Grand Electric Co-Op Inc

P.O. Box 39, Bison, South Dakota, United States | Electric Power

Grand Electric Cooperative, Inc. serves nearly 10,000 square miles of Northwestern South Dakota with dependable electric power. It covers approximately 3,885 energized miles and serves more than 7 counties including: Butte, Corson, Harding, Meade, Perkins, and Ziebach in South Dakota and part of Carter County in Montana. As a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Grand Electric Cooperative, Inc is owned by the members they serve and we are committed to providing reliable electricity at the lowest price possible. In short, co-ops “look out” for the members they serve. Touchstone Energy co-ops provide high standards of service according to their four core values: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.

The Upper Grand River Electric Association was organized July 12, 1946, in Bison, South Dakota. Prior to this organization, virtually no rural utility services existed in this area. On January 9, 1950 the organization coverted to Grand Electric Cooperative, Inc. A nine-man Board of Directors was established to govern the cooperative.

Construction

  • A-1 Section  Northeast portion of system including Lemmon, White Butte, Meadow, Bison and Prairie City.
  • A-2 Section  Balance of northern Perkins County and into eastern Harding County including Lodgepole and Ralph areas.
  • B Section      South half of Perkins County plus Ralph and Sorum areas and the town of Buffalo.
  • C Section      Stoneville, Red Owl, Maurine, Mud Butte, Castle Rock, and Hoover areas.
  • D Section      Coal Springs, Redig, Harding, Ladner and Camp Crook areas.
  • The Buffalo outpost was established in 1953
  • The first oil wells began being served in 1959
  • The first missile sites began being served in 1961
  • The first oil field compressors came on line in the late 1970's
  • The J.R. Riedy substation was constructed in 1982
  • The Bowman substation and transmission line was constructed in 1989
  • Large oil field compressor loads came on line in 1990 and 1994.
  • Last missile sites were deativated in 1994.

Storms

Grand Electric suffered from several severe storms in the past decade.

March 18, 2003:  Several inches of rain, followed by a drop in temperature created thick ice on the lines in the Buffalo area. 246 poles were lost and crews from Butte Electric, Moreau-Grand Electric, Black Hills Electric, West River Electric, Cam-Wal Electric, FEM Electric, Brink Construction and Boldt Construction were called in to assist.

Services

Grand Electric not only provides electricity to your home, we also offer a full service wiring department, appliance sales & service, heating and cooling equipment and installation.

Members may also take advantage of our Member Loan Program that allows customers to finance their new appliances, heating and cooling systems or wiring project at a low-interest rate.

  • Loans under $5,000 require a 20% down payment, carry a 6% interest rate and may be financed for up to 3 years.
  • Loans over $5,000 requite a 20% down payment, carry a 6% interest rate and may be financed for up to 5 years.

Safety

At your Touchstone Energy cooperative, member safety is important to us. Below are some links to important safety information to help keep you and your family safe.

  • Power Outage Checklist
  • Don't Mess Around with Power Lines
  • Thunder & Lightning Safety
  • Use Portable Generators Safely
  • Winter Storm Safety
  • Power Line Safety
  • Power Lines and Cars
  • Generator Safety

Power Line Safety

Accidentally contacting a power line can be dangerous and in some cases, even deadly. Your Touchstone Energy cooperative wants to help our members stay safe around power lines.

Keep a safe distance

Whether you are playing outdoors with your children or working on landscaping projects, keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment your co-op uses to get electricity to your home.

Always remember to:

  • Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes.
  • Don’t climb trees near power lines.
  • Never fly kits, remote control airplanes or balloons near power lines.
  • If you get something stuck in a power line, call your Touchstone Energy co-op to get it.
  • Keep a safe distance from overhead power lines when working with ladders or installing objects such as antennas.
  • Never touch or go near a downed power line.
  • Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.
  • Keep children and pets away.

History

History

The Upper Grand River Electric Association was organized July 12, 1946, in Bison, South Dakota. Prior to this organization, virtually no rural utility services existed in this area. On January 9, 1950 the organization coverted to Grand Electric Cooperative, Inc. A nine-man Board of Directors was established to govern the cooperative.

Construction

  • A-1 Section  Northeast portion of system including Lemmon, White Butte, Meadow, Bison and Prairie City.
  • A-2 Section  Balance of northern Perkins County and into eastern Harding County including Lodgepole and Ralph areas.
  • B Section      South half of Perkins County plus Ralph and Sorum areas and the town of Buffalo.
  • C Section      Stoneville, Red Owl, Maurine, Mud Butte, Castle Rock, and Hoover areas.
  • D Section      Coal Springs, Redig, Harding, Ladner and Camp Crook areas.
  • The Buffalo outpost was established in 1953
  • The first oil wells began being served in 1959
  • The first missile sites began being served in 1961
  • The first oil field compressors came on line in the late 1970's
  • The J.R. Riedy substation was constructed in 1982
  • The Bowman substation and transmission line was constructed in 1989
  • Large oil field compressor loads came on line in 1990 and 1994.
  • Last missile sites were deativated in 1994.

Storms

Grand Electric suffered from several severe storms in the past decade.

March 18, 2003:  Several inches of rain, followed by a drop in temperature created thick ice on the lines in the Buffalo area. 246 poles were lost and crews from Butte Electric, Moreau-Grand Electric, Black Hills Electric, West River Electric, Cam-Wal Electric, FEM Electric, Brink Construction and Boldt Construction were called in to assist.

Company Details
Company NameGrand Electric Co-Op Inc
Business CategoryElectric Power
AddressP.O. Box 39
Bison
South Dakota
United States
ZIP: 57620
PresidentJohn Long
Year Established1946
EmployeesNA
MembershipsNA
Hours of OperationMonday-Friday :7:30 am–5:00 pm
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