IAMU members now have access to a comprehensive Transformer Toolkit developed through our recent APPA DEED grant project – and we're offering a free webinar to show you how to make the most of it.
With transformer lead times exceeding two years and EV adoption accelerating across Iowa, this Excel-based toolkit gives you the data-driven tools you need to stay ahead of infrastructure demands. Whether you manage a few transformers in a small community or thousands across an urban system, this toolkit was built with you in mind.

About the Toolkit:
The toolkit is currently on sale in the APPA DEED Product Store for just $50 for DEED members, $110 for APPA members, and $210 for nonmembers. More information is available at: https://my.publicpower.org/s/store#/store/browse/detail/a15UT00000PoVgYYAV.

What You'll Learn:
Join us online to learn how to inventory your existing transformers, properly size new installations for residential, commercial, and fleet customers, and forecast future replacement needs based on your utility's unique load growth patterns. We'll provide live demonstrations of the key features and walk through real-world examples so you can start using the toolkit immediately.
This is your chance to learn from the people who made the tool, ask questions, and gain confidence in planning your transformer purchases years in advance. This free training will ensure you're equipped to leverage every feature of your investment.

Register today and take control of your transformer asset management strategy.

REGISTER HERE

​🔧 TRANSFORMER SCHOOL FOR ELECTRIC LINE WORKERS

April 27–29, 2026
IAMU Training & Office Complex | 1735 NE 70th Ave, Ankeny, IA 50021

This workshop is designed for apprentices, journeyman line workers, and any employee who works alongside or assists the electric line crew. It is also an excellent opportunity for those looking to strengthen their foundational transformer knowledge.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Led by Scott Meinecke: Director of Safety and Loss Control for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives and a hands-on transformer instructor with 25+ years of experience teaching more than 2,000 line workers. This workshop delivers a powerful combination of classroom instruction and real-world, energized hands-on training.


Participants will work with energized miniature transformers, experiencing real fault conditions in a controlled, safe environment.

APPRENTICESHIP HOURS
Apprentices will receive 16 OJT Hours for attendance (OH and URD hours).

REGISTRATION DETAILS
• Fee (IAMU Members): $510 per person — lunch and materials included
• Fee (Non-Members): $585 per person
• Registration Deadline: April 16, 2026
• Class Size: LIMITED to 40 attendees — register early to secure your spot!

Online registration is preferred. Payment by credit card or ACH transfer is required. The "Bill Me" option is no longer accepted.

To receive member pricing, log in to your IAMU account before registering. If you need your login credentials, contact Grant Hatterman at ghatterman@iamu.org.

REGISTER NOW → https://members.iamu.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2042236&group=

Questions? Contact Jim Wolfe at 641-330-0150 or jwolfe@iamu.org.

We look forward to seeing your team in Ankeny!

​IAMU is pleased to offer Gas Bootcamp – Phase 1: Training & Operator Qualification, taking place March 31 – April 2, 2026, at the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities in Ankeny.

Dates & Times

• Tuesday, March 31: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 1: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, April 2: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location:
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
1735 NE 70th Ave
Ankeny, IA 50021
Important Requirements
To attend this workshop, participants must:

• Have an active OnBoard LMS username and password
• Complete and pass all required online training and testing prior to attending
• Bring a valid photo ID
• Bring proper PPE (coat, hat, hard hat, gloves, safety glasses, safety toe shoes, etc.)

Additional recommended items:

• Most recent IAMU Operations & Maintenance Plan
• Notepad and pen
• Personal equipment (CGI, locating equipment, odorator, etc.), if available

🍽 Lunch and materials are provided by IAMU each day.
Registration Details

• Registration Deadline: March 24, 2026
• Attendance is limited to 15 participants
  • The first 15 registrations will be accepted
  • A waitlist will be created if capacity is exceeded

Fees (per person):

• IAMU Members: $850
• Non-Members: $1,000

👉 Online registration is preferred. REGISTER HERE
Payment must be made by credit card or ACH (the “Bill Me” option is no longer accepted).
If you need assistance with:

• LMS access: Nick Vandegriff – nvandegriff@iamu.org
• Member login credentials: Grant Hatterman – ghatterman@iamu.org

Questions?
Please contact Nick Vandegriff at nvandegriff@iamu.org.
We encourage you to register early to secure a spot in this essential training opportunity.

​Training & Operator Qualification
📍 IAMU | Ankeny, Iowa
📅 April 15–17, 2026

IAMU is pleased to offer Gas Bootcamp – Phase 2, an advanced training designed for natural gas professionals ready to take the next step in the Operator Qualification (OQ) process.
This hands-on, in-depth course is ideal for individuals with one or more years of experience in the natural gas industry or those who have successfully completed Bootcamp Phase 1. Training will follow procedures outlined in the IAMU Operations & Maintenance Plan – Written Procedures Manual and includes both classroom instruction and field-based evaluations.

Schedule at a Glance
​Wednesday, April 15
Registration: 12:30 p.m. | Class: 1:00–4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 16
Class: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Lunch provided)
Friday, April 17
Class: 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Lunch provided)
Important Details• Attendance is limited to 15 participants
• Registration deadline: April 8, 2026
• First 15 paid registrations will secure a spot
• A waiting list will be started once capacity is reached
Cost (lunch & materials included):
IAMU Members: $850
Non-Members: $1,000


Participants must bring:
• A valid photo ID
• Proper PPE (FR clothing, hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, etc.)
• The most current IAMU O&M and Emergency Plan

👉 Register today to secure your spot:
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

​Questions?
Contact Nick Vandegriff at nvandegriff@iamu.org
We look forward to seeing you in Ankeny this April!

IAMU is pleased to offer two ways to be involved in our upcoming Pipeline Safety Conference, taking place April 28–29, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Ankeny.

🛠️ Opportunity #1: Attend the Pipeline Safety Conference
FREE for IAMU Members
This conference is designed specifically for municipal natural gas utilities and offers valuable training and networking for personnel at all levels from management to operations and maintenance.

Highlights include:

• Updates from the American Public Gas Association
• Emergency Preparedness and Iowa OSHA updates
• Iowa Utilities Commission Roundtable
• Operator development and compliance-focused sessions
• Vendor networking, show, and dinner

📅 Registration deadline: April 14, 2026
💲 Cost for IAMU Members: No charge

🤝 Opportunity #2: Vendor Show & Sponsorship Opportunities
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Members who provide products or services to municipal utilities are invited to take part in the Vendor Show & Dinner, which offers excellent face-to-face time with utility professionals from across the state.
Options include:

• Exhibit booths
• Meal and T-shirt sponsorships
• Tiered sponsorship packages combining booth and branding opportunities

Door prize drawings and attendee engagement opportunities will be available throughout the event.
📅 Vendor registration deadline: April 14, 2026

A special IAMU hotel rate of $114 is available, with a room block deadline of March 27, 2026.

If you have questions about registration, sponsorships, or conference details, please contact Nick
Vandegriff at nvandegriff@iamu.org or (515) 289-1999.

We hope you’ll join us for this valuable event!

REGISTER ONLINE HERE.

Common Ground of Iowa (CGI) - the Iowa chapter of Common Ground Alliance and the makers of the CGA Best Practices to reduce underground damages to our utilities - is having their annual meeting on Friday, April 10th, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Clear Lake Arts Center. Here, CGI will have speakers from the Iowa Utilities Commission speaking on the ins and outs of excavation and safety of the underground infrastructure.  This event is FREE to all as we are trying to spread the word in our industry. Lunch will be provided. Additional information is on the CGI flyer.
​
Click HERE to register for the free event. 
 
Click HERE to link to the Common Ground of Iowa website if you would like more information about the organization.

​IAMU Offers Two Scholarship Programs
 
The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities is pleased to offer two scholarship programs this year – a scholarship program for students pursuing a post-secondary program with a utility focus and a general scholarship program for children or grandchildren of IAMU member employees.
 
“IAMU is pleased to have two scholarship offerings again this year,” said Troy DeJoode, IAMU executive director. “Last year, we awarded four scholarships to students pursuing educations in utility-related fields to help the next generation of professionals to get the education and training that they need. Again this year, we are offering another scholarship to the children and grandchildren of IAMU members. This is a general scholarship, and the recipients do not need to be pursuing a utility-related certification or degree.”
 
Utility-Focused Scholarship
Each $2,000 scholarship will be distributed to the educational institution. To apply, candidates must fill out and submit the scholarship application. Applications have been extended to March 11, 2026 to scholarship@iamu.org. IAMU will announce the award recipients by April 25, 2026.
 
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must:

• Live in a residence that is a verified customer of an IAMU member or attend a high school that is a verified customer of an IAMU member. If you are unsure whether your local area is an IAMU member, contact your city hall.
• Be a 2026 graduating high school senior or have previously graduated from high school.
• Be attending a post high school education program located in Iowa in the fall of 2026.

 
Preference will be given to applicants entering a utility-related career with a special preference to applicants entering utility-related trades programs leading to careers in difficult to fill utility careers such as, as an example only, electric line worker, water treatment or distribution operator, or operator qualified natural gas positions.
 
General Scholarship
Each $500 will be distributed to the educational institution. To apply, candidates must fill out and submit the scholarship application.  Applications are due February 28, 2026 to scholarship@iamu.org. IAMU will announce the award recipients by April 25, 2026.
 
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must:

• Attend college/technical school within the state of Iowa.
• Have a parent/grandparent/legal guardian who is an employee of an IAMU-verified member.
• Have a 3.0 minimum GPA.

 
IAMU members are encouraged to share this scholarship information with their communities. You might post information to your social media account(s) and website, and submit information to your local newspaper and/or radio station. IAMU is sending an email about the scholarships to high school guidance counselors, but you might also consider reaching out to your local guidance counselors as well.
 
If you have any questions about the scholarship program, please feel free to contact IAMU at scholarship@iamu.org.

What work are you doing that puts you within the “minimum approach distance” of high voltage energized electrical equipment? This pre-recorded webinar will teach you safety-related work practices that will allow you to determine the voltage, the minimum approach distances, and protective equipment to prevent an electrocution or arc flash when working near energized electrical equipment.

WHO SHOULD REGISTER?
Anyone putting up signs, Christmas decorations, performing maintenance on equipment, or doing utility locates within OSHA’s distance of 10 feet from energized high voltage electrical equipment. Electric Utilities Staff, Public Works Staff, and Supervisors are also encouraged to attend.
​
COST: IAMU Members - $173; Non-IAMU Members - $242
REGISTRATION: Registration is NOW open. CLICK HERE to get registered for the pre-recorded webinar today!


ADDITIONAL NOTES:
· The webinar will be emailed out to you along with a record of attendance · Once completed, return the record of attendance to abader@iamu.org
· You will then be sent your certificate of attendance for the Working Within the Minimum Approach Distance Pre-Recorded Webinar

Click here The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities will be holding both initial certification and re-certification classes for mobile crane operators at our location. This journey-level certification is granted through the National Center for Construction Education and Research. IAMU is an accredited assessment center. OSHA’s updated crane standard REQUIRES that operators of lifting equipment be trained, evaluated, and tested in order to obtain re-certification.

Re-certification is required every 5 years. In order to re-certify you must retake and pass both the practical examination and the computerized test with an 80% score for each. NCCER policy prohibits completing the re-certification process more than 180 days before the expiration date of your certification. Check your NCCER account for the expiration date of your certification.
There is no grace period after your certification expires.

BROCHURE:
To see pricing and additional information please see the NCCER 2026 brochure.
 
REGISTRATION:
Registration is NOW open for the first Certified Mobile Crane Operator – Telescoping Boom class April 13th-17th, CLICK HERE
 
**To be notified for other NCCER class dates please enter your information on the NCCER Placeholder. You will be contacted by IAMU when registration for that class is available.

Examination retakes are $139 and may be taken during any scheduled exam date.


ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• There is a maximum of 10 participants per class session
• Lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday (for full NCCER Certification course)
• All participants will attend classroom days. Exams will take place on the Wednesday of each class session. Depending on the number of participants, Wednesday evening and Friday may also be used for practical exams
• Each participant will need to bring their PPE for the practical exam: High Viz clothing, hardhat, safety glasses, gloves, safety shoes, and long pants

QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions in regard to the classes, or requirements, please contact:
Margret Meade, IAMU Safety Outreach Coordinator (mmeade@iamu.or here to edit.

​This four-day, hands-on workshop is designed for beginning and experienced gas distribution system welders working for municipal utilities or welding contractors. Participants will have the opportunity to practice and qualify on one or more pipeline welding procedures included in the IAMU procedures manual, with instruction provided throughout the workshop on current welding techniques.

Workshop Highlights:

• Perform and qualify on multiple welding procedures (one at a time)
• Instruction, practice sessions, coupon preparation, testing, and records included
• Annual requalification opportunity to meet Office of Pipeline Safety requirements
• One price covers both instruction and testing
  
  

Workshop Details:
📍 Location: Iowa Lakes Community College – Emmetsburg Campus
📅 Dates: March 16–19, 2026
⏰ Schedule:

• Monday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday & Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – Noon
  
  

Registration Information:

• IAMU Members: $950 per person
• Non-Members: $1,050 per person
• Registration Deadline: March 13, 2026
• Attendance is limited to 20 participants
  
  

Participants must supply their own helmet, gloves, protective clothing, pipe and welding electrodes/rods, hand grinders, and a note identifying the grade and type of pipe being used for testing.
Online registration is preferred and payment must be made by credit card or ACH. If you need to pay by check, a mail-in option is available.
For questions or additional information, please contact Nick Vandegriff at nvandegriff@iamu.org or (515) 289-1999.
We encourage you to register early to secure your spot.

REGISTER HERE

​

• While you're logged in getting your invoice, please feel free to update your member profile with any new information!

*A grace period of 30 days after expiration will be open for you to have full access to your account. Once the grace period has ended, your account will be locked and membership renewal will be needed to access members-only features such as resources and member pricing for events.
 
If you have any questions, or do not remember your login credentials, please contact Grant Hatterman at ghatterman@iamu.org or (800) 810-4268.