5.2. ERMUSR 07-15-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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,// Elk River Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING TO: FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Troy Adams, P.E. —General Manager John Dietz, Chair Al Nadeau, Vice Chair Daryl Thompson, Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: July 15, 2014 5.2 SUBJECT: American Public Power Association 2014 National Conference BACKGROUND: Based in Washington D.C., American Public Power Association(APPA)was created in 1940 as a nonprofit/non-partisan organization to promote and support public power policy and interests for the nation's now more than 2,000 community-owned electric utilities. Elk River Municipal Utilities recently had representation in attendance at the APPA 2014 National Conference and the Pre-Conference Seminars. This APPA event is public power's largest annual gathering. "The APPA National Conference helps utility leaders and policymakers connect with industry leaders, partners and peers while learning about the complex issues facing public power utilities. The program features leading political, economic, business and public policy thinkers addressing the critical issues shaping our industry's future." DISCUSSION: As highlighted by our APPA Reliable Public Power Provider(RP3) designation, Elk River Municipal Utilities provides excellent customer service and safe/reliable utility services. And as reported by Moody's when ERMU refunded municipal bonds early this year, we are financially strong and in a great position for future growth. After receiving the cancellation notice on our current wholesale power contract, ERMU researched options and joined Minnesota Municipal Power Agency(MMPA)whose wholesale rates are lower than the previous contract with significantly less carbon tax risk. And as within our statutorily rights, ERMU is working with our neighboring utility to acquire the remaining electric service territory within the corporate boundaries of the City of Elk River. We continue to adopt policies and implement practices to protect our customers and community. It is evident that our public power utility is heading in the right direction and that we compare very well to the public power community. Our staff, Commission, City, customers, and community should take great pride in Elk River Municipal Utilities and what an excellent public utility we have become. Even with all our accomplishments there are always opportunities for improvement. Our industry is always undergoing change,but recent times have seen greater change than the past. And the future of our industry looks to see even greater change. It is important for us, as P0IVEDED BY 0 4 � Page 1 of 4 NATURE Reliable Public Power Provider POWE0.Eo T o SERVE 72