Dive Summary:

• Valley Electric Association has been awarded a 50-year contract to deliver electricity to Creech Air Force Base, which is the command and control central for the Air Force's unmanned military aircraft.
• The contract is worth $23.6 million and was awarded under the Defense Department's Utilities Privatization Initiative.
• VEA officially takes control of the system on January 27, 2013, but the transition process has already begun.

From the article:

Valley Electric Association has been awarded a 50-year contract to acquire the electric delivery services for Creech Air Force Base. The Pahrump-based co-op officially takes control of the system Jan. 27, 2013, but a transition process is already under way.

“The base provides significant contributions to our national security as well as our regional economy,” said Thomas H. Husted, chief executive officer of VEA. “We are extremely honored to be entrusted with providing for their electric utility needs.” ...