President’s and CEO’s Report
Highlights from 2024
Here is a recap of the noteworthy events at DSO in 2024.
- Rate Changes.
In 2023, DSO had a cost of service study completed. The study revealed that DSO was bringing in the revenue needed, but some of the rates were subsidizing other rates. After reviewing the results, DSO set out to design its rates so that all rates would cover their own associated costs. The board approved the revised rates in April 2024 and nearly all the revised rates went into effect in October 2024.
- Board Turnover.
Long-time director Dean Allison retired from DSO board in March 2024. Dean served on the DSO board for 27 years, with 10 years serving as DSO’s delegate on KEPCo’s board. We appreciate all Dean did for DSO and wish him the best in retirement.
In April 2024, the members elected Randy Cooper to the board. This isn’t Randy’s first time on DSO’s board. He also served as a director from 2009-2013. Welcome back Randy!
- Wildfire Mitigation Grants.
DSO applied for and was awarded two federal wildfire mitigation grants in 2024. The grants consist of replacing manual reclosers on the power lines with automated versions. The two grants are basically identical, other than the geographic areas they cover.
When faced with Red Flag conditions (high winds and dry conditions), the threat of wildfires is real. If an energized power line were to blow down, it could easily start a wildfire and endanger land, livestock, buildings, and human life. To prevent that, the reclosers on the lines can be set to disconnect power when there is a line disturbance, but DSO crews must manually go to each recloser and set it to a “one shot” state. This is a time consuming and expensive process, especially since the reclosers would need to be switched back to normal state after the threat conditions dissipate, thus requiring two trips for each recloser. The grants would enable DSO to replace most of its manual reclosers with automated versions, which would allow DSO personnel to remotely program the reclosers.
We were just beginning to implement the recloser changeout process when we were informed by the federal government to put everything on hold. The new administration is reviewing all grant programs to determine which ones it will continue to support. We are fairly confident this grant program is something that will be funded, but all we can do now is wait and hope. DSO will keep its members informed on the status of the grants as we learn more over the next few months.