Providing quality service to the member-owners, outstanding electric reliability, lower energy sales and a new smartphone outage application were just a few of the topics discussed at Dakota Electric Association’s Annual Meeting, held in the social hall at St. Michael’s in Farmington on April 28.
President and CEO Greg Miller discussed causes for lower energy sales including mild weather and effective efforts promoting conservation and energy efficiency.
“Our members are participating in our energy conservation programs, using our rebates to upgrade their appliances and lighting and taking advantage of our off-peak programs to save energy and money,” he told the audience. “Partnering with our member-owners to promote energy efficiency and conservation is a cornerstone of our values and our strategic plan.”
Regarding 2016, Miller highlighted a few of the cooperative’s initiatives including a large solar project, a new substation, a customer information system upgrade and a new outage application coming soon, among other things.
Board Chair Jim Sheldon provided a brief update from the boardroom, including community involvement, donations and the board’s goal of serving the membership.
“You board members are committed to representing our members’ interests in the boardroom and out of the boardroom,” he said. “It is an honor and a privilege to serve you.”
Sheldon also praised the dedication and commitment of Dakota Electric’s employees who he said work hard to serve the member-owners of the cooperative.
Board Treasurer David Jones gave an overview of the 2015 financials, which received a clean audit opinion from Dakota Electric’s auditor.
Kandace Olsen, vice president and chief culture officer for Great River Energy, brought an update from Dakota Electric’s wholesale-power-supplier. She discussed their efforts to keep costs down while growing their investment in renewable energy.
The membership re-elected four incumbent directors to serve three-year terms: David Jones, district 1; Jim Sheldon, district 2; Bill Holton, district 3, and Paul Trapp, district 4. As a cooperative owned by those it serves, Dakota Electric holds director elections and an annual meeting each year.
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