Fall at the Clark Public Utilities Operations Center in Orchards brings more than cloudy skies and colorful trees in the parking lot, it’s also the start of school field trip season.
Four days a week every week from October to June about 50 students a day visit the Operations Center for a firsthand explanation on the herculean task that is delivering electricity and water safely, efficiently, affordably, and in an environmentally conscious way to the residents of Clark County.
“Sometimes it’s easy to take it all for granted, but as you explain the process and you watch their little eyes light up with amazement and you’re reminded of the awesome responsibility we have and the important work our crews perform every day,” said Amber Hall, the education engagement specialist with Clark Public Utilities.
Operation Center tours are a time-honored tradition that’s welcomed fourth- and fifth-grade students into the Operations Center for more than 30 years. In 2018, the utility hosted more than 5,000 students from 63 schools.
“It’s always been a popular program with educators across our community, every year the schedule fills up quickly and we typically have a waiting list,” Hall said. “It’s two hours of fun and learning for the students, and it’s also a free educational experience we can offer our local schools.”
Students start the morning in a classroom filled with meaty splices of electrical cables, electrical equipment and spanned by overhead power lines. After a brief introduction, the group splits in two; one goes into the warehouse while one stays behind for a lesson on our waterways.
The group that walks the warehouse learns how electricity is stepped down from around 7,200 volts at transmission to home-appropriate voltage.
They find out how, before the industry invested in protective caps for pole-mounted transformers, squirrels caused many blackouts — and, unfortunately, cooked themselves in the process. That transitions into a lesson on why they should never touch downed power lines or climb trees near them.
Valuable lessons
During a stop by the salvage area, a few gasp as their guide explains that recycling saves the utility about $300,000 per year.
Before heading back inside they walk past the fleet area, where all the utility’s work trucks are parked. Walking through, their guide reminds them that being a “lineman” isn’t just for boys, that any of the girls could do the job when they get older.
Back in the classroom another guide takes over and talks with them about the water cycle and how it delivers the fresh water we all depend on. But, with the help of a topographic diorama of a little community, they see how easily pollutants can slide off our roads and yards and contaminate the water supply — which is bad for humans and wildlife.
They also hear about the Clark Public Utilities StreamTeam and their work to plant trees in local watersheds and the work they do to protect migratory salmon.
The tour wraps up with fun demonstrations of the power and dangers of electricity, including a spin on the generator bike, a literally hair-raising experience on the Van De Graaf Generator, and more.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
