Entries by KMEA

Biden-Harris Administration Launches Rebate Programs for Transformers and Critical Industrial Equipment

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As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $20 million to support the installation of energy efficient distribution transformers and extended product systems that use equipment with electric motors, such as pumps, air compressors, and fans. This funding, made possible by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be distributed through two rebate programs, one focused on transformers and another on extended product systems.

KMGA Regional Meetings

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In 2023, KMGA started to organize regional meetings for the members. The regional meetings provide the opportunity for member cities and KMGA staff to meet in a small group setting.  Information and updates within the natural gas industry and KMGA are shared.  Regional meetings are a great means of meeting personnel from other member cities […]

Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $200 Million in States and Tribal Nations to Modernize America’s Electrical Grid

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As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nine states and three tribal nations as the third cohort to receive a combined total of $207.6 million in Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants. Supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, these grants will help modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts of climate-driven extreme weather and natural disasters while also ensuring power sector reliability. This funding will ensure all communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity while helping deliver on the President’s ambitious clean energy goals.

Solar for All

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On June 28, 2023, EPA released the $7 billion Solar for All Notice of Funding Opportunity. Through this competition, Solar for All will award up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment—enabling millions of low-income households to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy.

Barry Hodges received the APPA’s Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award

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Barry Hodges, City Clerk/Administrator of the city of Minneapolis was awarded the Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award at the American Public Power Association’s annual conference held in Seattle, Washington.  This award recognizes managers of small utilities serving fewer than 2,500 meters. These managers have a very small staff and must assume multiple roles.  Congratulations to Barry for his recognition of the Larry Hobart Seven Hats award.

Mike Muirhead receives APPA’s Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award

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Mike Muirhead, Director of Public Works and Utilities for Garden City received the Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award as part of the American Public Power Association’s annual conference held in Seattle, Washington.  This award recognizes managers at a utility, joint action agency, or state or regional association who steer their organizations to new levels of excellence, lead by example, and inspire staff to do better. 

2023 Golf Outing and Joint EMP Meeting

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The 2023 Golf Outing and Joint EMP meeting took place on June 7th and 8th in Salina, KS. We had 29 golfers participate in the Golf Outing at Lindsborg Golf Club.

On Thursday morning prior to the Joint EMP meeting some members toured the Sunbelt Solomon Transformer Facility in Solomon, KS.

The City of Lincoln is Hiring City Superintendent

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 Position Summary  Under the Governing Body’s supervision, the City Superintendent supervises and participates in the construction and maintenance of municipal public works. This is administrative work concerned with the development, construction and maintenance of varied public works activities.  The employee of this class supervises the city’s divisions of street and park maintenance, sewage treatment, electrical […]

Infrastructure Grant Webinar set for June 22

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Infrastructure Grant Webinar is set for Thursday, June 22 at 11 am. The topics include:
• New USDA Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program (open now!)
• Upcoming Round of Resiliency Funding through the FEAM Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program
• Outlook for Round II of Programs Created through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

FERC aims to fix the grid’s renewable energy backlog. Can it?

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n the fall of 2007, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission raised concerns about how to manage the unprecedented number of renewable energy projects seeking to connect to the U.S. grid.

The agency is still grappling with the issue more than 15 years later — except now, the problem is worse, and the stakes are higher.

FERC is preparing to issue a final rule changing how new energy projects connect to the grid, a top priority for acting Chair Willie Phillips. The commission outlined a proposed rule on the topic last year, with a goal of more efficiently linking up planned solar, wind and battery storage projects, as well as reducing energy costs and making the power grid more reliable.