Alliance News and Events
Missouri Municipals Prominently Featured in National Association Video
July 6th, 2010
To celebrate the American Public Power Association's 70th anniversary, APPA staff collected pictures and artifacts from its membership to put together a diorama that will hang on the wall in the reception area of APPA's office in Washington, D.C. From this project came the idea to create a film chronicling the history of public power and APPA. Both were unveiled at the National Conference June 21 in Orlando, Fla.
Red Flag Rule Deadline Extended to December 31, 2010
June 3rd, 2010
At the request of several members of Congress, the Federal Trade Commission has delayed enforcement of the "Red Flags" identity theft rule from June 1 through Dec. 31, 2010. The rule requires certain "creditors" to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs to help identify, detect and respond to patterns or activities (red flags) that could indicate identity theft.
The rule became effective on Jan. 1, 2008, with full compliance for all covered entities originally required by Nov. 1, 2008, but the FTC has delayed enforcement several times to allow Congress time to pass legislation that would limit the scope of business covered by the rule.
"Congress needs to fix the unintended consequences of the legislation establishing the red flags rule—and to fix this problem quickly. We appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Barney Frank and John Adler for getting a clarifying measure passed in the House, and hope action in the Senate will be swift," FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said. "As an agency we're charged with enforcing the law, and endless extensions delay enforcement."
The commission urged Congress to act quickly to pass legislation that will resolve any questions as to which entities are covered by the rule and obviate the need for further enforcement delays.
In the interim, FTC staff has provide guidance about the rule on its website and created a template that enables low risk entities to create an identity theft program with an easy-to-use online form. —ROBERT VARELA, APPA
Willow Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant Damaged by Tornado
May 6th, 2010
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Storm debris litters the wastewater treatment plant at Willow Springs. Photo provided by KY3 Springfield News
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Workshop announced: Implementing National Emission Standards Rules for Reciprocating Internal Combustion (Diesel) Engines
April 26th, 2010
Mark your Calendars for May 4 in Columbia for the first of our meetings on the recently announced EPA rules governing emissions from stationary compression ignition reciprocating internal combustion engines. In most cases these will be diesel engines (not turbines) as well as dual fuel engines which can use diesel. Besides diesels that drive generators, this rule covers any fixed base diesel engine the city may own larger than 100 hp.
We have developed an agenda that will give guidance on what engines will be covered, whether fuel switches can be made, what retrofits may be available, how it may impact your utility operation, and what options could be considered. It won’t answer all the questions, but it will provide a strong background on which you can begin to build a plan. The agenda is available by clicking here.
The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and finish by mid-afternoon. If you are planning to attend, please call the MPUA office at 573-445-3279 to give the names of those who will be participating in the meeting. Your response will help assure that we plan for enough space, lunch and handouts.
Please feel free to pass this information on to others in your city government that may be impacted by this rule.
Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program begins April 19
April 15th, 2010
The Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, is slated to begin on April 19. Below is a recent department news release with the most recent available details on the Missouri program, and here is a link to the news release on the department’s Web site.
The program’s main Web site is MissouriApplianceRebate.com -- is the best place to go for program information.
In addition, more information can be found at the department Web page, including a department factsheet about the program, available here.
We hope this information is useful to you and your customers.
APPA Announces Reliable Public Power Provider Designation - All 5 Missouri winners are MJMEUC members
April 5th, 2010
The 5 Missouri utilities are: Carthage Water & Electric Plant, City of Independence, City of Jackson, City Utilities of Springfield, Marshall Municipal Utilities
-APPA, Washington, DC: Ninety-four public power utilities have earned Reliable Public Power Provider recognition from APPA for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service. The RP3 awards were presented Monday during the APPA Engineering & Operations Technical Conference in Omaha, Neb.
Chillicothe and Higginsville among the 80 utilities Honored by APPA for Good Safety Records
April 5th, 2010
-APPA, Washington, D.C. Eighty public power utilities earned awards from APPA for safe operating practices in 2009. The awards were presented early this week during the Engineering & Operations Technical Conference in Omaha, Neb. Chillicothe and Higginsville represent the two Missouri cities honored.
Department of Natural Resources offers Energize Missouri Renewable Energy Biogas Grants
April 2nd, 2010
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, April 2, 2010 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is offering Energize Missouri Renewable Energy Biogas Grants for shovel-ready anaerobic digester or landfill gas-to-energy projects.
These grant funds will support agricultural and industrial projects that use anaerobic digestion-to-energy systems and landfill biogas-to-energy projects to produce biopower, bioheat or other forms of bioenergy.
The department’s Division of Energy will accept applications for funding through April 30. The Requests for Proposals, which include application forms, may be found on the department’s Web site at dnr.mo.gov/transform/energizemissourirenewable.htm
National Broadband Plan Released
March 17th, 2010
A National Broadband Plan was released March 16 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 required the FCC to submit to Congress a National Broadband Plan (“Plan”) to promote the availability of broadband (high speed Internet) capability to all people of the United States. Congress directed the FCC to examine broadband deployment, adoption, affordability, and the use of broadband to advance solutions to national priorities, including health care delivery, energy independence, education, job creation, and economic growth. A summary of the new plan is presented FCC_Broadband_Plan_Summary.pdf
MUNICIPALITIES SPEAK OUT AGAINST FEDERAL REGULATIONS THAT INCREASE ELECTRIC RATES
February 19th, 2010
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Left to right: Duncan Kincheloe,General Manager of MPUA;
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Today (Tuesday), the Missouri Public Utility Alliance stood with U.S. Congressman Ike Skelton and Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson in protecting electric ratepayers across the state from rate increases resulting from changes in federal regulation on green house gases. MPUA General Manager and CEO Duncan Kincheloe, representing eighty-eight municipal electric utilities in the state, announced that Missouri’s municipal electric rate payers could not afford increases in their electric bills resulting from green house gas regulations. Kincheloe’s comments came during a Jefferson City news conference Tuesday in which Congressman Skelton announced legislation to eliminate green house gases from regulation under the Clean Air Act.
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City of Columbia Receives Approval for Office of Sustainability
February 19th, 2010
By Daniel Cailler, Columbia Daily Tribune
Reprinted by permission from Columbia Daily Tribune
Goals are energy savings, retrofits.
The city received approval Friday of its proposal for use of a $1,018,300 Department of Energy stimulus block grant, Assistant City Manager Paula Hertwig-Hopkins said. The application for the grant was filed in June.
“We have the approval on everything, and we can start on doing energy audits and bringing the sustainability manager on board,” she said.
The Office of Sustainability will work with several city departments, including Public Works and Water and Light, as well as with state and federal agencies. The department will make recommendations to the city on policy issues regarding sustainability and long-range plans to reduce energy consumption. The office also will develop monitoring and tracking systems that will highlight cost and benefit analysis.
MWEA (Missouri Water Environment Association) Presents Collections Outreach Training Program - January 28 - Clinton, MO
December 29th, 2009
Topics include:
• Rules, Regulations and CMOM Updates
• SSES -Project Overview
• Alternative Solutions and Fats, Oils & Grease
• Private Line Rehabilitation - A True Story
• What is an Inflow & Infiltration Reduction Report
• A Sewer Lateral Insurance Program
• Collection System Safety Issue
• Round Table Discussion of New Technology and Products
Click here for Agenda
Click here for Registration
DNR Seeks Municipal Energy Conservation Project Proposals
December 4th, 2009
Energize Missouri Communities Request for Project Proposals
The department is seeking proposals from eligible applicants for projects that will reduce the energy use of cities and counties, have a positive impact on their budgets, and enhance the economic development in the Missouri through job creation.
The Department hosted a webinar on Dec. 7 and will hold six application development workshops Dec. 8 through Dec. 17 throughout the state to provide eligible applicants (city and county government officials) with individualized assistance.
Deadline for application 1/15/2010 at 4:00 PM
Click here for more information: EnergizeMissouriCommunities.pdf
CITY OF FULTON AWARDED "SMART GRID" STIMULUS FUNDS
October 30th, 2009
Selected from over 400 applicants, the City of Fulton’s municipal electric utility is one of 100 recipients of Smart Grid Grant awards just announced by the Department of Energy. Those projects, which include more than 30 projects sponsored by municipally-owned utilities, will receive stimulus funding under the Smart Grid Investment Grant program. Fulton is the only Missouri recipient of these monies – public or private.
The City of Fulton’s project will replace more than 5,000 current electric meters with a smart meter network that includes a dynamic pricing program to reduce consumer energy use. Fulton’s share of the grant awards is just over $1.5 million which was matched by the city. The city also made an additional commitment of $1 million for gas and water meter improvements. The project is expected to take 18 months to implement once the final award is received.
Nationally, the $3.4 billion in grant awards are part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and will be matched by $4.7 billion in recipient funding for a total public-private investment of more than $8 billion. The grants will go to utilities, cities, private companies, manufacturers, grid operators and other partners. Roughly $550 million of the grants are to go to public power utilities.
These grant awards are the first part of President Obama’s efforts to build a “bigger, better, and smarter grid” and is part of an initiative which plans to deploy smart meters in homes, businesses and industry to promote efficiency. The investments are to expand access to smart meters and customer systems and are meant to give consumers the ability to save money and help drive down peak demand, thus limiting the need for stand-by power generation – typically the most expensive power generation in a utility’s portfolio.
Houston, MO First in State to Receive Federal Stimulus Funds
October 13th, 2009
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The City of Houston will receive the state's first federal stimulus funds in a ceremony set for Wednesday, October 14, with leaders of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Acting DNR Director Bill Bryan will make the presentation at 10 a.m. at Houston City Hall. |
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| Houston's flow equalization basin and clarifier |
DNR Hearings on Energy Efficiency Grant Program for Cities
October 9th, 2009
We received a flyer from DNR advertising a series of outreach meetings designed to give the Energy Center the input they need to develop a $12 million dollar Energy Efficiency Grant program for cities and counties as part of the federal stimulus program. Additionally the sessions are designed to inform you about the types of projects that can be funded.
Earlier this year, 17 cities and 10 counties in Missouri received formula grants for this purpose. Under the federal rules, 60% of the NEW money has to go to cities and counties that were not eligible for the earlier funds. The remaining 40% is eligible for distribution to either group.
The purpose of the meetings is not necessarily to receive ideas for specific grants . Rather it is to receive ideas on how the grant program should be structured. Issues that are up for discussion would include issues such as:
1. Level of matching required and whether local match could be provided on an in-kind basis
2. Distribution by formula or on a state-wide competitive basis
3. Classes or types of projects to be considered
4. Eligibility requirements for ultimate recipients (what combination of individuals, businesses, and
governmental entities)
DNR Flyer: Energizing Missouri Communities.pdf
New Program Helps Municipal Utilities Access Clean and Efficient Energy Funds
October 8th, 2009
From the American Public Power Association’s Energy Efficiency Resource Central (EERCnet.org)
As federal funds continue to be offered to finance energy efficiency projects, a new program sets out to help public power utilities make the most of the funding opportunities. Spearheaded by the Alliance to Save Energy Efficiency, the American Public Power Association, and the Large Public Power Council, with funding from Sea Change and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean and Efficient Energy Program for Public Power is a three-year program that aims to promote investment opportunities and strategies in energy efficiency and clean energy projects. Given the funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the program’s timing can immediately help municipal utilities create new, green jobs and save money with energy-conserving technologies and practices.
“Energy efficiency aligns well with public power’s mission of acting in the best interest of the community and serving customers,” APPA President and CEO Mark Crisson said. “CEEP will help public power utilities continue to provide affordable, reliable power by achieving higher levels of energy efficiency.”
“CEEP will help boost [the public power] sector’s participation in clean and efficient energy programs by providing resources that are tailored to the unique drivers and constraints of locally-owned and operated utilities,” said Jan Schori, former general manager of the Sacramento, Calif., Municipal Utility District. Schori chairs the CEEP steering committee, which also includes public power leaders from SMUD and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in California; Austin Energy in Texas; AMP in Ohio; Burlington Electric Department in Vermont; Gainesville Regional Utilities in Florida; Long Island Power Authority in New York; Lincoln Electric System in Nebraska; Wisconsin Public Power; and City Utilities of Springfield, Mo.
A major part of this initiative will be the CEEP Web site, www.cleanefficientenergy.org, where successful strategies and case studies from energy efficiency programs will be available for use by public power managers. These “tool kits” will include turnkey program models and downloadable template materials so utilities can quickly implement programs that have already been shown to work. These toolkits feature resources on innovative financing, targeted partnerships, job creation, and best practices, all with the aim of clean and efficient energy.
Through the site, CEEP also directs visitors to the right agencies for stimulus and non-stimulus funding and gives extensive guidance on how to craft the best proposal for success in applying. The program emphasizes that stimulus funding does more than just help a utility in its activities financially, but also represents an opportunity to link public power utilities to each other, other municipal agencies, state energy offices, and local partners.
Since its launch in February, CEEP has already co-hosted a workshop on innovative financing for energy efficiency at the APPA Business & Financial Conference in September and plans to host an annual clean energy summit.
2009 MPUA Conference Presentations Now Available
October 8th, 2009
The presentations from the 2009 MPUA Annual Conference are now available here.
Governor Jay Nixon Recognizes Municipal Utilities in Missouri
October 7th, 2009
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| Attending the signing of the proclamation for Public Power Week in Missouri were left to right: Susan Wendleton, Carthage; Tina Worley, Columbia; Steve Svec, Chillicothe (MPUA JOC Chair); Duncan Kincheloe, MPUA; Gov. Jay Nixon, Ken Johnson, Carthage; Chad Davis, Trenton; Connie Kacprowicz, Columbia; and Ewell Lawson, MPUA. |
Proclaims “Public Power Week” October 4-10, 2009
[October 5, 2009 – Jefferson City, MO] Governor Jay Nixon recently met with municipal utility leaders from across the state to proclaim October 4-10, 2009 as Public Power Week in Missouri. In recognizing the eighty-eight city-owned electric utilities in Missouri, Governor Nixon cited the importance that these utilities bring to their communities and to the state.
In meeting with the Governor, Steve Svec, General Manager of Chillicothe Municipal Utilities and Chairman of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance said, “Public Power Week is a chance for municipal utilities to articulate why public power is a good fit for their communities. We are absolutely dedicated to providing top-notch, reliable service and the lowest rates possible.”
In his proclamation, Governor Nixon cited local-control, customer service, reliability and economic development as reasons to honor municipal electric utilities as “valuable community assets that contribute to the well-being of local citizens” and “for their contributions to their communities and state.” He further pointed out that city-owned electric utilities “have been the proving ground for many of the state’s first renewable energy sources.”
“Municipal utilities in Missouri know how important it is to keep the lights on for the people in their communities, and we continue to find ways to do so with special dedication to reliability, safety and the environment,” said Duncan Kincheloe, CEO and General Manager of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance. “This was especially evident during the Southeast Missouri ice storms this year when most municipalities got their lights on, then worked collectively to assist others with theirs.”
Public Power Week is an annual event sponsored by the Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA) in conjunction with the national activities of the American Public Power Association (APPA) in Washington, D.C. Both organizations are service organizations for community-owned electric utilities at the state and national levels, respectively.
The first electric utility West of the Mississippi was a not-for-profit municipal utility serving the citizens of Butler, Missouri in 1881. It is the nation’s oldest, continuously operated locally-controlled municipal electric utility. Today, municipal utilities serve about a million Missourians and are counted among the more than 2,000 other public electric utilities across the America that collectively provide electricity on a not-for-profit basis to 45 million Americans.
“We are proud to be a public power community,” said Ken Johnson, Vice President of the Board, Carthage Water & Electric. “Our focus is to make our communities a better place in which to live and work and it goes beyond serving customers. We serve the community.”
MWEA 13th Annual Fall Technical Conference
September 28th, 2009