Solvents are liquid chemicals that are used to dissolve other chemicals. They are commonly used in cleaning and degreasing materials and tools. They may also be used in spray painting. Some examples of solvents include acetone, toluene, alcohol, paint thinner, mineral spirits, xylene. Being familiar with, and following  the information in your chemical’s SDS or on the container’s label is the best way to ensure your safety.

Solvents have both physical and health hazards. When the vapors are inhaled they can irritate your eyes, nose or throat and, because they are CNS (central nervous system) depressants and must be used with good ventilation, an overexposure will make you dizzy, sleepy, nauseous, intoxicated and affect your judgement and coordination. Inhalation or skin absorption will also cause long-term health damage by affecting the liver or kidneys, the body’s natural toxin filters.

Congratulations to Waverly Utilities on their recent APPA Excellence in Public Power Communications Awards.  The awards were presented during APPA's Customer Connections Conference in Austin, Texas on October 21st.  Waverly Utilities was presented with an Award of Excellence in the Video category and an Award of Merit in the Social Media category.

Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 1st, at 2 AM.

Don't forget to set your clock back an hour, and check the batteries in your smoke alarms.

Be sure and register for this year's Water & Wastewater Operator's Workshop by November 3rd to take advantage of early bird registration pricing.

Join us November 17-19 for this year's workshop.

We have planned an impressive line-up of topics and speakers starting with LimnoTech presenting about the algal bloom in Toledo, Ohio.

Wednesday’s sessions include: Leak Locating Technology, I & I Reduction in Dubuque, Retrofitting Treatment Plants, Trenchless Technology-Pipe Bursting and Hydrants 101.

The workshop will close Thursday with representatives from the City of Cedar Rapids talking about lessons learned from their flood recovery efforts.

You can view the full agenda and register online here.

See you there!

The 3rd Annual Energy Conference is right around the corner starting on November 3rd. We have an interesting group of topics and speakers scheduled for the three days. While we hope you are planning on attending for the content alone, there will be representatives from over 20 companies participating in the vendor reception as well as sponsoring additional aspects of the conference.

We would like to thank our Gold Sponsor Fairbanks Morse Engine for their support of the conference and of IAMU.

Registration is still open.  You can view the full list of sponsors and register online here.

Electric utilities are experiencing more and more customers turning to solar PV generation to offset purchases from the utility.  This is being driven by improvements in solar PV technology, significant decreases in cost, and state and federal incentives.  In addition small scale battery storage and other distributed generation technology is becoming more attractive.  The future utility will include a large amount of distributed generation along with the traditional central power generation and transmission.  Customers may reduce the amount of electricity they purchase from the utility, but they will still require utility’s grid to provide power when their generation is not producing and to send excess generation to.

Relocatable power taps, often called power strips, portable outlets or surge suppressors, are defined by UL as “relocatable multiple outlet extensions of a branch circuit to supply … outlet receptacles for computers, audio and video equipment and other equipment." The need for multiple outlets came about during the arrival of computers and their associated equipment; such as the monitor, printer, scanner, and so on. They were designed for a high concentration of low-powered loads. Underwriter’s Laboratories is one of many Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (the OSHA reference is NRTLs) that test and approve products.

November 2nd - 8th is National Apprenticeship Week.

Read a proclamation from Governor Terry Branstad in support of apprenticeship efforts here.

Do you have questions on how to fill out all those annual federal and state gas reports?

Attend this class on December 8th to familiarize yourself with these forms.

Register online here.

On November 9th and 10th, 2015, IAMU will hold a FEMA Reimbursement & Disaster Response Plan workshop at the IAMU training complex.  This workshop is relevant for all utilities: broadband, electric, gas, and water. 

In a federally declared disaster, the goal should be to get all the money your utility deserves as rapidly as possible.  Most utilities are leaving big $$$ on the table. FEMA will generally pay 75% of the damage costs. In this presentation, participants will learn what decisions and actions you can undertake to achieve that goal.  Get all the money you qualify for and get it faster.

The other side of this process is your disaster response plan.  Do you have a disaster plan in place?  The main objectives of the Disaster Response Plan is to restore facilities and service, as rapidly as possible in order to minimize the impact from a loss of facilities and services on the utility and to reduce the loss of possible revenue.  You will leave with the basic tools needed to develop your own plan.