Earlier this month, Ford Motor Company announced that the #1 selling truck in America will be available as an EV in 2022. General Motors has pledged to sell no light-duty new vehicles with tailpipes by 2035. Volvo Cars: all electric by 2030. Uber: zero emissions by 2040. Jaguar: all electric by 2025. FedEx: carbon neutral by 2040.

The EVs are definitely coming...

But as a municipal utility, what can you do to prepare for the rise in market adoption of EVs? IAMU has two webinars coming up in June to address the rise of EVs, and to deliver solutions for the future.
 
IAMU has created an EV toolkit with APPA DEED Grant funds, and we’re excited to talk about our toolkit. The toolkit has some really great resources on EVs including:

• Planning Tools
  • Spreadsheet with EV forecasting tools and charging resources, as well as a few miscellaneous calculators
• Case Studies
  • Featuring public power entities supporting EV market development
• Engagement Resources
  • Marketing and engagement templates and resources

 
Sign up below for these webinars!

June 16th Webinar
"Electric Vehicles: Get Ready"
Presented by Joel Zook
Sign Up Link: https://lnkd.in/g-HAXgt

June 30th Webinar
"Preparing for the Future with IAMU's Electric Vehicle Toolkit"
Presented by Jeff Gorrie, Jeremy Caron BOC Level 1, LEED AP OM, and David Roberts
Sign Up Link: https://lnkd.in/gM8BSjz

Mark your calendars for the return of the Electric Utility System Operation Short Course (EUSO):  July 27 – 29, 2021
 
This course will once again be presented by Skip Collier of Professional Training Systems, Inc.  Skip is highly regarded and has an extensive background in electric utility design, construction, maintenance and operation.

The EUSO Short Course is designed for any employee whose job performance will benefit from a basic understanding of the operations side of the business.  This includes those from legal, rates, engineering, purchasing, computer application, marketing, customer service, inventory control, finance, accounting, safety, risk analysis as well as those from generating plants.  One goal for this class is to have students leave with the ability to easily identify all of the electrical equipment they see in a substation as they walk by, along with all the equipment found on the poles in a residential area.  Non-electrical engineers are often at a disadvantage in the electric utility environment due to a lack of familiarity with technical issues.  The better you understand the utility’s product – electrical energy – and how it is created and distributed, the better you can serve the utility and your customers.  This course assumes no electrical background, and builds on the basics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the equipment and operations.
 
Line Maintainer apprentices will receive 21 Basic OJT hours for taking the EUSO Course.
 
*Due to the impact of COVID-19, the status of this training workshop is subject to change.

Registration
Registration is open to IAMU Members ONLY until June 15th.  After June 15th, registration will also open to Non-Members that wish to attend.  Participation is LIMITED to 50.
 
Registration Costs (includes materials and lunch)
 

• IAMU Members - $999 single registrant; $899 each after first registration from same utility / organization
• Non-Members* - $1,099 single registrant; $999 each after first registration from same utility / organization

(*Non-Member registration will open June 16)
 
(If you are planning on sending more than one participant from your organization, please make sure to share this with multiple departments so that you qualify for the reduced cost with the initial registration.)
 
IAMU Cancellation Policy is in effect.

Location
This year’s training will take place at the FFA Enrichment Center adjoin the DMACC Ankeny Campus.
 
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway
Ankeny, IA 50023

For additional information, brochure, and registration, please click HERE.  The registration deadline for the workshop is July 20, 2021.

Municipal utilities and city governments communicate to a wide range of people, some of whom may have vision, hearing, and speech issues, or some type of disability that makes it difficult to access communications. Be sure your communications are accessible to these individuals.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that title II entities (state and local governments) and title III entities (businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public) communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities. 

How to make your communications accessible depends on the communication. There are specific issues that you need to address for Word documents, PDFs, websites, still images, and video. The federal government has a website dedicated to Section 508, which mandates that federal agencies acquire, develop, use, and maintain electronics, communications, and information technology, which can be easily accessed by people with disabilities. Although state and local governments are not specifically mentioned as being required to follow Section 508 guidelines, doing so can help to make sure your communications are accessible, which is required. The link above has information and training videos on how to create accessible communications.

If you have any questions about making sure your communications are accessible, you can contact IAMU’s contracted public relations specialist Jen Cronin at jcronin@jcronincom.com or at 616-610-2546.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical malfunctions are the second leading cause of residential fires in the U.S. Your electrical outlets can be a source of these fires, if they’re not being used properly.

Click here to read the full article from SaveOnEnergy.

Although heat stress can happen any time of the year, most cases occur in the warmer weather months. A smartphone app developed by OSHA and NIOSH allows workers to calculate the heat index for their worksite, and, based on the heat index, displays a risk level to outdoor workers. Then, with a simple "click," you can get reminders about the protective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect workers from heat-related illness-reminders about drinking enough fluids, scheduling rest breaks, planning for and knowing what to do in an emergency, adjusting work operations, gradually building up the workload for new workers, training on heat illness signs and symptoms, and monitoring each other for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

https://www.osha.gov/heat/heat-app

Working in full sunlight can increase heat index values by 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep this in mind and plan additional precautions for working in these conditions.

According to OSHA, every year thousands become sick from heat stress and some of those cases are fatal. In 50% to 70% of the outdoor heat illnesses occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body needs to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time. The process of building tolerance is called heat acclimatization. Lack of acclimatization represents a major risk factor for death due to heat stress. Workers also at risk of heat stress include those who are 65 years of age or older, or are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Workers most prone to heat exhaustion are those that are elderly, have high blood pressure, and those working in a hot environment.

Rhabdomyolysis is a medical condition associated with heat stress and prolonged physical exertion, resulting in the rapid breakdown, rupture and death of muscle. When muscle tissue dies, electrolytes and large proteins are released into the bloodstream that can cause irregular heart rhythms and seizures, and damage the kidneys. The symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle pain or cramps and tea-colored urine.

Heat syncope is a fainting episode or dizziness that usually occurs with prolonged standing or sudden rising from a sitting or lying position. Factors that may contribute to heat syncope include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.

Heat cramps usually affect workers who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body’s salt and moisture levels. Low salt levels in muscles causes painful cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.

Certain medications are known to decrease the sweat rate of the body. Heat-interacting medications include antidepressants, antihistamines and diuretics. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist and ask if any of your medications fall into these groups.

Keep in mind that the hypothalamus regulates the body temperature by telling our body when and how much to sweat. Make sure that you have enough available liquid and electrolytes in your body so that you can sweat enough to cool down!

This year's Iowa Energy Summit is scheduled for November 9-10, 2021 at the Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa. This is a conference put on by the Iowa Association of Energy Efficiency. The IAEE conference committee invites you to submit your presentation abstract(s). 
 
What is IAEE looking for in 2021?

• Interactive, engaging, tested and innovative presentations to provide a comprehensive experience for Summit attendees and further the mission of IAEE.
• Hot Topics 
  • Post-derecho analysis, effects and lessons 
  • EVs
  • Incorporation of safety into energy efficiency: How has COVID impacted the production/use of sanitization and purification equipment, UV LEDs, mechanical systems, etc.?
  • Strategic Energy Management 
  • EE occupancy minimum vs. occupancy maximum in buildings during a national event
  • Impacts of increased construction material costs on EE improvements 
  • EE improvements and methodology for refrigeration systems 
• Presentations offering CEUs 
• Multiple session formats (oral presentations, panel discussion, hands-on experiences, etc.) 

IAEE is actively planning the 2021 Iowa Energy Summit and hopes to hold an in-person event. There will mostly likely be a virtual participation opportunity as well. Details to be finalized later this summer. 
 
What to expect as a 2021 IAEE Summit presenter?  

• Presenters will gain exposure to a diverse audience of professionals at the conference as well as in pre-conference promotions where the presenter's bio and presentation topic will be listed.
• Time and format: prepare a 50-minute session including presentation and questions. Note: Some flexibility with time and format is possible.  
• For poster presentations: prepare a poster to be displayed around the exhibit area for the duration of the Summit. 
• We require that each abstract submitted include a lead presenter as the primary contact. Each accepted session or poster will be given one free conference registration. 

The deadline for submitting an abstract is Friday, June 25, 2021.
 
To submit your abstract please click below
 
Abstract Submission Form
 
If you have any questions please contact:
 
Meggan Boyle 
Conference Coordinator
Iowa Association for Energy Efficiency
mboyle@iowaenergy.org
515.778.3112

Registration is now open for the 2021 IAMU Golfin’ Fore Scholars Event. Join IAMU at Pleasant Valley in Iowa City for a fun-filled day on one of Iowa’s great golf courses. All proceeds will go towards the IAMU Scholarship Program.
 
Purchase a raffle ticket at the event for your chance at walking away $1,000 richer! Thank you to Jester Insurance for their donation of the gift card.

Click here for more information.

Municipal utilities truly are the unsung heroes in your communities. You are so dependable in what you do that people don’t think about all of your efforts. Customers take for granted that they will always have water for their morning showers, electricity for their lights, natural gas for heating their homes, and broadband for staying connected to the world. But you know that a lot goes into making sure all these utilities run safely and efficiently.
 
Be sure to tell your stories. Let people know what you do and why you do it. Sharing information about projects, upgrades, and even the little tasks you perform can help customers to truly appreciate all that you do. Plus, it can give you the public support you need when you take on new projects and initiatives.
 
On a regular basis, say monthly or quarterly, think about different stories that you could share with your customers. Sometimes, it will be “big news” like progress on a capital improvement project. Other times, it might be a personal story of how a utility employee went above and beyond to help a customer or community. Once you have come up with stories that you want to share, figure out the best way to reach your customers. You can share your stories in city newsletters, media releases to local newspapers and radio/TV stations, and on social media, where followers can then share what you’ve posted to their own pages and profiles to expand your message reach.
 
If you need help telling your story, contact Jen Cronin, IAMU’s contracted public relations specialist, who can help. Public relations support is a value-added benefit that IAMU makes available to its utility members. You can reach Jen at jcronin@jcronincom.com or by phone at 616-610-2546.

Have you considered implementing a Pay As You Save® (PAYS®) program for your municipal utility? Are you interested in participating in a potential initiative to launch PAYS® in Iowa? Are you interested in lowering energy and demand costs while improving customer satisfaction?
 
The Iowa Economic Development Authority is hosting a free PAYS® webinar on May 20, 2021, from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
 
The webinar will feature Tammy Agard, CEO of EEtility, describing the PAYS® process as well as examples of PAYS® programs used today by RECs and municipal utilities.
 
An RSVP is not required to participate, but is requested. RSVP your interest in participating to jeff.geerts@iowaeda.com.
 
What is Pay As You Save®?
According to PAYS® creator the Energy Efficiency Institute, the Pay As You Save® system enables building owners or tenants to purchase and install money-saving resource-efficient measures with no up-front payment and no debt obligation. Those who benefit from the savings pay for these measures through a tariffed charge on their utility bill, but only for as long as they occupy the location where the measures are installed. The monthly charge is always lower than the measure’s estimated savings and it remains on the bill for that location until all costs are recovered.
 
Webinar Login Information
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 515-348-6300,,347172078#   United States, Iowa City
Phone Conference ID: 347 172 078#

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities will be holding mobile crane certification and examination classes for digger derrick, service truck, and mobile crane operators.  OSHA’s updated crane standard REQUIRES that operators of lifting equipment be trained, evaluated and tested in order to obtain certification.

Background Information:

Although the new standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, specifically exempts the digger derrick and the operator from meeting the requirements of the standard, the exemption applies only when it is used for work within the provisions of the power generation, transmission and distribution standards, or for construction work within the telecommunications standard.  The exemption does not apply if the digger derrick is used for lifting materials or to operate in working environments outside the scope of the standard because the equipment is essentially being used as a mobile crane.  For example, unloading materials from a truck, lifting a motor from a pump house to assist your water department, or providing assistance to any other city department will mean that the exemption no longer applies.  When equipment is used as a mobile crane, all provisions of the standard apply, including the operator certification rule.  OSHA also now requires that an operator be certified in specific areas when they operate equipment outfitted with a boom and winch and able to lift at least 2,000 pounds.  This includes service trucks in your public works, or water departments.

The new standard has very specific operator requirements, one being to obtain operator certification from an independent testing organization accredited by a nationally recognized organization.  OSHA’s updated crane standard, 1926.1427 in Subpart CC, requires that for a testing organization to be considered accredited to certify operators, it must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency based on that agency’s determination that industry recognized criteria for written testing materials, practical examinations, test administration, grading, facilities/equipment and personnel have been met.  IAMU is an Accredited Assessment Center through the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER).  We are authorized to conduct both hands-on assessments and practical examinations which are part of our Mobile Crane Operator Certification Program.  Additionally, we are offering Qualified Hand Signal Person and Qualified Rigger programs (available at a future date).

Who Should Attend:

Digger derrick and service truck crane operators who do not currently hold a mobile crane operator’s certification.

What Do These Classes and Certification Consist Of:

Classes will be a week long, requiring classroom instruction, an on-line exam that has a 80% pass requirement, a practical exam for certification of mobile crane, and then finally a short class and practical exam for the signalperson and rigging qualifications. Students who pass the written and practical exams receive nationally recognized certification from the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER).

Where Do These Classes Take Place:
IAMU Training and Office Complex
1735 NE 70th Avenue
Ankeny, IA  50021

When Will Classes Be Held:

Dates have been scheduled for the remainder of 2021 at the IAMU complex.  Please click HERE or visit the IAMU website for available dates.

June 14th - 18th
July 19th - 23rd
August 23rd - 27th
September 27th - October 1st
October 25th - 29th
November 8th - 12th
December 6th - 10th

Mobile Crane Operator Certification/Examination Class Schedule:
 
Monday
9:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom

Tuesday
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.Classroom

Wednesday
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom/Exams

Thursday
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Practical Exams

Friday (if needed)
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Retake Exams
Class/Exam
Examination retakes are $100 and may be taken during any scheduled exam date.

Additional Notes:

• There is a maximum of 8 participants per class session.
  
• Lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday.
• All participants will attend classroom days. Exams will take place on the Thursday of each class session. Depending on the number of participants, Wednesday evening and Friday may also be used for exams.
• Each participant will need to create an account with NCCER before class; step-by-step instructions are included with the study guide.  Please bring your account number with you to class.

For additional information about the classes and online registration for each event, click HERE .

Questions?

If you have any questions in regards to the classes, or requirements, please contact:

Margret Meade, IAMU Safety Outreach Coordinator (mmeade@iamu.org )
Phone:  (800) 810-4268