Electrical substations are 1 of the most important components of the electric grid. These facilities receive electricity from transmission lines and transform it to lower voltages that can be safely distributed to homes, farms, and businesses throughout our service territory.
As our area continues to grow, Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative is investing in the future of our electric system. YVEC is currently adding 2 new substations: 7 Mile Flat Substation and the Pope Road Substation. The addition of these substations will help improve reliability, support growth, and meet the increasing demand for electricity across our service area.
While substations play a vital role in delivering reliable power, they also contain extremely high-voltage equipment that can be deadly. For this reason, substations are restricted areas and should never be entered by anyone other than trained and authorized utility personnel. (35417000)
The fences and warning signs surrounding substations are there for a reason. Inside these facilities, equipment may carry tens of thousands of volts of electricity. Serious injury or electrocution can occur without direct contact, as electricity can arc through the air under certain conditions.
Children and adults should never attempt to retrieve balls, drones, or other items that have landed inside a substation. If an item falls within a fenced area, contact YVEC. Trained employees have the equipment and expertise needed to safely retrieve it.
YVEC employees undergo extensive training and follow strict safety procedures when working around energized equipment. What may appear to be a simple fence enclosure contains some of the most powerful electrical equipment on our system.
We encourage all members to respect warning signs, stay outside fenced electrical facilities, and teach children about the dangers of substations. If you notice a damaged fence, open gate, or suspicious activity near a substation, please contact YVEC immediately.
Substations help keep power flowing throughout our communities. By leaving these facilities to trained professionals, we can all help ensure a safer and more reliable electric system.