Blog Archives

Iowa Regulators Clear Path for $3.6 Billion Wind Project

8/31/2016

From the August 31, 2016 issue of Public Power Daily
By Paul Ciampoli - APPA News Director

The Iowa Utilities Board on Aug. 26 issued an order approving a settlement related to what the IUB said is the largest renewable energy project in the state.

At issue is MidAmerican Energy Company’s proposed Wind XI project, a $3.6 billion proposed project that will allow the investor-owned utility to build up to 2,000 megawatts of new wind electric generation in Iowa.

Nick Vandegriff Joins IAMU Gas Services Staff

8/31/2016

Nick Vandegriff joined the association on August 29th as the new Gas Services Compliance Specialist. Prior to joining IAMU, Nick most recently worked for the Iowa Utilities Board as a natural gas regulatory inspector. Prior to his position at the IUB, Nick was the utilities superintendent at the Brighton Municipal Gas/Water System.

An Iowa native, Nick was born and raised in the Fairfield area and where he currently still resides. Nick attended Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina and the University of Montevallo near Birmingham, Alabama where he received baseball scholarships and majored in Biology.

Nick is looking forward to helping our members with any of their regulatory, compliance, and gas service needs including Public Awareness and DIMP. Nick may be contacted at [email protected] or his cell number at (641) 919-8411.

Arc Rated Sweatshirt Notification

8/31/2016

Two apparel companies, National Safety Apparel and Carhartt, just announced voluntary product notifications on their arc rated navy blue sweatshirts made since 2014. The issue is the sheen on the fabric. Additional testing was performed and the arc rating on this garment has been changed from a 34 cal rating to a 27 cal rating. In the interest of employee safety, please read the linked notice. The hi viz sweatshirts are unaffected and are not part of this notification. Here is the link to the notices.

If this apparel was sold by G&L Clothing, expect a phone call from them to explain the situation and the options you have under the notification. Or you may contact Rex Coble at G&L at 800-222-7027 or [email protected].

Toolbox Talk - Competent Person in Construction

8/25/2016

According to OSHA, the “Competent Person” is defined as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them"[1926.32(f)] The employer designates the Competent Person but must ensure that this person is properly trained to recognize hazards and knows how to mitigate them.

Water Distribution Training & Water Leak Detection/Line Locating Workshops - September 7th & 8th

8/23/2016

IAMU will be hosting the 2016 Water Distribution Training and Water Leak Detection/Line Locating Workshops, September 7th & 8th, 2016.

0.6 CEUs will be available each day for Water Distribution.

For more information, and to register, click here.

Hope to see you there!

Underground Electric Distribution Workshop - September 14th - 16th

8/23/2016

Please join us for the Underground Electric Distribution Workshop!

Three days of valuable information and hands-on training for underground electric personnel, September 14 - 16. Utility workers, instructors, and product presenters will once again join together to bring you the latest information. The annual Product Show and Reception allows attendees to mingle and network in an informal setting.

New OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements Class

8/22/2016

Registration is now open for the OSHA 300 Log Illness & Injury Recordkeeping & Reporting Class, to be held on October 6, 2016 at IAMU. OSHA has put into place an additional 1904 Recordkeeping rule which takes effect January 1, 2017. This new rule applies to certain high risk industries, including the Utilities Industry (NAICS 22), and requires employers to electronically submit their annual Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (300A) forms to OSHA. This additional rule makes it more important now than ever that these forms be correctly completed. The NAICS Sector 22 includes Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Water Supply and Sewage Treatment Facilities, and Natural Gas Distribution and are considered by OSHA to be high-hazard industries.

This class explains the regulatory requirements of OSHA’s recordkeeping standard; Part 1904 - Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. Class attendees will learn which types of injuries and illnesses are recordable, how to make entries on the OSHA 300 recordkeeping forms, and how to complete the annual summary form (300A). Utility employers (including city-owned utilities) with 20-249 employees must submit information from their 2016 Form 300A by July 1, 2017, and their 2017 form 300A by July 1, 2018. Beginning in 2019 and every year thereafter, the information must be submitted by March 2.

For more information, and to register, click here.

Ron Deiber of Alta Honored With "Recognition of Service" Plaque

8/22/2016

Provided by the Storm Lake Pilot Tribune

At the North Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association (NIMECA) picnic on Thursday evening, August 11th, Ron Deiber of Alta was honored with a resolution plaque for "Recognition of Service" to NIMECA by CEO Greg Fritz. Ron was a valued employee for Alta Municipal Utilities, and served as Utility Superintendent from early 1973 through late 2000. After his retirement, he stayed on as Director representing AMU's generation and transmission interests.

Alta Utilities Manager Randy Tilk also gave Deiber a "Recognition of Service" plaque for his services representing Alta Municipal Utilities, and the interests of the City of Alta for over 40 years on behalf of the Board of Trustees.

Ron began as Director of NIMECA in January 1973, Served as Treasurer from 1979-1980, President from 1981-2000, and Vice President from 2002-2016. Ron served as NIMECA's representative on the Corn Belt Power Cooperative Board of Directors from 1980-2016 where he also served as Corn Belt's Vice President.

Pictured at left, Greg Fritz with Ron Deiber / Photo by Randy Tilk

Opportunity to Provide Informal Comments on Ease of Application Rulemaking Proposal

8/22/2016

Provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau (DNR) invites the public to provide informal comments on a draft rulemaking proposal. The draft air quality rule changes will formalize permitting process improvements identified during LEAN* events conducted in late 2015, involving stakeholders, the DNR, and the Office of Lean Enterprise in the Department of Management.

The draft rulemaking proposal can be viewed on the Stakeholder Involvement webpage, at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Air-Quality/Stakeholder-Involvement under Public Input.

Iowa Forest Health Tour 2016

8/17/2016

Provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Invaders of the Forest – Know your Invasive Plants

Please consider attending this year’s forest health tour September 6th at the Jay Spence Shelter in Greenwood Park, 4500 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA. The shelter is shares a parking lot with Bergman Academy, which is located at 100 45th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. The Bergman Academy Address will get you closer to the shelter.

In the morning session, we will be learning specific details about invasive plants and how to control them (wild parsnip, Oriental bittersweet, Japanese hops, Japanese knotweed and more). After lunch, there will be a roundtable session to discuss what invasive plants the group is managing and what the state may be seeing in the near future.

Please dress appropriately for the weather. The sessions are mixed between indoor and outdoor presentations.

Please click here for the registration form. There is no registration fee. Bring your own lunch or money for your lunch. First come, first served with a max of 40 attendees.

Open Positions at IAMU

8/15/2016

IAMU currently has career openings for anyone looking to join our talented staff. For more information and to apply, click one of the links or submit cover letter, resume, completed IAMU application and references to:

Dawn Hyler, Business Manager
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
1735 NE 70th Ave.
Ankeny, IA 50021-9353
[email protected]

Staff Accountant

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) currently has an opening for a staff accountant.

Energy Services Director

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) is currently seeking a member-focused, innovative, and results-oriented Energy Services Director.

Five Myths About Pay That are Killing Your Utility

8/11/2016

Provided by the American Public Power Association

By Carl Mycoff, Managing Director, Mycoff, Fry & Prouse LLC

When I was in high school, drivers’ education was a required course. The course included an Ohio State Police video showing the impact of crashes, to frighten adolescent drivers. I still remember what I learned from it — the most important part of a car is the driver.

A critical component of finding the right drivers for your utility is proper compensation.

Public power decision makers are constantly evaluating the costs and benefits of capital investments and equipment. However, hiring the right drivers is often based on emotion or politics. Utilities that take a logical, measured approach to hiring and pay experience better performance. It isn’t just about money — it’s really about the allocation of limited resources.

In my 45 years of recruiting, I’ve heard so many reasons why public power utilities should not pay competitively. Here are the top five myths and reasons to dispel them.

IUB 2016 Fall Customer Service Meetings Scheduled

8/10/2016

Provided by the Iowa Utilities Board

The Iowa Utilities Board has scheduled nineteen fall Customer Service meetings to be held throughout Iowa during August and September 2016.

Discussion will include the Iowa winter home heating energy disconnection moratorium, a review of Board rules regarding disconnection of utility service, and other energy-related customer issues of importance to utility customer service personnel and community action agency caseworkers.

Attendance is limited to utility personnel, community action agency personnel, and persons from other community-based help organizations that assist low-income clients with winter heating bills.

Online registration is now available.

IAMU Applauds the Environmental Protection Commission in Making Crucial Update to Antidegradation Standards

8/10/2016

Today, the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) met to adopt proposed changes to Iowa’s current antidegradation standards. The EPC approved the revision unanimously.

“We are pleased with the decision the EPC made today,” said Timothy Whipple, general counsel for the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU). “Accepting this crucial revision to the current antidegradation standards ensures that municipal utilities can continue to provide quality service to consumers and make responsible spending decisions to best serve their communities.”

The changes come after the City of Clarion was named in a lawsuit brought forward by the Iowa Environmental Council and the Environmental Law and Policy Center earlier this year. It was made clear in the process that the ambiguous standards that were in place could result in financial hardship for rural utilities facing heightened scrutiny.

“Iowa’s antidegradation standards were last updated in 2010,” said Whipple. “They were simply too ambiguous, which made it hard for many municipal utilities to ensure compliance. We applaud the DNR and EPC for making this change.”

The change to Iowa’s antidegradation policy is minimal and aimed at providing clarity, not lowering standards. The 115 percent threshold now in place will ensure that municipal utilities have the opportunity to implement cost-effective infrastructure upgrades that allow the community to thrive. The changes to the standards simply optimize the balance between environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility.

IAMU Applauds Governor Terry Branstad's Iowa Cybersecurity Strategy

8/9/2016

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) applauds the efforts of Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and the State of Iowa to enhance statewide cybersecurity and share best practices.

Municipal utilities across our state are dedicated to providing their customers with the highest quality service possible. In many cases, this includes a move toward technology and Internet-based payment systems, customer service interfaces, and more. As the utility industry becomes increasingly technology-dependent, however, the threat of a cybersecurity breach grows.

“Much like tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters, cyber attacks are difficult to predict and can wreak havoc on families, businesses, and communities alike,” said Timothy Whipple, general counsel for IAMU. “Preparedness is a key defense, and at IAMU we are working with local utilities to implement safeguards and response procedures that ensure the safety of our customers, the protection of private information, and the reliability of our services.”