The motto of the Minnesota National Guard — “Always ready, always there.” — also rings true to the men and women who provide electricity to cooperative members across Minnesota. It should come as no surprise that many employees of Great River Energy and its member-owner cooperatives come from military backgrounds — and that cooperatives strive …
Cooperatives are not-for-profit organizations that operate at cost, only collecting enough revenue to run the business and meet their financial obligations. When a cooperative enjoys financial success, it returns those dollars to members through patronage capital payments. That’s what occurred in March when Great River Energy issued $25 million in patronage capital payments to member-owners. …
Great River Energy returns $25 million to members Read More »
Great River Energy developed Revolt, a first-of-its-kind program that allows electric vehicle (EV) owners to further support the use of renewable energy. When a member claims their upgrade, Great River Energy dedicates wind energy to completely cover the electricity used to fuel an EV for the car’s lifetime. Launched in 2015 to accolades from other …
Powering electric vehicles with 100% wind energy Read More »
Great River Energy members elect directors; board elects officers Part of being a democratically governed electric cooperative involves gathering annually and establishing the structure of the board of directors for the upcoming year. During these annual meetings, cooperatives elect the directors — new and old — to their seats on the board and hold elections …
As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, Great River Energy is issuing this important safety reminder. Severe weather can cause damage to power lines, leaving what can be dangerous situations until crews can make repairs and restore power. “If you see a downed power line, call 911 to report it immediately and stay away. There …
From increased adoption of electric vehicles to navigating the ongoing transition to cleaner energy, Minnesota’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives offer innovative energy programs to member-owners. In a time of remarkable industry change, Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC) — one of Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives — hosted an open forum for its member-owners last month. Electric cooperatives across …
Energy forum engages rural Minnesota in clean energy conversation Read More »
Great River Energy’s long-term peregrine falcon residents returned in late February to the Elk River, Minnesota, nest box. Brooklyn, the male, returned for an eighth year and Breezy (pictured), the female, returned for a fifth year. With the help of an Eagle Scout and the Raptor Resource Project, Great River Energy first installed the nesting …
The power supply transition Great River Energy is currently undergoing has garnered support not only from its member-owner cooperatives but the member-consumers those co-ops serve as well, according to results of a recent survey. More than half (54%) of the 800 member-consumer respondents in the cooperative’s first survey since announcing its intention to sell or …
Survey results show member support for renewables Read More »
Firefighting is a human endeavor, with selfless individuals working to protect people and their property. But it is also an equipment-intensive operation, with critical vehicles and gear requiring consistent and routine maintenance. Rural communities across Minnesota often face difficulties procuring the funding necessary to maintain or replace that equipment, resulting in communities at risk. Fortunately, …
Rural fire assistance a priority for cooperatives Read More »
A nonprofit organization that provides support and financial assistance to Minnesotans and their families who are battling cancer is this year’s statewide winner of the Touchstone Energy Community Award. Angel Foundation accepted the award along with a $1,000 prize from Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, a collective of electric co-ops that provide community support and host …
Angel Foundation wins statewide Touchstone Energy Community Award Read More »