DOE Establishes $6 Billion Civil Nuclear Credit Program
February 13, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 13, 2022
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently a notice of intent (NOI) and request for information (RFI) on the implementation of the infrastructure law’s $6 billion civil nuclear credit program, which supports the continued operation of U.S. nuclear reactors.
Both the NOI and RFI “are critical first steps to help avoid premature retirements of nuclear reactors across the country,” DOE said.
The newly enacted infrastructure law created the Civil Nuclear Credit Program (CNC), allowing owners or operators of commercial U.S. reactors to apply for certification and competitively bid on credits to help support their continued operations.
The RFI seeks input on the structure and execution of the CNC program, including the certification process and eligibility criteria, invitations to submit bids for credits, and the allocation of credits.
DOE seeks input from all interested parties, including but not limited to nuclear reactor owners and operators, state and local regulators and officials, Tribes, impacted community partners, environmental advocacy groups, and other partners involved in clean energy and electric generation, distribution, and planning.
Under the law, applications must prove that the reactor will close for economic reasons and demonstrate that closure will lead to a rise in air pollution.
DOE must also determine that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has reasonable assurance that the reactor will continue to operate safely. Credits will be allocated over a four-year period beginning on the date of selection to reactors that are certified by the Department.
The NOI informs interested parties of DOE’s plans to seek applications and provide potential applicants the opportunity to submit voluntary, non-binding expressions of interest in the CNC program.
Responses to the NOI and RFI addressing general program design and bid process are requested no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on March 17, 2022.
Substantive responses relating specifically to the certification process should be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on March 8, 2022 to ensure that this feedback can be used to meet DOE’s expedited schedule.
Additional information is available here.
APPA Weighs In On Proposal To Revise Definition Of Waters of the United States
February 13, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 13, 2022
Since 2015, jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA) has been in a near constant state of flux, creating a challenging regulatory landscape for project developers and the regulatory community. On Feb. 7, the American Public Power Association (APPA) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in response to a proposed rule that would revise the definition of WOTUS.
The proposed rule is considered a first step and replace the Navigable Water Protection Rule (NWPS) and would codify the pre-2015 definition of WOTUS, with amendments to incorporate the EPA’s interpretation of Supreme Court case law.
APPA’s comments voiced concern about elements of the proposed rule that unduly expanding the definition of WOTUS.
“APPA supports a clear and implementable definition of WOTUS,” it said. “In order for the electric utility sector to construct, operate, and maintain facilities in support of the clean energy transition and meet their service obligations, the WOTUS definition must be easily understood and uniformly applied across the country.”
APPA has over the years provided to the agencies its position with respect to developing a clear and easily implementable WOTUS definition and the Proposed rule marks the latest development in nearly two decades of administrative proceedings, not to mention litigation, it noted.
The trade group voiced concerns with the application of the Commerce Clause in determining whether water bodies meet one or more of the WOTUS jurisdictional tests under the proposed rule. “Specifically, non-navigable waterways should not be subject to WOTUS jurisdiction, however, they could be regulated under state authorities,” APPA said.
According to APPA, the pre-2015 WOTUS definition allowed for an overly broad traditional navigable water interpretation.
EPA and the Corps claimed jurisdiction, under 1986 regulations, over waters used by interstate or foreign travelers for recreational or other purposes, with no foundation in actual navigable waters, APPA said.
“APPA is concerned that the proposed rule will unduly expand the waters that would be subject to WOTUS which will result in regulatory uncertainty for our members as they try to advance clean energy infrastructure projects.”
APPA said it does not support the designation of interstate waters as a standalone category of WOTUS. “We do not concur with the Agencies position that these waters by virtue of crossing state lines can be considered WOTUS irrespective of whether they are navigable,” it said.
The proposed rule restores interstate waters as a standalone category, once again placing such waters on equal footing as traditional navigable waters and territorial seas, it added.
APPA also voiced concerns with the proposal by EPA and the Corps to include “other waters” as a category of jurisdictional waters.
“We believe their inclusion in the definition will result in a case-by-case application that is applied inconsistently by different Corps districts, creating confusion, delay, and leading to additional regulatory requirements and burdens.”
The proposed rule goes farther than the text of the 1986 regulations, APPA said, by expressly asserting jurisdiction over “other waters” under the relatively permanent and significant nexus standards from a 2006 case (Rapanos v. United States).
“The ‘other waters’ category could be applied in an exceptionally broad manner by regulators and serve as a fallback for the agencies to assert jurisdiction over a wide range of features,” APPA argued.
At the same time, APPA said that it appreciates that the agencies have maintained the waste treatment system exclusion from the definition of WOTUS.
This exclusion “is critical for electric utilities to provide reliable and affordable electricity across the country, including to rural areas, based on the importance of features such as cooling and settling ponds to our generation and transmission facilities. APPA recommends the agency define waste treatment systems.”
Construction Starts On Offshore Wind Farm That Will Provide Energy To LIPA
February 12, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 12, 2022
Construction of New York’s first offshore wind project kicked off last week. The South Fork Wind project was selected under a 2015 Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) request for proposals to address growing power needs on the east end of Long Island.
“In 2017, the forward-thinking approach of the LIPA Board of Trustees led to the approval of the South Fork Wind project at a time when there were no other power purchase agreements for offshore wind in the country,” said LIPA CEO Thomas Falcone. “As the first offshore wind farm in New York, South Fork Wind is the beginning of a new industry for our region that will be vital to New York meeting its goal of a zero-carbon electric grid by 2040.”
The start of construction was recognized at an event attended by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, alongside Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and other elected officials.
The project will be located about 35 miles east of Montauk Point and its 12 Siemens-Gamesa 11 MW turbines will generate approximately 130 megawatts of power.
Its transmission system will deliver clean energy directly to the electric grid in the Town of East Hampton.
The construction milestone follows the approval by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) last month of the project’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP).
The COP outlines the project’s one nautical mile turbine spacing, the requirements on the construction methodology for all work occurring in federal ocean waters, and mitigation measures to protect marine habitats and species.
BOEM’s final approval of the COP follows the agency’s November 2021 issuance of the Record of Decision, which concluded the thorough BOEM-led environmental review of the project.
New York State has five offshore wind projects in active development, the largest portfolio in the nation. This current portfolio totals more than 4,300 megawatts (MW).
Achieving the State’s 9,000 MW by 2035 goal will generate enough offshore wind energy to power approximately 30 percent of New York State’s electricity needs.
PJM Plan For Transition To New Interconnection Process Advances
February 12, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 12, 2022
The Planning Committee of the PJM Interconnection endorsed a proposal Feb. 8 detailing how PJM will transition to a new interconnection process designed to get generation and other projects through the planning pipeline faster and help clear the current backlog.
Ken Seiler, PJM’s Vice President for Planning, said that while projects that entered the queue before 2021 will be prioritized as part of the transition plan, “We’re not closing the door on new projects.”
He said, “We are prioritizing more than 1,200 projects that we have in our backlog, most of them renewables, and they represent more than 100,000 megawatts of nameplate capacity – that’s half the capacity we have on our system today. We are focused on moving those through the system and streamlining the process as much as possible, and getting real projects interconnected to the queue.”
Seiler said PJM has made significant progress in augmenting staffing in 2021, with plans to continue additional hiring through 2023.
PJM has approximately 225,000 MW worth of projects in the PJM new services queue, 95% of which are wind, solar, storage or a hybrid of renewables with storage. PJM is also increasing its capital budgets for tools and automation to help in the effort to streamline the study process.
The transition proposal garnered 91% approval in a committee vote.
The PJM transition plan, along with the new process itself, now heads to PJM’s Markets and Reliability Committee, with an April vote planned for both that group and the Members Committee.
If the plans are endorsed by the Markets and Reliability Committee and the Members Committee, PJM expects to file necessary changes with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in May.
Based on the current work plan, the effective date of the transition would be the last quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2023.
PJM is a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.
California Regulators Approve Plans For Reliability, Emissions Reductions
February 12, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 12, 2022
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently approved plans that it said will ensure long-term sufficient electricity resource investments, including transmission, and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The CPUC, per Senate Bill 350, developed an integrated resource planning (IRP) process to ensure that California’s electric sector meets its GHG reduction goals while maintaining reliability at the lowest possible costs.
The Feb. 10 decision adopts a 35 million metric ton (MMT) 2032 electric sector GHG planning target, which is more stringent than the 46 MMT GHG target that was adopted previously and equates to 73 percent renewables portfolio standard resources and 86 percent GHG-free resources by 2032.
The decision adopts a portfolio of cost-effective preferred resources that includes approximately 25,500 megawatts (MW) of new supply-side renewables and 15,000 MW of new storage and demand response resources by 2032.
This preferred system plan portfolio differs from the one previously adopted in that it includes more solar and battery storage, as well as new long-duration storage, out-of-state wind, and offshore wind resources. The inclusion of offshore and out-of-state wind resources demonstrates their increased viability as cost-effective resources to help meet state goals, it said.
The CPUC said its modeling and independent analysis conducted by the California Energy Commission demonstrates that the portfolio meets stringent reliability standards.
The CPUC’s preliminary analysis of the preferred system plan portfolio of the load serving entities (LSEs) indicates there is sufficient space for all of these new resources on the existing transmission system, with only limited transmission upgrades needed by 2032.
This finding will be validated at a more granular level by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) in its 2022-2023 transmission planning process, which is an evaluation of the CAISO transmission grid to identify grid upgrades needed to address reliability, meet state policy goals, and provide economic benefits.
LSEs that submitted filings were investor-owned utility, community choice aggregators, electric service providers and electric cooperatives.
The CPUC decision also orders utility procurement of two battery storage projects that were identified by the CAISO as alternatives to transmission upgrades in the previous transmission planning process cycle.
IRP is a multi-year process. The first half of this IRP cycle analyzed and adopted an optimal portfolio of electricity resources as a guide for LSEs to use for meeting their GHG, reliability, and cost objectives.
The second half of the IRP cycle, which is the subject of the Feb. 10 decision, is designed to consider the portfolios and actions that each LSE proposes for meeting these goals, to allow the CPUC to review each LSE plan and aggregate LSE portfolios to develop a preferred system plan portfolio, and to consider whether further action by the LSEs is needed to meet state goals.
The Preferred System Plan adopted on Feb. 10 completes the second half of the 2019-21 IRP cycle.
For the upcoming cycle of IRP, the CPUC will again focus on analysis of the individual LSE plans to be filed in November 2022, which will include plans to procure the 11,500 MW of capacity required for mid-term reliability in the CPUC’s June 2021 decision.
The proposal voted on is available here.
Federal Agencies Announce Nearly $5 Billion In Funds Available For EV Charging Network
February 11, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 11, 2022
The U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy on Feb. 10 announced nearly $5 billion that will be made available under the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program established by President Biden’s infrastructure law to build out a national electric vehicle charging network.
The program will provide the funds over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated alternative fuel corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System.
The total amount available to states in Fiscal Year 2022 under the NEVI formula program is $615 million. States must submit an EV infrastructure deployment plan before they can access these funds.
To access the funds, each state is required to submit an EV infrastructure deployment plan to the new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation that describes how the state intends to use its share of NEVI formula program funds consistent with Federal Highway Administration guidance.
These plans are expected to build on Alternative Fuel Corridors that nearly every state has designated over the past six years of this program. These corridors will be the spine of the new national EV charging network.
The Joint Office will play a key role in the implementation of the NEVI formula program by providing direct technical assistance and support to help states develop their plans before they are reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration, which administers the funding.
A second, competitive grant program designed to further increase EV charging access in locations throughout the country, including in rural and underserved communities, will be announced later this year.
The new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation also launched a new website at DriveElectric.gov. There, officials can find links to technical assistance, data and tools for states.
As part of the Feb. 10 announcement, the Federal Highway Administration released the NEVI formula program funding to states that will be available following approval of state plans for Fiscal Year 2022 in addition to the Program Guidance and a Request for Nominations for states to expand their existing Alternative Fuel Corridors.
Here is state-by-state NEVI funding for Fiscal Years 2022-2026.
Trade Groups, Joint Office Commit To Work Together
In related news, the Joint Office, the American Public Power Association (APPA), the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Edison Electric Institute sent a letter demonstrating their commitment to work together to support EV charging plan development efforts.
“The Joint Office and the electric power industry are working together to connect electric utilities with their peers at state departments of transportation, state energy offices, and other organizations to support state EV charging plan development efforts,” the letter said.
The letter noted that each organization has designated individuals to be the electric power industry liaisons to the Joint Office to help ensure utility engagement and facilitate the appropriate connections. For APPA, the designated contact is Patricia Taylor, Senior Manager, Regulatory Policy and Business Programs.
“Collectively, we will work to identify points of contact at individual utilities, as appropriate, with which the states and the Joint Office can interface as soon as possible,” the letter said.
APPA Offers Recommendations To Department of Transportation On EV Issues
February 10, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 10, 2022
In comments filed with the Department of Transportation (DOT) on electric vehicles (EVs), the American Public Power Association (APPA) recommends that stakeholders talk to utilities early about connecting to the grid so that utilities can plan for new load and urged the DOT to provide clear guidance and definitions on what it means to be a rural, underserved, or disadvantaged community.
APPA’s comments came in response to an RFI published on Nov. 29, 2021 by the DOT, in response to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s directive to develop guidance for two programs:
- National Electric Vehicle Formula Program: $5 billion in funding to states to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure
- Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program: $2.5 billion competitive discretionary grant program to deploy public EV charging infrastructure, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure
In each of its responses to questions or topics included in the RFI, APPA includes a number of specific public power utility examples tied to the specific question or topic.
With respect to APPA’s recommendation that stakeholders talk to utilities early about connecting to the grid, APPA said the utility can educate stakeholders on processes, timeframes, rate options, incentives, pilot programs, and any other relevant offerings. Utilities can provide technical expertise and help with future proofing charging infrastructure assets, APPA said.
“Reliable electric service remains the key goal for utilities as EV deployment increases. Utility and stakeholder EV charging discussions gives the utility visibility into a stakeholder’s transportation electrification goals and plans. This helps utilities conduct load forecasting and determine grid impacts, particularly at the distribution level,” APPA said.
Over the history of the electric grid, “utilities have continuously adapted to new technologies and load. From electric load growth from the commercialization of air conditioning to large key accounts like data centers moving into a utility’s service territory, the goal of serving customers reliable and affordable electricity has remained paramount.”
Public power utilities are monitoring EV adoption trends, conducting load forecasting, and studying charging behavior to determine grid impacts, APPA noted.
Some public power electric utilities are exploring active managed charging, where vehicle charging is controlled, while others are piloting or implementing passive managed charging practices, such as time-of-use (TOU) rates and bill credits for off-peak charging. Electric rates are designed to fit local conditions and may reflect times of excess solar or wind capacity.
EV Charging Infrastructure In Rural corridors And Underserved Or Disadvantaged Communities
Equity is embedded within the public power business model, APPA said. Public power electric utilities are not-for profit and have an obligation to serve their local communities.
“Numerous public power systems serve disadvantaged, underserved, and rural communities. Level 2 and Fast Charging infrastructure in these communities is important to ensuring equity in transportation electrification. EV adoption is traditionally lower in these communities, which can make the business case for charging infrastructure deployment without incentives more difficult. In rural areas, fast charging stations will be crucial to help EV drivers travel across longer distances.”
APPA recommends that DOT provide clear guidance and definitions on what it means to be a rural, underserved, or disadvantaged community. Utilities would also benefit from federal technical assistance, tools, and resources to help identify these populations within their communities, it said.
Public power utilities have initiated various programs to support equitable EV adoption including deployment of charging in underserved areas such as in multiunit dwellings, incentives for low to moderate-income customers, educational offerings, and working with fleet operators such as public transit and ride sharing companies who may serve or be operated by underserved communities.
Existing EV Charging Infrastructure Programs And Incentives
Meanwhile, APPA said that public power utilities are developing a range of programs to support EV infrastructure within their community, covering areas such as education/awareness, charging infrastructure deployment, EV fleets, EV rates and incentives.
“EV knowledge and awareness remains a barrier in advancing the EV market, so public power utilities are helping educate their communities about EVs and charging infrastructure. Information is disseminated via utility websites, social media, newsletters, and in-person events like ride-and-drives. As trusted energy advisors within their communities, public power utilities have a unique opportunity to educate customers about the benefits of EVs.”
Range anxiety remains another obstacle to EV adoption, so public power utilities are supporting charging infrastructure deployment. This can span from owning and operating charging stations, to building make-ready infrastructure, to providing incentives for charging infrastructure for residential and commercial customers, DOT was told.
Public power utilities are also looking to lead by example and deploy EVs within their own vehicle fleets. This helps increase awareness of EVs within the community and provides utilities with first-hand experience with the technology. “Our members also serve as an advisor to fleet operators, helping advance charging infrastructure deployment within their communities.“
EV rates are another element of numerous public power EV programs. A range of designs have been implemented including TOU, subscription pricing, rate discounts, and off-peak bill credits to EV customers. These specialized offerings can help incentivize EVs, save EV drivers money, and help utilities manage load by encouraging off-peak charging. Ratemaking at public power utilities is conducted in an open and transparent manner and is subject to approval by the utility’s governing body, APPA said.
Fostering Enhanced, Coordinated, Public-Private Or Private Investment In EV Charging Infrastructure
APPA said that utilities should be a part of the discussion early and often for charging infrastructure projects no matter the role of the utility. “This engagement will allow public power utilities to plan for future load and any upgrades as well as provide crucial advice on how to deploy this infrastructure.”
Utilities can help size transformers, advise on electrical service upgrades, rate design, demand side management, and navigating this emerging technology and DOT should not limit project eligibility based on charging infrastructure ownership model. Utilities should be allowed to own and operate charging infrastructure, the trade group said in its comments.
Grant Programs
APPA also addressed the topic of administering competitive grants under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program for corridor and community charging.
It said that grant programs should be designed with flexibility in mind and that grant administrators should ensure that grants and funding opportunities are available to all those willing – including public power.
APPA also argued that federal agencies, like the U.S. Department of Energy and DOT should provide technical assistance and share best practices among stakeholders.
House Passes Bill That Includes Provisions Of Interest To Public Power
February 9, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 9, 2022
The House on Feb. 4 approved by a vote of 222-210 H.R. 4521, the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength Act of 2022 (America COMPETES Act), which includes several provisions of interest to public power.
The bill is the product of eleven committees and includes many bipartisan bills that have already passed the House.
Included among the provisions of interest to public power in the House bill is a strategic transformer reserve and resilience program.
The bill authorizes $75 million a year for five years to reduce the vulnerability of the electric grid by establishing a Strategic Transformer Reserve and for the development, testing and monitoring of large transformers and critical electric grid equipment
This language is substantially similar to language included in H.R. 2741, the Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s (LIFT) America Act, which was introduced in the House in May 2019 by House Energy & Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and the CLEAN Future Act.
The 2015 FAST Act directed DOE to report to Congress a plan to establish a strategic transformer reserve. DOE issued its report in March 2017 and recommended encouraging and supporting an industry-based option, with the proviso that DOE work with stakeholders after one year to re-assess whether sufficient progress has been made to warrant continuation or alternative actions by Government.
The electric utility industry already has access to equipment sharing programs.
The House bill also includes a title that provides authorization for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science and authorizes several DOE research initiatives including around fusion energy, advanced computing, energy storage, and critical materials.
Also of relevance to public power is the bill’s authorizing a DOE program to support incubators that accelerate the commercial application of clean energy technologies. Awards are limited to $4 million per state for one or more incubators for no longer than five years, with the ability to renew for up to three years.
It also authorizes DOE to support relevant technology transfer programs, including information sharing, development of impact metrics, and connecting startup companies to clean energy transfer programs, within DOE.
The bill also directs the Secretary of Commerce to within 180 days establish a Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Response Office, along with a new Assistant Secretary for it. One of the missions of the office would be to “identify, prepare for, and respond to supply chain shocks to critical industries and…support the availability of critical goods from domestic manufacturers, and relocate manufacturing facilities out of countries of concern.”
In addition, it directs the Office of Supply Chain Resilience to develop and implement a strategy to support the resilience, diversity, security, and strength of supply chains.
Other sections of the bill of interest to public power would:
- Create a program within the new office to map, monitor and model supply chains including performing stress tests for critical industries, supply chains, domestic enterprises, and domestic manufacturers identifying supply chain gaps and vulnerabilities with authorization at $500 million;
- Authorize $45 billion for FY 2022-FY 2027 to provide loans, grants, and loan guarantees to support supply chain resilience/surge capacity for manufacturing or acquisition of critical goods (includes energy sector industrial base). permits financial assistance to domestic manufactures and enterprises, state and local governments, etc.; and
- Direct the Secretary of Commerce to create a public searchable database where U.S. businesses voluntarily report on the products they produce (which may be finished goods or inputs for other goods) and/or the inputs required for such products.
An amendment from Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) that was adopted as part of a set of amendments would impose a Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act section 111(d) “must consider” requirement for energy storage systems.
The American Public Power Association does not support these types of requirements given the time and expense they impose on public power utilities.
A similar “must consider” energy storage provision passed the House last Congress as part of H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, but was not enacted into law.
A companion bill, the U.S. Competition and Innovation act (S. 1260), was approved by the Senate last June by a vote of 68-32.
The Senate bill was a bipartisan effort and is significantly different from the House bill, which was put together exclusively by Democrats, although it includes many bipartisan bills that have already passed the House.
The House bill is likely to get cut down significantly in conference to better match what the Senate produced.
Lineworkers Rodeo Offers Unique Opportunity To Showcase Skills, Network With Peers
February 7, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 7, 2022
There are a wide range of reasons why public power utilities across the U.S. should participate in the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) lineworkers rodeo, which will take place next month in Texas, including the opportunity for lineworkers to network with peers, showcase their skills and knowledge and demonstrate the importance of teamwork, public power officials said.
The rodeo, which will be held March 25-26 in Austin, Texas, is the foremost showcase of public power lineworker skill and knowledge. At the rodeo, journeyman and apprentice lineworkers compete for professional recognition, attend training courses, and practice essential skills in a safe environment.
“The lineworkers rodeo brings public power linemen and apprentices from all over the nation together to showcase their technical and safety skills,” said Aaron Haderle, Manager of T&D Operations at Florida public power utility Kissimmee Utility Authority.
“It also gives them a platform to network with their peers and to share experiences from their respective regions. Over the years this has trickled into mutual aid in which the same individuals are working side by side in natural disaster events to restore services to our customers,” Haderle noted.
Haderle is chair of APPA’s executive rodeo committee.
The lineworkers rodeo “is the nation’s premier place to showcase and celebrate the unsung heroes of our communities,” said Jackie Sargent, General Manager of Austin Energy.
“Lineworkers do the hard and dangerous work that energizes all our lives,” she said. “The rodeo not only provides professional recognition in a friendly competition, but also educational courses, practical training in a safe environment and connections with peers nationwide, which is vital during disaster response across communities. Plus, there’s no better time to visit Austin than in the Spring,” Sargent said.
With respect to how Austin Energy is preparing to host the rodeo, Sargent said, “We have a team made up of every department within Austin Energy working closely with APPA to make this 20th anniversary the best Rodeo ever. We are already constructing the 30-acre event grounds with more than 100 power poles. We are recruiting about 200 volunteers to welcome the nation’s lineworkers to Austin. We also have five teams ready to go head-to-head with any team in the nation. So, bring your best and do your best because we are ready for you.”
“In the entirety of my career in public power, there are few things I have seen that more perfectly capture the spirit and values of the industry than the lineworkers rodeo,” said Danette Scudder, Executive Vice President of Member Services & Strategic Relations at The Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, Inc. (TVPPA). Along with her role at TVPPA, Scudder is also a member of the executive rodeo committee.
“The rodeo allows lineworkers to display the art and science of their craft, all while demonstrating the importance of teamwork,” she said. “The event provides a unique learning opportunity, encourages safe work practices all while rodeo participants build a camaraderie and life-long relationships.”
Additional details about the rodeo including how to register are available here.
Massachusetts Public Power Utility Donates Equipment For Light Up Navajo Project
February 5, 2022
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 5, 2022
Massachusetts public power utility Peabody Municipal Light Plant (PMLP) recently donated surplus equipment to help with electrification of Navajo Nation through the Light Up Navajo Project.
Light Up Navajo is a joint effort between the American Public Power Association (APPA) and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA).
Approximately 700 outdoor distribution fuse cutouts, at current prices and valued at over $70,000, will help bring power to families in Navajo Nation, PMLP said.
The cutouts donated by PMLP are made of porcelain which is less reliable in the New England climate with hot and cold seasons. The stable temperature in Navajo Nation is a better environment for this style cutout, PMLP said.
PMLP currently uses a similar cutout made from a polymer material. The Peabody Municipal Lighting Commission unanimously approved the move.
“PMLP has always been about reliable power in our service territory,” said Commission Chairman Thomas D’Amato. “The Commission is happy to help our counterparts on Navajo Nation enjoy the benefits of a stable energy supply.”
Srinivasa Venigalla, Deputy General Manager of NTUA said the cutouts “will make a difference for the families who have been waiting for electricity here on the Navajo Nation.”
Meanwhile, planning for Light Up Navajo III, which will connect Navajo Nation families to the power grid, is underway. Public power utilities are encouraged to consider participating in Light Up Navajo III, which will start in the spring of this year.
APPA is working with NTUA, based in Fort Defiance, Ariz., to help volunteers continue to bring electricity to families in need.
Light Up Navajo III is scheduled to take place from April through June of 2022.
Interested public power utilities should contact lightup-navajoproject@ntua.com for more information on this important event.