Governor Kelly Announces Launch of $200M Build Kansas Fund to Accelerate Transformative Community Infrastructure Projects

/in /by

On September 19,2023 Governor Laura Kelly, alongside the Kansas Infrastructure Hub (KIH), announced the launch of the Build Kansas Fund, which provides state matching dollars to Kansas communities for infrastructure projects approved under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

The Build Kansas Fund will invest $200 million directly into Kansas communities to support projects that include water, transportation, energy, cybersecurity, and broadband through Fiscal Year 2027.

“The Build Kansas Fund makes it possible for communities across the state to seize the tremendous opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” Governor Kelly said. “These matching dollars empower our local leaders to forge ahead with projects that will grow our economy, connect people and businesses to high-speed internet, and build safer infrastructure that improves life for all Kansans.”

Governor Kelly announced the creation of the KIH in 2022 to ensure Kansas has an effective and efficient distribution of the funds received from BIL. The Kansas Infrastructure Hub, a coordinating body comprised of representatives from the Kansas Departments of Administration, Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Environment and Transportation, along with the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas Water Office, will manage the Build Kansas Fund, offering technical assistance, tracking funds, and promoting grant opportunities.

“The Kansas Infrastructure Hub has been working diligently to unite cross-sector stakeholders around Kansas’ infrastructure priorities,” said Calvin Reed, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation. “We look forward to supporting Build Kansas Fund applicants as they strive to optimize their BIL projects’ potential.”

Eligible entities include Kansas state agencies, counties, municipalities, special districts, community organizations, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes that have or intend to apply for a federal BIL program requiring a non-federal match.

The Build Kansas Fund Application is live. Entities can apply via the Kansas Infrastructure Hub website at: https://kshub.org/ks-infrastructure-hub-build

To learn more about the Kansas Infrastructure Hub, visit: kshub.org

KCC Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity For Subgrants to Eligible Entities to Improve the Resilience of the Electric Grid

/in /by

KCC announced notice of funding opportunity to provide guidance to eligible entities (electric grid operators, electricity storage operators, electricity generators, transmission owners or operators, distribution provider and fuel suppliers or other entities determined by the DOE) for preparation of subgrant applications to be submitted to the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) in response to Section 40101(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

Under this Program, the Department of Energy (DOE) provides grants to States to improve the resilience of their electric grid against disruptive events. A disruptive event, as defined by the Program, is “an event in which operations of the electric grid are disrupted, preventively shut off, or cannot operate safely due to extreme weather, wildfire, or a natural disaster.”

Click HERE for more…

La Crosse adds new CAT generator

/in /by

The City of La Crosse purchased a new 2 MW CAT generator.  KMEA is assisting the City of La Crosse with the installation of the new generator.  This generator will sit in the spot of an engine that was taken out of service several decades ago.  Also, another key decision point to purchasing this new engine was a key engine in the plant had piston issues that is very costly to repair.  The new generator arrived onsite at the power plant Thursday, September 17th.  KMEA, Foley Power Solutions, and the City of Lacrosse are targeting to have the generator up and running before the end of the year.  The new generator will be more automated than the existing generation for easier operations.  The CAT generator will come online faster which allows for faster service to the customers when the utility is lost.

Lindsborg takes delivery of second transformer at substation

/in /by

KMEA is assisting the City of Lindsborg to expand their existing substation with the addition of the second transformer.  In 2022 the City of Lindsborg city council authorized the purchase of the current transformer at the substation from Evergy and add a new 10 MVA transformer.   The goal for this project was to control redundancy and reliability for the city as the current transformer ages.  A key factor in the decision to purchase the old transformer was the peak load on the old transformer was reaching the limit of their 7/10 MVA transformer which serves the city.  The 10 MVA transformer was installed at the substation on Friday, August 18th with operation date expected later this fall.  By adding the second transformer, the City will have the ability to split the load between the two transformers.  It will also allow for maintenance on either transformer without having to take an outage or bring in temporary substations or generation.

4 takeaways from the grid’s record-breaking summer

/in /by

Grid monitors issued dire warnings ahead of the summer that Americans could face blackouts during an extreme heat wave — but so far, that hasn’t happened.

Why?

There isn’t a simple answer for the grid’s stability despite record-breaking heat — new wind turbines, solar panels and batteries played a major role on the hottest days, but gas and coal plants remained a bedrock. Grid operators and utilities say they’re better prepared for extreme weather. And there was a dash of luck, suggesting that the outcome could have been worse.

There’s also still plenty of summer to go, and there are signs of strain.

A heat dome continues to scorch the Midwest and Southeast. The grid operators Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which covers parts of 15 states, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued alerts this week signaling tight conditions. On Thursday, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) covering the central U.S. announced an emergency event requiring generators to take additional steps to meet demand but didn’t institute rolling blackouts.

 

Click HERE to read more…

KMEA Develops New Five Year Strategic Plan

/in /by

On July 26th and 27th in Salina member city representatives, KMEA staff, and Steve VanderMeer, the moderator, worked on developing a new 5 year strategic plan for the agency.  This exercise helps define the needs of KMEA members from power supply, member services, supply chain, and operational needs of their utilities to name a few, and how KMEA can support those initiatives.  This exercise also develops the needs of KMEA from staffing, facilities, technology, equipment, etc. to help support our members.  This plan will be presented to the Executive Committee in the future and ultimately presented to the full membership for acceptance.  The goal of Strategic Plan for KMEA is to be the trusted partner providing industry-leading service and innovative solutions to our member communities.

 

KMEA Dighton Line Crew assists Garden City

/in /by

The KMEA Dighton Lineman Services crew headed to Garden City, Kansas to assist with line work July 24th through July 27th. They assisted with hauling, framing, and setting poles. They helped with moving and wiring a transformer bank, transferring service, and energizing secondary. KMEA line crew worked side by side with the Garden City crew.  Garden City is a participant in the regional line crew program that utilizes the KMEA line crew to aid in the maintenance and repair of multiple member city’s electric utility.

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

/in /by

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.

Click HERE to read more…

KMGA Regional Meetings

/in /by

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 to build relationships and networking opportunities. The first meeting was in McPherson in May. They met twice in July, first in Humboldt and then in Spearville. The members just met a couple days ago, on August 1st in Moundridge. The last meeting of the year will be on August 15th in Osage City.