Nebraska Municipal Power Pool l Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska l National Public Gas Agency l Public Alliance for Community Energy

EssentEssential news for NMPP Energy members

N e w s l e t t e rDecember 2016 Vol. 41 Issue 11

I N S I D EWorking together: NMPP joins group of Midwest utilities to share ideas and advocate for public power ..........................................Page 3

Our Product is EnergyOur Mission is ServiceOur Power is People

MEAN issues RFP for wind energy

NMPP Energy photo

The MEAN Kimball Wind Project consists of seven 1.5 megawatt turbines and is located three miles northwest of Kimball, Neb. It is approaching its 15th year of commercial operation.

Plan would replace,possibly expand outputfrom Kimball project

The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) in early November issued a Request for Proposals seeking a minimum of 20 megawatts of wind energy capacity to simultaneously replace and possibly expand the wind energy it currently receives from its MEAN Wind Project near Kimball, Neb.

As part of the proposal, MEAN intends to decommission the cur-rent Wind Project outside Kimball, a 10.5 megawatt project consisting of seven turbines that began commercial operation in 2002. MEAN is seeking a 20-year power purchase agreement with a private wind developer for future wind energy at the Kimball site. The proposal’s timeline calls for a commercial operation date by the end of 2017.

Today’s improved wind turbine technology, along with the opportuni-ty to benefit from the Federal Renew-able Electricity Production Tax Credit provided to private wind developers makes it a good time to look into replacing and possibly expanding the site’s wind generation capability, said Tim Sutherland, director of whole-sale electric operations for MEAN. The Production Tax Credit provides

private wind developers a financial rebate for wind energy produced.

The Kimball project, approaching its 15th year in operation, is located three miles northwest of Kimball. It was the first commercial utility-scale wind project in Nebraska and in-cludes seven 1.5 megawatt turbines. Energy generated at the site is used by MEAN to serve its wholesale partici-pating communities, including the City of Kimball.

The Kimball project is one of sev-eral wind projects generating renew-able energy in MEAN’s diverse power supply portfolio. MEAN currently

serves wholesale electricity and related services to 70 participating communi-ties in Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa and Wyoming.

MEAN Wind Resources

The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska receives renewable energy from several sources, including these wind projects:

Project Nameplate Capacity (MW)• Wind Project at Kimball ....................... 10.5• Wessington Springs, S.D. Project ..........10• Elkhorn Ridge Project ................................ 8• Laredo Ridge Project .................................. 8• Ainsworth Wind Facility ............................ 7• Crofton Bluffs Project ................................. 4

2www.nmppenergy.org

EssentDecember ‘16

®

NMPP Energy call for awardsNMPP Energy members will soon be mailed nomination forms for awards

scheduled to be announced at the 2017 NMPP Energy Annual Meeting & Conference in South Sioux City, Neb., March 28-30. The awards available include:

All members are eligible to nominate a recently completed project. One winner each is selected in three population categories.

Awarded to an official or employee from an NMPP member utility system who excels in service and/or uses innovation in the utility industry.

Awarded to an individual of a MEAN member community who displays commendable efforts to promote public power and its ideals.

Watch your mail for nomination forms or check nmppenergy.org for

online nomination forms.

Project of the Year Awards

Bob Arraj Innovative Service Award

Rudy Hultgren Dedicated Service Award

2017Annual Meeting & Conference

March 28-30, 2017Marina Inn Hotel & Conference CenterSouth Sioux City, Neb.

Listen. Learn. Share. Engage.

3www.nmppenergy.org

EssentDecember ‘16

®

NMPP joins Midwest group

The Nebraska Municipal Power Pool recently joined the Midwest States Public Power Association, consisting of utility representatives from Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Il-linois, Kansas, among others.

The group shares ideas about what each state is see-ing in the industry ranging in topics from operations, legal/lobbying efforts, administrative and workforce development, and case studies of actual issues these professionals are encoun-tering.

The organization represent-ed against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Re-ciprocal Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) regulation and has contacts with many other

organizations from the Ameri-can Public Power Association to private industry profession-als.

The group meets annually and stays in contact through-out the year, exemplifying the type of advocacy smaller public groups can do by sharing information and helping each other for the benefit of their members/customers.

The 2016 meeting was hosted by the Iowa Associa-tion of Municipal Utilities in Ankeny, Iowa in October and was attended by NMPP staff members Andrew Ross and Mandy Hansen. The 2017 meeting will be at the Kansas Municipal Utilities headquar-ters in McPherson, Kan.

Courtesy photo

The Midwest States Public Power Association meets annually and stays in contact throughout the year to share information and assist each other in serving their respected members/customers.

Utilities share ideas, enhance public power advocacy

The Nebraska Municipal Power Pool welcomed Richard Andrysik, who recently began employment as a distrib-uted resources and genera-tion specialist assigned to the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. Prior to arriving at NMPP/MEAN, he worked as a rate analyst at the Missouri River Energy Services in South Dakota. He worked for Lincoln Electric System for more than 35 years as a senior engineer and then as manager of rates, fore-casting and load research.

In MemoriamGeorge Michael

George Michael, long-time town superintendent for the Town of Haxtun, Colo., passed away Nov. 11. George served as town super-intendent from 1985-2005 and then again from 2008 until his death.

He also previously served on the Town Council. George was active within the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, serving on the MEAN Board and Management Committee for

StaffingNote

many years. He earned the Amer-ican Public Power Association’s Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award in 2001 for his service to his

Richard Andrysik

George Michael

community. The organizations of NMPP Energy send our deepest condolences to his family and the Haxtun community.

4www.nmppenergy.org

EssentDecember ‘16

®

Your staff at NMPP Energy wishes you a joyful holiday season and best wishes in the new year!

The Nebraska Municipal Power Pool approved its legisla-tive guidelines for 2017 during their quarterly board meeting in

November at the NMPP En-ergy offices in Lincoln, Neb.

The guide-lines serve as

a statement of legislative policy accepted by the NMPP Board of Directors on behalf of the NMPP membership. The guidelines are used to inform legislative mem-bers, government officials and other constituents on issues that affect the electric and natural gas industries.

The guidelines include sections on electric and natural

gas issues as well as legislative policy and overall national energy strategy.

The 2017 guidelines are available on the home page of the NMPP Energy website (www.nmp-penergy.org).

In other board action:Jeff Wells, city manager of

Fort Morgan, Colo., was appoint-ed to fill a vacancy on the NMPP Board representing communities with a population range of 5,000-20,000 until the end of the fiscal year (March 31, 2017).

* * *Darrel Wenzel, CEO of

Waverly (Iowa) Utilities, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Energy Research and De-

velopment Fund (ERDF) Com-mittee until the end of the fiscal year. The nine-person committee oversees the ERDF program that funds innovative energy projects for the shared benefit of program participants.

* * *The Board approved Air Regu-

lations Consulting, LLC (ARC) as a new Champions business member. ARC assists municipalities with air permitting, compliance, planning and other regulatory issues. The company’s website is www.airreg-consulting.com. The Champions program consists of businesses and organizations that support NMPP Energy’s effort to provide products and services to members.

NMPP Board approves legislative guidelines

Board Notes

5www.nmppenergy.org

EssentDecember ‘16

®

Your staff at NMPP Energy wishes you a joyful holiday season and best wishes in the new year!

Conference to address retiring workforce trendAn issue many Nebraska Municipal Power

Pool member utilities face is finding employees to replace the wave of retirees of the Baby Boomer generation. The challenge, especially for small mu-nicipal utilities, requires thinking outside the box to fill and retain young, qualified and motivated employees.

This trending topic will be a focus at the NMPP Energy Annual Conference March 28-30, 2017 in South Sioux City, Neb. Speakers will be addressing:

• How to capture and transfer the knowledge of veteran personnel to younger generations;

• How generational learning styles differ and how to adapt;

• The radically different take on leadership and the archaic management practices the younger generations perceive;

• Through succession planning, learn how your utility can engage, develop and retain the new work force;

• How to cope if the veteran workforce leaves

before their expertise is passed on;• How to utilize the tools of influence gaining

buy-in from others to achieve success;• Learn the basic principles and application of

body language and techniques;• Learn the key accounts roadmap to success.Utilities and community representatives are

highly encouraged to attend the conference to learn more about these challenges and hear pos-sible strategies to better address this ongoing issue.

NMPP Energy Annual Conference

Trending TopicListen. Learn. Share. Engage.

Plan toattend!March 28-30South Sioux City, Neb.

6www.nmppenergy.org

EssentDecember ‘16

® See ‘EMPLOYMENT’ on page 8

Employment OpportunitiesElectric journey line worker andElectric apprentice line workerThe City of Alliance, Neb., (pop. 8,500) is accepting applications for the position of full-time electric journey line worker with a pay range of $22.42-$28.97 per hour DOQ. This individual will perform skilled line work in the operation, construction, maintenance and repair of overhead and underground electric distribution and transmission systems. The City will also accept applications for electric apprentice line worker, pay range of $17.03-$21.12 DOQ utilizing the City of Alliance’s Appren-ticeship Program. Applications with re-sumes will be accepted until the position is filled. A complete job description for both positions and an Application is avail-able at www.cityofalliance.net. This posi-tion includes an excellent benefit package including health insurance, retirement, vacation, sick leave and paid holidays.

Deputy City TreasurerThe City of Torrington, Wyo., is accepting applications for deputy city treasurer. Ap-plications and resumes may be submitted at City Hall, 436 East 22nd Ave. This job requires a bachelor’s degree in account-ing, finance or related field and four years directly related experience with payroll,

benefit administration, accounting, and budgeting. This is a full-time position with benefits. For information or applications contact City Hall at (307) 532-5666, P.O. Box 250, Torrington, WY 82240 or on the web at www.torringtonwy.gov. The City of Torrington is an equal opportunity em-ployer and maintains a drug and alcohol free workplace.

Public Works DirectorThe City of Central City, Neb., is

currently seeking candidates for a new position of Public Works Director. The Director will assist in the planning, review and oversight of the daily activities and operations of the electric, gas, water, sewer, streets, parks and wastewater treatment departments; will coordinate assigned activities with other City depart-ments, consultants and outside agencies; assist in compliance with regulations associated with these departments; and provide policy, technical and administra-tive support to the Mayor, City Council and City Administrator. Starting salary will be competitive and will depend on experi-ence and qualifications. The City provides a highly competitive benefits package. A City application must be completed, and

may be supplemented by a resume. Appli-cation materials will be received until the position is filled. Applications are available at City Hall, 1515 17th Street, P.O. Box 418, Central City, NE 68826 or by calling (308) 946-3806.Utility Superintendent

The City of Curtis, Neb., is accepting applications for a utility superintendent. This individual will oversee and maintain all areas of the Curtis Light and Water electri-cal distribution system, generating plant, water and sewer departments. Duties include, but are not limited to, mainte-

To submit an adNMPP members can advertise job openings for free in the Essent newsletter and on the NMPP Energy Web site. The newsletter deadline is the 15th of each month.

E-mail Kevin Wickham at kwickham@nmppenergy.org.

7www.nmppenergy.org

EssentDecember ‘16

®

Financial ServicesAmeritas Investment Corp. (Ameritas.com) ............................................................................................... Omaha, Neb.D.A. Davidson & Co. (Davidsoncompanies.com) ...................................................................................... Omaha, Neb.UNICO Group, Inc. and Midlands Financial Benefits (unicogroup.com) .......................................Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska Energy Federal Credit Union (ne-fcu.com) ......................................................................Columbus, Neb. RBC Capital Markets (rbc.com) ........................................................................................................................Denver, Colo.

Regulatory/Compliance Services Power Plant Compliance (Powplant.com) ..................................................................................................... Oketo, Kan.NAQS Environmental Experts (naqs.com) ..................................................................................................Lincoln, Neb.

Utility Services & SuppliesEnergySolutions, Inc. (Energysolutions-inc.com) ...................................................................................... Omaha, Neb.Hometown Connections, LLC (Hometownconnections.com) ......................................................Lakewood, Colo.JK Energy Consulting, LLC (JKenergyconsulting.com) ...........................................................................Lincoln, Neb.Kriz-Davis Co. (Krizdavis.com) .................................................................................................................Grand Island, Neb.NovaTech (Novatechweb.com) .........................................................................................................................Lenexa, Kan.PDS, Inc. (PDSinc.biz) ........................................................................................................................................... Omaha, Neb.Protective Equipment Testing Laboratory (petl.com) .................................................................. Great Bend, Kan.REM Electric, Inc. (Davidsoncompanies.com) .................................................................................Nebraska City, Neb.RESCO (Rural Electric Supply Cooperative) (resco1.com) ................................................................ Ankeny, IowaSolomon Corporation (Solomoncorp.com) ............................................................................................... Solomon, Kan.Stanley Consultants, Inc. (Stanleyconsultants.com) .......................................................................... Muscatine, Iowa

Computer/Technology ServicesVentureTech (venturetech.net) ........................................................................................................................Lincoln, Neb.Salt Creek Software, Inc. (Saltcreek.com) .....................................................................................................Lincoln, Neb.

Engineering ServicesEPSIM Corporation (epsim.us) ........................................................................................................................Boulder, Colo.HDR (hdrinc.com) .................................................................................................................................................. Omaha, Neb.JEO Consulting Group, Inc. (jeo.com) ......................................................................................................... Wahoo, Neb.Lutz, Daily & Brain, LLC (ldbeng.com) ..............................................................................................Overland Park, Kan.Olsson Associates (Olssonassociates.com) ..................................................................................................Lincoln, Neb.Sega Inc. (segainc.com) ........................................................................................................................................ Stilwell, Kan.

Legal ServicesChapman and Cutler, LLP (chapman.com) .....................................................................................Salt Lake City, UtahSpiegel & McDiarmid (spiegelmcd.com) ..............................................................................................Washington, D.C.

Telecommunication ServicesConsortia Consulting (consortiaconsulting.com) ......................................................................................Lincoln, Neb. River Oaks Communications Corp. (rivoaks.com) ............................................................................Centennial, Colo.

Champions Business Directory

Champions are businesses and organizations that support NMPP Energy’s effort to provide products and services to members. Consider these businesses when your utility or municipality has a business need. If your business is interested in becoming an NMPP Energy Champion, call Andrew Ross at (800) 234-2595.

Upcoming Board/Committee MeetingsDecember 8 - NPGA Board, Lincoln, Neb.December 14 - MEAN Finance/Power Supply, North Platte, Neb.January 18 - ACE Board/MEAN Committees, North Platte, Neb.January 19 - MEAN Board/Management Committee, North Platte, Neb.

NON PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT 402

LINCOLN, NE

8377 Glynoaks DriveLincoln NE 68516

EssentN e w s l e t t e r

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Essent is published as a service to NMPP Energy members. The subscription rate for nonmembers is $50 per year. Copyright 2016, Nebraska Municipal Power Pool.Send comments to: Essent, Attn: Editor, 8377 Glynoaks Drive, Lincoln, NE 68516 or e-mail: kwickham@nmppenergy.org;

phone: (800) 234-2595 • Fax: (402) 474-0473 • www.nmppenergy.orgPublisher: Robert L. Poehling, Executive Director, NMPP Energy

Editor: Kevin Wickham, Communications Specialist

To submit an ad: NMPP members can advertise job openings for free in the Essent newsletter and on the nmppenergy website. E-mail your job opening to: info@nmppenergy.org.

The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) and Public Alli-ance for Community Energy (ACE) elected individuals to fill vacancies in their respective organizations through the current fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2017.

Jeremy Tarr of Burwell, Neb., was elected to serve as vice chair of the MEAN Management Committee and Rob Stangel of Indianola (Iowa) Mu-nicipal Utilities, was elected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the com-mittee. Also, Doug Schultz of Curtis, Neb., was elected to fill a vacancy on the MEAN Executive Committee.

MEAN, ACE fill vacancies for rest of fiscal yearAt the ACE board meeting,

Andrew Devine of Albion, Neb., was elected vice chairperson and Wes Ol-son of Red Cloud, Neb., was elected secretary/treasurer. Randy Horst of Gurley, Neb., and Dale Wilkinson of Neligh, Neb., filled the two vacancies on the At-Large Executive Committee.

* * *The dates for the 2017 Nebraska

Choice Gas selection period were re-cently announced and shared with the ACE Board. The selection period will run from April 13-27. ACE will again be a competing natural gas supplier in the program.

nance, repair and upgrades of all utility systems. This person must be willing to work within all city departments when needed. Requirements include a valid Nebraska driver’s license, must obtain CDL within three months of hire, and become a certi-fied Grade 4 water operator within six months. Electrical and or lineman experience is preferred. Ability to work with computers, SCADA systems, and GIS mapping equipment is required. The City of Curtis will consider training an individual with the aptitude and desire to learn this position. All training and certification costs will be paid by the city. Wage is based on experience and certifica-tions. Benefits include insurance and retirement package. Curtis has great schools, friendly people, low crime, spectacular Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course, and is situated in the heart of some of the best hunting and fishing in the Midwest. Resume and references can be mailed to: City of Curtis, P.O. Box 6, Curtis NE 69025 or emailed to curtis@curtis-ne.com. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The City of Curtis is an EOE. Contact Doug Schultz 308-367-4122 or curtis@curtis-ne.com with questions.

Employment (cont.)