Stronger together: Teamwork keeps lights on for members

When electric cooperatives look out for each other, everyone wins.

Great River Energy line technicians were working on a transmission line recently when they encountered a challenge that disrupted the job. Even though it was late at night, they knew that help was just around the corner. That’s because co-ops follow seven guiding principles, one of which is “cooperation among cooperatives.”

Great River Energy line technicians Ethan Leibel and John Houch were called in for emergency repairs on a 69-kilovolt transmission line around 9 p.m. on Dec. 27. While working, the bucket truck broke down with one person stranded in the air. They coordinated with their foreperson, Jon Borchert, and member-owner cooperative East Central Energy (ECE) for assistance.

Fortunately, ECE had a lineworker, Brian Seelen, returning to the co-op’s shop location nearby in Wahkon. Although conditions were rainy and visibility was low, ECE Construction & Maintenance Supervisor Joe Diethelm authorized Seelan to assist.

“Because our crews and Great River Energy’s Wahkon-based team work together frequently, we stay in close communication and are comfortable coordinating in situations like this,” Diethelm said.

ECE’s lineman was able to safely assist the Great River Energy employees and, since the bucket could reach the damaged parts of the transmission line that was being worked on, the necessary repairs were able to be made.

“As cooperatives, we rely on trust, shared experience and the ability to make decisions based on safety,” Diethelm added. “In a situation like this, helping another lineworker wasn’t just the right call — it was the only call.”