Kansas Municipal News
How resources are depleted by winter weather, causing power issues
Evergy leaders described how the three major energy resources are all depleted with the harsh winter weather this week, at their press conference on Tuesday morning. The first is our coal power; because coal is stored outside and on the ground, it’s now wet and needs to be broken up manually. It also doesn’t get hot enough to produce electricity as well as they hoped. The wind has also caused an issue. It’s not quite as windy as it normally was Tuesday, and less energy was produced, therefore it could not pick up any of the slack to help power our homes. Additionally, some of the turbines can’t operate because of freezing fog and icing and thus have not been able to produce as much electricity. The hydraulic fluid inside the turbines is also freezing. The third issue comes with the sheer amount of natural gas that we have in the nation. The entire middle of the country, and other parts too, are trying to access it.
Source: KSNT News
City of Wichita closing select facilities to conserve energy
The City of Wichita said in an effort to conserve energy it will close multiple public facilities through the end of the day Wednesday, Feb. 17. The shutdowns are temporary and a precautionary measure that the city is taking to preserve power supplies for residents and critical operations. The following facilities will be closed. City Arts, Mid-America All-Indian Museum, Old Cowtown Museum, OJ Watson Park, All Wichita Public Library locations, and All aesthetic lights that do not impact the safety of pedestrian and motorists, including spotlights on City hall and in Old Town.
Source: KAKE – News
Municipal Bond Trends for February 12, 2021
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.
Evergy plans power outages as cold weather disrupts regional grid
Kansas legislators weigh bills to extend, revamp rural workforce recruitment tool
Rolling Blackouts Hit Kansas And Missouri As Arctic Temperatures Drive Up Power Demand
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
Kansas Electric Cooperatives ask Co-op members to conserve energy where possible, service interruptions possible
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
KCC issues emergency order to ensure adequate natural gas and electricity is available
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
NO POWER: Andale businesses respond to townwide power outage Monday morning
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
Contagious UK coronavirus strain found in Sedgwick County, Kansas’ 2nd variant case
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 sees utilities urging customers to conserve
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 will get help in the form of a chief of staff
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
Extreme Temps Result in Southwest Power Pool Issuing Level 3 Alert KEC Urges Electric Consumers to Reduce all Unnecessary Electricity Usage
The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which balances electricity production and use for a 14-state region including Kansas, has declared an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) Level 3 just hours after issuing a Level 2 alert. The Level 3 declaration requires the SPP to direct its member companies to prepare to implement controlled interruptions of service if necessary. Your electric cooperative will be preparing to implement controlled interruptions of service if the SPP deems it necessary to safeguard continued reliability of the regional grid. Kansas electric cooperatives are asking their members to conserve energy wherever possible and safe to do so to prevent worsening system conditions that could impact a broader area or have longer-lasting effects.
Source: Western Kansas News
WaterOne in Johnson County Wins National Contest, Declared “America’s Best Tasting Drinking Water”
WaterOne has been declared “America’s Best Tasting Drinking Water” in the Great American Water Taste Test, a nation-wide contest for water utilities sponsored by the National Rural Water Association (NRWA). In the Great American Water Taste Test, water systems are judged by a panel of experts on the clarity, bouquet, and taste of their water. The award was presented at the NRWA Virtual Water Rally on Thursday, February 11th. WaterOne competed against 24 other entries from across the country.
Source: WaterOne.
Stimulus prospects could boost the stock market and interest rates in the week ahead
The prospects of a big government spending program could continue to boost the stock market and put upward pressure on interest rates in the week ahead. Earnings season is beginning to wind down, but some big names have yet to report. Walmart’s earnings on Thursday should provide a good window into the consumer, as should the government’s retail sales report for January, also expected Wednesday. The Federal Reserve releases minutes from its last meeting on Wednesday afternoon, and investors will dig into those for any insight into the central bank’s view on inflation.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Sedgwick County lowers age restrictions on COVID vaccine to 70
The Sedgwick County Health Department has opened its COVID-19 vaccination program to anyone 70 or older, a five-year reduction in age restrictions. Outside of health care workers, who were the first to receive the vaccine, the county has tied eligibility to age. It is scheduling appointments for walk-in or drive-through vaccines for people with mobility issues. Sedgwick County is offering first doses of the vaccine to anyone in the 70-and-up age group who lives or works in the county, according to a Friday morning news release.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
COVID rules eased for Wichita-area schools; some close contacts won’t have to go home
COVID-19 rules for schools are being relaxed and fewer students will have to stay home if they have close contact with infected classmates, Sedgwick County and most of the school districts serving Wichita-area children announced Friday. Dr. Garold Minns, the county health officer, said he’s approved two levels of close contact when it comes to school kids — high-risk and a new category for low-risk contacts. The low-risk category will include students who are exposed in the classroom setting where masks and social distancing are required. Those children will be allowed to stay in school and will no longer have to be quarantined at home, although they may be observed for several days to ensure they don’t develop fever or other symptoms that could indicate COVID-19.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
City of Winfield asking residents to limit natural gas usage
The City of Winfield announced on its Facebook page Friday that residents are being asked to limit their natural gas usage due to the unprecedented natural gas pricing market conditions resulting from the current extreme weather period. The message stated, “Due to the unprecedented natural gas pricing market conditions resulting from the current extreme weather period, we are requesting all users limit natural gas usage to the greatest extent possible. We will provide a more detailed statement in the coming hours. There is no threat to the elimination of natural gas supply. As your local natural gas provider, we are asking customers to limit usage to mitigate the volatility in pricing.”
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas Senate votes to expand private school tax credit
The Kansas Senate has approved a bill to expand the state’s private school tax credit program to apply to all students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. The Senate voted 23-14 on Thursday to expand program, which now applies only to students who also attend one of the state’s lowest-performing public elementary schools. Republican supporters say the new criteria would help more students and give parents of low- and middle-income families more options, WIBW reported. Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, who opposed the bill, said she is concerned that private schools face little accountability. The bill now goes to the House.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita Public School teachers to begin receiving COVID-19 vaccinations
Wichita Public Schools teachers will begin receiving COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday, February 13. The district has received its first supply of vaccines and will begin the first round at the Wichita Public Schools’ Alvin Morris Administrative Center. The prioritization plan for employees will follow Phase 2 of Governor Kelly’s vaccination plan. … The distribution plan is as follows: Employees 65 and older with medical conditions. Medical professionals will rank order based on health conditions reported on the staff survey.
Source: KSN-TV