Entries by KMEA

KMEA and KMGA Board of Directors Meetings are coming up!

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The KMEA and KMGA Board of Directors meetings have been scheduled, and registration is now open. Here are the details:

KMEA Board of Directors Meeting
Date: April 23, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency Wichita, 400 W Waterman, Wichita, Kansas

The KMEA Board of Directors meeting will take place in person in Wichita, in conjunction with the KMU Conference. Members also have the option to join virtually.

Register here.

KMGA Board of Directors Meeting
Date: May 1, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM
Format: Virtual

Job Opportunity: Water Plant Operator

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The City of Osawatomie is hiring a Water Plant Operator to manage the production and treatment of the city’s drinking water. This full-time role involves monitoring equipment, performing maintenance, and ensuring efficient operation under the supervision of the Water Plant Superintendent.

KMEA Staff and Member Cities Attend APPA Legislative Rally in DC

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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.

Winter Storm Kingston: Breaking Records and Testing Limits

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As the forecasted cold weather loomed on February 6th, pipelines began posting Winter Weather notices effective from the 11th until further notice. This proactive measure was crucial in preparing for the severe conditions brought by Winter Storm Kingston. Throughout the storm, the situation intensified, leading two pipelines to elevate their notices to Operational Flow Orders (OFO), ensuring the stability and reliability of gas supply during this critical period.

GRDA Modernizes Salina Pumped Storage Project for Future Demands

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After more than 50 years of service, the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) is set to upgrade and modernize two hydroelectric pump-turbine units at the Salina Pumped Storage Project (SPSP). This $56 million project, contracted to Litostroj, US, LLC, aims to enhance the efficiency, flexibility, and reliability of Units 5 and 6, which have been operational since 1972. The modernization will support GRDA’s efforts to meet evolving grid demands and improve market responsiveness. Additionally, research from this project may benefit other pumped storage facilities across the U.S. The project, beginning in mid-February 2025, is part of GRDA’s broader initiative to ensure a reliable electricity supply, including the construction of a new 420-MW gas generating unit at the Grand River Energy Center.

Welcoming Ken Carney to the KMEA Mid-States Team!

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We are excited to introduce Ken Carney as the newest member of the KMEA Mid-States family. Ken joined us on January 21, 2025, as a Field Services Foreman, bringing with him a lot of experience.

Ken’s journey began in Abilene, Kansas, where he was born and raised. At the age of 16, he moved to Ropesville, Texas, where he completed his high school education. It was in Ropesville that Ken and his brother embarked on an entrepreneurial adventure, starting a business building grain elevator parts.

Ken’s professional journey took him to Great Plains, where he dedicated 10 years of service, followed by a remarkable 25-year tenure at Solomon Corporation.

Katie Hodge Honored with 2024 Early Career Excellence Award by KACM

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Katie Hodge, the City Manager for Osage City was honored with the Kansas Association of City/County Management (KACM) 2024 Early Career Excellence Award.

Since its creation in 2013, the Early Career Excellence Award has honored emerging professionals who showcase excellence and the potential to make a substantial impact in their field. Katie’s commitment and successes in public service have marked her as a standout professional.

Katie is a KMGA Executive Committee member and serves on the KMGA Board of Directors.

Complete the 2024 Annual City Questionnaire

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The 2024 Annual City Questionnaire is now available. Your participation is crucial as the data collected will help us calculate annual dues accurately.

Please take a moment to complete the questionnaire electronically by clicking the link provided in the flyer below.

The deadline for submission is February 24, 2025.

FERC Approves SPP’s Markets+ Tariff, Paving the Way for 2027 Launch

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The Southwest Power Pool’s (SPP) proposed Markets+ service achieved a significant milestone on January 16 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval of its tariff. Markets+, a regional day-ahead energy market developed in collaboration with over 30 western entities, is set to launch in 2027. This approval allows participants to proceed to phase two of development, which includes system development, testing, and parallel operations.

President Trump Appoints Mark Christie as FERC Chairman

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On January 20, President Trump appointed Mark Christie as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Christie began his term as a FERC Commissioner on January 4, 2021, following his nomination by President Trump in July 2020 and subsequent confirmation by the U.S. Senate on November 30, 2020. Immediately before joining FERC, Christie was the Chairman of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), on which he served for nearly 17 years, having been elected three times by the Virginia legislature on bipartisan votes. During his service as a state regulator, he was elected president of the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI), representing 13 states and the District of Columbia in the PJM transmission and markets organization, and served on its governing board for over a decade.