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

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.

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City of Ottawa is Hiring Journey Level Lineman

The City of Ottawa, Kansas is recruiting for a Journey Level Lineman.  The Journey Level Lineman performs skilled work in the construction and maintenance of the electric distribution system for the City of Ottawa. The employee in this position is responsible for exercising judgment as to the details of assigned work within prescribed operating procedures. The Journey Level Lineman is responsible for maintenance of power lines, electrical equipment, and transformers. Work is performed according to departmental procedures, practices, and safety regulations. A combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. High school diploma or equivalent. Minimum of five years of experience with a construction crew on electrical distribution, including four years in an approved apprentice program. Must maintain a valid Kansas CDL.

Competitive wage and benefits package. Wage range for this position is $ 23.99 to $34.78 per hour.  EOE.

Click HERE to apply!

 

Job Openings at the City of Russell

The City of Russell is seeking professional and community-oriented individuals for four full-time positions.
The City of Russell is situated at the crossroads of Interstate 70 and US Highway 281. We are a community that is dedicated to family, friends, and neighbors, where generations care for each other. We are One Russell, building a self-reliant future. We are home.
The City of Russell offers a very progressive benefit package. Benefits include vacation and sick leave, uniforms, family health insurance, family dental and vision plans, KPERS retirement program, and several other optional benefit programs.

 

Power Plant Operator

This position includes maintaining continuous operation of the generating units, monitoring the City’s connection with other electric utility systems, and delivering the necessary electrical power to the City’s electrical system. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D and have a valid Driver’s License. Applicants must establish residency in Russell County within 6 months of hire date. Pre-employment drug screening, background check, and job placement assessment are required.
Applications and a full job description may be obtained at www.russellcity.org or at The City of Russell, 133 W. 8th, Russell, KS 67665. Completed applications can be submitted in person, online, faxed to 785-483-4397 or emailed to alice@russellcity.org. Position is open until filled, applications will be reviewed upon receipt. EEO/ADA

 

Electric Serviceman

Under the direction of the Electric Utility Director and Distribution Superintendent. The Electric Serviceman position involves skilled and technical electrical work in the installation, maintenance, and repair of the City’s distribution system, electric generators, meters, and related equipment. Primary duties include the installation, testing, inspecting, and repairing of electronic revenue metering equipment including instrument transformers, and related hardware. Assist with operating meter/instrument rated test equipment required to test and diagnose electric metering circuit and equipment. Work with alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) circuits from 48 to 600 volts. Service work to maintain and troubleshoot the electric distribution system.
Must have a Journeyman Lineman Certification and graduated from an accredited college or university with an AAS in Electrical Technology or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. and have a valid Driver’s License with the ability to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License within twelve months of employment. Applicants must also establish residency in the City of Russell 6 months from hire date. Pre-employment drug screening, background check, and job placement assessment are required.
Applications and a full job description may be obtained at www.russellcity.org or at The City of Russell, 133 W. 8th, Russell, KS 67665. Completed applications can be submitted in person, online, faxed to 785-483-4397 or emailed to alice@russellcity.org. Position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. EEO/ADA

 

Electric Journeyman Lineman

This position includes the construction, repair, and maintenance of the City of Russell’s overhead and underground Electric Distribution and Transmission systems, which are vital to providing power to our community. Employees will be provided on-the-job training with opportunities for continuing education. Applicant is required to possess a journeyman certification.
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. and have a valid Driver’s License with the ability to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License within six months of employment. Applicants must also establish residency in the City of Russell 6 months from hire date. Pre-employment drug screening, background check, and job placement assessment are required.
Applications and a full job description may be obtained at www.russellcity.org or at The City of Russell, 133 W. 8th, Russell, KS 67665. Completed applications may be submitted in person, online, faxed to 785-483-4397 or emailed to alice@russellcity.org. Position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. EEO/ADA

 

Electric Apprentice Lineman

This position includes the construction, repair, and maintenance of the City of Russell’s overhead and underground Electric Distribution and Transmission systems, which are vital to providing power to our community. Employees will be provided with on-the-job training with opportunities for certification and continuing education.
Applicants for the position must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. and have a valid Driver’s License with the ability to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License within twelve months of employment. Applicants must also establish residency in Russell County within 6 months of the hire date. Pre-employment background, drug screening and job placement assessment are required.
Applications and a full job description may be obtained at www.russellcity.org or at The City of Russell, 133 W. 8th, Russell, KS 67665. Completed applications can be submitted in person, online, faxed to 785-483-4397 or emailed to alice@russellcity.org. Position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. EEO/ADA

EPA power plant rules are coming. Are utilities ready?

In the nearly eight years since EPA announced the nation’s first carbon emissions limits on power plants, the utility sector has undergone a rapid shift.

Retirements of coal plants are accelerating, replaced with a flood of wind and solar projects competing to get on the grid. Unlike in the Obama era, the largest U.S. power producers are generally striving to meet net-zero carbon goals.

But new EPA rules set to restrict emissions from power plants will test the limits of the sector’s transition, raising questions about whether businesses are ready to meet President Joe Biden’s most ambitious climate goals. Technologies that can capture and store carbon dioxide are not used at major U.S. power plants, for example, and the ability of utilities to decarbonize faster than currently planned is uncertain.

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Hydrogen and the EPA Power Plant Rule

Upcoming EPA regulations are expected to allow power plants to execute a historic reduction in their emissions partly by burning hydrogen.

But many questions remain about whether hydrogen will be a viable climate tool: Few power plants today are using it at scale, and some industry observers say that unless it is produced through a “clean” process before it reaches a power plant, it may not make a significant dent in U.S. emissions overall.

Currently, most hydrogen is produced with natural gas. While that “gray” hydrogen may emit little or no carbon at a power plant when burned, giving it an advantage over coal and gas, its production is emissions-intensive.

Click HERE to continue reading.

EMP2 Meeting and Solar Farm tour in Beloit

The EMP 2 committee met at the city of Beloit on April 20th.  As part of the meeting the EMP group was able to tour Beloit’s 2 MW solar array.  This array sits on 14.2 acres that the city of Beloit owned and it is expected to produce 4,893 Megawatt hours of energy, which is 10% of the energy demand for the city of Beloit.  Thank you to Jason and Manny for the tour and explanation for everyone that could attend.

City of Sterling’s Substation Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

KMEA had the pleasure to join the city of Sterling at the ribbon cutting for their new substation.  This substation project has doubled the capacity the city can now receive from the transmission provider.  This will also prevent the city from running the power plant during high load situations when the current transformer would not handle the entire load of the city.  Other resiliency improvements will be realized with the addition of this new transformer allowing the city to have back up capabilities when maintenance needs done.  KMEA is proud to be a strategic partner in the project.  Congratulations to the city of Sterling on their upgrades to their community owned utility.

KMU Conference- Award Winners

At the recent KMU conference our members were well represented winning multiple awards. Congratulations to all of the winners. Great job and we thank you for all your hard work and dedication to your community.

City of Ashland is Hiring Lineman

The City of Ashland KS is seeking applicants for the position of electrical lineman. Job responsibility include, but not limited to, the construction and repair of City electrical distribution lines. Prior electrical experience is preferred. Benefits include health insurance, vacation, sick leave, KPERS, and paid holidays, and the salary depends on qualifications and experience. Please contact City Hall at 620-635-2531 or via e-mail at ashland@ucom.net for complete job description and application. Please return completed application and resume to the City of Ashland, 703 Main Street, PO Box 547, Ashland KS 67831. EOE

Kansas EV Infrastructure Call for Projects

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced that the Kansas Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Program is accepting Project Concept Forms for EV charging projects including Direct-current (DC) Fast Charging along Kansas highways, community charging, or other public EV charging projects.

The timeline is as follows:

  • Call for Projects
    • Project Concept Form is attached
  • Kansas EV charging Call for Projects webinars (optional)
    • Thursday, April 13, at 2 p.m. (CDT) or
    • Friday, April 14, at 10 a.m. (CDT)
  • Deadline to email project concept forms – Friday, May 5
  • Project concept forms will be reviewed in May and June
  • Applications emailed from KDOT to approved sponsors – Monday, June 5
  • Application deadline – Friday, July 21
  • Applications reviewed – July and August
  • EV infrastructure awards announced – September

 

Click HERE for more information.