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This year’s program featured: • Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer, • Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman, • Chairman of the House Taxation Committee Steven Johnson, and • Chairman of the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee Joe Seiwert. Members and Staff had the opportunity to meet with legislators over lunch and joined KMU for a legislative reception following the days activities.
Staff attended a retirement reception for John Sweet on January 17th. John has been the City Administrator at the City of Lyons since January 2002 and plans to retire March 30th. Throughout the years, John has been a strong advocate for the City of Lyons, the State of Kansas and KMEA/KMGA member cities. John will now have the time take long helicopter rides and embrace the gift he was given, a book entitled “How to Overcome Shyness”, with step-by-step instructions, exercises, and proven advice for dealing with shyness in any situation. We all wish John the best as he begins the next chapter in his life!
LOUISBURG — For the first time in Miami County history, two Louisburg businesses have been named as recipients of a Kansas City metro area business award.
Thinking Bigger Business Media recently announced that Thirsty Coconut and Meridian Business Services, both located in Louisburg, were among the winners of the 17th annual “25 Under 25” awards.
The awards are presented to 25 local businesses with fewer than 25 employees. An independent panel of judges consisting of area business leaders chose the winning companies. Nearly 1,500 nominations were submitted.
When the list was released, it was big news for Louisburg and Miami County as the two local companies were on it.
“The nomination process for that award is not easy,” said Janet McRae, Miami County economic development director. “To have one local business considered, let alone two, reflects…..
Amid freezing temperatures, natural gas daily index prices have surged over the past several trading periods. Since Dec 25th, Southern Star daily index price has risen $4.12/MMBtu, posting at $6.475/MMBtu for today, Jan 3rd. Enable daily index pricing for the same time period jumped $5.00/MMBtu, posting at $7.575/MMBtu for today.
On Monday, the U.S. burned the most natural gas ever, consuming 143 Bcf of gas to beat the previous high of 142 Bcf set four years ago, as record breaking cold temperatures grip the Eastern half of the continental U.S. Tuesday’s consumption is expected to top 144 Bcf.
The record breaking cold is also impacting natural gas production. Production companies are experiencing “freeze offs” in the field from North Dakota to Texas. Pennsylvania’s Marcellus shale production has also dropped off. Overall estimated output dropped about 20%, according to industry analyst.
Thanks to the City of Goodland and Mitchell Unger for sharing!
C. Diann Burress
1946-2017
Platte City, Missouri- Cheryl “Diann” Burress, 71, Platte City, Missouri passed away on December 13, 2017.
Diann was born September 1, 1946 in Gallatin, Missouri to Sid and Delores (Smith) McFee.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Maxine McFee-Shultz and brother, Leo Don McFee.
Diann joined KMEA at its inception in 1980. Over her career she lead KMEA’s participation in the Mutual Aid Program for Utilities, a cooperative effort of KS associations and agencies to respond to natural disasters and emergencies. She was instrumental in helping cities get power restored after flooding, ice storms and tornadoes. Diann received the Gilbert E. Hansen Jr. Outstanding Award in 2010 in recognition of her significant contributions to municipal joint action and public service power.
Diann loved to travel the country to photograph and explore new places and visit her friends. She enjoyed sewing and creating one-of-a-kind bags and quilts for her friends and family. Diann was extremely talented in finding solutions for just about anything. Her favorite thing to do was spend time with her grandchildren, whom she loved very much. Diann was an extremely creative, generous, loving and a wonderful person. We will miss her dearly – she will live in our hearts forever.
Survivors: husband of 49 years, Richard Burress, of the home; daughter, Trish (David) Cross, Gladstone, MO; brother, Charlie (Pat) Baker, Parkville, MO; nephews, Rick (Daryl) Heldenbrand, Lee’s Summit, MO, Randy (Becky) Heldenbrand, Olathe, KS and Ron Heldenbrand, Olathe, KS; 2 grandchildren, Gavin and Fiona Cross, Gladstone, MO; great-nephew, Ryan Heldenbrand.
Services: 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Poland-Thompson Funeral Home, Cameron. Visitation: 10-11:00 AM, prior to service. Burial: Winston Cemetery, Winston, MO. In lieu of flowers, donation to Wayside Waifs and/or Head for the Cure.
 Dogwood Energy Center |
 Buckeye Wind Farm |
Kansas Municipal Energy Agency was formed under Kansas Law back in 1980. The Agency was authorized by state statute, to plan, finance and construct projects for the purchase, sale, generation and transmission of electricity for the purpose of securing an adequate, economical and reliable supply of electricity and other energy for its members.
Two such projects are nearing completion that meets the original intent and mission of your Agency – the Dogwood Energy Facility and the Buckeye Wind Farm.
Five member cities are participating in the Dogwood Project. The cities of Garden City, Gardner, Lindsborg, Ottawa and Russell have signed up for 62 megawatts of capacity and energy from the Dogwood Energy Facility, a 650 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle plant located in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Under this project, KMEA will buy an ownership interest in the facility. Just this past week, the KMEA Board of Directors approved such financing and it is expected that we will close on the transaction in February 2018.
The natural gas market appears hesitant to react to forecasted temperatures well-below-average for the eastern half of the U.S. through the middle of December. Overall US demand levels for December are projected to average 94.1 Bcf/day, exceeded only by December 2013 ahead of the polar vortex winter and December 2016 when NYMEX prices were near $4/MMBtu. Over the last four trading sessions, the January NYMEX has dropped 19.4 cents. Currently the NYMEX Henry Hub Gas Futures contract average price for 2018 is at $2.92/MMBtu.
Instead, the emphasis has been placed on strong production levels. Growth in natural gas demand remains robust. Pipeline exports to Mexico and consumption in the chemical sector are surging, exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have reached 2 Bcf/d, and utilities are moving toward fast-cycling natural gas plants to complement increasing amounts of intermittent renewables on the grid. Each of these components have increased natural gas demand in recent years. However, natural gas production growth has kept pace. Current national production levels continue well above 76 Bcf/d, more than 5 Bcf/d above year-ago levels.
On December 6, 2017, municipal gas utilities met in Humbolt to discuss pooling of resources to better meet Operator Qualification (OQ) training and certification. The meeting was facilitated by Dixie Riedel, Gas Director for KMGA and was hosted by the City of Humbolt. This meeting was held for cities in the Eastern part of the State. Another meeting was held on November 30, 2017 and it included cities in the South Central part of the State. The meeting goals are to facilitate the pooling of municipal gas utilities that are located in the same region and to work together to better train and certify staff as well as support other communities in the pool.
In 1999, the Operator Qualification (OQ) rule was adopted into the Code of Federal Regulations. The rule requires natural gas pipeline operators to document that certain employees have been adequately trained to recognize and react to abnormal operating conditions that may occur while performing specific tasks. OQ records must be made available for inspection by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC).
We have made contact with 31 municipals across Kansas regarding OQ Planning. Discussions from these meetings have proven both the need and willingness for cities to work together and assisting one another. Regional meetings will continue to be held in the upcoming months.
