2017 Policy Forum - Panelist slides combined
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Minnesota's rural electric cooperatives are member-owned entities that cover 85% of the state's geography, providing affordable and reliable electric service to 1.8 million residents while prioritizing innovation driven by local community needs and member feedback. These cooperatives not only serve as energy providers but also act as economic development engines, creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and attracting new opportunities in rural areas. With a focus on minimizing costs and responding to unique community demands, Minnesota cooperatives exemplify the cooperative principles of voluntary membership, democratic control, and community concern.
2017 Policy Forum - Panelist slides combined
- 1. ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES LEAD MINNESOTA INNOVATION
- 3. 7 Cooperative Principles Voluntary And Open Membership Democratic Member Control Member Economic Participation Autonomy And Independence Education, Training, And Information Cooperation Among Cooperatives Concern For Community
- 5. Rural Electric Cooperatives in Minnesota 45 member-owned electric cooperatives serve: 85% of Minnesota’s geography – 1.8 million residents Electric cooperatives maintain over 124,000 miles of line, more than all other electric utilities (Xcel, Minnesota Power, Municipals, etc.) combined. Minnesota electric cooperatives employ 5,500 people. Rural electric cooperative member-owners: 92% are residential consumers (few commercial or industrial businesses). Majority of co-op consumers have a per capita income below the state average.
- 6. Minnesota Co-ops Keep Energy Affordable Annual Member-owner surveys across Minnesota tell co-ops that affordability is the top priority. Investor-owned utilities are focused on maximizing the rate of return for investors, electric cooperatives are focused on minimizing costs for the member-owner of the utility. Keeping Minnesota Co-ops out of one-size–fits–all mandates has allowed for innovation while keeping costs low and service reliable. Ex. Solar Mandate
- 7. Economic Development Minnesota Co-ops are more than just electric energy service provides, they are economic development engines in the communities they serve. Minnesota co-ops create jobs, support local businesses and attract new businesses to rural communities. Minnesota co-ops manage revolving loan funds, grants and other programs that support and attract business in Greater Minnesota.
- 8. Local Decisions = Local Innovation Local community wants and needs drive the service and innovation Minnesota co-ops provide. Local democratically elected boards of directors balance the needs of their communities. Local boards and their local employees drive innovation while providing affordable, safe, reliable and green energy service.
- 9. Cooperative Opportunities “Customer Choice” led to the development of electric cooperatives and members continue to drive the innovation within their cooperatives. Innovation will vary widely amongst cooperatives in Minnesota and nationwide as they respond to the needs of their unique communities. Distribution cooperatives are service providers, not commodity sellers. Providing service requires infrastructure and people to maintain it. The cost of that service needs to be fairly collected.
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- 18. MVEC Overview Based in Jordan Distribution Cooperative Purchase wholesale power from: Great River Energy Basin Electric Cooperative Alliant Energy 82 employees 41,000 members 49,000 meters
- 19. MVEC Board of Directors
- 20. Innovation Through Information and Programs
- 21. Daily Electric Usage on Back of Electric Bill
- 24. Beat the Peak Energy Challenge Energy reduction in a game format1 2 Members compete as individuals and some banded together as teams: $25,000 in cash prizes 3
- 25. Future
- 26. Implementing Demand Response Management System from OATI Applied for Department of Energy Grant Utilizing and Optimizing DERs
- 28. Data Analytics & Visualization • Engage Customers: Display meter data and usage in more a meaningful/engaging format • Develop Customer Insights: Utilize data to determine program effectiveness and achieve marketing objectives
- 33. Mt. Ayer, Iowa Circa 1960 Grandpa Jim Burdette Est. 1894 Southwest Rural Electric Cooperative Circa 1935 Great Grandpa Truman Burdette
- 34. Innovation • Transformed communities in the past • Central to success of communities • Technological Evolution • Challenges and Opportunities • Looking ahead