SIOUX FALL, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls growth to the south and west is happening so quickly that some utilities are struggling to keep up.
Southeastern Electric in Marion is serving those exploding areas and they're working to meet service needs of businesses and homeowners.
Southeastern Manager Brad Schardin says the utility is responding with more people and resources.
Schardin says it's a huge service area for Southeastern and it's important to have adequate supply in place. He says that includes having substations strategically located so the utility is ready to provide service to those growing areas.
He says they plan out five, ten and fifteen years and the operation crews have done an excellent job laying out future infrastructure.
Schardin says along with the growth, Southeastern has a work plan for the rest of their service area. He says some of the "plant" is getting pretty old and a huge portion of $10 million dollars will go to distribution and electric replacement. He says that includes line replacement, repairs and upgrades along with serving the new members that are coming on line.
Schardin says they'll continue moving more of their main service lines underground. He says they want to get the main, three-phase line; some of the older lines, protected from ice storms that can cause widespread and lengthy outages.
Scharding says with over 75 years of service it will take time to bury all their main lines.
(Thanks Jerry Oster, WNAX Yankton)
