Grand Island Utilities Department Burdick Station

The Grand Island Utilities Department consists of seven divisions. One of these divisions is the Overhead Division. This division is responsible for the maintenance of existing overhead lines and construction of new overhead lines. All electricity delivered to our customers travels through overhead lines though at least part of it's journey to your house or business.

To get electricity to our customers we generate power at one of our power plants. The power from these plants are delivered to customers via overhead power lines. Electrical power that is delivered to our customer travels via a complex path of distribution Substations, Overhead lines, Circuit Breakers, Transformers, Capacitors, Switches, Underground lines and Meters. Most of our customers are connected to power via overhead lines while newer installations are connected via underground lines.

The Grand Island Utilities Department has an on-going program to update and maintain it's power distribution system. The primary distribution system voltage is now 13,800 volts. This has been upgraded over the years from 2,400 volts to increase dependability and to be able to provide a more stable supply of electricity to our customers. Included in the system upgrades were consideration for ice storms, wind storms and lightning, as well as public safety and environmental concerns. A well engineered, heavy duty distribution system that can withstand destructive weather and yet meet the needs of a growing community using increasing amounts of electricity is a priority for us.

To maintain this complex network of underground electric lines, and to supply connections for new customers the Grand Island Utilities Department employs dedicated and experienced people to keep the lights on. Whenever there is a problem, and a Utilities Department customer loses their electric service, someone is ready to repair the problem and restore service to you - in any kind of weather, any time of year, 24 hours a day!

The Underground Division of the Grand Island Utilities Department is responsible for the maintenance of existing underground power lines and the construction of new underground power lines. Almost all new services are installed underground. This includes services to both residential and commercial. Overhead lines are mostly used to older installations and in new installations where underground distribution lines are not available.

As part of the Grand Island Utilities Department's on-going efforts to update it's system and increase it's dependability and safety, some of the older distribution systems are being replaced with updated underground distribution systems. In the downtown Grand Island Business District we are currently replacing the older overhead lines with new underground lines. This is being done to improve the appearance of the area as well as improve safety and reliability to customers in the downtown business district.

For electrical problems such as a power outage, flickering lights, downed power lines, or other problems related to electrical power service to your home or business, call the Phelps Control Center at 385-5461 anytime.

Number of Streetlights Maintained By the Grand Island Utilities Department	4616
Number of Dusk to Dawn Lights Maintained By the Grand Island Utilities Department	1634

May 1888, 15 Electric Streetlights were installed on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Streets. This pilot area was bordered on the West by Walnut St and Kimball St on the East.

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	Electric Division
	Ray Micek Overhead Distribution Superintendent Randy Leiser, Underground Distribution Superintendent Larry Christensen, Electric Meter Services, Streetlighting
	Phone: (308) 385-5472, Overhead Distribution Phone: (308) 385-5470, Underground Distribution Phone: (308) 385-5471, Meter Services, Streetlighting 1116 W North Front St, Grand Island, Nebraska 68801 or P.O. Box 1968, Grand Island, Nebraska 68802-1968	Email your comments and questions to the

Length of Overhead High Voltage Maintained By the Grand Island Utilities Department	357.83 miles
Number of Transformers Used In Underground Installations	3650

Length of Underground High Voltage Maintained By the Grand Island Utilities Department	115.83 miles
Number of Transformers Used In Underground Installations	1814