MEA

MEA Energy Association (MEA) serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and business. MEA  was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency....

[meaenergy]

MEA Presents National Gas Rodeo Rings to Spire Champion Teams

MEA Energy Association (MEA) presented championship rings to eight Spire employees at their corporate office in St. Louis, Missouri on December 18, 2017. The rings, produced by Jostens, were earned by two teams made up of Spire natural gas field workers after earning top rankings at the National Gas Rodeo, an annual competition designed to showcase technical skills in service installation, pipe cutting, and in setting meters. Members from both teams, coaches, and Spire senior management attended the ring ceremony, including Suzanne Sitherwood, president and CEO.

"It is always impressive to earn National Championship status," said John Gann, MEA program services vice president. "It is even more impressive when teams are repeat champions and when there are multiple champions from the same company. It shows real support from top management to crew excellence." This is the third time a Laclede Gas team has won.

2017 National Gas Rodeo Champions:

Laclede Gas, a subsidiary of Spire

Team: Lil’Gashouse Gang:

    Steve Bouse

    Barry Hicks

    Jeff Busch (alternate)

Missouri Gas Energy, a subsidiary of Spire

Team: Intense Ignition:

    Korey Ross

    Dylan Middleton

    Jeff Smith

    Justin Wald

    James Johnson (alternate)

Companies from across the U.S. send teams to compete in this teambuilding event. Participation in the National Gas Rodeo plays an important role in developing a mindset of efficiency, proficiency, and safety when working in the natural gas field. The 2018 National Gas Rodeo will take place September 13-15 at Heart of America Pop Warner Field in Independence, Missouri. See all the teams that competed at www.nationalgasrodeo.org.

The National Gas Rodeo is a program of MEA and was hosted by Xcel Energy (Colorado) in 2016 and 2017. The rodeo is made possible through the support of CASE Construction, Val-Tex, and K.R. Swerdfeger.

About the National Gas Rodeo: The National Gas Rodeo is the proving ground for elite gas crews from across the United States. The intense competition and camaraderie of the rodeo offer competitors an opportunity to showcase their skills and professionalism. The National Gas Rodeo is proudly administered by MEA Energy Association and supported by American Gas Association, American Public Gas Association, and Southern Gas Association.

About MEA: MEA Energy Association (MEA) serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

Midwest ENERGY Association now known as MEA Energy Association

MEA Energy Association (MEA), formerly known as Midwest ENERGY Association, is proud to announce the launch of a new website at MEAenergy.org, featuring an updated logo and brand identity. The website is designed to improve user experience and more easily adapt to the needs of our members and potential members. The refreshed brand demonstrates a commitment to increase learning opportunities and expand beyond a regional association.

“The new MEA Energy Association brand is driven by the fundamental requirement that sustainable organizations review and adjust to their member’s changing needs,” says MEA President Patrick Van Beek. “The refreshed brand reflects what most member and industry personnel already know as MEA.”

MEA members reported a desire for “fresh offerings and a clear strategic vision that includes partnering with other associations, expanding the membership, and strengthening leadership training.” In order to fulfill these strategic initiatives, MEA streamlined our market presence by enfolding our online courses at EnergyU under MEA and better defined our brand identity with a refreshed look and style. MEA contracted with Strother Communications Group to refresh the MEA brand and help design the new MEA website. The refreshed logo is heavily based on the logo used from 1998 through today—a nod to the past—with a fresh, current feel.

The revised logo incorporates the words “energy association” to help complete the transition from Midwest ENERGY Association to MEA. These words also state what MEA does and who MEA serves. The accompanying tagline “MEA Learning EmpowersTM” represents the vision of remaining a viable learning association well into the future.

Van Beek further explains, “The tagline stays true to our values of continuing to make MEA an association that empowers member learning.”

Similarly, the structure of MEAenergy.org provides better event information and easier access to the online learning system EnergyU. We now offer one sign in location for accessing members-only content and EnergyU. Members and EnergyU subscribers are encouraged to update records and bookmarks with the new domain (@MEAenergy.org).

Sub-brands Energetic Women and National Gas Rodeo, programs of MEA, also released new websites and updated branding. The websites at energeticwomen.org and nationalgasrodeo.org reflect the layout, look, and feel of the new MEA website. About MEA MEA Energy Association (MEA) serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

MEA Presents Meritorious Service Awards to 20 Employees from Ameren Illinois Company, CenterPoint Energy, ComEd, Montana Dakota Utilities, & Nicor Gas

MEA is honored to award 20 individuals with 2017 Meritorious Service Awards. MEA sponsors the Meritorious Service Award program every year to recognize industry employees who have performed actions above and beyond, in the service of another. This year’s recipients are:

Ameren Illinois Company

·         Justin Maduena, gas troubleman

·         Jeff Aimone, lineman

·         Mike Rivara, lineman

·         Bob Torres, lineman

·         Michael Snider, gas journeyman

CenterPoint Energy

·         Carol Donnellan, gas utility person – meter reader

ComEd

·         Timothy Johnson, senior engineering design tech

·         Edwin Pacheco, upgraded meter reader

·         Eddy Zamudio, meter reader

·         Courtney Crenshaw, senior environmental compliance specialist

·         Gregg Sternes, crew leader

·         Timothy Hannon, overhead electrical specialist

·         Kenneth Michaels, overhead electrician

·         Brandon Murphy, overhead electrical starter

·         Russell Wysocki, supervisor

·         Martin Quinn, senior project construction manager

·         Patrick O’Connor, engineering design tech

·         Ethan Hannasch, district rep combination

Nicor Gas

·         Clarence Flower, distribution technician

·         Forchin Garrett, distribution mechanic

To learn more about MEA’s Meritorious Service Awards contact John Gann at [phone] x105 or johng (at) midwestenergy (dot) org.

About MEA:

MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA (Midwest ENERGY Association) was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

Ten Nicor Gas Employees Receive MEA Life Sustaining Awards

MEA is honored to present ten (10) of fourteen total Life Sustaining Awards to Nicor Gas employees. Each year MEA sponsors the Life Sustaining Awards program to recognize energy industry employees who have gone "above and beyond" the call of duty by performing an act of heroism. These ten individuals saved a co-worker through their selfless acts:

   Ed Abbott, field operations supervisor    William Bills, distribution mechanic    Tim Erickson, distribution mechanic    Ernie Garcia, distribution technician    Kara Kowalski, distribution mechanic    James Sargent, service mechanic    Steve Tamayo, distribution technician    John Tomaszewski, distribution mechanic    Robert Terdich, construction supervisor    Dale VanderBoegh, distribution technician

Late last fall a cable contractor was digging in Nicor territory and hit a natural gas main causing a leak. Several responders and distribution crews arrived to begin the leak investigation and secure the scene. They followed all protocols, but despite their efforts, a house exploded on the property where they were working. The Nicor team were shaken but remembered to conduct a roll call to account for the 11 employees on-site. When Operations Mechanic, Tom Smith didn’t answer, they had to act fast. They worked together to determine his last known location and came upon his boots in the rubble and found him under the collapsed front porch roof. They tried to lift the roof off him and when that did not work, they began using tools from their trucks to cut the roof into segments. By time the fire department and paramedics arrived they had made significant progress in freeing Smith.

Applicants for the MEA Life Sustaining Award are approved by the Executive Committee of MEA’s Board of Directors. Read all the Life Sustaining stories here: http://www.midwestenergy.org/life-sustaining-award-2016-2017.html.

[meaenergy]

Four ComEd Employees Receive MEA Life Sustaining Awards

MEA is honored to present four (4) of fourteen total Life Sustaining Awards to ComEd employees: Reid Nettleingham, Thomas Brady, Ryan Hardgrove, and Brian Kulczak. Each year MEA sponsors the Life Sustaining Awards program to recognize energy industry employees who have gone "above and beyond" the call of duty by performing an act of heroism.

Reid Nettleignham, crew leader; Thomas Brady, overhead electrician; and Ryan Hardgrove, overhead electrician starter, rescue an elderly woman stopped in traffic

    Brian Kulczak, engineering tech, rescues an infant from a burning vehicle

Applicants for the MEA Life Sustaining Award are approved by the Executive Committee of MEA’s Board of Directors. Read all the Life Sustaining stories here: http://www.midwestenergy.org/life-sustaining-award-2016-2017.html.

About MEA: MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

The Next Version of MEA’s EZval for iOS is Here

MEA’s newest iOS version of EZval Mobile Performance Evaluation Solution, which increases the reliability of Operator Qualification (OQ) evaluations, is here. Now operator qualification evaluators can include pictures taken in the field, during the evaluation, on the performance evaluation report.

OQ systems should be as mobile as the evaluator. MEA’s EZval allows for in the field evaluations and record keeping all from a mobile device! This newest release makes importing records to CERCplus easier and streamlines the system.

Homer Gardner, operator qualifications services director, USDI says, “EZval has made doing evaluations easier. I now get consistent records every time and the automated PDF makes it simpler for us to manage our operator qualifications. The digital record is more secure and my paperwork is greatly reduced.”

EZval is an important tool to help operators and contractors ensure the highest level of compliance with federal regulations related to OQ.

Interested in learning more about how EZval can streamline the OQ evaluation process? Contact Marty Vita at [phone] x131 or martyv (at) midwestenergy (dot) org or visit http://www.midwestenergy.org/ezval.html to learn more.

About MEA:

MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA (Midwest ENERGY Association) was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

MEA Offers Virtual OQ Training for the Natural Gas Professional

For the first time, MEA is giving natural gas professionals the opportunity to livestream the MEA OQ Success Conference from their desk. Operator Qualification (OQ) is a regulatory requirement for pipeline operators and utility contractors. The intent of the OQ Rule is to ensure a properly qualified workforce, thereby reducing the probability and consequence of pipeline incidents or accidents caused by human error. MEA’s OQ Success Conference is a must-attend for anyone interested in OQ. The one-day livestreamed conference will be held on August 8, 2017.

MEA’s Technical Training Committee surveyed MEA members and EnergyU customers to determine agenda topics and discussion items. Committee members, regulators and industry experts will present on the OQ topics most requested, such as:

OQ Challenges and Opportunities

National Portability

Consequences of Comprised OQ Testing

Product and Services Beyond Compliance

Training the Next Generation of Gas Line Workers

Safety – Implementation of PSMS 1173

Why Root Cause Investigations May Not Prevent     Reoccurrence

And more!

Attendees can livestream the event from the comfort of their desk without investing time and dollars for travel. All sessions are being streamed live with opportunities for chat with other attendees and posing questions to the event speakers. The sessions will also be recorded for playback on demand.

Visit midwestenergy.org > events for more information or to register for the livestream. Contact Robbin Moore at [phone] x 104 or at robbinm (at) midwestenergy (dot) org for registration information, and contact Richard Stump at [phone] x126 or at richards (at) midwestenergy (dot) org for information on MEA’s Operator Qualification Program.

About MEA:

MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA (Midwest ENERGY Association) was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

MEA’s Gas Operations Technical & Leadership Summit Returns to Minnesota

MEA’s Gas Operations Technical & Leadership Summit is returning to Rochester, Min. and will take place at the newly renovated Mayo Civic Center, August 8-10, 2017. The Gas Operations Technical & Leadership Summit is the natural gas forum of choice for natural gas professionals in the United States. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with peers, customers, suppliers, and competitors to focus on strengths and talents within the industry, and to collaborate on and solve current issues.

The Summit offers valuable workshops, one-of-a-kind demonstrations, and peer-to-peer connecting. The Gas Operations Technical &?Leadership Summit is one of MEA’s most popular and highest attended programs. Come for two full days of education, networking, and visit the over 100 exhibitors.

Highlights include:   

70 learning sessions in 8 tracks of classes

    Technical, hands-on, leadership, and career-focused sessions

    Pre-Summit sessions, included with registration

    130+ technology exhibits

    Nationally-recognized keynote speaker, Dan Meers

    Numerous networking and social engagements

A small representation of the agenda includes:   

Essentials of Electrofusion Joining MDPE & HDPE

    A comparison of Pipe Locating Tech’s: Ground Penetrating Radar vs Acoustic Pipe Location Techniques

    Odorization Pickling

    Steel and Polyethylene Line Stopping

    Fundamentals of Electronic Correctors

Interested in learning more about the Gas Operations Technical & Leadership Summit? Contact Ashleigh Esselman at [phone] x129 or ashleighe (at) midwestenergy (dot) org or visit http://www.midwestenergy.org/gas-operations-technical--leadership-summit.html to learn more.

[meaenergy]

MEA’s National Gas Rodeo Announces a Two-Day Format and New Scoring

For the first time, MEA’s National Gas Rodeo will take place over two days. Qualifying events will take place on Friday, August 25, 2017 and the Relay to determine the championship teams will take place on Saturday, August 26, 2017. The National GAS Rodeo was started to promote the skills and team work of those working in the natural gas delivery industry. The team-based events build leadership and enhance company morale. We focus on safe, time-efficient performance of job skills. Xcel Energy is hosting the 2017 National Gas Rodeo at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Denver, Co. Spectators are invited to watch and cheer on the teams.

Championship team scoring has also changed this year. Now qualifying event scores are only used to determine which teams qualify for the Relay event. Relay event scores are the sole determinant for the overall National Gas Rodeo champion teams.

The National GAS Rodeo is expected to draw teams from utilities across the nation that see real value in letting their crews put themselves to the test. These companies believe that participating in the National Gas Rodeo can play an important role in developing a mindset and skill-set of excellence and professionalism.

Registration is open for both 4 and 2 person teams. Sponsorships are available; please check out sponsor opportunities at http://www.nationalgasrodeo.org/. For more information go to http://www.nationalgasrodeo.org/ or contact John Gann at [phone] x105, johng (at) midwestenergy (dot) org.

The National GAS Rodeo thanks all their sponsors for supporting this event. In particular, the Rodeo thanks Case Construction Equipment, Val-Tex, and K.R. Swerdfeger - the Premier sponsors. Without the many sponsors this event would not be possible.

About the National GAS Rodeo: The National GAS Rodeo is the proving ground for the elite gas crews from across the United States. The intense competition and camaraderie of the Rodeo offer competitors an opportunity to showcase their skills and professionalism. The National GAS Rodeo is proudly administered by MEA and supported by American Gas Association, American Public Gas Association, and Southern Gas Association.

About MEA: MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

ComEd, Vectren, & Muscatine Power & Water Receive MEA’s 2017 Accident Prevention Award

MEA is proud to announce that three (3) energy delivery companies have received Accident Prevention Awards. Congratulations to these companies for their outstanding safety records:

       ComEd (Illinois)         Vectren (Indiana)         Muscatine Power & Water (Iowa)

This award is presented to the member company or companies in each category having the fewest number of days away and lowest rate of restricted or transferred (DART) in the previous year, according to a survey of MEA’s membership.

Past winners of MEA's Accident Prevention Award can be found at http://www.midwestenergy.org/accident-prevention-award. For questions contact John Gann, johng (at) midwestenergy (dot) org, or [phone] x105.

About MEA: MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

MEA’s Technical Training Committee Hosting OQ Success Conference

Operator Qualification (OQ) is a regulatory requirement for pipeline operators and utility contractors. The intent of the OQ Rule is to ensure a properly qualified workforce, thereby reducing the probability and consequence of pipeline incidents or accidents caused by human error. MEA’s OQ Success Conference is a must-attend for anyone interested in OQ. The one-day conference will be held in Rochester, MN on August 8, 2017 and can be attended via livestream at your desk.

MEA’s Technical Training Committee surveyed MEA members and EnergyU customers to determine agenda topics and discussion items. Committee members, regulators and industry experts will present on the OQ topics most requested, such as:

OQ Challenges and Opportunities

National Portability

Consequences of Comprised OQ Testing

Product and Services Beyond Compliance

Training the Next Generation of Gas Line Workers

Safety – Implementation of PSMS 1173

Why Root Cause Investigations May Not Prevent Reoccurrence

And more!

Visit http://web.midwestenergy.org/events/OQ-Success-Conference-2017-101720/details for more information or to register. Contact Robbin Moore at (651) 289-9600 x 104 or at robbinm (at) midwestenergy (dot) org for registration and discount information, and contact Richard Stump at [phone] x126 or at richards (at) midwestenergy (dot) org for information on MEA’s Operator Qualification Program.

About MEA: MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

MEA Adds New User Enhancements to CERCplus Recordkeeping Software

As part of MEA's commitment to member success, MEA is happy to announce several enhancements and improvements to CERCplus. Reporting on gas operators qualifications is now easier with the addition of several new and updated reports. Administrators may use a time-based search to review expired qualifications and can search for profile data based on site location. Other enhancements include:    New employee Roster Report    Option to display only completed qualification data to eConfirm.    Renaming of CERCmobile import files can now be done before distribution to evaluators. CERCplus 4.3.10 is paperless and efficient. This release allows the corporate Operator Qualification (OQ) recordkeeping administrator to deploy specific user records to field evaluator systems (eConfirm or CERCmobile). Field evaluators accomplish the assigned electronic evaluations using CERCmobile on their laptop or tablet. User fields are filled in automatically from the database. After completion of the evaluation the database is triggered to update the database automatically while saving each actual performance evaluation with a predefined automatically assigned file name. At the end of the evaluation day, with a few simple clicks, field evaluators may send the records to the corporate location to update the main database. CERCplus 4.3.10 is MEA's Comprehensive Energy Record and Compliance Solution. Highly customizable, CERCplus 4.3.10 solves many OSHA, HR, OQ, and other recordkeeping challenges. The 4.3.10 update includes multiple enhancements to streamline the process of managing records and reporting. There is no charge to upgrade earlier versions of CERCplus 4. Contact Larissa at [phone] x121 or at larissap(at)midwestenergy(dot)org or call or visit http://www.midwestenergy.org/cercplus.html to learn more.

[meaenergy]

Warren Mueller, Ameren Missouri, Receives MEA’s Distinguished Environmental Professional Award

Warren Mueller, retired manager environmental assessments, Ameren Missouri has received the 2017 MEA Distinguished Environmental Professional Award. The MEA Distinguished Environmental Professional Award was established by MEA in 2016 to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution(s) in the environmental area, especially in the electric and gas utility sector. This award, bestowed only when merited, acknowledges a specific breakthrough or achievement that has benefited the community of environmental professionals.

Mueller received the award for his leadership and contributions toward advancing environmental excellence and public awareness of environmental efforts. Mueller has brought multiple states and companies together to discuss environmental challenges and more importantly solutions to the ever-changing regulations and environmentally sensitive issues encountered by all utility companies. His leadership, experience, insight, and willingness to challenge contractors to minimize waste have made a lasting impact on his organization and utility companies across the Midwest.

The MEA Distinguished Environmental Award program is an initiative of the MEA Environmental Committee. For a complete list of eligibility requirements and how to enter visit http://www.midwestenergy.org/distinguished-environmental-professional-award.html. For questions, contact Stacey Bonine at staceyb (at) midwestenergy (dot) org or call [phone] x114.

About MEA: MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA (Midwest ENERGY Association) was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

MEA Presents The 2017 Board of Directors, Chaired by Gary L. Gibson of City Utilities of Springfield

Gary L. Gibson, associate general manager – economic development at City Utilities of Springfield (Missouri), was sworn in as the new chair of Midwest ENERGY Association’s (MEA) Board of Directors. City Utilities of Springfield (CU) is a progressive, community-owned utility serving southwest Missouri with electricity, natural gas, drinking water, broadband and transit services. Gary began his career at CU in 1991 as a design engineer. He subsequently held positions supervising the natural gas and water engineering areas and as Manager of Natural Gas Distribution before transitioning to his current responsibilities.

Gibson says, “I am looking forward to serving the great members of MEA in a leadership role over the next year. In 2017, we will continue to build on our strong foundation of providing industry-leading learning solutions, conferences and connection opportunities.”

MEA thanks Dennis M. Klumb, KS Energy Services, LLC, for his many years of services as MEA’s Treasurer and welcomes Thomas J. Henkels, PLH Group into the role.

Introducing the 2017-2018 MEA Board of Director Officers:

   MEA Chair – Gary L. Gibson, associate general manager – economic development, City Utilities of Springfield

   MEA First Vice Chair – Bobbi L. Schroeppel, VP, customer care, communications and human resources, NorthWestern Energy

   MEA Second Vice Chair – Barry J. Bentley, senior vice president, customer operations, Indianapolis Power & Light Company

   MEA Treasurer – Thomas J. Henkels, COO, PLH Group

   MEA Secretary – Patrick Van Beek, president, MEA

   MEA Past Chair – James M. Conway, VP customer field operations, ComEd

   MEA Executive Committee Delegate – Steven R. Gilkey, VP electric field operations, Eversource

   MEA Executive Committee Delegate – Vernon J. Peterson, vice president, electric distribution asset management, WEC Energy Group

Directors:

   Duane D. Anstaett, P.E., vice president - generation, Kansas City Power & Light

   Joe Awad, general manager construction and maintenance, Colorado Springs Utilities    

   Tamara A. Bewley, market, manager, natural gas & PVF, Border States

   W. Noble Billingsley, II, director, greater Michigan gas operations, DTE Energy

   Charles C. Crews, vice president, gas operations, Consumers Energy

   Patrick C. Darras, vice president of operations, Montana-Dakota Utilities Company

   James W. Dougherty, vice president, electric delivery, MidAmerican Energy Company

   Benjamin F. Felton, VP power delivery, NiSource

   Dean A. Headlee, manager, pipeline safety and compliance, CenterPoint Energy

   Kevin P. Joyce, director gas emergency response, Xcel Energy

   Steven T. Karolewski, vice president of operations, GROEBNER

   Eric M. Kozak, senior directory gas operations, Ameren Illinois

   James J. Lorenz, director-electric construction and operations, Madison Gas and Electric

   Jon K. Luttrell, vice president energy delivery, Vectren Energy Delivery

   Anthony R. McCain, VP resource management, Nicor Gas, Southern Gas Company

   Thomas S. Menken, district sales manager, Elster American Meter

   James J. Miller, director business development, 3Phase

   Larry F. Milner, P.E., vice president environmental, Burns & McDonnell Engineering

   Ryan A. Shell, president, New Mexico Gas Company

   Ivan Vancas, group VP natural gas utilities, Black Hills Corporation

   John C. Webster, director natural gas division, Hutchinson Utilities

About MEA: MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA (Midwest ENERGY Association) was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

MEA’s Environmental Learning Conference Adds New Natural Gas Systems and Electric Substation Sessions

MEA’s Environmental Learning Conference (April 18-20, 2017) in Chicago, Illinois adds two sessions: “Natural Gas Systems 101” and “Electrical Substations 10 and their Environmental Aspects”. Join other natural gas and electric utility and consultant personnel for these industry specific sessions.

Keith Bodger, Nicor Gas will present “Natural Gas Systems 101 and their Environmental Aspects”. Attendees will learn how natural gas systems affect the environment, including storage, transmission and distribution aspects. Bodger will give a practical and informative overview of a natural gas system and how it gets to the burner tip.

Marvin Landeros, ComEd, will provide a summary of the environmental aspects for electrical substations. New environmental challenges facing electrical substations and will look forward to substations of the future.

Other items on the agenda include:

·         Optional “Aurora MGP Site Tour”

·         “Kewanee, IL MGP Study” presented by Don Richardson, Ameren IL

·         “Vapor Intrusion at Former MGP Sites: Do the Petroleum VI Exclusion Criteria Apply?” presented by Aaron J. Christensen, PE, PG, Burns & McDonnell

·         “Recipe and Mixing Instructions for a Coal Tar Layer Cake: Reactive Cap Design and Installation on the West Branch of the Grand Calumet River, Reaches 6 and 7” presented by Sean Carroll, Haley & Aldrich, Inc. and Dan Sullivan, NiSource, Inc.

·         Hear from a panel of safety experts

·         Learn how ComEd protects habitats and pollinators

·         And more!

The new Natural Gas Systems 101 and Electrical Substations 101 sessions are so highly anticipated that MEA is offering a special discount to attendees from member and non-member utility companies. Get one complimentary registration for an attendee from the same company. Visit midwestenergy.org > events for more information.

For more information, contact Stacey Bonine, staceyb (at) midwestenergy (dot) org, or [phone] x114 or visit www.midwestenergy.org to register.

 About MEA:

MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA (Midwest ENERGY Association) was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

[meaenergy]

MEA’s EZval ….  Now Available for Apple iOS

EZval Mobile Performance Evaluation Solution, a product of MEA, which increases the reliability of Operator Qualification (OQ) evaluations is now available for iPads. The iOS version functions the same as the popular Windows version, offering an additional device option for field performance evaluations.

EZval standardizes evaluation forms for improved accuracy and reporting integrity. Conduct evaluations and record results without paper or pencil! A PDF copy of the form is automatically saved, and PDF file names include user, task, and completion data. Log files enable easy updating of external systems.

Homer Gardner, operator qualifications services director, USDI says, “EZval has made doing evaluations easier. I now get consistent records every time and the automated PDF makes it simpler for us to manage our operator qualifications. The digital record is more secure and my paperwork is greatly reduced.”

MEA listens to its members and responds to their needs. First by developing EZval and now by adding the iOS version. The ability to conduct accurate and efficient performance evaluations is essential to compliance with OQ requirements. Paper based systems have the significant challenges of penmanship, accuracy of id numbers, additional paperwork and data entry. EZval keeps the option available to print completed evaluations for audits, record verification and quality checking, but eliminates the problems inherent with paper based systems.

EZval is an important tool to help operators and contractors ensure the highest level of compliance with federal regulations related to OQ.

Interested in learning more about how EZval can streamline the OQ evaluation process? Contact Marty Vita at [phone] x131 or martyv (at) midwestenergy (dot) org or visit http://www.midwestenergy.org/ezval.html to learn more.

[meaenergy]

American Gas Association and Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals partner with MEA for 10th Annual Energetic Women Conference

American Gas Association (AGA) and Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals (WiNUP) are supporting women in the energy industry and field of STEM and Operations through a partnership at the 10th Annual Energetic Women Conference, an event of Midwest ENERGY Association (MEA).

The mission of Energetic Women is to prepare women within the energy industry for leadership roles in operations and engineering. The annual conference, hosted this year in Chicago June 14-16, is attended by hundreds of industry professionals interested in developing and enhancing their leadership and interpersonal skills.

This is the first time organizations were invited to partner with Energetic Women on this valuable event. According to Nichole Owens, 2017 chair of Energetic Women and director, customer care at ComEd, this is an exclusive opportunity for like-minded associations to develop mutually beneficial relationships with Energetic Women, which currently represents 626 utilities and businesses that support the energy industry.

As associations serving the energy industry, MEA, AGA, and WiNUP have a shared interest in supporting the preparation of women for leadership roles in the energy industry. AGA and WiNUP are able to showcase their efforts to support and expand diversity and women in the utility sector through partnership on the Energetic Women Conference, which is “a ‘must attend’ for every woman in the energy industry,” says a 2016 conference attendee.

“Natural gas utilities are actively recruiting and training a diverse and inclusive workforce that will upgrade and maintain the energy infrastructure of the 21stcentury,” says Dave McCurdy, president and CEO, AGA. “For ten years, [MEA] has made a monumental contribution to the development of the energy industry workforce and the inclusion of women through education, experience, advocacy, networking and leadership with their Energetic Women Conference. We…are pleased to be a partner for this fantastic event.”

Over the past 9 years, this conference has served over 2,500 energy professionals from leading utilities, municipalities, contractors, and associates across the country. In 2016, 58% of attendees were management level or above. Generationally, attendees range from emerging professionals (30% Generation Y, 1% Generation Z) to up and coming leaders (55% Generation X) to established personnel (14% Baby Boomer Generation).

MEA anticipates record-breaking attendance at the 10th annual conference this June.

To learn more about the conference visit www.energeticwomen.org. For questions, contact Stacey Bonine at [phone] x114, or staceyb (at) midwestenergy (dot) org.

About AGA:

The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents more than 200 local energy companies that deliver clean natural gas throughout the United States. There are more than 72 million residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers in the U.S., of which 95 percent — just under 69 million customers — receive their gas from AGA members. Today, natural gas meets more than one-fourth of the United States' energy needs.

About WiNUP:

Empowering Women in Utilities since 1923! An organization providing a link for developing and recognizing professionals involved with utility business trends, issues, products, and services.

About Energetic Women:

Energetic Women’s mission is to prepare women within the energy industry for leadership roles in operations and engineering. They encourage leadership growth and development, through advocacy and supportive programs. Energetic Women is a service of MEA.

About MEA:

MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. MEA (Midwest ENERGY Association) was founded as a trade association over 100 years ago by distribution utilities, whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, energy delivery companies and their contractors around the globe benefit from MEA's industry learning seminars, operations summits, and other events. Members collaborated to develop EnergyU, the world's premier online training and testing system for gas and electric distribution utilities.

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