News of the week

September 11, 2024

Government relations experts gather to plan for 2025

January's legislative kick off seems like a long way off, but it will be here before you know it. Each year, MMUA's government relations team sits down with representatives of its members' joint action agencies to prepare for the upcoming session, which will gavel in on January 14. There are a lot of unknowns this year, but we can be sure this talented group of government relations professionals is on the job, advocating for municipal utilities!

Pictured in the front row: Joe Bagnoli for CMPAS, Elizabeth Wefel for MRES, Dalene Monsebroten for NMPA, and Deb Birgen for MRES. Back row: Kent Sulem for MMUA, Will Blauvelt for MMPA, Bill Black for MMUA, Ben Gentz for MRES, Jasper Schneider for NMPA, Patrick Hynes for SMMPA, Kelly Dybdahl for Heartland Energy, and Joe Hoffman for SMMPA. Not pictured is Karleen Kos, MMUA's CEO and sometimes photographer.

Austin Utilities receives APGA's SOAR designation

The American Public Gas Association (APGA) recently announced that Austin Utilities (AU) attained silver-level recognition in APGA's System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR) program due to excellence in its natural gas operations.

Austin earned this designation for its work in building system integrity, system improvement, employee safety, and workforce development. AU was just one of nine utilities chosen nationwide in 2024 to receive this honor at the silver level. The SOAR designation continues for three years. Austin joins Owatonna Public Utilities as Minnesota's only two SOAR public gas providers.

AU General Manager Mark Nibaur noted, “This recognition was achieved through many years of dedication and hard work from our employees. I am proud that our company has focused on delivering reliable, safe, and economical gas services for our customers.”

Read more here about Austin's award and more about the SOAR program here.

FREE Earned Sick and Safe Time Webinar for MMUA members

MMUA invites all members to participate in a free webinar on Thursday, September 26 from 10:00–11:00 am. The webinar will discuss Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law, including the latest updates which went into effect at the end of the legislative session in May. MMUA's Organizational Development and Human Resources Manager Shelly Dau will be presenting. 

The ESST law was effective January 1, 2024, and it requires Minnesota employers to provide paid leave to employees who work in the state. This leave can be used for reasons including an employee's illness, to care for a sick family member, or to seek assistance if an employee or their family member has experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. 

The ESST law was updated in May 2024 to clarify who qualifies for ESST, the rate at which ESST must be paid, ESST application to other paid time off, and more. We will cover it all, and we will address frequently asked questions. Please plan to join us!

Registration is required for this meeting. For more information and to register, click here.  

Two Minnesota hydro facilities' projects among hundreds to receive DOE improvement grants

On September 5, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced awards to fund some 293 hydroelectric improvement projects in 33 states. These upgrades will collectively cost $430 million.

Minnesota has two hydropower facilities that will be funded by the new monies. The hydropower dam in Scanlon, Minnesota, has been allocated just over $1.2 million to replace seven Tainter gates. The Blanchard Dam near Royalton, Minnesota, has been allocated about $1.9 million for the overhaul of the facility’s Unit 1. Both hydro facilities are owned by Minnesota Power.

DOE will make more funds available next year. For the purpose of the funding, these grants cannot exceed 30 percent of the total costs of the capital improvements. Learn more here.

Federal Cartridge, a munitions plant in Anoka, fined nearly $350,000 for Clean Air Act Violations

On September 6, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with the Federal Cartridge Company, an Anoka firm that claims to be "one of the world's largest producers of sporting ammunition." The agreement requires the company to lower its emissions of lead and particulate matter and to pay fines totaling $349,471.

According to an EPA statement, air quality monitoring on a three-month rolling basis found emissions in excess of those allowed by the Clean Air Act, insufficient equipment for mitigating emissions levels, and violations of the standard for ambient air quality due to high concentrations of lead. EPA's fixes are estimated to reduce air emissions by more than 1,700 pounds of particulate matter per year and more than 400 pounds of lead per year.

Funding opportunities

Coming soon: Minnesota Department of Commerce to issue RFP for its electric grid resilience grant program on September 16.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce held a webinar on August 16 to publicize an RFP for grants that will be made available to community-owned municipal utilities, cooperatives, and power agencies. The request for proposals is expected to be published on September 16. A total of $5.3 million will be available, with maximum grants of $250,000. There will be no match requirements.

The program is intended to improve grid resilience and to mitigate natural and non-natural hazard risks. Slides from the August 16 webinar and additional information have been posted on the DOC website here. Projects awarded grants under this program: 

• Must increase the resilience of the electrical grid (e.g., prepare for, adapt to, or minimize the consequences of extreme weather or malicious physical or cyber-attacks)
• May develop or improve carbon-free distributed energy resources in Minnesota. Definition found in 216B.2427 Subd.1. 
• May improve an applicant’s ability to add load growth that is a result of strategic electrification and transportation electrification. Definition found in 216B.2427 Subd. 1.

MMUA will again provide members with assistance in preparing their grant requests by hosting webinars and making team members available for consultation. We will hold the first webinar in this series on Tuesday, September 17 from 1:00–2:00 pm. No need to pre-register: just join the meeting via this Zoom link. Contact Karleen Kos or Blaine Chaulklin for more information.

Looking ahead

Transformer School and pre-conference workshop

November 19–22, 2024

MMUA Training Center, Marshall

This course focuses on three-phase transformer connections. Our highly qualified instructor, Scott Meinecke, has decades of experience working with and providing training on all manner of topics related to transformers. Participants will appreciate Scott's unique ability to explain complicated topics, so that they are more easily understood. This course includes classroom and hands-on instruction. Participants can expect to learn about the basics of transformers including turns ratios, polarities, calculations, and connections. Working with miniature transformers, participants will put their troubleshooting skills to the test.

The pre-conference workshop is intended to serve as a basic or refresher course on the fundamentals of single-phase transformer connections and theory. The course includes instruction on topics such as safe work practices, transformer theory, basic calculations, connections, and sizing. This course would be helpful for any lineworker, as well as personnel from other departments that may assist as a ground person.

Check MMUA's events calendar for full details and to register.

As always, thank you for your association with MMUA and your commitment to delivering excellent service through locally owned utility assets in your community. Have a great week!

Karleen Kos

Chief Executive Officer

Direct: 763-746-0701 / Cell: 813-675-7589

kkos@mmua.org | www.mmua.org

Hometown services. Hometown strengths. Hometown solutions.