Happy Public Power Week! Enjoy this video from the American Public Power Association (APPA) on the organization's chosen theme for 2023 Public Power Week: "Building for the Future."

News of the week

DOE and DOI release plan for integrating offshore wind projects

During the first week of October every year, municipal utilities across the US celebrate Public Power Week. Many use the week as an opportunity to connect with community members and educate stakeholders on the value and importance of hometown utilities.

To help you generate interest and excitement, APPA has compiled resources to promote Public Power Week. This webpage features a variety of useful items from official logos to educational videos to coloring sheets and more. You can craft a press release based on a provided template, and APPA has developed suggested social media material as well. While you are there, check out APPA's Communications Templates page, which features excellent infographics, handouts, and more resources that further articulate the benefits of hometown utilities.

Finally, MMUA has prepared a handout that you can personalize to share with your community. The handout offers some facts about municipal utilities Happy Public Power Week, and thank you for providing the value that sustains municipal utilities!

New study suggests shortcomings of climate models

A recent study by the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) offers a nuanced perspective on climate modeling. The study highlights that climate models often underestimate the potential of two critical strategies for rapid decarbonization: the expansion of intermittent renewables and the adoption of efficient end-use technologies.

Some models suggest that solar and renewables could entirely cover global energy consumption by 2050 in a cost-effective manner. “This is an extremely optimistic scenario," said Felix Creutzig, lead author of the study, "but it illustrates that the future is open.” It notes that current models tend to favor less efficient options, such as coal and bioenergy. The researchers recommend refining cost assumptions, adopting more granular modeling, and giving greater consideration to demand-side solutions.

Despite acknowledging the reduction in battery and solar costs, the study emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations regarding the pace of global solar growth. It cautions against overly optimistic modeling, which could mislead policymakers facing the significant political challenge of transitioning to clean energy. The MCC study calls for a balanced approach in climate science scenario models to provide policymakers with reliable guidance.

To read more, click here.

Scholarship funds available until October 15 through DEED program

Members of APPA's DEED program have access to scholarship funds to boost the workforce through continuing education. DEED members are encouraged to apply for up to $4,000 to help introduce students to public power and energy-related careers.

DEED offers three types of funding for students: 

• Lineworker and technical education scholarships (up to $2,000 per application)
• Student educational scholarships (up to $2,000 per application)
• Student internships (up to $4,000 per application with an additional $1,000 eligible to attend APPA-approved conferences)

To qualify, student applicants must be attending or planning to attend an accredited vocational institution, lineworker school, community college or university within the U.S. and must not be graduating within 12 months of the application deadline. Learn more about the application process here. The fall 2023 scholarship application cycle closes on October 15.

The online application process is easy so that small utilities with limited staff and resources can apply. To gain access to the application or for questions, email DEED@PublicPower.org or call 202-467-2942.

Cold Weather Rule is now in effect

From October 1 to April 30, Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule (CWR) states that residential utility customers are entitled to certain protections before their services are discontinued. MMUA has prepared a guide for utilities to help you understand the law.

MMUA has also developed a brochure summarizing the CWR for municipal utility customers. Please feel free to use this as you promote understanding of the law. For any questions, please contact Bill Black of MMUA's Government Relations team.

MN Dept. of Commerce offers webinar on Solar for Schools

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is offering a webinar this Friday to share updates for the Solar for Schools program in 2024.

The Solar for Schools program was created in 2021 and was designed to stimulate the installation of solar energy systems on Minnesota schools, while using the opportunity to integrate renewable energy use into school curriculum. During the 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session, changes were made to the program pertaining to consumer protections, funding, eligibility, and program management. The Department will resume accepting applications for the program in January 2024.

The Department is seeking stakeholder input on drafted programmatic changes that will be incorporated into the program beginning in January 2024. The presentation on the changes will be followed by a brief Q&A. To register for the webinar, which runs from 11:30 am-12:30 pm on Friday, October 6, click here.

Funding opportunities

Commerce issues state competitiveness fund: Local Grant Development Assistance Program

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources will be issuing a competitive grant funding opportunity for grant development assistance to support eligible entities in preparing grant applications for federal funds specified in statute 216C.391 Sec. 2, subdivision 2.

The goal of the program is to ensure the state’s economy is strong and growing by increasing the competitiveness across Minnesota in accessing federal funding by providing grant development assistance statewide. Awarded organizations will provide services to eligible entities, especially those designated as Disadvantaged Communities, with support to access and utilize federal funding opportunities.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) is available for download on the Department’s website through the deadline of November 13, 2023. 

Letters of Support from MN Department of Commerce

The Minnesota Department of Commerce will gladly consider supplying a letter of support for funding proposals. Please send any requests for Commerce letters of support via email to fedquestions.commerce@state.mn.us, allowing at least 3 weeks for processing, if at all possible. Please include information on what funding opportunity is being applied to, and a short recap of the proposal project being submitted, the total project cost, and how much federal funding is being sought. In the Subject line of the email, please include “Letter of Support request for XXXXX, due date YYYYY” (where XXXXX is the title or section number of the funding request, and YYYYY is when the proposal is due).

Looking ahead

Register for the 2023 Technical and Operations Conference

Registration for the Technical & Operations Conference (T&O) is now open! The event will be held from December 5-7 at the Holiday Inn in St. Cloud.

The T&O Conference is designed to offer useful information to superintendents, general managers, supervisors, and crew leads about industry trends, workforce challenges, and fostering a culture of safety. The conference theme is "Lead to Succeed," focusing on helping your utility develop leaders from the frontline through all levels of the organization.

For best rates, register by November 10. The deadline for online registration is November 17. Associate members should consider becoming an exhibitor at the T&O trade show as well as sponsoring an event at the conference. Please reach out to Christian Glanville with any questions. We hope to see you in St. Cloud!

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

To download a copy of this email, click here.