Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo quilt comes back to Minnesota

Last week, the 2025 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo was held in Roseville, California. This annual event is a unique competition where lineworkers from across the US showcase their technical skills, safety practices, and teamwork through challenging events. Sixty-one journeyman teams and 115 apprentices competed overall. This year, Minnesota fielded 22 participants from six teams, and four MMUA staff had leadership roles in the event.

For the past eight years, MMUA's Rita Kelly has offered her personal time to make a quilt from donated team shirts created for the previous year's rodeo. MMUA provides the quilt as the prize in a raffle whose proceeds go to a fund to assist injured lineworkers. Over the years, prize quilts have gone to Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana (2), and Minnesota (2).

This year's winner is Jeff Bertram from Owatonna. Congratulations, Jeff, and thank you to Rita for all her time and hard work creating the quilt each year!

Colorado-based company has committed to building an AI data center in Glencoe

Revolve Labs, a Colorado-based technology company, is setting its sights on Glencoe, Minnesota, for the development of a new AI data center. This move comes after the company decided to pause its initial plans for a similar facility in Mountain Lake, Minnesota.

The proposed AI data center is expected to enhance the company's capabilities in artificial intelligence and data processing, marking a significant step forward in its expansion strategy. Learn more here.

MMUA open house and Twins game: you are invited

Join MMUA for a tour of our new offices and then hop on our chartered bus for a Twins game on Friday, June 6, 2025.

MMUA will host an open house at the new office location in St. Louis Park from 3:00–5:00 pm. Join us for refreshments, tours, and networking with other members. For those interested, a little after 5:00 pm, we'll ride comfortably on a chartered bus and head toward Target Field. If you prefer, you can drive yourself and meet us at the game. We've secured great seats, and it will be a fun way to connect with the MMUA family. Bring your better half and your kids too!

Please click the link below to register for the open house (free), ballgame, and bus (offered at MMUA's group cost).

Not interested in baseball? No worries. Come to the open house anyway. We would love to spend some time with you!

CenterPoint Energy under fire for payment practices

CenterPoint Energy is facing scrutiny over its Home Service Plus (HSP) program, which has been accused of contributing to utility shutoffs by prioritizing appliance repair payments over gas bills. Consumer advocates warn that the company's payment allocation practices could push financially vulnerable customers toward disconnection.



More than 9,000 CenterPoint gas customers in Minnesota enrolled in the HSP program were behind on their gas bills as of January 28, according to a company filing. These customers owed a combined $1,081,929, highlighting the financial strain and risk of disconnection. This concern comes as utility shutoffs in Minnesota recently reached a 10-year high. Despite these issues, CenterPoint reported over $1 billion in profits last year.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) held a March 27 hearing to address the growing pressure from consumer advocates to protect customers from disconnections. Learn more here.

APPA updates tax advocacy materials, launches municipal bond web page

The American Public Power Association (APPA) has introduced a new municipal bond advocacy web page to support tax-exempt financing and energy tax credits.

The page features key resources, including APPA’s municipal bond issue brief, an analysis from the Government Finance Officers Association, and a Public Finance Network primer on tax-exempt financing. A forthcoming addition will provide data from a University of Chicago report on municipal bond issuances across all states and congressional districts.



APPA is encouraging member utilities to engage with congressional offices and is circulating a “one-pager” on Capitol Hill outlining the benefits of elective payment for energy tax credits. The advocacy page is available at publicpower.org.

Branching out: Xcel Energy steps up tree trimming to cut wildfire risk

In response to escalating wildfire dangers, Xcel Energy is revising its vegetation management practices across Minnesota and seven other states. The utility will increase the clearance between trees and power lines from six feet to 10 feet, aiming to maintain safe distances throughout its multi-year pruning cycles.

Xcel Energy stated, "Our objective is to obtain 10 feet of clearance between a tree and our power line, along with removing overhanging branches above the line." The adjustment reflects part of Xcel Energy's strategy for mitigating wildfire hazards linked to vegetation near power infrastructure.

While the company emphasizes safety, some residents have expressed concerns about the impact on mature trees and the potential costs associated with debris removal. Homeowners may be responsible for disposing of trimmed wood. Learn more here.

2025 Summer Conference: let us know what you would like to learn about

We encourage you to consider submitting a topic and/or speaker proposal for the conference. Whether there is something you really want to learn about or a person whose expertise you think would benefit the Association, let us know by April 10!

Vendor Spotlight

MMUA's monthly feature, Vendor Spotlight, tells the story of one of our associate members. We know municipal utilities would not exist without the expertise and support of these crucial partners.

This month we feature Ziegler Power Systems. For more than a century, Ziegler Power Systems has been a cornerstone of reliable power solutions across the Midwest. As an authorized Caterpillar® dealer, Ziegler delivers top-tier equipment and comprehensive service to a diverse range of industries, including utilities, healthcare, data centers, and municipalities. Click here to learn more about how Ziegler Power supports utilities with a complete solution.

Community Energy Innovation Prize Round 2

The American-Made Community Energy Innovation Prize Round 2 is a multimillion-dollar prize competition designed to support energy innovation, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and economic development in communities working toward affordable, reliable, and secure energy resources. Through three phases, teams can win part of $8.42 million in prizes to help them advance in the competition and accelerate local solutions in clean energy, energy efficiency, manufacturing, materials, and transportation. Successful competitors will demonstrate a strong track record of building trust and strengthening community relationships and partnerships. For more information, click here.

MMUA is excited to announce the launch of the Developing Utility Expertise and Leadership™ (DUEL™) program

DUEL focuses on enhancing both technical expertise and leadership capabilities, empowering participants to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and navigate complex challenges.

Whether you’re looking to grow within your current role or prepare for the next step in your career, DUEL offers invaluable resources and opportunities for professional development.

The first cohort begins in this month – secure your spot by April 7 for the best rate!

Underground School

May 6–9

MMUA Training Center

Marshall, MN

We hope you can take advantage of this opportunity to engage in training activities that safely simulate real-world scenarios.

New for 2025 is the option to take either a multi-session class or an advanced class.

• Multi-session class: participants will rotate through six different sessions, covering a variety of topics and activities to develop new skills and enrich proficiency.
• Advanced class: participants in this class will delve deep into Equipotential Grounding and the Isolation Method through classroom discussion and activities in the field.

Please click the link below for more information and to register. Register by April 11 for best rate. Advance registration ends April 25.

Competent Person and Excavation Safety Workshop

May 20–21

MMUA Training Center

Marshall, MN

This course is intended for public works personnel, water/wastewater personnel, lineworkers, engineering personnel, contract workers, and others involved with underground utility or infrastructure work.

In this workshop, participants engage in classroom discussion and hands-on activity to:

• increase your understanding of the "competent person" role on the job site
• demonstrate correct soil-testing procedures
• identify hazards associated with trenching and excavating
• increase knowledge of different types of protective systems
• further develop proper "pot holing" practices for gas and powerline excavation

Please click the link below for more information and to register. Register by April 24 for best rate. Advance registration ends May 9.

Minnesota Public Power Walley Tournament

May 31

Bladow Beach Resort & Campground

Ottertail, MN

This annual event brings together employees, retirees, suppliers, and friends of Minnesota's municipal utilities and electric cooperatives—many of whom return year after year to enjoy the friendly competition and the comradery.

All proceeds are donated to the three post-secondary electrical line work programs in Minnesota.

Please click below for more information or to register. Deadline to register is May 15.