Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $200 Million in States and Tribal Nations to Modernize America’s Electrical Grid

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nine states and three tribal nations as the third cohort to receive a combined total of $207.6 million in Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants. Supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, these grants will help modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts of climate-driven extreme weather and natural disasters while also ensuring power sector reliability. This funding will ensure all communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity while helping deliver on the President’s ambitious clean energy goals.

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Solar for All

On June 28, 2023, EPA released the $7 billion Solar for All Notice of Funding Opportunity. Through this competition, Solar for All will award up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment—enabling millions of low-income households to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy.

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Barry Hodges received the APPA’s Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award

Barry Hodges, City Clerk/Administrator of the city of Minneapolis was awarded the Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award at the American Public Power Association’s annual conference held in Seattle, Washington.  This award recognizes managers of small utilities serving fewer than 2,500 meters. These managers have a very small staff and must assume multiple roles.  Congratulations to Barry for his recognition of the Larry Hobart Seven Hats award.

Mike Muirhead receives APPA’s Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award

Mike Muirhead, Director of Public Works and Utilities for Garden City received the Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award as part of the American Public Power Association’s annual conference held in Seattle, Washington.  This award recognizes managers at a utility, joint action agency, or state or regional association who steer their organizations to new levels of excellence, lead by example, and inspire staff to do better.  Mike has served in his current role leading the city through multiple projects and transitions for 12 years.  Mike has also served in leadership roles for KMEA and KMU, serving multiple officer positions in each organization.  Congratulations to Mike for this well deserved award.

2023 Golf Outing and Joint EMP Meeting

The 2023 Golf Outing and Joint EMP meeting took place on June 7th and 8th in Salina, KS. We had 29 golfers participate in the Golf Outing at Lindsborg Golf Club.

On Thursday morning prior to the Joint EMP meeting some members toured the Sunbelt Solomon Transformer Facility in Solomon, KS.

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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