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Summer Conference follow up
A week later, we at MMUA remain energized and grateful for the time spent with members in Duluth at the 2023 Summer Conference. We thank you again for an incredible experience on the shores of Lake Superior, and we encourage you to watch for reflections on the event from CEO Karleen Kos in the September edition of The Resource.
MMUA would like to remind attendees to please take five minutes to provide feedback on your experience in Duluth. We want to know what you loved and what you'd like to see change in 2024. To fill out the survey, click here.
Looking for handouts? We have posted the resources speakers have provided to date; we’ll add more material if and when it arrives.
Thank you to all those who joined us in Duluth. We can't wait to see you again next year!
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Congratulations and thank you to MMUA’s 2023 award winners
It’s the time of year when MMUA gets to honor the men and women who have made municipal utilities so strong and special in Minnesota.
Last week we announced the winners of this year’s awards. In case you missed them, click here to view the full list of honorees. Media releases for each award, including a description of the award and information on the honoree, will be made available later in the week.
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Hurricane Idalia hits Florida; utilities begin restoration efforts
Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida on Wednesday morning as a category 3 hurricane. Prior to its arrival, hometown utilities and state associations, including MMUA, were preparing for power restoration efforts in the wake of Idalia’s arrival.
“The impacts of Hurricane Idalia, an unprecedented storm for Florida’s Big Bend Region, have currently left more than 251,300 homes and businesses in Florida without power. ,” said Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), on Aug. 30. “Prior to Hurricane Idalia’s landfall, FMEA had assembled more than 350 mutual aid resources from nearly 50 public power utilities across 13 states from as far away as Nebraska and Oklahoma to as near as Alabama and Georgia and from within Florida, along with hundreds of contractors and tree crews,” she noted.
As of 11 a.m. Aug. 30, Florida’s public power utilities had restored power to approximately 52,000 customers. Considering a national leader in mutual efforts, MMUA was active earlier in the week preparing Minnesotan crews to send to the gulf coast to assist in restoration efforts. The storm then changed course, and MMUA's partner communities in Florida were no longer within the storm's path. Nevertheless, MMUA salutes the many utilities who were ready to join in the restoration efforts.
Visit APPA's mutual aid hub to track the activity to restore public power in Florida as well as for resources related to emergency planning and mutual aid.
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DOE announces cybersecurity competition for municipal utilities
The Department of Energy (DOE) announced an opportunity for electric cooperative, municipal, and small investor-owned utilities to compete for nearly $9 million in cash prizes and cybersecurity technical assistance through the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity (RMUC) Program’s Advanced Cybersecurity Technology (ACT) 1 Prize Competition found at https://www.herox.com/ACT1Prize. The ACT 1 Prize is the first in what will be a series of prizes from the RMUC Program.
There will be three increasingly competitive phases in the ACT 1 Prize that will challenge eligible utilities to identify risks, implement solutions to harden their systems against threats, and improve their overall cybersecurity posture. There will be up to 55 winners in Phase 1 that will receive $50,000 in cash and up to 60 or 120 hours of technical assistance.
All ACT 1 Prize competitors will be required to complete two webinars scheduled for September 27 and October 11, 2023. During the webinars the RMUC Program will provide detailed information on how to apply. Both webinars will be recorded, so if you can’t attend, you will still be able to participate.
Phase 1 submission packages are due November 29, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET. For more information, join RMUC's email list by sending a request to CESER.RMUC@hq.doe.gov.
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IRA-funded projects dominated by EVs and battery storage
In the year following the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, a robust wave of manufacturing activity has swept across the United States. Fueled by the promise of lucrative tax credits for domestically produced components, companies embarked on a range of manufacturing initiatives. Various states have extended tax incentives and partnered in workforce development programs;
The most significant impact of the Inflation Reduction Act has been observed in the electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing sectors. Over 60% of the publicly announced projects are focused on these areas, positioning them as the primary beneficiaries of the act's provisions. Notably, states like South Carolina and Georgia have emerged as leaders, attracting substantial investments and contributing to the formation of an emerging "battery belt" in the Southeast. Foreign investment, particularly from South Korea and Canada, has also played a substantial role, reflecting global interest in the burgeoning EV and battery markets. Although the act's effects have been widespread, the surge of investment in EV and battery manufacturing is undeniably its standout outcome.
To read more, click here.
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MN Department of Commerce announces revamped website for funding opportunities
Information on funding for energy related projects is now being shared online by the Division of Energy Resources at the Minnesota Department of Commerce (MNDOC).
The New Energy Programs page joins with the existing Federal Funding opportunities page to provide additional insight for Minnesotans on new state funding for energy opportunities and programs. Details on the new rebates, grants, and other programs will be added to the site as the programs are developed by MNDOC to make those funds accessible to all Minnesotans.
You are encouraged to bookmark this new page for future reference: New Energy Programs / Minnesota Department of Commerce - Energy (mn.gov); updates are currently included for the EV Rebate Program and Heat Pump Rebate Program. Please plan to check back frequently for future updates; you can also stay current by signing up for MNDOC's newsletter at this link.
2023 Energy Future Grants (EFG) Creating a Community-Led Energy Future
- DE-FOA-0002870
- Deadline: Full Application due 9.30.2023.
DOE's State and Community Energy Program issued a funding opportunity with $27 million in financial and technical assistance to support local, state, and tribal government-led partnership efforts advancing clean energy program innovation. Community-led EFG projects foster integrated clean energy solutions in and across the power, transportation, and building sectors. Approximately 50 multi-jurisdictional teams, with ideally 3-4 (or more) state, local, and tribal government partners on the team, are expected to receive awards of $500,000. Teams will also partner with community benefit organizations to turn innovative, novel or early action ideas into solutions that address barriers to clean energy deployment and provide measurable benefits to disadvantaged communities.
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Developing a Highly Effective Safety Culture—Following the popularity of the summer sessions, MMUA is going back on the road with more regional workshops. You can learn more and register by clicking on the links below.
September 18—New Ulm
September 19—Brookings, SD
Act now: the deadline to register is September 7.
Interacting on the Issues—Join the MMUA government relations team and peers from your region to discuss the implications of new laws, explore solution opportunities, and network with others committed to protecting, promoting, and strengthening hometown utilities.
There is no cost to attend, however registration is required for planning purposes. Encourage your whole commission to attend and learn about how commissioners can help champion hometown utilities. You can learn more and register by clicking on the links below.
September 18—New Ulm
September 27—Grand Rapids
October 3—Detroit Lakes
October 4—Marshall
Stepping Into Leadership—Designed for those who are new to a supervisory role or current supervisors and leaders who wish to improve their leadership skills. Participants will have 56 hours of instruction delivered in a mix of in-person and virtual settings over a 14-month period. The new cohort will begin on October 4. You can learn more and register by visiting the program's webpage.
Cross Training School—Learn how to safely assist in electrical work. Register by September 15 for the best rate. The school will be held at the MMUA Training Center in Marshall from October 10-12. Please click here to learn more. Register by September 15 for the best rate.
Tree Trimming Workshop—Registration is open. This workshop is intended for any municipal employee responsible for tree work; it’s not just for lineworkers. It will be held at Brainerd Public Utilities from October 17-19. Please click here to learn more and register.
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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!
Christian Glanville
Marketing and Member Relations Manager
Direct: 763.746.0727 / Cell: 612.655.0598
Fax: 763.551.0459
cglanville@mmua.org | www.mmua.org
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"To unify, support and serve as a common voice for municipal utilities." | | | | |
