Agralite Electric Cooperative

NEWSLETTER June 2020

Agralite Electric Co-opWe’re member-owned!320 US-12, Benson, MN(320) 843-41501-800-950-8375www.agralite.coop

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Agralite is a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative.

CONTENTSPage 1 Keep Cool With Efficient Electrical AppliancesPage 2 Manager’s Article on Utility Scams, Energy Saving Tip, Find Your Account Number (There are four hidden in this issue)Page 3 Agralite And Operation Round Up Support Area Food Shelves, Unclaimed Capital CreditsPage 4 Unclaimed Capital Credits, Address List from A-LInsert, front Major Power Supply Changes To Reduce CostsInsert, back Board of Directors, Minutes of April Board Meeting, 2020 Rebate Forms

Cover Photo: Rod Schlieman, June Calendar Photo Contest Winner

Summer Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Closed July 3 for Independence Day

Annual Meeting – June 25

Contact our Member Services Department at 320-843-4150

for more information on current rebates for efficient electric

appliances for your home.

Keep Cool With Efficient Electric AppliancesSince cooling your home makes up a considerable portion of your home’s energy use in the summer months, Agralite Electric Cooperative offers innovative, efficient solutions to keep you comfortable that also allow you to receive rebates for installing them.

Air Source Heat Pump - A heater in winter and a hyper-efficient air conditioner in summer, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) move heat rather than converting it from fuel, providing the most energy efficient cooling systems available. When you need to cool your home, the ASHP pulls heat and humidity directly from your indoor air and pumps it outside using 72% less electricity than conventional air conditioners while doing so.

Ground Source Heat Pump - Much like ASHPs, ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) combine heating and cooling in one system; however, GSHPs operate with 300% to 400% efficiency. To cool your home, a GSHP will take the heat from your house and disperse it through a series of plastic pipes buried 4-6 feet beneath the ground. These ground loops provide a renewable, reliable source of energy as underground temperatures remain stable.

Cycled Air Conditioning - For those looking to stick with a traditional air conditioner, Agralite Electric Cooperative offers a cycled air conditioning program for members. It’s an energy conservation program that cycles your air conditioner on and off in 15-minute intervals on specific days when energy demand is higher than usual. There are typically 20 to 25 days when cycling occurs per year, usually occurring in the late afternoons and early evenings.

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Manager’s Article by Kory Johnson

The annual meeting of Agralite Electric Cooperative has been rescheduled for Thursday, June 25th, and will be held in Benson, MN. As you know, the cooperative postponed the annual meeting due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. After discussion, the board decided to move forward with the rescheduling of the annual meeting. With the uncertainty of when large group gatherings will be allowed to take place and the need for social distancing, the format for the annual meeting will be very different than previous years. The board has decided the meeting will consist of the business portion without the meal and entertainment. The cooperative is still working out details of how we can safely bring our members together to conduct the business of the cooperative. The details of the meeting will be mailed out to all members at a later date with the official notice of the meeting.

This spring, Agralite is aware that some of our members, as well as other people in the area, have received phone calls threatening disconnection of service if payment was not received in the next few minutes. This was a scam by some unknown person. Our members recognized the call as a scam and ignored the caller.

Unfortunately, utility scams are common because of the vast number of utilities that exist, and consumers are understandably anxious with the threat of disruption to their electric, heating, or water service. Recently NRECA, our national organization, published some information about some popular scams that are trending across the nation.

Avoid Phone Scams - A common phone scam typically begins with a phone number that appears to be from a valid utility company. The scammer will claim you have a past due account and threaten to disconnect service or take legal action. The scammer will typically demand that you use a prepaid debit card or money order, often within a very short, urgent time frame, to pay the “past due” amount.

You can combat this scam by being aware of the status of your account. Never give your banking or personal information over the phone to someone you did not call. If you have a question or concern about your energy bill, call us directly at 320-843-4150. Do not use the phone number given by the scammer.

Avoid Solar Scams - Another scam we see from time to time is connected to rooftop solar. Homeowners with rooftop solar may receive a sales call offering an accessory, upgrade, or extended warranty to their solar array. These calls could be from crooks claiming to represent a solar company, promising to replace faulty or broken parts or to improve efficiency. Again, if you are not expecting the call, don’t be fooled. These calls offering misleading information are likely a scam. Call Agralite or the company that installed the solar array if you think there may be a problem. Other than occasional cleaning, rooftop solar (if installed correctly) is virtually maintenance-free. 596400

Use Trusted Sources - If you’re considering solar for your home, make sure you are working with a reputable company. It is always a good idea to ask for references of local people who have done business with the company. Because this is still an emerging industry with evolving technology, there has been a proliferation of pop-up companies in the market to make a quick buck. Representatives of rooftop solar companies may have more sales experience than knowledge of the energy industry, and their primary goal could be to make a sale and move on to the next prospect.

Agralite Electric Cooperative can offer a candid assessment to determine whether rooftop solar is right for you. After all, Agralite has a different “bottom line” that is not directly tied to the sale of a product or service. We take a more holistic, objective view of how to achieve energy and cost savings for our members, and that may or may not include rooftop solar.

In this ever-changing environment, it’s important to remember you have a trusted energy advisor – your local electric cooperative. We are a community-focused organization that works to efficiently deliver affordable, reliable, and safe energy to our members. Remember, we’re just one call or click away, so please reach out with any questions about your electric service or bills – we’re here to help.

If your account number (as it appears on your monthly electric bill) is one of the four account numbers hidden in this issue, give our office a call by the end of the month and you will receive a $100 bill credit.

Find your account number and win a

$100 credit!

Energy Saving Tip: Home cooling makes up a large part of your energy bills. Try to keep the difference between the temperature of your thermostat setting and the outside temperature to a minimum. The smaller the difference, the more energy you will save.

Source: energy.gov

Call Day or Night1.888.884.3887

Do not call the office for outagesMay Energy Payment

is due June 20.**We accept Visa, Discover &

Mastercard.

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Operation Round UpOperation Round Up is an organization through Agralite Electric Cooperative where members’ utility bills are rounded up to the nearest dollar. The “rounded up” amount goes into the Agralite Electric Cooperative Trust that is then allocated to organizations and individuals throughout the year. Do you know an organization that benefits the members of Agralite Electric Cooperative? If so, please encourage them to apply. Applications can be found on our website. 1520700 If you are not contributing to Operation Round Up now and would like to, simply call our office to get signed up.

More information and Operation Round Up applications can be found on our website:

www.agralite.coop

Unclaimed Capital CreditsYour Board of Directors authorized the return of over $750,000 in capital credits to members who purchased electricity during the 1970’s, 1994, and 2012. 549400

Agralite is trying to return Capital Credits to former members who are no longer at their last address on file with us. If you know someone who is on this list, please take a moment to let them know or to let us know. Past members listed may claim

their capital credit refund by contacting our office at 320-843-4150. Capital Credits belong to our members and we hope we can return the credits to their owners!

Unsure what to do with capital credit checks received from us or don’t want to hassle with them? Donating those funds to Operation Round Up is always an option, where you can help the community that you live in.

Aarons, Richard - Benson, MNAgar, Tom - Morris, MNAlama, Ida - Cyrus, MNAmundson, Albert - Benson, MNAmundson, Brothers - Glenwood, MNAnderson, Dale - Beardsley, MNAnderson, Jack - Madrid, IAAnderson, Kenneth - Rice Lake, WIAnderson, Kenton - New London, MNAnderson, Orrin - Benson, MNAnderson, Steve - Benson, MNAnderson, Warner - Ortonville, MNAnthony, Loretta - Council Bluffs, IAAntich, Donald - Danvers, MNArends, Arend - Ortonville, MNArmstrong, Lester - Council Bluffs, IAArndt, Kelly - Northfield, MNArndt, Roy - Appleton, MNArneson, Troy - Cologne, MNArness, Myrtle - Glenwood, MNArnold, Andrew - Stillwater, MNArnold, Steven - Chokio, MNBachand, Kenneth - Morris, MN

Bailey, Sam Sr - Benson, MNBalas, Andrew - Danvers, MNBangsund, O. H. - Benson, MNBanken, Raymond - Appleton, MNBarnhill, Roger - Benson, MNBartell, David - Cyrus, MNBartz, Randy - Pennock, MNBartz, Wilbert - Glenwood, MNBast, Gerald - Miltona, MNBauman, Jon - Forest Lake, MNBeck, G. A. - Clinton, MNBeck, Ronald - Ortonville, MNBeebe, Jean - Morris, MNBeeman, James - Fort Collins, COBehrens, Audrey - Alexandria, MNBenham, H A - Morris, MNBennett, David - Fergus Falls, MNBergman, Gotfred - Luverne, MNBeutler, Patricia - Odessa, MNBjorklund, Robert - Benson, MNBlack, Heather - Benson, MNBoelz, Melvin - Ortonville, MNBoese, Bernard - Fargo, NDBoettcher, Donald - Buffalo, MNBogenrief, Brian - Morris, MNBoots, Frank - Ortonville, MN

Bouwman, Jordan - Belgrade, MNBowers, Howard - Benson, MNBrady, John - Pennock, MNBrandt, Oscar - Incline Village, NVBredeson, Edwin - Devils Lake, NDBredeson, Edwin - Devils Lake, NDBremer, Norman - Ortonville, MNBrennan, Leona - Murdock, MNBroich, David - Watertown, SDBrown, Francis - Hibbing, MNBrown, Jo - Murdock, MNBrown, Wendell - Evansville, MNBrustuen, Rodney - Pine Island, MNBryduck, Marty - Benson, MNBurgard, Gary - De Graff, MNBurgess Brothers - Benson, MNBurns, Raymond - Benson, MNBurrington, David - St. Cloud, MNButtenhoff, Leonard - Buffalo, MNByre, Agnes - Appleton, MNCain, Vince - Murdock, MNCannon, Joe - Benson, MNCardwell, Roger - Casper, WYCarlson, Darwin - Hancock, MN Carlson, Lauren - Morris, MNCarol, Boon - Morris, MN

Carr, Robert - Morris, MNCarstens, Gary - Ionia, IACartwright, Larry - Montevideo, MNCarver, Gene - Hancock, MN Chesney, MC - Murdock, MNChmielewski, Larry - Murdock, MNChristensen, John - Chinook, MTChristenson, Alfred - Big Stone City, SDChristenson, James - Big Stone City, SDClark, Lowell - Willmar, MNClark, Walter - Kerkhoven, MN Clausen, David - Alexandria, MNCleland, Robert - Benson, MNClinch, Paul - Montevideo, MNComprone, Joseph - Morris, MNConrock Material Inc - Morris, MNConroy, Patrick - Fergus Falls, MNCook, WM - Kerkhoven, MN Creamer, William - Starbuck, MN Critz Bradley - Louisberg, MNCunningham, Teresa - Scottsdale, AZCyrus Bait Co - Cyrus, MN

Unclaimed Capital Credit List: Last Names Beginning With A - L (M - Z Will Appear In The Next Newsletter)

Agralite And Operation Round Up Support Area Food ShelvesFour local food shelves in Agralite Electric Cooperative’s service area received extra funds through the cooperative’s Operation Round Up Program and through administration

proceeds from The Rural Economic Development Loan program. These funds will assist with immediate needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At an April 15 meeting, Agralite and Operation Round Up decided to award an additional $6,000 to help with the urgent needs local families are facing as a result of COVID-19. Each of the four local food shelves received $1,500. This funding was awarded on top of the Operation Round Up donations that the food shelves received in March, so they could benefit from the annual MN Food Share campaign that provides a proportional match. MN Food Share extended the March campaign to April 30 because of the ‘incredible and immense work food shelves have taken on at this time.’

Operation Round Up is a charitable fundraising program through Agralite Electric Cooperative. The trust fund is overseen by a volunteer, nine-member board of trustees from across the Agralite service area. If you haven’t yet considered signing up for Operation Round Up, it’s never too late! On average, Agralite members contribute about $6 a year. A little goes a long way!

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Danielson, Jeanette - Glenwood, MNDarby, Edwin - Benson, MNDavidson, Robert - Sedan, MNDelong, John - Morris, MNDents, Paul - Rushmore, MNDidreckson, Tina - Herman, MNDokkebakken, Russell - Glenwood, MNDuscher, Robert - Murdock, MNDuwenhoegger, WM - Alberta, MNEallenius, R - Ashton, IAEckstein, Grace - Brooten, MNEdblom, Marvin - Hoffman, MNEdwards, Peter - Benson, MNEhrenberg, Albert - Hancock, MN Eid, Luthard - Revillo, SDEkern, Mary - Benson, MNElder, H. L. - Kerkhoven, MN Ell, Pearl - Ortonville, MNEllis, Herbert - Brooten, MNEllis, Mike - Staples, MNElston, Roberta - Hudson, WIElvehjem, Joyce - Alexandria, MNEnquist, Doris - Milbank, SDErdman, Dennis - Alexandria, MNErenberg, Robert - Benson, MNEspelien, Douglas - Bozeman, MTEspelien,Tom - Starbuck, MN Espinosa, Francisco - Murdock, MNEstrem, John - Kenyon, MNEvenson, David - Morris, MNEvenson, Even - Bloomington, MNFahlenkamp, Charles - Hartley, IAFangman, Charles - Glenwood, MNFarmland Industries - Kansas City, MOFelton, Selma - Ortonville, MNFemrite, Robert - Brooten, MNFerguson, Clifford - Rochester, MNFerris, Richard - Canby, MNFerry, Michael - Danvers, MNFeuchtenberger, Michelle - Sioux Falls, SDFevold, Rolland - Osborn, MOFischbach, Louis - Morris, MNFish, Betsy - Avon, MNFitzgerald, Joe - Donnelly, MNFitzpatrick, William - Salem, ILFlieder, Jan - Grove City, MNFlolo, Ardell - Minneapolis, MNFolkers Herman, - Council Bluffs, IAForbord Glen, - Watertown, SDFragodt, Henry - Benson, MNFrank, Chris - Plymouth, NHFredrick, Cyrill - Belgrade, MNFreedman, Jack - Minneapolis, MNFrench, Allen - Madison, MNFrench, Henry - Ortonville, MNFriederichs, Tom - Morris, MNFrovold, Lloyd - Aitkin, MNFults, Clarence - Hancock, MN Gades, Dwight - Paynesville, MNGades, Janice - Correll, MNGauger, Randy - Morris, MNGerber, H V - Odessa, MNGiese, Edith - Morris, MNGiese, Helen - Morris, MNGimmestad, Agnes - Montevideo,

MNGlittre, Anton - Glenwood, MNGoetsch, Arnold - Watertown, SDGoetsch, Harlan - Willmar, MNGolden, Lloyd - Delray Beach, FLGomez, Miguel - Hancock, MN Grant, Alison - Morris, MNGreen, Jeff - Coon Rapids, MNGrob, Vernon - New Brighton, MNGronholz, Dennis - Ortonville, MNGronholz, Wilbert - Danvers, MNGrussing, Alice - Forest Lake, MNGrussing, Harry - Benson, MNGullard, Dana - Donnelly, MNGustafson Bros - Milan, MNHaas, Roland Ruidoso - Downs, NMHaase, Martin - Benson, MNHagen, Dave - Morris, MNHagen, Lonny - Benson, MNHagen, Richard - Hancock, MN Hagen, Robert - Appleton, MNHaines, Al - Litchfield, MNHallock, Walter - Ortonville, MNHamm, Ron - Socorro, NMHansen, Lawrence - Morris, MNHanson, Bennie - De Graff, MNHanson, Francis - Clinton, MNHargreaves, Rose - Clontarf, MNHarris, George - Benson, MNHarrison, David - Wadena, MNHarvey, David - Benson, MNHarvey, George - Glenwood, MNHasslen, J E - Ortonville, MNHauberg, Iver - Ortonville, MNHauck, John - Ortonville, MNHauge, Adolph - Glenwood, MNHaugen, Edwin - Benson, MNHaugen, Kenneth - Benson, MNHedner, Mark - Starbuck, MN Hegg, Malinda - Morris, MNHegg, Melvin - Glenwood, MNHegge, Arnold - Kanab, UTHeidecker, Hope - Willmar, MNHellie, Gretchen - Minneapolis, MNHellie, Telford Jr - St. Croix Falls, WIHemming, Roger - Cave Creek, AZHendrickson, David - Starbuck, MN Hennen, William - Morris, MNHenrichs, Elaine - Morris, MNHermans, Paul - Ortonville, MNHess, Elton - Ortonville, MNHesse, Charles - Willmar, MNHetler, Don - Ortonville, MNHiepler, Carl - Madison, MNHimley, Arthur - Benson, MNHindman, Vicki - Benson, MNHines, Dale - St. Paul, MNHines, Lorraine - Ortonville, MNHinnenkamp, Virgil - Alexandria, MNHoberg, Donald - Morris, MNHockert, Charles - Port Saint Lucie, FLHoffman, Delbert - Frankfort, SDHoffman, Tom - Morris, MNHoland, Morris - Big Stone City, SDHolme, Hans - Ortonville, MNHolmes, James - Morris, MNHolt, Robert - Glenwood, MN

Holzhiemer, Robert - Montevideo, MNHoover, Merlyn - Burt, MNHopfner, Philip - Alexandria, MNHousen, Tom - Benson, MNHubert, James - Tijeras, NMHunkler, Laurence - Union, OHIsler, John - Camarillo, CAIverson, John - Benson, MNJacikoff, Thomas E - Northport, NYJacobson, Delbert - Farmington, MNJallo, Raymond - Sartell, MNJarvis, Edward - Hancock, MN Jensen, Charles - Starbuck, MN Jermstad, George - Glenwood, MNJerve, Thosten - Benson, MNJohnshoy, Ron - Morris, MNJohnson, August - Ortonville, MNJohnson, Bennett - Wadena, MNJohnson, Brooks - Glenwood, MNJohnson, Bruce - Waite Park, MNJohnson, Cecil - Clinton, MNJohnson, Donald - Brooten, MNJohnson, Einor - Los Altos Hills, CAJohnson Farms & Feed Lots - Renville, MNJohnson, Jeff - Sunburg, MNJohnson, Leighton - Cresco, IAJohnson, Mark - Benson, MNJohnson, Palmer - Edina, MNJohnson, Richard - Morris, MNJohnson, Sue - Morris, MNJones, Michael - Ortonville, MNJonson, Vernon - St. James, MNJoos, Gerald - Hancock, MN Jost, Dan - Morris, MNJurgens, Francis - Ortonville, MNJurgens, Thomas - Benson, MNJustice, Frank - Cape Coral, FLKaehler, G A - Morris, MNKahleck, Mike - Raleigh, NCKari, Alan - Tenney, MNKashmark, Donald - Morris, MNKasney, Jack - Benson, MNKeefe, John - Hutchinson, MNKellenberger, Mark - Hancock, MN Kellenberger, Richard - Morris, MNKelley, Carl - Golden, COKelly, Bruce - Murdock, MNKelly, James - Ortonville, MNKelly, Robert - Council Bluffs, IAKemper, Sharon - Minneapolis, MNKettering, Alan - Sunburg, MNKettering, Clayton - Glenwood, MNKiefert, Arnold - Knob Noster, MOKiefert, Elizabeth - Waconia, MNKiefert, Marlin - Benson, MNKill, Bill Jr - Morris, MNKill, Edward - Monticello, MNKilvington, Al - Ortonville, MNKingsley, Naomi - Waverly, IAKirk, Jon - Ortonville, MNKirschbaum, Kenneth - Ortonville, MNKjenstad, Micahel - Morris, MNKlasen, Marion - Burnsville, MNKleven, Darrell - Boyd, MNKleven, Ronald - Ortonville, MN

Kluver, Christ - St. Louis Park, MNKnopp, Edward - Bismark, MNKnutson, Howard - Lakewood, COKnutson, Jim - Brooten, MNKoerlin, Severt - Glenwood, MNKoehl, Paul - Pearce, AZKolstad, Clarence - Benson, MNKolstad, Luverne - Benson, MNKondert, Adolph - Sioux Falls, SDKoosman, Ella - Detroit Lakes, MNKoosman, Palmer - Mound, MNKoosmann, Arthur - Benson, MNKoosmann, George - Appleton, MNKrattenmaker, Gerald - New London, MNKrause, Brad - River Falls, WIKriz, Anna - Benson, MNKroening, Emil - Morris, MNKrueger, Donald - Morris, MNKulesh, R W - Wayzata, MNKull, Carl - Dexter, MNKvam, Minnie - Wayzata, MNLachmiller, Dale - Garden City, MNLacore, John - St. Paul, MNLadd, Sade - Glenwood, MNLageson, Clarence - Benson, MNLagred, Doris - Starbuck, MN Lalor, Robert - North St. Paul, MNLamkin, Henry - Port Wing, WILandgraff, Fred - De Graff, MNLandmark, Garfield - New London, MNLandwehr, Randy - Roseville, MNLansverk, Selmer - Benson, MNLarsen, Clinton - Glenwood, MNLarsen, Vicki - Morris, MNLarson, Ara - Ortonville, MNLarson, Clara - Benson, MNLarson, Donna - Madison, MNLarson, Eddie - Donnelly, MNLarson, Johnny - Ortonville, MNLarson, Louie - Benson, MNLarson, Nathan - Willmar, MNLarson, Paul - Brooten, MNLaughlin, Cheryle - Starbuck, MN Lee, George - Benson, MNLee, Gilbert - Golden Valley, MNLee, Harry - Brooten, MNLembcke, Duane - Sartell, MNLent, Leona - Belgrade, MNLewis, Harvey - Hancock, MN Lewis, Neil - Fairmont, MNLibbon, Georgia - Morris, MNLocke, Homer - Tunnel Hill, GALogan, Stanley - Morris, MNLoge, Steve - Fargo, NDLownsbury, Michael - Wahpeton, NDLucas, Harry - Minneapolis, MNLund, Elmer - Morris, MNLuthi, Raymond - Jasper, MILye, Elmer - Benson, MNLye, Robert - Benson, MN

Major Power Supply Changes To Reduce Costs To Member-Owner CooperativesGreat River Energy plans to replace coal with low cost renewables and market energy purchases

Maple Grove, MN – Great River Energy announced plans today to transform its portfolio of power supply resources in the coming years, significantly reducing member-owner wholesale power costs. The electric cooperative plans to phase out remaining coal resources, add significant renewable energy and explore critical grid-scale battery technology.

“We are building a power supply portfolio that will serve our member-owner cooperatives for decades,” Great River Energy President and Chief Executive Officer David Saggau said. “We are taking advantage of cost-competitive renewables and reliable access to market energy while fostering innovation as the technology of our industry evolves.” 1537501

Today’s announcement follows several changes Great River Energy has made in recent years to seek economic efficiencies in its power supply portfolio. Past analysis has led to decisions to exit a contract for half the output of a Wisconsin coal plant in 2015, retire the coal-based Stanton Station power plant in 2017, close the waste-to-energy Elk River Resource Recovery Project in 2019 and purchase the output of several wind energy projects.

The portfolio changes announced today will significantly reduce Great River Energy’s member-owner power supply costs. In addition, the cooperative’s power supply resources will be more than 95% carbon dioxide-free, virtually eliminating carbon risk.

“Our power supply plans deliver on our member-owners’ three highest priorities: affordability, reliability and environmental stewardship,” Saggau said. “Electric cooperatives have a bright future in Minnesota.”

Great River Energy plans to purchase more than 1,100 MW from new wind energy projects. This amounts to a more than $1.2 billion investment in the Midwest’s abundant clean energy resources. Great River Energy’s renewable capacity is projected to grow from approximately 660 MW in 2020 to more than 1,760 MW by the end of 2023. The Great River Energy board of directors today approved 600 MW of wind energy projects, most of which will be located in Minnesota.

Great River Energy plans to add energy and capacity as needed through upgrades at its fleet of modern, natural gas peaking plants and purchases from the MISO energy market.

Coal Creek Station has been a critical part of Great River Energy’s power supply portfolio for decades, but it has lost value compared to other alternatives in recent years. Great River Energy plans to shut down both units of Coal Creek Station during the second half of 2022, although the cooperative is willing to consider opportunities to sell the plant. Coal Creek Station began operations in 1979 in Underwood, North Dakota, and employs 260 people.

“Like all of Great River Energy’s decisions, these changes are made in the best interests of our member-owner cooperatives,” Saggau said. “Coal Creek Station is operated efficiently, safely and with pride by a dedicated and talented staff. We will make every effort to minimize impacts on our employees and the communities through this transition.”

To assist local communities during the upcoming transition, Great River Energy plans to make voluntary annual payments of the local government share of the plant’s taxes for five years after the plant’s closure.

Great River Energy plans to negotiate an agreement to terminate its steam and water supply contract with Blue Flint, an ethanol biorefinery fueled by process steam from Coal Creek Station. Blue Flint’s owner, Midwest AgEnergy, is considering using the contract termination payment from Great River Energy to reinvest in an economical alternate source for its process heat, thereby benefiting area farmers by continuing to support the local market for corn.

Located near Jamestown, North Dakota, Spiritwood Station is a combined heat and power plant fueled by a combination of DryFine™ lignite coal and natural gas. Great River Energy plans to modify the plant to be fueled with natural gas. The plant generates electricity for the regional electric grid and supplies steam to a nearby ethanol biorefinery.

Great River Energy is working with Form Energy, a battery storage technology developer based in Somerville, Massachusetts, on a first-of-its-kind demonstration of Form’s unique long-duration storage technology. The battery project will be a 1-MW, grid-connected storage system capable of delivering its rated power continuously for 150 hours, far longer than the four-hour usage period common among lithium ion batteries. Long-duration storage will help maintain grid reliability in the future during extreme conditions, such as a heat wave or polar vortex. The battery system will be located in Cambridge, Minnesota, and completed in late 2023.

The projects announced today will create hundreds of high-quality construction jobs. “We look forward to partnering with local labor and industry on our projects,” Saggau said.

Great River Energy plans to take the following actions:

• Retire the 1,151-megawatt (MW) Coal Creek Station in the second half of 2022

• Add 1,100 MW of wind energy purchases by the end of 2023

• Modify the 99-MW, coal and natural gas-based Spiritwood Station power plant to be fueled by natural gas

• Install a 1-MW, long-duration battery demonstration system

• Support the repowering of the Blue Flint biorefinery with natural gas

About Great River Energy: Great River Energy is a not-for-profit wholesale electric power cooperative that provides electricity to 28 member-owner distribution cooperatives. Together, our systems provide power to approximately two-thirds of Minnesota geographically and parts of Wisconsin, serving 700,000 families, farms and businesses. Great River Energy is the second largest electric power supplier in Minnesota and one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the nation. Learn more at greatriverenergy.com.

Swift County.

Tom gave the safety report.

Kory Johnson, General Manager, reviewed his report to the board. He discussed recent meetings that he attended via conference call. He discussed COVID-19 updates and Renewable Energy Credits.

The annual meeting was discussed and was set for June 25, 2020.

The Board approved MREA Continuing Resolutions revisions and Bylaw revisions.

The May board meeting was set for the 28th. Being no further business came before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

CURRENT AGRALITE BOARD OF DIRECTORSKathy Draeger, ClintonDistrict 1Jeff Hufford, MorrisDistrict 2 - Secretary/TreasurerBennett Zierke, HancockDistrict 3Steve Nelson, StarbuckDistrict 4Orvin Gronseth, MurdockDistrict 5 - PresidentAndrea Thomson, BensonDistrict 6Warren Rau, AppletonDistrict 7 - Vice President

MINUTES OF MEETINGBOARD OF DIRECTORSApril 2020Board Chairman Orvin Gronseth called a meeting of the Board of Directors of Agralite Electric Cooperative to order at 8:30 a.m., April 30, 2020. All members of the Board were present via WebEx teleconference. The agenda, minutes of the last meeting, the monthly disbursements, and payment of capital credits of deceased members were approved.

Kory Johnson reported on activities of the Member Services Department for the month. He discussed load management and ALM. Kory discussed the Brigg’s generator program, the new Home Energy Loan Program, and the scholarship review process.

Jenny Stryhn, Manager of Finance, discussed Agralite’s margins for the month of March. She discussed a power cost adjustment from GRE and a credit for COVID-19 relief funds. She discussed the revised Minnesota Energy Assistance Program income guidelines and the capital credit checks that were mailed out in April. Jenny brought forth Work Order #489, Special Equipment WO March 2020, Promissory Note Form RD 4280-7, and Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program Resolution and the Board approved them.

The financials were given by Jenny with a PowerPoint presentation.

Tom Hoffman, Manager of Engineering & Operations, reported on activities of his department for the month. 1629800 He discussed line crew projects. He discussed the Dublin Substation and the AMI project. Carr’s tree service started trimming trees in

Agralite Electric Cooperative

2020Rebate Forms

NOW AVAILABLE

Rebate forms can be found on our website:

www.agralite.coop