Energy Forum: A Cooperative Conversation

1401 South Broadway,Pelican Rapids MN 56572

18 February, 2022

Description

Learn more about how your rural electric cooperative is helping to advance the energy transition in your community and throughout the state. What does it mean to be a member of an electric cooperative? How are cooperatives different than other utilities? Join representatives from Lake Region Electric Cooperative and Great River Energy to learn more about how your rural electric cooperative is helping to advance the energy transition locally and throughout the state, while putting members first. SPEAKERS: Mike Bull is Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Minnesota Rural Electric Association, the statewide association that represents Minnesota's electric cooperatives. Bull has previously worked for the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), where he developed, evaluated, and communicated effective clean energy policies. Additionally, Bull has held a number of legislative, regulatory and policy positions in Minnesota state government, including senior policy advisor for energy and the environment for former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. He later held policy positions at Clean Grid Alliance, the Midwestern regional partner for the American Wind Energy Association, and Xcel Energy, one of the nation’s largest combination electric and gas utilities. Bull was also a major player in completing the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership, a unique agreement that brings together the City of Minneapolis, Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy in support of the City’s Climate Action Plan and 2040 Energy Vision. Tim Thompson is CEO at Lake Region Electric Cooperative. Jon Brekke is the vice president & chief power supply officer at Great River Energy, providing leadership for generation, market operations, resource planning, member resources, rates, and contracts. He has been a member of the GRE executive team since 2005. Brekke previously was vice president of finance and planning with Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative, Jordan, Minnesota. Brekke holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management from the University of Minnesota. He served two terms as mayor of the city of Shakopee, Minnesota. Brekke has served on the board of managers of ACES since 2009 and is board secretary. Dan Juhl is Chairman of the Board and Principal Executive Officer of Juhl Energy. Previously, Dan served as the founder and President of Juhl Energy predecessor companies since January 1989. Juhl has been involved in the wind power industry for more than 30 years. He has extensive experience in the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of wind turbines. He has helped develop ~1,500 megawatts of wind generation in his 30+ years of experience in the field. He has been the principal consultant for wind energy projects to Edison Capital, John Deere Capital, Vestas, EWT, Suzlon Turbine Manufacturing, and various public and private utilities throughout the United States and Canada. Juhl has appeared before numerous state and federal governmental bodies advocating wind power and community-based energy development on behalf of landowners, farmers and ranchers. ABOUT YOUR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Lake Region Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, member-controlled electric utility serving more than 28,000 services in Otter Tail and Wilkin counties and portions of surrounding counties.