connections - Kansas Municipal Utilities

CONNECTIONS
FALL 2014 | News from KMU Associate Members
INSIDE
2
Sega Helps City of Colby Comply With RICE
NESHAP
3
Black Hills Energy Delivers Natural Gas
Energy Solutions for Its Customers
Supporting Vital Transportation Corridor in
Kansas
4
Exline, Salina-Based Company, Joins
Forces with Exterran, Global Leader in
Natural Gas Compression
5
Farabee Mechanical, Inc. Solves Your
Power Plant Problems
Kilian Power, LLC
6
Finley Associates Ready to Assist
7
Olsson Associates Moves to New Location,
Acquires Planning Firm
8
TMHC Services, Inc.
Kansas Municipal Utilities | 101 ½ North Main, McPherson, KS 67460 | ph 620.241.1423 | [email protected] | www.kmunet.org
Sega Helps City of Colby Comply With RICE NESHAP
In 2014, Sega Inc. assisted the City of Colby, KS (City) in complying with new emission
limits on their reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE’s). The limits are
part of EPA’s national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP)
that applies to existing RICE’s across the country. The RICE NESHAP requires
the retrofit of emission reduction equipment, closed crankcase ventilation,
and operational monitoring equipment. The City operates six (6) RICE’s at their
municipal power plant.
As the Owner’s Engineer, Sega provided several services to the City at various stages of the project. These services included developing an
engineer’s cost estimate, writing specifications for the City’s use to request quotations, reviewing equipment bids, recommending vendor
selection, reviewing design, reviewing the vendor’s proposed construction schedule and order of installation, construction observation,
reviewing proposed testing protocol, observing contract performance, and reviewing regulatory compliance submittals.
The equipment contract was awarded on a turnkey basis to Farabee Mechanical, Inc. The contract included all equipment, construction,
installation, startup, testing, and compliance submittals with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and EPA. The catalyst
devices were supplied to Farabee by Miratech.
The City’s six RICE’s range in size from 1.4 MW to 4.5 MW and originate from three
different manufacturers: Fairbanks Morse, Cooper-Bessemer, and Enterprise.
Considering the diversity and installation arrangements of the engines, site
visits were made by Sega and Farabee to ensure proper retrofitting. Because of
the unique location of the equipment, each of the six existing engine silencer/
exhaust stacks required a different approach for removal and replacement. In
addition, new silencer/catalyst/stacks were outfitted with heat shielding onsite and prior to lifting them into place for
installation and connection.
The equipment and software were
installed by Farabee to monitor and
store operational data, as required by the
regulation. The training of power plant
staff to use the monitoring equipment
and software was also included. Sega
visited the site during the construction and testing phases to review conformance with the specification/
contract. Construction was completed with minimal issues. Lastly, the testing was successfully completed
to ensure compliance with the EPA regulations.
KMU CONNECTIONS
Contact Us
SEGA CONTACT:
Brian Petermann, P.E.
(913-681-2881)
FARABEE CONTACT:
Donna Oehm
(402-792-2612)
PAGE 2
Black Hills Energy Delivers Natural Gas Energy Solutions for Its Customers
Over the years, Black Hills Energy’s Technical Services has experienced
growth in offering a complete line of customized solutions including
system design, construction, maintenance and operational services.
Our professional and technical resources have experts in all aspects of
natural gas operations, and meet or exceed state, federal and industry
pipeline safety requirements.
The City of Gardner, a KMU municipal member and an operator of a
municipally-owned electric utility, is among our valued customers.
Gardner operates a high-pressure transmission line that provides fuel
for its two combustion turbine electric generators. Our Technical Services
department has provided limited services on that line for a number of
years and is currently providing turn-key operations for the City.
Cheryl Harrison-Lee, City Administrator for Gardner said, “We are very
pleased that Black Hills Energy’s Technical Services is our energy partner
as they provide cost-effective solutions that are safe and reliable. It gives
us a peace of mind in knowing that their Technical Services experts can
properly maintain the line and strengthen our efforts to comply with
pipeline safety guidelines.”
(L-R) Dave Francq, City of Gardner employee for over 37 years, and Jarrod
Franks, City of Gardner employee, stand in front of two 15 megawatt
combustion turbines operating on natural gas.
For more information, contact Jerry Watkins at
[email protected], or call him at 316-941-1642.
Jerry Watkins, senior manager of Technical Services – Wichita, said, “We always appreciate opportunities to deliver natural gas energy solutions
to our customers – be it installation and repair, design and analysis, measurement and regulation or operations and maintenance. We recognize
that each community is different, and our focus is to listen to each customer’s needs and assess how we can provide a customized approach
to deliver safe and reliable solutions. It has been a pleasure and privilege to assist the City of Gardner and we look forward to a continued
partnership with them. We value each of our Technical Services customers and welcome the opportunity to serve you.”
Supporting Vital Transportation Corridor in Kansas
On October 1, 2014 Black Hills Energy’s Technical Services established an operations and maintenance agreement with the Kansas Turnpike
Authority (KTA). The agreement provides turnkey operations on a temporary basis for the KTA. This news is significant as it illustrates the
collaboration between public-private entities and various customers that we serve.
The KTA owns and operates eight separate gas distribution systems along the 236-mile roadway, stretching from the Oklahoma border to
Kansas City, Kan. Black Hills Energy is providing natural gas service to portions of the KTA-owned toll plazas along with the service areas that
provide fuel, food and other products that are expected by today’s travelers.
Black Hills Energy has employees and customers along the entire route of the turnpike which enhances synergies and benefits both entities.
We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the KTA to deliver safe and reliable natural gas energy solutions.
KMU CONNECTIONS
PAGE 3
Exline, Salina-Based Company, Joins Forces with Exterran, Global Leader in Natural
Gas Compression
Providing the Municipal Power Generation & the Oil and Gas Industries with Full-Service Turbocharger Repairs Nationwide & Internationally
SALINA, Kan. (Sept. 23, 2014) – Exline, Inc., (www.exline-inc.com), a family
owned gas compression service and equipment provider headquartered in
Salina, Kan., has announced a new partnership with Exterran, (www.exterran.
com), a global leader in the natural gas industry based in Houston.
“The members of Exline are excited about the opportunity to work with
Exterran.” said Rob Exline, the President and CEO of Exline, Inc. “Much of our
success through the years can be attributed to the partnerships we have
developed, and the quality of work that we provide. This opportunity allows us
to do what we do best, and work with a great team at Exterran.”
Exline has partnered with Exterran in an effort to better serve organizations in
the municipal power generation and oil and gas industries. Both partners offer
parts and services to keep turbochargers and turbocharger-equipped engines
up and running. Yet, their newly combined efforts will offer customers the
benefit of a full-service experience for all turbocharger models.
Operationally, Exline, Inc. has announced that they are providing expertise regarding on-site turbocharger removal and installation services,
as well as transportation. While Exterran is managing remanufacturing processes and testing at their facility in McPherson, Kan. In fact,
turbocharger repair projects are already well underway.
Mitch Opat, General Manager for Exterran’s Turbo Group, stated, “I’m extremely delighted about the opportunity to work with Exline, Inc.” Opat
continued, “This arrangement allows both companies to build off our long standing relationship while leveraging each other’s strengths and
core competencies. I couldn’t be more excited about the future.”
About Exline, Inc.
Exline, Inc. is an internationally recognized repair and manufacturing company. It has been family owned and operated for over
140 years, spanning five generations. Exline’s capabilities include: gas compression, power generation, plastic mixing, industrial
repair, and manufacturing services. For more details, visit: exline-inc.com.
Contact Veronica Norris at 785.825.4683 to schedule an interview with Rob Exline, CEO.
KMU CONNECTIONS
PAGE 4
Farabee Mechanical, Inc. Solves Your Power Plant Problems
Farabee Mechanical, Inc., (FMI) has over 30 years experience providing sales and service to municipal power plants across the nation and the
world. FMI President, Chris Farabee, grew up in the power plant construction business with his father’s company. In 1998, Chris formed his
own company and has become a leader in the field. FMI is capable of any size job from complete construction and installation to individual
parts sales and shipping for installation by the customer. FMI services all brands
of diesel, natural gas and dual fuel engines including: ALCO, Caterpillar, ColtPielstick, Cooper-Bessemer, Cummins, De Laval, EMD, Enterprise, Fairbanks
Morse, Ingersoll-Rand, Nordberg, Waukesha, White Superior and Worthington
as well as others.
FMI is a leader in RICE NESHAP compliance. FMI installs diesel oxidation
catalysts that are individually optimized for each generating unit. As an option,
standardized elements are available to allow one set of elements to serve as
spares for all your units, eliminating possible mismatch. FMI has the materials,
labor, equipment, skills, tools, transportation and supervision to get the job
done. FMI has also designed their own RICE NESHAP compliant crank case
ventilation system.
FMI is your supplier for any repair parts you may need for your engine. FMI has
thousands of parts in-stock that are available for immediate shipment direct to
your facility. FMI offers installation services to get your engines operating ASAP.
Alternately, if you’re not sure what you need or what’s wrong with your engine,
FMI offers reasonably priced inspection services.
Contact Us
For more information visit our website: www.
farabeemechanical.com, send an e-mail to
[email protected] or call us at 402-7922612. We look forward to solving your power
plant problems!
Kilian Power is a Wichita, Kansas based overhead line construction company that is
providing the electrical distribution and cutover for the installation of a new 850 KW
Wind Turbine Generator at the Stafford County Flour Mill in Hudson, Kansas. Work is
being provided by SED, a general contractor based out of New York.
Kilian Power is a subsidiary of Kilian Electrical Service, which is a family owned
business with more than 35 years of experience. Kilian Power offers construction and
maintenance for overhead distribution , underground primary, and sub-stations. We
pride ourselves on our commitment of quality installation and safety to our customers
and our employees.
KMU CONNECTIONS
PAGE 5
Finley Associates Ready to Assist
Recently Finley Engineering made a few changes to better meet the needs of our Energy Industry clients. With the number of requests for
proposals, important client visits and multiple projects we field, we moved Mike Socha and Mark Heidecke into primary business development
positions within the company.
Mike Socha is the Director of Business Development in the Energy Division at Finley Engineering with more
than 27 years of experience in electrical distribution design, transmission, generation, purchasing, demand
side management, contract management, utility pricing, cost-of-service, marketing, Emergency Restoration
plans, and cost reduction strategies.
Mike’s expertise includes preparation of electric cost of service studies and retail rate review. He’s lobbied for
electric companies, developed safety awareness plans and relocated electric facilities along with a lengthy list
of other successful projects and accomplishments in the industry.
Mike holds an MBA from Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois and a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from
Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
Mark Heidecke is an experienced Engineering and Survey Manager with 41 years’ experience in the management
of surveying, engineering, mapping, right-of-way acquisition and permitting, environmental analysis, and land
planning. His vast experience and professional networking as a Professional Land Surveyor perfectly align him
as well to developing business opportunities for Finley Engineering and ensuring client satisfaction.
Mark has extensive experience in telecommunications and electric transmission design and location,
environmental studies, right-of-way negotiations, and permitting throughout the United States. During his
career, Mark has been responsible for the survey, mapping, right-of-way acquisition, and permitting for over
4,000 miles of transmission line, fiber optic cable, and gas transmission rights-of-way.
Finley Engineering also welcomes Steve Rawlings to our Energy Engineering team as Operations Manager.
As Operations Manager, Steve’s focus is to work closely with the Vice President, Segment Managers, Project
Engineers, Managers, and the supporting staff to ensure that client expectations are met along with
appropriate resources utilization.
Mr. Rawlings brings more than 20 years of experience to the Finley team in areas such as facility management,
supervision, quality assurance, resource and project management from a corporate manufacturing
environment.
As with Finley’s history of success, Steve is also committed to Finley’s success through safety, quality, continual
training and education, team building, shared resources, and continuous improvement.
To speak with any of these Finley Associates, please feel welcome to call us at 417-682-5531.
KMU CONNECTIONS
PAGE 6
Olsson Associates Moves to New Location, Acquires Planning Firm
Olsson Associates (Olsson), an engineering design firm founded in 1956 and
headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, has some exciting news to share.
Olsson celebrated its new Lincoln location with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on October 2, 2014. In late August, Olsson relocated over 200
employees to its new headquarters facility, located at 601 P Street. Olsson was active in the new office design process from start to finish,
providing all civil, mechanical, electrical, and geotechnical engineering; land surveying; and construction inspection services. The Lincoln office
employs engineers, scientists, surveyors, administrative support and the firm’s corporate leadership and business operations staff.
Contact Us
Olsson Associates’ Power Electrical team
appreciates the opportunities it has had with
Kansas Municipal Utilities and looks forward
to future opportunities. For information on
our Power Electrical team, please contact Ken
Fairchild at 402-474-6311 (Phone), 877-831-6389
(Toll Free), or [email protected].
KMU CONNECTIONS
In our Kansas City region, Olsson is planning to
acquire Kansas City-based Ochsner Hare & Hare
(OHH). Olsson already has three Kansas City
Metropolitan area offices in Olathe, Overland
Park, and Kansas City. OHH, a planning and
landscape architecture design firm, is expected
to officially join Olsson on November 21, 2014.
The 10-member firm will remain in its current
office at 1801 McGee Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
Olsson’s President, Brad Strittmatter, said the
acquisition will strengthen Olsson’s core services.
OHH ties seamlessly to the core services we
offer across Olsson, and they bring services that
are unique to most planning firms, including
real-time illustrations, hand sketching, and 3-D
visualization. Combining our existing design and engineering capabilities with
OHH’s planning and visioning services will allow us to be part of projects from
idea through construction. Olsson’s Kansas City region employs engineers,
scientists, surveyors, landscape architects, urban/regional planners, and
administrative support staff.
Olsson Associates ranks as the sixth-largest engineering firm in the Kansas City
area in terms of local engineers on staff, according to research from the Kansas
City Business Journal.
From humble beginnings of just a handful of employees, Olsson Associates
(http://www.olssonassociates.com) has grown to employ nearly 900
nationwide in 25 offices located in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
PAGE 7
TMHC Services, Inc.
TMHC Services, Inc. offers a variety of affordable and customized drug and alcohol testing options. Our
drug and alcohol testing services are fully compliant with Federal Department of Transportation (DOT)
requirements as well as state and federal regulations and include DOT Compliant, Drug-Free Workplace,
and Student Testing programs. We provide total management for all Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs.
Through our years of experience we have become experts in this field, and our expertise translates into costeffective total program solutions for your company.
TMHC Services, Inc. provides education and training for employers about drug-free workplace programs
and addresses the dangers associated with substance abuse. Our training programs are designed for each
workplace role including: Supervisor/Manager, Employees, and Designated Employer Representatives
(DER’s) or program contacts. Our training programs are offered online making them not only cost effective
but easily accessible. Online sessions are available for both groups and individuals. We have worked
diligently to create educational programs that will empower people and ensure compliance. TMHC Services, Inc. is dedicated to the success of
our customers, and as such our training is provided by a certified, professional trainer with over ten years of industry experience.
TMHC Services, Inc. also provides Specimen Collector training. Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements mandate that specimen
collectors must be trained to perform appropriate collection procedures in accordance with all DOT requirements. Our collector training is
offered on-site in our training facility or in person.
We are committed to helping our client’s staff understand and comply with their organization’s drug and alcohol testing policy. We encourage
you to review all of the information available on our website or get in touch with us directly. We can also create customized training sessions
upon request.
If you are considering a testing program or currently looking at making changes we would like to speak with you. Meetings can be schedule at
our corporate offices which include a tour of our operations or we can come to your location, whichever works the best for you.
Contact Us
Contact Annette Rodecap or Larry Geraghty at
800 886-1123 today to schedule an appointment.
Visit our website www.tmhcservices.com for
more information.
KMU CONNECTIONS
PAGE 8