|
News of the week
December 11, 2024
| |
MMUA Board of Directors Meeting
Your MMUA Board of Directors met this week to review 2024 results and set strategic priorities for next year. The 2025 Operating Plan was approved, and Legislative Priorities were discussed and agreed upon.
More Legislative information will be available in the next edition of The Resource.
| |
|
Environmental groups ask Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear case challenging Superior gas plant
On December 5, the Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear their case challenging the approval of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center in Superior, Wisconsin.
The groups say the Wisconsin Public Service Commission allowed the project to move forward without proper examination of the environmental impacts. They also say the plant’s location near the Nemadji River is problematic from an environmental perspective.
The project is being developed by Dairyland Power Cooperative, Minnesota Power, and Basin Electric Power Cooperative.
To learn more, click here.
| |
|
Minnesota Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration levies state's largest–ever workplace fine
Your Lake Aquatic Plant Management, a Minnesota company, has received a $730,369 fine, the largest work safety penalty in the history of the state. Joseph Anderson, an employee of the company, died in May 2024 while cleaning weeds 10-15 feet below the surface in Lac Lavon Lake in Apple Valley.
The company received five willful violations of commercial diving standards. Company employees were found to not have the proper training and were not instructed in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The company is contesting the citation. Learn more here.
| |
|
TC Energy leaves North Dakota carbon capture project, likely delaying effort
TC Energy Corporation, an oil and gas storage company based in Calgary, announced it is leaving Project Tundra.
Project Tundra is a $2 billion carbon capture initiative that will capture carbon dioxide emissions from the Milton R. Young coal plant southeast of Center, North Dakota. Led by the Minnkota Power Cooperative, planners had been aiming to get final financial investment decisions made by the end of 2024. TC Energy’s exit leaves the project’s timelines in flux.
To learn more, click here.
| |
|
White Earth Band of Ojibwe working to bring microgrid to fruition
After receiving $1.75 million in federal funding last year, the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in northwest Minnesota is working to construct the Pine Point Resilience Hub project, a microgrid that will include 500 kilowatts of new solar capacity, and a 2.76 megawatt-hour battery storage system.
The developers of the project, 8th Fire Solar and 10Power, are still looking to raise about $1 million for the project. Project completion is slated for the end of 2025.
To read more, click here.
| |
Remember to take the MMUA industry survey by January 2
Whether you are someone who spends their days working in or supporting municipal utilities, or your work supports municipal utilities, your voice is important to MMUA. Please share your feedback with us. We will use the information to help MMUA evolve, improve, and further position itself to continue meeting the needs of municipal utilities well into the future.
Don't forget to complete the survey by Thursday, January 2, 2025. All members of your utility team—employees, commissioners, and city officials—are encouraged to complete the survey.
Please begin the survey by clicking here.
| |
|
APPA Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED) grants
This APPA grant opportunity awards up to $50,000 to promote energy innovation and support the development and demonstration of new, innovative technologies and the creation of useful products and tools for the betterment of public power utilities and their customers.
The grants typically support helpful pilot projects and work on best practices. Applications on these grants are due on February 15 and August 15 of each year. Current projects have included work on cybersecurity, multi-family housing energy efficiency, and automatic feeder restoration.
To learn more, click here.
| |
|
LASSO Prize for co-location of cattle ranching and solar farms
The American-Made Large Animal and Solar System Operations (LASSO) Prize is putting more than $8 million up for grabs to support innovative proposals that will illustrate the successful combination of photovoltaics with cattle grazing. The building of relationships between agricultural communities and solar energy developers is a large part of the effort, as well as environmental sustainability and building best practices for the industry.
Local governments and utilities are encouraged to apply, as are solar developers and farmers/ranchers. The submission deadline is March 6, 2025.
Learn more here.
| |
|
Cyber and Fiscal Security Threats and Preparation regional workshop
St. Louis Park—January 21
New Ulm—January 22
Brainerd— January 23
Join MMUA and a host of experts that will offer valuable insights that can help you identify and mitigate these imposing threats. You will learn how to protect your vital systems, infrastructure, and reputation.
Please click below to register or for additional details on this valuable training opportunity. Register by December 26 for best rate.
| | |
|
|
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. We hope to see you there!
| |
Meter School and pre-conference workshop
February 4–7
MMUA Training Center, Marshall
Meter School is a once-a-year opportunity to obtain hands-on technical electric metering training. Participants select from two course options:
-
Beginner/intermediate: This track is ideal for those with little metering experience. It builds on the concepts covered in the pre-conference workshop and advances your skills within a few days.
-
Advanced: This track is intended for those who steadily work with meters and wiring meter installations.
| |
|
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. | | | | |
