RMEL eNews

Industry Information

Grid Operator's Utilities Begin to Shelter in Place to Maintain Critical Facilities

For utilities in areas hit hard by coronavirus infection, their emergency plans to shelter in place to maintain critical infrastructure facilities is no longer an abstract plan, but is being put into action on a scale not seen before in most countries.

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/disaster-response/article/21127376/grid-operators-utilities-begin-to-shelter-in-place-to-maintain-critical-facilities to view the full article online.

Several EIA Products Show What’s Happening in Current Energy Markets

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. EIA produces energy data and analysis to provide context for how a variety of energy industries serve customers in the United States and abroad.

Visit https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=43276 to view the full article online.

National Grid Suspends Pending Rate Increases in Response to COVID-19

National Grid has suspended for three months rate increases for electric and gas customers in upstate New York, in response to economic fallout related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/national-grid-suspends-pending-rate-increases-in-response-to-covid-19/574958/ to view the full article online.

NERC Struggles to Involve Utility Vendors in its Biennial Cyberattack Simulation, and That's a Big Problem, Analysts Say

Only three major electric industry supply chain vendors registered to participate in last year's GridEx V, the biennial simulated cyberattack run by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) in order to test the utility sector's preparedness and response plans.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nerc-struggles-to-involve-utility-vendors-in-its-biennial-cyberattack-simul/575267/ to view the full article online.

POWERCHINA Shares Its Efforts to Fight Against COVID-19

With China being the epicenter of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, POWERCHINA International Group shared how it has supported the fight so far.

Visit https://www.hydroreview.com/2020/03/26/powerchina-shares-its-efforts-to-fight-against-covid-19/ to view the full article online.

Department of Energy to Provide $22 Million for Research on Capturing Carbon Dioxide from Air

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to provide up to $22 million for research aimed at achieving breakthroughs in the effort to capture carbon dioxide directly from ambient air.

Visit https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-provide-22-million-research-capturing-carbon-dioxide-air to view the full article online.

Department of Energy Releases Request for Information on Potential Funding for Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings in Connected Communities

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on a potential funding opportunity to demonstrate and evaluate the capacity of energy-efficient buildings to interact with one another and the grid to provide greater degrees of demand flexibility at scale.

Visit https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/energy-efficiency/82/825000/department-of-energy-releases-request-for-information-on-potential-funding-for-grid-interactive-efficient-buildings-in-connected-communities.html to view the full article online.

How Utilities Can Become the Amazon for Electrons and Molecules

Utility companies are beginning to integrate distributed energy resources (DER) as the evolution of smart technology and the next-generation grid emerges.

Visit https://www.power-grid.com/2020/04/02/how-utilities-can-become-the-amazon-for-electrons-and-molecules/ to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Austin Energy Evaluating Ways to Assist Customers

Austin Energy takes tremendous pride in serving its customers — not just in delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy — but through our programs and efforts to help people who need it most. We know the way we serve and engage with our customers will look different in these uncertain times but we remain committed to helping the community.

Visit https://austinenergy.com/ae/about/news/news-releases/2020/austin-energy-evaluating-ways-to-assist-customers to view the full article online.

In Shared Effort to Fight COVID-19, APS Pledges $1 Million

Arizona’s fight against COVID-19 is drawing collaboration and participation from every sector, and Arizona Public Service is joining other companies in the team effort to support customers and communities.

Visit https://www.aps.com/en/About/Our-Company/Newsroom/Articles/In-shared-effort-to-fight-COVID-19-APS-pledges-1-million to view the full article online.

Wyoming, Nebraska Public Power Entities Join SPP Western Market

When the market goes live in 2021, SPP will centrally dispatch energy from market participants to meet demand throughout the region every five minutes.

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/news-center/news-briefs/srp-seattle-city-light-join-california-isos-western-energy-imbalance-market to view the full article online.

CPS Energy Sponsored Energy Saving Lessons Provide Valuable Cost-Saving Resource During School Closings

CPS Energy continues efforts to support educational initiatives and provide community resources on energy related topics. With schools closed, the increased demand for remote education is upon us and CPS Energy is proud to offer free educational resources for students and their caregivers to use at home.

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/cps-energy-sponsored-energy-saving-lessons-provide-valuable-cost-saving-resource-during-school-closings/ to view the full article online.

El Paso Electric Donates $30,000 to Community Foundations for COVID-19 Response, Relief

To support our region during this pandemic, El Paso Electric announces a $30,000 donation to the COVID-19 response funds created by the El Paso Community Foundation, the Paso Del Norte Community Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. Each foundation will receive $10,000.

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/company/news/el-paso-electric-donates-30000-to-community-foundations-for-covid-19-response-relief to view the full article online.

LES CEO Gives Update on LES Operations

Lincoln Electric System continues to operate under its Continuity of Operations Plan developed to cover a variety of emergencies, including pandemics. The community-owned electric utility is continuing normal system operation and has implemented appropriate measures to limit spread of the novel coronavirus.

Visit https://www.les.com/about-les/news/view?article_id=118019 to view the full article online.

Scam Bill Payment Calls Growing During COVID-19 Outbreak; NPPD Offers Recommendations to Thwart Fraudulent Attempts

With Nebraskans dealing with challenging times due to the COVID-19 outbreak, phone scammers are still on the prowl according to Nebraska Public Power District.

Visit https://www.nppd.com/press-releases/scam-bill-payment-calls-growing-during-covid-19-outbreak-nppd-offers-recommendations-to-thwart-fraudulent-attempts to view the full article online.

NextEra Energy Family of Companies Commits $1.5 Million in COVID-19 Emergency Assistance for Most Vulnerable in Communities

Emergency assistance will be distributed to partner organizations on the frontlines supporting the most vulnerable in our communities.

Visit http://newsroom.nexteraenergy.com/NextEra-Energy-family-of-companies-commits-1-5-million-in-COVID-19-emergency-assistance to view the full article online.

OPPD Makes Nearly $34 Million in Payments In Lieu of Tax

Omaha Public Power District distributed nearly $34 million for in-lieu-of-tax payments to 11 southeast Nebraska counties. That’s up slightly from nearly $33.9 million distributed last year.

Visit https://www.oppd.com/news-resources/news-releases/2020/april/oppd-makes-nearly-34-million-in-payments-in-lieu-of-tax/ to view the full article online.

PacifiCorp to Waive Cancellation Fees Through April 30 on Lewis River Recreation Site Due to COVID-19

Responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, PacifiCorp will waive campground reservation cancellation fees until April 30 as long as cancellations are made at least eight days before the planned arrival date.

Visit https://www.pacificorp.com/about/newsroom/news-releases/pacificorp-waive-cancellation-fees-lewis-river.html to view the full article online.

Arizona’s Water Supplies Remain Secure and Resilient

Water is critical to public health, our quality of life, the desert environment and our economy. That is why we are all doing our part to ensure you always have water at your tap, even during times of concern.

Visit https://media.srpnet.com/arizonas-water-supplies-remain-secure-and-resilient/ to view the full article online.

Tri-State Supports COVID-19 Pandemic Relief and Recovery Funds in Four States

Donations totaling $200,000 for Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming coronavirus relief and recovery efforts are being made by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association on behalf of its 46 member distribution cooperatives, public power districts and non-utility members.

Visit https://tristate.coop/tri-state-supports-covid-19-pandemic-relief-and-recovery-funds-four-states to view the full article online.

Thank a Lineman

United Power is dedicated to keeping our members’ lights on. That wouldn’t be possible without the help of our skilled linemen, who work each day behind the scenes to improve our system and prevent outages before they happen. On April 18th, we will join in celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day, honoring the hard work, innovation and dedication of America’s electrical lineworkers.

Visit https://www.unitedpower.com/thank-lineman to view the full article online.

Energy Efficient Tips for Working Remotely

Working from home has become a new reality for many people as companies attempt to limit the spread of the contagious coronavirus.

Visit https://www.tep.com/news/energy-efficient-tips-for-working-remotely/ to view the full article online.

Xcel Energy names new Chief Nuclear Officer

Pete Gardner has been named Xcel Energy’s Chief Nuclear Officer, effective immediately. He succeeds Tim O’Connor who has held the role since 2013 and has been promoted to Chief Generating Officer of Xcel Energy.

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

Rocky Mountain Electrical League