6.1f1 ERMUSR 04-13-2021SPRING 2021
THE CURRENT
Help is Here
At ERMU, we understand that many of our customers
OUR
MISSION
due to COVID-19, so it is important to know that
To provide our customers
assistance is available even if you have never received
with safe, reliable, cost-
it before. In recent months, an increasing amount of
energy assistance funds has been made available to
long-term electric and
water utility services.
These funds can be applied to a variety of issues
To communicate and
including: paying energy bills, getting reconnected
educate our customers
or preventing energy disconnection, getting fuel
in the use of utility
delivered, and repairing or replacing heating systems.
services, programs,
policies and future plans.
expanded over the last year, we encourage our customers who are struggling to cover their
These products and
heating costs to contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce and learn what assistance may
services will be provided
be available. No one should have to choose between heating their home and putting food on
in an environmentally
their table; with the help that is available, you don’t have to.
responsible manner.
The Energy Assistance Program is taking applications until May 31, 2021. Please contact the
Department of Commerce at: www.mn.gov/commerce or call 651.539.1500.
Severe Weather Awareness Week April 12-16
OUR
Are you and your family prepared for severe weather?
Each year, The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS)
VISION
sponsors Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota to
Provide exceptional
help refresh, remind, and educate citizens about seasonal
services and value to
threats from severe weather. Here are a few steps you can
those we serve.
take to make sure your home is ready.
Make an emergency plan that includes a shelter location, evacuation route, meeting place,
and communication plan.
Practice your plan. The statewide tornado drill occurs on April 15 at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m.
OUR
VALUES
Refresh your emergency preparedness kit by replacing expired food and batteries.
Keep trees trimmed near your house. If you have time before severe weather hits, secure
INTEGRITY
loose objects, close windows and doors, and move valuable items into a sturdy structure.
QUALITY
Get trained in First Aid and CPR to assist those injured during severe weather.
COMMUNICATION
SAFETY
STAYING CONNECTED WITH ERMU
COMPETITIVE
updates and additional information as it becomes available on the alert bar and alert page on
our website. After hours, please contact ERMU’s customer service call center at 1.888.606.4660.
ERMUMN.COM | 763.441.2020 | 13069 ORONO PARKWAY | PO BOX 430 | ELK RIVER, MN 55330-0430
519
SPRING 2021
THE CURRENT
Lineworker Appreciation Day
Sunday, April 18, 2021 is National Lineworker Appreciation
who keep the nation running by maintaining an electric
grid that crisscrosses the country, running above ground
and below, until it connects to each and every one of our
homes to reliably provide a service we depend on. And
APRIL IS SAFE
DIGGING MONTH
when disaster strikes the system our lineworkers have
built, they work tirelessly to get emergency systems back
Whether it’s a small project or
on line and urgently return service to customers.
a large home improvement,
National Safe Digging Month
So the next time you’re checking social media from a
is a way to remind us all to call
charged phone, make sure to #ThankALineworker.
811 before starting any
digging project.
Did You Know:
Every six minutes, an
Lineworkers have been around for over 180 years. The position became necessary in 1840 with
underground utility line is
the introduction of telegraph lines, used for long-distance communication, which were attached
damaged because someone
to trees and poles.
calling 811. The risk of injury
Lineworkers are committed.
or even death is serious, as
dangerous electric systems. It takes four years of training to become a Journeyman.
are the costs for repairs or
Lineworkers work together. During catastrophic power outages, many line crews participate in
in a fence, planting a tree, or
mutual aid programs that send teams where help is needed most. After Hurricane Sandy in 2012,
building a deck, locating your
over 67,000 lineworkers traveled to help restore power. ERMU recently provided mutual aid to
lines before you dig can really
southern Minnesota after a major snowstorm and the southern U.S. after hurricanes.
save you!
Hydrant Flushing
SAFE DIGGING TIPS:
Call 811 or go online to
of May 10. This practice helps ensure these lifesaving devices are
request a locate three
operating properly while also clearing the hydrants of mineral
days before digging.
deposits and sediment.
Dig parallel to utility lines
and use caution when
removing soil.
water if possible. This will help avoid drawing discolored water into
Use hand tools when
working within 24 inches
your patience during this important maintenance.
of the edge of utility lines.
Watch for signs of a gas
leak like smelling rotten
ELECTRIC
WATER
2020
eggs and/or hearing a
DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT
ERMU
hiss, whistle, or roar.
Energy Sales 324,469,638 kWh
Water Sales 758,856,000 gallons
STATISTICS
Peak Demand 70 MW
Peak Day Usage 5,523,000 gallons
Electric Meters 12,365
Customers 5,320
Miles of Electric Lines 619
Miles of Water Main 121
()
82% is underground
|
WE WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: ERMUMN.COM 763.441.2020
520
AC TUNE-UP PROGRAM
TUNE UP AND SAVE!
There is never a good time to have your AC
unit break down, but you really don’t want
it to happen in the middle of summer! The
best way to ensure its optimal performance
is an AC tune-up.
With ERMU’s AC Tune-Up Program, our
electric customers can receive up to a $60
bill credit for having their central AC unit
tuned up by a professional HVAC contractor.
• 15%.
• Durability - If your AC unit is working harder than it should be it can cause excessive wear
and tear. Performing any necessary maintenance will help to ensure your system lasts longer.
• Cost - Using an AC that is not operating properly will cost you more on your energy
bills. Additionally, if you have to purchase a new system prematurely it will also cost you.
How do I apply for a rebate?
• Contact ERMU prior to hiring an HVAC contractor to ensure funds are still available.
• Contact a professional HVAC contractor that is licensed and insured to schedule your tune-up.
You will be responsible for paying the HVAC contractor.
• Have the HVAC contractor performing the tune-up complete the AC Tune-Up Checklist. (See back)
• Submit the completed checklist and a copy of the invoice/receipt to ERMU via mail or
electronically on our website at www.ERMUMN.com.
NOTE: Applicant must have ERMU electric service to quality for the rebate. Rebate will be given in the form of
a credit on electric utility bill. AC Tune-Up rebate is only available once every three years per property.
ERMUMN.COM | 763.441.2020 | 13069 ORONO PARKWAY | PO BOX 430 | ELK RIVER, MN 55330-0430
521