Energy Policy Forum: Electric Co-ops Lead Minnesota Innovation

Minnesota’s rural cooperative electric utilities understand the value of innovation in the face of rapid change. An innovation themselves nearly a century ago, our electric co-ops were created to ensure that electricity’s benefits were available to farm communities and local economies statewide. 

Today, Minnesota's rural electric cooperatives are still on the leading edge of innovation, bringing new options to their member-customers while ensuring reliable, affordable electric service.

On January 12, 2017, CEE gathered field experts to consider how co-ops are responding to emerging dynamics such as lower growth in customer demand, greater expectations for clean fuel sources and more efficient technologies, aging infrastructure, and cheaper wind and solar. Insights from a variety of angles underscored the powerful roles co-ops play in our statewide economy and community development.

Links to presentation videos below

Keynote
David Saggau | Great River Energy, President and CEO
 

Presentations for all speakers

David Saggau interview with Chris Farrell (video)

David Saggau presentation (slides)

Panel experts

Jim Horan (video) | MN Rural Electric Association, Director of Government Affairs & Counsel

Beth Soholt (video) | Wind on the Wires, Executive Director

Ryan Hentges (video) | Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative, General Manager

Jessica Burdette (video) | MN Department of Commerce,  State Energy Office Manager

Joseph Sullivan (video) | Center for Energy and Environment, Manager of Strategic Relations

Panel presentations combined (slides)