This power pole has been deemed unsafe. The power company says it’s 50 to 60 years old. I’m wondering if it dates back to the Rural Electricification Administration (REA) created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. It’s possible because many rural areas were not served until the late 50’s.
To further complicate things, another power company has strung wires that criss cross these wires. To fix everything, the experts decide to go underground. That’s when the Horizontal Directional Drill Crew set up their equipment. Shortly after they drilled and buried the conduit, Hoss, from Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, shows up in my driveway. I remember Hoss because he was involved in getting my 3-phase electricity to my shop for my big press back in 1987. “Which day is better for us to kill the electricity for a few hours,” he asks. “Well, Wednesday is better because Thursday is my biggest production day,” I reply. That’s how it all started. I was flattered the power company would ask.
Wednesday morning brought Randy to my driveway. Years ago when I first started my ‘at home’ print shop, I had a power outage. I called the power company to report the outage. The dispatcher took down the information and asked if this was the print shop. I replied “yes,” wondering how he would know that. “Well, we will get you back up because we know you have deadlines.” I was so surprised I didn’t think to tell him my deadlines weren’t all that important that I couldn’t wait it out. That was a good 25 years ago. The person who took that call was Randy. I found that out several years later.
Randy tells me what he’s planning to accomplish today.
Since the power is off, I get my camera out to document the project. One by one I ask the crew if they wouldn’t mind if I video them while they’re working. Everyone is okay with that. I’m impressed with their professionalism. It’s obvious they have trained for this. With very little conversation (except when they are answering my questions) they go about the business of getting the cables into the conduit, pulling out old wires, splicing in new ones. They work fast.
After a couple of days, the new pole is placed, wires hooked up, and potential problem is prevented.
Boulders protecting the junction box, grass growing already. Well done!
I want to thank Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative for maintaining the power, averting a possible dangerous problem, and letting me shoot the videos.
Stringing wire, The movie…
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 