Midwest Energy Association

NEW!

Operating Section Newsletter

May 15, 2001  No. 0004


The Best of the Best!
MEA is searching for the best gas utility employees in the country to
compete in the National Gas Rodeo.  Teams of four will compete against the
clock and one another illustrating the skills required to perform their
daily jobs and to determine who is the &best8.  For more information, visit
our web site at <http://www.midwestenergy.org/rodeonew.html> or contact
Sandi at 952-832-9915 ext. 111 or via e-mail at sandis@midwestenergy.org
<mailto:sandis@midwestenergy.org>

MEA Welcomes Sara
MEA is pleased to welcome Sara Spurlock, Manager of Communications, to our
staff. Sara,s diverse professional background includes seven years of
commercial and membership radio experience, non-profit as well as high-tech
marketing communications. At MEA, Sara will serve as editor for overall
communications and head up our media and PR initiatives. Welcome aboard,
Sara!

Interruptible Rate Structure/Black-Outs
Today, Eden Prairie High School, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota had
their electric service cut off by the local utility as part of their
interruptible rate structure.  An event like this -- students attempting to
learn in a dark, uncomfortably hot environment (outdoor temp 92 degrees) --
calls to mind an important natural gas-related issue: The availability and
attractiveness of gas-fired technologies (gas-fired air conditioning and
gas-fired power generation, for instance) to participate in the U.S. energy
picture.  This, in turn, raises the larger issue of a national energy policy
and the role of natural gas to meet our various energy needs.

Big Questions for The Big Thinkers.  For those of us a little closer to "the
trenches"....

Index:
1) Basic Serviceperson Training Seminar
2) Energy Management Conference
3) Advanced Serviceperson Training Seminar
4) Mark Your Calendar

1.
Basic Serviceperson Training Seminar
Holiday Inn Metrodome Hotel - Minneapolis, MN

July 31 - August 2, 2001

<http://www.midwestenergy.org/basicservice.htm>

Every part of the curriculum has been revised and new sections have been
added to reflect the advancements in technology as it applies to heating and
water heating equipment. The Basic Serviceperson training provides a
comprehensive understanding of old and new service techniques for new and
minimally experienced gas service personnel. The &basic training8 course
will prepare your service personnel to offer professional and quality
service to your customers and help them avoid repeated call-backs, unsafe
work, wasted time, irritated customers and a loss of profits on service
operations.

Course Topics
--Fundamentals of gas combustion
--Procedures to follow when investigating suspected improper combustion and
the possible presence of Carbon Monoxide
--Proper procedures to follow when initiating a new service or restoring
service to an existing system
--Suggested procedures to follow place gas utilization equipment into
service
--Identify inspection points to ensure the safe operation of Category I, II,
III, and IV appliance venting systems
--Identify recommended procedures to test heat exchangers
--Fundamentals of electricity
--Fundamentals of electronics
--Basic electrical troubleshooting skills as it relates to gas utilization
equipment


Registration Fee:
$450.00 MEA members, $600.00 non-MEA members

MEA Contact:
Cecilia Myrman 952-832-9915 ext. 118 or ceciliam@midwestenergy.org
<mailto:sandis@midwestenergy.org>

2.
Energy Management Conference
Grand Geneva Resort and Spa - Lake Geneva, WI

August 22 - 23, 2001

http://www.midwestenergy.org/energymgmt.html
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/basicservice.htm>

This meeting provides a forum for distribution, marketer and pipeline
companies to focus on the particulars of managing the energy that flows
through their systems. Issues and topics discussed include supply, demand
and pricing concerns, as well as determining processes for analysis and
prediction of future usage.

Who Should Attend
--Energy Management Professionals
--Distribution Gas Supply Directors
--Energy Retailers
--Marketers to the Midwest area
--Pipeline Company Marketers

Registration Fee:
$325.00 MEA members, $650.00 non-MEA members

MEA Contact:
Stephanie Menning 952-832-9915 ext. 114 or stephm@midwestenergy.org
<mailto:sandis@midwestenergy.org>

3.
Advanced Serviceperson Training Seminar
Northern Indiana Public Services Company's Training Facility - LaPorte, IN

September 18 - 20, 2001

<http://www.midwestenergy.org/adservice.htm>

This session has undergone major revisions and updating for 2001 to include
appliances utilizing the &newer technologies8 in climate control. This is an
advanced program and is not intended for the new or novice service
technician! Individuals participating in the session will be expected to
have a working knowledge of basic electricity and electronics prior to
attendance!

NOTE: This session is primarily a "hands-on" session. Therefore, all
individuals attending should bring their VOM's or DVOM's and other equipment
they use for gas utilization equipment diagnostics. Participants will be
performing electrical and mechanical troubleshooting procedures on various
types and designs of gas utilization equipment, including heating, water
heating, clothes drying, and cooking equipment. This three-day session
includes group discussion, live demonstrations, and "hands-on" learning.
Attendees will be required to complete knowledge assessments as
documentation of training during the session.

Course Topics
To demonstrate and understanding of:
--Voltage, Current and Resistance
--Series, Parallel, and Combination Circuits
--Multimeters Used in the Diagnosis of Electrical Circuits
--Wiring Schematics, Including Ladder and Connection Diagrams and how they
are used in Circuit Diagnosis
--Basic Troubleshooting Techniques
--Various Types of Switches and other Circuit Control Devices
--Electromotive Devices, Including Transformers, Motors, Capacitors,
Solenoids, and Relays
--Voltage Rectification and Current Filtration
--"Black Box" Electronic Devices and how Inputs and Outputs can be used to
diagnose most Electronic Control Boards
--Various Ignition Systems Utilized on Heating and Water Heating Systems

Registration Fee:
$450.00 MEA members, $600.00 non-MEA members

MEA Contact:
Cecilia Myrman 952-832-9915 ext. 118 or ceciliam@midwestenergy.org
<mailto:sandis@midwestenergy.org>

4.
Mark Your Calendar

For a complete listing of all MEA courses, training seminars, conferences,
and roundtables, go to <http://www.midwestenergy.org/schedule.htm>

March 13 - 15, 2001
&Locating 101 Training Seminar8
Port Huron, MI
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/101.html>

April 3 - 5, 2001
&Locating 201 Training Seminar8
Port Huron, MI
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/201.htm>

April 4 - 5, 2001
&Codes & Standards Roundtable8
Indianapolis, IN
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/distrib.html>

April 4 - 6, 2001
&Customer Relations Conference8
Colorado Springs, CO
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/custrelations.html>

April 18 - 19, 2001
&Distribution Roundtable8
Indianapolis, IN
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/distrib.html>

April 18 - 19, 2001
&Electric Roundtable8
Indianapolis, IN
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/elecround.html>

April 25 - 26, 2001
&Leak Detection Seminar8
Decatur, IL
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/leak.htm>

April 26 - 27, 2001
&Gas System Controllers Roundtable8
St. Louis, MO
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/gassystems.html>

April 26 - 27, 2001
&Measurement & Controls Roundtable8
St. Louis, MO
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/meas.html>

April 26 - 27, 2001
&Safety, Training, & Field Services Roundtable8
St. Louis, MO
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/safetytrain.html>

April 26 - 27, 2001
&Transmission & Storage Roundtable8
St. Louis, MO
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/transstor.html>

July 30 - August 2, 2001
&Basic Serviceperson Training Seminar8
Minneapolis, MN
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/basicservice.htm>

August 6 - 8, 2001
&Electric Operations Conference8
Ames, IA
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/electconf_reg.htm>

August 6 - 8, 2001
&Electric Operations Exposition8
Ames, IA
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/ElectExbtr_reg.htm>

August 8 - 10, 2001
&Gas Operations Conference8
Ames, IA
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/gas_reg01.html>

August 8 - 10, 2001
&Gas Operations Exposition8
Ames, IA
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/GasExbtr_reg.htm>

August 22 - 23, 2001
&Energy Management Conference8
Lake Geneva, WI
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/energymgmt.html>

September 17 - 20, 2001
&Advanced Serviceperson Training Seminar8
LaPorte, IN
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/adservice.htm>

September 27 - 29, 2001
&Fall Executive Conference8
St. Louis, MO

September 28 - 29, 2001
&National Gas Rodeo8
Fairview Heights, IL
<http://www.midwestenergy.org/rodeonew.html>

Date TBD
&Corporate Services Conference8
Environmental Management, Legal Affairs, and Government Relations
Colorado Springs, CO

November 6 - 7, 2001
&Distribution Roundtable8
Nashville, TN

If you would like your name removed from this mailing list, please contact
Janet Adamski at janeta@midwestenergy.org <mailto:janeta@midwestenergy.org>.