Safety Coordinator, Justin Schoenrock, recently conducted confined space training for the City of Des Moines on the IAMU Training Field. Confined space training plays a pivotal role in preparing individuals for potential emergencies in real-life situations.

Please check out the video below to get a peek at just one of the types of classes that our Safety Department provides for our members!

Gas emergencies can happen, but you can be prepared. Get in-depth training on how to safely respond to natural gas emergencies as well as how to properly conduct your own training sessions. Gain hands-on experience in extinguishing live gas fires. Don't miss out on this invaluable opportunity! Also, a chance to meet with natural gas product representatives! Spend 2.5 hours exploring products and building connections.

Register now! Click HERE.

Contact Nick Vandegriff at [email protected] or (641) 919-8411 if you have any questions.

August 10th, 2023, 11AM
1963 Bell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
 
At the next IEC board meeting, The Iowa Energy Center board are planning to have a transportation focus, including some presentations and vehicle displays. Attendance is free, and there is no registration, however if you would like to show off your alternative or electric fuel vehicle, please email Abbie Christophersen at [email protected]. E-85, Biodiesel, electric, CNG – all fuels will be welcome. MidAmerican Energy will be bringing an all-electric bucket truck, which could be of interest to IAMU members.  The Energy Center will have food trucks as well if you want to grab a bite to eat. This event will start around 11AM on August 10th, the board meeting will start at 1PM.  

One of the most critical components in providing the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to customers is emergency preparedness. Although every attempt is made by your utility to prevent natural gas emergencies, they have and/or will occur and being prepared for those emergencies is essential for the safety of people as well as property.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration requires that emergency training is conducted with operator personnel and first responders on a yearly basis. One of the best ways to be prepared for natural gas emergencies is to properly conduct meetings and/or training sessions with those who could potentially respond to an emergency. This workshop is designed to provide in depth training for operator personnel on how to properly conduct training sessions as well as how to safely and effectively respond to potential natural gas emergencies. In addition, this workshop will also provide hands-on training on how to safely extinguish live natural gas fires that will include multiple meter set scenarios as well as an excavation damage with ignition.

This workshop will also provide you with the opportunity to meet with natural gas product representatives. Participants will be given approximately 2.5 hours to meet face-to-face with vendors to see and discuss various product lines and provide an opportunity to get to know those individuals who you purchase products from.

Registration is open! Click HERE to see an informational brochure and to get signed up!

Questions? Contact Nick Vandegriff at [email protected] or (641) 919-8411

We know Summer is Construction Season in Iowa and right now there is only one way to get to the IAMU Office.
In Ankeny 14th Street/Highway 69 is closed – You cannot access 70th street from there until at least
June 30. (The intersection is marked with a red X on the map supplied above). You can access IAMU from Delaware Ave. at 54th street which becomes 70th street.
This road has closure signs too- but is open to local traffic. (route marked on map in green)
We will keep you up to date with the construction and when you can access our office from
14th St. /Hwy 69 again.

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities was able 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.

Utility-Focused Scholarships are $2000. Preference is given to those applicants entering a utility related career with a special preference to applicants entering utility related trades programs leading to careers in those difficult to fill utility careers such as, electric line worker, water treatment or distribution operator, or operator qualified natural gas positions.

To eligible for the Utility Scholarship the 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.
• Be a 2023 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 2023.

For the $500 General Scholarship, 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.
  
  

Here are our 2023 scholarship winners:

Utility-Focused Scholarship Winners:
Allen Brenner attended Alta Aurelia High School. He is going to Iowa Central community College and enrolled in the Electrical Technician Program.  The IAMU member utility is Alta Municipal.

Gaige Wayne Holland attended BGM High School and is enrolled in the Lineman Program at Midwest Line College.  The IAMU member utility is Brooklyn Municipal.

Masin Shearer attended Montezuma High School. Masin is enrolled in the Utility Technician Program  at Marshalltown Community College.  The IAMU member utility is Montezuma Light and Power.

General Scholarship Winners:
Erin Ford is the daughter of Craig ford who works at Greenfield Municipal Utilities. Erin graduated from Nodaway Valley High School in Greenfield, Iowa. Erin is enrolled in the Civil Engineering Program at Iowa State University.

Cade Machin is the son of Troy Machin who works for Osage Municipal Utilities.  Cade graduated from Osage High School in Osage, Iowa. Cade is enrolled in the Chemical Engineering Program at The University of Iowa.

Shea Peterson. Is the daughter of Megan Peterson who works for the city of Alta. Shea graduated from Alta Aurelia High School in Alta, Iowa.  Shea is attending Buena Vista University and pursuing a degree In Elementary Education.

Ella Smith is the daughter of Anthony Smith who works at Cedar Falls utilities. Ella graduated from Columbus High School in Waterloo, Iowa. Ella is enrolled in the University of Iowa’s Marketing and Mass Communication Program.

For more information about the IAMU Scholarship Program, visit the Scholarship Program page on the IAMU website. IAMU’S 2024 Scholarship Program will start accepting applications in February, 2024.

The next Skid Steer courses are September 6 and September 7!

The course is designed to cover the general requirements for safe operation of Skid Steer with bucket and fork attachments, and the requirements of the SAE J1388 Standard. The course includes classroom instruction, final written exam, and hands-on evaluation of the operator.

Curriculum covers OSHA Regulations and SAE Standards, types and selection, safe operating practices, associated hazards, controls, capabilities, stability, inspections and maintenance, fueling, and operators’ manual requirements.

Attendee spots are limited! CLICK HERE to sign up today!

Next classes are July 12 and July 13. CLICK HERE to register! Spots are limited.

The safety standards for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (formerly aerial lifts) and most material moving heavy equipment have been revised. The updated training and operating requirements include hazard recognition, assessing work site conditions, fall protection, developing safe use programs and a review of the operator’s manual including operator and supervisor responsibilities.

IAMU is conducting classes at our location. Sessions include classroom, testing and hands-on practical examinations. Successful operators will be provided with a certificate and a wallet card. Please see the brochure for class requirements, dates and times. 

Jobsite safety should be everyone’s number one priority, and doing everything possible to keep people safe is our and your responsibility.

Wednesday, June 21st at Noon

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has the potential to be a game-changer for the energy industry and for consumers across the country, but only if electric utilities respond to the rapidly changing market conditions. The IRA’s potential is being put to the test in real-time across the country as power providers continue proposing to build new generation.
 
Join Advanced Energy United as we discuss the results of four case studies comparing the costs of new gas versus solar, wind and storage designed to provide equivalent energy and reliability, and what the results mean for resource planning and ratepayers everywhere. Click here to register for this webinar.  
 
Panelists include Maria Roumpani, Strategen Consulting Group, Tremaine Phillips, Michigan Public Service Commission, and Sarah Webster, Pattern Energy.
 
Topics will include:

• An overview of Strategen Consulting Group’s assessment of four proposed gas plants in light of the IRA (View the recently released reports available here and here);
• Industry perspectives on these changing market dynamics; and
• Implications for utilities, regulators, and stakeholders who engage in resource planning.

Grant Hatterman is our new Associate Network Administrator.  Grant received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics from Iowa State University.  Most recently, he was employed by Ridge View Community School District (CSD), Holstein, Iowa, as the Network Administrator.  Grant will provide help desk support, develop & document IT processes, conduct software implementation & licensing and manage the IAMU network.  We will continue our partnership with Heartland Business Systems with Grant as the liaison.
Grant’s implementation of an asset management program at Ridge View CSD will be invaluable as one of the upcoming projects at IAMU is to document IT related inventory and begin a tracking program.  In addition, his familiarity with Chromebooks will aid our classroom transition from laptops to Chromebooks
Grant’s office will be located in the hallway leading to the classroom. 
Please stop by, say hello and introduce yourself next time you are in the office. 

The Iowa Department of Revenue is reminding owners of non-residential electric vehicle chargers that new tax changes take effect July 1, 2023.
 
Owners of non-residential electric vehicle charging stations will be responsible for reporting and paying to the Iowa Department of Revenue two and six-tenths cents for each kilowatt hour ($0.026 per kWh) of electric fuel dispensed into an electric vehicle battery or energy storage device. Any business or organization, including local governments and nonprofits, that has a charging station for its employees or customers will need a license. Licensing and taxation does not apply to electric fuel dispensed at residences.
 
Visit the Department’s Electric Fuel Excise Tax guidance for more information about how to obtain a license and file and pay the tax.
 
To receive notifications of resources and guidance issued by the Department, subscribe to updates by selecting the tax topics of interest.

The Iowa Secondary Energy Curriculum Project (ISEC) at the University of Northern Iowa is pleased to announce the launch of their website, where middle school and high school teachers can access ten new units to use in their classrooms. Each learning unit also discusses and outlines careers available in Iowa related to the lesson. You’re welcome to share this information with schools in your service territory.
 
Each unit is free to use and…

• Meets at least one of the Iowa Earth Science content standards plus an Engineering standard
• Emphasizes issues related to generating electricity on the local and state level
• Explores careers associated with the electrical industry
• Can be copied and modified to fit the needs of any class
• Developed by Iowa teachers for Iowa teachers
• Available at https://isec.uni.edu/
• Click the file link at the bottom to view an informational flyer on the program
  

 
Anticipating that a large portion of Iowa’s energy workforce will retire in the coming years, it is imperative that students are introduced to the varied career paths available to them. Each unit provides time for students to explore multiple career options across different education requirements. For more information, contact the ISEC Project team at [email protected]

Power up your potential in the electric utility industry with the electrifying EUSO Short Course, led by Skip Collier, one of the industry's leading experts.

Unlock the operations side of the business and excel in legal, engineering, marketing, and more. Say goodbye to feeling lost around electrical equipment—this course will empower you to identify it all! No electrical background? No problem! This course builds on the basics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the equipment and operations.

Bonus perk: Line Maintainer apprentices earn 21 Basic OJT hours

Register today - spots are limited!

Questions? Contact Jared Masker at (800) 810-4268 or [email protected]

You probably have received the yellow memo from the EPA which states all Community Water Supplies must develop a Lead Service Line Inventory and submit it to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) . The inventories are due October, 16, 2024.  The good news is that you have over a year from now to work on this, the bad news is that it is a BIG undertaking.  IAMU is here to help explain some of the questions you might have and provide guidance, so you can get it done before the deadline.

Why do we need to do a Lead Service Inventory?  To assess the extent of lead service lines in your community, Identify better sampling locations, begin planning for Lead service Line replacement which includes applying for state and federal grants (The BIL Bipartisan infrastructure Law provides 15 Billion for lead service line replacement) and, Its required by the EPA.

IAMU is here to assist with any questions you might have. You can email us at [email protected] or call (515) 289-5203.
 
We also have a FAQ page here for beginning the inventory. (link to FAQ Sheet)
If you haven’t done so, download the appropriate template for your municipality and take a look at it.
If you are a system who has less than 10,000 service lines, please use the Iowa Lead Service Line Inventory Small File (3,5 MB).  If you are a system who has 10,000 or more service lines, please use the Iowa Lead Service Line Inventory Large File (57.7 MB).  The Iowa Lead Service Line Large File (57.7 MB) may take a few minutes to download.

Please email [email protected] if you are unable to open the Excel file.

• Iowa Lead Service Line Inventory
  
• Iowa Lead Service Line Inventory