Generation
The Lower Colorado River Authority recently announced plans to double the energy production from the new peaker plant it is building in Central Texas by adding a second generating unit. Each of the units can supply up to 190 megawatts of dispatchable power to the grid.
Grid Modernization
Michigan public power utility Traverse City Light and Power on April 3 held a community event focused on building electrification. TCLP also invited its community to engage in a comprehensive electrification survey.
Reliability
Mike Muirhead, Public Utilities Director for the public power community of Garden City, Kansas, detailed a recently completed master plan for the city’s utility, as well as the steps that the Garden City utility has taken to improve reliability for the city while he has served as Public Utilities Director.
Mid-Con Energy Services

PO Box 2648
Ponca City, OK 74602
United States

OSG GoogleMap Info
US Owned Company
Manufacturers/Equipment Distributors
Corporate Associate
OSG Company Contact Name
Alyssa VerhageVice President of Client Relations570-269-1242
OSG Company ID
80645
OSG Grant Services
Reliability
The Federal Aviation Administration has granted the New York Power Authority license to fly unmanned aircraft systems beyond the visual line of sight of the pilot in command in a one-mile radius in any unrestricted, or Class G, airspace without prior approval. FAA regulations require pilots to maintain visual contact while operating a drone. The waiver allows operators to conduct missions without the requirement for the pilot or an observer to see the unmanned aircraft.
Electric Vehicles
Connected Homes, the residential demand response program offered by Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company for municipal light plants in Massachusetts, is successfully piloting broader expansion into the electric vehicle market with Telematics, MMWEC reported on April 10.
Transmission
Minnesota public power utility Rochester Public Utilities, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power Cooperative recently unveiled plans to build a new transmission line in southern Minnesota. The new infrastructure will, among other things, reduce transmission system congestion, Xcel Energy said.
Electricity Markets
Martin Adams, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s General Manager and Chief Engineer, was recently appointed by President Biden to serve on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, a group of approximately 30 experts nationwide who address issues on national security related to infrastructure and reliability.
Generation
Sioux Center Municipal Utilities is taking the next steps toward installing local standby electric generation, the city of Sioux City, Iowa, reported in late March. The project would involve the construction of about 12 megawatts of diesel generation. The Sioux Center City Council voted last month to pursue next steps after taking several months to listen for public feedback and receiving favorable comments.
Distributed Energy Resources
The following is a transcript of the April 15, 2024, episode of Public Power Now. Learn more about subscribing to Public Power Now at Publicpower.org/Podcasts. Some quotes may have been edited for clarity. Paul Ciampoli Welcome to the latest episode of Public Power Now. I'm Paul Ciampoli, News