SMMPA to hold Dedication Open House for New Owatonna Generating Station

The Owatonna Energy Station, the most recent addition to SMMPA’s power supply portfolio, began commercial operation on March 16, 2018.  The organization is inviting the public to a dedication open house to be held on August 8, 2018 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at the facility located at 2884 W. Bridge St. in Owatonna, MN. 


 “We are pleased to have this new facility on-line, providing reliable and cost-effective energy to our eighteen member utilities,” said Dave Geschwind, SMMPA’s Executive Director and CEO.  

 

Construction of the $40 million plant began in October of 2015 and was completed in early 2018. The plant’s four natural gas-fired reciprocating internal combustion engines provide superior flexibility and an ability to rapidly increase or decrease production, providing an ideal complement to Minnesota’s increasing amount of intermittent wind and solar generating capacity.

 
As part of the dedication open house, SMMPA will offer refreshments and tours of the new plant. 

Rochester Public Utilities Former Director of Power Resources and Customer Relations Receives Individual Achievement Award

Walter "Wally" Schlink, former Director of Power Resources and Customer Relations at Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) in Minnesota, received the James D. Donovan Individual Achievement Award at the American Public Power Association's national conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the electric utility industry and to public power.

Wally began his public power career working on the front lines as a journeyman maintenance technician. He became Director of Power Resources and Customer Relations at RPU. Wally's roots allowed him to relate to employees at all levels while instilling a sense of pride and commitment to customer service. He was active with the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) and served on many working groups. He also served on the American Public Power Association's board of directors and chaired the Association's DEED board and its Engineering and Operations section.


"We congratulate Wally on this well-deserved recognition of his contribution to the broader public power community and also thank him for his significant contribution to SMMPA," said David P. Geschwind, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of SMMPA.

Wally retired from RPU in March of 2018, leaving a legacy of mentorship and collaboration.

SMMPA makes significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint

The issue of climate change is increasingly in the news and SMMPA is asked what it has done to reduce its carbon footprint.  In cooperation with its eighteen member utilities, the answer is quite a bit - as in 5.5 million tons of CO2 reductions since 2005.  Learn more about SMMPA’s specific actions in a new brochure titled:

Our Commitment to Sustainability – Reducing our Carbon Footprint

Rating Agencies Affirm Their Ratings on SMMPA Bonds

The three major credit rating agencies, Moody's Investor Services, Standard & Poor’s (S&P), and Fitch Ratings, have affirmed their ratings and outlook on the Agency’s debt.   

  • Moody’s: A1, Stable outlook
  • S&P: A+, Stable outlook
  •  Fitch: A+, Stable outlook

In each case, those ratings are the highest single “A” rating available from the various rating agencies. 

 

The A1 rating by Moody’s reflects “the sound security provisions provided under all requirements, take-and-pay power purchase agreements with credit worthy participants, the weighted average credit quality of the participants in the A rating category, SMMPA's essentiality to municipal electric utilities, and high levels of liquidity,” Moody’s said in its report.

 

If you would like to read more about what the rating agencies have to say, visit the Financials section of our site.

Agency Signs 100 MW Wind Contract

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) recently signed a power purchase agreement with EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) to buy 100 megawatts (MW) of wind energy from the Stoneray Wind Project in Minnesota beginning in 2020.

 

Thanks in part to recent transmission upgrades throughout in rural areas of Minnesota, this project, located in Southwestern Minnesota was propelled forward. Construction is expected to commence in early 2018 on the nearly 50 wind turbine project, with hopes of having the facility commercial operational by December 2018.

 

The project should boost the local economy by bringing an expected 150+ construction jobs and 10 long-term, full-time positions in addition to the millions of dollars in economic benefits to the local area.

 

“Stoneray Wind is a big addition to SMMPA’s diverse renewable energy portfolio,” said SMMPA Executive Director and CEO Dave Geschwind, . “We’re glad to be working further with EDF RE to provide more Minnesota wind energy to our Members and economic benefits to southern Minnesota through this important project.”