BPU seeking letters of interest for Ethics Commission

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is seeking letters of interest and resumes from persons interested in filling a vacancy on the BPU Ethics Commission.

The purpose of the Ethics Commission is to ensure proper implementation of BPU’s code of ethics and to review and report on all violations of the ethics policy.

The commission meets to deliberate ethical issues and renders advisory opinions concerning questions of ethics, conflicts of interest, and the applicability of BPU’s Ethics Policy.

Unified Government, BPU announce holiday schedules

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The Unified Government and Board of Public Utilities have announced their upcoming holiday schedules. 

More information:

UG Offices will closed on Thursday, December 25, 2014 in observance of the Christmas Holiday. City and County offices will reopen the following day for business, Friday, December 26th.

UG Offices will also be closed on New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1, 2015. Offices will open on Friday, January 2nd during regular scheduled business hours.

The administrative offices and customer service lobby of the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will be closed on Thursday, December 25th, 2014 for Christmas. The BPU offices will also be closed on Thursday, January 1st, 2015 in observance of New Year's Day. 

Although BPU's business offices are closed on holidays, emergency service is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.  

For power emergencies, customers should call (913)-573-9522. The water emergency number is (913)-573-9622. 

BPU Ethics Commission to meet July 29

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Ethics Commission will meet on Tuesday, July 29th at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Room B of the West Wyandotte Public Library, located at 1737 North 82nd Street in Kansas City, Kan.

The purpose of the Ethics Commission is to ensure proper implementation of BPU’s code of ethics and to review and report on all violations of the ethics policy.

Power outage reported near State Avenue, KCKCC

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- A small power outage is in progress near State Avenue and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

According to the BPU power outage map, somewhere between 50-99 customers are without power.

If you have friends or do business in the area, take note.

BPU announces deal for additional wind energy

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Kansas City Board of Public utilities (BPU) has announced it has completed negotiations with OwnEnergy Inc., a developer of mid-sized wind projects, for the purchase of 25 megawatts of energy generated by wind turbines.

The wind farm will be located south of Alexander, Kan., in Rush County and began construction in December 2013, and will tie into the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) Midwest Energy transmission system.

The contract between BPU and OwnEnergy Inc. is a 20-year renewable energy Purchase Power Agreement (PPA). It is anticipated that energy will be available to BPU in October 2015.

The wind-generated energy purchased will help supplement BPU’s base-load generation produced by the utility’s two power plants. Since wind is variable, it is considered an intermittent source of power and cannot be regarded as base-load generation.

“We are pleased about adding this renewable source of energy to our generating mix – it is important to our future, and wind is among the least-cost renewable energy resources," said Don Gray, General Manager of BPU.

He explained that BPU is continually evaluating various sources of energy as part of the utility’s integrated resource planning.

“We strive for a diversified fuel mix, and we’re proud to add this additional Kansas wind power to our energy portfolio,” Gray said.

With the addition of the PPA from the Alexander Wind Farm, BPU will have wind energy equal to 10 percent of its peak demand and 22 percent of its peak in renewables when this wind farm goes online with total renewables at 110 MW at that time.

This exceeds the state’s renewable energy standard which currently requires electric utilities to have at least 10 percent of their peak demand from renewable resources through 2015, 15 percent in 2016 and 20 percent beginning in 2020.

Joe Jarsulic, Director of Electric Supply Planning for BPU, discussed the benefits of this wind power agreement including favorable pricing, contract terms and that the project is in Kansas. “It is a long-term agreement at a fixed price, and in turn will save the ratepayers money.” Jarsulic estimates that this agreement will save BPU ratepayers an average of $900,000 per year over the 20 year term.

Jacob Susman, Founder and CEO of OwnEnergy, said, “This is an exciting milestone for OwnEnergy and BPU and is an important step in building a secure, clean and economical energy future for Kansas, and for the country.”

If power goes out, hotline available for BPU customers

The Board of Public Utilities is preparing for a significant winter storm tomorrow. 

Here is more information for customers if the power goes out.

Please note the bold part just in case you lose power:

Local news media outlets and the National Weather Service are forecasting a powerful winter storm that will affect the KC metro area Tuesday through Wednesday morning with another possible storm Friday and Saturday.  Heavy snow, cold temps and high winds are predicted.

Our BPU line crews are ready to respond to outages and are prepared for this anticipated storm.

Customers, who experience an electrical outage, are reminded to call the electric outage hotline number directly at 913-573-9522 or online at www.bpu.com or via our Facebook page.

BPU’s web site features a “live” real-time electrical outage map that covers the utility’s entire service area. Customers and news media can see if an outage has been reported in their area, a summary of affected/restored customers, as well as the number of outage calls reported.

To see this map, click on the “report outage” button on our home page and the outage map is located on the next page. We will also be sharing information on our social media sites.

For first time, Eagles Day event extends to two days

KANSAS CITY, KAN. — Catch a glimpse of the country’s national symbol during Wyandotte County’s 2014 Annual Eagle Days Celebration, Jan. 25th and 26th, sponsored by the Kansas City BPU.

Now expanded to include a second day of activities, this annual event helps to celebrate the American Bald Eagle and educate the public about wildlife in Wyandotte County.

“BPU is proud to sponsor this local event which recognizes a national icon and the preservation efforts that have helped sustain the American Bald Eagle,” said Don Gray, general manager of BPU. “We are excited to be a part of this educational opportunity for Wyandotte County residents and our community.”

This year’s event will take place at both the F.L. Schlagle Library and Davis Hall in Wyandotte County Lake Park during the two days. 

Saturday’s events will occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and include eagle crafts, live Bald Eagle presentations by Operation Wildlife and opportunities to view a variety of owls, hawks, kestrels and falcons. There will also be Bald Eagle viewings along the lake. Events will repeat on Sunday from Noon – 4 p.m. See full schedule for more information.

This event is free and open to the public. Take the West Road upon entering park to F.L. Schlagle Library or the East Road to Davis Hall.

In addition to the Kansas City BPU, the 2014 Eagle Day Celebration is being sponsored by the Wyandotte County United Government Parks and Recreation Department, the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library and Operation Wildlife. To learn more about 2014 Eagle Day, call 913.299.2384 or visit www.kckpl.org.

Full Schedule

January 25, 2014

Location: Schlagle Library, Wyandotte County Lake Park

•    9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Eagle Crafts/Eagle Viewing
•    10 – 10:45 a.m. – Live Bald Eagle Presentation, Operation Wildlife
•    1:30 – 2:15 p.m. – Live Bald Eagle Presentation, Operation Wildlife

Location: J.P. Davis Hall, Wyandotte County Lake Park

• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Exhibits with live hawks, owls, falcons, and other raptors. Visit with volunteers from Operation Wildlife. 
• 10 a.m., 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.  – Live Bird of Prey Presentation


January 26, 2014 

Location: Schlagle Library, Wyandotte County Lake Park

•    Noon – 4 p.m. – Eagle Crafts/Eagle Viewing
•    1 – 1:45 p.m. – Live Bald Eagle Presentation, Operation Wildlife
•    3 – 3:15 p.m. – Live Bald Eagle Presentation, Operation Wildlife

Location: J.P. Davis Hall, Wyandotte County Lake Park

• Noon – 4 p.m. – Exhibits with live hawks, owls, falcons, and other raptors. Visit with volunteers from Operation Wildlife.
• 1 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.  – Live Bird of Prey Presentation

BPU adds additional bill payment options

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) now accepts debit and credit cards in its lobby for those customers that use the lobby to pay their utility bills.

Customers can now use Visa, MasterCard and Discover, as well as debit cards to pay their bills.

“We are continuing to improve services for our customers and this is just another example,” stated Johnetta Hinson, BPU Manager of Customer Service. “Earlier this year we launched a Hardship Program and extended our lobby hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Hinson stated that in 2014, additional customer service improvements will be offered including Paperless billing, payment arrangements over the telephone and Energy Engage, a new web portal that will allow customers to track their daily usage of water and electricity among other improvements.

As a community-owned utility, BPU is committed to improving its business practices and exploring options to better serves the people it serves.

BPU Ethics Commission to meet Oct. 29

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Ethics Commission will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 29th at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Room B of the West Wyandotte Public Library, located at 1737 North 82nd Street in Kansas City, Kansas.

The purpose of the Ethics Commission is to ensure proper implementation of BPU’s code of ethics and to review and report on all violations of the ethics policy.

If you're interested in contacting the BPU Ethics Commission, the BPU Ethics Commission Hotline is (913) 271-6337. Or, you can email them at bpuethics@gmail.com.

Over 1,000 without power in KCK; UPDATE - Over 2,000 without power now

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- As of noon Sunday, over 1,000 Kansas City, Kan., residents are without power.

The outages are located throughout the city and not concentrated in one specific area.

The largest outage at this time is around the area of S. 81st Street and Swartz Road, where over 130 customers are without power.

Homes lost power after storms hit the Kansas City metro area overnight.

Along with BPU, customers of other utilities in cities across the Kansas City metro area also lost power.

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UPDATE: 1:09 p.m. - A larger outage is being reported by the BPU power outage map, now leaving over 2,000 customers without power.

This outage includes Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Here's the map...click it for a larger version.:

BPU warning Hispanic customers about phone scam

The Board of Utilities is warning local Hispanic customers about a phone scam being reported across Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County.

More information courtesy of BPU:

Kansas City, Kan. — The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is warning customers about a phone scam targeting Hispanic customers.

Hispanic BPU customers have received calls from the BPU Customer Service number, 913-573-9190 impersonating BPU personnel trying to collect money for replacing electric meters or adding surge protectors to customer’s homes. The person is asking customers to purchase a $350/$500Green Dot Card and asking them to have the card account information available when he calls back. The person told potential victims if the information was not given within four hours, their electricity would be shut off or their home would blow up.

“This individual is targeting non-English speaking customers and attempting to scare them with such an outrageous threat,” stated David Mehlhaff, BPU Chief Communications Officer. “There are phone apps available that allow people to enter another person’s number so when you call someone, your number doesn’t show up but the number you inserted does.”

BPU bilingual customer service representatives are taking customer calls and reassuring them that this is a scam and warning them to not give out any personal information to this individual.

Please contact BPU or call the police if you believe you have been the target of this or any scam. BPU is working with the proper authorities to address this issue.

BPU announces Burley-Krenzer as first Everyday Hero

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Jenny Burley-Krenzer has been named the first Kansas City BPU “Everyday Hero” by a committee of peers and community members who selected her from among many employees nominated for this award.

BPU launched the Everyday Hero Program as a way to recognize employees who go above and beyond at work and in the community.

Eager to get her foot in the door at BPU, Burley-Krenzer started as a temporary employee in 2001, transitioned to garage clerk, and worked her way up to her current position where she serves as the executive assistant to the general manager and the board of directors, along with other BPU managers.

“Jenny exhibits dependability and accountability in her job performance,” said Don Gray, BPU general manager. “Her standout organizational and communication skills ensure that all board meetings run smoothly through careful preparation. She also excels in customer service, anticipating their needs and actively seeking solutions.”

Burley-Krenzer grew up in the Kansas City area and brings her trademark enthusiasm and caring heart to helping her community. She is actively involved with the Humane Society of Wyandotte County, rescuing stray dogs.

BPU releases report on Rosedale Park death

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The Board of Public Utilities released its report regarding the death of a Johnson County man at Rosedale Park. 

The death happened as a result of a down power-line following a thunderstorm that hit Kansas City, Kan., on Saturday, June 15.

Here is BPU's full statement:

The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has reviewed the events surrounding the sudden storm that impacted the Kansas City region late Saturday afternoon, June 15th.

This storm produced winds in excess of 70 mph, resulting in widespread electrical outages impacting 2,277 customers across BPU’s service territory. BPU’s outage hotline received a total of 553 calls including three that we have identified regarding the downed line in Rosedale Park. BPU received the initial call regarding the downed line from the 911 Dispatch Center at 4:07 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

At 4:04 p.m. Saturday, BPU crews began working to restore power to customers and repair damaged infrastructure which included broken poles and a total of 30 downed lines. Crews worked around the clock until midnight, June 16th on the storm repair moving from location to location.

At 3:29 a.m. Sunday, June 16th, BPU crews arrived at Rosedale Park to repair the downed line. The danger and risk of downed power lines in our community are taken very seriously by our utility.

It is very unfortunate that we did not respond in a time frame that could have possibly prevented this tragedy. The public needs to know that we are always reviewing our policies and procedures to ensure we are in compliance with regulatory requirements and standards established by the American Public Power Association and national Electrical Safety Code, which requires a utility to comply with codes for the practical safeguarding of people, employees and property.

We are having discussions with public safety officials for better coordination between all first responders and the utility. The safety of our citizens is our top priority and we want to do all we can that will prevent, as much as possible another tragedy like this from happening again.

AG Schmidt urges U.S. Supreme Court to review EPA stance on greenhouse gas emissions

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt last week asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a challenge to new Environmental Protection Agency rules that would regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources.

Schmidt filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Texas and eleven other states that sued EPA over the proposed rules.  West Virginia and Montana joined in the Kansas brief as well.

The states are asking the Supreme Court to review a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which sided with EPA in four consolidated cases.  The states argue that EPA exceeded its statutory authority and is unlawfully intruding upon the authority of the states.

"There are enforceable legal limits on the ability of federal agencies, including EPA, to impose regulations," Schmidt said.  "In this case, we believe the EPA has overreached the limits of the law."

Kansas is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case to clarify that the EPA has misinterpreted the Clean Air Act and acted outside its legal and Constitutional authority.

"These new EPA regulations will prove costly to Kansas industries and consumers without sufficient proof of benefit to the environment," Schmidt said.  "That's not what Congress intended when it granted regulatory authority to the EPA."

The Kansas brief was filed in State of Texas, et al., v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, et al., Case No. 12-1269.

Bowersock officially opens $25 million power plant on the Kaw

By CHAD LAWHORN, The Lawrence Journal-World

There was much talk of rain dances Friday afternoon at the grand opening celebration for Lawrence-based Bowersock Mills and Power Co.'s $25 million hydroelectric power plant on the north bank of the Kansas River.

“When we began construction on this project, the Bowersock team systematically began sun dances,” Stephen Hill, an owner of the power company said, referring to the need for a dry period to build the plant on the Kaw. “Now that we’re done, we’ve shifted to rain dances. It hasn’t worked.”

Construction crews lost only 1 1/2 days of work because of weather during the nearly two-year construction period of the plant, Hill said.

But when the plant was ready to begin producing electricity in late November, there wasn’t enough water in the Kansas River to spin the turbines.

On Friday afternoon, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by more than 100 people, two of the plant’s four turbines were spinning, thanks to recent spring rains. In fact, electricity production began on April 10, the birthday of Bowersock co-owner and president Sarah Hill-Nelson.

“Rain was the best birthday present I could have hoped for,” Hill-Nelson said.

The project, which is located at the north end of the Kansas River bridges in downtown, was lauded Friday by state and local officials as an example of how Kansas can further expand its renewable energy reputation.

“I think we now have a landmark in North Lawrence that will stand as a beacon of light for renewable energy in Kansas,” Mayor Mike Dever said.

The plant — along with Bowersock’s turn-of-the century hydroelectric plant on the south bank of the Kaw — sells all its electricity to the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities.

Nearly 7,000 lost power in KCK Sunday morning

A power failure at the BPU's Victory West Substation in Western Wyandotte County resulted in nearly 7,000 people losing power.

The outage was reported Sunday morning. At its peak, over 6,900 residents were without power.

"We are very sorry for the inconvenience of the loss of power this morning in a few KCK areas," said a statement on BPU's Facebook page. "Our crew is currently working to restore the power and we hope to have everyone back soon! We experienced a power failure at our Victory West Substation."

Power was lost from 78th Street to about 70th Street - multiple businesses and traffic lights were affected by the outage.

As of 11:15 a.m., power is back up.

Thousands without power in KCK; UPDATE: Power outages cut down in half as of 11:40 a.m.

As a result of the overnight snowstorm, thousands of Kansas City, Kan., residents are without power.

Over 200 power outages have been reported to the Board of Public Utilities.

As of 9:47 a.m., over 11,000 residents in KCK are without power. According to the BPU's power outage map, over 350 separate calls have been made to the utility.

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UPDATE 10:09 a.m: BPU says it's experiencing a record number of calls as a result of today's outages.

Here's a short statement about the situation from BPU:

Many of you are trying to call our Outage number. We are experiencing a record number of calls and system is over-loaded. We appreciate your patience and hang in there.

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UPDATE 11:46 a.m: The outages around Wyandotte County, after peaking at around 15,000 earlier this morning, are down to 8,000. Here's the latest BPU map.

By the way, on a quick editorial note - BPU is doing an excellent job of responding to customers on its Facebook page and Twitter account. It's pretty cool what social media can do and BPU is utilizing it really well.

Large power outage reported in Western Wyandotte County

Over 500 customers were without power just west of Interstate 435 and Parallel Parkway this afternoon.

According to the Board of Public Utilities power outage map, separate outages were reported between 12 and 1 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Power has been restored to most of the effected area as of 1:05 p.m.

The largest outage area covered nearly 400 customers.

BPU to hold Energy Efficiency Workshop on March 26

BPU's Johnson named president of Kansas Municipal Utilities

News Release:

William Johnson, Manager of Electric Operations and Technology for the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU), has been named the 2012-2013 President of Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU). 

The appointment came at the organization’s 84th annual conference last week in Wichita.  Kansas Municipal Utilities is the statewide trade association supporting and representing 176 municipal electric, natural gas, water and wastewater utilities across the state. 

As president, Johnson is charged with leading the association that advocates for municipal systems before Congress, the Kansas Legislature and other regulatory agencies.  KMU also provides educational, job training and safety, operation and maintenance and other consulting services to the utility industry.

Johnson was named President May 3, 2012 at the 2012 KMU Conference.  In a special ceremony at the conference banquet, the presidential gavel was passed from 2011-2012 KMU President Greg DuMars, City Administrator for the City of Lindsborg, Kansas.

In his role as president, Johnson governs the 26-member KMU Board of Directors and 6-member Executive Committee and helps guides the organization in its mission “to provide exceptional leadership and service in the advancement and protection of municipal utilities in Kansas.”

His first duty as KMU President was to serve as chairperson for the association’s annual business meeting.  The meeting is held once a year at the conference to conduct the formal business of Kansas Municipal Utilities. 

Johnson’s leadership comes at a crucial time for both the association and its member utilities, as federal, regional and state legislators and regulators debate significant changes for the industry. 

One of the association’s most pressing activities is representing municipal utility concerns with the challenges posed by newly proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. 

In addition, KMU is investigating the development of a new training field and facility that could provide hands-on educational opportunities for electric linemen, natural gas operators, water and wastewater crews, and other municipal utility professionals. 

Johnson will serve a one-year term as KMU president.