2 minute read
Guardians of the Grid
NorthWestern’s compliance coordinator plays a crucial role.
NorthWestern Energy is a steadfast contributor to the energy landscape in South Dakota, ensuring a reliable power supply while prioritizing compliance with laws, regulations and industry standards. Mike Stucke, serving as the Compliance Coordinator in the Thermal Generation Department at the Aberdeen Generating Station since 2011, is instrumental in maintaining the company’s integrity and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory frameworks.
Mike’s responsibilities span across a diverse range of power generation sites in South Dakota, including the Aberdeen Generating Station, Bob Glanzer Generating Station, Clark Generating Station, Faulkton Generating Station, Yankton Generating Station, Beethoven Wind Farm and 10 South Dakota mobile generating units. In his pivotal role, he oversees key aspects that contribute to NorthWestern Energy’s commitment to compliance.
Mike emphasizes the collaborative nature of compliance work. Timely and accurate data sharing, along with the internal ECO system, an environmental maintenance software, play a crucial role in streamlining compliance tasks across the board. He values long-standing relationships with local, state and federal agencies, emphasizing trust-based collaboration and quick access to information.
The ECO system software used by NorthWestern Energy helps Mike and his team track permits, federal and state requirements and generates tasks. Since 2011, the software has enabled increased tracking and awareness, especially in areas such as market optimization and environmental compliance.
NorthWestern Energy is gearing up for potential changes through the ECO system, post-pandemic collaboration with the internal audit group and increased internal auditing on the compliance side. Environmental health and safety audits catch little things and make sure best practices are employed and processes are streamlined, Mike explained.
Mike and his team play a pivotal role in maintaining operational integrity, fostering a culture of compliance and ensuring legal and ethical obligations are met in the dynamic regulatory framework of the energy industry. His commitment ensures that NorthWestern Energy continues to be a guardian of compliance in South Dakota’s energy landscape.
