News of the week

August 21, 2024

The MMUA Summer Conference has concluded for 2024

It was a great week full of learning, laughter, and a chance to spend time with some of the most dedicated professionals anywhere in the world. We will have full coverage of the event in the next issue of The Resource. For now, we offer a giant thank you to the Association's 2023-24 Board of Directors. Pictured above they are: (front row) Bruce DeBlieck, Willmar; Jeremy Carter, Hutchinson; Scott Grabe, Staples; Greg Drent, Shakopee; Julie Kennedy, Grand Rapids. (Back row) Pete Moulton, Saint Peter; Jay Lutz, Austin; Roger Warehime, Owatonna; Kevin Lee, Marshall; Keith Butcher, Princeton; Dave Meyer, Glencoe.

MPCA warned Minnesota Power before coal ash spill

The July 2024 coal ash spill at Minnesota Power's (MP) Clay Boswell Energy Center in Cohasset was predictable according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). That spill dumped around five million gallons of tainted water into Minnesota's waterways, imperiling the year's wild rice harvest and requiring a massive clean up effort.

An April 2024 letter from the MPCA to MP warned the company about its past failures to report spills to regulators, and instructed the company to take actions to prevent future spills. This alert came three months before the mid-July spill.

To read more, click here.

St. Paul apartment building will be one of the first in the area to be net-zero

An apartment building being constructed in St. Paul will operate its utilities completely with solar, geothermal, and electric appliances to reach net zero. Around 147 residents will live in a community that will also include sustainable building practices and materials.

Habitat for Humanity broke ground in June on the project which is expected to cover four blocks in an area known as The Heights, as shown in this rendering courtesy of the St. Paul Port Authority. The new apartments will provide affordable housing on St. Paul's east side. The buildings have been selected as this year's Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Work Project, and construction will begin on September 29. It will be kicked off with a visit from singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood who have stepped into a leadership role with Habitat for Humanity in recent years.

To learn more click here.

Minnesota's new excavation law takes effect

On August 1, new excavation requirements went into effect. The law, passed by the legislature this year as a provision in the omnibus transportation bill, modifies the standard 48-hour window for locates to begin at 12:01 am the day after the request is placed, with Saturdays and Sundays excluded.

Electronic white markings are now allowed, but they must be paired with physical markings until January 1, 2026.

To read the law, click here. If you have questions about MMUA's advocacy around this law or how it will be implemented going forward, please contact Bill Black.

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.

August 28 deadline for $1.3 billion in funding for EV charging infrastructure

The Biden-Harris Administration has launched a $1.3 billion funding opportunity for electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure. This investment, the largest of its kind to date, aims to enhance clean transportation in urban and rural areas as well as along major highways and interstates.

Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the initiative supports state, regional, Tribal, and local government entities. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administers the CFI program with guidance from the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.

The funding aims to deploy Level 2 and DC fast EV chargers nationwide, focusing on multi-family housing and disadvantaged communities. It supports the National Zero-Emission Freight Strategy and aligns with President Biden's goal of establishing 500,000 public EV charging stations by 2030.

Eligible applicants can apply by August 28, 2024. For more information and to attend upcoming webinars, visit FHWA’s CFI Discretionary Grant Program website.

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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