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

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legislation, but the White House can then veto it. Sixty-seven votes are needed to override a veto in the Senate—the GOP has 54, setting up an inter - esting legislative dynamic. The Republican leadership announced a new agen- \ da, including repeal of various regulations and tax reform. MMUA representatives continued to work our is- sues throughout the year: EPA regulations; cyber and physical security; tax exempt financing; and possible rail/Surface Transportation Board (STB) reform. The Senate Commerce Committee passed Blooming Prairie Mayor Harold(H.)Peterson,Owaton- an STB bill in waning days of 113th Congress. Sen. na Mayor Tom Kuntz,U.S.Senator Amy Klobuchar and Klobuchar played a key role as supporter of public Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission Chairman power and Greater Minnesota interests. Dennis Rykken,from left to right. Engineering and Policy Analysis Two federal environmental regu- rule, and held multiple conversations with APPA lations were paramount and time staff. He provided testimony to the Minnesota legis- consuming in 2014 for MMUA Di- lative committees on initial reaction to the rule for rector of Engineering and Policy public power utilities. Analysis Bob Jagusch. They were the Environmental Protection Jagusch continued to work closely with APPA, his Agency's `Clean Power Plan;' and MMUA colleagues, power agencies and Midwest the agency's`RICE'rule, for en- municipal utility associations on developing a con- gine generator sets. Bob Jagusch sistent, coherent message. During this process and as the year developed numerous comments were After publication of the RICE developed and submitted, including MMUA's corn- final rule, several environmental groups, states and ments. the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association filed suit to overturn the rule and replace it with Along with working on comments, Jagusch's advo- the previous final rule. After discussion with Mid- cacy on the issue has carried him to official forums west municipal utility associations, the recommen- as well as gatherings of those influencing the rule dation was made that the American Public Power as it is being developed. Association (APPA) intervene in the lawsuit, which it did. This legal action is underway. He testified July 30 in Washington, D.C., at an EPA public hearing on the Clean Power Plan, While the RICE rule has had a big impact on those where he expressed multiple concerns. The next utilities with local generating plants and is now in day, Jagusch was among those meeting with Janet its final stages, the `Clean Power Plan' is ongoing McCabe, EPA's Acting Assistant Administrator for and may be the biggest utility issue of a lifetime. the Office of Air and Radiation, at a sold-out meet- Jagusch has been actively involved, at many levels, ing hosted by the Environmental Council of the in influencing the outcome. States (ECOS). Over 35 state environmental agen- cies, experts from all sectors of our nation's energy EPA in June 2014 proposed its plan to cut carbon economy, and other thought leaders gathered to dioxide emissions from power plants. The proposal discuss the implications of the proposed rule. APPA would establish emission guidelines for existing sponsored the meeting. electric generating units. Immediately after its release, Jagusch ran a preliminary analysis of the 8-2014 Year in Review 89