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RMEL Member Information
RMEL's trusted network is now accessible on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. These are forums intended for RMEL members only. Working side-by-side in a cooperative manner, RMEL members band together for the common goal of bettering the industry and improving service for utility customers. For more than 100 years, these key principles have proven successful, and more importantly, are tried and true methods for building strong business relationships.

 

RMEL Champions is a prestigious group of RMEL supporters with access to useful and beneficial promotional opportunities. Get more details, and become a 2021 RMEL Champion - DEADLINE IS MARCH 5, 2021!

Visit https://www.rmel.org/rmeldocs/Members/2021-Champions-Program.pdf to view the full article online.

Industry Information
  
2020 has been a year of tremendous disruption for electric utilities, and for the world in general. But while the COVID-19 pandemic may have temporarily slowed some of the larger trends driving the power sector, the overall transition to a cleaner, more distributed future continues.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/top-utility-trends-of-2020/592823/ to view the full article online.

  
Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff defeated their respective Republican opponents in Georgia's Senate runoff on Wednesday, giving Democrats the majority in both chambers of Congress. 

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/democrats-to-take-senate-majority-after-georgia-victories-heres-how-it-co/592949/ to view the full article online.

Reaching a majority renewables grid will deploy over $1 trillion in capital investment into the U.S. economy over the next decade, according to a new study released by consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie.

Visit https://www.hydroreview.com/2020/12/31/renewables-will-deploy-over-1-trillion-in-capital-investment-into-the-us-economy-by-2030/ to view the full article online.

  
Duke Energy Renewables announced that it is acquiring the 144-megawatt (MWac) Pflugerville Solar project from Recurrent Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc.  

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/2021/01/07/duke-energy-buys-144-mw-texas-solar-project-from-recurrent/ to view the full article online.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) extended the terms of five long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) export authorizations through 2050. 

Visit https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-extends-fourth-set-lng-export-authorizations-through-2050 to view the full article online.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the "Energy for Space" strategy, an outlook of policy recommendations to further DOE's role in powering the next generation of space exploration. 

Visit https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/general/90/874683/department-of-energy-releases-energy-for-space-strategy.html to view the full article online.

In 2020, natural gas spot prices at the national benchmark Henry Hub in Louisiana averaged $2.05 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), the lowest annual average price in decades.

Visit https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=46376 to view the full article online.

 
  
Vermont’s statehouse is first in the nation to have clean backup power stored in batteries – using a Green Mountain Power (GMP) program to help lower costs for all Vermonters. Vermont State officials, and leaders from Northern Reliability, Dynapower, Virtual Peaker and Green Mountain Power (GMP) were joined by state officials and legislative leaders to make the announcement this week during a virtual news conference. 

Visit https://www.power-grid.com/der-grid-edge/vermont-is-home-to-the-first-backup-battery-powered-statehouse-in-the-nation/ to view the full article online.

  
For 62 years the twin boilers and smokestack of the Moses Power Plant were an imposing landmark on the horizon just west of Forrest City, Ark. As of Dec. 1, the 231-acre site is, once again, an open field, save for a substation.

Visit https://www.power-eng.com/om/entergy-completes-moses-coal-fired-plant-demolition-in-arkansas/ to view the full article online.

It seemed like everything was on fire in 2020 and, at times, that literally was true. 

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/wildfire/article/21151435/us-utilities-apply-wildfire-technology-tested-in-australia to view the full article online.

Forbes Bros LTD.
Wanzek Construction, Inc
Member Announcements
After a year of endless disasters, distractions and sub-zero oil prices, it’s time to look back at the people and companies that defined the energy sector in 2020. 

Visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2021/12/29/forbes-energy-awards-2020-nextera-energy-bigger-than-exxon-greener-than-tesla/?sh=4bbbec945357 to view the full article online.

More than 2,000 people purchased an electric vehicle in the Austin area this year. For those in the market for one, Austin Energy’s updated EV Buyer’s Guide offers a new way to explore local new and used electric vehicle inventory online. 

Visit https://austinenergy.com/ae/about/news/news-releases/2020/austin-energy-updates-electric-vehicle-buyers-guide to view the full article online.

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) is taking more steps to deliver on its commitment to serve one of the fastest-growing service territories in the country with 100% clean energy by 2050. 

Visit https://www.aps.com/en/About/Our-Company/Newsroom/Articles/APS-advances-toward-100-clean-energy-commitment to view the full article online.

  
Upgrades are being made to equipment associated with the high-voltage transmission line that runs from Antelope Valley Station near Beulah, North Dakota, to the Broadland substation near Huron, South Dakota. 

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/news-center/news-briefs/antelope-valley-broadland-line-equipment-upgrades-progress to view the full article online.

Black Hills Corp. announced that the company has completed construction on its $79 million Corriedale Wind Energy Project near Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the project is producing wind energy for customers who subscribed to its Renewable Ready Program.

Visit https://www.blackhillscorp.com/node/118212#.X_dkAlVKjRY to view the full article online.

CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipally owned electric and natural gas provider based in San Antonio, is announcing a new agreement it has entered with the City of San Antonio, AT&T, and Itron, to implement a pilot for Smart Streetlight Technology. 

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/cps-energy-and-the-city-of-san-antonio-forge-smart-city-agreement-with-att-and-itron/ to view the full article online.

As EPE embarks on 120 years of service for West Texas and Southern New Mexico, we are looking forward to the future and the opportunity to transform the energy landscape. 

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/company/news/epe-ceo-kelly-tomblin-transforming-the-energy-landscape to view the full article online.

  
Evergy, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed David A. Campbell as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Evergy, effective January 4, 2021.

Visit https://investors.evergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/evergy-appoints-david-campbell-president-chief-executive-officer to view the full article online.

Gov. Pete Ricketts joined representatives of Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Monolith Materials, and Norris Public Power District for a joint announcement regarding the facilitation of a significant addition to the renewable energy landscape in the state. The addition will provide significant short- and long-term value to Nebraska.

Visit https://www.nppd.com/press-releases/nppd-will-seek-proposals-on-renewable-energy-to-support-monolith to view the full article online.

Omaha Public Power District customers will see no general rate increases for the fifth straight year under its 2021 Corporate Operating Plan (COP). The utility’s board of directors approved the $1.4 billion plan at its monthly meeting.

Visit https://www.oppd.com/news-resources/news-releases/2020/december/oppd-board-approves-2021-corporate-operating-plan-with-no-general-rate-increase-for-fifth-straight-year/ to view the full article online.

Southern Company announced Chris Cummiskey, succeeded Mark Lantrip, who is retiring after 40 years of service. 

Visit https://www.southerncompany.com/newsroom/2020/dec-2020/mark-lantrip-announces-retirement.html to view the full article online.

 
Navajo Generating Station’s (NGS) three iconic 775-foot smokestacks – a Page, AZ landmark for 45 years – were demolished in a single explosive blast on Friday, falling northward like trees being felled.

Visit https://media.srpnet.com/srp-contractors-demolish-ngs-three-iconic-stacks/ to view the full article online.

 
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association announced contributions of $5 million, as it had previously committed to do through a resolution of the power supplier’s board of directors, to four organizations that will support communities affected by the retirement of Escalante Station in McKinley County, N.M.

Visit https://www.tristategt.org/tri-state-contributes-5-million-support-economic-transition-following-escalante-station-retirement to view the full article online.

New Tucson Electric Power rates that took effect on January 1 will expand bill-payment assistance for low-income customers while supporting the company’s investments in efficient new energy resources that help our community transition to a cleaner, greener energy grid.

Visit https://www.tep.com/news/new-rates-support-shift-to-cleaner-energy-resources-expand-low-income-assistance/ to view the full article online.

WAPA’s Continuous Process Improvement Program continues to see increasing returns as it adds to and improves the efficiency of the organization.

Visit https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsFeatures/2020/Pages/CPI-program-saves,-avoids-$113-million-in-costs.aspx to view the full article online.

White Paper
A partial transition of German road transport to hydrogen energy is among the possibilities being discussed to help meet national climate targets. Researcher have examined the hypothetical transition to a hydrogen-powered transport sector through several scenarios. Their conclusion: A shift towards hydrogen-powered mobility could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and greatly improve air quality - in particular, heavy duty vehicles represent a low-hanging fruit for decarbonization of German road transport.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201201124119.htm to view the full article online.