Ever wonder how utility poles get set on those seemingly impossible to reach mountainsides and inaccessible wooded areas? Well, in 1969, Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) found a new way to deal with this old problem -- they used a helicopter to set 25 poles in an area that was impossible to reach with heavy equipment. 

They completed it so efficiently that only four minutes elapsed between the transporting of one pole and the return and placement of another. 

This work occurred in a portion of Moraine State Park in Butler County and CEC was the first co-op in Pennslyvania to use a helicopter to install equipment. CEC was also a pioneer in the application of vegetation spraying by helicopter in inaccessible areas. 

In early 1961, CEC began working with agencies involved in the creation of Moraine State Park. Property acquired for the park had been primarily farms and rural areas. By May 1962, most of the land needed for Moraine had been purchased and CEC was trying to figure out how to relocate their equipment in the impounded area of the lake. 

Two relocations were quite extensive in and around the area of what had been the village of Isle. At this location, the width of the lake was too great for an aerial span to be used and therefore, an underground three-phase, 12,000-volt circuit was placed to span approximately 2,200 feet of the impounded area. CEC's three-phase line going west from the village of Isle towards Route 19 traversed much of the basin area and was required to be relocated to clear the water. It was decided to locate all these lines near the north boundary of the property where it would not interfere with park development. This required an approximate length of three-phase right-of-way of three miles to reach from new Route 528 west to the breast of the dam. This right-of-way was cut through prime timberland to a width of 40 feet, and a survey was made for the location of 43 poles through this cross-country section. It was here that the helicopter was called upon to help set 25 poles. 

Even with the main problems of relocation, CEC was optimistic, feeling that the park would be used by so many for recreation that CEC's efforts would be rewarded by a stimulated and increased use of electricity -- and they weren't wrong. 

This location has an additional historical reference for CEC. As mentioned above, before Moraine was established, this land belonged to local farmers and rural residents. One of those farms belonged to William (Bill) J. McDanel -- a true CEC pioneer. The boat launch you are at was actually the specific location of his farm and now that boat launch is named after him. 

William J. McDanel, Early Co-op Pioneer

Bill McDanel was a Butler County dairyman who was very interested in the prospect of rural electrification. The private power company had told him that they would extend his line for a charge of $30 a month for seven continuous years. But he felt there had to be a better way. That's when he heard of the counties forming to start an electric cooperative. So, he began campaigning for CEC in Butler County. He made it his job to convince people that this cooperative had the power to work if they would stand behind it. McDanel said, "We could have wonderful things if we could see it through together." 

With McDanel's leadership and faith in CEC, Butler County joined the cooperative. McDanel paid his $5 membership fee on Sept. 14, 1937. He was then appointed to serve as a board director on Nov. 14, 1938. At the next annual meeting on Aug. 15, 1939, he was elected to the board. 

It took time and patience for people to actually receive electricity. After a member signed up, it would take some time for legislation to go through and hook-ups to take place. Within this time, the private companies were watching CEC's rates and guaranteeing to hook up electricity faster than was possible for CEC. The private power companies even offered McDanel a matched rate, but he decided to wait so everyone would be able to have the benefits of electricity. 

Butler County received its first electricity from CEC on Sept. 14, 1939. The faith in CEC paid off, but it was just the beginning. McDanel knew the work had only just begun. McDanel was elected as board Vice-President on Oct. 19, 1941, and he served in that position until October 1953. After 1953, he continued to serve as a board member until 1976. 

The co-ops alone could not accomplish what could be done together. McDanel believed in this philosophy. He served as the vice-chairman of the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA) in 1951, still in its early days of existence. McDanel said that PREA was formed "To unite the co-ops of Pennsylvania to achieve a common goal." This union of the co-ops allowed for stronger lobbying power on important legislative issues. 

This same philosophy of unity extended to the Allegheny Electric Cooperative which was chartered and acted as a power rate organization for cooperatives in Pennsylvania. Allegheny Electric bought electricity for the group at a group rate and would eventually save $1,000 a day in wholesale power costs. Their main objective was to find the least expensive source of power. 

McDanel served as the chairman of Allegheny from 1951 to 1971. At one point, Allegheny almost built its own generating facility. Claude Wicker, a representative from REA, gave McDanel a check for $11 million to build the facility. McDanel said he went home that night and slept with the $11 million check underneath his pillow. He gave the check back though because he knew the co-op could get power cheaper from other sources rather than building their own generator. 

Another source of power that greatly interested McDanel was the Niagara Power Project. He said, "I don't think we've scratched the surface yet." A wealth of power existed which needs to be tapped. A Philadelphia lawyer helped McDanel open up this wealth of hydroelectric power to the Pennsylvania co-ops. McDanel stated, "It took 19 years to get the Niagara benefits." The 19 years of hard work and perseverance finally paid off and we still utilize this today. 

In McDanel's own words, "We could have anything we want if we can work together." His philosophy is the basis of a cooperative. With his dedication, he became an organizer of CEC and played an integral role in developing the resources of Allegheny and PREA that we still rely on today.