MPW Board Approves Strategic Plan, Reliability Projects

The Board of Water, Electric and Communications Trustees approved Muscatine Power and Water’s (MPW) 2027-2029 Strategic Plan and authorized two projects designed to strengthen system reliability.

MPW’s 2027–2029 Strategic Plan focuses on the services customers rely on every day. It guides investments to maintain safe, reliable water service, expand access to high-speed fiber and prepare for changes in how MPW produces and delivers electricity. The plan also helps MPW manage costs, meet regulatory requirements and respond to the community’s changing needs.

“MPW’s strategic plan gives us a clear path for serving customers over the next three years,” General Manager Gage Huston said. “It keeps reliable service, affordable rates and responsible investments at the center of our decisions while preparing MPW and the community for the future.”

Trustees also approved project summary forms for two projects tied to reliability. The Unit 9 condenser retube project is part of MPW’s Powering the Future initiative. The SCADA system upgrade is a separate project that supports the reliable operation of MPW’s electric and water systems.

Trustees approved $3.6 million to replace all 6,310 condenser tubes in Unit 9. The tubes are more than 40 years old and have developed corrosion and more frequent leaks. One leak briefly took the unit out of service in July, and condenser pressure limited its output during high electric demand. Huston added, “Unit 9 has performed very well overall in 2026, which has directly contributed to significant customer bill credits via the Energy Adjustment Clause (EAC), but the condition of these tubes is something that needs to be addressed before they start having a more significant impact on unit reliability.” Replacing the tubes will help keep power generation available when customers need it most while improving efficiency and potentially saving about $353,000 in annual fuel costs.

Trustees also approved $788,600 to update MPW’s supervisory control and data acquisition system, known as SCADA. MPW operators use SCADA around the clock to monitor electric and water equipment, receive alarms and respond quickly when conditions change. Replacing aging technology will give operators better tools to protect equipment, strengthen cybersecurity and reduce the risk of equipment problems affecting customers.

Both projects are planned to be completed in 2027, but some equipment takes months to obtain. Starting purchases now will help avoid delays and keep these important reliability projects on schedule.

MPW reported strong financial results for August 2026, with net income of approximately $2.8 million—$1.7 million above budget and $2.5 million higher than the prior year. Favorable operating margins, disciplined expense management, lower interest costs, and PFAS settlement proceeds contributed to the positive results. MPW also returned significant value to electric customers through continued EAC bill credits while maintaining strong Water and Communications performance. Despite substantial ongoing infrastructure investment, MPW remains financially well positioned, with combined cash balances of approximately $167.6 million at month-end.

In other business, the Board:

• Approved August 2026 expenditures and transactions totaling $12,432,647.52.
• Approved MPW’s 2027-2029 Strategic Plan.