TME Teams Respond to a Lightning Strike on Lincoln-Midway Line

Author: Rachel Stout

As we approach the end of June, Tri-State and our members have experienced a fair share of summer storms. During extreme weather, our top priority is to keep the lights on while implementing the best safety practices. Tri-State’s Transmission Maintenance department makes this a reality by responding quickly to damages and making sure the job is done right. 

On June 11, dispatch was notified by the Lincoln Generation Station that a pole was on fire within the Lincoln-Midway 230-kV line. The pole had been struck by lightning and was burning prior to the crew's arrival. By the time they got to the site, the H-frame structure was still intact, but the affected pole was slowly burning down and began smoldering. It was determined that the repairs could be made the next day and a few linemen stayed at the site for fire watch. 

While our teams were there to protect our system and our ability to provide power to our members, they also needed to look out for the surrounding property, and any potential impact to the locals living in Mountain View Electric’s territory. When the pole did fall, it hit a farmer's wheat field and burned a portion of it. Fortunately, there was no significant damage, and thanks to planning and safety precautions, the crew was still there to put out the fire. 

The next morning, linemen started repairs on the pole, first taking the line out of service and de-energizing it. Poles were replaced one at a time as the new structure was put up. Though repairs were being made, members were never without power. 

With our crews working hard and around the clock, our members have people looking out for them and making sure they have power when they need it the most. Our linemen continue to go the distance for Tri-State and our members. Employees like them, and you, make it possible to continue to provide our members with the reliable, affordable electricity they expect.

About Tri-State

Tri-State is a not-for-profit cooperative of 45 members, including 42 member utility electric distribution cooperatives and public power districts in four states, that together deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. For more information about Tri-State and our Responsible Energy Plan, visit www.tristate.coop.