by Joel Logan, IAMU Director of Energy Services

Municipal electric utilities in Iowa have provided reliable economic electricity to their communities for well over 100 years.  Over that time the industry has evolved from small local generators providing service only during certain hours of the day, to a sophisticated network of large central power stations, renewable generation, high voltage transmission, and distribution systems providing power around the clock 365 days a year. The industry is process of further transformation from new technology, the rise of distributed generation, changing regulations, and changing customer expectations.  

Mark your calendars for the return of one of IAMU’s popular workshops.  Skip Collier of Professional Training Systems, Inc. will be presenting his Electric Utility System Operation Short Course August 4 – 6.  Skip is very well regarded and has an extensive background in electric utility design, construction, maintenance and operation.

Those gas utilities that run their systems using the IAMU Gas Operating and Maintenance Plan (O&M); by the published time of this article you should have or will shortly receive recent updates to the IAMU Gas O&M plan.   

The updates include the 2014 changes to the Iowa One Call law and the list of IUB inspectors and their contact information reflecting retirements and new hires.  When receiving these updates, make sure to communicate the changes to your gas employees and insert the new pages in your written program.

Mark your calendars for the 2015 Golfin’ Fore Safety event!  This year’s outing will take place Wednesday, June 24 at the Amana Colonies Golf Club in Amana, IA. The annual outing provides a day of fun and fundraising in support of IAMU safety training.  All proceeds are used to purchase equipment for the IAMU Safety & Training Field, for the benefit of all IAMU members.

By the American Public Power Association

The House on April 21 passed S. 535, the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, sending the measure to President Barack Obama’s desk for his signature. The legislation, which passed the House on a voice vote, includes a provision allowing the continued use of large, grid-enabled electric resistance water heaters. Without this measure, an energy efficiency standard developed by the Department of Energy that takes effect this month would have prevented the manufacture of these water heaters.

For the complete story in the APPA Public Power Daily, CLICK HERE.

A coal-fired generating station operated by Nebraska Public Power District is planning to convert from coal to hydrogen as it's fuel source, a move made possible by a partnership with a new manufacturer.

CLICK HERE to read the complete story in the APPA's Public Power Daily

Ground-fault circuit interrupters are an important part of electrical safety, both at work and at home. It protects us against severe or fatal electrical shocks.

Iowa's 2015 Air Monitoring Network Plan is now available for public comment and review online.

The air monitoring network plan will assist the Iowa DNR in its efforts to monitor the quality of Iowa’s air and to keep the public aware of air quality problems. The plan is required by EPA’s national ambient air monitoring regulations. It contains detailed information about the location and purpose of any monitor in Iowa’s air monitoring network that produces data for comparison with national ambient air quality standards.

by Jim Wolfe, IAMU Electric Services Coordinator

Spring time again brings action to the IAMU Training Field. Electric, Gas, and Water programs are all preparing for their spring workshops. The Electric Safety Committee gathered for a workday last Friday to prepare for their May Overhead Distribution Workshop.