Northern Plains, Dakota Valley electric co-ops earn NDAREC Safety Performance Awards

Northern Plains Electric Cooperative and Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative were honored with Safety Performance Awards from the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives after logging zero recordable injuries over the 12-month measurement period. The awards were presented during the NDAREC Apprenticeship, Training and Safety Conference held Jan. 15 in Mandan.

The Safety Performance Award recognizes cooperatives that achieved a full year without recordable injuries, a metric that matters to co-op members and the linemen who maintain local service. NDAREC officials highlighted the link between a strong safety culture and steady utility operations, noting that accident-free workplaces reduce downtime and protect the crews who keep electricity flowing across rural communities.

For Stutsman County residents, the recognition reinforces the connection between workplace safety and everyday reliability. Fewer injuries among lineworkers and service teams reduces the risk of staffing shortfalls and emergency outages, and it can lower the indirect costs that sometimes filter into rates or service delays. Local co-op members benefit when crews remain healthy and available for storm response and routine maintenance.

The conference where the awards were announced focuses on apprenticeship and training as core tools for preventing accidents. Investing in hands-on training and formal apprenticeship programs helps newer workers develop safe practices and keeps veteran crews updated on evolving equipment and procedures. That emphasis on continuous training supports both immediate safety outcomes and the long-term resilience of the rural grid.

NDAREC also recognized several other cooperatives statewide for their safety records during the same period, underscoring a broader industry push toward stronger safety standards across North Dakota's electric cooperatives. For area co-ops, peer recognition can foster the exchange of best practices and encourage joint training initiatives that benefit multiple counties.

Beyond the immediate accolade, the award signals fiscal and community advantages. A lower incidence of workplace injuries typically means reduced workers compensation costs and fewer operational disruptions, which helps cooperatives focus resources on infrastructure improvements, vegetation management, and storm-hardening projects that matter to local members.

As winter storms test equipment and crews, the award highlights the preparedness and professionalism of the local workforce. For residents of Stutsman County, the takeaway is straightforward: safer crews mean a more reliable electric system. Continued emphasis on apprenticeship and training will be a key factor to watch as co-ops aim to keep the lights on safely and efficiently in the seasons ahead.