Larry Powell, Chief Specialized Project Development Officer
In addition to providing basic electric services to our members, RGEC has an enduring need to improve the reliability, resilience and operating efficiency of the Cooperative’s electrical systems. The continuing need for management of the Fort Bliss (FB) and Laughlin AFB (LAFB) military utility privatization contracts along with RGEC’s progressively increasing involvement with distributed generation, microgrids and backup power systems coupled with increasingly stringent regulatory compliance and contractual reporting requirements necessitated an internal reorganization in 2022.
Program Management
To better oversee and help manage the various business operations and activities required to address the above, the Program Management function was conceived. This group is composed of a Program Director, Project Managers, Project Coordinators and Construction Superintendents. Collectively, with support from the System Engineering and Engineering Services groups and in coordination with the Operations and Technical Services departments, they perform these very strategic functions:
Native System
- System Improvement/Maintenance Project planning and execution
- RUS Construction Work Plan execution
- Large Power/Industrial Project management
- RUS Form 790 Construction Contract management
- Construction Sub-contractor coordination and field oversight
Laughlin AFB
- LAFB Military Utility Privatization Contract management
- LAFB System Capital Improvement Project planning and execution
- LAFB renewal & replacement projects planning and execution
Fort Bliss
- FB Military Utility Privatization Contract management
- FB System Capital Improvement Project planning and execution
- FB renewal & replacement projects planning and execution
After several years of collaboration and coordination with El Paso Electric Company, RGEC’s North Bliss 50 MVA substation was interconnected with the EPEC’s newly constructed 115kV transmission facilities at Fort Bliss in 2022. The completion of five new 13.8kV feeder tie lines and the energization of the North Bliss substation provides the ability to transfer major loads from the Fort Bliss Main substation as well as affording emergency backfeed capabilities.
Several system improvement projects were completed in these Native System operating areas in 2022 :
Area I – Brackettville
Approximately 5 miles of line segment off of Comstock Feeder 2 was upgraded with new poles and increased conductor size to maintain voltage and service capacity in the northern Val Verde county vicinity.
Area 2 – Carrizo Springs
A 14 mile section of Rosita Creek Feeder 3 along US 57 was upgraded with new poles and hardware to improve service reliability near La Pryor in northwestern Zavala county.
Area 3 – Alpine
An 8 mile section of Persimmon Gap Feeder 4 in Big Bend National Park (BBNP) was upgraded with new poles and hardware to improve service reliability in south Brewster county near Rio Grande Village.
Area 5 – Dell City
A 14 mile section of Cornudas Feeder 2 along and north of US 62/180 was upgraded with new poles and hardware to improve service reliability in western Hudspeth county near the Serena Hills and Deer Mountain Estates subdivisions.
Engineering Services
To improve the efficiency and reduce the execution time for engineering field operations, a new technology was implemented by theEngineering Services group in 2022. In the past, typically, power line extensions have been evaluated, designed and staked utilizing Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment and transit instrumentation. Now, a Real Time Kinematic (RTK) system is being used to design and layout new power line extensions as well as the redesign of existing facilities to be upgraded. The use of this more modern technology is envisioned to help reduce costs and the amount of personnel time associated with engineering field work.