The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Rolling electrical blackouts rippled across the Midwest Monday while the region shivered in an arctic blast and suddenly found itself short on electrical power. Record-cold temperatures across the region led to an extraordinary winter demand and a limited supply of electricity across the central United States. To prevent a major uncontrolled power outage, the regional grid operator known as the Southwest Power Pool asked utilities mid-day to begin rolling blackouts. The request lasted about an hour. While cold temperatures increased demand, they also hurt utilities’ ability to crank out electricity. Some wind turbines got knocked out of commission by freezing fog. Power plants couldn’t crank out their usual electrical output because of freezing coal stacks. Natural gas-burning electrical plants had equipment malfunctions while the price of fuel skyrocketed as much as 150 times the normal wholesale price as people cranked up their furnaces to fight off the chill of sub-zero temperatures.
Source: KCUR News
The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which balances electricity production and use for a 14-state region including Kansas, declared an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) Level 3. SPP has directed its member utilities to be prepared to implement controlled interruptions of service if necessary. Extreme cold weather has led to regionwide electricity use that exceeds available generation across the SPP service territory. SPP declared an EEA Level 3 at 10:08 a.m. CT on Feb. 15, signaling that its operating reserves are below the required minimum. Earlier Monday, Kansas electric cooperatives asked their members to conserve energy wherever possible to avoid a potential Level 3 declaration, which would force the SPP to implement controlled service interruptions, also called “brownouts.”
Source: KSN-TV
In a special meeting Monda morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission issued an emergency order directing utilities under its jurisdiction to do all things possible and necessary to ensure adequate amounts of natural gas and electricity to meet the needs of Kansas customers including interconnected non-jurisdictional utilities that depend on them for power. The prolonged stretch of extremely cold temperatures has increased demand, created natural gas supply constraints, and potential reliability issues. “It’s in every Kansan’s best interest to conserve electricity and natural gas over the next few days when possible,” said KCC Chairperson Andrew French. “Reducing your usage will help ensure everyone continues to receive these services, and it will save you money on future utility bills.”
Source: KSN-TV
On Monday morning, the town of Andale had a power outage — which ended up having quite a lasting impact of some businesses in the small town. Business owners said around 8 a.m., the entire town of Andale went dark with the unexpected power outage. With subzero temps, Steve Hilger, the owner of Small Business Auto Repair said his efforts to save some of his plumbing came to a sudden halt. “The lights went out but we were already fighting frozen pipes so we were getting the heaters going and then when it blacked-out we were like well that will be the nail in the coffin I suppose,” Hilger said. Hilger said when the power was out, his phones didn’t work, so people who needed emergency repairs couldn’t get through.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas public health officials have identified the first known case of a coronavirus variant in the Wichita area. It’s the second case in the state of a more contagious strain of the virus that was first detected in the United Kingdom. The U.K. variant was identified in Sedgwick County, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Monday afternoon. The first case of that particular strain of the virus was identified earlier this month in Ellis County. “A case investigation has been conducted and close contacts notified,” a news release from KDHE said. “The case investigation indicates that the person likely became infected while traveling out of state. Further details concerning the patient, including demographics, will not be released.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Frigid weather that has sent temperatures plunging across Middle America also had power and gas utilities urging customers to dial down the thermostat. Utility companies serving Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri issued pleas Sunday and Monday for customers to conserve power as temperatures plummeted and demand for energy soared across the Plains. “Much as it does in summer, high demand can put additional strain on our system,” a message from Omaha Public Power District to customers read. “We are seeing similar effects now, only this time with record cold instead of heat.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Topeka City Manager Brent Trout told KSNT News that the selection of Chief of Staff was suggested by the governing council and former Topeka Police Chief Bill Cochran came to mind. Topeka City Manager Brent Trout announced during a Topeka City Council meeting last week that retired Police Chief Bill Cochran would become Chief of Staff to the City Manager. The position pays anywhere from $125,000 to $135,000 annually. Trout said the money for his salary will come from budgeted salary dollars from positions that have not been filled.
Source: KSNT News
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