Natural Gas is Natural gas; Continuum Energy adds good service
By Jean Issler
Continuum Energy is the new name of a Holdrege-born business. The company was previously known as Seminole Energy, and the signage at the office stills says Seminole as the name transition is going on.
The company sells natural gas to agricultural producers and large volume commercial users. That is why most Holdrege residents are not familiar with the company; if they do not use large amounts of natural gas, they are not going to need to know this company.
Brenda Christensen, senior sales representative, operates the Holdrege office with the help of a part time administrative assistant, Ginger Linder. This is the home office for the Nebraska Continuum customers. The sales representative for Nebraska and part of South Dakota is Michelle Kluver.
The man who started the business is probably better known here. Kirk McClymont opened Natural Gas Transport in 1998. He saw a need for ag producers to have a choice besides the utility companies when buying natural gas.
The company grew under McClymont's management. In 2003, he sold his interest to Seminole Energy and it continues to be under that same ownership. The change in August of this year was simply a name change to Continuum, said Christensen.
Continuum specializes in serving customers that use large volumes of natural gas. Their ag customers are located across the state but are concentrated in the middle of the state from the north to south borders between York and Ogallala.
These ag customers use high volumes of natural gas from about April to September for pivot irrigation systems and for grain dryers at harvest time.
Year-round customers at Continuum are commercial and industrial companies who use natural gas for heat load, processing plants, swimming pools and commercial clothes driers. These customers tend to be hotels, schools, hospitals and ethanol facilities.
Christensen said her customers for commercial and industrial are concentrated between North Platte and Omaha, but are located throughout Nebraska.
Continuum is a natural gas supplier, not a utility company. Pricing is similar among the suppliers. They all buy the same gas from the same companies and act as buying agents for the customer.
The difference between the suppliers is in the quality of service offered. Holdrege has been asked to use a call center. However, Christensen is committed to personal service.
"As long as I work in this office, there will be a live person answering the phone," said Christensen. She said she knows her customers and what they need, which includes her being available almost 24/7.
Although the Holdrege office is now part of a larger company, the Nebraska customers of Continuum get their service with Holdrege flair. Christensen lives in Minden; Linder and Kluver are Holdrege natives.
Christensen has been with the company since 2001 when it was located on West Fourth Avenue near J D Lumber. The location is now in the former medical clinic by the Post Office. The alley entrance on the east side gives the best access to the office and parking.
Continuum Energy is in Suite 130 at 414 East Avenue and the phone is 888-710-4704. Brenda Christensen's email is bchristensen@continuumes.com . They are on the web at continuumes.com.
