Electric cooperatives meet to discuss state’s growing energy needs and economic development

Elk River, MN (March 1, 2004)
Minnesota’s electric cooperatives will meet in downtown St. Paul this week to help develop a plan to meet the state’s growing energy needs and look for new ways to enhance the economies of their local communities. Since 1985, Minnesota’s electric cooperatives have invested approximately $40 million to develop business projects totaling more than $500 million in their communities. During the three-day Cooperative Energy Forum, cooperative leaders will also talk with legislators about Minnesota’s energy future and related issues. Learn more about the program by viewing the agenda (pdf file).

Directors from the state’s 44 distribution cooperatives and six generation and transmission cooperatives will attend the Cooperative Energy Forum on March 2-4 at the Radisson Riverfront, St. Paul. The event will include the annual meetings of Great River Energy and the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA), a dialogue with Minnesota legislative leaders, and conference speakers on state economic development activities and a variety of energy-related topics.

On Wednesday, March 3, electric cooperative leaders will host a town meeting with Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson (DFL-Willmar), Senate Minority Leader Dick Day (R-Owatonna), House Majority Leader Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie), House Minority Leader Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul) and House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon). These legislative leaders will discuss energy and utility issues.

Thursday’s program includes Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau , Matt Kramer, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; and Bruce Maus, Corporate Real Estate; who will discuss ways to support economic development in Minnesota communities. William George, former CEO of Medtronic, will also address the group regarding governance best practices on March 4.

Minnesota’s electric co-ops provide power to hundreds of communities across 80 percent of Minnesota. They are consumer-owned, non-profit utilities that serve approximately 620,000 customer meters, or about 1.3 million people. They own and maintain over 113,000 miles of distribution line, averaging 5.4 consumers per mile of line. About 95 percent of electric co-op members are farm and non-farm residential customers. Co-ops range in size from 2,000 to 108,000 consumers; they sell over 10 billion kWh of electricity per year. Electric co-ops employ over 2,300 people in Minnesota.

In addition to providing reliable electricity, electric co-ops support renewable energy and economic development and help recruit new businesses to their communities -- ventures that add jobs and money. They provide financing and other assistance to make their communities great places to live.

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