5.5. ERMUSR 04-15-2015 Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Michelle Canterbury—Executive Administrative
John Dietz—Chair Assistant
Al Nadeau—Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson—Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
April 14, 2015 5.5
SUBJECT:
Tom Bovitz Memorial Scholarship Award
BACKGROUND:
On January 8, 2013, the Utilities Commission approved ERMU participating in the Minnesota
Municipal Utilities Association(MMUA) Tom Bovitz Memorial Scholarship. This award
program is offered by MMUA to promote public power and increase goodwill within public
power communities. High school seniors that are a customer or have a legal guardian that is a
customer of a MMUA member municipal electric or gas utility would be eligible. Because
ERMU is a MMUA member, high school seniors that are ERMU customers or those who have a
legal guardian that is an ERMU customer are eligible. The Utilities Commission approved
ERMU awarding a local winner a$500 scholarship.
DISCUSSION:
Staff advertised for the scholarship in the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015 through the Current
and Connector newsletters, ERMU website and local high schools. Students were required to
submit a 500-700 word essay on the topic "Municipal Utilities: Good for All of Us."
Staff has reviewed the submissions and has chosen the following essay to receive the award per
ERMU policy. This student did their homework and researched ERMU as well as related public
power and energy conservation to their daily life. This is a testament to the benefit of educating
our customers and community about the advantages of public power.
ACTION REQUESTED:
The following essay will be submitted to MMUA for consideration for their scholarship. No
commission action is required.
ATTACHMENT:
• "Municipal Utilities: Good for All of Us" Scholarship Essay Submission
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Municipal Utilities: Good for All of Us
Municipal utilities are located all throughout the state of Minnesota and
serve their communities immensely. Specifically,the Elk River Municipal first
earned it name in 1949. This utility bases itself off of two purposes,to give back to
the community and to increase awareness of public power. Not only do they meet
these goals,but exceed them. These facilities provide our community with a source
of electricity,natural gas,sewage treatment,waste collection and management, and
much more. Without them the town of Elk River would not be able to function as
smoothly as it does.
Elk River Municipal Utilities' mission is to provide our community with a
safe, reliable,and cost effective long term electric and water utility service. As of
2013, Elk River Municipal provided its community with about 273 million-kilowatt
hours of electricity,and 709 million gallons of water. Not only does the Elk River
Municipal provide us with these services but also provides a sense of educating the
community on how to preserve these privileges by offering a variety of conservation
programs. These programs are made to help our environment by conserving
natural resources,such as potable water, and decreasing energy use. This not only
gives back to the community by providing educational classes,but also increases
awareness of public power by teaching its citizens on how to save money and
preserve resources.
Another mission of the Elk River Municipal is to educate its customers on
how to use utility services,programs,policies, and future plans all while keeping it
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in an environmental and financially responsible manner. As stated before,the Elk
River Municipal provides a variety of classes and programs in categories such as,
renewable energy and electric safety. Along with these programs,these Municipal
utilities provide its community with financial assistance. These financial services
include rebates on lighting, HVAC,motors,and a newer program,established in
2009,called, "SMART Irrigation." This rebate program cannot only provide a great
way to maintain a healthy plantation but also a way to earn credit. Just by meeting
the criteria needed, our community can earn up to $500 in water credit. The Elk
River municipal offers efficient ways for its community to preserve vital resources
and make money while doing so.
There is no doubt that Elk River has been known as the"Energy City" since
1997. Elk River earned this title because it portrays a means of efficiently using its
renewable energy products, services, and technologies. With this title comes more
programs to increase the preservation of its community. One of the larger of these
programs is,the Energy City high 5 program,which is one that encourages business
to participate in eco-friendly activities and actions. Businesses can help out in
categories such as waste management, electricity conservation and lighting, and
water conservation. This program allows businesses to do something great for their
business and also the planet. The Energy City provides a means for bringing the
community closer in ways that will help to increase the conservation of our
community,state, and planet.
Overall, Municipal Utilities contribute to their community not only with the
service of great water, electricity,telecommunications,and much more,but also by
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educating the community on how they can save money,preserve resources, and
make a better living for themselves and their families. They are more then
beneficial to any community,providing affordable monthly bills, great customer
service, a strong local economy and a healthy environment. I am proud to say that
the Elk River Municipal exceeds the standards given, and puts forth an immense
amount of effort to keep up the environmental needs of it's community. Municipal
Utilities throughout Minnesota are more than appreciated,thank you for all thank
you do.
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