Before and After: Improving the Kayenta/Chinle Lines

   To the Kayenta and Chinle electric line crews - five days might have seemed like just another work week - however, for thousands of regional customers - this particular work week was much more than 8-5.
   Think limited power outages and more reliability in the Chinle and Kayenta NTUA district service areas, according to project leaders.
   The plan was to separate the power load, giving Chinle its own powerline direct from the Kayenta 230kV substation. Before the Chinle Valley was sharing the power supply from Kayenta, which included Kayenta, Black Mesa, and Chilchinbeto regions.
   “So it was like everyone was drinking from the same well,” said Wilfred Brown, Chinle Field Superintendent. “Pretty soon that well starts to run dry. But now, with separate feeders, it’s like we have two wells for two separate areas.”
   As of August 25, the power lines were re-energized and loads were transferred back to normal. Chinle Valley is now fed from Kayenta 230kV Transformer #2- Breaker B4. Black Mesa Pipeline, Forest Lake and Chilchinbeto Substation are now being fed from Kayenta 230kVsubstation Transformer #1 -Breaker B5.
   “The work was completed safely and without incident,” said Terri Begay, UOC Dispatch Supervisor, who managed the switching orders. “Everyone worked together.”
   HQ Electrical Engineer Dwayne Kiyaani said the concept idea originated from Benjamin Charley, Operations Engineer. Design drawings were devised by Lead Designer Boyce Bedoni. Lead Construction Foreman was Sandy Barry, Chinle District.

   Congratulations to the Combined NTUA Electric Line Forces Chinle District Crew: Benson Davis, Johnny Samuel, Anthony Bahe, Valentino Billy, Dehn Yazzie, Bryan Yazzie, John Joe, Regis Morgan, Ryan Smith, Donathan Hunter, Shawn Yazzie, Jerrold Redhouse, Benthal Begay, and Calvin Tapaha.
   Kayenta District Crew: Ramon LaRose, Jessie Kee James, Robert Atene, Raymond Reed Jr., Leroy Todacheene, Will Ward, Leonard Atene, and Larry James. On-site Field Superintendant was Wilfred Brown.
   Consulting Advisors: Gene Wilson and Wilfred Brown. On-site safety officer was Raymond Laughter. yenta District Crew: Ramon LaRose, Jessie Kee James, Robert Atene, Raymond Reed Jr., Leroy Todacheene, Will Ward, Leonard Atene, and Larry James. On-site Field Superintendent was Wilfred Brown.