Steele-Waseca members pose questions during town hall meetings in Owatonna

Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric conducted four town hall meetings at Torey’s Restaurant in Owatonna during September to not only share information regarding the co-op, but on their wholesale energy provider, Great River Energy, and legislative impacts taking place in Minnesota.

General Manager Syd Briggs was the emcee and addressed capital credits at Steele-Waseca. He detailed how the co-op has allocated $78 million in margins, having returned $28 million to members and past members of Steele-Waseca with $50 million in equity which helps the co-op from having to borrow money to operate and conduct projects.

Briggs detailed the state’s legislative approval to have 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. He explained Great River Energy (GRE), Steele-Waseca’s wholesale energy provider, in 2024 was at 44% carbon-free, and has plans to be 90% carbon-free by 2035. This prompted members in attendance at each of the town hall meetings to question how energy is going to be available if the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. Briggs explained GRE is able to obtain energy from MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator). He also noted Minnesota needs to lift their moratorium on nuclear power plants. Briggs stated nuclear power is carbon-free and would assist electric power to reach the state’s 100% carbon-free mandate. When asked about the impact to rates going carbon-free, “Any new source will raise rates,” said Briggs. “It’s more expensive to be carbon-free.”

Briggs also highlighted the co-op’s history and its latest expansion with 12 electric co-ops combining to start the Southern Minnesota Energy Cooperative in purchasing Alliant Energy’s service territory in Minnesota in July 2015. He also promoted the co-op’s 90th annual meeting taking place Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Steele-Waseca Line Foreman Kevin Kjersten showed photos of the damage members of the Steele-Waseca line crew dealt with as a result of Hurricane Milton near Dade City, Florida, to members at the town hall meeting, Sept. 22, in Owatonna.

Other presentations included Steele-Waseca’s new billing system through NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative) that started May 5 this year. NISC is now being used by all electric cooperatives in Minnesota. The use of SmartHub on the co-op’s website was explained for signing up for auto pay and obtaining information on your electric usage at your service location. The charging of electric vehicles at Steele-Waseca’s charging station was highlighted. Starting Oct. 1.

Steele-Waseca members may only charge their electric vehicles at no cost from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Non-members will need to pay for use of the electric vehicle chargers at Steele-Waseca as of that same date. Expansion of residential rebates, starting Sept. 3, was highlighted at the town hall meetings. Some of the new eligible rebates from purchases
made since Jan. 1, 2025, include battery-operated yard tools, electric bikes, small household appliances, and electronics. Details are available at swce.coop/rebates/.

Each of the town hall meetings concluded with Line Foreman Kevin Kjersten detailing Steele-Waseca’s line crew response in helping restore power to the hurricane-stricken areas of South Carolina and Florida during October 2024. He detailed their travels to the area, the work completed during their week in South Carolina and week in Florida before returning home to Minnesota. Kjersten praised the appreciation the line crew members received from the impacted residents for the power restoration work. Each town hall meeting ended with an ovation for Kjersten’s presentation and appreciation of Steele-Waseca’s line crew for their willingness to assist with the restoration efforts.

Appreciation

#swceAPPRECIATION