Save Money on Your Holiday Lighting

Colorful lighting is a great way to make the inside and outside of your home festive during the holidays. And with the holidays quickly approaching, looking for simple ways to save some money can be a high priority!

This holiday season, SMMPA member utilities are once again offering their electricity customers rebates of up to $12 for each plug-in LED string or decoration of energy-efficient LED holiday lighting they purchase through the end of the year.  Select your utility here to access their rebate coupon.

LED lighting is the most energy-efficient lighting currently available.  LED holiday lights use up to 90% less electricity than incandescent lighting and lasts up to 10 times longer.  While the prices of LED lights are slightly higher than incandescents, a typical household can save up to $50 during the holiday season by using LED holiday lighting!

LED holiday lights offer other benefits as well.  The environmental benefits help make our community a little greener, and LEDs are cool to the touch - which reduces the risk of fire and personal injury.  And they are available in the same shapes and sizes as traditional lights.

Brighten your holidays with LED lights that save energy and money!

Is Your Home Full of Energy Vampires?

According to ENERGY STAR®, the average household spends $100 per year on vampire power in their home.  Vampire power is the electricity consumed by electronic devices while they are switched off or in standby mode.

Our guide can help you find the “vampires” in your home.  A few simple changes like making sure you unplug the charger once your phone and tablet are both fully charged is a step in the right direction.

Also, shop for products that have earned the ENERGY STAR.  They use less standby power than conventional models.  Plus, you’ll get rebates on your purchase of qualifying ENERGY STAR products through our rebate programs.

Don’t let Vampire Power take a bite out of your electric bill!  

Click here for our latest "Current" newsletter

Our newest issue previews what the future of SMMPA’s generation resources could look like in 15 years; spotlights the expansion efforts of Doosan Bobcat in Litchfield; details Minnesota’s new Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act and more. This edition of the Current is available here and in the Financials section of the website.

If you would like to be put on the mailing list to receive Current directly (either by mail or electronically via email) please click here and provide your name and mailing or email address.

SMMPA issues updated sustainability report

Despite a pandemic-challenged year, SMMPA has moved forward undeterred in pursuing the objectives set in SMMPA 2.0.  At its core – SMMPA 2.0 is focused on both environmental and economic sustainability.  We are committed to significantly reducing our carbon footprint while maintaining reliable and affordable wholesale energy to our 18-member municipal utilities.

In our third edition of this brochure, we will again highlight actions we plan to take in the future and actions we are taking today.  It is a mix of new activities as well as an update on some longstanding efforts. 

Click here to download our brochure, which highlights some of the activities that are part of SMMPA’s overall commitment to sustainability under both definitions.

Did You Know?

SMMPA member utilities provide rebates on many ENERGY STAR® certified products – including appliances, lighting products, air conditioners, smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters, and commercial food service equipment.

Products like appliances come with two price tags - the purchase price and the cost of operating the product.  ENERGY STAR certified products help consumers save money on operating costs by reducing energy use without sacrificing performance.  Products must meet strict energy efficiency specifications and use less energy, which helps to reduce environmental impacts.

Plus, you’ll save even more with a utility rebate!  Rebate forms are available by clicking here and selecting your utility.

Learn more about ENERGY STAR and get guidance choosing the right products for your home or business here: www.energystar.gov.

ENERGY STAR, the simple choice for saving energy!

Agency receives national energy innovator award

Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) received an American Public Power Association Energy Innovator Award during APPA’s National Conference in Orlando, Florida. The award honors utilities that have developed or applied creative, energy-efficient techniques and technologies to their work, to provide better service to electric customers or projects that increase the efficiency of utility operations or resource efficiency.

SMMPA’s Member Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Network was a collaboration between the agency, its member utilities, and ZEF Energy to facilitate the acceptance of electric vehicles and help with the transformation of both the electric utility and transportation industries. SMMPA provided each participating member a DC Fast Charger and two duel-port Level 2 chargers and the associated maintenance programs while member utilities located suitable sites and handled the installation.

“We are proud to have our members be recognized for their forward-thinking approach and innovative work to help facilitate greater adoption of electric vehicles within their communities,” said Dave Geschwind, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for SMMPA.

This project will bring fast charging stations to the region and reduce range anxiety by providing EV owners with a quick charge when they are traveling longer distances. SMMPA has developed a blueprint for how to create an EV charging network across members within a joint action agency.

Implementing the EV network is part of the SMMPA 2.0 Strategic Initiative announced in 2020 that supports member utilities in providing affordable, reliable, and innovative service to their communities as SMMPA takes steps to reduce its carbon emissions by 90 percent by 2030.