KMEA Staff and Member Cities Attend APPA Legislative Rally in DC
Mike Muirhead, Public Utility Director for the City of Garden City and Paul Mahlberg, KMEA’s General Manager
Recently, representatives from KMEA staff and member cities had the opportunity to attend the American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative Rally in Washington, D.C. This annual event, held from February 24-26, 2025, brought together public power professionals from across the nation to advocate for the interests of community-owned utilities. The event was facilitated by the Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU), ensuring a coordinated and impactful presence from Kansas.
The rally provided a platform for KMEA representatives to engage with congressional leaders, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by municipal utilities. Among the topics discussed were federal regulatory and financing uncertainty, infrastructure funding, tax-exempt municipal bonds, energy permitting and regulatory reform, and more. These discussions are crucial for raising awareness and influencing policy decisions that impact the public power sector.
In addition to meetings with lawmakers, attendees participated in a variety of educational sessions. These sessions covered a range of topics, from regulatory updates to best practices in utility management, providing valuable insights and knowledge to bring back to their communities.
