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Electric Department
The City of Centralia Electric Department distributes power to approximately 1900 customers in and around Centralia. Centralia's electric system is served by a 34.5kV transmission line owned and maintained by Ameren
 Left to Right – Mike Vega, Jarad Douglass,
Mark Mustain, Daniel Mathews, and Jeff Armontrout
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UE that terminates at Burkhardt Substation located at 220 N. Jefferson. The City owns the substation transformer and switchgear at this site. The City distributes power through overhead and underground lines at a system voltage of 4160Y/2400 volts to the residential and commercial areas located in and around Centralia. The Electric Department is also responsible for maintaining approximately 1000 streetlights throughout Centralia.
The distribution system is maintained by a department consisting of three journeyman linemen and two apprentice linemen. These men are also responsible for constructing new lines to subdivisions and businesses as necessary. Mark Mustain is the Line Foreman for the department and has been working for the City since 1995. Jeff Armontrout and Daniel Mathews are both journeyman linemen working for the City. Jeff has been employed by the City since 1997 and Daniel since 2003. Jarad Douglass and Mike Vega are working as apprentice linemen. They are enrolled in an accredited apprentice program through the Missouri Public Utility Alliance which combines book work with on-the-job training to give them the skills and knowledge necessary to become a journeyman. Jarad has been employed with the City since 2005 and Mike since 2006.
 In the bucket on the left, Daniel Mathews, and in the bucket on the right, Jarad Douglass, working on power lines.
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The Electric Department shop is located at 310 N. Columbia Street near the intersection of Switzler. The trucks and equipment used for maintenance and construction are stored at this location. The department currently has three line trucks, two pickups, a skid loader, and a trencher for installing and maintaining lines in the system. The department has an extensive inventory on hand for new projects, maintenance, and for repairs in the event of storm damage. Tree trimming is performed by the department with the help of contractors to keep proper clearance from the lines and to minimize storm damage. It is the mission of the Centralia Electric Department to provide electric service to the citizens of Centralia with high standards of reliability and safety at the lowest cost possible.
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