RMEL eNews

Education and Upcoming Events

Don''t Miss These Upcoming RMEL Events
Introduction to the Electric Utility Workshop — January 17, 2019 (Lone Tree, CO)
Security Conference — February 6-7, 2019
Steam Generation Cycling Symposium — February 20-21, 2019 (Overland Park, KS)
Safety Roundtable — February 22, 2019 (Westminster, CO)
Transmission Conference — March 6-7, 2019 (Lone Tree, CO)
Distribution Conference — March 13-14, 2019 (Lone Tree, CO)
Safety Conference — March 27-28, 2019 (Lone Tree, CO)
Spring Management, Engineering & Operations Conference — May 20-22, 2019 *NEW MONDAY-WEDNESDAY DATES* (Phoenix, AZ)
Transmission Symposium — June 12, 2019
Power Supply Planning for Modern Energy Solutions — June 19-20, 2019 (Lone Tree, CO)
RMEL Foundation Golf Tournament — June 26, 2019 (Littleton, CO)
Project Management Workshop — July 10-11, 2019 (Golden, CO)
Plant Management, Engineering and Operations Conference — August 7-8, 2019
Leadership Workshop — August 14-15, 2019 (Lone Tree, CO)
Safety Roundtable — August 23, 2019 (Golden, CO)
Fall Executive Leadership and Management Convention — September 16-18, 2019 *NEW MONDAY-WEDNESDAY DATES* (Kansas City, MO)
2020 Spring Conference Planning Session — October 3, 2019
Distribution Engineers Workshop — October 9-10, 2019 (Lone Tree, CO)
Renewable Planning & Operations Conference — October 23-24, 2019 (Lone Tree, CO)
Safety Roundtable — November 1, 2019 (Fort Collins, CO)

Visit https://www.rmel.org/RMEL/Events/List/RMEL/Events_Info/List_of_Events.aspx?hkey=caf67ebf-969d-42dd-815f-43eab06040da to view the full article online.

Industry Information

California Utilities Prep Nation''s Biggest Time-of-Use Rate Roll Out

Many utility tests of time varying rates have led to bill savings and lower peak loads, but California will soon be taking on the biggest test yet by putting over 20 million customers on time-of-use (TOU) rates.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-utilities-prep-nations-biggest-time-of-use-rate-roll-out/543402/ to view the full article online.

Why Hydropower is a "Forever Asset" and an Essential Part of the Power Generation Mix

As Herbie Johnson with Southern Company said, in a session at POWER-GEN International today, hydropower is a “forever asset,” and “the most positive source of PR that we have.”

Visit https://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2018/12/why-hydropower-is-a-forever-asset-and-an-essential-part-of-the-power-generation-mix.html to view the full article online.

Experts Agree: There is No Clear Winner or Loser in Power Generation Technologies

At a mega-session during POWER-GEN International, a panel made up of utility resource planners, transmission operators and generation technology experts all seemed to come to the same conclusion: when it comes to picking energy generation technologies for the future, there is no standout technology.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2018/12/experts-agree-there-is-no-clear-winner-or-loser-in-power-generation-technologies.html to view the full article online.

Report Highlights the Benefits of an Ethane Storage Hub Located in the Appalachian Region

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a Report to Congress: Ethane Storage and Distribution Hub in the United States.

Visit https://www.energy.gov/articles/secretary-perry-announces-appalachian-ethane-storage-hub-report to view the full article online.

PJM and Members Prepared to Meet Winter Electricity Demand

PJM Interconnection and its members are prepared to meet the forecasted winter electricity demand in the nation''s largest high-voltage power grid.

Visit https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/t-d/56/737220/pjm-and-members-prepared-to-meet-winter-electricity-demand-.html to view the full article online.

ScottMadden’s Energy Industry Update Focuses on Grid Modernization Efforts Around the Nation

ScottMadden, Inc., one of North America’s leading management consulting firms specializing in energy, has released its latest edition of The Energy Industry Update (EIU).

Visit https://www.energycentral.com/news/scottmadden%E2%80%99s-energy-industry-update-focuses-grid-modernization-efforts-around-nation to view the full article online.

EPA Finalizes Renewable Fuel Standard for 2019, Reflecting Cellulosic Biofuel Shortfalls

On November 30, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule for the 2019 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, with the total U.S. renewable fuel volume requirement set 3% higher than the 2018 mandate, but nearly 30% lower than the statutory volume standards set forth by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007).

Visit https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=37712 to view the full article online.

How Digitalization and Blockchain can unlock an Energy Trading Revolution

Digital solutions could revolutionize energy trading if they were adopted more widely across the market. That was the message delivered today at European Utility Week in Vienna.

Visit https://www.power-eng.com/articles/2018/11/how-digitalization-and-blockchain-can-unlock-an-energy-trading-revolution.html to view the full article online.

Transmission Weaves Through a Complex Urban Web

Public Service Electric and Gas Co.’s complex Bergen-Linden Corridor project, placed into service in June 2018, required a high degree of collaboration and attention to detail to deliver the project successfully.

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/transmission-reliability/transmission-weaves-through-complex-urban-web to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Austin Energy Launches New Program That Brings Electric Vehicle Curriculum and Charging Stations to Local Schools

For the first time in Texas, electric vehicle charging stations, coupled with curriculum about electric vehicles, green energy and sustainable mobility, are available for a local school district through a new program called EVs for Schools.

Visit https://austinenergy.com/ae/about/news/press-releases/2018/austin-energy-launches-new-program-that-brings-electric-vehicle-curriculum-and-charging-stations-to-local-schools to view the full article online.

Basin Electric, Members Unite to Focus on the Future at 2018 Annual Meeting

More than 1,000 member co-op employees, directors, public officials, and utility representatives attended Basin Electric''s 2018 Annual Meeting.

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/news-center/news-releases/basin-electric-members-unite-focus-future-2018-annual-meeting to view the full article online.

Black Hills Corp. Utility Subsidiary Submits 2018 Integrated Resource Plan in Wyoming

Black Hills Corp. announced that its Wyoming electric utility subsidiary, Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Co., doing business as Black Hills Energy, submitted its 2018 Integrated Resource Plan to the Wyoming Public Service Commission.

Visit https://www.blackhillscorp.com/node/118080#.XAmDZdtKi70 to view the full article online.

El Paso Electric, EEI Celebrate 1 Million Electric Vehicles on U.S. Roads

El Paso Electric joins the Edison Electric Institute in marking the milestone of one million electric vehicles on U.S. roads.

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/about-el-paso-electric/article/el-paso-electric-eei-celebrate-1-million-electric-vehicles-on-us-roads to view the full article online.

KCP&L Asks to Continue, Expand Energy Efficient Programs in Missouri

KCP&L has asked to expand investment in energy saving options for low income customers and to offer all customers new innovative energy efficiency options and choices, including an online marketplace, smart home products and more low-cost business efficiency options.

Visit https://www.kcpl.com/about-kcpl/media-center/2018/november/kcpl-asks-to-continue-expand-energy-efficient-programs-in-missouri to view the full article online.

LES Announces Partnerships, Grant Funding for Electric Vehicle Study

Lincoln Electric System has begun collecting data for its electric vehicle study, and it will have the help of professional and academic researchers to dig for insights, as well as national funding.

Visit https://www.les.com/about-les/news/view?article_id=113143 to view the full article online.

NPPD to Issue $36 million in Bonds December 11

The Nebraska Public Power District plans to issue approximately $36 million of fixed-rate, tax-exempt bonds Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Visit https://www.nppd.com/2018/nppd-issue-36-million-bonds-december-11/ to view the full article online.

NextEra Energy Completes Acquisition of the Ownership Interests in Two Natural Gas Power Plants From Southern Company

NextEra Energy, Inc. has completed the previously announced acquisition of Southern Company''s indirect ownership interests in the Stanton and Oleander natural gas power plants in Florida.

Visit http://newsroom.nexteraenergy.com/2018-12-04-NextEra-Energy-completes-acquisition-of-the-ownership-interests-in-two-natural-gas-power-plants-from-Southern-Company to view the full article online.

SRP to Unveil 100-Megawatt Solar Project

Salt River Project announced today a collaboration to invest in clean, green energy with zero emissions and provide 100 megawatts of solar generation to the growing Intel Chandler facility.

Visit https://www.srpnet.com/newsroom/releases/120318.aspx to view the full article online.

A $1.6 Billion Boost for Rural Infrastructure From USDA

Electric cooperatives in 24 states will receive nearly $1.6 billion in loans from the Department of Agriculture to improve system operations, repair power lines and substations, and increase grid resiliency.

Visit https://www.sunflower.net/a-1-6-billion-boost-for-rural-infrastructure-from-usda/ to view the full article online.

Linemen Provide Opportunity to Guatemalan Villages

In October, lights went on for the first time in two villages nestled deep in the jungles of northwest Guatemala. After weeks of grueling manual labor in adverse conditions far from home, line crews from Oklahoma and Colorado completed work on a project to provide the villages of Pie del Cerro and Tierra Blanca Salinas the gift of electricity.

Visit http://www.unitedpower.com/linemen-provide-opportunity-to-guatemalan-villages/ to view the full article online.

TEP Volunteers Support Numerous Events and Causes During the Holidays

While Tucson Electric Power employees volunteer year round, they’re stepping up their efforts during the holidays to support several charitable and seasonal events to make the season brighter for our community.

Visit https://www.tep.com/news/tep-volunteers-support-numerous-events-and-causes-during-the-holidays/ to view the full article online.

Baldwin City Adds Solar to Energy Portfolio, Signs Agreement with Westar Energy

The City of Baldwin City is adding solar to its energy mix through an agreement with Westar Energy.

Visit https://www.westarenergy.com/content/about-us/news/2018-news-releases/baldwin-city-adds-solar-to-energy-portfolio-signs-agreement-with-westar-energy to view the full article online.

Rocky Mountain Electrical League