EfficiencyWorks | April 2012
Published March 30, 2012 | 
Welcome to the spring edition of Westar’s EfficiencyWorks enewsletter. We hope you’ll find some helpful tools and tips for continuing to use energy wisely.
Sign Up for a Free Home Energy Savings Workshop in Your Area
Whether your home’s style is cottage, colonial or contemporary, there are easy, cost-effective steps you can take to improve comfort and conserve energy, and Westar Energy would like to help you learn how. We are hosting several Home Energy Savings Workshops that will equip you with information to assess your home’s energy efficiency in order to make changes (even simple, inexpensive ones) that can save you money and energy.
| Date | City | Location | Address | Time | |
| April 4th | Independence | ICC West – Room 11 | 2615 W. Main | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | |
| April 19th | Emporia | Flint Hills Technical College | 3301 W. 18th | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | |
| April 25th | Olathe | Sunset Drive Office Building – Room 1070 | 11811 S. Sunset Blvd | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | |
At this three-hour session, you’ll learn:
- The importance of keeping heating and cooling equipment in good working order
- How to locate and repair air leaks around windows and doors
- What type of insulation is best in different areas of your home
- Options in efficient water heating
- How to choose the best energy efficient light bulb
- Ways to manage the energy usage of your appliances and electronics
If none of the dates and locations above fit your schedule, we’ll also be offering a workshop Oct. 1 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library during Energy Awareness Month, as well as one in Wichita in October on a date to be determined.
A Satisfied Customer
Jim McHenry talks about the benefits of attending a Home Energy Savings Workshop.
Personalize Your Power
Westar recently created a website called MyCircuit where customers can get all information in one spot about Westar programs to help them save energy and money. MyCircuit allows you to choose a power personality that will package the programs most advantageous to you. You can browse the benefits of each program, request additional information or sign up at the site for specific programs. Choose your power personality today at MyCircuit.
Celebrate Earth Day April 22
From clean air upgrades at its power plants, to promoting electric cars, to helping sustain endangered species, Westar continues its commitment to environmental stewardship. In honor of Earth Day coming up in April, we invite you to look at some of our programs dedicated to preserving the environment.
Reducing Emissions at Jeffrey Energy Center
Electric Vehicles
Westar will also be featured in an Earth Day PBS documentary, which will air April 22 and highlight the success of the Take Charge Challenge competition sponsored by the State Energy Office and the Climate and Energy Project in 2011.
Right Tree. Right Place.
The beautiful spring foliage on various species of trees this time of year may be prompting you to consider some tree planting of your own. If that’s the case, make sure you’re putting the right tree in the right spot. Westar offers a number of guidelines for avoiding placement of trees that might interfere later on with power lines.
Request a Speaker
Last year, Westar representatives spoke to hundreds of customers at community events, business meetings, civic club breakfasts and luncheons and neighborhood groups. We’re happy to tailor our presentations to your organization’s interests, whether it be environmental, energy efficiency, electric cars or renewable energy. Presentations are free. Give us a call today at 1.888.967.5750 to schedule a speaker for your next event.
For more information about Westar programs or ways to save, visit westarenergy.com/efficiencyworks. If you have questions about your bill, please call our Customer Call Center at 1.800.383.1183.
Tools of the lineman’s trade: Yesterday and Today
Published February 24, 2012 | We now, commonly refer to them as our “Heroes in White Hats”. But they didn’t always have white hard hats to wear…
Imagine it’s the turn of the century in the U.S., when the electric utility lineman profession was in its infancy. As an electric power lineman, your personal protective equipment was the bare minimum, and you had to make it yourself, because manufacturers of professional equipment didn’t exist. Hard hats were unheard of. You wore an old felt cap or a ball cap. Fedoras were quite popular – the upside being they were non-conductive and you could feel if you were bumping into something. The downside was that your head was unprotected from electric volts or things falling onto it.
Rubber gloves were unheard of. So was flame-retardant clothing. Bucket trucks hadn’t come into existence yet. You had to travel around on a horse-pulled carriage or a cart hauled by mules in the very early days, and a little later, you’d climb into a Model A pickup or a panel truck to get to your job. Another big change from today: your crew consisted of five to seven men.
The work was considered very dangerous, not just hazardous like it is today. You had no training or apprenticeships to guide you along safely in a complex industry. You got your tools when a lineman ahead of you died.
(Wichita, 1910′s) The photo above wouldn’t exactly
pass today’s safety standards.
(Substation work, 1940′s) Bucket trucks and other
equipment make work like this much safer today.
Gradually, as the number of lineman fatalities climbed to about 50 percent, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers was born, and by the late 1930s safety practices started coming into being. This also led to the establishment of apprenticeship programs.
Over the years, the lineman’s crude wooden tools evolved to today’s efficient wrenches, climbing belts and live line tools. Everything today is professionally designed to cause less wear and tear on the lineman’s body. The advent of flame-retardant clothing has been a major lifesaver as well.
These 1970s-1980s era hooks, climbers, belts and
a positioning strap have been replaced with modern
tools that are more flexible and conform better to a
lineman’s body, relieving pressure and preventing sores
Today’s lineman is equipped with a back support and
D rings that slide with the body’s movements and float
on a separate strap within the belt positioned around
his hips. While most of this relates to comfort, it also
allows more freedom of movement for the lineman to
get in a better working position, In the end cutting down
on back, hip and shoulder injuries.
Climbing a tower, such as this 90’ structure in Topeka,
requires equipment that doubles the lineman’s safety
as he changes insulators. For example, the lineman
must “double skid.” Changes in recent times require
things like having a positioning strap around the pole
or tower at all times (hence, the need for two straps).
Also, tools like ”hook ladders” were designed to alleviate
the need for linemen to climb down the Insulators, or
“coon” the bells, as it was called — similar to how a
raccoon climbs down a tree limb to do its work.
Becoming a Westar Energy lineman
Among today’s professional linemen-journeymen at Westar Energy are three who are particularly well-versed in the modern and streamlined tools, personal protective equipment and comprehensive training enjoyed by 21st century linemen.
Steve, manager, field training, and Jay and Leo, field training coordinators, recently spent a couple of hours talking with Westar corporate communications staff about the tremendous advances in technology, safety and training since the early days of their profession.
Steve has been doing this job 35 years. When he started in the profession in 1978 fresh out of a stint with the U.S. Marine Corps and lineman school at Manhattan Technical College, bucket trucks were first coming into the picture. “Things were done predominantly off the pole before the bucket truck came about, and you’d go up the pole in the morning and maybe not come back down ‘til lunch,” he said. “If you were hot sticking on a high line, you may stay up there all day and your crew would send lunch up to you. Those were scary days, when ‘old boomers,’ as they were called, told you about how they tested the old 2,400 volt ‘Delta’ line with the back of their gloved hand, and if it didn’t buzz, it meant the spot on the pole was dry and they could go to work on it.”
Leo is the first in his family to do this line of work, although his dad worked on the gas side of the company, retiring in 1987. Looking for work just out of the Navy, Leo was told to ask Local Union 304 about a lineman career, which he did, and several months later, in 1991, he started working as a contractor for Par Electric, joining Westar in 1997 to get away from so much moving around the country.
Jay is a second-generation lineman. Jay’s dad, Jerry, started in 1963 for KG&E in Wichita and retired from the company in 2001. Jay grew up watching his dad fight the elements to restore the power to the communities he loved so much. Jay started his career in 1988 with Local Union 304 and Midwest Energy, joining Westar in 1992 to raise a family and continue his career.
When asked if he’s glad to be lineman today as opposed to the early days, Leo said he would have enjoyed the challenge of doing everything with a hot stick. “There’d be a lot more to the work back then, which would make it very interesting,” he said. “But with today’s bucket trucks, cranes and line trucks, the work is much easier on the body, so I’m glad to have my job today. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Standouts in improving safety
Steve and Leo unanimously agreed that three things stand out as the most effective safety improvements in their field:
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket trucks
- Training
The subject of training particularly triggered their passion. “Today, you have 7,000 hours of extensive on-the-job training as an apprentice,” they said. “And once you become a journeyman, you have a license to learn, but the learning never stops.”
Elaborating further, Leo said that in practice, rote repetition is the real learning experience. “You’re actually learning from your experience and others’ knowledge and experience, and all of a sudden, you have an apprentice asking you what to do next. That can be scary, as his safety and yours is at stake. It all depends on you knowing how to do your job. If you think you know everything, that’s the day you’ll probably get hurt.”
Steve added that you have to keep learning through your coworkers, through schooling to keep up with all the new technology in tools and procedures, and through day-to-day experience. “It never gets dull, and it’s always a challenge,” he said.
And what might the next 100 years bring to the lineman’s tools of the trade?
Steve said, “I can see a truck having an automated thing you sit in, and it does the work instead of you.” If that vision indeed comes about, safety in 2112 will be something to see.
LEFT: Jay demonstrates fall restriction devices used today to replace the old positioning strap
or “skid,” as it was known, for climbing wood poles. If the lineman starts to fall, this device allows
him to stay positioned, limiting his fall, whereas in the olden days, he would slide down the pole
until hooking in again or hitting the ground.
RIGHT: Jay demonstrates hot stick tools used for training at the William E. Brown
Professional Development Center in North Topeka. At one time, they were the only tools
available for “energized” power line work.
Helicopter crews take to the skies to examine Westar’s transmission lines
Published February 21, 2012 | Friday evening, Feb. 17, at Topeka’s Billard Airport, members from Westar’s corporate communications staff has the opportunity to interview four crew members from Utility Risk Management Corp. and Chesapeake Bay Helicopters for an hour. Westar contracted with URMC to fly along about 400 miles of our high-voltage transmission lines late last year. The mission was to gather information about the lines to make sure they are working as designed. The crew returned early this year to conduct additional flights in coordination with work that was completed at the end December.
These flights – some as low as 300 to 350 feet above the ground – help Westar provide safe, reliable service by revealing potential problems before they cause a power outage. Flight crew members work with teams on the ground to gather information about the transmission lines using several methods, including laser measurement and photography. In accordance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirements, the survey work has been performed in and around Abilene, Junction City, Lawrence, Lenexa, Manhattan, Olathe, Salina, Topeka and Wichita, as well as rural areas.
Crew members not only explained the work they are doing for Westar, but also shared information about their helicopter, “Golf Romeo”; their respective companies; and what life on the road – or in the air – is like.
At Topeka’s Billard Airport. Crews with Chesapeake Bay
Helicopters and URMC chat with Westar representatives.
Lee C., lineman, lives in Virginia and commutes an hour and a half (one way) to his D.C. office when he’s at home with his family. He has worked for Chesapeake Bay three years as a lineman and has been doing work off the helicopter for a year. Prior to joining Chesapeake Bay, he was a contractor lineman for power line work in several states. His travels in the past year as part of the helicopter crew have taken him to California, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Nevada. He usually works with the same crew, which includes three linemen and two pilots who rotate shifts. He said it’s important to work with the same people as often as possible. “We depend on each other for our lives,” he said.
The kind of work Lee does hanging off the helicopter is “full service utility work needing a fast response,” including setting up weather stations and base stations to collect data; long line, hot stick and platform work; transferring on the tower; swapping out insulators and sleeves; completing hardware work such as insulators; and doing repairs on broken strands – even changing out light bulbs. Currently, he serves as the crew’s ground man.
Lee, lineman with Chesapeake Bay,
is currently the crew’s ground man.
Adam F. is a thermal direct analyst for URMC. In this role, he takes the thermal temperature of structures using infrared cameras installed on the helicopter and ensures that accurate data collection techniques are used. He recently graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in civil engineering. He likes working for URMC, which attended a job fair at his university and hired him and about 12 other engineers from his graduating class. A total of about 50 employees work for URMC, Adam said. He still lives in his home state, but in the six months he’s been with URMC, he has mostly traveled to Florida for utility work.
Adam, URMC, is proud of the work
the infrared camera (positioned on the
front of the helicopter) does in taking
accurate measurements of transmission
lines.
A resident of North Carolina, Patrick S. is one of Chesapeake Bay’s data collection specialists who conducts inspections on utilities’ power line systems, scans result and sends them to URMC for analysis. “I collect the data Adam analyzes,” he said. He ensures that the computers and cameras on the helicopter run correctly. Before joining Chesapeake Bay a year ago, he was a regional sales manager who sold food to restaurants.
Patrick (left), Chesapeake Bay, highlights Golf
Romeo’s capabilities for Greg R. (Westar).
Last but not least, the Chesapeake Bay pilot is Kristy H., originally from Holland. She has lived in the U.S. the past three years, currently residing in West Palm Beach, Fla.
“As a young girl, I knew I wanted to fly helicopters,” she said. “But the Army rejected me, and I didn’t have the means to get pilot training on my own. Instead, I started my own camera company and eventually sold it, and then I had the money for pilot’s training. My first job was flying over a pipeline for miles and miles, and I like utility work the best.”
When asked what appeals to her about utility work, she said having a mission, a crew, and working with power lines. “It’s important work and a good thing to do, and it [power]keeps everyone going,” she said. “It’s exciting – not like an office job. The helicopter is my office, and it’s different each time I take it up. It’s challenging work because there’s a lot to think about: the weather, the equipment, what’s happening in the airspace like geese flying close by, looking out for towers.” She added that by the end of a six- to seven-hour day, she’s very tired and ready to hole up in a hotel room after working out in the gym.
Greg plays pilot while the real deal,
Kristy, Chesapeake Bay, looks on.
Golf Romeo is a sleek – yet not youthful – bird
Kristy described Golf Romeo as an “old bird” dating from about 1968. “Helicopters can just about last forever because the parts are continually swapped out. It all depends on the number of hours the different parts can fly. You can have a 60- or 70-year old helicopter that runs very smoothly,” she said.
She pointed out that Golf Romeo’s interior probably has racked up about 20,000 hours of flight time and is due for new carpet soon. A maximum of three people can sit inside the helicopter at once because of strict weight and balance limits.
EfficiencyWorks | December 2011
Published December 14, 2011 | 
New Year’s Resolution: Reduce Your Home’s Energy Usage
Who doesn’t want to save more money in the New Year? One of the best ways to figure out how to reduce energy costs is to find out where your money’s being spent in the first place. Westar Energy customers who own a house 10 years or older can now assess its energy efficiency through the company’s new HomeAudit program. For $100, homeowners can have a professional $300 audit performed that will provide them with a customized Energy Conservation Plan. Participants are able to receive a $100 rebate on the cost of that audit if they provide receipts showing they implemented at least $100 in improvements recommended in the Energy Conservation Plan.
Stay Warm and Safe This Winter
One of the best ways to save money and stay safe this winter is to make sure your heating equipment is in good working order. Whether you have a heat pump, gas, propane or electric furnace, it’s a good idea to call your local heating and cooling vendor to schedule a check of your heating system. In addition, if your mode of heating involves a flame, a check will rule out any carbon monoxide issues. And, don’t forget to check and/or change your furnace filters at least every three months so that your system doesn’t have to work harder than needed. Clogged filters can reduce your furnace’s efficiency by up to 30 percent.
In addition, if you are using space heaters, please remember that a small space heater left on the high setting can consume about $100 a month if left on continuously. A 1,440-watt space heater used four hours a day will cost you approximately $18 a month. Space heaters require about 1000-1500 watts per hour depending on the size and the setting they are on (high/medium/low). Never leave a space heater on when you’re away from home. There is a time and a place for space heaters (when you’re trying to heat one room, for example). But, it’s not a good idea to use them throughout your home all at the same time in place of your forced air furnace.
12 Days of Energy Efficiency Gifts
If you need some last-minute gifts this holiday season, consider our 12 Days of Energy Efficiency. These practical gifts can be found at area home improvement stores and discount stores and will help make sure this winter that your loved-one’s electric energy is being used on all the right things – like inflatable snowmen and decorated trees.
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) – They come in an assortment of styles. Put several in a nice basket, wrap with a red ribbon and light up your loved one’s life.
- LEDs – These super energy efficient light bulbs use even less electricity than CFLs, AND they’ve come down in price significantly in the last few months. They are especially popular when it comes to Christmas tree lights.
- Perhaps your gift recipient would prefer to light up the night. LED night lights come in all shapes and sizes. Some even project pictures on the wall.
- Help a friend or family member save money with a low-flow showerhead. Less water used means less energy needed to heat the water, which equals savings on both water and energy bills.
- Many appliances and electronic gadgets draw power even when they’re shut off. A smart power strip can help combat these energy vampires. There are several types available: timer-equipped, occupancy sensing and current sensing. Some are even available in decorative styles that loop around furniture legs or feature floral or animal print patterns.
- Keep the cold where it belongs: outside. An inexpensive can of spray foam can be used to fill small gaps or holes that exist where piping, tubes or electrical wires enter your home. It may not be quite like the hunting gear the men in your family had on their holiday wish list, but a caulking gun and tubes of caulk are also perfect weapons for sealing air leaks.
- Make sure your friends and family keep comfortable and safe this winter by encouraging them to get a seasonal check-up on their heating equipment. At the very least, a gift certificate to the local hardware store and a hint to purchase furnace filters will help your loved one’s heating equipment run efficiently during the cold winter months.
- Programmable thermostats are great for people on the go. They can be pre-set to adjust the heating or air conditioning when no one is home. Fido won’t mind a little adjustment in the temperature, but just a few degrees can make a big difference on your energy bill. Check out Westar’s WattSaver program to find out whether you qualify. Participants receive a free programmable thermostat – with an online energy management system – while also helping Westar manage high demand for electricity June through September.
- It’s not lame – a new kitchen appliance makes a great gift. Consider buying Energy-Star products, which earn the coveted label by meeting specific energy efficiency requirements. For more information, visit energystar.gov.
- A Kill-A-Watt device measures electricity use and helps you determine how much energy your favorite devices are using not only when they’re on but even when they’re off.
- Energy monitoring devices can provide real-time data to help you understand your energy usage. However, please remember that monitoring devices that attach to your electric meter on the outside of your dwelling are not permitted.
- Your time and elbow grease may be the best gift of all. Using any of the ideas above can help make your loved-one’s home more energy efficient – which means you’re also helping him or her save money.
Do the Math and Save
If TVs, computers, laptops or any other electronic gadget is on your wish list this season, don’t forget that that product doesn’t stop costing you money after you’ve purchased it or unwrapped it. To determine how much energy that new fun gadget will cost you or your gift recipient, you can use this formula to estimate its energy use:
1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 Watts
(Wattage X Hours Used Per Day) / 1000 = Daily kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption
Multiply this by the number of days you use or plan to use the appliance during the year to figure annual consumption. You can then calculate the annual cost to run an appliance by multiplying the kWh per year by Westar’s current electric rate of approximately .10 cents/kWh.
Here’s an example:
PC and Monitor
(150 watts X 4 hours per day X 365 days per year / 1000 = 219 kWh X .10 cents/kWh = $21.90 year
You can usually find the wattage of most appliances stamped on the bottom or back of the appliance or on its nameplate. Wattage is the maximum power drawn by the appliance. Of course, the power drawn will vary depending on what stage of operation the appliance is in (for example, an oven will use varying amounts of wattage as it pre-heats). But for the most part, to get a general idea of how much in energy the appliance will cost you, the formula above will get you close.
Test Your Energy Saving IQ
Which of the following uses the most electricity?
- Refrigerator
- Laptop
- DVR or cable set-top box
- HD television
Answer: The set-top box uses the most. Tests conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory revealed that a standard set-top box (including DVR, digital cable, digital cable with DVR, satellite, satellite with DVR) uses about 29 watts while OFF and 30 watts while ON. That’s negligible difference whether you’ve powered the set-top box off or not. Many companies are manufacturing set-top boxes that are more efficient. Next time you upgrade such equipment, ask for efficient models that don’t use as much “phantom load.”
Holiday Stocking Stuffer Idea
Foam gaskets to place between electrical outlet plates and the wall or light switch plates and the wall are inexpensive air sealers that can minimize drafts from gaps in exterior walls (in this instance, the gap created where space was made to place a box for your electrical outlet and light switch).
Have a Water Efficient H2Oliday
Preparing for and cleaning up after a holiday meal often requires more water use than usual. Running your tap continuously while preparing food or washing dishes can use more than two gallons of water every minute your tap is running. EPA’s WaterSense program provides useful tips, and more than 4,000 products have earned the WaterSense label to save water, energy and money. If every American household reduced their water use by 10 gallons on just Thanksgiving Day, it would save more than 1 billion gallons of water. Another tip for saving H2O is to boil water in the microwave instead of on an electric stovetop. – EnergyStar
Shocking Statistic
In 1978, the use of home electronics accounted for about 17 percent of an average household’s energy use. Today, it’s 31 percent. – Consumer Electronics Association
We wish all of our customers a safe and bright holiday season!
Westar crews in New England wrap up work, head home
Published November 10, 2011 | 
Westar crews were released today to begin their journey back to Kansas. Crews have been gone since October 31.
On Nov. 7, crews moved from helping Western Massachusetts Electric to assisting Connecticut Light and Power.
Every storm restoration presents its own challenges, and this effort was no exception. Crews were challenged by blown tires, hotel arrangements and meal accommodations, to name a few. It’s not easy to make arrangements for 77 people from Kansas to travel to New England and accommodate their stay in less than ideal conditions. A special thank you to crew comfort folks from Westar and from host utility companies for making this happen.
The work that crews perform is rough. In many cases, it’s a matter of completely rebuilding the electrical system, as opposed to fixing a single piece of equipment. Working on an unfamiliar electric system, combined with different safety standards, can present unique challenges . It also presents an opportunity for craft professionals to learn new skills and overcome challenges they may not face day-to-day. They bring that gained knowledge home with them.
Long work hours accompanied by customers who have been without power for an extended period of time can take a toll. Continued focus on safety is imperative. At the end of the day, the thank yous and praise from the host utility company and its customers go a long way to keep crews in good spirits. As a Kansan, it’s reassuring to know that if or when our time comes to go through a similar situation, we have brothers and sisters in the electric utility industry that will be there to help us get the lights back on as safely and quickly as possible.
Thank you to all the Northeast Utility customers who have expressed gratitude to Westar employees. We’re shamelessly proud of the men and women who were given the opportunity to help get your life back to normal.
For a few more photos, visit us on Facebook.
Crews Continue Journey East, Arrive in Massachusetts
Published November 3, 2011 | At this time, Western Massachusetts Electric is reporting 64,356 customers without power or 30% of their customer base. This is down from 55%. To put that in perspective for Westar customers, during the December 2007 ice storm about 30% of our customer base was without power at peak. That was the worst storm in recent company history.
Rob’s Group - (2 a.m. 11-3) Arrived in Springfield, Mass at about 7:30 p.m.. Traffic was heavy trying to get here. Personnel are in good spirits. Attended safety orientation. Crews were sent to work on a main line. Crews stopped working at 2 a.m. We’ll turn in for the night and be back at it in the morning.
Heath’s Group - (12 p.m. 11-3) Crews arrived in Springfield, Mass between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. Attended safety orientation. They have some rules different from ours, safety personnel did a nice job interpreting the rules. Began work in a town called Longmeadow. Crews will work until 1 or 2 a.m. There is snow on the ground and a tremendous amount of tree damage.
10/31 – 11-3. Travel has been a challenge. Heavy traffic at times has slowed us. Have had two trucks with tire problems. A mechanics truck with a computer programming issue and an issue with a fleet truck. Have encountered crews from AEP Arkansas and PAR crews in Kansas City that are headed the same way. Crews continue to travel safely.
Westar crews to help Western Massachusetts Electric restore power
Published October 31, 2011 | Westar Energy received a call for assistance from Western Massachusetts Electric, a Northeast Utilities company, near Springfield, Mass. The Northeast was hit by a freak snow storm with some areas receiving more than 2 feet of snow. The storm left about 1.8 million customers without power and Westar Energy crews are being dispatched for a two-week deployment to help in the restoration efforts.
Crews are on the way to help Western Massachusetts Electric, a Northeast Utilities company, near Springfield Mass.
Westar has released 67 contract linemen, 25 tree trimming crews and is sending 77 Westar linemen, supervisors, safety and support personnel to assist with restoration efforts.
Westar Energy is a member of the Midwest Mutual Assistance Group. This group allows Westar to call upon neighboring utilities and their contractors for help to restore service in the event of a significant event, such as severe storm. In return, Westar will send line and tree crews to assist neighboring utilities when they are in need. In the event of catastrophic damage utilities reach out for assistance from across the nation.
Photo: Westar crews gather before heading out to assist Alabama Power on 4-28-2011. Because of Kansas City traffic this evening (10-31-2011) crews will meet outside of St. Louis to talk about expectations.
Westar competes in 28th Annual Lineman’s Rodeo
Published October 28, 2011 | 
Ten Westar Energy lineman teams and four apprentices competed at the 28th Annual International Lineman’s Rodeo on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the National Agriculture Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs. Westar Energy and Kansas City Power & Light were the host utilities.
More than 170 three-person lineman teams and 210 apprentices, in addition to hundreds of spectators, crowded the rodeo grounds. Linemen and apprentices from around the country – including teams from Canada, Jamaica, England, Guatemala and Russia – competed in the various events, which test the skills linemen use day-in and day-out. Nearly 726 competitors were scored on agility, speed, work quality and application of safety procedures. In all, 3,000 attendees and participants were estimated to have taken part in the rodeo.
Competitions included the Pole Climb – which tests how fast linemen could climb a pole with an egg in a basket, then descend with the egg in their mouth without breaking the egg – and two Mystery Events. The first Mystery Event included energizing a No. 2 primary, and the second required replacement of dead end bells. There was also the Hurt Man Rescue event, in which linemen must climb a pole and safely rescue a dummy hanging near wiring.
Each year, prior to the competition, a two-day safety and training conference is held to promote work safe practices. The conference again took place at the Overland Park Convention Center.
Receiving top honors from Westar at the rodeo was Westar Team No. 19
Following are the highlights of Westar’s lineman teams’ and apprentices’ performances at the rodeo:
Journeyman Hurtman Rescue:
Team 45 placed 56th out of 172 teams
Journeyman Mystery Event 1 – Energize No. 2 Primary
Team 45 placed 20th out of 172 teams
Journeyman Mystery Event 2 – Replace Dead-End Bells
Team 46 placed 49th out of 172 teams
Journeyman Pole Climb
Team 54 placed 45th out of 172 teams
IOU Division Overall:
Team 46 placed 19th out of 71 teams
Top Journeyman Overall:
Team 46 placed 47th out of 172 teams
Apprentice Mystery Event 1:
51st out of 210 entries
Apprentice Pole Climb:
11th out of 210 entries
Apprentice Written Test:
49th out of 210 entries
IOU Apprentice overall:
17th, 42nd, 49th and 54th out of 84 entries
Top Apprentice Overall:
22nd and 72nd out of 210 entries
“I am always impressed with our linemen at the rodeo,” said Steve Owens, executive director, distribution operations. “They are true professionals, and it is a great opportunity for everyone to see how well they do the difficult job they do every day. And it’s not about speed. As in real life, it’s more important to perform the tasks properly and safely. Our men are most proud about a ‘clean’ effort with no deductions. And they really enjoy learning new techniques from linemen from other companies across the country.”
Besides Westar’s linemen teams and apprentices, 10 judges, four equipment operators and a team of 16 volunteers led by Rodeo Co-Coordinators assisted with various rodeo duties.
Participants’ family members and friends proudly videotaped and photographed their lineman or apprentice competing in the various events in the gorgeous fall weather.
Thanks to all who participated and helped with another successful, safe, fun and entertaining rodeo!
To learn more about the Lineman’s Rodeo, visit http://www.linemansrodeokc.com/
Westar Foundation donates $50,000 to Project DESERVE
Published September 22, 2011 | It’s the last day of summer and it is going out in style – nice and mild. But what a change from the painfully hot temperatures we had just weeks ago. While Mother Nature’s oven was roaring outside, air conditioners were humming away inside – working extra hard to keep homes and businesses cool. For some of our customers, the strain on the AC also put a strain on budgets. And even as we start pulling out the sweatshirts and jackets in preparation for fall, some customers continue to struggle to pay their summer electric bills. The Westar Energy Foundation is stepping in to help with a $50,000 donation to Project DESERVE.
Through Project DESERVE, income-eligible households may submit an application to the Red Cross to receive up to $300 of payment assistance toward their electric bill. Project DESERVE is a partnership between Westar Energy and the Red Cross – a partnership that began more than 25 years ago and has provided nearly $9 million in assistance to more than 56,000 Kansans. Project DESERVE is also funded by generous donations from our customers, employees and the Project DESERVE trust fund.
Peggy Ricketts, vice president, customer care, believes this donation is needed now more than ever. Ricketts presented the check this morning to representatives at the American Red Cross Midway-Kansas Chapter in Wichita.
“These are our customers – our friends and our neighbors, the couple at church, the family at school – who will benefit with just a little help in paying their electric bill,” Ricketts said. “Our Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve, and that’s what we hope to accomplish with this donation.”
More information about Project DESERVE,
Contact the American Red Cross at 316.219.4000.
Crews return from N.Y.; partnership helps provide service, control costs
Published September 8, 2011 | Westar Energy’s line personnel returned Thursday from their journey to New York. Most customers have had their electricity restored after the devastation brought by Hurricane Irene. Electric utilities have a pact that is unusual, if not unique, that helps us quickly swell our work force in times of need. In this case, Westar was mobilized and in position to begin assisting Central Hudson Gas and Electric as soon as Irene had cleared and it was safe to begin work. The response by utilities along the entire East Coast was impressive. Virtually every available utility crew and line worker east of the Rockies was called upon to help bring power back online after this storm.
In August, Westar called upon mutual assistance partners when strong winds swept through northeast Kansas and left 38,500 customers without electricity. In severe ice storms, we may request crews from a dozen or more states to assist with getting the power back on. In times of widespread damage to an electrical system, electric utilities call upon each other for help rebuilding the system and restoring power. These mutual aid agreements help utilities keep costs reasonable because they allow us to temporarily grow the number of people working on the lines when circumstances call for it.
As our crews headed home, New Yorkers continued to offer their appreciation for the assistance with cleanup following Irene’s havoc on the East Coast. Praise came from customers through social media and from Central Hudson Gas and Electric, the utility our crews assisted. Steve Lant, CEO of Central Hudson had nice things to say about “the guys from Kansas.” He was grateful for Westar linemen’s help. He said they were exemplary in their work, kept in good spirits in tough conditions, and were very kind and polite to Central Hudson customers, many of whom have contacted Lant to talk about the great Kansas linemen.
The following is from Andy Stafford, field safety coordinator. Andy was part of the safety personnel who went along on the trip to New York.
We’ll finish the trip home today from the St. Louis area. What people don’t see is the people behind the scenes, making sure that time sheets are handled, coordinating with the host utility company, compiling daily reports, making sure hotels are booked, and finding restaurants for 70+ people. There are numerous people who make this all come together and receive little to none of the glory or get to experience the different areas we travel.
Working conditions in New York were difficult and the hazards numerous. Every storm has its own characteristics and hazards. I would take this (New York) over the Iowa ice storm last winter with extreme wind chill, 30 mph winds and working nights with snow blowing. The 2008 hurricane in Texas (Ike) was hot and humid; our main hazard was flood waters receding, making the site a sewage area.
The people of New York were some of the nicest and most understanding people I have been around. I can’t begin to count the number of people who drove by waving, honking their horns, yelling “thank you” or “we love you guys” (remember, we were close to Woodstock and there is a lot of love around there). Others stopped to say thanks or brought us snacks. Something all of us will remember for years to come.
So, to everyone who had the opportunity to go, GREAT JOB, and to all those behind the scenes, THANKS for making it possible, we couldn’t do it without your help.