Imani's Rural Midwest Energy Tour

This week, I’m thrilled to be joining the Rural Midwest Energy Tour with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs! In partnership with electric cooperatives in the East River Electric system, I’ll be participating in a week-long field experience across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota...

East River Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative that delivers wholesale power to 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipal utility. East River exists to enhance the value of its members by providing power, information, and innovation — guided by the seven cooperative principles...

At Sioux Valley Energy, a moderately sized electric cooperative, we heard about their community solar garden and battery storage project. The Sioux Valley CEO talked though some upcoming initiatives and echoed what we heard from East River previously — the definition of a ‘large load’ is changing...

Have you ever been to a coal plant? Today was my first time.
I visited an lignite coal plant in Beulah, ND that has two units that generate 450 MW each. It was overwhelming to see the size of the equipment needed to generate 900 MW, it was nothing like what I pictured in my head...

I spent the morning at the Basin Electric headquarters in Bismarck. It was a fascinating look behind the scenes of a major power supplier and a reminder of how much coordination it takes to keep the lights on...

The final day of the trip began in Morris, with stops at Runestone Electric Association in Alexandria, and a tour of the New Flyer Bus Manufacturing Facility in St. Cloud.