6.1.a. ERMUSR 05-12-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Assisted and advised members with service terri- MMUA's representatives, asked about Distributed tory developments. Generation and grid security/reliability. We also kept an eye on the Senate Intelligence Committee, • Organized years of data collected on utility rates, which developed legislation and the House, which service territory changes, water and wastewater ex- prepared its own bills. penditures, PILOT, public power history and other issues into tables, charts and organized electronic The overarching issue of the year involved EPA files for future use and ease of updating by MMUA and its New Source Performance Standards 111(d) staff and members. regulations. The agency released its proposal, while an anti-EPA bill moved through the House. The • Bid farewell to retiring Government Relations Senate warily considered action. This issue was the rock star Greg Oxley. subject of many visits and conversations. • Vetted and interviewed several candidates for the MMUA was also actively involved as the Public Government Relations Representative position and Power Risk Management Act passed the House. hired a top-notch lobbyist—Amanda Duerr. Sen. Klobuchar co-sponsored the Senate bill, which awaited hearing. Meanwhile, the Commod- ity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) signaled Federal Government Relations that regulations were coming. The House passed a CFTC reauthorization, including a Public Power The year 2014 was a busy one for MMUA Washing- Risk Management Act, with help from Rep. Collin ton Representative Michael J. Nolan. Peterson, a friend of public power and an original co-sponsor of the Dodd-Frank bill. The efforts of The year marked the Second Session of the 113th MMUA and its members prove important on these Congress. It was an election year, which presaged developments. little accomplishment but did not rule out a lot of activity. A handful of issues kept our public power Though no action was expected, significant effort representative busy. was also expended on tax reform/budget issues. Possible action regarding municipal bonds kept our Grid security, including cyber and physical secu- eyes on the issue. The House passed Rep. Ryan's rity, occupied the Senate Energy Committee. At a budget, which included nothing on Power Market- hearing, Sue Kelly of APPA testified for the elec- ing Agencies but targeted "energy provisions" for tricity industry. Sen. Franken, who had heard from major deficit reduction. There was talk of a Senate energy bill, including energy efficiency legislation, but little action. By the August recess, elections were on the horizon. a 1 ' In September, Congress failed to pass a budget but 1111 , passed a Continuing Resolution. The House goals for September included an energy bill, with EPA regulations and a Keystone pipeline bill. These ++`) goals were not accomplished. Our issues remained: predominately EPA and 111(d) regulations. Listening sessions were held in late July—MMUA staff testified. Public comments ._. _ �, . were due Oct. 16 but then the deadline was extend- . - ed, to make the longest comment period in history. Elk River Mayor John Deitz, U.S.Senator Al Franken, The EPA final rule was expected June 2015, but St. Peter Mayor Tim Strand and ALP Utilities(Alexan- this, too, is extended. dria)Commissioner John Perino,from left to right.This picture was taken during the APPA Legislative Rally, In November, Republicans won control of the Sen- which was held March 10-12 in Washington, D.C. ate. A GOP House and a GOP Senate can now pass 2014 Year in Review-7 88