Message-ID: <19902883.1075845027108.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 10:27:00 -0700 (PDT) From: sandis@midwestenergy.org To: <"sandi"@simmer.isd.net@enron.com> Subject: MEA Operating Section Newsletter Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ANSI_X3.4-1968 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-From: "Sandra Slaton" X-To: "Sandi"@simmer.isd.net X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Mark_Haedicke_Oct2001\Notes Folders\All documents X-Origin: HAEDICKE-M X-FileName: mhaedic.nsf 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 =01&best=018. For more information,= visit our web site at or contact Sandi at 952-832-9915 ext. 111 or via e-mail at sandis@midwestenergy.org MEA Welcomes Sara MEA is pleased to welcome Sara Spurlock, Manager of Communications, to our staff. Sara=01,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 polic= y 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 "th= e 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 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 an= d 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 =01&basic training=018 cou= rse 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 2. Energy Management Conference Grand Geneva Resort and Spa - Lake Geneva, WI August 22 - 23, 2001 http://www.midwestenergy.org/energymgmt.html 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 3. Advanced Serviceperson Training Seminar Northern Indiana Public Services Company's Training Facility - LaPorte, IN September 18 - 20, 2001 This session has undergone major revisions and updating for 2001 to include appliances utilizing the =01&newer technologies=018 in climate control. Thi= s 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 equipmen= t 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 4. Mark Your Calendar For a complete listing of all MEA courses, training seminars, conferences, and roundtables, go to March 13 - 15, 2001 =01&Locating 101 Training Seminar=018 Port Huron, MI April 3 - 5, 2001 =01&Locating 201 Training Seminar=018 Port Huron, MI April 4 - 5, 2001 =01&Codes & Standards Roundtable=018 Indianapolis, IN April 4 - 6, 2001 =01&Customer Relations Conference=018 Colorado Springs, CO April 18 - 19, 2001 =01&Distribution Roundtable=018 Indianapolis, IN April 18 - 19, 2001 =01&Electric Roundtable=018 Indianapolis, IN April 25 - 26, 2001 =01&Leak Detection Seminar=018 Decatur, IL April 26 - 27, 2001 =01&Gas System Controllers Roundtable=018 St. Louis, MO April 26 - 27, 2001 =01&Measurement & Controls Roundtable=018 St. Louis, MO April 26 - 27, 2001 =01&Safety, Training, & Field Services Roundtable=018 St. Louis, MO April 26 - 27, 2001 =01&Transmission & Storage Roundtable=018 St. Louis, MO July 30 - August 2, 2001 =01&Basic Serviceperson Training Seminar=018 Minneapolis, MN August 6 - 8, 2001 =01&Electric Operations Conference=018 Ames, IA August 6 - 8, 2001 =01&Electric Operations Exposition=018 Ames, IA August 8 - 10, 2001 =01&Gas Operations Conference=018 Ames, IA August 8 - 10, 2001 =01&Gas Operations Exposition=018 Ames, IA August 22 - 23, 2001 =01&Energy Management Conference=018 Lake Geneva, WI September 17 - 20, 2001 =01&Advanced Serviceperson Training Seminar=018 LaPorte, IN September 27 - 29, 2001 =01&Fall Executive Conference=018 St. Louis, MO September 28 - 29, 2001 =01&National Gas Rodeo=018 Fairview Heights, IL Date TBD =01&Corporate Services Conference=018 Environmental Management, Legal Affairs, and Government Relations Colorado Springs, CO November 6 - 7, 2001 =01&Distribution Roundtable=018 Nashville, TN If you would like your name removed from this mailing list, please contact Janet Adamski at janeta@midwestenergy.org = .