Thursday, December 7, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Still wondering if you are correctly entering illness or injury information on your company's OSHA
log? Are you confident of when to record and when not to? This webinar will explain the regulatory
requirements of OSHA's illness and injury recording and reporting standard. Attendees will be able
to assess injuries, or illnesses, and determine whether or not it meets the criteria of a new case
and when to keep a case open and what to do when the case is completed.

Webinar discussion will include first aid, employee involvement in your reporting system, and how
to inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries, or illnesses, free from
retaliation. The webinar will also include electronic reporting requirements, applicability, and
updates to the standard. Attendees will also learn how to complete the OSHA 300, 301, and 300A
forms and whose signature must be on the annual summary.

Who Should Attend the Webinar:

• If you are responsible for the entry of employee illness or injuries on the OSHA 300 log
• If your signature is on the 300A form
• If you have 11 or more employees at any time throughout the year (the threshold for reporting)
• If you have 20 employees in your utilities (water, electric, sewer, gas) departments (threshold for electronic reporting)
• If you are the person that needs to report a recordable injury to the staff person managing the OSHA 300 log

Don't wait, sign up now - CLICK HERE to register!

The State of Iowa received a direct federal allocation of funding to establish an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The EECBG program will be a competitive grant program consisting of a Community Fund and an Innovation Fund.
 
It is anticipated the EECBG program application will open early 2024 (January/February) in iowagrants.gov and will have a short application window. Therefore, potential applicants should be considering potential projects at this time. Here is a quick overview of the Community Fund and Innovation Fund. More details will be available when the application window opens in iowagrants.gov. Please share this information with potential applicants. Thank you.
 
Community Fund
Eligible applicants for the Community Fund are cities and counties that are not eligible to receive a formula EECBG direct allocation from the federal government.1 The Community Fund has a total of $1.2 million available for competitive grant awards to Iowa local governments for community-driven energy efficiency retrofit projects. Project awards may range from $50,000-$300,000. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Project examples, include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Building energy assessment or audits plus energy efficiency upgrades
• Energy efficiency upgrades at wastewater or water supply facilities
• Replacement of traffic signals and streetlights to improve energy efficiency 

 
Cost share is not required for Community Fund applications, but applicants providing cost share will receive a scoring preference during application review. Project costs incurred before the approval of a grant award are not eligible. Eligible project costs include:
 

• Energy assessments/audits
• Developing and installing energy efficiency improvements
• Contracting for project development and/or implementation
• Direct administration costs
• Contracting for federal regulations compliance assistance

 
In support of the federal Justice40 Initiative, projects benefitting federal identified disadvantaged communities will receive a significant scoring preference during application review.
 
Construction or purchase of equipment cannot occur ahead of award selection and federal requirement clearance. The following federal requirements may apply to EECBG funded projects:

• National Environmental Policy Act
• Davis-Bacon Act
• Federal Procurement (2 CFR 200)
• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
• Build America, Buy America

 
Questions may be directed to Jeff Geerts, [email protected] or 515.348.6211.
 
1 Local governments receiving a direct federal allocation of EECBG funds and therefore NOT eligible to apply to the State of Iowa’s EECBG Community Fund are: Ames, Ankeny, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Cerro Gordo County, Council Bluffs, Clinton County, Dallas County, Davenport, Des Moines , Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa City, Johnson County, Linn County, Marion, Marshall County, Muscatine County, Polk County, Sioux City, Urbandale, Waterloo, Warren County, and West Des Moines.
 
Innovation Fund
Eligible applicants for the Innovation Fund include local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit entities. The Innovation Fund has a total of $600,000 available for competitive grant awards ranging from $50,000 up to $600,000. Eligible project types include innovative energy efficiency and innovative renewable energy demonstration projects taking place in Iowa. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Project examples may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Demonstrating an innovative energy efficiency or renewable energy project, program, or technology new or underutilized in Iowa that is replicable and will share project information publicly
  
• Reducing fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and, to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities
• Reducing total energy use
  
• Improving energy efficiency in transportation, building, or operations
  
• Building a clean and equitable energy economy that prioritizes disadvantaged communities and promotes equity and inclusion in workforce opportunities and deployment activities

 
A 50% cost share is required. Cost share may be a combination of cash and in-kind but must be at least 50% cash. Project costs incurred before the approval of a grant award are not eligible. Eligible costs include:
 

• Energy assessments/audits
• Developing and installing energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems
• Contracting for project development and/or implementation
• Direct administration costs
• Contracting for federal regulations compliance assistance

 
In support of the federal Justice40 Initiative, projects benefiting federal identified disadvantaged communities will receive a significant scoring preference during application review. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize any project applicable U.S. Department of Energy provided EECBG Blueprint. Blueprints outline key activities to drive project success. Following a Blueprint may also streamline National Environmental Policy Act requirements.
 
Construction or purchase of equipment cannot occur ahead of award selection and federal requirement clearance. The following federal requirements may apply to EECBG funded projects:

• National Environmental Policy Act
• Davis-Bacon Act
• Federal Procurement (2 CFR 200)
• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
• Build America, Buy America

 
Questions may be directed to Jeff Geerts, [email protected] or 515.348.6211.

On November 16th, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a $70 million Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Program Advanced Cybersecurity Technology funding opportunity to enhance the cybersecurity posture of electric cooperative, municipal, and small investor-owned utilities. The funding is made available through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will result in a more secure and resilient energy grid that is better prepared to meet the cybersecurity threats facing electric utilities. 
 
Click here to read the full announcement.

Thursday, December 7, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Still wondering if you are correctly entering illness or injury information on your company's OSHA
log? Are you confident of when to record and when not to? This webinar will explain the regulatory
requirements of OSHA's illness and injury recording and reporting standard. Attendees will be able
to assess injuries, or illnesses, and determine whether or not it meets the criteria of a new case
and when to keep a case open and what to do when the case is completed.

Webinar discussion will include first aid, employee involvement in your reporting system, and how
to inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries, or illnesses, free from
retaliation. The webinar will also include electronic reporting requirements, applicability, and
updates to the standard. Attendees will also learn how to complete the OSHA 300, 301, and 300A
forms and whose signature must be on the annual summary.

Who Should Attend the Webinar:

• If you are responsible for the entry of employee illness or injuries on the OSHA 300 log
• If your signature is on the 300A form
• If you have 11 or more employees at any time throughout the year (the threshold for reporting)
• If you have 20 employees in your utilities (water, electric, sewer, gas) departments (threshold for electronic reporting)
• If you are the person that needs to report a recordable injury to the staff person managing the OSHA 300 log

Don't wait, sign up now - CLICK HERE to register!

Sixty-six public power utilities, including three Iowa utilities have earned a Smart Energy Provider designation from the American Public Power Association for demonstrating commitment to and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and environmental initiatives that support the goal of providing safe, reliable, low-cost, and sustainable electric service.
 
Kris Sellstrom, Energy and Gas Resources Manager at Jamestown Board of Public Utilities in Jamestown, New York, and chair of APPA’s Energy Innovation Committee, presented the designations on November 13 in San Antonio, Texas during APPA’s annual Customer Connections Conference.
 
This year, 66 utilities earned the designation, and in total, more than 90 public power utilities hold the SEP designation.  In Iowa SEP designation goes to Cedar Falls Utilities, City of Ames Electric Services, and Muscatine Power and Water.
 
The SEP designation, which lasts for two years (December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2025), recognizes public power utilities for demonstrating leading practices in four key disciplines: smart energy information; energy efficiency and distributed energy resources programs; environmental and sustainability programs and initiatives; and communication, education, and customer experience.
 
This is the fifth year APPA has offered the SEP designation.
 
The full list of SEP designees is available on APPA’s SEP webpage.

The Energy Group, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and Northeast Iowa Community College will be sponsoring a half-day, energy-efficiency seminar.

Learn through an in-person, interactive program led by Bill McAnally about high-performing, energy efficient buildings in Iowa on Thursday, November 16th from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at 680 Main Street, Rm 106A, Dubuque, IA. This event is FREE. Continuing educational credits (CEU's) are also available.

DISCUSSIONS AND INSIGHTS
• Building homes in compliance with good energy efficiency techniques
• International Energy Conservation Code
• Long-term benefits to consumers looking to buy or build a high-performance, energy-efficient home
• Energy-efficient construction materials, technologies, building techniques, and mechanical choices (heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting)

To register, please CLICK HERE!

Questions? Please reach out to [email protected]

Article Provided by EMC Insurance

Combat winter's unique fire hazards and safeguard your workplace by following these fire safety tips.

Read more

Thursday, December 7, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
*** A certificate with 3 contact hours will be awarded after the webinar ***

Still wondering if you are correctly entering illness or injury information on your company's OSHA log? Are you confident of when to record and when not to? This webinar will explain the regulatory requirements of OSHA's illness and injury recording and reporting standard. Attendees will be able to assess injuries, or illnesses, and determine whether or not it meets the criteria of a new case and when to keep a case open and what to do when the case is completed.

Webinar discussion will include first aid, employee involvement in your reporting system, and how to inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries, or illnesses, free from retaliation. The webinar will also include electronic reporting requirements, applicability, and updates to the standard. Attendees will also learn how to complete the OSHA 300, 301, and 300A forms and whose signature must be on the annual summary.

Who Should Attend the Webinar:

• If you are responsible for the entry of employee illness or injuries on the OSHA 300 log
• If your signature is on the 300A form
• If you have 11 or more employees at any time throughout the year (the threshold for reporting)
• If you have 20 employees in your utilities (water, electric, sewer, gas) departments (threshold for electronic reporting)
• If you are the person that needs to report a recordable injury to the staff person managing the OSHA 300 log

Registration is open!
CLICK HERE to register!

If you have any questions, please reach out to IAMU Safety Outreach Coordinator and webinar instructor, Margret Meade, at [email protected] or (515) 210-6617

From November 28 to 30, 2023, we're making waves at Prairie Meadows, The Meadows Events Center, 1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Altoona, Iowa 50009.

Get ready for three days of both the basics and advanced topics in Water Treatment, Water Distribution, and Wastewater Management. And as if that's not enticing enough, we're offering a refreshing 1.2 CEUs.

Just a sample of the topics: Pressure Monitoring, PFAS, Collection System Planning Considerations, Lime Residual Improvements, Preparing for a Wastewater Inspection, Applied Water Technology, Legal Considerations, and so much more.

We've got an incredible lineup of speakers, with professionals from the IDNR, Iowa State University, ISG, Viking Industrial Painting, Vessco, CIT Sewer Solutions, DJ Gongol, DA Davidson, and many more. It's a tidal wave of wisdom!

To dive into the full agenda and secure your spot, click HERE now.

Don't just float along – the early registration deadline is swiftly approaching! Early registration ends THIS FRIDAY, November 10th.

Questions? Reach out to Steve Marsh at [email protected] or give him a call at (515) 210-8156