TSE Award Criteria
Touchstone Energy Award Criteria

We understand the importance of protecting the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) provided by our members. Dakota Electric protects its members’ privacy in accordance with all regulatory and legal requirements. To learn more, download our Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Member Notice.

We understand the importance of protecting the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) provided by our members. Dakota Electric protects its members’ privacy in accordance with all regulatory and legal requirements. To learn more, download our Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Member Notice.

Judging will be based on the criteria listed below. Please consider each item as you fill out the application. Respond with specific examples and attach additional pages, other documents and/or photographs as necessary. Application must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2023 to be considered by the judges. Please send any questions to Lori at [email protected].

Objectives

The AGi fee allows Dakota Electric to recover costs from installing advanced meters and communication equipment. The fee will eventually be eliminated. The 2022 AGi fee is 96 cents per kWh per residential meter per month.

The AGi fee allows Dakota Electric to recover costs from installing advanced meters and communication equipment. The fee will eventually be eliminated. The 2022 AGi fee is 96 cents per kWh per residential meter per month.

What has been the focus of this organization's efforts? (i.e. youth, community, economic development, environment, disaster relief)

Impact and Value

The RTA allows Dakota Electric to adjust prices according to wholesale power cost fluctuations, property and real estate tax changes, and changes in conservation spending. The current residential RTA is $0.0020 per kWh.

The RTA allows Dakota Electric to adjust prices according to wholesale power cost fluctuations, property and real estate tax changes, and changes in conservation spending. The current residential RTA is $0.0020 per kWh.

How has the organization helped to build a stronger community? What specific goals have been achieved? How have programs/services been improved? What percentage of people within the co-op service territory was impacted?

Scope

Seasonal rates reflect the higher cost of wholesale electricity in the summer months for residential members. The net effective rate, including the RTA, is 13.97 cents per kWh in June, July and August and 12.58 cents per kWh for the remaining months.

Seasonal rates reflect the higher cost of wholesale electricity in the summer months for residential members. The net effective rate, including the RTA, is 13.97 cents per kWh in June, July and August and 12.58 cents per kWh for the remaining months.

Who has benefited from the efforts of this organization? Consider how wide-ranging the efforts have been. How many people have been impacted? Has the organization collaborated with others? Is the project/organization multi-community?

Leadership

Dakota Electric is regulated by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and is the only regulated electric cooperative in the state. To learn more about consumer laws, statutes and rules, visit the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

Dakota Electric is regulated by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and is the only regulated electric cooperative in the state. To learn more about consumer laws, statutes and rules, visit the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

How has the organization demonstrated outstanding leadership? Has the leadership inspired or trained others? What barriers or obstacles have been overcome to achieve goals? How have the people being served been involved in the programs or projects?

Use of Resources

Created by the State of Minnesota to help those in need, the Cold Weather Rule protects Minnesota consumers from disconnection between Oct. 1 and April 30. Find out how to prevent disconnection during this time by downloading our Cold Weather Rule Notification of Rights brochure.

Created by the State of Minnesota to help those in need, the Cold Weather Rule protects Minnesota consumers from disconnection between Oct. 1 and April 30. Find out how to prevent disconnection during this time by downloading our Cold Weather Rule Notification of Rights brochure.

How has the organization used resources wisely? What means have been used to pull in resources? Have any money-saving innovations been implemented? Any resources leveraged due to a combined effort?

Outreach

We understand the importance of protecting the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) provided by our members. Dakota Electric protects its members’ privacy in accordance with all regulatory and legal requirements. To learn more, download our Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Member Notice.

We understand the importance of protecting the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) provided by our members. Dakota Electric protects its members’ privacy in accordance with all regulatory and legal requirements. To learn more, download our Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Member Notice.

How long has this organization been a positive influence in the community? How have the organization's efforts been communicated to the public? What innovative ways have been used to publicize projects or programs to the audience? How has the organization been recognized by the community?

The deadline for entries has passed. Thank you for your interest.