Basin Electric supports flood relief efforts

Employees lend a helping hand to flood-stricken communities along the Missouri River.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative - June 8, 2011

Monday, May 23, was a usual work day at Basin Electric. A potential flood was a discussion point, but certainly not a crisis. That all changed Tuesday when the U.S. Corps of Engineers announced an aggressive ramp-up schedule for releases from the Garrison Dam to accommodate high water levels after a long winter of record precipitation and mountain snow melt in Montana. Citizens needed to act fast to take protective measures against their homes and other businesses and homes along the Missouri River.


An employee's home is sandbagged and furniture removed.

That’s when Ron Harper, Basin Electric CEO and general manager, announced all cooperative employees would be granted three paid days to assist in flood efforts. From there, sand started flying, furniture was being moved and employees started evacuating homes.

“I’ve always been impressed at the level to which our people step up in a time of need. This flood is no different, but they’ve truly amazed me this time,” says Ron Harper Basin Electric CEO and general manager. “Our most recent count indicates that at least 145 employees are directly impacted by flooding. Early indications show our employees have already logged 30,000 hours so far in this fight against Mother Nature, and that’s a conservative estimate.”

Additionally, this week Basin Electric is delivering two substantial checks to organizations at the core of flood relief: The American Red Cross West Dakota Chapter and the Salvation Army are each receiving $15,000 from the cooperative.

“Basin Electric Power Cooperative has a long history of supporting the American Red Cross,” says Janel Schmitz, Executive Director of American Red Cross West Dakota Chapter. “With this gift, you stand beside us as we feed sandbaggers, shelter evacuees, and provide emotional support to those devastated by the flood. We thank you and want you to know how much this is appreciated.”

“This donation will help us continue our work in the flood fight. We are only able to do what we’re doing because of gifts like Basin Electric’s gift,” says the Salvation Army’s Major Lee Morrison.

Next week Basin Electric employees are swapping business attire for jeans and t-shirts designed to support flood relief organizations. The cooperative has sponsored “United We Sand” t-shirts to benefit the United Way, Salvation Army and American Red Cross.

Basin Electric has also taken further steps to assist impacted employees and the community:

The cooperative made its warehouse available for storage space of household items to evacuated employees, along with a fenced area for outdoor items.

Evacuated employees may use the Basin Electric Headquarters lower parking lot to store boats, RVs or vehicles.

Evacuated employees and immediate family members are able to use showering facilities at the cooperative’s fitness center in the J&L Building across the street from Basin Electric Headquarters.

Basin Electric engineering staff is providing surveying services to flood-affected employees as well as map-reading assistance.

Basin Travel is maintaining a list of available hotels for employees’ reference.

Tetanus shots were provided to employees June 8.

Basin Electric employees currently serving in the military who are called for service to aid in flood relief will receive the difference between their normal base pay and the amount of their military pay for the total time needed to serve.

Packing boxes for impacted employees are available at Headquarters.

Basin Electric also provides the Employee Assistance Program for all employees and their dependent family members, which offers help in many areas of personal concern and difficulty and during times of crisis.

Additionally, from May 26-June 3, Basin Electric’s cafeteria staff provided meals to flood relief volunteers, working in conjunction with the American Red Cross West Dakota Chapter, Salvation Army and Mandan Lions Club. This week the cooperative resumes with donations of bottled water, Gatorade and granola bars.

About Basin Electric Power Cooperative

Basin Electric is a consumer-owned, regional cooperative headquartered in Bismarck. It generates and transmits electricity to 135 member rural electric systems in nine states: Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. These member systems distribute electricity to about 2.8 million consumers.

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Basin Electric supports flood relief efforts

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