When winter storms knock out power, generators can help keep you warm and connected—but safety is key. Follow these tips to ensure your generator keeps you safe and warm this winter. Clear Snow Off Standby Generators: If you have a standby generator, regularly clear snow and ice from vents and the unit itself. Blocked airflow…
A portion of grant monies awarded to Great River Energy (GRE) through the USDA’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program will directly benefit LREC through the reduction of cost on a power purchase agreement for a planned 2.4 MW solar array. While a green light was given to move forward on the planning phase of…
Minnesota’s legislature enters 2025 facing new challenges and opportunities. Electric cooperatives across Minnesota, led by the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA), are focused on ensuring the electric grid remains reliable, affordable, and sustainable in two key areas: 1) Keeping Energy Costs Fair: Net Metering ReformNet metering compensates members who generate their own electricity (such as…
October is National Cooperative Month — a great time to celebrate what makes co-ops around the world unique. One difference between cooperatives and other institutions is co-ops all operate according to the same set of core principles. Open & Voluntary Membership Cooperatives are open to anyone able to use their services and willing to accept…
LREC members have reported recently receiving scam telephone calls and text messages claiming to be from Lake Region Electric Cooperative. They may attempt to collect on delinquent power bills or billing corrections, and they may know personal information. If you receive a suspicious call or text from any number demanding payment to avoid your power…
Homeowners, farmers, and commercial/industrial businesses experienced fewer interruptions this spring to the appliances they have enrolled in their cooperative’s demand response programs thanks to grid modernization tools implemented by Great River Energy (GRE). Through the dual fuel load control program, cooperative members can sign up to have their heating systems fueled by a secondary system…
Would you like to be notified when there is an outage impacting your property? Would you also like status updates and a restoration notice? If so, you need to sign up for outage texting/email alerts through SmartHub! If you already have SmartHub but need directions on how to sign up for alerts, please check out…
A growing concern impacting rural areas in Minnesota is light pollution, which is an excessive or misdirected use of artificial light. For many in Lake Region’s service territory, proper lighting is essential for safety and protection when darkness prevails at night. However, strategic lighting and mindfulness can enhance safety without contributing to light pollution. Keeping…
The electric grid is considered one of the most complex machines in the world, quietly and consistently delivering the electricity we need for everyday life. If you look at the graphic below, you’ll see there are a number of steps to ultimately deliver power to its final stop — your home. These steps involve fixed…
Your electric cooperative takes an aggressive, educated approach when it comes to vegetation management (VM) efforts. Managing vegetation along LREC overhead lines is a dynamic and complex process that requires quality data to quantify the forest cover adjacent to the lines. In previous years, success was achieved utilizing Arborcision, but as technology has developed, more comprehensive…