Dawson PPD recently brought a substation transformer back to life after a lightning strike, turning a potential total loss into a major win.
Why it Matters
Substations play a key role in our grid. They step down high-voltage power for local use.
A Rare Recovery
When lightning strikes a transformer, the damage is usually severe. However, due to this unit’s unique size and our substation’s specific design load, Dawson PPD employees found a rare opportunity to fix it rather than replace it.
The Smart Money Move
Dawson PPD avoided a significant capital expense by opting to rebuild. This directly supports our goal of keeping rates affordable.
- New purchase price: $694,000
- Repair cost: $214,700
- Total savings: $480,700
As a not-for-profit utility, this project is a perfect example of our mission: delivering reliable, affordable, and safe power.
OTHER NEWS
Dawson PPD Board Approves Wildfire Mitigation Plan, Reviews Financials and 2027 Budget Projections
At the October meeting, the Dawson Public Power District Board of Directors approved a Wildfire Mitigation Plan, reviewed August financial performance, and discussed preliminary projections for the 2027 budget.
Tree Trimming to begin NOVEMBER 2 in HERSHEY
Leetch Tree Service, a contractor hired by Dawson PPD, will begin trimming trees and limbs in the Hershey area starting Monday, November 2, 2026.
Important Transfer Switch Policy Updates You Need to Know
If you are planning to install a backup generator or update your existing standby power setup, please take note of recent updates to Dawson PPD’s installation policies.