Participants gain valuable training during MMUA Meter School

Utility professional from across the Midwest met at the MMUA Meter School February 4–7 to train on the ins and outs of electrical meters, including wiring, the tools needed to work on meters, and how to identify the signs of electricity theft. Advanced learners worked on troubleshooting various metering setups.

New in 2025, was a presentation and discussion on advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). Topics included AMI components such as smart meters that provide detailed usage information and the communication technologies that transmit this data securely. MMUA thanks all of the instructors for the in-depth information they shared with learners.

Great River Energy, Xcel, and ITC Midwest team up on 765-kV transmission line

A new transmission line proposed by Great River Energy, Xcel Energy, and transmission developer ITC Midwest will be the first in the Upper Midwest to reach the 765-kV voltage level. The companies have filed a Notice of Intent to construct, own, and maintain the new line with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The line will stretch 410 miles from eastern South Dakota across Minnesota and into Wisconsin.

In a statement, Great River Energy President and CEO David Saggau said, “This new 765-kV transmission line will ensure reliability every hour of every day for our member-owner cooperatives. By building this high-capacity line, we can minimize the environmental and community impact to cooperative members while strengthening our grid infrastructure. This is an important step for Minnesota’s energy landscape and one that sets us up for the future.” Learn more here.



Xcel responds to PUC following 2024 land sale

The sale of land by Xcel Energy near the Sherco Power Plant in April 2024 to a private developer for $7.7 million, which was then resold for $73.5 million to Amazon in November of 2024, raised questions at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). As reported in this publication last week, the PUC asked for more information regarding this sale on January 31.

In response, Xcel Energy told the PUC that they are thinking about requiring land buyers to share profits with Xcel if they resell the property quickly. The company also said that they could use competitive bidding processes in the future to ensure fair pricing of its land deals.

Xcel’s sale price in April 2024 matched an independent appraisal at the time. Learn more here.

Help APPA help you by completing its Governance Survey

APPA is asking for your help in completing a survey regarding governance issues in hometown utilities. You can access it here APPA’s 2025 Governance Survey, and you can preview a PDF of the survey here: APPA_Governance_Survey_2025 F

This survey is only conducted once every five years. Public power utilities with at least 50 percent retail sales according to 2023 EIA data, with a few exceptions, are eligible to participate in the survey. Results from this survey will be used to create APPA's Public Power Governance Survey report, which is a free report that highlights the primary types of governing bodies for public power utilities, governing body authorities, term limits, and compensation, instances when voter referenda are required related to the utility, and utilities serving customers outside of municipal boundaries.

The information collected on this form is used by APPA to quantify information on the type of governing bodies that oversee public power utilities, term limits and compensation of governing body members, and the authorities granted to utility governing bodies. In addition to helping APPA, joint action agencies and MMUA will be able to access the data for Minnesota members, assisting us in supporting and representing your utility.

The deadline to complete the survey is April 10, 2025. If you have any questions about the survey, contact Lindsey Buttel at lbuttel@publicpower.org or 202-467-2920.



FEMA offers Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program supports local governments and Tribal Nations, among others, as they strive to reduce their hazard risks, and as they build capability and capacity. BRIC also encourages and aids innovation.

Some $750 million in funding is available to help communities work to mitigate risks from natural disasters, increase community resilience, and reduce disaster suffering. Learn more here.

DOE provides funding for Energy Improvements in Rural and Remote Areas (ERA)

Rural and remote areas often have higher energy costs, less resilient energy systems, and fewer alternatives for accessing clean energy compared with their urban counterparts.

Furthermore, small communities do not always have the available time, money, or other resources to pursue clean energy options. This program serves communities of 10,000 people or fewer.

Applicants must propose projects that support at least one of these eligible activities:

• Improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems
• Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote areas
• Providing or modernizing electric generation facilities
• Developing microgrids and
• Increasing energy efficiency



Applications may include any technology that meets these eligible activities, as long as those technologies are commercially available. Closing date for this application is August 28, 2025. Learn more here.

Immediate request: seeking projects for (possible) Midwest Revolving Loan Fund

Philanthropic partners are currently exploring the possibility of building a low-interest Midwest Revolving Loan Fund to offer additional capital for climate and clean energy projects in our region and would like to learn first from projects in Minnesota. Because MMUA works closely to support these kinds of community projects, we've been asked to reach out to our members for feedback.

These partners have asked to help compile a database of 50 Minnesota climate and clean energy projects (any budget size or project stage) by submitting this Midwest Climate and Clean Energy Project Form. 

Please take the time to provide feedback which will be used in the development of a possible low-interest Midwest Revolving Loan Fund.



Substation School

March 11–13

Otsego, MN

Make plans to join us for the 2025 Substation School.

Having the best distribution system in the world doesn't matter if your substations aren't operating properly. This is your once-a-year opportunity to learn about current trends and best practices for managing this critical nexus in your electrical infrastructure.

Topics to be covered include:

• Substation maintenance and inspection
• Key components and systems
• Case study review and discussion
• Proper switching techniques
• Benefits of protective relays 

Please click below to register for this valuable training opportunity. Register by February 21, 2025.

Electrical Skills Training for Water/Wastewater Operators

March 19–20

MMUA Training Center

This course is offered as supplemental training for non–electrician water/wastewater operators and support staff.

This year’s workshop will be led by Mike Miller,

safety director with the Electric Association and will feature a blend of classroom and in-plant instruction to provide opportunities for participants to apply new concepts in real time.

This training qualifies as:

-10.5 direct training hours through the Minnesota Department of Health

-10.5 indirect training hours through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Please click below to register for this valuable training opportunity. Register by February 20, 2025, for the best rate.

Generation School

April 15–17

Classroom: Hutchinson, MN

Hands-on training: Glencoe, MN, and Litchfield, MN



With a mix of classroom and hands-on instruction, Generation School appeals to all learning styles and all levels of experience.

Topics to be covered include:

• Inspections
• Testing
• Maintenance
• Reporting

Attendees will work with equipment in the plant, seeing and feeling what the seasoned instructors explain in real time. Plus, you will go behind the scenes and tour Zephyr Wind Services, a wind generator repair facility, wind turbine parts distributor, and turbine repower provider located in Hutchinson.

Please click the link below for more information on this valuable training opportunity and to register. Register by March 14 for the best rate.