MMUA Digest: Congratulate Smart Energy Providers, Minnesota Energy Assistance Program update, Superior WI designs broadband utility, and more

News of the week

November 20, 2024

Minnesota municipal utilities named

APPA Smart Energy Providers

Several Minnesota municipal utilities have been named as “Smart Energy Providers” by the American Public Power Association. The designation goes to utilities that have demonstrated a history of commitment and accomplishment in the areas of smart energy planning, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, environmental and sustainability programs, and communication and customer experience. The designation lasts for three years.

The following municipal utilities have earned this designation for 2024.

Austin Utilities
Owatonna Public Utilities
Rochester Public Utilities
Saint Peter Municipal Utilities (pictured above)

MMUA congratulates this year’s designees as well as continuing designees Elk River Municipal Utilities and Moorhead Public Service.

Click here for more details.

Minnesota ground water research identifies levels of neonicotinoid insecticide

The University of Minnesota has completed new research that measures insecticide levels in Minnesota ground water. Learn about the extent of the contamination including a map that identifies different classes of contamination and next steps that are involved to help mitigate the risk.

Read full article here.

Credit: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Minnesota Energy Assistance Program receives federal funds

On November 14, Governor Walz announced that the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program had received $112 million in federal funds.

The program, which is administered by the Department of Commerce, awarded 129,500 households with energy assistance funds last year. This year’s funding will include an increase in the benefit to the average household.

Two-thirds of participating households are outside of the Twin Cities metro area.

Learn more here.

Superior Wisconsin works through final designs for city broadband utility

The Superior, Wisconsin Communications and Information Technology Committee approved three agreements to begin implementing its plans for a city broadband utility, which will be called “ConnectSuperior.”

Mi-Tech was selected to engineer 170 miles of the network, and a document was approved that will provide for maintenance of the system as well as connection of residents to the new network. They also approved an agreement that will allow ConnectSuperior to manage the business side of the network hub.

Phase one of the project will allow 850 homes and businesses to sign up for access to fiber network.

Learn more here.

Funding opportunities

Local Climate Action Grants

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking proposals for grants that will allow local governments to prepare for and prevent the worst effects of climate change.

Projects in this grant’s area include funding renewable energy projects, efficiency work, or planning for climate change impacts.

MPCA is making $3 million in funds available through two grant opportunities, Local Climate Action Planning Grants and Local Climate Action Implementation Grants. Applications are due by January 9, 2025.

Learn more here.

Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs

The US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (also known as NOFO) for grants available to municipal utilities. This opportunity provides assistance to communities and regions in devising and implementing long-term economic development efforts through a variety of non-construction and construction projects.

Project funding investments range from $600,000 to $5 million. To learn more about these grants click here.

Upcoming events

Save the date:

2025 Legislative Conference

January 28–29, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul Downtown

MMUA’s Legislative Conference is one of the municipal utility community’s primary opportunities to inform and influence state lawmakers. Registration will open this month.

Check the event page on MMUA's website for additional details.

As always, thank you for your association with MMUA and your commitment to delivering excellent service through locally owned utility assets in your community. Have a great week!

Jennifer Williams

Director of Marketing and Member Relations

Direct: 763-746-0727 / Cell: 651-202-0997

jwilliams@mmua.org | www.mmua.org

Hometown services. Hometown strengths. Hometown solutions.