A Powerline Tech’s Rodeo | Friday, May 17, 2013

 There was no bull riding or chuck wagon racing, and tree roping took the place of calf roping, but the skill level was high at the Yukon’s first ever powerline technician rodeo, held earlier this week in Whitehorse.

Yukon Electrical Company Limited invited powerline techs from Yukon Energy, NuLine, and Arctic Power to join them for a couple of hours of friendly competition and camaraderie.

Participants were divided into teams of three (Yukon Energy formed a team with NuLine) and were required to complete a circuit that included six challenges. They were asked to assemble power pole structures, including the cross arms, etc. They had to use a 40 foot stick to remove shoes from a de-energized powerline. They were required to attach a rope to a tree and simulate what they would do to safely remove the tree from a transmission line.

Perhaps the most popular event (among the spectators at least) was to have the technicians climb a power pole with a raw egg in their mouths. While some of the eggs were returned unscathed, others suffered a rather messy fate, much to the chagrin of the competitors!

Not only did the participants have to perform the tasks as quickly as possible, but they had to work safely too. In fact safety was the theme of the rodeo.

Many thanks to Yukon Electrical for hosting this event, and congratulations for taking top spot in the competition (the Yukon Energy/NuLine team was second, and Arctic Power third).  Below are a few images from the event.

Thank You and Congratulations! | Monday, May 13, 2013

Several weeks ago we invited Yukoners to fill out an online survey about Yukon Energy. Almost 300 people took the time to complete the survey, which we will use to serve you better. We thank all of you for your input. 

Everyone who did the survey had their name put in a draw for a selection of energy saving products. The winner is Melanie Brais. Congratulations Melanie!

Once we have compiled the results of the survey we will share the information with Yukoners.

Are You Prepared? | Friday, May 10, 2013

This is Emergency Preparedness Week. We thought is would be a good time to remind you about a booklet we produced in cooperation with the Yukon government's Emergency Measures Organization. This booklet focuses on what to do during winter power outages, but it will prepare you for a range of situations with the aim of lessening the negative impacts on your and your family.

Please take the time to give it a read, and share it with others. We also have the booklet in French.

More Reliability Projects | Friday, May 10, 2013

 Some of you may have noticed some work taking place at our substation located on the Mayo Road near Whitehorse (photo shows the ground being cleared for the expansion).

We are upgrading the substation so that we can supply power to the soon to be built Whistle Bend subdivision. At the same time we are making improvements to our system that will limit outages to smaller geographic areas and allow us to restore power more quickly during an outage. The project will be completed next year. At a cost of $12-million spread over two years, it is our largest capital project underway right now.

A good two-thirds of our capital budget each year goes toward improving reliability. Other reliability projects for this year include:

• Whitehorse spillway – in 2012 we began refurbishing the spillway gates and structures at our Whitehorse dam. The work will be completed in 2013.

• Overhauls: we completed overhauls in 2012 on one of our older Aishihik hydro units and one of our Dawson diesels. In 2013 we’ll overhaul one of our Whitehorse hydro units, the second of our older Aishihik generators, and another of our Whitehorse diesel units.

Say Good-bye to that Old Fridge | Thursday, May 9, 2013

 Are you looking to get rid of your old fridge? Did you know there’s a program that will not only give you cash towards a new energy efficient refrigerator, but also take away your old one for free?

Two years ago, Yukon Energy and the Yukon government's Energy Solutions Centre (ESC) started a fridge and freezer retirement program as a pilot project. Since then, close to 400 older inefficient appliances have been retired, resulting in almost 400,000 kWh in energy savings.

Because of its success, ESC and Yukon Energy have decided to continue this initiative, focusing just on refrigerators. Here's how it works: contact the Energy Solutions Centre and tell them you have one or two old fridges that you'd like to get rid of. The appliances must be in current use and they must be five or more years old. ESC will arrange for up to two appliances to be picked up and taken to the landfill. They'll pay the landfill tipping fee and you'll receive $50 towards the cost of each new fridge that you purchase!

Most homeowners aren't aware that it can cost $100 or more per year to run an older fridge. This program doesn't just give financial incentives off the top, but it also provides ongoing energy bill savings, as the new energy efficient appliances require less electricity.

Call The Energy Solutions Centre at 393-7063 or toll free in Yukon at 1-800-661-0408 ext. 7063 to register for this program. You can visit their website to get further details.

Thanks For Hanging Out With Us | Monday, May 6, 2013

Thanks to everyone who dropped by our booth over the week-end at the Lion's Trade Show. We enjoyed chatting with you and handing out clothespins and energy savings tips.

Here is our list of door prize winners:

Clotheslines:
Lance Brackenbury
Amber Ursich
Wade Kaye

Watch for Us At the Trade Show! | Thursday, May 2, 2013

Planned Power Outage in Dawson City | Thursday, May 2, 2013

 For some of our Dawson customers, we have a planned power outage set for next Wednesday, May 8th from midnight until 6 a.m. It will affect the following areas:

• 5th Avenue & Craig Street North to and including Judge Street, and east to and including 9th Avenue; and

• All residents of the Dome sub division.

This outage is necessary so crews can upgrade some of our equipment. For more information please call 993-5565.

Question: I understand that LED lights are the most efficient and environmentally friendly bulbs on the market these days. I would like to buy some for my home but I can't figure out how many lumens I need. Can you help?

Yes we can! Here's a simple conversion chart:

• 40-watt incandescent bulb = 450 lumens
• 60-watt incandescent bulb = 800 lumens
• 100-watt incandescent bulb = 1,600 lumens

On top of that, you'll want to look on the packaging to find out the type of light colour (yellow tones for warm light, white tones for bright white, and blue tones for daytime light). Here's an information sheet that shows you the kind of information found on the back of the bulb's box.