Over the next four years, Midwest Electric is committing $12 million in investments to provide reliable service that adds value to our members' lives. 

Primary four-year work plan components:

• Convert the Bluelick substation from 34KV to 69 KV. This conversion will require AEP to rebuild transmission lines along Slabtown Road to our substation for the upgrade. This will add a redundant loop to provide more reliable service and will increase the capacity of our substation.
• The rebuilding of lines to improve reliability and allow for better capability to transfer load and backfeed in the following areas: 
• 6 miles of three-phase primary overhead from Coldwater Metering Point to Macedon Substation.
• 5 miles of three-phase primary overhead from Chickasaw metering point toward St. Henry.
• Continuing the multi-year installation of a distribution automation and supervisory control and data acquisition system, which will reduce the length of major outages by using automation to remotely and quickly transfer load (or "backfeed") from one source to another. The goal is to eventually make this switching capability available systemwide to 17 substations and metering points. 
• Tree pruning around lines, performed on a five-year cycle throughout the co-op's 1,536 miles of power outages and blinking lights. 
• Continuation of pole testing. All 33,000 of Midwest Electric's poles are tested on a 10-year cycle for sturdiness and reliability. Typically, less than 1% fail the test, and those are replaced.
• Purchase of new equipment including meters, transformers, line reclosers, voltage regulators, and poles. 

"Even with all these upgrades, our financial forecast shows no need for a distribution rate increase until around 2030, despite ongoing annual distribution investments of $3 million to $4 million in operations and $1 million to $2 million in patronage cash back. While rate changes are possible before 2030, the forecast suggests stability and value for the near term," CEO Matt Berry.

For updates on construction throughout the year, follow Midwest Electric on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and our website. Have questions about upcoming construction in your area? Give us a call at 800-962-3830.