 feet of each bedroom. As always, check with your local electrical inspector if you have questions or concerns.
• Inspect all outdoor connections, appliances, and tools for frayed cords, broken plugs, and cracked or broken housings. Repair or replace damaged cords and appliances.

 

 

 

Honoring our Linemen: April is Linemen Appreciation Month

Every April, we take a moment to recognize the hard work, dedication, and bravery of the linemen who keep the lights on in our communities. Lineman Appreciation Month is a time to express gratitude for these essential workers who battle the elements, face hazardous conditions, and work around the clock to ensure reliable electricity for homes, businesses, and farms.

At Stanton County Public Power District, our linemen are the backbone of our operations. Whether it’s
restoring power after a storm, performing routine maintenance, or upgrading infrastructure for a stronger
grid, their expertise and commitment make a difference every day. They work at all hours and in all weather conditions to serve our customers and keep our electrical system running safely and efficiently.

More Than a Job—A Commitment to Safety and Service Being a lineman is more than just a career; it’s a calling that requires extensive training, physical endurance, and a deep commitment to safety. Our linemen prioritize safety above all else, working with precision and teamwork to minimize risks while performing critical tasks. Their dedication to protecting not only themselves but also their fellow crew members and the public is at the heart of everything they do.

Showing Our Appreciation In honor of Lineman Appreciation Month, we invite our customers and community members to join us in saying thank you. A simple “thank you” goes a long way in
recognizing their hard work. If you see our linemen out in the field, give them a wave, or share a message of appreciation on social media. At Stanton County Public Power District, we are proud to celebrate our linemen—not just this month, but every day. Their dedication, skill, and perseverance keep our communities powered, and for that, we are truly grateful. Thank you to all linemen for your hard work and
sacrifice. You are truly the heroes of the electric utility industry!

Trever Turner, General Manager/CEO

 

 

 

Revolving Control Contract Reminder:

Irrigation customers will no longer receive a new control contract in the mail each spring. Stanton County PPD has migrated to a revolving control contract. This means the contract that was signed and returned last year, will continue unless the irrigation customer requests a change. There are no changes to the rates, but they are available on our website for you to review. If the customer is no longer responsible for the well or has made changes to the horsepower motor, or would like to move to a different control
schedule, the customer will need to contact the office today.

ALL CHANGES ARE DUE BY APRIL 15, 2025.

Load Management Communications

Irrigators are eligible to receive text message updates for conservation events, or control hours. Customer who are already signed up for this program will continue to receive updates and there will be no need to re-confirm your information.

Any changes to a service will need to be reported to the office. Changes might include a new or updated phone number or new contact name. All updated contacts will be asked to confirm their registration. Once confirmation is recieved, the number will continue to be updated until removed. These changes are also due by April 15, 2025.

Additionally, customers can still call 402-439-5646, or check for updates on the website, www.scppd.com, on the IRRIGATION tab and choose “Today’s Load Control” for daily updates.

SCPPD has partnered with Fast Forward for system-wide imaging.

Stanton County Public Power District is committed to providing safe and reliable electric service. To help
improve system reliability and prevent potential outages and wildfire risks, we have contracted with Fast
Forward (an entity located in Kearney) to conduct an imaging-based assessment of our electrical system
in two phases. The first phase is tentatively scheduled, weather dependent, for the week of April 21. The
second phase is tentatively planned for August 2025.

Phase one will include daytime partroling by Fast Foward. This may include the need to travel down
private driveways to complete the patrol. Phase two will involve nighttime infrared inspections. The Fast
Forward vehicle may also need to patrol private driveways for this phase as well. The data collected will
not be publicly accessable and used directly by Stanton Count PPD.

If you do not wish for Fast Forward to access your driveway during this process, please contact
the office by phone or email no later than April 14th. Once again, the data collected will assist our
operations department in making informed decisions to enhance system reliability for all ratepayers.

   

Thermal images showing “hot” connections and bad connections

Learn more about the Nebraska grown technology – Fast Forward – at www.ff-ai.com/intro