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

Register here.

We look forward to seeing you in Wichita for the KMEA Board Meeting and online for the KMGA Board Meeting.

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.

For more information or to apply, click the link below or contact the Human Resources Department at cityclerk@osawatomieks.org or 913-755-2146 if you  have questions.

Click HERE for more information and to apply.

KMEA Staff and Member Cities Attend APPA Legislative Rally in DC

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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.

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.

The storm’s impact was particularly notable on February 20th, a day marked by several significant events. Many LMPs/pricing nodes in the SPP Marketplace surpassed $500/MWh between 5:30 am and 7:00 am, reflecting the extreme demand for electricity. The SPP set a new record winter peak of approximately 47,533 MW during the morning peak, surpassing the previous winter peak by nearly 400 MW. Additionally, 14 of KMEA’s registered units ran during the storm, generating a total of approximately 295 MW during the morning and early afternoon.

The extreme cold also shattered long-standing temperature records across Kansas on the morning of February 20th, breaking records that had stood for over 100 years. This unprecedented cold contributed to the Southern Star pipeline setting a new record, reaching 3.09 billion cubic feet of gas demand on their system. The same day also saw the highest gas usage for KMGA LDC cities during the storm, with consumption peaking at 23,534 MMBtu.

The energy sector’s response to Winter Storm Kingston underscores the importance of preparedness and adaptability in the face of extreme weather events.

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.

Click HERE to read more…

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.

Ken currently resides in Solomon, Kansas, with his wife, Marianna. They have three daughters and are proud grandparents to nine grandchildren. Family is at the heart of Ken’s life, and he cherishes the time he spends with his loved ones. Ken and his daughters used to show horses.

In his free time, Ken loves to go fishing and enjoys the company of his grandchildren. His hobbies reflect his love for the outdoors and his commitment to family.

We are confident that Ken’s expertise, dedication, and passion will be invaluable to our team. Please join us in welcoming Ken Carney to KMEA Mid-States!

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.

Congratulations to Katie on this well-deserved recognition!

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.

We greatly appreciate your time and effort in contributing to this important process.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication.

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. The tariff filing, a result of extensive collaboration, reflects diverse stakeholder perspectives. Key entities like the Bonneville Power Administration and several Arizona utilities have committed to phase two, highlighting the market’s potential to enhance reliability and provide economic benefits across the Western Interconnection.

Click HERE to read more.

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. Additionally, Christie served as president of the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (MACRUC), a regional chapter of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).

Click Here to read more.