As a community-based organization, you likely will have events from time to time where you want community members to attend – whether it’s an open house, tour, lunch-n-learn, or something else. How do you make sure everyone is invited? Get the word out in as many places as possible.

• Send the details to the local newspaper and radio stations.
• Create a flyer that you can post on local community bulletin boards (churches, schools, library, etc.) and in your office.
• Include an invitation on the utility bill statement.
• Add a mention of the event to your phone system’s on-hold message and your email signature blocks.
• If your utility has a Facebook page, create an event, share a post about it, and encourage your followers to share it. If your utility doesn’t have a Facebook page, ask another community-based organization or news group to share the event information for you on their pages.

IAMU will hold its annual Energy Conference on February 21 through 23 at the Prairie Meadows Events and Conference Center. Registration is now open.

The three-day event is filled with informative sessions, networking opportunities, a legislative reception, and chances to talk with utility-related vendors. You may register for all three days or a one-day registration for Tuesday, February 22.
​
Here is a sampling of sessions:

• APPA Update: Build Back Better, with Joy Ditto, President & CEO, American Public Power Association
• New Generation Technologies for Municipal Utilities, with Clay Hardenburger, Business Development Manager, Interstate Power Systems
• IEDA Funding Update, IEDA staff
• Rate Structures in an EV Environment, with Dave Berg, Owner, Dave Berg Consulting
• Digital Gold Rush: The Opportunity Cryptocurrency Presents for Utilities, Matt Hein, Energy Services Manager, Cedar Falls Utilities
• Solar Crate, Disaster Response, Anne Kimber, Director, Electric Power Research Center, ISU

For more details on other sessions, check out the online brochure.

In addition to the Energy Conference, IAMU will also hold its annual L & R Networking Reception at the Iowa Hall of Pride on Tuesday, February 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. Transportation between the Hall of Pride and Prairie Meadows will be provided. Legislators and other state officials have been invited to the reception so IAMU members may visit with their elected officials.

If you’re planning to stay at Prairie Meadows during the conference, a special conference rate of $125/night is available if you make your reservation by Friday, February 4, 11:59 p.m. Online Reservations are available at  www.prairiemeadows.com/meetings-and-groups. To call in a reservation, dial (515) 957-3000 or (800) 325-9015.

• Use Group Code: 02212022IAMUEC
• Password: 863000102

Please review the Safety Guidelines at Prairie Meadows before the conference: https://www.prairiemeadows.com/safety             

​If you have any questions about the Energy Conference, contact [email protected] or (800) 810-4268.

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 be able to expand our scholarship offerings 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. 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 $1,000 scholarship will be distributed to the educational institution. To apply, candidates must fill out and submit the scholarship application. Applications are due February 15, 2022 to [email protected]. A minimum of 4 scholarships will be awarded. IAMU will announce the award recipients by May 1, 2022.

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 IAM member. If you are unsure whether your local area is an IAMU member, contact your city hall.
• Be a 2022 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 2022.

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 15, 2022 to [email protected]. A minimum of 4 scholarships will be awarded. IAMU will announce the award recipients by May 1, 2022.

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 [email protected]. ​

​Proposal includes clean generation and storage feasibility studies to help company achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions

DES MOINES, Iowa – (January 19, 2022) – MidAmerican Energy today announced plans for a $3.9 billion renewable energy project in Iowa, including wind and solar generation, and the exploration of new technologies to advance the company’s transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

In a filing with the Iowa Utilities Board, MidAmerican’s proposed project, called Wind PRIME, would add 2,042 megawatts of wind generation and 50 megawatts of solar generation.

The company also proposed conducting feasibility studies focused on other clean generation technologies, including carbon capture, energy storage and small modular nuclear reactors.

Wind PRIME will continue MidAmerican’s long history of supporting Iowa communities and advancing the state’s position as a leader in renewable energy. Since 2004, the company has invested approximately $14 billion in renewable energy projects across Iowa.

“Iowa is a renewable energy leader, thanks in large part to MidAmerican Energy’s proven track record of clean energy commitments and investments that are a true competitive advantage for our state,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said. “MidAmerican’s Wind PRIME is a commitment and investment on a whole new level, cementing Iowa’s clean energy leadership for many years to come. Beyond that, though, the company’s commitment to study and pursue emerging clean energy technologies will help Iowa meet the growing demand for a sustainable economy that manages our carbon footprint.”

Wind PRIME, MidAmerican’s 13th renewable energy generation development, is aptly named to both convey that now is the prime time to embark on this opportunity, and to reflect that although wind is an essential component, the project also includes solar energy generation and the examination of new clean energy technologies that will be an important part of the net-zero transition.

“As MidAmerican continues to progress toward delivering 100% renewable energy to our customers, we are also preparing to meet an important milestone of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” Kelcey Brown, president and CEO of MidAmerican, said. “The Wind PRIME project will position us and our customers for a sustainable future, while ensuring we continue to deliver affordable and reliable energy.”

Wind PRIME would result in significant benefits for the environment and MidAmerican’s customers:

• Deliver 100% renewable energy to customers – In 2021, MidAmerican estimates that it delivered 88% renewable energy on an annual basis to customers across the state. When combined with MidAmerican’s other projects, the 2,092-megawatt Wind PRIME project would allow MidAmerican to provide renewable energy equal to its Iowa customers’ annual usage. • Carbon reduction – While thermal generation will remain a necessary part of the portfolio to ensure reliability for customers, the completion of Wind PRIME, in conjunction with existing noncarbon resources, is projected to result in an overall reduction of CO2 by nearly 14 million metric tons, or approximately 75%, from 2005 levels.
• Striving to reach net zero – Wind PRIME also proposes the study of emerging technologies, including energy storage, carbon capture and small modular nuclear generation, that will help expand MidAmerican’s ability to meet its customers’ demand for renewable generation as well as lower-carbon and noncarbon generation. MidAmerican estimates that the Wind PRIME project will create more than 1,100 full-time jobs during the construction phase and another 125 full-time positions for ongoing operations and maintenance. In addition, Wind PRIME will provide an average of $24 million-plus per year in local property tax payments on wind turbines and solar facilities, as well as more than $21 million in annual landowner easement payments. If approved, the company plans to complete construction in late 2024.

About MidAmerican Energy MidAmerican Energy, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy, is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The company serves 795,000 electric customers in Iowa, Illinois and South Dakota, and 774,000 natural gas customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. Information about MidAmerican Energy is available at midamericanenergy.com and company social media channels.

​IAMU publishes our Membership Directory biennially. We will be publishing one in 2022, with a goal of having it to our members in late spring.
 
To help us in this process, we ask that ALL members (Utility, Affiliate, and Associate) take a few minutes to review and update their listing. To do this, go to the IAMU website (https://members.iamu.org), login, and update the information as necessary. If you need help with your login/password, please email Josh Trout at [email protected] . Members will have the opportunity to review your listing again as we move through this process, but to make it easier on all of us please take a few minutes to update the information now.

Prepare your vehicle for winter and learn how to stay safe in inclement weather with these winter driving tips.

​Click here to read the EMC Loss Control Insights article.

Slips and falls are more likely to occur during the winter months. Help reduce accidents with these ice melt best practices.

​Click here to read the EMC Loss Control Insights article.

​It’s no surprise that inflation is on the rise, and interest rates  are going up for cars, homes, and anything that can be financed. Despite high interest rates, The Iowa Economic Development Authority are offering incredibly low interest rates as part of the Iowa Energy Center Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program (EIRLP)
 
The Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program (EIRLP) opened for applications in October 2021, replacing a previous energy loan program. The EIRLP provides low-interest loans for energy infrastructure projects that facilitate electricity or gas generation, transmission, storage or distribution. It is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) with oversight from the Iowa Energy Center (IEC) Board, which makes loan decisions once per quarter.
 

• Loan Amounts:
  • Minimum: $50,000
  • Maximum: $2,500,000
  • Can cover up to 75% of project costs
• Loan Terms: 5-10 years for most projects
  • (IEC Board may approve up to 15 years)
  • Interest Rate: 2% for most projects

 
More Information about this program can be found at:
https://www.iowaeda.com/iowa-energy-office/energy-loans/
 
For more information, Contact Stephanie Weisenbach, [email protected], 515.348.6221

It’s that time of year again – time to review your OSHA 300 log entries and corresponding 301 forms. Any errors that you find on the log should be corrected and that data is used for the summary information that will be on the posted 300A. Please ensure that the 300A is posted for only employees to review as this is not public information.

If you need a refresher on the 1904 Recordkeeping standard and the particulars of recordable criteria, you may view a recorded webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh-M4wKq7UA
​
OSHA is to increase penalties attached to citations effective January 15, 2022. This is an increase that was enacted due to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and will also be followed by Iowa OSHA. Table 1 below reflects the current penalty structure. 

​As always, if you have recordkeeping questions or safety concerns contact Margret Meade @ 515.210.6617 or [email protected]. 

It’s January in Iowa – always a good time to remind your customers about how they can save on their utility bills. Include tips on utility statements, social media platforms (if you have them), websites, on-hold recordings, in the signature block on your emails, etc.
 
Here are a few to consider:

• Seal around openings, such as electrical outlets, baseboards, and attic hatches, to make your home less drafty. Caulking leaks can save an average household 10 to 20 percent on annual heating and cooling bills. Weather-stripping windows can save you an additional 5 to 10 percent annually on heating and cooling bills.
• Close curtains during the winter to reduce heat loss up to 10 percent. However, you may want to open curtains on sunlit windows during the day to boost temperatures from solar energy. Just be sure to close curtains at night or on windows that don’t get much sun.
• Lower your thermostat by seven to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day to save up to 10 percent annually on your heating and cooling bills.
• Lowering the thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees while you sleep can also help save roughly 10 percent on your heating bills.
• Inspect and replace your furnace filter regularly. Make sure your furnace filter is clean, so the equipment isn’t working harder than it needs to be.
• Use the energy saver mode on your devices, appliances, and even some heating equipment to easily reduce energy consumption without sacrificing performance.
• Use cold water for laundry and wash full loads to save on energy and water heating.
• Don’t open the oven door to check on food. This could cause the temperature to drop as much as 25 degrees, requiring more energy to heat up again.
• Lower the temperature on your water heater from 140 degrees to 120 degrees. You can save on energy without noticing a difference in temperature.