1.9. ERMUSR 04-09-2019 Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Michelle Canterbury—Executive Administrative Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
April 9, 2019 1.9
SUBJECT:
Recognition of ERMU's Tom Bovitz Memorial Scholarship Award Winner
ACTION REQUESTED:
Recognition of ERMU's Tom Bovitz Memorial Scholarship Award Winner.
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 ERMU are eligible to apply. At that time, the ERMU Utilities Commission also
approved annually awarding a local winner a $500 scholarship.
DISCUSSION:
Staff advertised for the scholarship through local high schools, social media, and ERMU's
website.This year we had a record amount of submissions which may be attributed to
increased awareness of the scholarship through social media, and last year's winner going on to
win an additional $1,500 scholarship from MMUA.
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
ERMU's $500 award.This student did their homework and researched ERMU, as well as all of
the advantages a municipally owned utility provides to its community.This is a testament to the
benefit of educating our customers and community about the advantages of public power.The
winning essay will now be forwarded on to MMUA judges for a chance to win an additional
$500, $1000, $1500, or$2000 through their scholarship program.
Staff has invited the local winner to the April 9 Commission meeting to be formally recognized
as the winner of ERMU's 2019 Scholarship Award.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$500 budgeted item.
ATTACHMENTS:
• "Municipal Utilities: Good for All of Us" Scholarship Essay Submission
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Municipal Utilities: Good for All of Us
Municipal utilities fulfill some of the most basic needs for their customers.So much of our daily
routines depend on the delivery of these energy and water resources. Our health, hygiene, nutrition,
comfort and productivity are all improved by municipal utility providers.We are fortunate as citizens of
Elk River to enjoy the benefits of safe, reliable and cost-effective utilities. Elk River Municipal Utilities has
been providing this service for more than 100 years,while striving to improve the quality of life for its
customers and minimize the impact of energy and water use on the environment.
Municipal utilities provide clean water and waste-water management.The fulfillment of this
basic human need allows us to drink safe water,safely prepare food to eat, clean our clothing and
various other items, and bathe.A lack of this resource would present serious health risks to a
community. Utility companies also provide affordable energy that brings efficiency and comfort to our
lives and the workplace.The electricity provided by municipal utilities allows our economy to flourish
and become more and more efficient.The low cost of water and energy has helped to make the United
States a prosperous nation.
Citizens expect that municipal utilities will be delivered safely and dependably. Municipal Utility
providers must consider factors such as severe weather events, infrastructure, maintenance and careful
planning to succeed in managing the reliability of their service. ERMU has consistently been one of the
most reliable utility providers.They have achieved a 99.99%Average Service Availability Index,which
means ERMU customers had power 99.99%of the time. ERMU is also a three-time recipient of the
American Public Power Association's Reliable Public Power Provider(RP3) designation.The RP3
designation recognizes public utilities that show proficiency in the disciplines of safety, reliability,
workforce development and system improvement.
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Planning toward meeting reliability goals can have a great effect on the cost of the services.
Customers want a utility provider that offers affordable prices. Having an energy infrastructure that
requires less maintenance removes a factor that can drive up the cost of utilities. ERMU uses 594 miles
of electricity lines,81%of which are underground.The choice to use underground power lines comes
with many benefits. Underground lines are less susceptible to damage from weather, and they require
less maintenance.There may be a larger up-front cost for the installation of this type of electrical line,
but it pays off through reduced costs in the long-term.
Another benefit of buried electrical lines is the reduced visual impact on the landscape. One of
the biggest issues concerning us today is the impact humans have on the environment. Irresponsible use
of power and water has the potential to harm.The call to be environmentally friendly has never been
louder.Action will have to be taken to prevent the costly and perhaps irreversible damage to our planet.
ERMU has become a leader in the fight to make utilities safe for the environment. By using renewable
resources,such as wind,solar power and bioenergy, Elk River is toning down the effects of fossil fuels
and the carbon emissions they produce. Equally important is ERMU's initiative to educate its customers
on their energy use and incentivize responsible use of utilities.A recent example is ERMU's Sprinkler
Spruce-Up program,which offers a $50 rebate to the cost of an irrigation system inspection,which could
potentially save thousands of gallons of water per month. ERMU is also educating future customers by
providing opportunities for elementary school students to learn about how their energy is produced and
utilized. Learning more about wise energy and water use will also help customers save money.
Utilities are a resource that many take for granted.We only think about our energy when it
doesn't work, however there are very few minutes in our day when we are not using these valuable
services. Elk River Municipal Utilities stands out from the crowd by reminding us that energy resources
are valuable and should be used wisely to protect the environment and keep costs low. Given the work
ERMU does to provide safe, reliable and cheap utilities, it is no surprise that Elk River has been known as
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Energy City since 1997. Elk River is a beacon for the state of Minnesota and a focal point for
demonstrating energy resources that are efficient and renewable. ERMU is a prime example of the
benefits municipal utilities provide to cities across America.
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