Register for the APPA Legislative Rally - IMEA · 2 . IPEA Annual Conference Set for April 12 and...

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www.imea.org 1 2018 IPEA Annual Conference Those who attend the 2018 IPEA Annual Conference on Thursday, April 12, and Friday, April 13, at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham will walk away with a better understanding of trends in the natural gas market and likely, a few ideas about how drones can help them detect gas leaks and inspect pipelines and other utility equipment. Read more on page 2. IMEA Electric Efficiency Program Enters the “Use it or Lose it” Year Beginning May 1 – and on the heels of a highly successful fiscal year 2017-18 – the Commercial/Industrial portion of the IMEA Electric Efficiency program will enter a “use it or lose it” year. That means that any city’s fund balance not allocated for incentives for electric efficiency projects by April 30, 2019, will be swept into the Agency’s rate-stabilization fund. Read more on page 3. Make Plans to Attend the 2018 IMUA/IMEA Conference IMUA is now accepting registrations for the 2018 IMUA/IMEA Joint Annual Conference, which will take place Thursday, May 31, and Friday, June 1, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The conference is free for Utility Members and IMUA has arranged for discounted room rates. Read more on page 6. Spring 2018 Edition

Transcript of Register for the APPA Legislative Rally - IMEA · 2 . IPEA Annual Conference Set for April 12 and...

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2018 IPEA Annual Conference Those who attend the 2018 IPEA Annual Conference on Thursday, April 12, and Friday, April 13, at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham will walk away with a better understanding of trends in the natural gas market and likely, a few ideas about how drones can help them detect gas leaks and inspect pipelines and other utility equipment. Read more on page 2. IMEA Electric Efficiency Program Enters the “Use it or Lose it” Year Beginning May 1 – and on the heels of a highly successful fiscal year 2017-18 – the Commercial/Industrial portion of the IMEA Electric Efficiency program will enter a “use it or lose it” year. That means that any city’s fund balance not allocated for incentives for electric efficiency projects by April 30, 2019, will be swept into the Agency’s rate-stabilization fund. Read more on page 3.

Make Plans to Attend the 2018 IMUA/IMEA Conference IMUA is now accepting registrations for the 2018 IMUA/IMEA Joint Annual Conference, which will take place Thursday, May 31, and Friday, June 1, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The conference is free for Utility Members and IMUA has arranged for discounted room rates. Read more on page 6.

Spring 2018 Edition

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IPEA Annual Conference Set for April 12 and 13 Those who attend the 2018 IPEA Annual Conference on Thursday, April 12, and Friday, April 13, at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham will walk away with a better understanding of trends in the natural gas market and likely, a few ideas about how drones can help them detect gas leaks and inspect pipelines and other utility equipment. The conference will begin with an IPEA Board Meeting at 2:00 p.m., which will feature the election of officers for Fiscal Year 2018-19 and approval of the budget. The traditional banquet will be the evening of April 12 and workshops will take place the following morning. The conference schedule is as follows:

Thursday, April 12, 2018- Thelma Keller Convention Center 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Board Meeting Washington Room 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Social Hour Lincoln/Kennedy Room 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Banquet Lincoln/Kennedy Room

Friday, April 13, 2018- Thelma Keller Convention Center 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet Lincoln Room 8:30 a.m. - Noon Educational Program Washington Room NOTE: Specific room assignments are subject to change. IPEA will keep you posted.

Subjects and speakers scheduled for Friday, April 13, include:

• A Review of the Agency’s Year – Kevin M. Gaden, IPEA President and CEO

• IPEA Market Fundamentals Update – Jim Germain, Principal, Strategic Transactions Department for Constellation

• Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Direct Use of Natural Gas and Public Gas Systems – Dave Schryver, Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Public Gas Association

• Utility Use of Drones – Kyle Maxwell, Superintendent of Electric Operations, Ameren Illinois

Please note: The Agency will not serve lunch on Friday. █

Ameren Superintendent of Electric Operations Kyle Maxwell will speak on how utilities can use drones.

Photo by Clay Jackson, Decatur Herald&Review, August 9, 2017.

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IMEA Electric Efficiency Program Enters “Use it or Lose it” Year Beginning May 1 – and on the heels of a highly successful fiscal year 2017-18 – the Commercial/Industrial portion of the IMEA Electric Efficiency program will enter a “use it or lose it” year. That means that any city’s fund balance not allocated for incentives for electric efficiency projects by April 30, 2019, will be swept into the Agency’s rate-stabilization fund. On April 30, the IMEA Electric Efficiency Program will finish out fiscal year 2017-18 with a record number of applications processed (146 through March 30th, breaking fiscal year 2016-17’s record of 126). Also this past year, the IMEA rolled out a Residential Lightbulb Giveaway program. Under that initiative, the Agency made a bulk purchase of 33,333 MaxLite 9.5 Watt bulbs for Member municipalities to give to their residents. The Commercial/Industrial Projects Program and Lightbulb Giveaway Program will continue into fiscal year 2018-19. However, there will be new measures and enhanced incentives that will make it easier for cities to use all the electric efficiency incentive funds allocated to them. Fiscal year 2018-19 will begin on May 1, 2018, or when the 2018-19 program applications are posted on the program Web page (http://www.imea.org/EEIncentives.aspx). In late April, Rodd Whelpley will send fund balances and other information about the program to all IMEA Board Members. The IMEA Electric Efficiency Program The IMEA Electric Efficiency Program helps cities and their customers reduce their electric demand and their electric consumption and, therefore, reduce the Members’ wholesale power costs. This allows Members to shift dollars to meet other needs and to enhance their economic climate by making utility costs more affordable for businesses.

The program is comprised of:

• A Commercial/Industrial Projects Program, • The Apogee Home Energy Calculator, a Web-based tool that helps residential customers assess the benefits of

using electric efficiency measures in their homes; and, • A Residential Lightbulb Giveaway Program.

The 2018-19 Commercial/Industrial Program with Additional Measures for Cities and Enhanced Incentives Perhaps the most popular aspect of the program is the Commercial/Industrial and Public Sector Facilities Projects Program. The measures included in this program include:

• Lighting and Occupancy Controls Projects • HVAC Projects: Commercial Programmable Thermostats (Note: This measure is limited to small businesses with

single-zone heating systems that currently are controlled by a simple, manual adjustment thermostat.) • Air Compressors Projects • Custom Projects • Power Factor Correction/Capacitors (For municipalities only. A 75% of total-project cost incentive is intended to

help cities achieve a .95 power factor.) • Refrigeration Projects • Efficient Fans and Motors

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Additional Measures and Enhanced Incentives – for Municipal Projects Only for FY2018-19: • Small Wind Generation (Incentive level to be determined, but no more than 75% of total project cost; some

limitations apply.) • Small Solar Generation (Incentive level is the lesser of $3.00 per Watt DC rating or 75% of total project cost;

some limitations apply.) • Enhanced Incentive for Municipal-Owned LED Exterior Lighting (Incentive level is 75% of total project cost.)

Cities wishing to take advantage of an “Additional Measures and Enhanced Incentives” project option must have a .95 power factor and are limited to using up to a total of 75% of the city’s incentive funding as of May 1, 2018, on “Additional Measures and Enhanced Incentives.” Solar and Wind generation projects must comport with the Agency’s Small Renewable Generation Policy. These new measures will be available only for the FY2018-19 fiscal year. With IMEA approval, cities also have the option of using part or all of their Commercial/Industrial Program funding for a city-administered residential energy-efficiency program. For details about eligible measures and the program’s processes, see the program’s Web page or contact Rodd Whelpley at [email protected] or 217-789-4632. Residential Lightbulb Giveaway Program Like last year, IMEA will make a bulk purchase of 9.5 Watt LED light bulbs and distribute them to member utility departments to pass out to residents. This year, the total quantity will be 37,037 bulbs. IMEA’s Sarah Cody ([email protected] or 217-789-4632) will contact representatives of each municipal utility to let them know how many bulbs the city will receive and to set up a delivery schedule. NOTE: Cities may use Commercial/Industrial Program funds (or city funds from outside the IMEA Electric Efficiency Program) to purchase additional light bulbs for $1.35. A spring 2019 light bulb purchase is another option for cities who would rather use it than lose it. █

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Make Plans to Attend the 2018 IMUA/IMEA Conference IMUA is now accepting registrations for the 2018 IMUA/IMEA Joint Annual Conference, which will take place Thursday, May 31, and Friday, June 1, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The conference is free for Utility Members and IMUA has arranged for discounted room rates. This year, one registration form takes care of your attendance for the annual golf outing (should you choose to participate) and the conference. If you did not receive a registration form or need additional information, please contact DeeDee Bunch ([email protected]), or at 1-800-243-4632. The 2018 IMUA Open Golf Outing will be held the morning of May 31 at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, followed by a vendor reception and awards banquet later that afternoon and evening.

Educational presentations will take place the morning of June 1, concluding by noon. Like last year, this year’s educational opportunities will feature two tracks – one geared toward policymakers, the other for utility professionals. Thus, you’ll want to bring mayors, aldermen and managers, as well as engineers, line crews and/or field-operations personnel and office staff in for the conference. To register for rooms at the Crowne Plaza, please call: 1-800-589-2769 (Block name: IMEA) Keynote speaker for the event is Erick Rheam (see page 9). Other presentation topics will include electric vehicles and their impact on local distribution utilities; municipal earthquake preparedness; the key accounts roadmap to success (economic development); and, an update on state and federal legislation. We hope to see you in Springfield next month. █

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There is no March Madness for us; no parade or ceremonial first pitch; no well-publicized rite of spring to celebrate the end of a successful campaign or the start of a new season. Even so, I hope you have sensed that, as a board member, an elected official or a utility worker at an IPEA, IMEA or IMUA Member community, you are a key player on a winning team. To move beyond a creaky sports metaphor, aside from the lack of glamour of a national tournament or the pomp of Opening Day celebrations in Major League cities, the significant difference between our team and a sports team is that we are not playing games. Our duties are more vital than surviving a bracket or grabbing a pennant. Our team keeps the lights on in homes and keeps power flowing to everything from schools, courthouses, police and fire stations to the factories and mom-and-pop businesses that make our communities thrive. Still, as we approach the start of a new fiscal year – and with our annual conferences coming up – it is a good time to look back and recall our “wins,” even as we brace ourselves for future challenges.

One of our FY2017-18 goals for IPEA was to have at least seven of our members comfortably take advantage of hedging opportunities offered through the Agency, be they the Constellation Minimize Volatile Pricing (MVP) Program, the Discount-to-Index Program or through a long-term, fixed-price hedge. Over the course of the year, nine members have used these hedging opportunities to lock in stable forward pricing for their communities. Our major goals for IPEA were to secure a long-term gas supplier for the Agency and extend our supply contracts with our municipal and co-op members for the long term as well. We are glad to say we have achieved those goals. We have completed agreements with our gas supplier, Constellation, under a long-term solution that gives our members lots of options with a very reliable source. Our IPEA members now have a secure contract to supply their end-use natural gas customers for many years to come with a number of supply and hedging options to allow ongoing flexibility in pricing. I assure you, at IPEA we do not take lightly the trust our Members put in

us. That is why in the coming year we will look to ensure that the hedging and pricing opportunities are still the right ones for our Members, continue to leverage our membership in the American Public Gas Association and provide educational opportunities for our Members. In fact, I look forward to meeting with you in Effingham Thursday, April 12, and Friday, April 13, to kick off another year of working together to serve your natural gas customers. At IMUA, we are proud to say we have made a smooth transition in our Legislative Affairs Department as our new Director of Government Affairs Staci Wilson hit the ground running after Doc Mueller retired. It is never easy to follow a legend (ask Dan Devine or Gerry Faust at Notre Dame), but Staci’s acumen on matters relating to legislation at the Statehouse and her ability to get up to speed on federal issues has already been proven. In a very short time, she has already become a trusted voice at American Public Power Association Advisory Committee meetings and as Vice Chair of the American Public Gas Association’s Government Relations Working Group.

From The Corner Office by Kevin M. Gaden President & CEO

Our Work is not a Sport, but it Does Take a Team Effort

We are not playing games. Our duties are more vital than surviving a bracket or grabbing a pennant.

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This year, IMUA expanded its training offerings, holding seminars and workshops on natural gas operations, solar issues for electric utility workers and fire-protection crews, as well as cyber and physical security issues. For the coming year, the Association is looking to add more workshops on specialized topics and is exploring ways to deliver more economically its monthly Illinois Department of Labor required Safety Training Program. At IMEA, we made moves to broaden the renewable portion of our portfolio by negotiating a long-term power purchase agreement for 50 megawatts of capacity from the soon-to-be-completed Green River Wind Farm in Lee and Whiteside Counties in Illinois. We also put into operation utility-scale, solar-demonstration projects in Rantoul and St. Charles. This puts IMEA’s owned and contracted generation fleet at more than 10% renewable. In the coming year, the staff and the IMEA Board will meet to review the lessons learned from our initial foray into solar generation and work out some guiding principles for moving ahead in this area. In FY 2017-18, we continued to see record-breaking interest in our Electric Efficiency and Conservation Program and launched a pilot Demand Response Program for our Members’ large Commercial/Industrial accounts. We also continued to reach all the necessary goals that assure the vitality of our Agency. We kept our IMEA rates to Members below our budget, achieved a debt service coverage that well exceeded our required bond thresholds, and walked away from our meetings with the three major bond-rating

agencies with our A+/A positive, stable ratings re-affirmed. On top of this, during our February visits with members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, I was pleased to report that IMEA is on track to solve our MISO/PJM “seams issue” by working with PJM to increase the system-import capability into the ComEd territory by upgrading a line in the southern portion of the Com Ed system. IMEA will commission the project at an estimated cost of $1.6 million in order to receive from PJM Incremental Capacity Transfer Rights that will provide a significant and worthwhile hedge for our resources to serve our load (with added benefits for Chicagoland electric customers for the next 30 years). This solution required some nontraditional thinking on the part of IMEA staff, and it reflects measured, but strong forethought, on the part of the IMEA Board. There is no Opening Day, no Super Bowl, no Stanley or Winston Cups, no World Series for this team – and we definitely want to avoid the madness of March (and every other month, for that matter). Even so, IPEA, IMEA and IMUA is a great working team. The items we put in our win column have both lasting and real effects for our Member municipalities and the people we serve together. █

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IMUA/IMEA Annual Conference, May 31 - June 1, Springfield

Meet IMUA/IMEA Annual Conference Keynote Speaker Erick Rheam “You cannot achieve anything of significance without the help of others,” says IMUA/IMEA annual meeting keynote speaker Erick Rheam. According to Rheam, solid communication skills are paramount for those wanting to gain buy-in from colleagues, leadership, friends or family. However, says Rheam, words are only part of a person’s communication repertoire. Studies show that 55% of communication is nonverbal, and that two people will signal more than 800 nonverbal cues to one another over the course of a thirty-minute conversation. Those observations are the springboard for the IMUA/IMEA Annual Conference Keynote “Lead Without Speaking – The Importance of Nonverbal Communication” that Rheam will give the morning of June 1. Being aware of the nonverbal communications that you are receiving and sending is a valuable skill for utility personnel who must deal with the public (and each other), sometimes under hazardous or stressful conditions. That is why Rheam has put together a presentation that will be of value to line workers, administrators, utility board members, mayors and other elected officials – anyone who will be called upon to connect the public utility to its owners, the citizens of your community. Rheam leans on a wealth of experience to craft his presentations and written works on topics related to discovering significance and the art of mastering human dynamics to achieve success. He has spent the past eight years training and educating municipal leaders and association executives on how to build programs and services that add value. He graduated from West Point in 1995 with a B.S. in Engineering, and, while in the service, gained keen insight into the significance of nonverbal communication through his work as a Military Police Officer and Special Investigator in Bosnia-Herzegovina and other posts in Europe. Recently, he has partnered with leading software developer, Automated Energy, Inc., to help electric utilities deploy energy-efficiency software to assist large commercial and industrial companies become more energy efficient. He worked for a decade for two municipally-owned utilities in Indiana and Colorado. He led a customer service division to ensure local policy enhanced the business environment. He has also served on several national boards to promote green technology, energy efficiency and customer service. He was Vice-Chair for the National Customer Services Section for the American Public Power Association (APPA) and is the co-author of APPA’s Key Accounts Field Manual. No wonder he has drawn double duty at this year’s conference. In addition to his keynote, he will offer a breakout session entitled “The Key Accounts Roadmap to Success.” Participants will learn to recognize what key account clients value most, to define success in terms of working with utility accounts and to determine the level of service to key accounts that is right for their community. Aside from his work with Automated Energy and his busy schedule of speaking engagements, Rheam writes a blog, authors books and is training to qualify for the Boston Marathon. He lives in Southern Indiana with his wife, three children, and family dogs Stella and Oynx. █

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2018 APPA Legislative Rally Preservation of municipal exemption from federal pole-attachment regulations, public power infrastructure investments among key issues

Preservation of the municipal exemption from federal pole-attachment regulations, public power infrastructure investments and electric grid and cyber security were some of the many legislative priorities and issues advocated by IMUA and IMEA at this year’s 39th annual APPA Legislative Rally, held February 26 to March 1 at The Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. This year, 26 municipal officials from 13 different IMUA and IMEA member municipalities joined IMUA staff in conducting in-person legislative visits with a dozen different members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, capping one of the Association’s most productive trips to our nation’s capital to date. They joined more than 650 of their municipal counterparts from across the country at the Association’s annual Legislative Rally, once again presenting a united voice in support of the APPA’s ongoing efforts and initiatives on Capitol Hill as well as the Association’s slogan, “Powering Strong Communities.”

“Our members’ attendance, input and participation were critical to IMUA’s success in communicating its priority messages this year on Capitol Hill,” said IMUA President & CEO Kevin M. Gaden. “Among others, this year’s legislative priorities included preservation of the municipal exemption from federal pole-attachment regulations, public power infrastructure investments, and electric grid and cyber security. I thank all our municipal members and their staff who took time from their hectic schedules to join us at this year’s rally, another outstanding team effort that helped to ensure our voices were heard,” he concluded. In addition to IMUA staff, IMUA and IMEA member municipalities represented at this year’s Rally included Breese, Carlyle, Carmi, Farmer City, Freeburg, Highland, Ladd, Mascoutah, Peru, Red Bud, Rock Falls, St. Charles and Waterloo. In all, IMUA and IMEA Members conducted legislative visits elected officials and staff from the offices of: Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth; Rep. Jan Schakowsky; Rep. John Shimkus; Rep. Cheri Bustos, Rep. Bill Foster; Rep. Darin LaHood; Rep. Rodney Davis; Rep. Peter Roskam; Rep. Randy Hultgren; Rep. Mike Bost; and, Rep. Adam Kinzinger. In addition, APPA honored U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (R-14th) of Illinois with this year’s APPA Public Service Award. Hultgren has been a staunch advocate for tax-exempt municipal bonds, the primary financing tool public power utilities use to fund new infrastructure to improve their systems. View more APPA Legislative Rally photos here: http://www.imea.org/IMUAPhotoGallery.aspx. █

Alderman Jim Lukosus of Peru meets with Rep. Adam Kinzinger.

Pictured left to right: Dale Detmer of Breese, Kevin Gaden of IMUA, Mayor Charlie Hilmes of Breese, Dick Simon of Rock Falls and John Hodapp of Carlyle attend the legislative breakfast at the APPA Legislative Rally at which Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL 14) was honored with APPA’s Public Service Award.

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“Tuff Kelley” Rescued at Waterloo Waterloo Linemen Demonstrate Proficiency in Pole-Top and Bucket Rescue

Eight employees of the City of Waterloo Electric Department recently joined the ranks of those IMUA Member Utility electric departments completing the Association’s pole-top and bucket-rescue training and recertification this year, passing muster by completing the hands-on exercises and drills with flying colors. Under the direction and watchful eye of IMUA Contractual Trainer Roger Stegeman (clad in vest and far right in below photo), Waterloo linemen (from left to right in below photo) Terry Berg, Jared Schmitz, Steve Hoffmann, Cole Lawrence, Scott Werner, Andre Phillips, and Electric Line-Department Foreman Chuck Steppig all demonstrated their pole-climbing and bucket-rescue skills by quickly and safely rescuing “Tuff Kelley”, IMUA’s 175-pound rescue mannequin. Also completing the training, but not pictured, was Tom Maag.

“The rescue times of Waterloo employees were well under the industry’s maximum allowable response-rate time of four minutes,” Stegeman noted. “They certainly reflect the response times a lineman needs to realize while maintaining calm and clear thinking under pressure, all of which are essential for conducting a successful rescue, safely and without further injury to a co-worker in distress.” All were subsequently presented with certificates of completion following the training exercise.

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IMUA Welcomes New Contract Trainer

Roger L. Stegeman of Pleasant Plains recently joined the IMUA Safety & Training Program Team as a contractual trainer. He has more than 40 years of experience in the electric utility industry. For the past five years, he served as Job Training & Safety Coordinator for Ozarks Electric Cooperative in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Prior to that, he was Director of Safety, Loss Control and Environmental Compliance for Southwestern Illinois Electric Cooperatives; Manager of Safety for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives; and, a journeyman tree-trimmer, journeyman lineman, electric line-crew foreman and safety administrator for the former Central Illinois Public Service Co. (CIPS). A Quincy native, Stegeman holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Western

Illinois University. He is a member of the National Utility Training and Safety Education Association (NUTSEA). He also has earned a number of professional certifications and designations. These include: Certified Utility Safety Administrator (CUSA); Certified Arborist and Certified Utility Arborist; Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP); Certified Flagger and Forklift Trainer and First Aid/CPR/ AED Instructor through the National Safety Council (NSC); Certified Loss Control Professional (Arkansas, Illinois and Missouri); Certified Altec Sentry Program Trainer for Digger Derricks and Aerial Lifts; and, an OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer for General Industry and Construction. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, traveling, exercising and spending time with his family. █

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Calendar of Events

IPEA Board Meeting & Annual Conference April 12-13 Thelma Keller Convention Center, Effingham

APPA Public Power Line Workers Rodeo April 27-28 Raleigh Convention Center Wake Forest, North Carolina

IMUA-IMEA Joint Conference May 31 - June 1 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield

IMEA Board Meeting April 26 10:00 a.m. IMEA Headquarters

APPA Engineering & Operations Technical Conference April 29-May 1 Raleigh, North Carolina

APPA National Conference & Public Power Expo June 15 - 20 New Orleans, Louisiana

IMUA Members Meeting & Board Meeting April 26 12:30 p.m. IMUA Headquarters

St. Charles Solar Array Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony May 14, 2018 St. Charles, Illinois

Did You Know?

All Muni Line Advertisers are Just a

Click Away. Every ad in the Muni Line is hot linked to the vendor’s Web site. Just point and click to learn more about goods and services that can help your municipal utility achieve better results.

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The Last Word on Safety . . . Calls Continue for Emphasis on Driver and Road Safety by Ed Cobau- Director of State Association Services & Communications, IMUA

Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council (NSC) indicate motor vehicle fatalities for 2017 dipped slightly – exactly one percent – claiming 40,100 lives compared 2016’s tally of 40,327. However, the NSC says this small decline, although welcome, is less of an indication of progress and more of a leveling off of the steepest two-year increase in more than 50 years. What’s more, the three biggest causes of these fatalities continue to be alcohol, speeding and distracted driving. NSC statistics show that someone is hurt in a car crash every eight seconds. Last year, about 4.57 million people were injured in motor vehicle crashes seriously enough to require medical attention. What’s more, overall costs to society (hospitalization, medical insurance, workers compensation, etc.) totaled $413.8 billion. Here is what NSC President & CEO Deborah A.P. Hersman had to say about these alarming statistics:

"The price we are paying for mobility is 40,000 lives each year. This is a stark reminder that our complacency is killing us. The only acceptable number is zero; we need to mobilize a full-court press to improve roadway safety."

I couldn’t agree more.

To combat this rise in numbers and to help ensure safer roads, the NSC urges motorists to:

• Practice defensive driving; buckle up; designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation; get plenty of sleep to avoid fatigue; and drive attentively, staying focused and avoiding distractions.

• Recognize the dangers of drugged driving, including impairment from prescription opioids. Visit StopEverydayKillers.org to understand the impact of the nation's opioid crisis.

• Stay engaged in teens' driving habits; visit DriveitHOME.org for more resources. • Learn about your vehicle's safety systems and how to use them. Visit MyCarDoesWhat.org for information. • Fix any vehicle recalls immediately. Visit ChecktoProtect.org to ensure your vehicle does not have an open

recall. Safe driving, and best wishes for an enjoyable spring! – Ed

Be safe out there! Remember to join our partner @JULIE1Call to request underground lines be marked before starting your next outdoor project. This is a free service. #SafeDiggingMonth http://illinois1call.com/homeowners/whentocall.html

Circulation

The Muni Line is a quarterly publication for the members of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association and the Illinois Public Energy Agency.

Editors (continued) Ed Cobau Director – State Association Services & Communications 217-789-4632 [email protected]

Editors Rodd Whelpley Program and Communications Administrator 217-789-4632 [email protected]

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency 3400 Conifer Drive Springfield, IL 62711 217-789-4632

IMEA Board Members Officers Chairman – Greg Hazel, Rantoul Vice Chairman – Tim Birk, Waterloo Secretary/Treasurer – Dick Simon, Rock Falls Past Chairman – Rick Abell, Metropolis Members at Large John Hodapp, Carlyle David Coston, Carmi Dan Cook, Highland Mayor Scott Harl, Peru Tom Bruhl, St. Charles Board of Directors Larry Taylor, Altamont Shannon Risley, Bethany Dale Detmer, Breese Justin Griffith, Bushnell Todd Ely, Cairo Shelby Biggs, Casey Shane Hill, Chatham Mayor Brent Maguire, Fairfield Sue McLaughlin, Farmer City Bob Coble, Flora John Tolan, Freeburg Mike Ryder, Greenup Patrick Barry, Ladd Cory Sheehy, Marshall Cody Hawkins, Mascoutah Mark Curran, Naperville Dominic Rivara, Oglesby Jeff Mangrich, Princeton Josh Eckart, Red Bud Russ Patrick, Riverton Mayor Tom Martin, Roodhouse Mayor Ann Short, Sullivan Brian Keys, Winnetka

IMUA Board Members Officers Chairman – John Hodapp, Carlyle First Vice Chairman – Dan Cook, Highland Second Vice Chairman – Jim Lukosus, Peru Secretary/Treasurer – Doug Brown, Springfield Immediate Past Chairman – Lewis Opsal, Geneseo Directors Robert Rogde, Batavia Shannon Risley, Bethany Shane Hill, Chatham Mike Lebshier, Edinburg John Tolan, Freeburg Hal Wright, Geneva Cory Sheehy, Marshall Mark Curran, Naperville Jeff Mangrich, Princeton Jason Bird, Rochelle Dick Simon, Rock Falls Mayor Tom Martin, Roodhouse Associate Directors Mark Selhime, Drake-Scruggs Equipment Co., Inc. Randy Presnell, Anixter Power Solutions Verbal Blakey, BHMG Engineers Jay Bradford, Altorfer, Inc.

IPEA Board Members Officers Chairman – Cory Sheehy, Marshall Vice Chairman – Mayor Ann Short, Sullivan Secretary- Terry Gard, Martinsville Members at Large Justin Griffith, Bushnell Mike Lebshier, Edinburg

Board Members Shannon Risley, Bethany Shelby Biggs, Casey Mayor Brent Maguire, Fairfield Bob Coble, Flora Mike Ryder, Greenup Greg Hazel, Rantoul Mayor Tom Martin, Roodhouse