Generation School recap

MMUA welcomed 60 attendees to this year's Generation School. Participants from across Minnesota, as well as from Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, gathered to receive valuable hands-on training and instruction from industry experts. Learners especially appreciated the group discussions and opportunities for one-on-one Q and A.

Chaska’s data surge: Silicon Valley meets suburbia

Chaska is riding the wave of one of the energy world’s hottest buzzwords—data centers. The Washington, DC-based CloudHQ plans to build a 1.4-million-square-foot data center campus in the city’s southwest quadrant, a move that would mark the largest project of its kind in Minnesota to date.

This development reinforces Chaska’s growing reputation as a data hub, thanks in part to its land availability and municipally owned utility, which offers lower rates and more responsive service. “We’ve had success drawing data centers due to land availability,” said Nate Kabat, Chaska’s community development director. “They appreciate that we want to see them here." Learn more here.

Minnesota’s renewable energy landscape stagnated in 2024

In 2024, Minnesota's renewable energy generation remained stable, maintaining a one-third share of the state's overall electricity production, according to the latest report from Clean Energy Economy Minnesota. This figure, unchanged from the previous year, highlights a significant shift in the energy landscape as coal-based energy continued its decline, dropping to 20 percent of the state’s electricity mix from 22 percent in 2023—a stark contrast to its 49 percent share in 2014.

Despite stagnation in renewable generation, the state’s energy productivity has increased significantly, with a 37 percent rise since 2001. Legislative efforts, including a mandate for carbon-free electricity by 2040 and funding for the “Minnesota Energy Alley” initiative, aim to further advance the clean energy sector. Learn more here.

Xcel Energy tackling tritium leak at Monticello Nuclear Plant

Xcel Energy announced it has reduced tritium levels in groundwater beneath its Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant by more than 90 percent since a leak was discovered in late 2022. However, two monitoring wells still show tritium concentrations above the Environmental Protection Agency’s safe drinking water standard.

Internal emails revealed that city officials learned about elevated tritium levels three months earlier than they had publicly acknowledged, raising concerns about transparency. The leak, which began in November 2022, prompted Xcel Energy to install more than three dozen monitoring wells and recover millions of gallons of contaminated water. Learn more here.

MMUA open house and Twins game: you are invited

Join MMUA for a tour of our new offices and then hop on our chartered bus for a Twins game on Friday, June 6, 2025.

MMUA will host an open house at the new office location in St. Louis Park from 3:00–5:00 pm. Join us for refreshments, tours, and networking with other members. For those interested, a little after 5:00 pm, we'll ride comfortably on a chartered bus and head toward Target Field. If you prefer, you can drive yourself and meet us at the game. We've secured great seats, and it will be a fun way to connect with the MMUA family. Bring your better half and your kids too!

Please click the link below to register for the open house (free), ballgame, and bus (offered at MMUA's group cost). Not interested in baseball? No worries. Come to the open house anyway. We would love to spend some time with you! Don't delay, registration for the Twins game closes May 5.

MPCA hosting biosolid informational meetings in May

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will hold two informational meetings on its Biosolids Strategy Implementation on May 14 and May 29.

The strategy calls for sampling, testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and reporting of results for all land-applied biosolids, beginning September 1, 2025. Land applying farmers must be notified about the sampling and, under certain conditions, informed of the testing results. The 140–170 wastewater facilities that land apply every year will receive invitations to these meetings from the MPCA.

If you land apply and do not receive an invitation, please contact Bill Black at bblack@mmua.org.

Apply now for MMUA Utility Workforce Scholarship 

The MMUA Utility Workforce Scholarship supports individuals interested in pursuing careers in the utility sector. Up to five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students of any age who enroll in a utility-related career program at an eligible institution. The MMUA Utility Workforce Scholarship is open to students seeking credentials as a powerline/lineworker, gas operator, water and wastewater operator, telecommunications/broadband technician, GIS specialist, or other utility-specific programs. 

MMUA members are encouraged to share this information with their communities. The application deadline is May 15, 2025.

Tainted waters: Minnesota lakes face new fish consumption warnings

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued updated fish consumption guidelines for 44 lakes across ten counties, including areas in the Twin Cities, due to contamination from PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals." These man-made compounds, found in a wide range of consumer products, accumulate in the human body and pose serious health risks.

Angela Preimesberger, head of MDH's fish consumption guidance program, emphasized the importance of localized guidelines. “Our recommendations reflect both the fishing location and the individual’s health status,” she stated. Learn more here.

For specific consumption guidelines, residents can consult the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ LakeFinder tool.

MMUA's monthly feature, Vendor Spotlight, tells the story of one of our associate members. We know municipal utilities would not exist without the expertise and support of these crucial partners.

This month, we feature Irby. For nearly a century, Irby has been more than just a distributor of materials—it has been a stalwart partner in powering the backbone of America’s energy grid. From its early days electrifying rural towns to today’s sophisticated smart grid deployments and broadband expansions, Irby’s mission has remained constant: support communities with reliable service, innovative solutions, and steadfast partnership.

Click here to learn more about how Irby powers lasting relationships.

Special evaluation assistance for rural communities and households in Minnesota (SEARCH)

This program assists very small, financially distressed rural communities with pre-development feasibility studies, design, and technical assistance for proposed water and waste disposal projects.

What is an eligible area?

Areas to be served must be rural and financially distressed:

• Rural areas with a population of 2,500 or less
• Have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on the latest census data

How may the funds be used?

To pay predevelopment planning costs, including:

• Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects
• Preliminary design and engineering analysis
• Technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance

Learn more here.

Leadership development: Registration is now open for virtual elective courses

Did you know MMUA offers a diverse range of elective courses that are open to anyone, not just DUEL^(TM) participants?

These courses cover a wide range of topics relevant to municipal utility leadership, allowing DUEL participants to select the topic(s) that best align with their career goals, and others to attend just a few courses in their areas of interest.

These courses are conducted virtually, with each session lasting 90 minutes. Please click on the brochure to view the full list of course details and register below. (Psst! If you decide to enroll for DUEL within the next two years, we'll credit you for the electives you have already taken.)

Competent Person and Excavation Safety Workshop



May 20–21

MMUA Training Center

Marshall, MN

This course is intended for public works personnel, water/wastewater personnel, lineworkers, engineering personnel, contract workers, and others involved with underground utility or infrastructure work.

In this workshop, participants engage in classroom discussion and hands-on activity to:

• increase your understanding of the "competent person" role on the job site
• demonstrate correct soil-testing procedures
• identify hazards associated with trenching and excavating
• increase knowledge of different types of protective systems
• further develop proper "pot holing" practices for gas and powerline excavation

Advanced registration ends May 9.

MMUA Q2 Human Resources Webinar

Drug policy compliance: A guide for leaders

May 22

10:00–11:00 am

Join us for an informative session exploring drug testing policies and how they apply to Minnesota’s municipals.

This webinar will cover state and federal compliance requirements, best practices for implementing and updating testing programs, and practical guidance for city and utility employers and HR professionals.

Whether you are reviewing your current policy or developing a new one, this session will provide key insights to help ensure your practices are legally sound and effectively managed.