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DFS annual report presented to Wyoming ISC
The report features an analysis of impacts on surrounding counties, as well as the frequency of use on area community services infrastructure.
Basin Electric Power Cooperative - April 1, 2010
Wheatland, Wyo. – The construction work force at the Dry Fork Station peaked in September 2009 at 1,307 workers. That was just a small part of the information presented to the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council (ISC) at its regular meeting in Wheatland, Wyo., March 30.
The report was presented by Curt Pearson, Dry Fork Station project representative, and Doug Ramsey, construction manager at the Dry Fork Station. Pearson reported the temporary construction work force at the coal-based power plant under construction north of Gillette, Wyo., had a significant, positive impact on Gillette and northeast Wyoming in 2009.
Impact monitoring statistics show the purchases made by the temporary construction work force at the Dry Fork Station represent a significant contribution to the local and area economy, and the relocating construction work force has not resulted in significant negative impacts to local or area schools, according to the submitted report. The report features an analysis of impacts on surrounding counties, as well as the frequency of use on area community services infrastructure.
“Besides tracking where our construction workers came from and where they are living while constructing the Dry Fork Station, we presented statistics on school population impacts, use of municipal services, and how the construction workers choose to spend their shopping and entertainment dollars,” Pearson said.
“When we started the construction effort for Dry Fork, we knew that having available and adequate housing for the influx of construction workers would be a top priority for us,” Pearson said. “So we contracted with area motels/hotels, developers and rental agencies and developed a flexible housing program to meet the needs of the construction work force. This program was developed with input from Industrial Siting Division staff as well as representatives of Gillette and other area communities where these workers would most likely choose to live during construction.”
Pearson noted worker safety is important at Basin Electric. He said Dry Fork Station construction workers are recognized when they complete 200,000 man-hours of work while maintaining a recordable incident rate of 1.5 or less, a goal that is considerably below the industry standard of 4.7. “I’m pleased to report the Dry Fork Station construction workers reached this goal three times in 2009 – twice in October and once in November,” he said.
Pearson noted from now until the spring of 2011, the work force numbers will continually decline as construction draws to a close and the plant begins start-up operations. The Dry Fork Station is scheduled to go into commercial operation May 2011, and will have a projected permanent workforce of 78 people, about one-half of whom have already been hired.
Construction of the Dry Fork Station is about 76 percent complete, as of the end of March 2010.
About Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Basin Electric is a consumer-owned, regional cooperative headquartered in Bismarck, N.D. 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.
Headquarters
1717 East Interstate Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58503-0564 USA
Phone: 701.223.0441
