Harper reflects on service to Basin Electric family

Harper said Basin Electric's founders recognized a need and created a movement to bring electricity to rural America.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative - November 9, 2011

In his last report to Basin Electric's membership as CEO and general manager, Ron Harper talked about the accomplishments of the past 50 years and his thoughts for the future.
 
Harper retires at the end of 2011 as Basin Electric's third general manager in its 50-year history. Andrew Serri has been named as his replacement.

"I can't think of a more poignant time to leave as we reflect on what brought us to where we are today," he said. "We're honoring our rich history and will build on that foundation for the next 50 years."

Harper said Basin Electric's founders recognized a need and created a movement to bring electricity to rural America. He credited James Grahl, Basin Electric’s first general manager, for hiring young, talented employees who harnessed the power of lignite and the "strength and stubbornness of humankind."

The completion of the Dry Fork Station near Gillette, WY, was one of many highlights for Harper during his career at Basin Electric. Dry Fork was the first coal-based unit to be built by Basin Electric since 1986, when the second unit of the Antelope Valley Station near Beulah, ND, came online. "It was no easy task. The building part was easy," he said. "The regulatory process was a hurdle, especially with the black eye coal is facing these days. We did it because it was the right thing for our membership."

Under Harper's leadership, Basin Electric's generating portfolio was expanded to not only include a new coal plant, but a dozen natural gas-fueled generating units, the first large wind project in North Dakota and the largest wind project in the United States owned solely by a cooperative, and other innovative projects to generate electricity.

"For the past 50 years, the challenges of developing power supply have continually faced Basin Electric," he said. "Whether it's a coal-based plant or a renewable project, it is more challenging than ever. We need a clear and solid energy policy that will create a path for domestic energy development – including coal. Without it, the United States and our fellow utilities will put little substantial effort toward clean energy development."

Even without a national plan, Harper said the membership has driven the cooperative to succeed. "We're blazing our own energy path. We have made significant strides to diversify our energy portfolio in recent years, along with taking on innovative projects that have could have very positive implications for this nation’s energy future."

Reflecting on his time with the cooperative, Harper said Basin Electric was a place he could call home. "It's easy to be a part of and represent an organization that puts so much focus on integrity – an organization that is made up of people with a work ethic unmatched in our region. This has been a great family."