RMEL eNews

Industry Information

Americans Rate Utilities Higher On Environmental Dedication

Utilities had some good news to share on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day: customers are scoring them significantly higher on environmental stewardship.

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/americans-rate-utilities-higher-on-environmental-dedication/ to view the full article online.

Workforce, Supply Chain Disruptions Key Elements in Ongoing Pandemic Preparations

The North American Electric Reliability Corp.'s (NERC) special report, Pandemic Preparedness and Operational Assessment: Spring 2020, reviews reliability considerations and operational preparedness during COVID-19.

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/disaster-response/article/21129989/workforce-supply-chain-disruptions-key-elements-in-ongoing-pandemic-preparations to view the full article online.

As Extreme Weather Spurs Billions in Utility Resilience Spending, Regulators Struggle to Value Investments

A new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows the value of resilience depends on too many factors to easily quantify and moves regulators back to human judgment.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/as-extreme-weather-spurs-billions-in-utility-resilience-spending-regulator/576404/ to view the full article online.

California Eyes Expedited Microgrid Deployment to Help With Fire Season Power Shut-offs

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a proposal Wednesday that would require utilities to speed up the deployment of microgrids and other projects that could help customers during wildfire-related safety power shut-offs.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-eyes-expedited-microgrid-deployment-to-help-with-fire-season-pow/577060/ to view the full article online.

COVID-19 the ‘Biggest Shock to Energy System’ in Decades Says IEA

The COVID-19 pandemic is the “biggest shock to the global energy system in more than seven decades” according to a new report from the International Energy Agency.

Visit https://www.hydroreview.com/2020/04/30/covid-19-the-biggest-shock-to-energy-system-in-decades-says-iea/ to view the full article online.

Utah Organizations Seek Geothermal Research Proposals for Awards Worth $46M

The University of Utah and Utah Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) announced FORGE Solicitation 2020-1.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/2020/05/01/utah-organizations-seek-geothermal-research-proposals-for-awards-worth-46m/ to view the full article online.

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $131 Million for CCUS Technologies

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Fossil Energy announced up to $131 million for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) research and development (R&D) projects through one new funding opportunity announcement (FOA) and the winners of five project selections from a previous FOA.

Visit https://www.energy.gov/articles/us-department-energy-announces-131-million-ccus-technologies to view the full article online.

Western Energy Imbalance Market Gross Benefits Exceed $900 million: Nine balancing authorities share $57.9 Million in First-quarter Benefits for 2020

The Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM), the real-time energy market operated by the California Independent System Operator (ISO), reports generating $57.9 million in first-quarter gross benefits, putting the total at $919.69 million since 2014.

Visit https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/t-d/56/831651/western-energy-imbalance-market-gross-benefits-exceed-900-million-nine-balancing-authorities-share-57-9-million-in-first-quarter-benefits-for-2020.html to view the full article online.

We can Save the Planet Without Destroying the Economy

More than 250 environmental groups recently petitioned House Democratic leaders to embrace the Green New Deal. They claim banning fossil fuels is the key to ending climate change.

Visit https://energycentral.com/news/we-can-save-planet-without-destroying-economy to view the full article online.

We can Save the Planet Without Destroying the Economy

More than 250 environmental groups recently petitioned House Democratic leaders to embrace the Green New Deal. They claim banning fossil fuels is the key to ending climate change.

Visit https://energycentral.com/news/we-can-save-planet-without-destroying-economy to view the full article online.

U.S. Ethanol Exports Fell for the First Time in Four Years in 2019

The United States exported 96,000 barrels per day (b/d) of fuel ethanol in 2019, the first annual drop in U.S. ethanol exports since 2015.

Visit https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=43575 to view the full article online.

Small City in Massachusetts gets ‘Smart’ with New Initiative to Monitor Roads via Streetlight Sensors

Grant funding from National Grid and the Massachusetts Area Planning Council (MAPC) helped pay for the new project.

Visit https://www.power-grid.com/2020/04/30/small-city-in-massachusetts-gets-smart-with-new-initiative-to-monitor-roads-via-streetlight-sensors/ to view the full article online.

Return to the New Normal?: Duke CEO Talks to Fortune About Steps Forward vs. COVID Concerns

Sending everyone home from the office during a pandemic is unprecedented and problematic. Bringing them back may be an even bigger unknown.

Visit https://www.power-eng.com/2020/04/30/return-to-the-new-normal-duke-ceo-talks-to-fortune-about-steps-forward-vs-covid-concerns/ to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Mark Gabriel Celebrates Seven-year anniversary as WAPA's Administrator and CEO

Walking into the WAPA Headquarters 2,555 days ago for the first time, I could never have envisioned the amazing changes, challenges and choices that have transpired or the phenomenal people, programs and progress that have led us to where we are today.

Visit https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsFeatures/2020/Pages/seven-year-anniversary-message.aspx to view the full article online.

New Website Makes it Easier Than Ever for City of Austin Utility Customers to Apply for Bill Help

The City of Austin has taken steps to ensure customers experiencing hardships due to COVID-19 can get immediate utility bill relief.

Visit https://austinenergy.com/ae/about/news/news-releases/2020/new-website-for-utility-bill-help to view the full article online.

University of Wyoming, Basin Electric Carbon Storage Project Advances With $15.2 Million in Federal Funding

The University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources, Basin Electric and other partners are working to develop a site to store over 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide underground.

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/news-center/news-releases/uw-school-energy-resources-basin-electric-carbon-storage-project-advances to view the full article online.

CPS Energy Honored As One of The "Easiest Utilities To Do Business With"

CPS Energy has been identified as a top utility across the nation and named one of the “Easiest Utilities to Do Business With” based on customer feedback according to the Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement™: Residential study from Escalent, a top human behavior and analytics firm.

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/cps-energy-honored-as-one-of-the-easiest-utilities-to-do-business-with/ to view the full article online.

LES Distributing $20.9 Million to Local Governments

As a community-owned public power company, Lincoln Electric System will pay $20.9 million to local governments in 2020 through its annual payment in lieu of tax and city dividend for utility ownership.

Visit https://www.les.com/about-les/news/view?article_id=118917 to view the full article online.

Dia named general manager at Cooper Nuclear Station

Khalil Dia, a 24-year employee at Nebraska Public Power District’s Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville, has been named General Manager of Plant Operations (GMPO) effective May 1, replacing Joe Sullivan who has been named General Manager at Entergy’s Arkansas One Nuclear Power Station.

Dia has served as Engineering Director at CNS where he was responsible for the engineering department including reactor and fuel engineering since 2016. After three years working at Arizona Public Service’s Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station as a design engineer, Dia joined NPPD in 1996 as a System Engineer at Cooper and later became System Engineering Supervisor in 2010 and System Engineering Manager in 2012, before his move to Engineering Director.

Visit https://www.nppd.com/press-releases/dia-named-general-manager-at-cooper-nuclear-station to view the full article online.

NextEra Energy Family of Companies Reaches $4 Million in COVID-19 Emergency Assistance for Most Vulnerable Communities

NextEra Energy announced coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency assistance has surpassed $4 million in just one month's time.

Visit http://newsroom.nexteraenergy.com/2020-04-22-NextEra-Energy-family-of-companies-reaches-4-million-in-COVID-19-emergency-assistance-for-most-vulnerable-communities to view the full article online.

OPPD Expands Customer Support Measures

Omaha Public Power District knows our customers are facing challenges as our communities cope with COVID-19 and related issues. Whether working remotely, in quarantine, or helping children learn from home, we want to ensure power is there when you need it most.

Visit https://www.oppd.com/news-resources/news-releases/2020/april/oppd-expands-customer-support-measures/ to view the full article online.

PacifiCorp Modifies Service at Wyoming Recreation Areas in Response to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, PacifiCorp is modifying operations of its recreation sites in Wyoming until further notice.

Visit https://www.pacificorp.com/about/newsroom/news-releases/wyoming-recreation-covid-19.html to view the full article online.

Salt River Project Recognized As A Reliable Public Power Provider

SRP has earned a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3)® designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service.

Visit https://media.srpnet.com/salt-river-project-recognized-as-a-reliable-public-power-provider/ to view the full article online.

Largest Solar Farm in Kansas Starts Commercial Operation

Sunflower Electric Power Corp. and Lightsource BP have announced that the Johnson Corner Solar Project entered commercial operation on April 7.

Visit https://www.sunflower.net/largest-solar-farm-in-kansas-starts-commercial-operation/ to view the full article online.

Liberty Utilities and Liberty Power Donate $500,000 to Support Local Communities During COVID-19 Pandemic

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (“Algonquin” or “the Company”) (TSX/NYSE:AQN), parent company of Liberty Utilities and Liberty Power, is announcing a US$500,000 donation to support communities within its service territories during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit https://libertyutilities.com/liberty-utilities-and-liberty-power-donation.html to view the full article online.

Tri-State Achieved a Significant Milestone in its Transition to be a More Flexible and Even Cleaner Power Supplier

Tri-State achieved a significant milestone in its transition to be a more flexible and even cleaner power supplier through its transformative Responsible Energy Plan.

Visit https://tristate.coop/tri-state-takes-significant-step-increase-member-flexibility-sets-contract-termination-payment to view the full article online.

United Power Advances Capital Credit Retirement to Alleviate COVID Impacts

United Power is returning $5.5 million in Capital Credits to members beginning in May and nearly every member is getting a payment.

Visit https://www.unitedpower.com/united-power-advances-capital-credit-retirement-alleviate-covid-impacts to view the full article online.

e-Learning Opportunity about Electricity Safety Offered to Youngsters

With parents and teachers both looking for quality online content while students are out of school, Tucson Electric Power has begun converting our educational programs to online offerings.

Visit https://www.tep.com/news/e-learning-opportunity-about-electricity-safety-offered-to-youngsters/ to view the full article online.

Xcel Energy Names Amanda Rome Executive VP and General Counsel, as Scott Wilensky Retires

Xcel Energy has named Amanda Rome executive vice president and general counsel, effective June 1, as Scott Wilensky who has held the position since 2011, announces his retirement.

Visit https://www.xcelenergy.com/company/media_room/news_releases/xcel_energy_names_amanda_rome_executive_vp_and_general_counsel,_as_scott_wilensky_retires to view the full article online.

Rocky Mountain Electrical League