More than $430 million in rural infrastructure awards recently announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will help electric cooperatives strengthen their systems and increase grid reliability and security. The latest round of funding from USDA’s Electric Loan Program, announced Aug. 28, will go to 19 co-ops in 10 states and will also help …
USDA awards $434 million to co-ops for infrastructure upgrades Read More »
Baseball fields across the Upper Midwest turned into community hubs this summer as the Play Ball! Youth Clinics brought together local cooperatives, youth organizations, enthusiastic kids and their parents. More than 50 free baseball and softball clinics were brought to communities across Twins Territory through a partnership between Great River Energy, the Minnesota Twins and …
Twins clinics draw 3,500 youth to Midwest fields Read More »
One Minnesota electric cooperative employee rose to the top of more than 160 nominations submitted from co-ops across the country to be included in the 2023 class of Rising Stars chosen by a panel of judges representing the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. John Pantzke, business development representative and energy service supervisor for Stearns Electric …
The U.S. Department of Energy set a goal of producing 10 million metric tons of hydrogen per year by 2030. Hydrogen fuel cells are seen as a potential alternative to gasoline, diesel fuel and natural gas and they can be used to power vehicles, generate electricity, and heat homes and businesses. Electric cooperatives are well-positioned …
Co-ops help promote hydrogen fuel cell production Read More »
Annual Harvest Festival event included electric vehicle car show Great River Energy, along with its member-owner cooperatives Lake Country Power and Cooperative Light & Power, recently partnered with Minnesota Power to bring an electric vehicle (EV) car show to the 29th annual Lake Superior Harvest Festival. Held at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, Minnesota, the …
Two of Great River Energy’s member-owner electric cooperatives energized their fleet of vehicles by adding an electric pickup to their lineups. Brown County Rural Electric Association (BCREA), based in Sleepy Eye, added a Ford Lightning pickup and Federated Rural Electric Association (Federated), located in Jackson, received a Rivian R1T pickup. “Since we are a rural …
As the energy industry moves toward a more resilient, reliable and sustainable future, Great River Energy has made it a priority to study and evaluate emerging technologies and trends. One of these areas currently being investigated is zero carbon ammonia production. Ammonia is traditionally produced using fossil fuels, but in 2013 the University of Minnesota …
Great River Energy continues to explore alternative energy production Read More »
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) works best when the federal government collaborates with local property owners to conserve wildlife. That’s what an electric cooperative leader from Minnesota told a U.S. House of Representatives panel during a recent visit to Washington, D.C. East Central Energy (ECE), one of Great River Energy’s 27 member-owner cooperatives, has firsthand …
Co-op CEO to Congress: ‘Healthy ecosystems can exist under every power line’ Read More »
Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association (WH), one of Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives, recently hosted an electric vehicle (EV) advisory meeting with more than 60 of its members who are current EV owners to help the cooperative learn more about their experiences with the technology. Following brief presentations from co-op representatives, including WH Holding’s Chief Operating …
Wright-Hennepin hosts electric vehicle advisory meeting Read More »
An Aitkin County organization with a mission to raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues and suicide was chosen as the recipient of the statewide 2023 Minnesota Touchstone Energy Community Award. The Committee for the Awareness and Prevention of Suicide (CAPS) was chosen last fall by Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, one of Great River …
Mental health-focused group wins statewide community award Read More »