EyeElectricMinnesota Valley Electric Cooperative

Inside this issue:•Operation Round Up donates $31,884 page 2

• MVEC receives financialreport card page 3

• Stay safe during harvest page 4

RemindersLower seasonal ratesfor MVEC legacy members(excluding former AlliantEnergy customers) go intoeffect Oct. 1. Residentialgeneral service electricrates are higher duringthe summer monthswhen greater demand levels for air conditioningpush up costs for generat-ing electricity. Winter gen-eral service electric ratesare billed October-May at11.7¢/kWh, compared tothe rate of 12.5¢/kWh therest of the year.

Manage account withSmartHub mobile appMake payments, reportan outage, sign up forbill/usage notifications,and more at the touch ofa button. Download aFREE mobile app at theApple App Store or theAndroid Marketplace.

September 2019

Additional resources available 24/7 atwww.mvec.net

EV-Wise 11 p.m. - 7 a.m.Rate: 4.9¢/kWh(6.5¢/kWh summer)

EV-Critical3 p.m. - 9 p.m.Rate: 39.7¢/kWh

all year

EV-General7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Rate: 11.7¢/kWh(12.5¢/kWh summer)

EV-General9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Charging available11 p.m. - 7 a.m.

Rate: 4.9¢/kWh(6.5¢/kWh summer)

Charging not available7 a.m. - 11 p.m.

EV-8: Storage Program EV-24: Time of Use ProgramMVEC has twovoluntary optionsfor electric vehicle(EV) charging and a$150 rebate for anEV charger installedto either program.

The rebate formand more detailsare available atwww.mvec.net/EV

Questions? CallMichael H or MikeO at 952.492.2313or 800.282.6832

With an eye to the future, MVEC haspurchased a Tesla Model 3 to acquaintemployees and members with the features,quiet drive, energy savings, and unique styleand design that electric vehicles can offer.

Research shows by the year 2025, electric vehicleswill grow from 2 to 22 percent of total auto sales.MVEC wants to be well-informed with personalexperiences so we can be our members bestsource of electric vehicle information. Allemployees are offered training sessions to drivethe Tesla and will be able to check out the vehicle

to drive to meetings and other events.

The Tesla has also been in several parades and acar show. The co-op is also planning events wheremembers and the public can interact and have theopportunity to learn about electric vehicles.

For more information on MVEC’s electric vehicleprograms, contact michaelh@mvec.net.

Electric vehiclenew addition to co-op’s fleet

SeptemberEE_Layout 1 8/27/2019 3:55 PM Page 1

EyeElectricMinnesota Valley Electric Cooperative

Inside this issue:•Operation Round Up donates $31,884 page 2

• MVEC receives financialreport card page 3

• Stay safe during harvest page 4

RemindersLower seasonal ratesfor MVEC legacy members(excluding former AlliantEnergy customers) go intoeffect Oct. 1. Residentialgeneral service electricrates are higher duringthe summer monthswhen greater demand levels for air conditioningpush up costs for generat-ing electricity. Winter gen-eral service electric ratesare billed October-May at11.7¢/kWh, compared tothe rate of 12.5¢/kWh therest of the year.

Manage account withSmartHub mobile appMake payments, reportan outage, sign up forbill/usage notifications,and more at the touch ofa button. Download aFREE mobile app at theApple App Store or theAndroid Marketplace.

September 2019

Additional resources available 24/7 atwww.mvec.net

EV-Wise 11 p.m. - 7 a.m.Rate: 4.9¢/kWh(6.5¢/kWh summer)

EV-Critical3 p.m. - 9 p.m.Rate: 39.7¢/kWh

all year

EV-General7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Rate: 11.7¢/kWh(12.5¢/kWh summer)

EV-General9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Charging available11 p.m. - 7 a.m.

Rate: 4.9¢/kWh(6.5¢/kWh summer)

Charging not available7 a.m. - 11 p.m.

EV-8: Storage Program EV-24: Time of Use ProgramMVEC has twovoluntary optionsfor electric vehicle(EV) charging and a$150 rebate for anEV charger installedto either program.

The rebate formand more detailsare available atwww.mvec.net/EV

Questions? CallMichael H or MikeO at 952.492.2313or 800.282.6832

With an eye to the future, MVEC haspurchased a Tesla Model 3 to acquaintemployees and members with the features,quiet drive, energy savings, and unique styleand design that electric vehicles can offer.

Research shows by the year 2025, electric vehicleswill grow from 2 to 22 percent of total auto sales.MVEC wants to be well-informed with personalexperiences so we can be our members bestsource of electric vehicle information. Allemployees are offered training sessions to drivethe Tesla and will be able to check out the vehicle

to drive to meetings and other events.

The Tesla has also been in several parades and acar show. The co-op is also planning events wheremembers and the public can interact and have theopportunity to learn about electric vehicles.

For more information on MVEC’s electric vehicleprograms, contact michaelh@mvec.net.

Electric vehiclenew addition to co-op’s fleet

SeptemberEE_Layout 1 8/27/2019 3:55 PM Page 1

ORU provides funds for local organizationsMVEC members who participate in Operation Round Up (ORU) havetheir monthly electric bills to the next whole dollar amount, and theextra cents (averaging $6 a year) collectively assistnon-profit groups throughout MVEC’s servicearea.

3rd Quarter ORU Recipients:• Addiction & Faith - $1,750 for local residenttraining conference • Aging Services for Commu-nities of Montgomery - $2,200 for mileage • AngelFoundation - $2,000 for emergency funds for localresidents • Arts & Heritage Center of Montgomery -$2,000 for Edward S Curtis exhibit • Belle Plaine Food Shelf - $500 for food• BrainPower in a Backpack of Burnsville/Savage - $500 for food • CentralElementary Schools of Norwood-Young America - $760 for wobble stoolsand kindness bench • Hamburg Fire Department - $2,400 for SCBA masks •Holy Redeemer School of Montgomery - $1,300 for field trip transportation• Hope United Grief Group of Cleveland - $1,800 for retreat • Kindred Fam-ily Focus - $1,000 for local resident lessons, camp and mileage • Le Sueur-Henderson Backpack Nutrition program - $500 for food • Lonsdale Area

Food Shelf - $500 for food • Le Sueur Food Shelf - $500 for food • MajesticHills Ranch of Lakeville - $2,000 for Heroes on Horseback • New

Options/ProAct of Shakopee - $297 for headphones and games • PeaceCenter of New Prague - $500 for school backpack program • Reach-

ing Our Community’s Kids of Prior Lake - $500 for food, suppliesand clothing • Scott Carver CAP Agency - $2,500 for Crisis Nurs-ery • Scott County Historical Society - $282 to upgrade environ-mental data • Scott County Soil & Water Conservation - $1,000

for outdoor education day • Sibley County Community Connectof Green Isle - $500 for food • Sibley County FoodShare - $500 for

food • TreeHouse of Chaska - $1,500 for transportation • True Friendsof Eden Prairie - $1,500 for maintenance on the Lions Den • Victoria FireDepartment - $820 for two vacuum splint kits • Waseca-Le Sueur RegionalLibrary - $775 for board games at Elysian Library • WeCAB of Carver County- $1,500 for volunteer recruitment & training

TOTAL THIRD QUARTER DISTRIBUTION: $31,884

Since 1995, MVEC members have donated:$1,843,579.00

CEO’s Corner/Ryan Hentges

Cold weather rule in effect Oct. 15 - April 15Members who fall behind on utility bills can avoid disconnection or be eligible for reconnection between Oct.15 and April 15 by following the steps outlined in Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule. Under the Cold WeatherRule, disconnection is prohibited only when it affects the primary heat source for the household and as long asthese three conditions are met:

1. Members must fill out MVEC-provided form declaring details of inability to pay. 2. Household income must meet state guidelines used to determine fuel assistance eligibility. 3. The member and MVEC must have a mutually-agreed upon payment arrangement.

For more information, visit www.mvec.net/residential/financial_assistance/

Balance is somethingwe all desire. Balanceduring a time of changecan be tricky becausemoving too fast or tooslow can cause undue

stress and undesired outcomes.

Your cooperative was formed in 1937 andhas successfully navigated many changessince then. That said, at no time has changebeen so significant as now. MVEC is workinghard to keep a balance through manychanges in the energy industry.

Mostly, people are talking about the movefrom fossil fuels to renewable sources. Asyou likely know, MVEC does not generatepower, but rather, has contracts to buy

electricity from wholesale power suppliers.We purchase from two cooperatives, GreatRiver Energy (GRE) and Basin Electric, andone investor-owned utility, Alliant Energy. All three have been moving towardrenewable sources.

Our contract with GRE has allowed theMVEC Board to make recent decisions totake advantage of low-cost wind power. In2017, GRE closed its Stanton Station coalplant in North Dakota, enabling MVEC tolook at a variety of options for replacing thatenergy. Your Board recently approved twowind contracts that will replace a largeportion of energy previously supplied fromthat coal plant, cost-effectively increasingour renewable portfolio.

But we also need to discuss balance. Whilewind was a cost-effective decision in thiscase, there is still a need for firm resourcesto meet your electric needs. Wind and solaralone cannot currently meet your energyneeds. Fossil-based assets still play a vitalrole in providing cost-effective, reliableenergy that keeps your power flowing24/7/365.

Over the coming months, I’ll be writingmore about the energy transition and howMVEC is seeking a balanced approach.Evolving is important and healthy, however,it needs to be carefully managed and for apurpose, and that is to serve you, ourmember-owners.

SeptemberEE_Layout 1 8/27/2019 3:55 PM Page 2

To help members with limited financial re-sources, MVEC partners with local organiza-tions such as the Community ActionPartnership of Scott, Carver and Dakotacounties, Minnesota Valley Action Council,the Scott County Community DevelopmentAgency and local food shelves.

These funds help members make affordableenergy efficiency upgrades at reduced or nocost as part of Minnesota’s Conservation Im-provement Program (CIP).

Assistance includes free energy audits andcentral air conditioner tune-ups. Upgradesfor refrigerators, clothes washers, window orwall A/C units, dishwashers, microwaves, dehumidifiers and certain sizes of upright orchest freezers are available. Various forms ofweatherization measures may also qualify.

BackgroundSince 2010, each electricand gas utility in thestate is required to useat least 1.5 percent of itsaverage retail sales byspending dedicatedfunds on low incomeconsumers/members.

The Minnesota Depart-ment of Commerce(Division of Energy Resources) oversees CIPto ensure that ratepayerdollars are used effec-tively and energy savingsare reported as accu-rately as possible.

QualificationsTo qualify for the CIP program, membersmust be homeowners, not renters. Youmust first apply for the Energy AssistanceProgram with one of the agencies belowand meet the income eligibility guide-lines. If approved, a home energy auditorwill visit your home and determine whatappliances need to be upgraded to moreenergy-efficient units. For more info,contact:

Community Action Partnership of Scott/Carver/Dakota CountiesMichelle Franke, 952.496.2125

Minnesota Valley Action Council Kris Perendy, 507.345.2434

Dakota County CDABruce Anderson, 651.675.4400

Efficiency upgrades available for income-eligible members

Based on 200% of Federal Poverty guidelines

Income GuideNumber inHousehold

AnnualIncome

1 $27,0472 $35,3703 $43,6924 $52,0145 $60,3366 $68,6587 $70,2198 $71,7799 $73,340

10 $74,90011 $76,46112 $78,02113 $79,58114 $81,142

Co-op receives report cardJust as MVEC linemenare evaluated on life-saving skills, MVEC’s financial standing is

evaluated in a reportcalled the Key Ratio

Trend Analysis (KRTA)by Cooperative

Finance Corporation.KRTA compares over820 electric co-ops

using 145 performancemeasures. Here are

four top ratios.

Managing “daily operating expense” is equally important asPlant investment. MVEC’s report card reflects the co-op tobe in the top 20% of U.S. cooperatives in ensuringthese costs are tightly controlled.

Maintaining plant investment to ensure every electronpurchased can also be sold is key! Curtailing line loss iscritical. Your cooperative ranks in the top 10%of all cooperatives in minimizing line loss.

At the end of 2018, MVEC had over $183 millionin plant infrastructure, poles, wire, substations, etc. MVEC ranks in the top 18% of over 800 cooperativesin best managing this investment.

These elements all weigh in to your electric rate.MVEC’s rate is competitive nationally, locally and tothat of similar size cooperatives. Annually, this means$75-125 more in your pocket

1.2.

4.3.

Photo at left taken during MVEC’s annual poletop rescue exercises, whereall linemen train to be prepared in the event they would need to rescue afellow lineworker injured while working on a power line. Though buckettrucks are now the norm, there are still times linemen climb poles whenworking in situations where they can't drive a truck - such as river valleys,tight spaces and right of ways that have heavy tree coverage. Rescuing aco-worker is a skill that is necessary to know, but hopefully never needed.

SeptemberEE_Layout 1 8/29/2019 7:36 AM Page 3

The Electric Eye is the official publication ofMinnesota Valley Electric Cooperative125 Minnesota Valley Electric Drive

Jordan, MN 55352www.mvec.net • info@mvec.netOffice Hours: M - F: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

24- Hour Dispatch/Outages:952.492.8255 or 800.232.2328

Member Service: M - F: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.952.492.2313 or 800.282.6832

Pay By Phone: 952.492.8333 or 1.866.492.8333

For questions about the Electric Eye, email us atElectricEye@mvec.net. The Electric Eye is printed

with environmentally safe soy based ink.CEO: Ryan HentgesEditor: Susan Larson

MVEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer

September 15-21 is National Farm Safety & Health Week

Members haverenewable optionsSeventeen percent of the energy MVECpurchases annually includes renewableenergy sources. Members who wish todo more can purchase RenewableEnergy Certificates, aka RECs, throughthe co-op’s GreenSource program.

The average household uses 1,000kilowatt hours a month. That amountof electric usage can be completelyoffset in renewable energy bypurchasing:

• Wind RECs – $.10 per 100 kWh block• Solar RECs – $.30 per 100 kWh block

You may purchase as many blocks ofRECs as you would like, up to youraverage annual electric usage. There isno contract, so you may leave theprogram whenever you wish.

Currently, 232 members purchase windRECs and 49 support the solar RECprogram. Learn more or sign up atwww.mvec.net/renewables/

Are all of your phonenumbers up to date?Your correct phone numbers areimportant to us when it comes tooutage restoration. If you call in an outage, your phone numberidentifies your location in our system.

You can quickly update yourinformation online atwww.mvec.net/power-outages/update-phone/or by calling our automated phoneservice at 952.492.8333 or866.492.8333.

SeptemberEE_Layout 1 8/27/2019 3:55 PM Page 4