Meet Gideon, KMEA’s IT Specialist

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We are thrilled to introduce Gideon Adjei, the newest addition to our team as the IT Specialist, Gideon brings a wealth of experience, passion for innovation, and a proven track record of network installations and creating IT related programs.

Born with an inherent curiosity for technology, although with a BSc in Business Administration, Gideon Adjei embarked on his journey into the realm of IT after he moved to the USA. Growing up fascinated by computers and their potential, he pursued a career in IT after enrolling in SnapIT Solution programs. His academic prowess and natural aptitude for problem-solving laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable career.

Professional Journey:

Gideon’s professional journey is a testament to his dedication and adaptability in the fast-paced IT industry. He cut his teeth working for TNN CompuTech where he quickly rose through the ranks due to his keen insights and ability to navigate complex technological challenges. His experience at TNN CompuTech equipped him with a holistic understanding of IT operations and management.

Leadership and Achievements:

His role at the Office of Apprenticeship as the IT Sector Coordinator showcased his talent for creating new IT related programs and ensuring programs are in line with Federal standards. His commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements has stood the test of time.

Gideon is a visionary professional who believes in the power of technology to transform businesses. His approach is rooted in collaboration, open communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement. He envisions an IT landscape where every technological challenge is an opportunity for growth and innovation.

Joining KMEA

Now, as he joins our team at KMEA, Gideon brings his wealth of experience and forward-thinking mindset to propel us into the digital future. His strategic vision aligns seamlessly with our commitment to staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving IT domain.

As we welcome Gideon Adjei to our family, we eagerly anticipate the positive impact he will undoubtedly make on our IT infrastructure. His journey is not just a story of professional growth but a narrative of how passion, dedication, and a forward-thinking mindset can shape the future of technology.

APPA Seeks Community Input

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APPA’s 2022 Survey of Payment and Contributions to the State and Local Government is available. Public power utilities with at least 50 percent retail sales according to 2022 EIA data, with a few exceptions, are eligible to participate in the survey. Joint Action Agencies who have at least five (5) members that complete the survey can receive a custom, aggregated cut of the data among just their members.

The information collected on this form is used by APPA to quantify the benefits public power utilities provide to their state and local communities. The direct payments, free services, and other contributions municipal electric utilities provide to local government can be a significant portion of their electric operating revenues. However, these services are commonly under-reported or not reported at all. One purpose of this survey is to help public power utilities recognize and account for all the contributions they are making to their communities. This is essential information to have available to demonstrate to customers and the city government the full benefits of public power. In addition, the information collected on this form will help APPA counter arguments of competitors and opponents that public power utilities do not pay taxes, and therefore do not contribute to local communities.

 

Results from this survey will be used to create APPA’s Public Power Pays Back report, which is a free report that highlights public power’s contributions to their communities through property-like taxes, payments in lieu of taxes, transfers to the general fund, and free or reduced cost services provided to states and cities. This data is also used in APPA’s Statistical Report to highlight public power’s benefit to the community.

 

Submissions are due March 21, 2024.

Survey link:

http://publicpower.APPA-2022-Survey-of-Tax-Payments-and-Contributions.alchemer.com/s3/

 

You can preview a PDF of the survey here:

https://www.publicpower.org/system/files/documents/20240122-2022-Public-Power-Tax-Payments-and-Contributions-Final-Survey.pdf

 

Governor Kelly Announces Six Fast Charging EV Locations

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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that more than $4.6 million in federal funds will be directed to the first six locations selected for the state’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula program. With existing fast-charging stations spread across the I-70 and I-135 corridors, these selected locations will fill gaps in EV charging stations along the state’s major highways and interstate system. 

“As more electric cars and trucks make their way onto Kansas roadways, they will need access to adequate charging facilities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “With these awards, we’ll ensure electric vehicle charging stations are accessible to all Kansans for local and long-distance trips.” 

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Elective Pay Credit Online Portal Now Open

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The Internal Revenue Service on Dec. 22 unveiled the IRS Energy Credits Online pre-filing registration tool for taxpayers who intend to receive a direct payment or transfer a clean energy credit.

Established by the Inflation Reduction Act, elective pay (or “direct pay”) and transferability are credit monetization mechanisms to help states, local governments, non-profits, and other eligible entities access clean energy tax credits.

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KMEA Annual Questionnaire now available

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Dear KMEA members, it is that time of year again to participate in the annual survey of the membership. You will be receiving an email soon with the link to the form or you can follow the link here to get started.

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Seneca City Council discusses Substation and Generation Projects

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On December 20th KMEA staff presented options for discussion on a new substation and generation project to the city of Seneca City Council.

Several months ago, Evergy proposed substantial upgrades to the substation that currently serves Seneca and the local Rural Electric Cooperative.   Seneca staff reached out to KMEA for review of the Evergy plan and potential additional cost to the city if this project got completed.  KMEA and city staff quickly put a list of options together for presentation to the Seneca city council.  The city council reviewed five different options at the meeting.  These options consisted of Evergy moving forward on the rebuilding of the current substation to Seneca city adding a substation along with three generating units to the city’s electric department.  Currently Seneca does not have generating capacity as part of their electric utility.   “The goal for the city is to provide the most reliable and economic utility possible” says Steve Brooks, city manager.

The city council reviewed all the options and gave city staff and KMEA instructions to evaluate the options and evaluate what impact these options would have on the city’s retail rates to the customers.  KMEA and city staff will present the requested information at a meeting in January.

FERC Accepts CAISO Tariff Changes for Western Day-Ahead Electricity Market

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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in December accepted changes to the California Independent System Operator’s tariff that will enable it to launch a Western day-ahead electricity market.

The acceptance of Western day-ahead market rules by FERC was paired with approval of another significant set of ISO tariff changes that will provide important day-ahead market enhancements.

Collectively, these new rules are known as the Day-Ahead Market Enhancements (DAME) and the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM).

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Grid Monitor Warns of Blackout Risks as Coal Plants Retire

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Rolling blackouts are a rising threat across the U.S. as aging power grids collide with extreme weather, rising electricity demand and a shift to cleaner fuels, the nation’s top grid monitor warned Wednesday.

In a report, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said most regions of the country face growing risks of inadequate electricity supplies during periods of extreme cold and heat over the coming decade. Major wind and solar power projects that could serve metropolitan areas aren’t being built fast enough as power companies shut down old coal plants.

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SPP marks milestones and progress across western efforts in early November

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LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Since 2019 when Southwest Power Pool (SPP) officially became a reliability coordinator for several utilities in the Western Interconnection, the grid operator has steadily grown its western customer base and portfolio of western services. The first two weeks of November 2023 have seen SPP make significant progress in continuing to advance three of those services: its operation of the Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) on behalf of Western Power Pool; Markets+, SPP’s proposed bundle of day-ahead and real-time market services; and expansion of SPP’s regional transmission organization (RTO) services into the Western Interconnection.

On November 1, an important element of the Western Power Pool’s WRAP, for which SPP is the program operator and responsible for technical implementation of the program’s design, became operational. The WRAP’s operations program produces updated forecasts each season to help determine if participants will have sufficient resources, and it enables anyone with a deficit to secure additional resources. The operations program will remain non-binding for a period, meaning that no financial charges or deficiency payments will be assessed, but it is now fully functional and available to enhance system reliability.

“SPP is grateful for our partnership with Western Power Pool and the opportunity to help assure resource adequacy for their member utilities,” said Casey Cathey, SPP’s Senior Director of Grid Asset Utilization who has led SPP’s efforts as WRAP program operator. “We understand the importance of both resource adequacy and regionalization, and are proud of the work we’ve done to advance both causes for WRAP participants.”

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Florida Municipal Power Agency Voices Concerns About EPA Proposed Greenhouse Gas Rule

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The Florida Municipal Power Agency recently filed comments with the Environmental Protection Agency voicing concerns about EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas rule for electric utilities.

The rule, which targets CO2 emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants, presents unique challenges in Florida, FMPA noted.

FMPA is a wholesale power agency owned by municipal electric utilities in Florida.

Florida relies on natural gas generation for 75% of its power supply, “by far the highest percentage in the United States. It would be one of the most impacted states by EPA’s proposed rule, which would introduce experimental ‘green’ hydrogen to partially fuel natural gas power plants by 2032,” FMPA said in a news release related to the comments.

The Florida Reliability Coordinating Council also filed comments on the proposed rule. The FRCC reported the rule would likely reduce natural gas generation levels between 20% to 40% for natural gas units, creating significant reliability risks in Florida, FMPA pointed out.

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