November 2025 CEO Message

People’s Energy Cooperative’s vision is to be a trusted energy resource for our members, an employer of choice, and a respected business partner with our communities. One way we live out that vision is through our Energy Forums. Held yearly, these events give members the opportunity to learn more about issues important to the Cooperative.

At this year’s Energy Forums, we looked behind the switch to better understand the regional electric grid and the transmission system that brings power to our service territory. To hear more about the presentation, I encourage you to check out Page 7 of this newsletter.

During the event, we had the pleasure of hearing from Jared Miland from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and learning more about MISO’s Tranche 2.1 transmission projects with two segments going through our service territory in Southeast Minnesota. This is an important initiative at MISO to accommodate the growing interconnection of renewable energy resources and facilities requiring high demand on the system.  They have found, especially in recent years, that there is a significant need for a nimble system that came move energy quickly.

One segment in our region, which will route around the east side of the City of Rochester, will be built by Xcel Energy.  For another segment, MISO chose Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) to build, operate, and maintain 140 miles of line starting in Marion Township and traveling to Bell Center, Wisconsin. Known as the MariBell Transmission Project, these power structures will hold both 765 kV and 161 kV lines making these some of the largest power lines in Minnesota.

By investing in the future of the transmission grid in our region, DPC is ensuring that not only will we continue to have reliable energy, but that our membership benefits from that investment. Because this project is directed by MISO, DPC will be paid for all planning and construction costs as they are incurred. Once built and in operation, MISO will pay DPC for ongoing costs through a regulated rate of return providing revenue for DPC, which will have a stabilizing effect on our energy rates.

This is a significant project happening in our region and we want to ensure members have accurate information they can turn to for understanding the impact. The outreach and approval process has already begun and our members in the area of the current 161 kV transmission lines will be contacted directly by the team at DPC for changes to their right-of-way. Outreach and permitting will continue through 2031 when construction is slated to begin.

For more detailed information as well as frequently asked questions, we encourage you to visit www.maribelltransmission.com. There is also a contact us page which enables you to sign up for project updates.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Henke