Co-ops Select Team to Electrify Guatemala

Seven volunteers will bring electricity to Guatemalan villages this September through Colorado’s electric cooperatives.

The lineworkers from across the state were selected from who submitted applications for the Colorado Rural Electric Association international trip being planned in cooperation with electric co-ops in Oklahoma and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s International Foundation.

Following a review and interview process, seven lineworkers and two alternates were chosen to begin training and preparing for the trip. Volunteers selected include: Dale Kishbaugh, CREA director of safety and loss control; Christian Baker, Holy Cross Energy, Glenwood Springs; Kris Barbee, Southeast Colorado Power Association, La Junta; Ben Ludington, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, Fort Collins; Kelly Snow, United Power, Brighton; Chet Stickler, Holy Cross, Glenwood Springs; and Nate Towne, Mountain Parks Electric, Granby.

Alternates are Chris Stanworth, White River Electric Association, Meeker; and Baker McKonly, La Plata Electric Association, Durango.

These men will join eight lineworkers from co-ops in Oklahoma in building power lines in the village of Pie del Cerro and, potentially, in neighboring Tierra Blanca Salinas. Both communities are located near a rain forest in the Ixcan region, close to the Mexican border. Collectively, the communities have about 100 households, five churches, two elementary schools and two health centers — all without access to reliable and affordable electricity.

“We’re very excited about this inaugural CREA-sponsored project in Guatemala,” said CREA Executive Director Kent Singer. “Our group includes outstanding co-op linemen, who will volunteer their time and expertise to bring much needed electricity to people and communities who have never experienced it before.”

A local utility, Empresa Municipal Rural de Electricidad (EMRE), based in Playa Grande, Ixcan, will maintain the power lines once they are built. The project will consist of 130 poles and two transformers on 4.34 miles of primary line and 3.86 miles of secondary line. Most of the terrain will be flat, but about one mile of line will be built through dense rain forest growth. Each home will receive at least two lightbulbs and two electrical outlets.

“Thanks to all of the linemen who were interested in participating in this trip,” Singer said. “It is great to see how many of our co-op families were willing to leave their homes for an extended period for such a grueling trip to help others in another country. This project will bring economic possibilities to these villages, as well as better access to education and enhanced safety and lifestyles.”