Community, Conservation, and Service1990 - 1992 Plans to extend transmission lines south to Janesville and north on the Horton Road were one of the first items on the agenda for the 1990s. When a 69KV power line north on the Horton Toad was planned, residents along the route approached the utility with their concerns over EMFs (electric/magnetic fields) and the alleged health problems associated with EMFs. After discussions, the matter was put before the Iowa Commerce Commission which ruled that the line could be built. Accompanying that decision was a promise from the utility to monitor new scientific information in the future. When the city was contemplating construction of an industrial site south of the golf course, they approached the electric utility for help. Following a precedent set long ago, a loan agreement was reached. This spirit of cooperation was also instrumental in purchasing new Christmas lights for Waverly. Because the old lights were beyond repair, they had not been put up the Christmas before. A sample decoration was hung in July, and a campaign to raise the fund was begun. In order to assure their arrival in time for Christmas, it was necessary to order immediately. The utility, which annually hangs, maintains, and stores the decorations, agreed to make the down payment. The campaign was a great success, and when the Christmas season arrived, Bremer Avenue was ablaze with color. In a further effort to create a more attractive downtown area, two beautification projects were completed in 1990 in time for Heritagefest. Old fashioned street lights, similar to those around the Lutheran Mutual building, were installed on the bridge. The second feature was the lighting of the dam. Following an evening of entertainment in the park, the crowd moved down to the bridge and watched as the spot lights slowly came on. The ceremony, with water sprays from fire engines on either side of the river, a florilla parade, a gun salute, and music provided by a band on the bridge, left all those present with a feeling of pride in Waverly. The lighting of the dam was quickly followed by several significant events: - a new logo was adopted
- Waverly Light and Power became the official name of the utility
- The utility was the recipient of the 1990 Iowa Quality Recognition Award in the Public Services category.
Governor Terry Branstad presented the award for the utility's development of a quality service and operations program. Part of that effort involved the formation of a team comprised of employees, the utility director, and a member of the Board of Trustees. Team members worked with the architect in designing the new service center, planning new equipment purchases, and selecting the new outdoor Christmas lights. The name change was suggested and a new logo was designed by utility employees. Being an active part of the community has always been an important part of the goals of the electric utility. Continuing that precept, when it became necessary to drain the pond at the North Plant for repairs, a fishing derby was planned for youngsters. Employees donated their time to prepare the pond area, to arrange for prizes, food, and publicity, and to staff the event. Aware that it was also an opportunity to educate, the Bremer County Conservation Commission was invited to set up a display on fish biology and environmental concerns. Despite cold weather, there were many children who had "big fish" stories by the end of the day. Environmental issues and Waverly Light and Power continued to make news. A commitment was made to tree planting in the community. Working with Tree Forever (of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation), one project allowed local sixth graders to plant trees in the city nursery. Each student hope to see his or her tree replanted around Waverly by the time they graduate. As plans were announced for the new service center, another Enterprise engine was installed in the North Plant. The engine was shipped in pieces and assembled at the plant. This type of planning and the facilities maintained by the Waverly plant over the years resulted in a drop in the price per kilowatt hour from twenty cents in 1945 to seven cents in the 1990s. In July 1991, a momentary outage by IPS caused a dip in power at Waverly. The No. 3 hydro unit relay at the East Plant failed to shut down and tried to carry the entire city of Waverly. The unit, which had been in service since 1923 and was the newest of the three, overheated and caught fire. Smoke was spotted almost immediately, and quick action by the fire department limited the damage, a far different story than the fire of 1908. General Manager Glenn Cannon announced in October 1991 that the utility had received a grant to study the potential of wind generation as a power source for small midwestern utilities. With the Board of Trustees having established conservation and environmental goals to use in planning during the next decade, Cannon stated that wind power offered a highly innovative solution to securing environmentally benign power supplies for the future. Even with modern technology, there are sometimes still unforeseen events that cannot be avoided. Such an occurrence happened in the fall of 1991 when two squirrels unwittingly committed suicide by playing on a power line. The outage was only momentary, but it was enough to wipe out data on computer screens that might have been online. Employees initiative and creativity are fostered at Waverly Light and Power. It pays off in savings to customers. Once again in 1991, it paid off in a big way. "When bids, for labor only, came in on a project to string replacement utility lines...employees balked at the $83,000 price tag." The decided they could handle the task themselves and saved $46,000. When the latest diesel arrived, a new cooling system was needed. Instead of the proffered plans, operators at the North Plant devised a system using well water for a total savings of at least $100,000.  The WLP line crew stops for a photo.
To celebrate the completion of the new Service Center at the North plant, an open house was help on May 2, 1992. Visitors saw high voltage demonstrations and an exhibit by Trees Forever. By special arrangement, the Iowa Woodlawn and Forest Photography collection was on loan from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Art Exhibit. Tours were given of both the new and older portions of the facility. Visitors had an opportunity to view numerous innovations designed to promote high efficiency both in energy used and staff operation. A forced air oil burner using recycled motor oil and non-PCB transformer oil is the primary hear for the shop and truck bays. By using this cost-effective method, the natural gas infrared heat system need only be used when additional heat above the oil burner capacity is required or at times of shortage of used oil. In addition, a passive solar trombe wall on the south end of the building absorbs heat during the day and helps in maintaining the interior temperature at night. The office areas incorporate several energy efficient systems. The lighting is done with high efficient florescent lights. Each office has an infrared sensor that will shut off the lights when it is not occupied within a time period of ten minutes. The heating and cooling of the office areas is accomplished with a high efficiency air-to-air heat pump and a zoned distribution system. Before calling for any additional energy use, a central computer system automatically responds to heating or cooling needs by recirculating system air. In addition, the computer automatically sets back the thermostats at night and on weekends. The operating/training room provides work space for each crew member to complete reports. The storage area for the line crew's gear was designed so that each man's tools and all-weather clothing can be carefully and safely stored, thus lowering risk of injury due to damaged equipment. With the arrival of spring came the call of sunshine, a pond, and a kid with a fishing pole. The second annual Waverly Light and Power Fishing Derby invitations added to that list the promise and free worms for bait. Over 300 children attended the event, having almost as much fun as the employees who conducted it. On unique project begun during 1993 by several staff members was the conversion of a company pickup from gasoline to electric power. When the price of purchasing a new electric vehicle was make known, employees were sure that they could convert a pickup at far less expense. Working all on their own time, they accomplished their goal; and provided the utility with a 60 hp 120 volt DC motored Chevy S-10 pickup for use within the city. On May 26, 1992, a special meeting of the Board of Trustees was held in order to receive public input on both a proposed new rate structure that would reward energy efficiency and an 8% rate increase. The previous rate increase in 1983 had been followed by a decrease in 1987. The additional revenue from the rate increase would: maintain an asset to liability ratio of 3 to 1, provide for a future generation reserve fund, fund the implementation of programs in the integrated resource plan, make it possible to obtain rating and interest rates, and maintain the existing transfer policy with the utility owner, the City of Waverly.  Waverly Light and Power's "Good Cents" Program, one step in the policy of promoting energy efficiency, was introduced in October 1992. Through this program, it is possible for homeowners to save an additional 10% of their monthly electric bill for a period of ten years. By indicating their intentions to meet the required standards, owners of older homes can have their houses audited by the utility to verify qualification for the program. Upon qualification, a certificate authorizing the discount is issued. By the spring of 1993, ninety percent of the new homes constructed in Waverly also met the guidelines. The property owner benefits by lower monthly rates. Once given the discount, the certificate belongs to the property. This is an attractive feature to a prospective buyer. The utility and other Waverly residents also benefit because the price of purchased power is determined by the peak demand.
With new sources of energy generation becoming more scarce and other potential sources not yet affordable, forecasting the load is of critical importance. The Load Forecast is an in-depth study of the history and an estimate for the future of the amount of energy used by customers and the manner in which they use it. This information enables Waverly Light and Power to estimate sales for the next twenty years. However, this alone is not sufficient to determine all power needs or rates. Other studies were conducted on various conservation measures that could reduce future energy and peak demands. Data was compiled on all aspects and sources of purchased power as well as on the advisability of maintaining Waverly's hydro units. Each of these reports included details on cost effectiveness. All of these projects were woven together into the Integrated Resource Plan, the first by an Iowa municipal utility. With the knowledge contained in the IRP and the economic basis it provides, the Board of Trustees can set in motion any changes or programs necessary to serve Waverly's energy needs in to the next century. Since that September morning in 1908 when fire destroyed the electric plant, the Waverly utility has looked to the future. With the present focus on conservation, many measures have already been taken on three fronts: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and tree planting. These efforts were recognized by the Natural Resources in 1992 when they awarded Waverly Light and Power the Iowa Energy Leadership Award.
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