Light News
EnergyWise® Expo
We are hosting an EnergyWise Expo for our business members to come and learn about saving energy and money. We'll have an expo that people can come to any time to talk with a variety of vendors as well as a few presentation at scheduled times. You can learn about the newest technology and services available for facility and energy management.
The event is Wednesday, Oct. 6, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Royal Cliff, 2280 Cliff Rd., Eagan.
You can find out more here.
Posted 9/30/10 at 3:41 p.m. by Mark K., business account representative
Be careful during harvest
If you are a farmer, please remember to be careful while harvesting. Watch closely for overhead power lines. Make sure your clearance is sufficient when you move large machinery. Be extra careful working around trees and brush that can obstruct power lines. Also, make sure you talk to everyone on the farm about safety around power lines during fall harvest. Posted 9/29/10 at 3:30 p.m. by Joe M., public relations director
Pollution Prevention Day
Each fall the Farmington Municipal Services and Parks & Recreation host Pollution Prevention Day for 4th graders in Farmington. Approximately 505 students attended this year's event, which took place last Friday at Rambling River Park. Rachael Kroog kicked off the event with Kid Power. During the event, I played Dakota Electric's Energy and the Environment Challenge with four different 4th grade classes. Dakota Electric also sponsored the event and donated pencils made from recycled currency for each student.
Posted 9/20/10 3:40 p.m. by Denise R., environmental services director
Save money on CFLs with our fall Change a Light promotion
Energy efficient CFLs can help lower your lighting bill, and with shorter winter days on the way, now is a great time to think about purchasing Energy Star CFLs. CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescents.
Fine out more ...
Posted 9/17/10 at 2:30 p.m. by Joe M., public relations director
Great time on our wind tours
We had more than 160 people who have toured the wind farm and power plant with us this year. We've had a great time learning about wind energy. Did you know the blades on many wind turbines are 131 feet long and weigh 7 tons each?! Three of those huge blades are hung up on the top of a 300-foot tower. When the wind blows, they spin a generator that produces electricity. The turbines typically put out power only about 30 percent of the time. Our second stop on our tour was to a peaking power plant owned by Great River Energy. If you want to join us for this educational tour next year, watch for the notice in our August Circuits in 2011.
Posted 9/10/10 at 4:50 p.m. by Joe M., public relations director
Are you in the market for a fridge or clothes washer?
Now through Oct. 31, you can receive a rebate on the purchase of an Energy Star refrigerator or clothes washer. Get $125 back when you recycle your old fridge and replace it with a new one. Get $75 back on the purchase of a clothes washer. Take advantage of these great rebates before they end. Find out more ...
Posted 9/2/10 at 5:00 p.m. by Joe M., public relations director
Beat the summer heat
If the current heat wave has your air conditioner struggling to keep your home cool, consider upgrading to a new air conditioner. With help from Dakota Electric's rebates, you could install a more efficient system that keeps you more comfortable while helping reduce your energy bills.
Posted 8/11/10 at 2:06 p.m. by Dave R., energy services representative
Thanks for your generosity!
Thank you to all the Dakota Electric members who attended our Member Appreciation Event at the Minnesota Zoo at the end of July. You brought a whopping TWO TONS of food for local food shelves. Your record-breaking generosity allowed us to distribute 2,524 pounds of food to help those in need throughout the area. You also donated $660! We hope all 9,155 of you had a great time at the MN Zoo! See you next year!
Posted 8/9/10 at 4:00 p.m. by Joe M., public relations director
Is money waiting for you?
As a member-owned cooperative, Dakota Electric returns its profits to the same people who purchase electricity from the cooperative. The profits Dakota Electric returns are called capital credits. Sometimes a member will move before Dakota Electric returns capital credits, and Dakota Electric is not able to locate the member to return the capital credits.
To determine if you, or someone you know, has capital credits waiting, visit the About Us section.
Posted 8/9/10 at 10:41 a.m. by Jessie Z., communication specialist
Join us at the fair
Dakota Electric will again have a booth in the Red Commercial Building at the Dakota County Fair. If you're at the fair, stop by for energy tips, rebate information and coupons for LED holiday lights. The fair runs from Aug. 9-15, 2010. You can get more details about the fair on the Dakota County Fair website.
Posted 8/4/10 at 1:46 p.m. by Jessie Z., communication specialist
Veteran lineworker talks about power line safety
With so many people outside taking advantage of the great weather this summer, it is a good time to remind members to stay safe about power lines, transformers and other electrical equipment. Power line specialist Shane Klotz talked about the dangers of power lines and the importance of being aware of your surroundings when outdoors in the July issue of Circuits.
Posted 7/29/10 at 9:03 a.m. by Jessie Z., communication specialist
Don't delay. Ask about business rebates today!
Let Dakota Electric pay for part of your business’ next energy-efficiency improvement project. Dakota Electric offers rebates for qualified purchase and installation costs, and the Energy Experts® can help you determine which energy- and cost-saving opportunities will yield the biggest savings. Each day you delay is one more day you could benefit from lower energy bills, so call an Energy Expert today. Rebate funds are limited, and the deadline for rebate applications is Nov. 15, 2010.
You can learn more about business rebates in the Business section of the website, and you can learn more about how a local business owner used the rebate programs to make his restaurant more energy efficient in the July issue of Circuits.
Posted 7/27/10 at 8:43 a.m. by Jessie Z., communication specialist
Hurry! Last two weeks of CFL promotion
We are in the last two weeks of our CFL promotion, which ends July 31. There is no better time to save money on CFLs than now.
Through the end of the promotion, members can save $2 instantly on select multi-packs of GE Energy Smart® CFLs at local Wal-Mart stores, or $3 with a coupon included in bills mailed between Feb. 11 and Mar. 4. Lost your coupon or already used it? Give us a call at 651-463-6212 and we'll send you more.
One thing we've noticed about the instant markdown at Wal-Mart: Since this is the sixth month of the promotion, staff and signs have turned over at some of the stores and shoppers can't tell which bulbs are on sale. Avoid the confusion and call us for coupons, which are good at any store through July 31.
Posted 7/20/10 at 11:50 a.m. by Linda L., marketing manager
Lakeville family shares success with solar
Many members have a growing interest in solar energy, and a Lakeville family recently shared their story with Dakota Electric to help others members determine if a solar system is right for their homes. You can read more about their success with solar energy in the July issue of Circuits.
Posted 7/15/10 at 10:51 a.m. by Jessie Z., communications specialist
Enjoy a night at the MN Zoo, compliments of Dakota Electric
Dakota Electric members are welcomed to enjoy a free evening at the Minnesota Zoo on Thursday, July 29 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets to the event are being included in electric bills. Members may also bring a copy of a current bill for admission. Dakota Electric members can enjoy the many wonderful exhibits, including the new exhibit Faces of the African Forest. Find out more right here.
Posted 7/6/10 at 2:38 p.m. by Joe M., public relations director