Sponsored by Core & Main

IAMU's Water Distribution Training & Water Leak Detection/Line Location Workshops are back again!

Water Distribution Training (9/18) topics will include:

• Fire Hydrant Maintenance
• Water Main Tapping / HydraStop
• Water Main Installation / Repair & Fittings

Water Leak Detection  / Line Locating (9/19) topics will include:

• Water Leak Detection (with various equipment)
• Line Locating
• Trenching & Shoring
• GIS Mapping

Attend one workshop...or both! Have any questions? Reach out to Steve Marsh. Otherwise, claim your spot by CLICKING HERE!

We can't wait for you to join us!

Sponsored by CIT Sewer Solutions

** 0.5 CEU’s for Wastewater **
 
Training Topics:

• Case Study - Rehab of 20" DIP Force Main
• VFD's for Wastewater Treatment
• Live Demos including:
  • Algae Based Treatment - Gross Wen
  • Arc Block - Electric Pump
  • Connection Liner - CIT Sewer
  • Samplers - GPM Environmental

 Instructors:

• Isaiah Collins, GPM Environmental Solutions
• Paul Pasko, Arcadis
• Bob White, Electric Pump

 
To get signed up, CLICK HERE!

Have any questions? Contact Steve Marsh at 515.210.8156 or by email at [email protected]

We can't wait to see you there!

What work are you doing that puts you within the “minimum approach distance” of high voltage energized electrical equipment? This workshop will teach you safety-related work practices that will allow you to determine the voltage, the minimum approach distances and protective equipment to prevent an electrocution or arc flash when working near energized electrical equipment.

The proper use of live-line tools and personal protective equipment will be demonstrated on de-energized equipment.

Who Should Attend?
Anyone putting up Christmas decorations, signs, performing maintenance on equipment, or doing utility locates within OSHA’s distance of 10 feet from energized high voltage electrical equipment. Supervisors are also encouraged to attend.

To see the full agenda and get signed up, CLICK HERE!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Those responsible in dealing with an OSHA site visit or a call-in complaint. This workshop is good for front line supervisors, managers, administrators, and clerks.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
Are we ever really prepared to welcome OSHA into our workspace? Attend this workshop and find out about OSHA and how we become the focus of an inspection and what you can expect anytime OSHA contacts or visits your site. Attendees will receive an OSHA inspection policy outline that they can take back and make specific to their workplace. The workshop will also cover OSHA's policies and procedures so that attendees will have the knowledge to arm themselves if they ever hear the dreaded words...
"OSHA's here. What now?"

Sign up by CLICKING HERE!

Article Provided by John Godfrey / [email protected]

The American Public Power Association needs your help, because tax exempt municipal bonds are back on the menu for the 2025 tax policy debate.

The issue is that personal and estate tax provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) are set to expire after 2025, and making them permanent will cost at least $5 trillion in revenue. While there have not been any publicly available estimates, the repeal of the tax-exemption of municipal bond interest is thought to raise something close to $500 billion, making it a tempting target. Compounding the concern is growing bipartisan indifference to the special status tax-exempt financing plays in state and local infrastructure investments. Some conservatives see a federal tax on state and local finance as a way to discourage state and local spending, while some liberals see it as tax on wealthy investors they presume are the primary holders of this debt. Both are wrong-headed arguments, but we are going to have to mount a serious campaign to educate them while also convincing potential champions that ours is a cause worth fighting for.

And just as in 2012 and 2017, even if the tax-exempt is not repealed outright, Congress could do almost as much damage with more “limited” approaches, such as the proposals to impose a surtax on bond interest forwarded by former President Barack Obama and former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman David Camp (R-MI). Tax-exempt financing could also get caught up in “social” policy debates. For example, a bill introduced in the 118th Congress would prohibit a state or any entity in the state from issuing tax-exempt bonds, unless children in the state can obtain public vouchers for private schools. The bill has not advanced, but bad ideas have a way of cropping back up.

Finally, the number of lawmakers in Congress with past experience with local government is shrinking. Of 435 members of the House, just 65 have city our county experience. And of 100 senators, just 14.

This is why APPA is joining with others in the Public Finance Network on the #BuiltbyBonds campaign. This multi-year effort will include numerous stakeholders, but the chief ask right now is your help in building the #BuiltbyBonds map found here. The map will allow congressional members and staff to search for themselves the projects financed with municipal bonds in their own state and congressional district. And our goal is to make sure there are at least four such projects in every congressional district. Given that there have been nearly 80,000 bond financed projects in the last decade alone – 700+ from public power– this should not be a heavy lift, but it does require filling out the Built By Bonds Entry Form (gfoa.org).

The form asks for:

• Project title;
• Project owner;
• Project importance (description);
• Project cost;
• Project type;
• Project location; and
• An image of the project.

In developing the map some stakeholders suggested that it be limited to bigger projects, but APPA and others strongly disagreed. All projects – big and small – should be added.

So, we will continue to keep you informed as our advocacy strategy develops, but in the meantime, please, please, please consider adding one of your local projects – big or small -- to the #BuiltbyBonds map by filling out the Built By Bonds Entry Form (gfoa.org).

If your community has a population of 10,000 people or less, your utility may be eligible to receive project funds through the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Grant from DOE. Eligible projects must address one of the following: improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems; siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines; reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote areas; providing or modernizing electric generation facilities; developing microgrids; or increasing energy efficiency. OCED expects that this opportunity will enable communities to demonstrate practical paths that will catalyze more rural and remote communities to integrate and benefit from clean energy. 

If you have a project in mind, please reach out to Jeff Gorrie at IAMU ([email protected]) or Jeff Geerts at Iowa Economic Development ([email protected]).  This one is currently in the NOI (Notice of Intent Phase). The notice of intent is like a heads up that a funding opportunity is forthcoming. The next phase it goes to is called the “Notice of Funding.” The Notice of Funding will include the detailed program requirements and application information so that interested parties can apply. Since this funding opportunity will require local match, it is about the time for interested parties to start planning for an eventual application.
 
All the program details can be found by downloading this document:
https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/FileContent.aspx?FileID=e46e8364-abe0-4adb-9dc3-52c919393ce1
 
Here are some examples of previously funded projects:
https://www.energy.gov/oced/energy-improvements-rural-or-remote-areas-selected-and-awarded-projects
 
You can read more about this NOI here (scroll down/search for the phrase: “DE-FOA-0003423”):
https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#FoaId30e04ed5-7532-4e64-8336-8557132d338c

The annual Fall Broadband Meeting provides an update on key Broadband topics and a chance to “compare notes” with your peers. This year, we’re at The Laramar in Fort Dodge. IAMU Associate Member Vendors can purchase a sponsorship that includes a 6’ tabletop exhibit and Breakfast and Lunch sponsorships are also available.

Cost is just $50.00 for IAMU members. $75.00 for Non-Members

More Information can be found here.

Questions?  Contact Curtis Dean at (515) 650-0251 or email: [email protected].

Program Members,

We are excited to announce that the IAMU Safety Group Insurance Program earned a record dividend of just over $7.3M for the 2023/24 policy term!  Earning a dividend of this magnitude during an extended hard market is a testament to your commitment to safety and loss control. 
 
The dividend component of the Safety Group Program is very important, especially during periods of rising premiums as we have experienced over the past several years. The dividend plan continues to ensure that our members are never over-charged for their insurance, because EMC’s profits are capped, and any excess premiums are returned to members in the form of a dividend.
 
Member checks will be processed and mailed in January along with details of the dividend calculation.  Thank you for your continued support of the IAMU Safety Group Insurance Program.

Sponsored by Core & Main

IAMU's Water Distribution Training & Water Leak Detection/Line Location Workshops are back again!

Water Distribution Training (9/18) topics will include:

• Fire Hydrant Maintenance
  
• Water Main Tapping / HydraStop
  
• Water Main Installation / Repair & Fittings
  

Water Leak Detection  / Line Locating (9/19) topics will include:

• Water Leak Detection (with various equipment)
  
• Line Locating
  
• Trenching & Shoring
  
• GIS Mapping
  

Attend one workshop...or both! Have any questions? Reach out to Steve Marsh. Otherwise, claim your spot by CLICKING HERE!

We can't wait for you to join us!

Sponsored by CIT Sewer Solutions

** 0.5 CEU’s for Wastewater **
 
Training Topics:

• Case Study - Rehab of 20" DIP Force Main
• VFD's for Wastewater Treatment
• Live Demos including:
  • Algae Based Treatment - Gross Wen
  • Arc Block - Electric Pump
  • Connection Liner - CIT Sewer
  • Samplers - GPM Environmental

 Instructors:

• Isaiah Collins, GPM Environmental Solutions
• Paul Pasko, Arcadis
• Bob White, Electric Pump

 
To get signed up, CLICK HERE!

Have any questions? Contact Steve Marsh at 515.210.8156 or by email at [email protected]

We can't wait to see you there!

What work are you doing that puts you within the “minimum approach distance” of high voltage energized electrical equipment? This workshop will teach you safety-related work practices that will allow you to determine the voltage, the minimum approach distances and protective equipment to prevent an electrocution or arc flash when working near energized electrical equipment.

The proper use of live-line tools and personal protective equipment will be demonstrated on de-energized equipment.

Who Should Attend?
Anyone putting up Christmas decorations, signs, performing maintenance on equipment, or doing utility locates within OSHA’s distance of 10 feet from energized high voltage electrical equipment. Supervisors are also encouraged to attend.

To see the full agenda and get signed up, CLICK HERE!

Please join IAMU Gas Services Staff for a webinar that is being hosted this Thursday, August 15, from 10 to 11 AM as a result of the Recurring Probable Violations Letter that was issued by the Iowa Utilities Commission last Friday. During the webinar we will discuss the intent of the letter as well as the contents, address any questions or concerns you may have, and what can be done to prevent these recurring violations.

Register for the Zoom Meeting by Clicking the Link Below
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81128824745?pwd=xh6mVbXl6a4Ea1PatjC5b7ln45qvbs.1

If you handle compliance reporting for your electric and/or gas utility, IAMU would like to make sure you are on the correct email distribution list for news related to compliance reporting. Being included on this compliance reporting list will make reporting much easier. A quarterly compliance reporting email was sent out to electric and gas utility compliance reporters around 9:00 – 9:30 AM on Friday 8-9-24 from [email protected]. If you did not receive this email and you are responsible for compliance reporting, please email Jeff Gorrie, at [email protected].
 
Also, sending a reminder that the  Municipal Utility Transfer Replacement Tax Rate Calculation Form is due to Iowa DOR on 8-31-24, and the Customer Contribution Fund Activity report is due to the IUC on 9-30-24. For more information, visit IAMU’s compliance reporting calendars.
 
Electric Compliance Calendar:
https://members.iamu.org/page/Electric_Calendar
 
Gas Compliance Calendar:
https://members.iamu.org/page/Gas_Calendar

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Those responsible in dealing with an OSHA site visit or a call-in complaint. This workshop is good for front line supervisors, managers, administrators, and clerks.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
Are we ever really prepared to welcome OSHA into our workspace? Attend this workshop and find out about OSHA and how we become the focus of an inspection and what you can expect anytime OSHA contacts or visits your site. Attendees will receive an OSHA inspection policy outline that they can take back and make specific to their workplace. The workshop will also cover OSHA's policies and procedures so that attendees will have the knowledge to arm themselves if they ever hear the dreaded words...
"OSHA's here. What now?"

Sign up by CLICKING HERE!

Gas "Boot Camp" Phase 1 – September 23 - 27, 2024
This workshop is designed to give personnel new to the natural gas industry all of the basic fundamentals needed to aid in the day-to-day operations as well as the ability to perform certain "On-Call" tasks. This workshop is also beneficial to natural gas operators who are looking to gain additional training, re-qualify on tasks offered, as well as providing a great opportunity to network with other operators from around the State addressing problems, concerns, techniques, etc.

Registration is open now, and spots are limited to 15 attendees! Click here to get signed up!
 
Gas "Boot Camp" Phase 2 – October 9 - 11, 2024
This training course is intended for individuals who have at least one or more years of experience in the natural gas industry and/or have already successfully completed Boot Camp for Dispatch and On-Call Personnel. This training course is intended to provide "next steps" in the operator qualification process by providing in depth classroom and hands-on training for OQ covered tasks.

Registration is open now, and spots are limited to 15 attendees! Click here to get signed up!
 
If you have any questions, please reach out to Nick Vandegriff!
We can’t wait to see you at the workshop(s)!