MidAmerican Energy Company

Southwest Gas Appoints Accomplished Utility and Energy Industry Executive Bill Fehrman as President and CEO of Centuri

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 22, 2023
Growth, IPO, Southwest Gas, MidAmerican Energy Company, MEC, Nebraska Public Power District, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Management

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SWX) ("Southwest Gas" or the "Company") today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed William J. ("Bill") Fehrman as President and Chief Executive Officer of Centuri Group, Inc. ("Centuri"), effective January 12, 2024. Mr. Fehrman succeeds Paul Daily, who previously announced his intention to retire.

Key Points: 
  • ("Bill") Fehrman as President and Chief Executive Officer of Centuri Group, Inc. ("Centuri"), effective January 12, 2024.
  • Mr. Fehrman brings decades of utility operation leadership experience, including most recently having served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
  • Mr. Fehrman also led MidAmerican Energy Company and Nebraska Public Power District as President and Chief Executive Officer.
  • Southwest Gas previously noted its intent to pursue an initial public offering ("IPO") of newly issued shares of Centuri Holdings, Inc. ("Centuri Holdings") in the spring/summer 2024.

MidAmerican Energy Runs Six Coal Plants in Iowa

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Propaganda, Groundwater, Water, Associate, Moms Clean Air Force, Coal, Organizing, News, Carbon, Organization, Wind, Atmosphere, Pond, Sierra Club, Multimedia, Public utility, Winnebago, Environment, MidAmerica Industrial Park, MidAmerican Energy Company, Plant, Water pollution, Cancer, Burn, Omaha Nation Public Schools, Light, Midam, Renewable energy

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MidAmerican Energy recently released a news statement claiming to have served Iowans with 100% renewable energy in 2022. The news release did not mention the six coal plants that MidAmerican Energy owns and operates in Iowa.

Key Points: 
  • The news release did not mention the six coal plants that MidAmerican Energy owns and operates in Iowa.
  • "MidAmerican Energy uses convenient math to make Iowans believe their energy is 100% renewable," said Karin Stein, Iowa Coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force.
  • "MidAmerican is still selling almost 40% of their energy generation to other utilities, energy coming from coal plants operating within Iowa.
  • Coal ash waste accumulates every day in Iowa as coal plants continue to burn coal.

Iowa Utilities Board's study to examine power company regulations for cost-effectiveness, reliability

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Environmental Law and Policy Center, London Economic Conference, London, Lobbying, Senior, Education, Alliant, Electricity, Sierra, Sierra Club, Hope, State Energy Program (United States), Public policy, ELPC, Wind, Natural Resources, Organization, Coal, Plant, Environmental law, Nature, Charette, Iowa Utilities Board, Council, IEC, Weather, Health, IUB, House, Environment, MidAmerican Energy Company, Legislation, Renewable energy, Nursing

DES MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) kicked off the first of three public input and discussion sessions ("charettes") to review state laws related to how utilities set their rates. These sessions will wrap up in early November and result in a set of legislative recommendations to be considered in the 2024 legislative session. This process stemmed from the passage this year of House File 617, which required the IUB to undertake this review with a focus on "ensuring safe, adequate, reliable, and affordable utility services provided at rates that are nondiscriminatory, just, reasonable, and based on the utility's cost of providing service to its customers within Iowa." The IUB has hired consulting firm London Economics to convene stakeholders and perform the required analysis in Docket No. NOI-2023-0001.

Key Points: 
  • This is a critical moment for Iowa as the state has not reformed its regulations governing the energy sector since 2001.
  • The 2001 law delivered a sea change in how the state regulated utilities and enabled the rapid expansion of wind energy in Iowa.
  • This requires transparent and thorough oversight to balance the financial interest of the company and the customers.
  • According to Johannsen with the Iowa Environmental Council, "There could not be a more important moment for Iowa advocates, utilities, and policymakers to be having this discussion.

Iowa Leading Manufacturing Sustainability Efforts Across U.S.

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Newton, Partnership, Hawkeye, MidAmerican Energy Company, Agriculture, Electricity, Steel, Carbon, Global warming potential, Wind, Creativity, SSAB, Growth, Climate, Renewable energy

DES MOINES, Iowa, June 8, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Three Iowa-based companies - Arcosa Wind Towers, MidAmerican Energy and SSAB Americas joined Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on Wednesday, June 7, to discuss how creativity and innovation in the Hawkeye State are advancing efforts across North America in sustainable solutions for our products and our communities.

Key Points: 
  • Iowa Leading Manufacturing Sustainability Efforts Across U.S. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Participates in Announcement, along with Arcosa Wind Towers, MidAmerican Energy and SSAB to talk sustainability.
  • "As businesses we are grateful and fortunate to be located in the State of Iowa.
  • Iowa is a leader in providing a business environment and to support a sustainable supply chain for industry and manufacturing.
  • "Iowa has been leading the charge in diversifying our country's electricity production through renewable wind energy deployment and Arcosa has been right alongside supporting those efforts," said John Pello, Vice President & General Manager of Arcosa Wind Towers.

Iowans and Nebraskans Rally for a Coal-Free Future Outside Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Berkshire Hathaway, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, State, Lobbying, MidAmerican Energy Company, Education, Atmosphere, Sierra Club, Sierra, IA, AP, State Energy Program (United States), Public policy, Nebraskans For Peace, Organization, Coal, EPA, Environmental law, Nature, Water, Council, IEC, Moms Clean Air Force, Missouri River, Climate, Health, CO2, Deadly Impact, COBRA, Oil, Renewable energy

OMAHA, Neb., May 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iowans and Nebraskans joined together for a coal-free future rally outside the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting in Omaha on Saturday, May 6.

Key Points: 
  • OMAHA, Neb., May 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iowans and Nebraskans joined together for a coal-free future rally outside the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting in Omaha on Saturday, May 6.
  • Numerous organizations hosted the rally, including the Iowa Environmental Council, Sierra Club, Great Plains Action Society and the Clean Up MidAm Coalition.
  • According to the “ Benchmarking Air Emissions ” report, Berkshire Hathaway Energy had the fourth-highest CO2 emission  among electric power producers in the U.S. while generating the ninth-most electricity.
  • We work on federal, state, and local public policy issues to ensure a just, healthy environment and sustainable future for all Iowans.

Index AR Solutions Digital Line Mechanic Apprenticeship Course for College Classroom Expands to Meet Skilled Worker Demand

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Technology, Mobile, Wireless, Audio, Video, Other Energy, Utilities, Apps, Applications, Training, Energy, Other Education, University, Other Technology, Software, Education, Internet, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Learning, Mechanics, Partnership, Electric utility, Workplace, Augmented reality, Safety, Curriculum, MidAmerican Energy Company, Transformer, Tablet, DMACC, Student, Berkshire Hathaway, Des Moines Area Community College, Faculty, DEI, NYSE, AR, Ebook, Nursing, Publishing, Tutoring, Management, Index

Index AR Solutions, a leading creator of digital workforce training, announced that Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is doubling the class size of a new digital curriculum-based line mechanic course in the fall of 2023 following positive results and feedback from its first offering.

Key Points: 
  • Index AR Solutions, a leading creator of digital workforce training, announced that Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is doubling the class size of a new digital curriculum-based line mechanic course in the fall of 2023 following positive results and feedback from its first offering.
  • (Photo: Business Wire)
    Under the terms of a teaming agreement, Index implemented an immersive, multimodal digital curriculum for classroom instruction at DMACC that gives students the exact skills and information needed to be hired as a power line mechanic.
  • The curriculum was based on modern, field-proven training materials that Index created with MidAmerican using eBooks and mobile apps delivered via tablets.
  • “We are inspired by this groundbreaking educational initiative, powered by Index eBooks and apps,” said Dan Arczynski, CEO at Index AR Solutions.

Iowa Environmental Council: Three Things You Won't Hear Onstage at the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Berkshire Hathaway, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Insurance, Benchmarking, Public utility, Lobbying, Noise, Education, Atmosphere, Sierra, Sierra Club, State Energy Program (United States), Public policy, MidAmerican Energy Company, BHE, Berkshire, Coal, Wind, Organization, Environmental law, Climate change, Investment, Nature, Risk, Water, Council, IEC, Moms Clean Air Force, Missouri River, Climate, Health, CO2, PR, Renewable energy

As shareholders, media, and onlookers descend on Omaha in May for the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, the utopian spectacle hides dark realities.

Key Points: 
  • As shareholders, media, and onlookers descend on Omaha in May for the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, the utopian spectacle hides dark realities.
  • "It's past time investors put their money where their talking points are," said Kerri Johannsen, Energy Program Director with the Iowa Environmental Council.
  • Often at its shareholder meeting, Berkshire highlights its energy companies like MidAmerican Energy in Iowa for their renewable energy leadership.
  • The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters.

NW Natural Begins Producing RNG at Second Tyson Foods Facility

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Oil, Gas, Retail, Commercial Building & Real Estate, Alternative Energy, Construction & Property, Energy, Green Technology, Sustainability, Environment, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Other Energy, Food, Beverage, Utilities, Other Construction & Property, Partnership, Senate, RNG, MidAmerican Energy Company, Carbon, Black Hills Corporation, Wind, NW, Forestry, NW Natural, Investment, Natural gas, Methane, NWN, Tyson Foods, NYSE, Renewable energy

NW Natural, a subsidiary of NW Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN), and BioCarbN, a developer and operator of environmental infrastructure projects, began production at a second renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, as part of an innovative project partnership with Tyson Foods.

Key Points: 
  • NW Natural, a subsidiary of NW Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN), and BioCarbN, a developer and operator of environmental infrastructure projects, began production at a second renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, as part of an innovative project partnership with Tyson Foods.
  • The facility is located in Dakota City, Nebraska, with NW Natural investing approximately $12 million to convert methane captured from the facility’s operations into RNG to heat homes and businesses.
  • At full capacity, the two projects combined are expected to produce about 240,000 MMBtu of RNG each year – enough RNG to provide heat for more than 5,400 homes annually.
  • These investments are made possible through the landmark RNG law, Oregon Senate Bill 98, which supports renewable energy procurement and investment by natural gas utilities.

Iowa Utilities Board takes action to protect customers from risks with MidAmerican Energy's Wind PRIME proposal

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 1, 2023
ZES, Failure, Education, Electricity, Sierra Club, Public policy, ELPC, Wind, Carbon, Natural Resources, Organization, Coal, Iowa Utilities Board, Retirement, Environmental law, Investment, Risk, Hearing, Council, IEC, Hostile witness, IUB, Environment, Renewable energy, Risk management, Nursing, MidAmerican Energy Company

The Board approved the project only because the utility promised the project would provide significant economic benefits to customers.

Key Points: 
  • The Board approved the project only because the utility promised the project would provide significant economic benefits to customers.
  • If MidAmerican decides to proceed with the Wind PRIME project under the Board's new conditions, it must also conduct a public planning process before any future clean energy development.
  • MidAmerican must let the Board know whether it plans to proceed with Wind PRIME in the next 20 days.
  • (Order p. 45)
    "The Board finds that the Wind PRIME proposal fails to demonstrate its reasonableness compared to feasible alternatives under a traditional utility review."

Iowa Utilities Board Publishes Secret MidAmerican Studies on Clean Energy Transition

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Inflation, Running, Biophysical environment, Sierra Club, Iowa Utilities Board, Siemens, Sierra, Retirement, Electricity, Wind, Economics, Carbon, Plant, Disclosure, Senior, IUB, Hearing, IRA, IEC, Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Coal, Louisa, Environmental law, ELPC, Renewable energy, MidAmerican Energy Company

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to an Iowa Utilities Board Order, MidAmerican Energy filed new public versions of two internal studies that show solar is the lowest cost path for achieving carbon free energy and recognize that transitioning away from burning coal is an essential piece of achieving this goal. The studies also raise questions about the economics of MidAmerican's coal fleet. Despite its own studies' findings, MidAmerican has not announced plans to retire any of its coal plants. In the current Wind PRIME proposal before the IUB, MidAmerican has proposed to build 40 times more wind than solar and to continue to operate its coal plants long-term. MidAmerican is one of the top 10 largest coal fleet owners in the country without a plan for retirement of those plants by 2035.

Key Points: 
  • Despite its own studies' findings, MidAmerican has not announced plans to retire any of its coal plants.
  • MidAmerican initially refused to provide the studies even to the Iowa Utilities Board, then sought to hold the studies confidential in their entirety.
  • Environmental groups sought release of the studies to make sure the public had an opportunity to compare MidAmerican's internal findings with its public positions concerning the clean energy transition.
  • The Iowa Utilities Board is scheduled to conduct a hearing on the Wind PRIME docket beginning February 20, 2023, during which MidAmerican Energy executives and other parties in the docket will provide testimony.