News of the week

September 4, 2024

It's that time! The Minnesota Lineworkers Rodeo is coming up next week, and preparations are well underway. The event gives electric system professionals a chance to challenge themselves and demonstrate their expertise. MMUA is proud to sponsor this event annually at its Marshall-based training center.

Mutual aid event in Anoka brings out the best in municipal utilities

Thursday, August 29 brought another big storm to central Minnesota. This one included three confirmed tornados and left significant damage behind in the form of power outages, downed trees, and debris strewn across a wide path in its wake. The storms again sent state fair attendees scurrying for cover and delayed the Gophers home opener by four hours.

In Anoka, major electrical system damage led to outages and a call for mutual aid as soon as the wind stopped blowing. Crews from Elk River, Buffalo, Delano, and Chaska responded and worked through Saturday to get the lights back on. The photo above shows just a small part of the tree damage. MMUA employee Blaine Chaulklin, a lifelong Anoka resident, spent the weekend sawing fallen trees on his property. Having only worked at MMUA since July, he says, "This was my first chance to see mutual aid in action, and it sure looks impressive."

Thanks to everyone who responded to the call!

Are you prepared for Public Power Week?

Public Power Week is October 6-12, 2024. With just a month until the celebration kicks off, there's no time to spare in planning how you will tell the story of all the benefits your utility brings to the community.

Members of the American Public Power Association can access a host of materials to educate your customers and stakeholders about the benefits of public power and electricity basics. These include videos, infographics, social media posts, slide decks, and other materials to download and share. You can use them as is or customize them for your needs. Email News@PublicPower.org with any questions or requests.

You can also subscribe to APPA's monthly social media emails to get customizable content for your social media channels and resources for your social media outreach throughout the year.

APPA's We Are Community Powered website features an award-winning video, "Public Power: Powering Strong Communities," and other resources to help you communicate the benefits of hometown electric utilities and engage your communities. You can also download a two-page About Public Power fact sheet, which is a helpful tool throughout the year.

What do you have planned for Public Power Week? MMUA is eager to cover your activities in a future issue of The Resource. Please contact MMUA's Reid Baumann and let him know all about them!

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Willmar Municipal Utilities announce finalists for the position of general manager

The Willmar Municipal Utilities (WMU) Commission has chosen five "exceptional" candidates to interview for the position of general manager, a role that will be open when incumbent John Harren retires on September 20, 2024.

According to the West Central Tribune, here are the finalists.

• The local candidate is Jeron Smith, who has served WMU as staff electrical engineer for 10 years and prior to that was the assistant electrical engineer for four years. He previously worked in IT and holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering.
• Timothy Kacena is the strategy and transformation team lead with the Nebraska Public Power District, where he has been in the position for more than three years. He also served as that district's senior physical security specialist and investigator for more than four years. He also has experience in security and law enforcement, holding an advanced degree in leadership and workplace conflict resolution.
• Joel Lemke is the director of public utilities and transportation with the city of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where he has been in the role for 12 years. Prior to that, he served as the director of public works for the city of Stevens Point and also has experience in municipal water as well as land surveying. He holds a bachelor's degree in natural resources and environmental studies.
• Chris Ward currently has been the city administrator for the city of Vinton, Iowa, for more than 10 years. He has had additional experience elsewhere in Iowa as both a city administrator and as a city manager. Ward holds a master's degree in public administration.
• Rick Wicklund has been the utility manager for the Sun Prairie Utilities in Wisconsin for more than 10 years. He has served in various management and project engineering positions in other Wisconsin locations. Wicklund holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

The Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission will be interviewing the finalists on September 13.

Quarterly wastewater webinar series continues on September 11

On Wednesday, September 11th from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will continue its quarterly webinar series on topics important to wastewater professionals. This is a good opportunity to gain a deeper understanding on something you may have some knowledge about and earn one credit hour. 

For the fall webinar, MPCA Data Manager, Tamara Dahl, will educate participants on how to complete Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), what is expected, and how to submit and/or amend DMRs online via MPCA e-Services. Click this link to join the meeting.

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 16 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 16 webinar and additional information have been posted on the DOC website here. Projects awarded grants under this program: 

• Must increase the resilience of the electrical grid (e.g., prepare for, adapt to, or minimize the consequences of extreme weather or malicious physical or cyber-attacks)
• May develop or improve carbon-free distributed energy resources in Minnesota. Definition found in 216B.2427 Subd.1. 
• May improve an applicant’s ability to add load growth that is a result of strategic electrification and transportation electrification. Definition found in 216B.2427 Subd. 1.

MMUA will again provide members with assistance in preparing their grant requests by hosting webinars and making team members available for consultation. We will hold the first webinar in this series on Tuesday, September 17 from 1:00-2:00 pm. No need to pre-register: just join the meeting via this Zoom link. 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

Hometown services. Hometown strengths. Hometown solutions.