An opportunity to shape the future of ECE
Your electric co-op is a one-of-a-kind organization built on the principles of member ownership and democratic control. At our heart lies a committed group of twelve individuals who serve on the board of directors. These directors are responsible for setting policies, providing strategic oversight, and ensuring that the cooperative operates in the best interests of its members while maintaining financial stability and regulatory compliance.
Director nominations are now open for members who live in districts 1, 2, 4, and 5.
- District 1: Greg Kvasnicka will be resigning; remaining three-year term available
- District 2: Lonnie Johnson is seeking reelection; four-year term available
- District 4: Open four-year term available
- District 5: Jerry Tvedt will not be seeking reelection; four-year term available
Are you an active part of your local community? Do you enjoy volunteering at events or mentoring others? If you’re enthusiastic about fresh perspectives and can engage with people of all ages, think about joining ECE’s Board of Directors!
Our directors are tech-savvy, enjoy networking, and spend an average of 30 days per year conducting cooperative business and attending director development courses. They are also expected to stay updated on legislative, local, and industry issues.
To learn if you live in an eligible district, check your bill on the upper right under your account number. Interested in becoming a nominee? Visit our director election page for a wealth of information. Please consider joining us for the Nominee Information Session.
Director nomination packets must be completed and returned by 10 a.m. February 11, 2025, after which all nominees will be notified regarding the status of their candidacy. Election results will be announced at our Annual Meeting, held Thursday, April 24, 2025.
We retain the services of Survey & Ballot Systems to conduct the election. The entire election process is overseen by co-op members who serve on the Credentials & Election Committee.
In October, we spent a day with (pictured L-R) Ben Huettl (Pine City), Nick Wolfsteller (Milaca), Eliseo Garcia (North Branch), and Rylee Zarbok (North Branch) for the fourth year of COOPx, our one-day immersive experience designed to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of ECE.
Students’ interests primarily focused on linework and engineering, so we ensured the day offered enough activities to keep everyone interested. The morning was spent in the field with line crews, learning about safe power restoration. After lunch, the group met with the executive team and enjoyed bite-size sessions with System Control, Metering, and Engineering.
“Going out into the field with the lineworkers was probably my favorite part,” said Rylee. Ben agreed, adding, “Having the opportunity to drive a Tesla was pretty awesome.” Eliseo mentioned how interesting the engineering test trailer was, and Nick explained that COOPx added to his electrical distribution knowledge.
All students left with a $500 scholarship and a new insight into rural electric cooperatives.
With the season of holiday gatherings upon us, do you have the internet speed to meet your guests’ needs? Upgrading your ECE Fiber speed is as easy as making a call to 1-800-254-7944. It could make all the difference in creating a memorable get-together.
Imagine hosting a festive dinner and being able to effortlessly stream your favorite holiday movies or play fun online games without a hitch. With ECE Fiber you can easily adjust your internet speeds both before and after the holiday season. Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner and an ultra-fast connection will help make your football bash unforgettable!
Did you know? The ECE Fiber website has a new look! Check it out firsthand by visiting ecefiber.com, and while you’re there, be sure to place an internet order or pre-register your address.
To promote reliability and control vegetation near electrical conductors, we employ the industry-best practice known as Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM), which offers better right-of-way access for our crews. It also helps prevent outages and keeps lineworkers, arborists, and the public safe. By promoting desirable, stable plant communities that will resist invasion by tall growing tree species, IVM consists of a blend of manual, mechanical, chemical, and cultural control of unwanted vegetation.
We work with line clearance contractors and typically conduct maintenance on a six-year cycle; regrowth is treated two to three years after. Split between 22 projects, we’ve scheduled about 900 miles of line for clearing in 2025. Check out our detailed map.
Your pennies make a difference!
As we approach the end of the year, we want to express gratitude to our members who voluntarily round up their bills to the next dollar. For less than $12 a year, your small change contributes to significant grants that empower local organizations, helping them achieve big things in your community.
The Parkland Community Group in South Range, WI, received an Operation Round Up grant in April 2024 for replacement fencing around the community garden, run by PCG Vice President Sue Heizman, helping to create multiple entrances and keep wildlife out.
“We are volunteers who work to encourage civic involvement,” explains PCG Treasurer Lorri Prendergast. “Small groups such as ours have a very hard time raising funds for some of the projects we want to accomplish. Costs are high, the township is small, and people can only give so much to support new projects no matter how much they love an idea.”
She continues, “Community support is the only way we’ve been able to do so much. ORU has helped with projects such as our skating rink warming house, two different playground equipment updates, and now our community garden fence.” (Actual fence may differ from the one shown)
After an accident or incident, the Pine County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue Team responds to, provides initial care for, and transports lost or missing people out of the wilderness. The group received an ORU grant in January 2024 to purchase water rescue equipment and towing gear.
Investigator Brad Carlson shares, “There are no other funding sources available within our budget to support some necessary purchases. Without this essential financial assistance, our ability to perform high-risk operations and respond to emergencies will be severely compromised.”
“The PCSO has received two grants from ORU: our first in 2022 helped us purchase a drone to document scenes, search for lost and missing people, and locate and apprehend fleeing suspects. This latest grant allowed us to purchase a new watercraft to quickly rescue those who have fallen through the ice or are trapped in swift water rapids.”
It’s easy to opt in to the Operation Round Up program! Call ECE today or simply visit SmartHub, then Bill & Pay > Operation Round Up.
Strong winds combined with freezing rain can lead to galloping power lines. Galloping occurs when ice builds up on one side of a line. It often looks like bouncing jump ropes. This can lead to temporary power interruptions, equipment damage, and downed power poles and lines.
If you see galloping or downed power lines:
- Keep your distance! There is no way to tell if they are energized.
- Be sure to report to ECE via SmartHub or by calling 1-800-254-7944.
The energy industry is facing rising costs driven by increased equipment costs, the need for grid modernization, and the ongoing transition to renewable energy. As your electric cooperative, ECE is committed to providing reliable, affordable power while managing these challenges. One tool we may soon need to use is the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA).
A PCA allows us to adjust your monthly bill based on changes in the cost of purchasing power from our wholesale supplier, Great River Energy. When energy costs—such as fuel prices or wholesale market rates—rise above what’s included in our base rates, the PCA helps us recover those costs. If power prices drop, you could see a decrease in your bill. The PCA helps us manage these fluctuations without the need for frequent base rate increases.
Another significant driver of rising costs is the investment needed to integrate renewable energy resources. Great River Energy is making substantial capital investments in transmission infrastructure to connect more wind energy to the grid. These upgrades are crucial to delivering renewable energy reliably, but they do come with additional costs.
Compounding these challenges is Minnesota’s 100% carbon-free by 2040 law, which mandates a rapid shift to renewable energy. While this law has increased the need for new infrastructure, we believe that a diverse energy portfolio is essential for ensuring reliable, affordable power. That is why ECE continues to advocate for lifting Minnesota’s nuclear moratorium. Nuclear energy is a proven, carbon-free resource that could eventually provide reliable baseload power to complement intermittent renewables like wind and solar.
While these industry changes present challenges, we have faced similar obstacles before and come out stronger. With your support, we will navigate these hurdles together, keeping our focus on delivering the safe, reliable energy you expect from us.
At your service we remain,
Justin
Join teens from all over the country for the incredible six-day, all-expense-paid Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., scheduled June 16-21, 2025!
Experience an unforgettable day on Capitol Hill, visit iconic landmarks, and discover how electric cooperatives energize communities just like yours.
The Youth Tour is open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors whose parent or guardian is an ECE member. Don’t let them miss this amazing opportunity—ECE covers everything, including airfare.
Be sure to submit your completed application and essay by February 27, 2025. For a copy, email [email protected] or call 1-800-254-7944, ext. 8031.