2.5. ERMUSR 04-12-2016 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 12, 2016 2.5
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 2015 and spring of 2016 through the Current
and Connector newsletters, ERMU website and local high schools. Students were required to
submit a 500-750 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
POWERED 01
EN Page 1 of 1 NATURE
Reliable Public'
Power Provider P OWERED T O SERVE
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Municipal Utilities: Good For All of Us
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A municipal utility,also known as'public power', is owned by the city it serves and provides
essential utility needs to its residents and businesses.The one thing that unites all municipal utilities, no
matter how big or small is their commitment to community and affordable, reliable electric service.
Local people working together to meet local needs is the heart of what municipal utilities value.
Through service,education, and financial contributions, municipal utilities are active citizens of the
community it serves which provide their customers with many benefits.
Service, not profit, is the municipal utility's primary mission. On national average, public power
rates are lower than those of other utility companies. That's because their rates are governed by the
city itself and they have the control to make decisions based on the best interests for the community
and its residents.The emphasis of providing the most cost effective, reliable service over maximizing
profit helps to make power more affordable for everyone which serves every community's long-term
goals.
Because municipal utilities have a local presence within the community,they are readily
available to address their customer's needs. Citizens can benefit from excellent customer service when
there is a problem and be assured that the problem will be addressed. Response times from utility crews
located in the city are quicker and more effective in restoring service due to emergency situations and
outages. Their commitment to provide reliable, safe service is a customer service priority for utility
companies.
Educating their customers in the use of programs designed to conserve energy and valuable
natural resources helps leave a legacy for the future from resources that will never run out. Municipal
utilities offer a host of services, programs and resources that not only help the environment but also
help their customers decrease their energy usage and save money. These services consist of a wide
range of energy efficiency and conservation programs such as: air conditioning tune-ups, Energy Star
appliance rebates, LED and CFL lighting programs, public education, energy audits,grants,and off-peak
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power programs,are just a few of those services offered by my local utility. Also,they help the
environment by supporting renewable energy generation resources through wind and solar power and
the recycling of methane gas produced from decomposing garbage to produce electricity to supply its
customers.
Because of their vested interest in the communities they serve,there are many ways municipal
utilities provide significant contributions that strengthen the local economy. Municipal utilities provide
financial contributions to the city that in turn help to keep property taxes down. In addition,the sharing
of personnel,equipment and supplies with other city departments or projects promote the efficiencies
within local governments.Also, municipal utilities can serve as a valuable tool for economic
development.The flexibility to negotiate incentives and a prestigious RP3 award demonstrating the
reliability of quality service are major advantages for the community in attracting and retaining
commercial and industrial customers. Local ownership provides for local employment which means the
customer's utility dollars stay in the community supporting the local economy.
In the end, public power does exactly what its name suggests; it puts power in the hands of the
public. Municipal utilities are good for all of us!
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