Cash payments to members are central to cooperative business model Cooperatives are not-for-profit organizations that are owned by the members they serve with their services provided at cost. They only collect enough revenue to run the business and meet financial obligations. After paying operating expenses, all remaining margins are allocated to members based on revenue […]
$15 million returned to members Read More »
Great River Energy, wholesale power provider to 27 member distribution cooperatives, is asking Minnesota communities to join the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and hundreds of co-ops across the U.S. in recognizing the work line technicians do for the communities they serve on April 8, 2024, Lineworker Appreciation Day. “Our line technicians play a critical
Thanks to the lineworkers who keep the lights on Read More »
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) gave the green light to Great River Energy’s integrated resource plan (IRP), which outlines the cooperative’s 2023-37 generation portfolio investments. The plan is aimed at maintaining costs for Great River Energy’s 27 member-owners while significantly increasing the amount of renewable energy. It was unanimously accepted by the commission on
Integrated resource plan gets OK from Minnesota PUC Read More »
Great River Energy’s senior staff and board of directors logged hundreds of miles along Highway 169 in early February to host member-owner meetings in Mankato and Onamia. Approximately 250 member-owner directors and key staff heard presentations from company leaders and asked questions about the business. Board Chair Bob Bruckbauer opened the meeting asserting Great River
Regional meeting road trip welcomes members to learn about Great River Energy Read More »
Great River Energy recently launched a new safety campaign for employees called “Be the One” at the cooperative’s all-employee meeting. Be the One has a simple but critical message: Any employee has the authority to speak up for safety or to stop work if they have a safety concern. Great River Energy has hundreds of
Empowering employees to ‘Be the One’ Read More »
Great River Energy’s long-standing reputation as a leading well-being employer continues as the cooperative received another industry accolade. Great River Energy once again received recognition for its employee well-being efforts, placing first as an honoree for the 2023 Healthiest Employers of Minnesota in the mid-size category. At a national level, Great River Energy has earned
Great River Energy recognized as a ‘Healthiest Employer’ for 2023 Read More »
Utilities have long taken measures to make electric infrastructure more visible and less obstructive to plants and animals. A Great River Energy project in southwest Minnesota demonstrates a new approach to keeping birds safe. Due to avian strike concerns on the CapX2020 transmission line segment between the Lyon and Hazel substations near Cottonwood, Minnesota, Great
The Jamestown Rural Fire Department’s newest truck has arrived and is ready to keep the community safe, thanks in part to a $25,000 donation from Great River Energy. The department covers a wide area surrounding Jamestown, North Dakota, including Great River Energy’s combined heat and power plant Spiritwood Station and the homes of many employees
New fire engine ready to serve Jamestown area Read More »
Cooperatives like Great River Energy and its member-owners are unique. They operate at cost, only collecting enough revenue to serve their members and meet their financial obligations. They are also governed by boards of directors elected by, and from, the membership. The Great River Energy board of directors welcomed its newest member in January when
Heinz joins board of directors Read More »
Great River Energy has put into service an all-electric utility vehicle to gain more experience with electric field vehicles and follow the principle to “electrify everything.” The vehicle, a Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic, arrived last fall at the cooperative’s Dickinson Converter Station located in Buffalo, Minnesota, and employees have been putting it to the test.
Electric utility vehicle goes to work Read More »