CITY OF HUGOTON POWER PLANTS
The City of Hugoton is interconnected with Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc. of Ulysses, Kansas. The City has the capability of producing its own electricity through seven generators located at Plant #2, 1601 S. Washington. At times when it is not possible to purchase all of the city's power requirement, these generators are put into use.
The power plant assures the best quality of service possible for our community. Two full-time mechanics and one plant technician are available at all times for repairs as needed.
The plants employ shift operators who are responsible for monitoring all the engines and gauges hourly to ensure quality uninterrupted service.
For questions concerning the power plant, call 620-544-2478.
Even though uninterrupted power is our main goal, at times power outages occur due to extreme weather, natural disaster, equipment failure, or other unforeseeable conditions. The electric department assures the customer that power will be restored in a timely manner as soon as the problem can be repaired.
Always keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby in case of a power outage. Disconnect any appliances or electronic equipment you were using when the power went out. Leave one light turned on to alert you when the power returns.
BEGINNINGS OF A POWER PLANT
The following history was printed in an article of the newspaper dated September 7, 1928.
"In 1920 the City officials decided that the City of Hugoton should have a light and water system so as to better the living conditions of our City. The City voted bonds and built this plant which was put in operation on the 25th day of October, 1920."
"This plant consisted of two, 50 H.P. Fairbanks-Morse Diesel Engines directly connected to alternators with the equipment needed to make these a complete unit. The plant started with 35 connected meters. The water system was not completed until the 24th of December, 1920, and consisted of one deep well pump connected to a motor."
"As the first building was only large enough to house the two small engines, it was necessary to increase the size of the building to accommodate the large engine. This was done without a bond issue. The entire cost of the improvement was paid out of the earnings from the plant. This plant went through trying times as the load was small at first and the operating cost was high as this plant was built just after the war."
"In 1921, the total output was 62,545 KW at a cost of .117 per KW hour for operating expense. In 1925, the total output was 121,560 KW, operating cost .058."
The date this article was printed, there were 240 electric meters and 144 water meters being used in this community. That number has since grown to an estimated 2,365 electric meters and 1,708 water meters.
NAMEPLATE RATINGS ON ENGINES AND GENERATORS
Plant | Unit# | Type | Make | Model# | KW | HP | RPM | Cyl. | Year Built | Year Installed |
2 | 1 | Engine/Generator | Fairbanks Morse | 31AD18 | 2325 | 3500 | 277 | 10 | 1663 | 1964 |
2 | 2 | Engine/Generator | Colt Pielstick-FM
Ideal Electric** |
14PC2DF | 5000 | 6090 | 514 | V-14 | 1973 | 1994 |
2 | 3 | Engine/Generator | Colt Pielstick-FM
Ideal Electric |
12PC2DF | 4300 | 6000 | 514 | V-12 | 1982 | 1983 |
2 | 4 | Engine/Generator | Fairbanks Morse | 3800TDD8-1/8 | 2070 | 2880 | 720 | OP-12 | 1971 | 1972 |
2 | 5 | Engine/Generator | Fairbanks Morse | 31AD18 | 2500* | 3500 | 277 | 10 | 1961 | 1996 |
2 | 6 | Engine/Generator | Fairbanks Morse | 31AD18 | 3000* | 4200 | 277 | 12 | 1967 | 1996 |
2 | 7 | Engine/Generator | Caterpillar
BBC |
G399TA | 800 | 915 | 1200 | V-16 | 1978 | 1996 |
*=At No FT. Elevation (rating at sea level)
**=Replace Generator in 1999 after explosion in 1997.
PAST SUPERVISORS
(listed from current to past)
Gary Rowden (November 8, 2004 to present)
Steve Wiebe (January 1, 2000-October 24, 2004)
Jerry Leonard (July 1,1987-Dec. 31,1999)
Everett Rowden (1970-1987)
Howard Gracey