SDMEA Hometown Power

Hometown Power

CHRIS HILL | SDML DIRECTOR OF MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC SERVICES

Another SDML conference is over. This was the sixth SDML conference I’ve attended, so I’ve finally completed the whole circuit. That circuit of SDML conferences is Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Pierre, Aberdeen, Spearfish, and now Watertown. I have had a great time at all of them and have met wonderful people along the way.

This year we had 19 of the 35 Municipal Electric Association members present at the conference. If you have never been to the conference, or if you haven’t been in a while, I want to encourage you to attend the conference along with any other events the SDMEA promotes for the association. Member engagement is key to a strong association, and I am excited to continue to grow our events. We had very informational presenters at our annual business meeting with record attendance and great discussions. Networking at the conference is another great opportunity that allows us to communicate what works best in our communities and how to handle different situations that may arise.

The benefit of municipal electric utilities is important to our members of all sizes. From Arlington to Winner, Pukwana to Pierre, the benefits are seen within your community through high reliability, low rates, and local control. You are responsible for your infrastructure, you are in control of your rates, and you are responsible to the citizens of your municipality for the enhancement of your city or town. Visiting with other communities about the challenges that come along with owning your own utility can help through those difficult times. Your city or town has made the decision to own the electric utility, and those decisionmakers saw the benefits of owning a municipal electric utility when they made that decision.

The SDMEA annual business meeting also took place at the SDML conference, with updates from the SDMEA, Heartland Energy, Missouri River Energy Services, and Western Area Power Administration. After those updates, Chris Nordquist from DGR Engineering presented on the impact of electric vehicles. Chris pointed out that EVs are coming and may have a role in our daily lives but was also quick to point out that the need for internal combustion engines is still very important, especially when he goes fishing on Lake Winnipeg in January. Chris also understands the hardships that come along with infrastructure upgrades that will need to be made throughout the state and nation as well as rate structures that will need to adjust to handle the extra demand put on our systems. There are a lot of dynamics to figure out regarding the electric vehicle industry and how it will impact us. I, like many of us, am a little hesitant to get on board with EVs and I am also a little worried about how our electrical grid and individual systems will handle the inevitable change.

Whatever the future holds, I know you'll all be there making your HOMETOWNS great! ■

SDML Past President Steve Allender (L) thanks Russell Halgerson (R) for serving as SDMEA President in 2021/2022. Lloyd Linke of Western Area Power Administration gives an update to an impressive crowd of SDMEA members at the annual business meeting last month.

Chris Nordquist, DGR Engineering, presents on the impacts of electric vehicles.