News of the week

August 29, 2024

Here's wishing all hardworking municipal utilities employees a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. If you are on call over Labor Day, we know we owe you a special debt of gratitude. Thank you for all that you do every day of the year!

Weather extremes, equipment issues make interesting days for utilities this week

The last week of August has offered some difficult days for utilities in our area.

On Friday, August 23 the Minnesota State Fairgrounds experienced a power outage for more than an hour due to a faulty fuse. Booths in the area south of the grandstand and several attractions were affected.

On Monday, August 26, peak energy alerts were issued for customers of Austin Utilities, Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative, MiEnergy Cooperative, and People’s Energy Cooperative. Co-op members enrolled in energy management programs were affected from about 2 pm to 7 pm on Monday. Austin Utilities requested that its customers cut back on power usage until 8 pm. Some 69,000 customers were affected by the peak alerts from their utilities.

Severe storms created damage and resulting debris the night of August 26 and morning of August 27, affecting about 250,000 Xcel Energy customers in east central Minnesota around the Twin Cities and into western Wisconsin. Schools were closed Tuesday in Stillwater and Mendota Heights, while other schools started late. Damage also kept the state fair from opening as scheduled on Tuesday, the first time that has happened as far back as anyone can remember. As of Wednesday afternoon, around 9,800 Xcel customers are still experiencing outages. Xcel expects to have the system fully restored by Thursday.

Austin Utilities and SMMPA Extend Power Sales Contract to 2050

Austin Utilities (AU) and the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) have extended their power sales contract to 2050. Their first agreement originated in 1981 and had been scheduled to end in 2030. The new contract extends the power purchase relationship another 20 years. It follows a 2023 power supply plan study commissioned by AU and a request for information (RFI) sent to six power providers located throughout the Midwest. Pictured are AU Operations Director Alex Baumgardner, AU Commissioner Jay Lutz, AU General Manager Mark Nibaur, and SMMPA Executive Director and CEO Dave Geschwind.

To read more, click here.

ECO Reporting Deadline is August 31

The deadline for filing 2023 results and 2025 plans under the Minnesota Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) program (formerly CIP) is this Saturday, August 31. The Department of Commerce Division of Energy Resources emailed municipal and cooperative utilities on May 14 to announce a two-month deadline extension, and announced a second extension in July due to ongoing challenges with the state's online reporting platform.

Over the past several months, MMUA’s Government Relations team relayed and emphasized frustrations from multiple members about problems with the new ECO reporting platform. Our team also discussed the need for clarity around the Department of Commerce’s instructions to re-enter historical data from previous submissions. The Department has since shared instructions for troubleshooting some of the more common system issues users are reporting. These tips can be found here. Commerce also shared an FAQ sheet explaining thresholds for energy saving types. Points of contact, reporting guidance, and additional information about the new platform can be accessed here. Statutory references and resources are also available for download.

For further information or to receive the platform training manual, contact Adam Zoet at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Xcel changes course, makes time-of-use program "opt in" rather than "opt out"

Following outcry from ratepayers and advocates, Xcel Energy is modifying its path to implementation of time- of-use rates.

On August 16, Xcel filed a document with the Public Utilities Commission changing its initial plan to make time-of-use rules the default for Xcel customers. Instead, customers may voluntarily opt-in to the program. Xcel’s changes will also see the peak rate period shortened from 3-8 pm to 7-10 pm. The new plan also decreases the difference between peak and off-peak pricing. Customer pushback was seen as driving the change. Read more here.

Funding opportunities

Coming soon: Minnesota Department of Commerce to issue RFP for its electric grid resilience grant program on September 16.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce held a webinar on August 15 to publicize an RFP for grants that will be made available to community-owned municipal utilities, cooperatives, and power agencies. The request for proposals is expected to be published on September 16. A total of $5.3 million will be available, with maximum grants of $250,000. There will be no match requirements.

The program is intended to improve grid resilience and to mitigate natural and non-natural hazard risks. Slides from the August 15 webinar and additional information will be posted on the DOC website here as it becomes available.

MMUA will again provide members with assistance in preparing their grant requests by hosting webinars and making team members available for consultation. Contact Karleen Kos or Blaine Chaulklin for more information.

Looking ahead

Tree Trimming Workshop

October 8-10, 2024

Elk River Municipal Utilities

This workshop is intended for any municipal employee responsible for tree work, not just lineworkers. The program will include classroom and hands-on instruction in the field.

Training will be led by MMUA's Jake Kuntz, Cody Raveling, and Jay Reading. All three bring a wealth of tree care experience and formal training.

Please click here for full details or to register.

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!

Karleen Kos

Chief Executive Officer

Direct: 763-746-0701 / Cell: 813-675-7589

kkos@mmua.org | www.mmua.org

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