Idaho Falls Power

Idaho Falls Power and Fiber staff and Idaho Falls city leadership had the rare opportunity to tour our Gem State hydroelectric plant, which has been recently de-watered for an inspection and maintenance. Each of our plants are on a 5-year schedule to be de-watered and inspected, and it was Gem State's turn this year. Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper and Chief of Staff Margaret Wimborne, Council Member Jim Freeman, Police Chief Bryce Johnson, HR Director Darin Jones, IFP General Manager Bear Prairie and others were in attendance for the tour, which was led by Hydro Mechanic Tyler Bergren. The tour allowed us to see the 18 ft. vertical Kaplan turbine and the wicket gates, which are typically under water. It was dark and damp, but very awesome to see! The "Gem of the State" Gem State hydro-electric plant is the largest of all of Idaho Falls Power's hydro-plants and produces approx. 23 MW. It is nearly as large as all four Idaho Falls hydro project plants combined and was constructed between 1985 and 1988. It began operating on October 22, 1988. For more information about the rich history of Idaho Falls Power, read this fascinating booklet: https://lnkd.in/g5mRQyVn #CommunityPowered #IFPower

Despite the cold and rain, Idaho Falls Power and local 2nd graders had a great time last week at the Idaho Falls Zoo "Steam" days. For two days, 2nd grade classes toured through the zoo and visited various stations where they learned more about science, engineering, art, and innovation. Idaho Falls Power gave the kids an electricity 101 overview and did a hands-on science experiment/demonstration aimed to show and educate the kids about circuits, electrical conductors and insulators. #IFPower #CommunityPowered

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s 2024 Water Festival was a great success! Idaho Falls Power hydro mechanics TJ Benson and Billy Barton took 12 different groups of area 6th graders through our Gem State hydroelectric plant and gave the kids a great overview lesson of hydro-electrical generation. The DEQ Water Festival is held each year in May to teach and show 6th grade students why water is so cool. They do this through fun, hands-on educational activities, crafts, presentations, demonstrations and, of course, touring our Gem State hydroelectric plant. #IFPower #CommunityPowered

From the City of Idaho Falls News Flash: "Idaho Falls Power has been awarded the Diamond Level of Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3)® National Designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for providing reliable and safe electric service. The Diamond Level is the highest level of achievement for a public power utility. The RP3 designation, which is awarded every three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. Criteria include sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity. Idaho Falls Power is one of 2,000 public power utilities in the United States. Less than six percent of public power utilities hold the Diamond designation. “We are honored to continue this tradition of providing affordable and reliable electric service to our community,” said Idaho Falls Power General Manager Bear Prairie. “This recognizes the hard work of a dedicated team, committed to the Idaho Falls community. We remain focused on continuing to identify and implement ways to improve our operations and service to our customers while also focusing on maintaining our low rates.” Idaho Falls Power has maintained an RP3 designation since 2010 and has achieved the top-performing Diamond Level since 2021. “Receiving an RP3 designation is a great honor signifying a utility has demonstrated commitment to industry best practices,” said Jeremy Ash, Chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel and Chief Operating Officer at Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, Kansas. "And ultimately, the culture developed from this pursuit of excellence and continued improvement through the RP3 program results in measurable value delivered to the local community." The American Public Power Association has offered the RP3 designation for 18 years now. APPA is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 49 million people in nearly 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. APPA advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations.

Today is National Linemen Appreciation Day! It is a special day to express our appreciation to the great men and women that work hard to keep our lights on and our lives running smoothly. Their dedication and bravery, often risking their own safety, do not go unnoticed and it is our honor to recognize and celebrate their hard work and dedication on this day and always. Thank you, Electrical Lineworkers! #thankalineman #IFPower #CommunityPowered

Calling all recent graduates and energy professionals! The DOE is seeking candidates for the 'Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship Program.' Click on the shared post for more information about his exciting opportunity and program!

Idaho Falls Power Recognized for Ongoing Safety Efforts (from the City of Idaho Falls News Release) Idaho Falls Power has received prestigious recognition for their improvements in workplace and employee safety. At the Northwest Public Power Association Engineering & Operations Conference on April 11, the association recognized Idaho Falls Power. The award specifically highlights the extra efforts the utility takes to ensure safety on the job site and at the office. “We want everyone to get home safely at the end of the day,” said Idaho Falls Power General Manager Bear Prairie. “The work that our team does for the community every day come rain, wind, or snow, is dangerous. To be a part of this safety culture evolution has been amazing. This award shows we are on the right path, but it’s a journey, not a destination when it comes to safety.” In 2023, Idaho Falls Power employees worked over 172,000 hours with only 18 hours of an employee being on restricted or light work duty from an injury or sprain. The Safety awards are based on a review of each utility’s entry and the incident and severity rate of accidents over the past year. Idaho Falls Power put in place a safety committee five years ago that is empowered to bring industry best practices along with collaboration throughout operations together. From engineering and design to advanced software and mapping solutions, no stone has been left unturned in looking for safer and more efficient processes. “Having a wide range of our staff sit on this committee gives Idaho Falls Power a chance to receive and examine ideas from differing backgrounds. Since having this committee, we have seen an increased level of accountability in their own and their co-workers' safety,” Prairie said. #IFPower #CommunityPowered #NWPPA #2024nwppaeo

Make sure your Idaho Falls area sophomores/juniors get their applications in for the 2024 ICUA Youth Rally & Scholarship Program! The application deadline is quickly approaching. Apply via JotForm here: https://lnkd.in/gv7xzNr4 or you can download a hard copy application on our website: https://lnkd.in/gPtgNXDx or pick an application up in your school's counselor's office. If you have questions about the rally or fantastic scholarship opportunity, call us at 208-612-8430. #IFPower #CommunityPowered

Exciting things are happening here at Idaho Falls Power... 😊 --- Idaho Falls Power, the community-owned provider of electricity in Idaho Falls, will be making a $36 million local investment by adding a new power generation plant, continuing its long history of ensuring reliable and affordable energy.   The Idaho Falls City Council, which also serves as the utility’s governing board, recently voted to approve the construction contract with an Idaho-based company, ESI Construction. The contract enables construction of a 17.5-megawatt peaking plant that will provide dispatchable, on-demand energy for the community during summer and winter peak energy usage periods.   “Since 1900, city leaders have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in power generation, said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper. Our Power utility has a rich history of looking into the future and investing in community infrastructure. This is why we have some of the lowest energy rates in the country.” The hydropower system running through town is one of this community’s greatest built assets.” --- Read the full article on our website here: https://lnkd.in/gr4XNumM

We had a great, successful time at the D91 Idaho Falls School District Career Fair yesterday at the Mountain America Center. Dozens of kids stopped by our booth and asked questions and picked up information about career pathways in the utility industry. Fiber Communications Technician Brandon Crume, Apprentice Lineman Dillon Hilman, and Community Relations Coordinator Christopher Jensen represented Idaho falls Power and Fiber during the event and had fiber and electric gadgets and tools on display. If you or your teen has follow-up questions or would like to obtain more information about career opportunities, please give us a call at 208-612-8430. We also passed out information to juniors and sophomores regarding the 2024 ICUA Youth Rally and Scholarship Program. Applications are open and are currently being accepted through April 15! Visit our website to download a hard copy of the application, visit your school's counselor's office, or apply online via JotForm here: https://lnkd.in/gv7xzNr4 #CommunityPowered #ifpower #communityconnected #iffiber #icuayouthrally