Great River Energy recently closed the books on arguably the most financially successful year in its history. Great River Energy’s initial margin calculation was $69.9 million, more than triple the budgeted margin of $23 million. In accordance with a board resolution passed late last year, excess margins above budget will be utilized and accounted for […]
“Member Moment” highlights one of Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives and how they uniquely demonstrate what it means to be a cooperative. Runestone Electric Association’s roots run deep – even from an electric cooperative standpoint. The Alexandria, Minn.-based co-op’s origins began soon after Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the Rural Electrification Administration to bring power to […]
Operations of Great River Energy’s Elk River Resource Recovery Project concluded last month, bringing the long-running generation resource one step closer to closing. The last load of municipal solid waste was delivered to the Elk River Resource Processing Plant on Jan. 15. The Elk River Energy Recovery Station, which generates renewable energy from household garbage, […]
It was the coldest of times the last week of January as temperatures plunged to record lows across the Midwest. When severe winter cold puts the electric grid to the test, Great River Energy’s generation and transmission assets are carefully operated and monitored to ensure electricity continues to power member-consumers’ homes. The cooperative’s resilient transmission […]
The Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) board of directors recently announced the cooperative’s new general manager: Sarah Cron. Cron replaces Brian Zelenak, who left Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative in mid-November and whose position was temporarily filled by Great River Energy Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer Mark Fagan. Cron comes to MLEC from Two […]
One of the most critical, best-performing features of Great River Energy’s electric system will become even more reliable this summer after the cooperative upgrades its unique high-voltage, direct-current (HVDC) transmission system with today’s technology. Great River Energy’s HVDC system works like a 436-mile extension cord that delivers power directly from the cooperative’s largest power plant […]
A power plant that was designed to produce a single product – electricity – is now the center of an efficient energy hub. A sign that formerly indicated the entrance to Coal Creek Station – Great River Energy’s largest power plant – now reads “Coal Creek Energy Park.” The change reflects a new energy park […]
Tom Lambrecht, economic development manager at Great River Energy, was recently honored for his leadership in the industry by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM). Lambrecht received the Economic Developer of the Year award last month at EDAM’s annual winter conference where the organization recognizes projects and professionals in the economic development industry who […]