BELW general manager Tim Stoner is shown at his desk at the BELW offices on Seventh Street in downtown Blue Earth.

With an eye toward the community’s future needs, Blue Earth Light and Water (BELW) hopes to bring some ‘electrifying’ new projects to fruition.

BELW is a municipal utility governed by Blue Earth’s Board of Public Works, which operates independently from the city of Blue Earth.

Tim Stoner, general manager of BELW, shares the board intends to undertake three projects which would heighten reliable access to electrical power for industries and residents served by BELW.

The first project entails a potential substation improvement plan, which, if all goes well, would be designed with the burgeoning north side of Blue Earth in mind.

Stoner shared the area’s growth was noticed in part due to a systems study which the Board of Public Works conducted in conjunction with Central Municipal Power Agency/ Services (CMPAS) and DGR Engineering in early 2021.

Among other things, the systems study highlighted the influx of new businesses in Blue Earth’s Golden Spike Business Park and in nearby areas, as well as new residential properties in the northern area of Blue Earth, all of which require electricity.

Though the potential substation improvement plan is in its early days, Stoner shares the Board of Public Works  has made steps toward securing at least one, possibly two transformers which could form the base of a new substation.

Currently, BELW intends to open bids for at least one transformer, which will be reviewed and approved at the next Board of Public Works meeting.

Stoner explains whether the board decides to purchase one or two transformers could be influenced by several factors.

“It’s depending on cost, and what we see with the supply chain,” Stoner says.

Stoner shares a location at the north end of Blue Earth is being considered as the potental home of the new transformer, or transformers.

“That’s where the growth is going on in the community,” Stoner reasons. “It will help offload the current system.” 

Stoner adds the growth in the community’s electrical needs may not be specific to the north end of town, however.

“We have to prepare for future loads and electrification,” Stoner says.

By ‘electrification,’ Stoner refers to the increase in the amount of electricity required to power appliances which are becoming more and more technologically sophisticated.

As such, the Board of Public Works’s improvement plan encompasses two additional projects which would serve to strengthen the capacity of existing substations in the area.

“The system study results identified a list of items (to improve),” Stoner explains.

One project would entail creating an underground system running from the Rice Street area to East Street.

An additional project would implement an underground feeder connecting two existing substations.

Stoner shares the Board of Public Works plans to fund the improvements via revenue bonds, which the board will work with Northline Securities to secure.

“We don’t expect the cost to exceed five million,” Stoner says.

He adds the board intends to bond in the amount of $5 million to ensure all potential costs of the improvements are adequately covered.

As directed by the Public Works Board Charter, the board was required to receive the Blue Earth City Council’s approval before applying for the bonds.

“The Charter gives the board the power to bond, with consent from the city,” Stoner explains.

The Blue Earth City Council passed a resolution establishing its compliance with the reimbursement bond regulations at their Jan. 18 meeting.

As previously stated, BELW provides electric service and water service for the city, operating independently from other city-run services.

“The water services are strictly for Blue Earth, but the electric services serve a little larger area,” Stoner clarifies.

It is this arrangement which necessitates the board’s unique process for bonding.

Stoner upholds the arrangement creates a win-win situation, however.

“It works in favor of keeping rates low for residents of Blue Earth,” Stoner says.

He hopes the planned improvements will uphold the tradition.

When asked when construction on the new projects might begin, Stoner replies, “It really depends on the supply chain. Can we procure bids? Do we have the materials needed?” 

He anticipates, however, that construction will begin as soon as possible.

While DGR Engineering would handle the larger upgrades being made, Stoner believes a significant portion of the work could be sourced locally.

“We do have a very experienced line crew (in Blue Earth),” Stoner says.

He concludes, “The changes will position the Blue Earth community with extra capacity for growth while keeping rates low.” 

Stoner adds the construction of a reverse osmosis plant in town has also been discussed.

“When those two projects are done, it will be a major feather in the cap of Blue Earth for years to come,” Stoner says. “It’s cool to see. That doesn’t always happen in small communities.”