February 1980, Oliver-Mercer had 2,727 consumers that were billed, 1,588 miles of energized lines and average farm usage was 1,610 KWH per month.
Budget-billing policy was adopted in April 1980. The co-op still has this option available today.
1982
March 31, 1982, Oliver-Mercer took another step forward in the growth of the co-op: Oliver-Mercer paid in full its first Rural Electrification Administration loan which was taken out in 1947.
1983
The Oliver-Mercer Electric Young Couples’ Organization was formed in the fall 1983. This organization would help the young people in the co-op’s service area understand how the co-operative works.
1986
June 1986 annual meeting recorded 489 members and guests registering.
SCADA system (load-management) was installed in the co-op’s service area in the fall 1986.
1988
Basin Electric Power Cooperative bought the Dakota Gasification Plant north of Beulah in November 1988.