Fighting hunger and building community

Ruby’s Pantry, a community-focused food bank based in North Branch, MN, has been chosen as ECE’s 2024 Touchstone Energy^® Community Award winner, which includes a $1,000 prize. 

Each month, Ruby’s Pantry provides food to local individuals and families, ensuring that high-quality, surplus ingredients reach members in need. 

Executive Director RoxAnn Sahr, pictured above, shares, “It’s an incredible effort between our volunteers, partners, and donors. We’re able to make a real difference because of the strength of these local partnerships. Food insecurity is a growing issue.”

Ruby’s Pantry works to alleviate food insecurity by redistributing surplus food, much of which would otherwise go to waste. The organization collaborates with local churches, businesses, civic groups, and schools to ensure supplies reach those who need it most. The pantry focuses on providing the major food groups, including protein-rich meats, dairy, cereal, and vegetables, to support healthier lives and futures.

RoxAnn explains the pantry’s approach to serving the community: “We’ve seen how much food insecurity impacts people’s lives, from daily health to overall well-being. We’re not just addressing hunger; we’re helping improve lives in vulnerable populations.”

Ruby’s Pantry continues to operate without government funding, relying on the generosity of food donors and local volunteers. RoxAnn emphasized the pantry’s budget-conscious approach, saying, “We focus on getting food to people, not landfills.”

With its dedicated community partners and volunteers, Ruby’s Pantry remains a beacon of hope for those facing food insecurity in Minnesota and beyond.

ECE presents the Touchstone Energy Community Award to a local organization that is making a difference in its community. As the local winner, Ruby’s Pantry will be entered in competition for the statewide award as well.
 

Non-traditional students, apply by February 28 for a chance to win one of five $1,500 Power Up scholarships! These special scholarships are open to current college students, those returning after a break, seasonal members with students heading to college, and high school seniors from homeschools, private schools, or out-of-area schools.

Applicants must be an ECE member or their dependent. Applications are being accepted until February 28.

We also provide scholarship opportunities to college-bound seniors at participating high schools within our service territory. Most of these scholarships are funded by unclaimed capital credits. Contact your high school for information and to apply.

Save a stamp and a tree, and simplify your life with paperless billing. Sign up on SmartHub under Settings > Paperless Billing.

Have you considered an electric cold-climate air source heat pump? They’re an energy-efficient solution for heating and cooling your home, and (unlike traditional ASHPs) are designed to perform in temperatures well below zero! With easy installation, low maintenance, and long-term savings, a cold-climate ASHP is the ideal choice for anyone seeking year-round climate control. 

You may also qualify for a reduced rate through ECE. Call a trusted HVAC contractor today!

We’re thrilled to share that the ECE Fiber website has gotten an upgrade! The site features a sleek, modern design that’s easy to navigate and optimized for mobile devices. With improved resources and an interactive layout, finding what you need has never been easier.

Along with the website refresh, we’re excited to roll out our new 2 Gbps internet packages, available to both residential and business members! Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or working from home, our top-tier plans deliver ultra-fast speeds that meet the demands of today’s digital world. With these new 2 Gbps options, you’ll enjoy a faster, smoother, and more reliable online experience than ever before.

When the power goes out, safety and preparedness are key to getting through the disruption smoothly. Prepare for extended outages by having extra blankets, bottled water, and a flashlight or lantern on hand, and ensure that you have the free SmartHub app downloaded to your mobile device to report your outage and receive updates.

• Medical needs: If someone in your household uses medical devices like oxygen machines or a CPAP, it’s important to have a backup plan, such as a portable battery-powered device or access to a generator. In case of a prolonged outage, plan to stay with family, friends, or a nearby healthcare facility to ensure continued access to critical care. 
• Use generators safely: Always place generators outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Never connect them directly to your home’s electrical system; hire a licensed electrician for safe installation.
• Working from home? Plan how to stay productive without power—have backup devices charged, important documents stored in the cloud, and a portable hotspot for internet access if necessary. 
• Food safety: Conserve the cold temperature in your refrigerator and freezer by keeping the doors closed as much as possible. A fridge will typically stay cold for about four hours, while a full freezer can maintain a safe temperature for up to 48 hours. For a prolonged outage, use coolers with ice packs to store perishable foods.
• Stay warm: Without heat, it’s important to stay bundled up in layers of clothing, use blankets, and avoid using unvented space heaters indoors, as they can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use candles for warmth. 
• Check on your neighbors: If you are able, reach out to elderly individuals or those with medical needs. 
   

Low levels of A/C (alternating current) voltage on the grounded conductors of an electrical wiring system are a normal and unavoidable consequence of operating electrical equipment. This voltage, sometimes called stray voltage, is referred to as neutral-to-earth voltage (NEV) when it can be measured between two objects which may be simultaneously contacted by livestock.

If you suspect NEV or other electricity-related issues, such as low voltage, electromagnetic fields, or power quality concerns, contact us. We have qualified employees who can answer your questions and investigate any suspected problems.

Please note: if a person feels an uncomfortable tingling sensation, the condition is probably not NEV but faulty equipment or a serious problem with your wiring system. This situation requires immediate attention and an electrician should be contacted to investigate and correct the problem.

After 25 years of service to our members, Member Accounts Supervisor Marti Reynolds is retiring this month. Her next chapter includes traveling, gardening, and reading some great books while enjoying quiet mornings, new adventures, and time to finally embrace life’s simple joys!

At the November 2024 board meeting, our board determined that a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) is necessary to maintain the cooperative’s financial stability and continue providing reliable service to members. ECE will be adding a recurring monthly PCA to member bills due in February 2025. We spoke with VP/CFO Lisa Prachar to get an overview of the situation. 

What is a Power Cost Adjustment? 
This is a method used by cooperatives to adjust members’ electricity rates based on the fluctuating cost of purchasing power; a PCA helps ensure members pay a fair price reflecting actual costs. ECE receives a PCA on our own monthly power bill from our supplier, Great River Energy (GRE); we just haven’t passed those costs on to members in recent years.

How much will the PCA be? 
The PCA amount is not a fixed cost. It will vary based on individual member usage and will be determined by the fluctuating cost of power. This means the PCA amount will be different for every member depending on their electricity consumption.

How is a PCA different from a rate adjustment?  
PCAs are more flexible than rate adjustments. They reflect short-term changes in power costs without permanently altering the base rate for electricity. 
ECE will undergo a cost-of-service study in 2025, at which point we’ll reassess base rates.

ECE hasn’t added PCAs to bills since 2018. Why is it necessary now?
Upon receiving forecasted energy rates from GRE, it became evident that ECE could no longer absorb the rate and PCA changes from GRE without an adjustment to our base rates. Implementing the PCA ensures that we can continue to provide reliable service and meet our financial obligations. 

Will reinstating a PCA result in higher profits for the co-op?
No, ECE does not make a profit from the PCA. It’s simply a way to pass along the increased costs we’re experiencing from GRE, ensuring that the additional costs are equitably spread among our members based on their energy use.

How can members reduce future PCA charges? 
Members can help mitigate future PCA increases by reducing energy usage during peak times, such as early mornings and evenings when demand is highest. Investing in energy-efficient appliances and participating in load management programs are other great ways to lower costs. Combined with similar actions of other members, daily habits can greatly impact the co-op’s financial future! 
 

We’re here to help! Please reach out as soon as possible to take advantage of these available resources.

• Budget billing to stabilize monthly bill amounts.

• The free SmartHub app to view and better control energy use.

• Auto Pay to avoid postage costs and potential late fees.

• Rebates to increase energy efficiency.

• Energy-saving tips.

• Energy assistance for those who qualify.

Visit our FAQ page or call 1-800-254-7944 to learn more.