How we serve with the operations team

Teamwork and safety are two of Basin Electric’s core values. For James Rueb, coalman at Antelope Valley Station, these values are paramount to his role in providing electricity for rural America.

Though he started at the plant in September 2023, Rueb became familiar with several of Basin Electric’s North Dakota facilities during his prior 27 years as an industrial painter doing work at Antelope Valley Station, the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, and Leland Olds Station.

Antelope Valley Station is located near the Great Plains Synfuels Plant and the Coteau Properties Company’s Freedom Mine. Much of the station’s fuel supply comes from the Great Plains Synfuels Plant in the form of lignite fines—particles of coal too small for use in the gasification process. This helps Basin Electric be a responsible steward of the environment by minimizing any waste of North Dakota’s precious coal resources.

In his role as coalman, Rueb keeps coal flowing from the Freedom Mine to the plant through a system of conveyors, loads railcars that carry coal from the mine to Leland Olds Station, and dumps railcars of pebble lime used in the scrubbers. He also manages coal supplies in the live storage barn so there is always a way to get coal to the plant in instances where operations may need to be temporarily diverted.

Maintaining equipment the plant relies on for continued operation is no small task. Part of Rueb’s duties include cleaning the coal chutes after every bunker is emptied and helping clean the plant to ensure a safe working environment is preserved.

When repairs or updates to equipment are needed, Rueb also assists with the lockout-tagout process, cutting off the power supply to a piece of equipment so people can safely work on it.

Maintaining operations at a facility like Antelope Valley Station requires skilled employees, like Rueb, who have a strong understanding of how their systems work and what steps to take to get equipment back online if something goes wrong, all while watching out for their teammates. Safety is a constant priority, and personal protective equipment and frequent communication are essential to ensuring everyone returns home safely at the end of each shift.

The coalman job can quickly become dangerous if appropriate safety measures aren’t taken. Working around constantly moving conveyor systems and large equipment requires a lot of focus, situational awareness, and diligence in following proper protocols. With all that activity, “keeping your wits about you” is critical, Rueb says. Not only is staying in peak mental condition important, but physical strength is also important when it comes to cleaning chutes and shoveling coal.

Rueb is certainly no stranger to North Dakota weather and the extremes our seasons can bring. He recalls several stretches last winter where temperatures plunged below negative 40 degrees, which can be taxing when performing manual labor outdoors.

Precipitation also creates its own challenges. Rain can result in chutes getting clogged, and snow can cause coal to freeze into railcars. No matter the conditions, Rueb and the team at Antelope Valley Station have to keep things operational for Basin Electric’s members. In these instances, team members will use specialized equipment, such as air lances and air chippers, to loosen and clear debris from the chutes and railcars.

Though equipment breakdowns are generally considered a nuisance, Rueb views them in a positive light. “You learn a lot. Other people’s knowledge is just the greatest thing ever. As they come up, you try to teach others things you know to make their jobs easier, too.”

Rueb and his teammates are in constant contact with the control room operators. He says their knowledge and the previous experience these individuals have working the same jobs as those on the plant floor is incredibly valuable.

Rueb jokes that “nice summer evenings when everything works well” are the days he most enjoys being a coalman. But in all seriousness, he says, “The satisfaction of knowing I did my part, left the next crew in good shape, and knowing there will be electricity when I get home is what makes me enjoy what I do and realize the impact my job has on those at the end of the line.”

Rueb has a lot to say about the quality of team members he works with daily. From those on the plant floor, to his supervisor and the control room operators, he pays the highest regard to those making sure the plant continues to run smoothly, efficiently, and in the safest manner possible. He says, “I’m fortunate to be working with good, honest, hard-working people. I appreciate that.”

Reflecting on the plant’s role in providing power for Basin Electric’s members, Rueb adds, “We’re a reliable source of energy and use the minerals around us to make electricity. We are a very safe, well-functioning plant.”
Disclaimer: On Dec. 29, 2025, Rueb started a new position as scrubber attendant at Antelope Valley Station.