Bear Run Mine no grizzly task for Hoosier Energy

Bear Run Mine in Sullivan County is the biggest surface mine in the eastern United States.

 

When the mine was ready to move west early in 2024, it was a big job for Hoosier Energy to move a 69 kV transmission line out of the way.

 

Originally built in April of 1969, the transmission line saw 1.8 miles of wood poles replaced by 2¼ miles of steel poles using 477 conductor line over the course of five weeks.

 

It was a team effort from the start, beginning with Environmental Team Lead Dave Appel and Environmental Specialist Tommy Harrison ensuring all reporting and compliance requirements were met.

 

Mick Ruhe served as the Construction Liaison and teamed with Construction Manager Alan Summers to work closely with contractor Hydaker Wheatlake on the project.

 

“I was there almost every day, just checking on the guys and making sure they had what they needed,” Ruhe said. “If they had a question, I got an answer, and they kept on going.”

 

The key to getting the project done ahead of schedule was the creativity of Senior Transmission Line Design Engineer Luke McKinnley, who utilized an RUS Davit arm standard to work around parts that would not have been available for another quarter.

 

Holes were drilled ahead of time, then the poles and materials were staged at each location, so crews simply showed up and started putting them in the ground.

 

With Area Line Coordinator Brett Stephens and his group making sure the line was safe to work on, safety remained a top priority.

 

In the end, it was as efficient a job as possible.

 

“The teamwork was great,” Senior Project Manager Kyle Eslinger said. “When you have a plan and a great team that can execute it, it makes my job very rewarding.”