During the 7th Annual Energy Conference last week, IAMU presented three Customer Recognition Awards for Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This year’s winners include:
 
Larry and Sharon Hodgden – Nominated by Tipton Municipal Utilities
Larry and Sharon installed 18 solar panels on their home’s roof in November 2018. The first full month of billing was for January 2019. After tax credits, the project cost approximately $10,000. The Hodgdens expect a return on investment of 5% minimum annually. The environmental impact was more important to the couple than the return on investment, though.
 
Northwestern College – Nominated by Orange City Municipal Utilities
The Northwestern College Natural & Health Sciences Building is a 64,163 square-foot facility in Orange City, IA, zone 6a. The facility is a two-story building with basement to house labs, classrooms, and offices for natural health and science. It also has a penthouse for greenhouse space. This facility has a relatively complex mechanical system designed for overall kW, kWh, and therm savings (CHW/HW VAV AHU, chilled beams). It has ERV for ventilation air, a 90-ton chiller sized for only ½-load, ice water storage for the other half of the cooling load, a water/water heat pump energy recovery chiller, variable speed fans and pumping, condensing boilers. This facility also has energy-efficient windows and lighting.
 
Keith’s Foods – Nominated by the City of Bloomfield
Keith’s owner, Brian Burnam, recognized that by making some changes with how the store approached energy usage, he might be able to reduce the store’s utilities costs. Burnam added solar panels to the store’s roof – in two phases – each set producing about 50 kWh, swapped out less efficient lighting with LED lighting, made open refrigerated dairy and deli cases into closed cases, and replaced the produce case with a high-efficiency model. As a result, Keith’s is realizing a 25% energy savings compared to previous usage.

The IAMU phone system will be upgraded on the morning of Friday, Nov. 1.  We plan to start early that morning, but the phone system may not be back up for member calls until lunch time. If you need to reach IAMU staff members during this time, you may want to email them or call them on their cell phones. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Select presentations from the 2019 Energy Conference are now available online. 

To view them, click here.

*If you need your member sign-in information, contact Josh Trout at [email protected].*

IAMU members are invited to the Greater Dubuque Development’s Greater Dubuque Sustainable Innovations cocktail reception and dinner meeting. The event will be held from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30 at the Diamond Jo Casino. There is no cost to attend.
 
The City of Dubuque has made significant strides in renewable energy. A key to unlocking new potential for the region from its renewable resources is energy storage. The primary purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the future of energy storage and how it could positively impact the Greater Dubuque area. Dr. George Crabtree, Argonne National Laboratory Senior Scientist and Director of the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, will review the present status and future direction of energy storage and help explore potential opportunities for Dubuque. Dave Lyons, Sustainable Innovations Consultant for Greater Dubuque Development, will share several other Sustainable Innovations updates on renewable energy and broadband expansion with the group.
 
Although there is no cost to attend, space is limited. Contact IAMU General Counsel Tim Whipple at [email protected] if you would like to attend.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has designated October as Careers in Construction Month. The observance is designed to increase public awareness and appreciation of construction craft professionals and the entire construction workforce.
 
Construction is one of the nation’s largest industries, employing more than 5 million workers. It’s expected that the United States will need 1.4 million new construction professionals by 2022.

IAMU will host a free apprenticeship workshop during National Apprenticeship Week (Nov. 11-17). The “Establishing & Effectively Managing an Electric Apprenticeship” Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the IAMU Office.
 
The workshop is designed for managers, journey workers, apprentices, and utility administrative staff involved in apprenticeship programs or would like to start a program. 

• The morning session is geared toward those interested in establishing an electric apprenticeship program at their city/utility. 
• The afternoon session is geared toward those already in a program OR the morning people to go over their responsibilities as set out by the DOL Standard. 

 
IAMU will host an Appreciation Lunch for everyone that day, complete with door prizes and other giveaways.
 
To register, click here.

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) has scheduled eight Customer Service Fall Meetings throughout Iowa to address energy-related customer issues of importance to utility customer service personnel and community action agency caseworkers.  The sessions are open to utility and community action agency personnel and representatives of other community-based help organizations that assist low-income clients with winter heating bills.

Discussion will include LIHEAP, the Iowa winter home heating energy disconnection moratorium, a review of IUB’s role and jurisdiction, including rules regarding disconnection of utility service and how to file comments or complaints with the IUB.  

New this year: Three sessions will include a webinar option that will allow for active participation from attendees unable to travel to one of the community meetings.

Space is limited at each session. Sign up now to attend using the link to the IUB’s online registration form. If interested in participating remotely via webinar please complete an additional registration submission. 

Oct. 23 is the fifth annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water. Led by the Value of Water Campaign, more than 1,000 organizations across the country will raise awareness about not taking water for granted and the crucial need for investment in our nation’s water systems.
 
An investment in our drinking water and wastewater systems is essential to our national health, safety, environment, and economic prosperity. 

Turning on the tap for clean, safe drinking water, and flushing the toilet with no second thought about what happens to wastewater, are actions most Americans take for granted every day. But drought, flooding, and population changes are stressing our water and wastewater systems. While most Americans enjoy reliable water service, our nation’s water infrastructure is aging and in need of investment. A day without water service is a public health and an economic disaster: A single nationwide day without water service would put $43.5 billion in economic activity at risk.

IAMU will be providing social media posts throughout the day on Oct. 23. Feel free to follow IAMU on Facebook (@IAMUpage) and share these posts. In addition, there are numerous free resources available on http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org that you can use to get the word out about the importance of water in your community.

IAMU was awarded a research grant by the American Public Power Association’s Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED) program. 
 
IAMU received $72,790 to create a plug-in electric vehicle (EV) planning and implementation toolkit for municipal utilities.
 
The American Public Power Association is the national organization serving the interests of the nation’s more than 2,000 community- and state-owned electric utilities. The association established the DEED program in 1980 to sponsor and conduct activities related to energy innovation that improve efficiency or lower costs in providing energy services to consumers of publicly owned electric utilities. DEED funds are used to support innovative utility programs. IAMU is a member of the Association and DEED.

Each day in the United States, there are between five and 10 arc flash explosions severe enough to send victims to burn centers. This statistic might leave you wondering about the safety level of your company’s electrical distribution systems. To learn more about arch flash safety, check out the article in EMC’s Loss Control Insights.

The American Public Power Association (APPA) has partnered with Nissan to offer its member public power community across the U.S. exclusive rebates on the all-electric 2019 Nissan LEAF. At members’ request, the APPA has sought out partnerships with vehicle manufacturers for a national rebate program. The APPA is excited to bring this opportunity to its members, and to work with Nissan North America, which has successfully worked with similarly situated organizations.

Public power customers and employees are eligible for a rebate of $3,500 on the 2019 Nissan LEAF 40 kWh Standard and of $2,500 on the 2019 Nissan LEAF 62 kWh ePlus.

Utilities, joint action agencies and state/regional associations may use the rebate for fleet vehicles. The rebate on the LEAF 40 kWh Standard for fleet vehicles may be up to $5,000 in ZEV states. Ask your local dealer.

To claim the public power rebate, public power customers must download this flyer (updated 10/2/2019) and take it to a local Nissan dealer, along with proof of eligible residency and a current electric bill.

Extended: Nissan has extended the rebate offer through to January 2, 2020.

IAMU invites its members to attend a free Insurance Webinar Series.

During each webinar, Jester Insurance's Heith Hockenberry will review a few of the different coverages that IAMU members should purchase as part of their insurance coverage.

Dates
Oct. 28 - 1-2 p.m.
Nov. 18 - 2-3 p.m.
Dec. 16 - 1-2 p.m.

Topics
General Liability, Public Officials, Law Enforcement & Umbrella
Auto (Physical Damage & Liability) and Crime
Cyber

No charge to attend, but registration is required.

To register, go to www.iamu.org -> Events -> Register For An Event (Scroll through the calendar and register for one or more webinars)

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Safety Services department will be holding mobile crane certification and examination classes for digger derrick, service truck, and mobile crane operators.  OSHA’s updated crane standard REQUIRES that operators of lifting equipment be trained, evaluated and tested in order to obtain certification.

Background Information:
Although the new standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, specifically exempts the digger derrick and the operator from meeting the requirements of the standard, the exemption applies only when it is used for work within the provisions of the power generation, transmission and distribution standards, or for construction work within the telecommunications standard.  The exemption does not apply if the digger derrick is used for lifting materials or to operate in working environments outside the scope of the standard because the equipment is essentially being used as a mobile crane.  For example, unloading materials from a truck, lifting a motor from a pump house to assist your water department, or providing assistance to any other city department will mean that the exemption no longer applies.  When equipment is used as a mobile crane, all provisions of the standard apply, including the operator certification rule.  OSHA also now requires that an operator be certified in specific areas when they operate equipment outfitted with a boom and winch and able to lift at least 2,000 pounds.  This includes service trucks in your public works, or water departments.

The new standard has very specific operator requirements, one being to obtain operator certification from an independent testing organization accredited by a nationally recognized organization.  OSHA’s updated crane standard, 1926.1427 in Subpart CC, requires that for a testing organization to be considered accredited to certify operators, it must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency based on that agency’s determination that industry recognized criteria for written testing materials, practical examinations, test administration, grading, facilities/equipment and personnel have been met.  IAMU is an Accredited Assessment Center through the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER).  We are authorized to conduct both hands-on assessments and practical examinations which are part of our Mobile Crane Operator Certification Program.  Additionally, we are offering Qualified Hand Signal Person and Qualified Rigger programs (available at a future date).

Who Should Attend:
Digger derrick and service truck crane operators who do not currently hold a mobile crane operator’s certification.

What Do These Classes and Certification Consist Of:
Classes will be a week long, requiring classroom instruction, an on-line exam that has a 80% pass requirement, a practical exam for certification of mobile crane, and then finally a short class and practical exam for the signalperson and rigging qualifications. Students who pass the written and practical exams receive nationally recognized certification from the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER).

Where Do These Classes Take Place:
IAMU Training and Office Complex
1735 NE 70th Avenue
Ankeny, IA  50021

When Will Classes Be Held:
Dates have been scheduled for 2019 at the IAMU complex (unless otherwise noted).  Please click HERE or visit the IAMU website for available dates.

December 9-13

Mobile Crane Operator Certification/Examination Class Schedule:
 
Class Day
Times
Classroom/Exam

Monday
9:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom

Tuesday8:00 to 4:30 p.m.Classroom
Wednesday
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom/Exams

Thursday
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Practical Exams

Friday (if needed)
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Retake Exams
Class/Exam
Examination retakes are $100 and may be taken during any scheduled exam date.

Additional Notes:

• Registration for all dates is open
• There is a maximum of 12 participants per class session.
• Lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday.
• All participants will attend classroom days. Exams will take place on the Thursday of each class session. Depending on the number of participants, Wednesday evening and Friday may also be used for exams.
• Each participant will need to create an account with NCCER before class; step-by-step instructions are included with the study guide.  Please bring your account number with you to class.

For additional information about the classes and online registration for each event, click HERE.

Cancellation Policy:
IAMU will issue a full refund for a registration cancellation up to 30 days prior to class date.  Cancellations within 30 days of class date will result in a refund less a $50 cancellation charge per registration.

If unable to attend, IAMU will allow a registration to be transferred within the same organization for the registered class date at no additional charge.

Questions?
If you have any questions in regards to the classes, or requirements, please contact:

Margret Meade, IAMU Safety Specialist ([email protected])
Phone:  (800) 810-4268