News of the week

July 31, 2024

ECO reporting deadline extended to August 31; Commerce shares tip sheet

The Department of Commerce Division of Energy Resources emailed municipal and cooperative utilities on May 14 to announce a two-month deadline extension for filing 2023 results and 2025 plans under the state Energy Conservation Optimization (ECO) program (formerly CIP). Last week, the Department informed utilities that the reporting deadline has again been extended, this time to August 31 due to ongoing challenges with the online reporting platform.

MMUA’s Government Relations team has relayed and emphasized frustrations from multiple members about problems with the new ECO reporting platform and the Department of Commerce’s instructions to reenter historical data from previous submissions. This week, the Department shared instructions for troubleshooting some of the more common system issues users are reporting. These tips can be found here. Commerce also shared a FAQ sheet explaining thresholds for energy saving types.

For further information or to receive the platform training manual, contact Adam Zoet at the Commerce Department.

New HR laws coming into effect on August 1

Governor Walz signed several new employment-related requirements into place at the end of the legislative session in May. Some of these changes, including the amendments to the Earned Sick and Safe Time Law were effective immediately. Others are effective at future dates, including some that go into force tomorrow, August 1, 2024.  

The Minnesota Pregnancy and Parental Leave law is already in effect. However, effective August 1, 2024, the law prohibits the length of leave from being reduced by any period of paid or unpaid leave take for prenatal care medical appointments. Another change is that employers must maintain benefit coverage under any group insurance policy, group subscriber contract, or healthcare plan for the employee and any dependents while the employee is on leave, but the employee must continue to pay the employee share of the cost of benefits. This change is in preparation for the Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Law which goes into effect on January 1, 2026.  

Also effective August 1, 2024, employers may now use “oral fluid testing” as an alternate to drug and alcohol or cannabis testing for job applicants. Employers may request or require an oral fluid drug, alcohol, or cannabis test and allow an employee or job applicant to request a drug, alcohol, or cannabis test at no cost to the employee or applicant. Employees may request a follow-up test to a positive, inconclusive, or invalid test, but must do so within forty-eight hours of the original test to remain eligible for the position. The Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act notice and retest procedures apply.  

Looking ahead, effective January 1, 2025, employers with thirty or more employees must disclose the “starting salary range, and a general description of all of the benefits and other compensation, to be offered to a hired job applicant” in job postings. Employers that do not plan to offer a salary range for a position must list a fixed pay rate. 

MMUA will host another webinar on HR-related issues, including these, on Thursday, September 19 from 10:00-11:00 am. The Zoom link for that meeting will be shared in the weeks to come. In the meantime, please reach out to Shelly Dau with any questions.

High-voltage transmission construction declines despite increased utility spending

A report by Grid Strategies reveals a decline in high-voltage transmission line construction, with only 55 miles completed in 2023 and a single 125-mile project operational this year. Despite the drop, utility spending on transmission infrastructure increased to over $25 billion in 2022.

Most spending targets lower voltage projects, often outside regional planning processes. The report advocates for comprehensive transmission planning to maximize ratepayer benefits and support state policy goals. Noteworthy initiatives include MISO's Long Range Transmission Planning and various projects in the western US. Federal actions and proposed legislation aim to bolster transmission development and investment.

To read more, click here.

Commerce hosting webinar on 40101(d) grant

Many members have participated in the series of webinars MMUA has hosted over the past month on the 40101(d) Grid Resilience Grants Program. While those webinars will continue later on August 13, members may be interested to hear directly from the Department of Commerce on the program.

The department is hosting a Microsoft Teams webinar on Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 10:00–11:00 am about the request for proposals for the first round of the program.

Commerce will go over the request for proposals (RFP) and welcomes questions about the RFP, the program timeline, and technical assistance needs. This webinar will be recorded and slides will be posted online following the webinar. Questions will be compiled and responses will be posted on the 40101(d) program website.

Register for the webinar here. If you would like to be included on MMUA's communications list for future grant information, please reach out to Christian Glanville.

Funding opportunities

$1.3 billion in funding announced for EV charging infrastructure

The Biden-Harris Administration has launched a $1.3 billion funding opportunity for electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure. This investment, the largest of its kind to date, aims to enhance clean transportation in urban and rural areas as well as along major highways and interstates.

Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the initiative supports state, regional, Tribal, and local government entities. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administers the CFI program with guidance from the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.

The funding aims to deploy Level 2 and DC fast EV chargers nationwide, focusing on multi-family housing and disadvantaged communities. It supports the National Zero-Emission Freight Strategy and aligns with President Biden's goal of establishing 500,000 public EV charging stations by 2030.

Eligible applicants can apply by August 28, 2024. For more information, visit FHWA’s CFI Discretionary Grant Program website.

Looking ahead

Summer Conference

August 19–21

Holiday Inn and Conference Center Fargo, ND

The Summer Conference is designed to offer must-have information for municipal utility leaders. Commissioners, superintendents, managers, supervisors, and crew leaders all come together to learn how to tackle the challenges facing utilities at MMUA’s Summer Conference. There's something for everyone.

The theme of this year's event is "Stronger Together." Sessions will focus on communication, collaboration, and strengthening the municipal model. Keynote speakers include APPA CEO Scott Corwin, communications expert Mark Weaver, and leadership expert Jon Colby, in addition to excellent sessions on a wide range of topics from emergency response to system resilience to the pursuit of federal funding. You will be able to choose from four unique conference tracks (governance, leadership, electric, and water/wastewater) to maximize your learning. As always, the conference will include the state's largest trade show for municipal utilities on Tuesday evening. 

The conference will be held on August 20–21 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo. There is plenty of activity on Monday, August 19 as well! Join us for either of two pre-conference sessions in the morning, and then spend the afternoon on a hike with Mike Willetts or playing a round on the beautiful greens at The Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead. 

No matter what you do, we can't wait to see you! Visit our website to learn more about the conference and to register today.

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!

Christian Glanville

Marketing and Member Relations Manager

Direct: 763.746.0727 / Cell: 612.655.0598

Fax: 763.551.0459

cglanville@mmua.org | www.mmua.org

To download a copy of this email, click here.

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