Author Archive for: KMEA

 The City of Ashland KS is seeking applicants for the position of electrical lineman. Job responsibility include, but not limited to, the construction and repair of City electrical distribution lines. Prior electrical experience is preferred. Benefits include health insurance, vacation, sick leave, KPERS, and paid holidays, and the salary depends on qualifications and experience. Please contact City Hall at 620-635-2531 or via e-mail at ashland@ucom.net for complete job description and application. Please return completed application and resume to the City of Ashland, 703 Main Street, PO Box 547, Ashland KS 67831. EOE

City of Burlington, Kansas is hiring Electric Plant Operator/ Mechanic. Position open until filled. Applications available at City Hall, 1013 N. 4th P.O. Box 207, Burlington, KS 66839 or at burlingtonkansas.gov.com Ph:620-364-5334. Competitive wages based on skill & experience. HSD or GED required. EOE

After posting record profits in 2022, oil and gas companies say they’re preparing to ramp up investments in clean energy and new technology this year.

Exxon Mobil Corp. has said it will spend about $3.4 billion annually on alternative energy over the next five years, about 15 percent more than its plans last year. Chevron Corp. — the nation’s second-largest oil company — said it will more than double its clean energy spending from last year to $2 billion in 2023.

“Our 2023 capex budgets are consistent with our long-term plans to safely deliver higher returns and lower carbon,” Chevron CEO Mike Wirth said in a statement last month.

Wind plant performance—how much electricity a wind plant generates compared with its maximum possible generation—depends almost entirely on the availability of wind resources, which vary depending on both the time of year and the geographic region.

The performance of a power plant is often characterized as a percentage of the maximum possible generation in a given time period, a metric known as capacity factor. Nationally, between January 2016 and August 2022, wind plant capacity factors peaked in March and April and were at their lowest in July and August.

The American Public Power Association “is beyond disappointed that funding to ramp up production of distribution transformers through the Defense Production Act” has not been included in the Dec. 19, omnibus appropriations bill, Joy Ditto, President and CEO of APPA, said on Dec. 20.

“This is a critical issue that several industries have raised, and on which the President has called for action. Despite our collective pleas over the past year to address this issue, supplies continue to dwindle, demand far outpaces production, and if action is not taken in the near term, the U.S. will face electric reliability concerns,” she said.