Our newest issue of “The Current” spotlights the Agency’s ENERGY STAR 2024 Partner of the Year Award, details the MISO Tranche 2 Projects, and highlights SMMPA’s workplace safety efforts. 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.
Did you know that your home’s water heater uses more energy than your refrigerator, clothes washer and dryer, and dishwasher combined? Switching to an ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump water heater (HPWH) can save a household of four about $550 each year on electric bills compared to a standard electric water heater – that’s more than $5,600 over its lifetime!
While a HPWH costs more upfront, the savings will pay back the difference in about three years for a household of four. Plus, SMMPA member utilities offer rebates of up to $400 on the purchase of ENERGY STAR qualified HPWHs that replace an existing electric storage tank water heater or are installed in a new home. Rebate forms are available by clicking here and selecting your utility.
Qualified customers may also be eligible for federal incentives for HPWHs through the Inflation Reduction Act. Visit whitehouse.gov/cleanenergy/ for more information.
Heat pump water heaters are so efficient because they move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Imagine a refrigerator working in reverse. While a refrigerator removes heat from an enclosed box and expels that heat to the surrounding air, a HPWH takes the heat from surrounding air and transfers it to water in an enclosed tank.
Heat pump water heaters are unique compared to other water heaters because their performance and efficiency are dependent on the conditions in which they operate. Determine if a HPWH is right for you by reviewing ENERGY STAR’s installation guidance here.
Consider an ENERGY STAR certified HPWH for your next water heater purchase and enjoy big savings, a smart investment, and a product that protects the environment.
Today Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency released its 2022 Annual Report themed “The Power of Togetherness.” This report emphasizes the strength of our membership through more turbulent and less turbulent times. It also focuses on how we plan for future generation and transmission needs in a unique regulatory environment .
To view the report click HERE.
Hot summer days are here! But while the temperatures outside are rising, your energy costs don’t have to. Improve your comfort and save money this summer by maintaining your cooling system or installing new high-efficiency air conditioning equipment and a smart thermostat.
SMMPA member utilities provide rebates to their customers who have their cooling equipment tuned-up, or who invest in new qualifying air conditioners, heat pumps, smart thermostats, dehumidifiers, and ceiling fans. Rebate forms are available by clicking here and selecting your utility.
Cooling Tune-Up Rebates up to $60
High-Efficiency Cooling Equipment Rebates
ENERGY STAR® Smart Thermostat Rebates up to $100
ENERGY STAR Dehumidifier Rebates up to $40
ENERGY STAR Ceiling Fans with LED Lighting Rebates up to $30
The Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) was recently awarded a Safety Award of Excellence by its national trade association, the America Public Power Association. SMMPA was one of 135 public power utilities across the country to be recognized for their dedication to safety.
“Ensuring the safety of the SMMPA team members is a core tenant of how we operate our Agency,” said SMMPA Chief Executive Officer Dave Geschwind. “Our team takes pride in maintaining a safe work environment, and we are pleased to be recognized for our dedication to safety.”
Entrants were placed in categories according to their number of worker-hours and ranked based on the most incident-free records during 2022. A utility’s incidence rate, used to judge entries, is based on its number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker-hours during 2022, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) was recently recognized for excellence in workplace safety and health during the 2023 Minnesota Safety and Health Conference. SMMPA is one of 80 employers to be honored by the awards program as having Outstanding Achievement in Occupational Safety. This is the fifth consecutive year that SMMPA has received the Governor’s Safety Award.
“Developing a safety-first culture in the workplace is not just about policies and procedures. It requires a mindset where safety is valued at all levels of the organization.” said SMMPA Chief Executive Officer Dave Geschwind. “It’s an honor for the team to be recognized for our efforts to foster a safety-oriented work culture here at SMMPA.”
Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with their industry’s national statistics, and on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program.
