Closed Circuit

Anastasia Markel is a highly skilled Energy Management and Marketing Specialist for the Colorado River Storage Project region who consistently goes above and beyond her role and shows meticulous attention to detail and strong leadership.

Amy Blalock started her WAPA career in 2010 as part of the Student Career Experience Program. Over time, she has worked in various locations throughout the Rocky Mountain and Desert Southwest regions.

Colin Marquez has served as a valued member of WAPA since 2010, advancing through various leadership roles that reflect his dedication and contributions to achieving WAPA’s strategic goals.

Leah Shapiro has served WAPA for more than 12 years in various roles, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to its mission and people. She is a skilled storyteller, dedicated to sharing WAPA’s achievements and ensuring the organization presents itself in the best light.

Gary Mayfield is a respected leader at WAPA. As the Upper Great Plains Transmission Scheduling and Switching Manager, he is known for his strong technical skills and self-driven nature and has significantly leveraged his expertise in with the UGP Energy Management System.

Ben Blaquiere with WAPA’s Upper Great Plains region epitomizes the organization’s core values through dedication, hard work and humility. For over 38 years, he has been a cornerstone at the Miles City Converter Station in Montana, earning him a 2024 ESA recognition.

Jonathan Aust has been instrumental in guiding WAPA through significant transitions, particularly in integrating RM and DSW regions into the SPP’s Western Energy Imbalance Service and CAISO’s Western Energy Imbalance Market.

David Tucker, WAPA’s new CTO, brings over 20 years of experience to lead tech innovation, driving WAPA’s mission of delivering clean, reliable energy forward.

Kayti Bashore received the 2024 HR Strategic Partnership Award for her outstanding leadership and collaboration with HR, exemplifying excellence and fostering organizational success.

Learn about the intricate world of WAPA’s Power System Dispatchers, who ensure the safe and reliable operation of the electric grid amid complex and challenging conditions.

On Veterans Day, we unite to honor the courage, dedication and sacrifices of all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The veteran-centric employee resource group supports WAPA employees with prior military service and recently provided a beneficial presentation on VA disability claims.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month’s theme emphasizes the critical need for equitable employment opportunities, career advancement and a supportive work environment for people with disabilities.

Hispanic Heritage Month’s theme of “Pioneers of change: shaping the future together” reflects the innovative spirit and cultural resilience of Hispanic communities and highlights their role in shaping a brighter future.

Today, we remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001. As we reflect on this solemn anniversary, we are reminded of the bravery of first responders and everyday citizens and the power of unity and service.

This holiday marks more than the achievements of our workforce; it underscores our collective commitment to empowering communities and advancing a resilient energy future.

Women’s Equality Day on August 26 marks the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment, a pivotal victory in the women’s suffrage movement, advancing gender equality.

WAPA’s commitment to inclusion and equality is symbolized by raising the Pride flag, reflecting the progress and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

This day marked a pivotal moment of freedom and hope, a reminder of the enduring fight for equality and justice.

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we pause to honor the bravery, sacrifice and determination of the Allied forces who undertook this monumental task.

Desert Southwest recently consolidated the rates of its transmission systems, cutting administrative costs by simplifying the rates-making process.

Earlier this year, WAPA finalized and published its Final 2025 Olmsted Power Marketing Plan, which specifies the terms and conditions under which WAPA will market energy from the Olmsted Project for the next 30 years, beginning in October 2024.

On April 5, WAPA entered the California Independent System Operator’s WEIM.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a great time to brush up on best practices for digital and online safety.

DOE’s Chief Information Officer and her staff visited WAPA to discuss technology and cybersecurity priorities, including deep dives into mandates and reporting.

Marks Phelps is an IT supervisor at WAPA who is passionate about blacksmithing.

We evolve and cultivate our culture and work practices to improve employee engagement, productivity and well-being.

From telephone and telegraph lines to 14.4k modems and satellite internet, the speed at which humans push and pull information has exponentially increased with every passing decade.

Our dedicated Web Management team successfully modernized and migrated the site, significantly enhancing its functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Practicing cybersecurity basics can make a huge difference in protecting your information and systems that you use.

Cybersecurity Advisor Jim Ball was recognized for participating on the Clean Energy Corps’ Core Competency Interview Team.

WAPA’s CPI community of over 300 members drives efficiency through Lean Six Sigma, fostering knowledge sharing and professional development to enhance operations.

During National Wildfire Awareness Month in May, the Western Area Power Administration is increasing knowledge of wildfire risk and potential impacts.

WAPA’s Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) program is championed by two relatively new leaders who are driving CPI forward from a long history and solid foundation for successful process improvement.

Though articles and videos, employees share how they contribute to WAPA’s mission and strategy.

Nearly a year in the making, WAPA released its updated strategic plan Feb. 7, 2023.

The strategic plan is the successor to Strategic Roadmap 2024. It will guide WAPA through an evolving energy landscape for the next seven years.

You can help protect your home and loved ones through proactive planning and preparing to respond if a fire takes place.

Learn about updated Hazard Communication Standard changes, including new labeling, hazard classifications, and expanded Safety Data Sheets to enhance chemical safety at WAPA.

With so many safety topics to choose from, lets focus on a few that can make a big difference at work and our personal lives.

As a learning organization, we strive to improve our processes, identify areas of improvement, and seek feedback from our employees.

Recognizing and Avoiding Distraction both at home and in the workplace.

Fire can happen anywhere, and we all need to be prepared to protect ourselves

Every August, WAPA begins a five-month process to revise the Power System Safety Manual, an effort made successful by employee participation.

Safety committees help keep WAPA employees safe on a local and organizational basis. They also can use input and participation from you.

Safe spring cleaning. Spring is here, and for many it is a fitting time to organize and clean their homes and workspaces.

The Western Area Power Administration’s Rocky Mountain region added 12 new customers to its Loveland Area Projects portfolio, the most since 2004.

Originally built in the early 1950s, WAPA’s Flatiron-Valley 115-kV line has powered Loveland while the community built up around it. WAPA is updating structures for more clearance and better reliability.

AEPCO, Basin, CORE, Minnkota Power, Tri-State and United Power were selected as finalists for funding through the USDA’s New ERA program.

WAPA crews responded to four destroyed and damaged transmission towers structures Aug. 28 after an EF-2 tornado touched down in South Dakota, resulting in $1.3 million of damage.

Crews from the Western Area Power Administration’s Rocky Mountain region worked to upgrade a 115-kilovolt transmission line that feeds power to consumers throughout the Loveland, Colorado, area.

Path 15 public private partnership enhanced the transmission grid.

WAPA’s Cody Hotline School equips linemen with the technical skills for safe operations, combining hands-on training and industry expertise to enhance electrical safety.

WAPA collaborates to counter invasive smallmouth bass in the Grand Canyon, balancing environmental protection with the challenges of maintaining hydropower generation.

WAPA’s Desert Southwest region responded to a transformer fire caused by a lightning strike at its Test Track Substation near Maricopa, Arizona.

WAPA’s Procurement team organized a field trip to Casper, Wyoming, aimed at reconnecting their staff with field operations, emphasizing the critical support they provide to live missions.

With construction underway on WAPA’s soon-to-be-established Beale Substation, Sierra Nevada is paying particular attention to California’s native vernal pool fairy shrimp.

Discover the exciting new upgrades at WAPA’s Electric Power Training Center, featuring modern meeting spaces, enhanced training simulators and more.

Learn about the intricate world of WAPA’s Power System Dispatchers, who ensure the safe and reliable operation of the electric grid amid complex and challenging conditions.

Discover how WAPA’s record archival project is preserving history, optimizing space, and transitioning to digital records in a milestone effort.

With extreme weather events on the rise, WAPA has faced growing energy costs. Yet, as it has from its inception, the organization continues to adapt.

The Western Area Power Administration line crews are heading home after a week of repairing damaged transmission lines in southwestern Iowa.

During National Wildfire Awareness Month in May, the Western Area Power Administration is increasing knowledge of wildfire risk and potential impacts.

Carbon-free, cost-effective, reliable power that backs up renewables like wind and solar, built by U.S. companies and owned by U.S. utilities.

On April 25, WAPA’s Headquarters staff offered children a glimpse into the multifaceted world of WAPA to learn about its diverse roles and occupations.

The current supply chain environment has raised concerns regarding equipment acquisition.

Residents of several Western Nebraska communities were faced with a blistering cold front which evolved into severe winds and blizzard conditions, resulting in the loss of power for more than 12,000 customers and damage to transmission lines and towers.

WAPA’s Colorado River Storage Project initiated a new Inter-Regional Service Partnership Agreement.

WAPA convened its Annual Customer Meeting, continuing its tradition of fostering open dialogue and collaboration with its customers and stakeholders.

Regional Procurement teams recently met for a three-day event aimed at fostering collaboration, breaking down regional silos and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

A strong winter storm spread layers of ice across the Interstate 94 corridor from Bismarck to Grand Forks.

Desert Southwest recently consolidated the rates of its transmission systems, cutting administrative costs by simplifying the rates-making process.

We evolve and cultivate our culture and work practices to improve employee engagement, productivity and well-being.

From telephone and telegraph lines to 14.4k modems and satellite internet, the speed at which humans push and pull information has exponentially increased with every passing decade.

WAPA’s regional Procurement groups officially initiated a transition to a center-led organizational structure.

Stephanie Knight – WAPA’s new Inclusion and Diversity manager.

Byron McCollum received the 2022 Business Utilization Director’s Award.

Inside the hydroelectric industry the importance of accurate engineering drawings cannot be overstated.

Recognizing and Avoiding Distraction both at home and in the workplace.

Fire can happen anywhere, and we all need to be prepared to protect ourselves

Grid operators energized the Path 15 upgrade in autumn 2004.

A remarkable scientific journey took place within the depths of the Grand Canyon.

WAPA pre-registrations have far exceeded any in previous years.

The Tucson Substation riprap installation showcases how WAPA innovates in the physical security space.

Our dedicated Web Management team successfully modernized and migrated the site, significantly enhancing its functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Practicing cybersecurity basics can make a huge difference in protecting your information and systems that you use.

Every August, WAPA begins a five-month process to revise the Power System Safety Manual, an effort made successful by employee participation.

Vice President of Power Operations for CRSP, oversees two 24/7 control centers in Loveland, Colorado, and Phoenix, Arizona, supporting a seven-state region.

Earlier this year, WAPA finalized and published its Final 2025 Olmsted Power Marketing Plan, which specifies the terms and conditions under which WAPA will market energy from the Olmsted Project for the next 30 years, beginning in October 2024.

As participants in Leadership Development’s third cohort of the Emerging Leaders Development Program, a group of 25 candidates committed to two separate in-person, week-long training courses and an individual coaching session.

The Financial Operations group within the WAPA Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s Finance and Accounting team provides a repeatable case study in workforce management and succession planning.

Human Performance Improvement and Just Culture Program, or HPI/JC, continues to develop a framework that focuses on optimizing the performance of individuals and business units. 

Over the past several years, the United States has witnessed an increase of wildfire activity and intensity, threatening safe and reliable electrical transmission throughout the West.

Safety committees help keep WAPA employees safe on a local and organizational basis. They also can use input and participation from you.

Hydration Challenge inspires better health and raises awareness about WAPA’s regional Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Committees.

Cybersecurity Advisor Jim Ball was recognized for participating on the Clean Energy Corps’ Core Competency Interview Team.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month recognizes these cultures and their contributions.

This transformative project will replace a pair of high voltage transmission lines that serve Estes Park.

On April 5, WAPA entered the California Independent System Operator’s WEIM.

Though articles and videos, employees share how they contribute to WAPA’s mission and strategy.

More than 40 of WAPA’s front-line workforce graduated from our first formalized UAS training program.

Safe spring cleaning. Spring is here, and for many it is a fitting time to organize and clean their homes and workspaces.

With record snowfalls pounding communities across northern California, WAPA’s Sierra Nevada crews continue to battle Mother Nature’s challenges to the area’s energy grid.

WAPA has taken an innovative step towards better protecting the electrical transmission system from the risks of space weather caused by our favorite star: the sun.

Cheryl Reese has led the Power Marketing Administrations Human Resources Shared Service Center since 2021.

Nov. 10, 2021, would be anything but normal for the 12-plus-year pilot. It would be the day Schuck cheated death.

WAPA hosted its annual customer meeting, a hybrid session based out of the Headquarters office in Lakewood, Colorado.

WAPA’s Power Forward 2030 plan can align individual programs.

Nearly a year in the making, WAPA released its updated strategic plan Feb. 7, 2023.

Several offices across the organization worked together to commemorate WAPA’s 45th Anniversary celebration through an all-employee meeting.

Liaison Office, Dionne Thompson is responsible for developing and leading WAPA’s national relations and government affairs strategies.

Pest control is an important aspect of facility operations that goes overlooked by most employees.

Paying attention to how each employee is doing mentally – and addressing concerns – is important for both for the individual and the organization as a whole.

WAPA remains committed to providing electricity in many rural areas, including serving many tribal customers across our 15-state service territory.

Recently, many of WAPA’s historically significant physical records were transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Federal Records Center in Broomfield, Colo.  

On Friday, Jan. 20, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited Western Area Power Administration’s Desert Southwest regional office in Phoenix, AZ.

WAPA leaders from across the organizational footprint gathered for the first major in-person and hybrid event since the pandemic began.

The strategic plan is the successor to Strategic Roadmap 2024. It will guide WAPA through an evolving energy landscape for the next seven years.

WAPA celebrated 45 years as a power marketing administration

Employee photos showcase WAPA footprint

Being a leader is not about you.

WAPA’s craftsmen are the employees who touch the transmission system; all crafts work in harmony to complete WAPA’s mission.

In wet water years, customers can receive a lot of hydropower under their Base Resource…

On June 19, Jack Murray took the helm as Desert Southwest’s senior vice president and regional manager.

The ESAs recognize those who excel in technical competency, enthusiasm, innovation and commitment to bettering themselves and WAPA.

WAPA is currently exploring the potential of robotics and automation.​

On July 17, a powerful microburst with 80 mile-per-hour winds uprooted trees and damaged multiple high-voltage transmission lines,

In June, Administrator and CEO Tracey LeBeau announced the first participants of WAPA’s Leadership Learning Intensive, or L2I, Program.

The Open Mic events are still new, and momentum continues to build since their inaugural session in December 2021.

In May, Environmental Protection Specialist Andrea Severson received the Emerging Leader Award from RMEL in Denver, Colorado.

Western Area Power Administration is on track to fully expend the $500 million that the organization received from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

On May 22, Rodney Bailey became senior vice president and manager of the Colorado River Storage Project Management Center.

On April 25-26, Colorado River Storage Project Management Center staff assisted in the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ biannual trout electrofishing survey.

In July 2021, Lloyd Linke assumed the role of senior vice president and Upper Great Plains regional manager.

WAPA has the distinct pleasure of working directly with Native American Tribes.

WAPA is a proud supporter of the National Science Bowl and hosts a number of regional events each year.

In June, we celebrate the valuable contributions of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer – or LGBTQ+ – community and their allies across America.

In March, WAPA named Paul Schwabe as senior vice president and Transmission Infrastructure Program manager.

The event was hosted by Equal Employment Specialist Peggy Wooten and moderated by Leadership Development Specialist Sarah P.

Chief Strategy Officer Kerry Whitford is working with senior leaders to develop WAPA’s 2030 strategic plan, the successor to Strategic Roadmap 2024.

In March, more than 25 linemen and communication technicians spent one week in a winter survival course.

On Feb. 23-24, WAPA’s Electric Power Training Center hosted its first-ever hybrid event: the 2022 Cybersecurity in Protective Relaying Workshop.

On April 29, 2021, WAPA welcomed Equal Employment Manager Charles Montañez to lead its Office of Economic Impact and Diversity.

Rocky Mountain employees placed a mobile transformer into service at Kimball Substation in Kimball County, Nebraska.

WAPA has been pursuing a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture for many years.

In 2019, Michael Montoya was selected as senior vice president and chief information officer.

WAPA has massive repositories of data about its assets and operations. Most of it is housed in secure systems

The Department of Energy’s Office of Aviation Management hosts an annual aviation safety award program.

In December, Compliance Manager Mark Buchholz received the Midwest Reliability Organization’s Highly Effective Reliability Organizations Award.

WAPA’s first All-Employee Meeting of 2022 was held Feb. 3.

It’s an arduous process, moving a heavily remote workforce back into the building, and it is a move that will affect all employees, regardless of telework status.

A lightning storm caused damage to Gila Substation, spurring lengthy process of replacement and repair that lasted through early this year.

In January, Leadership Development launched the WAPA-wide Mentoring Program, welcoming 62 participants in its first cohort.

One of the biggest challenges for hydropower is water variability due to intermittent drought and flooding.

For the past several years, the U.S. has endured a series of devastating wildfires.

Last month WAPA launched a new tool that will enable us to more effectively monitor the health of our transmission system and efficiently react to condition issues.

Safety is one of WAPA’s Strategic Enablers, as identified in our Tactical Action Plan.

I believe that WAPA’s success has a lot to do with its culture, and its culture is created by its employees.

On Nov. 21, 2021, Kerry Whitford officially joined WAPA as the organization’s chief strategy officer.

WAPA took part in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s GridEx VI emergency exercise.

As editor, I do hope that you enjoy this look back at the year that was.

On Oct. 29, the Emerging Leaders Development Program graduated its first cohort of 30 individuals.

With big eyes and sharp talons, one might think that ospreys don’t need much protection from anything.

In October, the Loveland warehouse staff made a simple change to its storage configuration that uses the space efficiently

In October, Supervisory Electrical Engineer John Quintana received the Industry Leadership Award from RMEL.

With the onset of COVID-19, strong leadership skills have never been more in demand; organizations around the world require agile responses to evolving short- and long-term needs. 

In 2005, Sierra Nevada launched its SNR Customer Portal to communicate and share information with its energy and transmission customers.

In late June, Jennifer Rodgers announced that DSW and CRSP partnered with the OCAO to support a temporary Tribal liaison detail.

In 2018, the Electric Power Training Center initiated an upgrade to its Miniature Power System.

Robert Louis McPhail, the first person to serve as administrator of Western Area Power Administration, passed away Sept. 28 at the age of 85.

In March 2019, Archaeologist Dave Kluth visited a WAPA communication site in Erhard, Minnesota, to perform a survey.

The Continuous Process Improvement Program launched its newest offering, Lean Six Sigma White Belt Training, in January.

​​I​​n August, the Power Marketing Administration Human Resources Shared Service Center launched the HR Strategic Partnership Award

DEI: diversity, equity and inclusion. We’ve heard these words often; they might just be the second most popular phrase this past year, next to “in these unprecedented times.”

As WAPA’s Human Performance Improvement/Just Culture Program gains traction, Human Performance Program Manager Krystall Valencia is interested in better educating employees on how the program benefits them.

The third cohort of WAPA’s two-year Craft Leadership Development Program is underway.

On Aug. 1, WAPA welcomed Bart Barnhart as senior vice president and Rocky Mountain regional manager.

Invasive fishes and woody plants. Declining Colorado pikeminnow numbers. Struggling razorback sucker larvae.

In 2020, Jennifer Rodgers was selected as WAPA’s senior vice president and chief administrative officer.

The ESAs recognize those who excel in technical competency, enthusiasm, innovation and commitment to bettering themselves and WAPA.

In late May, the Energy Bar Association announced the new president of its Board of Directors at its Virtual Annual Meeting and Conference.

On June 29, employees gathered virtually for WAPA’s All-Employee Meeting,

With the onset of summer, many states in WAPA’s footprint are facing the very real threat of drought so severe that it may complicate hydropower delivery.

In July 2020, five WAPA employees were selected to participate in the Department of Energy’s Leadership Development Program.

In May, Civil Engineer Rebecca Afsar received the Emerging Leader Award from RMEL

In March, WAPA’s Small Unmanned Aircraft System, or sUAS, pilot program reached its conclusion.

Crop dusters do more than apply insecticide and torment Cary Grant.

A significant part of Asset Management’s mission is protecting WAPA’s most important physical equipment.

Nobody booked a last-minute flight. No boxes of coffee or communal donuts rewarded the early risers.

The Security and Emergency Management and the Strategy office have teamed up to assess WA PA’s security culture.

In 2018, Kevin Howard was selected as WAPA’s chief operating officer.

Experiments are conducted in order to determine the effects that varying releases have on rivers, populations of aquatic creatures and food sources for fish.

In March 2019, the Procurement team in Desert Southwest received a purchase request from craft employees for a self-loader 8×6 semi-tractor.

The wildfire season in 2020 was particularly devastating, with West Coast states finding the destructive events difficult to control.

For years, WAPA has hosted a number of regional Science Bowl events throughout its footprint.

A number of employees were recently recognized with prestigious awards for their work both at WAPA and in their personal lives.

When frigid temperatures cascaded south across the country in February, demand for electric power surged and generation faltered.

It’s been more than one year since Financial Program Analyst Lisa O’Brien started feeling the symptoms of COVID-19.

In March 2020, an email was sent WAPA-wide that few employees were expecting: WAPA was transitioning to a maximum telework stance, effective immediately.

It has been one year since the pandemic upended our lives.

Following the March 12 departure of Mark A. Gabriel, Tracey LeBeau became WAPA’s administrator and CEO.

The first All-Employee Meeting of 2021 was held Jan. 26, with presenters and attendees assembling virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Leadership Development Program asked for feedback on employee needs from a professional development perspective, and employees were more than happy to provide it!

This year will see WAPA’s Craft Leadership Development Program accepting its third cohort of participants.

WAPA’s financial management software is going through a series of upgrades this year.

Wood pole structures are used widely by electric utilities with an estimated 130 million throughout North America.

One of the biggest challenges for hydropower is water variability due to intermittent drought and flooding.

Administrator and CEO Mark A. Gabriel took the opportunity to debut WAPA’s Senior Statement on Race and Social Justice.

The new year marks a time to make resolutions and set goals.

As mentioned at the most recent All-Employee Meeting, the Tactical Action Plan is being updated for fiscal year 2021.

In this digital age, every large complex organization produces mountains of data — on customers, equipment, services, finances, every aspect of its operations.

In late September, Supervisory Power System Dispatcher Christine Henry received the Industry Leadership Award from RMEL,

Last year’s EUCI Leadership Conference for Women in Energy featured some of the most accomplished women in the industry from around the country.

On the afternoon of Nov. 18, WAPA kicked off its Inclusion, Innovation and Technology Summit, or I2T Summit.

​​Administrator and CEO Mark A. Gabriel sent his quarterly memo to the Secretary of Energy outlining WAPA’s fiscal year 2020 fourth-quarter performance.

This year was like no other, I’m sure we can all agree. Looking back at it to choose only 10 stories to spotlight is even more difficult than usual.

The 2020 wildfire season, particularly in Arizona, California and Colorado, has been one of the worst in modern history.

2020 was a historic year, heralding a level of change we could not possibly have anticipated.

On Aug. 27, Hurricane Laura, approaching maximum force, made landfall near Cameron, Louisiana.

WAPA’s Continuous Process Improvement Program continues to see increasing returns as it adds to and improves the efficiency of the organization.

The pilot project is part of the BA Optimization effort, which has the ulti¬mate goal of more efficiently running BAs.

DSW vegetation management crews set to work on an interim Integrated Vegetation Management project.

CRSP and DSW embarked on a joint initiative with their customers to explore the feasibility and desire for a combined transmission rate across their footprints.

In mid-August, the RM PMOC got an upgrade to its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

The I2T Committee debuted an interactive component of the event: The Innovation Challenge.

​​This year, Public Affairs’ annual photo contest had a special theme: facemasks. 

For data to be a strategic asset it needs to be stored and managed in a way that maximizes consistency, accuracy and availability for different applications.

WAPA hosted its third COVID-19 virtual town hall event.

The California Independent System Operator knew they had a problem; it was one they had been predicting for at least a year.

​​In late July, field employees from Desert Southwest donned their masks to rebuild a breaker at Glen Canyon Substation in Arizona. 

All WAPA employees have had to adapt to a new working environment due to COVID-19.

A new effort is underway at WAPA to help supervisors and managers balance staff and organization priorities. 

​When I started as a biologist in Upper Great Plains, I was challenged to develop a regionwide biological strategy, similar to that which had been created for archaeology resources. 

Electrical Engineer Gary Zevenbergen and Information Technology Specialist Tom Howard worked together to reduce one person’s time investment from 250 hours to less than 10.

WAPA selected a new vendor to provide supervisory control and data acquisition and energy management system software to all of WAPA’s regions.

WAPA published a report exploring the feasibility of leasing currently unlit fiber optic strands, also known as “dark” fiber.

In July, five WAPA employees were selected to participate in the Department of Energy’s Leadership Development Program.

In February, WAPA launched its Leadership Development Program.

In late June, Electrical Engineer Jackie Brusoe received the Emerging Leader Award from RMEL.

Every year, Administrator and CEO Mark A. Gabriel honors standout employees with Exceptional Service Awards.

2020 saw the first virtual National Science Bowl in the event’s 30-year history.

CRSP sponsored the development of Generation and Transmission Maximization, or the GTMax.

The Pandemic has resulted in a change of workplace for a number of WAPA employees.

In January, construction began at Lingle Substation in Goshen County, Wyoming.

Many of us, myself included, are anxious to get back to our routines, back to our offices and back to some sense of normalcy.

Like many WAPA employees, I follow social media powerline forums to remain engaged with current industry-related topics.

​Whatever your role at WAPA, the odds are good that you work with at least a few contract employees.

The utility industry, like the world, is rapidly changing. In fact, so much is changing so quickly that it can become overwhelming.

To varying degrees, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it much more difficult for WAPA employees to meet in person.

Around two years ago, I started as a biologist in WAPA’s Upper Great Plains region.

WAPA and the Bureau of Reclamation kicked off a third year of “bug flow” experiments on the Colorado River.

​The COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing, but WAPA’s dedicated staff is not slowing down.

In early March, WAPA’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee held its Going All-In on Inclusion and Diversity training.

During the first week in March Al Slucher connected with Brent Sessions.

The ongoing pandemic has had a necessary effect on the specific ways in which WAPA accomplishes its mission.

In late 2019, Peak Reliability Coordinator closed its doors for good.

It is astonishing to think how much has changed in our work and personal lives in two short months.

Asset Management continues to expand its scope and demonstrate the critical role data plays in managing risk.

A group of ninth-grade students visited WAPA’s EPTC for a packed day of discussions, demonstrations and hands-on exercises.

Archaeologists Natalie Ortega and Christina Rogers discovered artifacts while performing field work.

The UGP Energy Management and Marketing Office team has completed the first phase of an in-depth job task analysis project.

Teresa Waugh announced the selection of the first participants of WAPA’s new Integrated Communications Group.

Mark A. Gabriel says goodbye to WAPA.

It should have been a routine day in the field.

Archaeologists were performing field work in Desert Southwest when they found and gathered a number of celebration balloons.

WAPA’s leadership programs prepare those who have the desire to seek, to share and to partner.

Leaders from across WAPA braved Colorado’s wintry mix and gathered in Denver for the 2020 Leadership Summit.

The first All-Employee Meeting of 2020 was held with the presenters discussing a wide range of topics.

WAPA stood up the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer led by Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Tracey LeBeau.

Until recently, the Desert Southwest Maintenance crew at Glen Canyon Substation in Arizona was running out of space.

One of the biggest challenges for hydropower is water variability due to intermittent drought and flooding.

The Guiding Outstanding and Accountable Leaders program graduated its first class Nov. 7.

When Electrical Engineer Gary Zevenbergen encounters problems, he puts his mind toward solving them.