Click here for our latest "Current" newsletter

Our newest issue reinforces the value of SMMPA’s member generation resources; spotlights a new economic model for offering Sherco 3 into the market; highlights the energy efficiency efforts of Hearth & Home in Lake City; details the evolution of the transmission organization CapX2020 rebranding to become Grid North Partners 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.

The Best Gifts Do Great Things

The hottest gifts this season are in electronics and home entertainment.  But the best gifts are also good for the environment.  ENERGY STAR® certified home electronics go beyond the latest features and functions to deliver great energy efficiency.   

ENERGY STAR certified TVs offer the most popular features and technologies – Smart TV functionality, Ultra High Definition, large screens, LED backlighting – and they're 27% more energy efficient than standard models.

An ENERGY STAR certified tablet uses 10 times less power to stream movies or video than a game console, 7 times less power than streaming to a TV, and 4 times less than streaming to a laptop.

So look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying home electronics this holiday season.  Your loved ones will appreciate it!

Click here and select your utility for more ways to save energy and money.

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.