Sherco Solar set to double battery storage

Xcel Energy plans to build the Midwest’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS) facility at the Sherco Solar site. The utility requested permission from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to double its planned battery capacity at Sherco, add a 200-MW fourth phase of solar energy there, and deploy approximately 136 MW of batteries at a separate site southwest of Minneapolis.

In the filing, Xcel Energy stated its intention to rapidly increase its clean energy generation capacity to meet the tax deadline and accommodate future energy demand. The investor-owned utility expects to take on several data centers while maintaining its commitment to Minnesota’s clean energy objectives.

Read more here.

BESS educational opportunity

Hometown Connections and Stem are hosting an educational meeting about battery energy storage systems (BESS). Municipal utilities can gain insight into battery storage considerations, use cases, how to educate stakeholders on BESS systems, and how to avoid risks.

According to Hometown Connections, "This is a great educational opportunity for your members, city council members, and board members to learn about battery storage. It is not a sales pitch." Come prepared with questions!

This is an online interactive meeting, taking place on November 18. Click here to register.

Utilities team up for new transmission line: PowerOn Midwest

Great River Energy, ITC Midwest, Otter Tail Power Company, and Xcel Energy are collaborating to develop PowerOn Midwest, a series of new electric transmission lines linking eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota, and the surrounding region. The project is currently in route development, with the companies seeking public input on the optimal pathway. The initial plan begins at the Big Stone South substation in South Dakota, then connects to the Brookings substation, followed by the Lakefield Junction substation. The line will then extend to Pleasant Valley, north to Rochester, and culminate at a substation in Hampton. It proposes a 765 kV lattice tower line passing through Nobles, Rock, Pipestone, Murray, and Cottonwood counties in Minnesota.

A representative from Xcel Energy explained that the chosen 765 kV voltage is more efficient than recent high-voltage lines, capable of delivering about six times the energy of a single circuit 345 kV line or three double circuit 345 kV lines. It requires a 250-foot right-of-way, less land and impact, with wires 60 feet above ground to allow safe land use. This selection balances efficiency with minimal land impact.

Read more here.

Minnesota schools training mechanics to work on EVs

Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead will integrate electric vehicle (EV) courses into its curriculum this coming spring, reflecting the changing automotive industry. M State Moorhead created the course after obtaining a grant from the National Science Foundation in 2022. Since then, instructors have been trained on the technology, two units have been prepared for the spring 2026 semester, and vehicles, along with charging stations, have been acquired.

The course will focus on the ins and outs of electrical vehicle safety and maintenance on a Chevy Bolt EV. This is a fast-growing trend across schools in Minnesota, with seven universities and 26 state colleges offering similar courses.

Read more here.

Small Cities Development Program (SCDP)

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is accepting preliminary proposals for the Small Cities Development Program, which provides federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for housing, public facilities, and economic development projects in smaller communities. Proposals are due November 26.

Who can apply:

• Cities with fewer than 50,000 residents
• Counties and townships with unincorporated populations under 200,000

The grants support projects that primarily benefit low- to moderate-income households and may include:

• Housing rehabilitation (owner-occupied or rental)
• Commercial building rehab
• Public facility improvements (e.g., water, sewer, streetscapes)
• Disaster recovery efforts when other funding isn’t available

Learn more and apply for SCDP funding here.

Planning grants for stormwater, wastewater, and community resilience

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is distributing $1.6 million in grants for climate planning projects that address the impacts of climate change. This funding provides an opportunity for communities to assess vulnerabilities and begin planning for the effects of Minnesota’s changing climate in three areas:

• Increased resilience to stormwater and reduce localized flood risk
• Improved resilience of wastewater systems
• Adapted community services, ordinances, and public spaces for the changing climate



Tribal nations, cities, counties, towns/townships, soil and water conservation districts, water management organizations, public school districts, and water districts are eligible to apply. Note: The MPCA is also distributing climate planning grants to communities with populations less than 10,000 in a separate grant round.

Applications are due no later than Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 4:00 pm.

More details about this grant are available at the link below.

Solar on Public Buildings grant program

The Solar on Public Buildings grant program is available to local units of government and Tribal Nations statewide, in any utility service territory! Some $14.5 million in grant funding is available for eligible applicants to install solar energy generating systems up to 40 kilowatts on publicly owned and operated buildings.

The Request for Proposals for the statewide round of Solar on Public Buildings is online at the Commerce RFP page. This round is eligibility-based. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications will remain open continuously until the Department notifies us that all funds have been committed, whichever occurs first.

To learn more and get started on your RFP click here.

Join us for the MMUA
Technical & Operations Conference

December 9–11

St. Cloud, MN

The T&O Conference is a must-attend event where municipal professionals can learn about industry trends, share ideas on workforce challenges, and gain new insights to evaluate the effectiveness of their safety culture. The annual event is also an opportunity for utilities to cultivate the next generation of leaders and further develop leadership capacity within their team.

This year's conference theme focuses on keeping people safe in our evolving industry. Join us and learn to identify leadership potential, develop your current utility leaders, and gain insights through the engaging keynotes and workshops at the T&O Conference.

This is the perfect venue to join fellow hometown utility professionals as you discuss timely topics, foster new understanding, share ideas, and connect with friends old and new.

Click the button below for registration for the conference and trade show.

Transformer School and Pre-conference Workshop

December 15–18

MMUA Training Center

Marshall, MN

Lineworkers of all experience levels and other electric utility personnel involved with transformer installation and operation can benefit from this well-rounded program.

Transformer School 2025 will cover three-phase transformer connections. In addition to classroom instruction, participants will troubleshoot and make repairs on miniature transformer banks.

Our trainer, Scott Meinecke, is a former lineworker and has instructed on this topic for more than 25 years. He is an expert at breaking down this complex subject so it is easier to grasp.

Please note that training takes place Monday through Thursday this year. For more information or to register for this valuable training course, click the buttons below.

Register by November 21, 2025, for the best rate.

Utility Resilience Workshop: Safeguarding against physical and digital threats

January 20, 2026

MMUA Office

St. Louis Park, MN

Minnesota cities and utilities face an imposing array of physical and cyber risks that are very real and increasing by the day. Whether bad actors try to break into a facility or hack your IT system, you want to be ready—and this workshop will help you prepare.

Registrants are encouraged to bring your laptops. This is your opportunity to engage with a host of experts who will offer valuable insights that can help you identify and mitigate threats to protect your vital systems, infrastructure, and reputation.

Nick Lawler, General Manager of the Littleton, Massachusetts Electric Light & Water Department, will share his firsthand experience. Nick appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes and offered insights on the cyberattack that targeted his utility in November 2023. Watch the video here.

Registration is limited. Please click below for additional details.

Register by December 19, 2025, for the best rate.

Governance in action: The view from a commissioner's chair

January 23, 2026

St. Cloud, MN

Serving as a utility commissioner comes with both opportunity and responsibility. This one-day session provides a solid grounding in governance principles and best practices for Minnesota’s municipal utilities. You’ll review the key statutes that define commission authority, clarify the line between governance and operations, and explore how commissions and city governments can work together effectively. Financial oversight will also be addressed, and case studies will help you learn to apply the information to real situations.

While designed for commissioners, utility staff, and city council members will also benefit from attending. Alongside the structured learning, you’ll meet fellow commissioners and others interested in governance, building a peer network to support you in your role.

Register by January 3, 2026, for the best rate.

Meter School and Pre-conference Workshop

February 3–6, 2026

MMUA Training Center

Marshall, MN

Meter School is a once-a-year opportunity to broaden skills and increase your knowledge through classroom instruction and practical hands-on activities in a controlled environment.

This course will cover a wide range of topics including why we have electric meters and the core principles behind single and three-phase metering, mounting and wiring meter sockets on a variety of set ups, voltage transformers, testing procedures, metering hazards, safety procedures and precautions, and more.

Participants select from two course options, dependent on skill/work experience:

• Basic/intermediate: ideal for those with little metering experience. This track builds on the concepts covered in the pre-onference workshop.
• Advanced: intended for those who steadily work with meters and wiring meter installations.

Individuals with little metering experience or anyone looking for a refresher course on basic metering are encouraged to register for the pre-conference workshop. Separate registration is required.

Please click below to register or for additional details on this worthwhile training opportunity.

Register by January 5, 2026, for best rate.

MMUA events calendar for 2026

The 2026 calendar lists enrichment and training opportunities that can help individuals enhance their skills and knowledge in the utility industry. Watch for emails with event-specific information. Download the calendar here.