News of the week

December 18, 2024

Northwest Lineman College Graduates

Class of 2024


More than 20 Northwest Lineman College graduates were recognized at the MMUA Technical & Operations Conference last week in St. Cloud.


Northwest Lineman College is an industry-leading educational institute, providing training and consultation services globally. Congratulations to all of the graduates on your significant achievement!

  • Nicholas Adams, Pierre, SD
  • Lane Anderson, Mountain Lake
  • Patrick Busby, Hawley
  • Gary Bergstadt, Mora
  • Matt Felger, Mora
  • Tristan Joel, Windom
  • Alex Kjolstad
  • Brett Murray, Baudette
  • Collin Nestande, Glencoe
  • Colin Rathman, Wells
  • Zachary Raymond, Buffalo
  • Taylor Schauer, Glencoe
  • Jack Schintz, Shakopee
  • William Schroers, Saint Peter
  • Johnathan Schuman, Baudette
  • Ethan Slabaugh, North Central Power Co.
  • Jordan Stocker, Shakopee
  • Brady Swanson, Fosston
  • TJ Studley
  • Ben Wigern, Wells
  • Garitt Wytaske, Austin

Grid North Partners announce MISO approval of new transmission lines


On December 12, Grid North Partners, a consortium of ten investor-owned and not-for-profit cooperative and municipal electricity providers, announced the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has approved a set of high voltage transmission projects that will support reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric service in Minnesota. The projects are included in MISO's Long Range Transmission Plan, commonly known as Tranche 2.1.


Included in the plan are 765-kilovolt (KV) transmission system that will connect substations across South Dakota, Southern Minnesota, and Wisconsin, a new 345-KV line running from south of Rochester, Minnesota to north of the city, and another 345-KV line running from Hampton to north Rochester.


Learn more here.

Minnesota Public Utilities Commision approves Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline


On December 12, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced its approval of the Summit Carbon Solutions carbon capture and storage pipeline.


This 28-mile pipeline will transport captured carbon dioxide from the Green Plains Ethanol Plant near Fergus Falls to Breckenridge, Minnesota. Once it reaches that point, the CO2 will be sequestered underground in North Dakota.



The project will still require several permit conditions as part of the process. The PUC selected the southern route option for the pipeline to make local impacts smaller.


Learn more here.

Rural Minnesota to receive $15.6 million in clean energy projects


On December 11, Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar said $15.6 million in clean energy projects has been awarded to rural Minnesota communities through the Renewable Energy for America Program. The program, which received funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, directs money to rural businesses and farms to improve or construct clean energy systems.



Some of the communities receiving funding include Bemidji, Brainerd, Fosston, Hibbing, and Menahga. To lean more, click here.

Rice Lake, Minnesota receives $3.3 million federal grant for water and wastewater improvements


The United States Department of Commerce announced on December 5 the City of Rice Lake, near Duluth, will receive $3.3 million for improvements to their water and wastewater infrastructure.


The grant will be matched with $3.3 million in local funds, and the resources will be used to construct a new service center for Minnesota Power. The investment will help strengthen the regional economy and make the community healthier.


To learn more, click here.

Remember to take the MMUA industry survey by January 2


Whether you are someone who spends their days working in municipal utilities, or your work supports municipal utilities, your voice is important to MMUA. Please share your feedback with us. We will use the information from our triennial industry survey to help MMUA evolve, improve, and further position itself to continue meeting the needs of municipal utilities well into the future.


Don't forget to complete the survey by Thursday, January 2, 2025. All members of your utility team—employees, commissioners, and city officialsare encouraged to complete the survey.


Please begin the survey by clicking here.

Funding opportunities

APPA Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED) grants


This APPA grant opportunity awards up to $50,000 to promote energy innovation and support the development and demonstration of new, innovative technologies and the creation of useful products and tools for the betterment of public power utilities and their customers.

 

The grants typically support helpful pilot projects and work on best practices. Applications for these grants are due on February 15 and August 15 of each year. Previously funded projects have included work on cybersecurity, multi-family housing energy efficiency, and automatic feeder restoration.

 

To learn more, click here.

LASSO Prize for co-location of cattle ranching and solar farms


The American-Made Large Animal and Solar System Operations (LASSO) Prize is putting more than $8 million up for grabs to support innovative proposals that will illustrate the successful combination of photovoltaics with cattle grazing. The building of relationships between agricultural communities and solar energy developers is a large part of the effort, as well as environmental sustainability and building best practices for the industry.

 

Local governments and utilities are encouraged to apply, as are solar developers and farmers/ranchers. The submission deadline is March 6, 2025.

 

Learn more here.

Looking ahead

Cyber and Fiscal Security Threats and Preparation regional workshop

St. Louis Park—January 21

New Ulm—January 22

Brainerd— January 23 


Join MMUA and a host of experts that will offer valuable insights that can help you identify and mitigate these imposing threats. You will learn how to protect your vital systems, infrastructure, and reputation.


Please click below to register or for additional details on this valuable training opportunity. Register by December 26 for best rate.

St. Louis Park registration
New Ulm registration
Brainerd registration

2025 Legislative Conference

January 2829, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul Downtown


MMUA’s Legislative Conference is one of the municipal utility community’s primary opportunities to inform and influence state lawmakers. We hope to see you there!

Legislative Conference registration

Meter School and pre-conference workshop

February 47

MMUA Training Center, Marshall


Meter School is a once-a-year opportunity to obtain hands-on technical electric metering training. Participants select from two course options:



  • Beginner/intermediate: This track is ideal for those with little metering experience. It builds on the concepts covered in the pre-conference workshop and advances your skills within a few days.
  • Advanced: This track is intended for those who steadily work with meters and wiring meter installations.
Pre-conference workshop registration
Meter School registration

We will be combining our next two issues into a

final edition for 2024, set to be released on December 31st. 

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!


Jennifer Williams

Director of Marketing and Member Relations

Direct: 763-746-0727 / Cell: 651-202-0997

jwilliams@mmua.org | www.mmua.org

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