Idaho Falls Power begins major 161kv powerline construction

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Bear Prairie

 power project more than four decades in the making is getting underway in Idaho Falls that will improve power transmission capacity and provide critical redundancy to the power system throughout Idaho Falls and across east Idaho.

Originally conceptualized in the 1980s, Idaho Falls Power (IFP) started examining routing options and public outreach to determine the best routes for the second half of a major 161kv power line built along the southern portion of Idaho Falls.

In 2011 IFP paused work on the project as the utility addressed legal challenges and focused on working with landowners to pursue additional land acquisitions and rights-of way for the 14-mile-long project.

“Obviously this is a large and critically important project for Idaho Falls and the surrounding area,” said Idaho Falls Power General Manager Bear Prairie.  “Our residents and businesses depend on our ability to provide stable and reliable sources of power.  We can produce all the energy in the world, but without a way to transmit that power to our customers, it’s of no value.  This project provides a must needed key element to a reliable power system to carry energy to critical areas of growth in and around the city.”

In 2017, IFP partnered with Rocky Mountain Power on the project to make it a dual use line that will also serve the growing needs of RMP customers. In addition to circling Idaho Falls to the north, RMP will also build an additional line that will improve service to their customers in Eastern Idaho.

The line will provide critical transmission upgrades and service capabilities for IFP customer’s around the rapidly growing north and west side of Idaho Falls. The line will connect to the existing Sugarmill substation along Hitt Road and extend north across Lincoln and Yellowstone.  The line will cross over U.S. Highway 20 near 25th then travel to the west and across the Snake River.

The power line will then connect to a new IFP substation, which is also currently under construction, near Idahoan Foods and the Upper Power Plant off of West River Road in the northwest area of Idaho Falls along the Snake River.

Summit Line Construction, the contractor for the project, has been drilling holes along the new route in order to provide foundations for the new poles to be installed.  Concrete pouring for those foundations will begin soon, and installation of the poles should begin sometime in the next six to 12 weeks, depending on conditions.

IFP anticipates that the project will be completed and ready for service by this fall.

Bank of Idaho names new v.p. and trust officer

John Kociolek

John Kociolek has taken a position with Bank of Idaho as a vice president and trust officer. He will be responsible for day-to-day trust and estate administration, as well as new business development in the Boise area.

Kociolek has been in the trust and estate business since 1980. He has previously served as the National Estate Settlement Manager for Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh; Market Trust Executive for Bank of America in Tampa and Orlando; and was recently the National Trust and Estate Manager for Capital Bank and Trust Company in Reno, Nevada.

"We're fortunate to land a candidate with John's credentials," said Bank of Idaho VP and Trust Department Manager Jeremy Parkinson. "Our clients will directly benefit from the depth and breadth of knowledge he brings to the table."

The hire allows Parkinson to focus his energy on big-picture strategy and growth. "With a staff of nine now, we're really able to give all of our clients a personal touch, which is really important in trust and wealth management work." he said. "We're not just managing investments, we're helping people plan for the future. We advise them in lots of different areas of their financial world."

Parkinson said that although he and his staff have had great success working remotely with their clients over the past year, they will all welcome a return to face-to-face conversations. "The better we know people, the better we're able to help them, and for that, there's no substitute for meeting in person," Parkinson said. “We've assembled a great team of experts, but we are continuing to look for opportunities to grow in the Boise market and eastern Idaho. I believe we're assembling the best team of trust and
wealth experts of any community bank in the state.”

Super Chix plans to open in Ammon on Wednesday

Super Chix will have a soft opening Wednesday at 11 a.m. at its new Ammon location inside the Hillcrest Plaza, 2671 East Sunnyside Road, with a grand opening to follow Saturday. For that event, the first 100 people through the door will receive a free chicken sandwich and a free regular fry.”

Super Chix is a fast-casual dining franchise that offers a variety of chicken sandwiches, hand-cut fries, salads and frozen custard. The restaurant comes courtesy of Flying H Holdings, LLC, the same franchise company involved in bringing Five Guys to Ammon. Company President Bill Hawes told East Idaho News in December that the experience played a role in his decision to open Super Chix.

“It’s got a lot of gravity in that area,” he said. “It’s great to be close to the high school, other (places to shop) and the movies. There’s a lot of food choices in that area and it’s growing.”

Super Chix first opened in Dallas in 2013 and now has stores throughout Texas, Alabama and Utah. New locations are have been planned for Bozeman, Mont., Fort Collins, Colo., and San Jose, Calif. Hawes said he plans to open stores in Logan, Utah, Pocatello and Rexburg.

The Hillcrest Plaza will also be home to Duck Donuts and Jersey Mike's Subs, both due to open soon.

Super Chix will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday with a 10 p.m. closing time Friday and Saturday. Visit the website or Facebook page for more information.

Fall River Electric offering scholarships to high school seniors

Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative is once again offering scholarships to local area high school graduating seniors whose parents or guardians are members of Fall River Electric. A “member” is anyone who receives electric service from Fall River, whether at a permanent residence, a vacation property or commercial business. Over $70,000 in scholarship funds are available this year while throughout the history of this program, Fall River Electric has awarded over a half a million dollars in scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors.

Fall River Electric scholarships are valued at $2,400 and are paid in increments of $600 annually. To apply, graduating seniors must have at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and provide two short written essays stating why they are deserving of a scholarship. Applications are now being accepted from seniors enrolled in the Madison, Jefferson, Ririe, Sugar-Salem, Fremont, Teton, and West Yellowstone school districts.

Interested seniors or their parents or guardians may obtain a scholarship application by visiting the Fall River Electric website at www.fallriverelectric.com , then click “My Community” and open the “Scholarships” tab on the dropdown menu to download an application.

Applications must be postmarked by Friday, March 26, 2021 or can be dropped off at any of Fall River’s offices in Ashton, Driggs or West Yellowstone. For further information or to answer questions, call Angela Haws at 208-652-7002 or email her at angela.haws@fallriverelectric.com.

INL leader named to Top 100 Women in Energy list

Dr. Marianne Walck

Dr. Marianne Walck, Idaho National Laboratory's deputy laboratory director for science and technology, has been named a Top 100 Women in Energy at the national Energy Inclusion Conference.

The award recognizes top women leaders who directly contribute to business growth and strategic direction within their organizations. Honorees must maintain a record of accomplishments in their areas of expertise, be effective role models who inspire others, demonstrate a deep commitment to corporate citizenship, and operate with the highest level of integrity and ethical behaviors.

Walck has nearly four decades of experience as a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratory complex, both at Sandia National Laboratories and INL. As a female executive, Walck has championed INL’s efforts to become a national employer of choice for women, people of color, people with disabilities, military veterans and the LGBTQ+ community. As co-chair of INL’s Executive Inclusion Council, she has helped embed visible diversity, inclusive thought leadership and employment equity across INL’s workforce, STEM outreach, university partnerships, marketplace, supply chain and charitable giving.

“This is a well-deserved honor for Dr. Walck. Her commitment to active, visible and transformational leadership continues to make an impact on America’s energy future; and her support and mentoring is developing the next generation of scientists to respond to our energy challenges,” said Ron Crone, INL associate laboratory director and co-executive sponsor of INL’s Women in Leadership Council.

In addition to leadership roles at SNL and INL, Walck chaired the National Laboratory Chief Research Officers Council, which steers the research operations for 17 Department of Energy national laboratories and, in 2020, she joined the executive committee of the National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, to shape America’s R&D response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For a full list of the Top 100 Women in Energy honorees, follow this link: The Energy Inclusion Conference Announces the Top Women in Energy