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.