Entries by KMEA

Neil Rowland Retires from KMEA

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After four decades of service to the energy industry, Neil retired on May 3rd.

Neil graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from Oklahoma State University. His first job right out of college was in 1985 with the then Missouri Public Service as a load dispatcher. Subsequently, he held many titles, including transmission operator, technical services engineer, energy trader, day-ahead energy trader, and finally manager of wholesale operations. He began his employment with KMEA in 2007 to take the position of Director of Operations. Neil then took the position of Director of Transmission and Security, a title he held until retirement.

2024 KMEA and KMGA Virtual Board of Directors Meetings

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The KMEA (Kansas Municipal Energy Agency) and KMGA (Kansas Municipal Gas Agency) held their respective Board of Directors meetings on May 1, 2024. These meetings saw great attendance from representatives of 49 cities for the KMEA meeting and 29 cities for the KMGA meeting.

During the KMGA meeting, Mike Meyer reviewed the 2023 financials, Paul Mahlberg gave a presentation on Future Natural Gas Supply, Terri Pemberton presented the general Counsel Report, and Dixie Riedel presented the Gas Director’s Report.

PHMSA grant opportunity set to open for 2024

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The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is set to open the 2024 notice of funding opportunity for the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastrucute Safety and Moderniztion Grant.  This opportunity will be announced through the www.grants.gov website.  PHMSA held a webinar on May 6th to review changes and announce the details of the grant.  According to APGA the timeline to apply will be six weeks from the time of formal announcement.  Communities interested in the opportunity and would like to review the slides from the webinar are encouraged to visit the NGDISM website linked above.  If you should have any questions, please contact Kansas Municipal Gas Agency.

EPA power plant rule targets coal. Does that spell trouble for the grid?

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Piles of coal parked at the entrance of Baltimore Harbor are the gateway to one of the biggest fossil fuel plants in the mid-Atlantic region.

After years of public debate and litigation brought by the Sierra Club, the 1,283-megawatt Brandon Shores coal-burning power station is expected to close in 2025 under an agreement with its owner. If the plant retires, it will be another step in the nation’s decisive shift away from coal generation.

But Brandon Shores is also seen by some grid officials as a poster child for the threat to electric reliability posed by the quickening pace of closures of fossil fuel plants. And it illustrates the distance U.S. climate policy has to go to both usher polluting plants off the grid while guaranteeing electricity can be generated and shipped from elsewhere to meet rising demand. It’s a dynamic underscored by EPA’s power plant rule release last week, which calls for coal generating plants and large new natural gas plants to capture most carbon emissions by 2032 or get on a retirement schedule. The rules could be eased in grid emergencies.

Quinday wins Edgar P. Schowalter Award

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KMEA President Jon Quinday wins the Edgar P. Schowalter award at the annual Kansas Municipal Utilities Conference held in Wichita on April 25th.  The Schowalter Award is the highest award presented by KMU.  The award is given to recognize individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the municipal utility industry. The award is given annually to a manager, employee or policy maker from one of KMU’s member municipal utilities.  Jon continues to display great leadership throughout his community and organization that he dutifully serves.  Congratulations to Jon on this prestigious award.

KCC accepts applications for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

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The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has been awarded a $1.9 million Block Grant from the Department of Energy (DOE). The grant is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Under the Program, States may make subawards to local governments (counties and cities) who did not directly receive federal grants under the Program.

The KCC intends to support with this Program through subgrants to local governments to help fund projects to replace traffic signals and/or street lighting with energy efficient lighting technology with a particular focus to rural, underserved and disadvantaged communities in Kansas.

Governor Kelly Announces KMW to Invest $105M in Sterling, Create 251 New Jobs in Kansas

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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that KMW, a precision manufacturer of agricultural front loaders, backhoes, and other attachments, will invest $105 million to construct a new North American headquarters and state-of-the-art production facility in Sterling. The venture will create 251 new jobs, resulting in a local workforce of 485.

“There’s no doubt – this investment will grow our economy and create more opportunities for Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our efforts to make Kansas one of the most pro-business states in the country is paying off for workers everywhere, including our rural communities.”

KMW selected Sterling in Rice County after a rigorous competition among Midwestern states. In addition to the headquarters, moving to the 151-acre site on the north side of Sterling will allow KMW to continue growing its manufacturing capabilities.

KMEA Needs your Feedback

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KMEA values your input and aims to better meet your needs. Your feedback will help us prioritize and improve the services we provide. Please take a moment to complete our survey. In the survey, please rank five services that you believe are most essential to our membership according to priority. Your insights will guide our efforts to serve you better.

April 18th, Lineworker Appreciation Day

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National Lineworker Appreciation Day, observed on April 18 every year, honors the efforts of both women and men who work diligently to keep our lights on. These dedicated lineworkers labor around the clock to ensure that electricity flows through our communities, even in the most challenging conditions.
Let’s take a moment to express our gratitude to these brave individuals who keep our cities illuminated!