Capital welcomes new members and growth
Capital Electric - February 1, 2011
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Energized in December 2009, the Apple Creek Substation helps Capital provide affordable and reliable electric service to Lincoln-area members. The co-op invested $1 million in this substation. |
Electric cooperatives don't often serve cities or towns; they were created to provide electric service to rural areas that were often sparsely populated. Other utilities would not extend service to remote areas because they could not make a profit.
Back in the 1970s, one of the many rural areas in the Capital Electric Cooperative service area was Fort Lincoln estates southeast of Bismarck. Known for its smaller, more affordable lots, the subdivision grew quickly and eventually became incorporated as the city of Lincoln. Even though the cities of Bismarck and Lincoln are now only five miles apart, Capital still provides electric service to this area.
Terry Mertz, staking engineer for Capital, says Lincoln has continued to expand.
"Last year, it was probably our fastest-growing area. It steadily grew throughout the year, and it is still growing," he estimates.
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New businesses continue to lure residents to Lincoln, like the Angus Grill & Lounge. |
Judy Ruzicka, work order clerk for Capital, shares the city's growth over the past three years.
"Including Lincoln, Wheatland Hills (a subdivision north of Lincoln) and Copper Ridge (a subdivision south of Lincoln), in 2010 there were 76 new residential services. In 2009 there were 69 and in 2008 there were 69," she reveals.
New businesses continue to lure more residents. Two of those businesses include the Angus Grill & Lounge and Cenex.
Over the past few years, Capital has monitored the growth in and around the city of Lincoln, and planned to build a new substation to accommodate the area's expansion. A substation is a fenced facility where electricity is "stepped down" or reduced to a voltage consumers can use in their homes or places of business.
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Cenex is another relatively new business in Lincoln. |
Energized in December 2009, the Apple Creek Substation helped lighten the load on two of the co-op's adjacent substations: the Lincoln Substation north of the University of Mary, and the East Bismarck Substation located behind the Western Area Power Administration on Centennial Road. By decreasing the load on two substations and adding more capacity with the new substation, Capital's power system is strengthened.
Capital Electric welcomes the new residents and business consumers of Lincoln. To learn more about what it means to be a "member" of a co-op, rather than to be a consumer of another utility, click here and then click "What is a cooperative."