Harlan Municipal Utilities: Providing electricity to Harlan for over 130 years
HARLAN — The movement toward an electrified America quickly gained momentum in the 1880’s as research and inventions harnessed the natural power of electricity. Electric lighting was becoming common in urban areas across the country. By the end of the decade, it was abundantly clear electric power was the next step necessary in the development of commerce and modern conveniences. The question was: who would provide the power to propel Harlan into the 20th Century?
Harlan City Council records show on December 1, 1890, a petition signed by 27 residents requested the City Council call a special election and put forth to the town two resolutions. One resolution would establish an electric utility, and one would establish municipal water works. Both would be the property of and overseen by the town via the City Council. The Council agreed with the petitioners and, December 10, approved a resolution calling for a special election January 20, 1891. The measures passed easily with 304 voting for establishing a municipal light plant and 29 against.
For more than 130 years, Harlan Municipal Utilities (HMU) hasbeen providing electrical utility services to Harlan. The company is now in the final stages of moving all overhead power lines in city limits underground.
“We are in the last stage of getting rid of the overhead lines,” said Chief Executive Officer Joe Rueschenberg, noting the exception is the “main feeder” - the 69,000-volt line, commonly referred to the 69KV line, which encompasses Harlan.
“All primary and secondary lines will be underground once this project is done.” Rueschenberg said the project, which began in late 1999, provides better reliability and ease of maintenance. Burying the lines also improves community appearance.
The 69 KV transmission line encompasses the city, connecting the four substations and the transmission line along Highway 59 between Harlan and Avoca are both currently being inspected, and any recommended repairs will be done this fall and next spring. HMU owns 97% of the transmission line along Highway 59 with MidAmerican Energy owning the remaining 3%.
Power is supplied by Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). The power is generated by hydroelectric dams on the Missouri River. They also receive power from MidAmerican Energy. HMU has 0.8% ownership in the Louisa Generating Power Plant, in Louisa County, south of Muscatine along the Mississippi River, which is operated by MidAmerican Energy.
During peak usage periods, HMU owns two diesel generators which can be operated as needed to assist during power outages.
Colburn Warner, HMU Electric and Gas Superintendent, said improvements are currently being made in the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, which is used to monitor and meter power usage. “This will give us a better handle of our usage and reporting,” Warner said.
According to Rueschenberg, rates are set according to the cost of power purchased and maintenance of the system. The last adjustment in rates for electrical utilities was in 2017.
HMU provides electric service for approximately 2,853 meters.
Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a series of articles highlighting each of HMU’s departments and recent improvements.