Dustin Kaste Appointed as Chief Dam Safety Engineer for Energy Keepers, Incorporated's Selis Ksanka Qlispe Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights -

Dustin Kaste, a registered professional engineer in Montana with over 10 years of experience in civil engineering, has been appointed as the Chief Dam Safety Engineer (CDSE) for Energy Keepers, Incorporated's (EKI's) Selis Ksanka Qlispe (SKQ) Hydroelectric Project. This appointment is a key step in ensuring the continued safe operation of the project. Kaste will work closely with EKI staff and other technical professionals to maintain compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations and to ensure the overall safety of the project.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dustin Kaste, a registered professional engineer in Montana, has been appointed as the Chief Dam Safety Engineer (CDSE) for EKI's SKQ Hydroelectric Project.
  • Kaste has over 10 years of experience in civil engineering, specializing in dam safety and project management.
  • He has a strong background in regulatory compliance, having managed or assisted in the review, writing, and reporting on various dam safety items for multiple clients, including public utility entities.
  • Kaste has experience in conducting and hosting tabletop and functional exercises, updated dam safety surveillance and monitoring plans, and prepared annual reports to regulatory agencies.
  • He has a broad range of experience in dam safety, including project management, regulatory compliance, and public safety planning, with expertise in the hydroelectric industry.
  • Kaste is registered with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and is a member of the United States Society on Dams (USSD) and the Northwest Hydroelectric Association (NWHA).
  • He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Engineering Management from the University of Southern Indiana's Romain College of Business.

Statistics:

  • Kaste has over 10 years of experience in civil engineering.
  • He has managed or assisted in the review, writing, and reporting on various dam safety items for multiple clients.
  • Kaste has conducted and hosted multiple tabletop and functional exercises.
  • He has experience in preparing annual reports to regulatory agencies.
  • Kaste has managed or assisted in the update of dam safety surveillance and monitoring plans.
  • He has a background in public safety planning, with expertise in the hydroelectric industry.

Sources:

  • Energy Keepers, Incorporated's document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, dated October 7, 2025.
  • Dustin Kaste's resume.
  • NorthWestern Energy's report on Dustin Kaste's experience and qualifications.