The Cold Weather Rule (CWR) regulates the conditions under which gas and electric utilities may disconnect residential service in the winter months (from October 15 to April 15). The CWR requires that customers who have difficulty paying utility bills contact their utility to work out a mutually acceptable payment plan to keep their heat on. Should you receive a disconnection notice from Minnesota Power, you must contact us to set up a CWR payment plan to avoid disconnection. Call 1-800-228-4966. You may also wish to contact the state’s Energy Assistance Hotline at 1-800-657-3710 to find out if you qualify for funds to aid in paying your electric heating bills.
Call for your free 2011 pocket calendar Receive your free copy of Minnesota Power’s convenient 2011 pocket calendar filled with energy conservation tips and important MP phone numbers and facts by visiting www.mnpower. com and clicking on the calendar button or calling 218-355-3512 or toll free 1-800-228-4966.
Mark your calendar The 21st Annual Energy Design Conference & Expo will be held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center from February 22–23, 2011. Register now at www.duluthenergydesign.com to learn more about the conference and take advantage of early bird pricing.
Find money and benefit from energy savings by visiting www.mnpower.com/foundmoney or calling 800-677-8423 to receive a listing of current rebates and incentives. Add this site to your favorites and check back for special offers. Don’t miss out on the benefits of energy efficiency.
Receive future issues of Energizer electronically by sending your request to keldien@mnpower.com View past issues at mnpower.com/customer_service and click on the Energizer link
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Minnesota Power Foundation 2010-11 scholarship applications available online Minnesota Power continues to honor outstanding high school seniors with $2,500 Community Involvement Scholarships. A prime criterion for eligibility is a student’s involvement in the community through volunteerism. We also distribute up to $50,000 in scholarships through the New Generation Scholarship program. Criteria for consideration include attending a two- or four-year college within our region with a focus on careers that match regional workforce needs. The Foundation’s educational programs reflect a commitment to building stronger communities. Our scholarship program rewards committed college students who are positioning themselves to live, work and prosper in the region. Apply online at www.mnpower.com/scholarships
Minnesota Power Foundation scholarship recipients.
Payment options Minnesota Power offers a variety of options for paying your electric bill: at local Walmart stores, via Western Union Speedpay, a dropbox, in person and via the mail. Learn more about each option at www.mnpower.com and click on the payment option button. If you have been disconnected or are in danger of disconnection for non-payment, we recommend you call us at 218-722-2625 or 1-800-228-4966 (800 number for Minnesota residents only) to speak with one of our customer representatives, as mailed payments may not be received in time to stop disconnection of service. Please note that payments made at a payment center will post to your Minnesota Power account within 48 hours. Payments placed in a drop box may not be received by our office for up to a week after payment.
Bison wind project update The first of 33 wind turbines at Minnesota Power’s Bison Wind Energy Center was fully assembled in September 2010 when a crane lifted a rotor hub fitted with three blades onto a three-piece tower about 12 miles from New Salem, N.D. Sixteen of the 33 Bison I wind turbines are scheduled to be commissioned later this year, and the remaining 17 in the project’s first phase will be deployed in 2011. The 75.9-megawatt (MW) Bison 1 Wind Project is under construction across an area of about nine square miles in south-central North Dakota. ALLETE purchased the DC line linking Center, N.D., to Duluth, Minn., in Dec. 2009. This purchase will allow the company to bring wind energy to its Minnesota customers and increase our use of renewable wind energy to help us meet Minnesota’s “25 by 2025” renewable energy mandate. An old-fashioned wind mill is dwarfed by a new Bison wind tower and one being installed on the ND plains.
Always stay away from power lines We cannot overemphasize the importance of safety before, during and after a storm. The most important safety tip to remember is to stay away from power lines at all times, especially downed lines. You should always assume that all power lines are energized, and call 911, 1-800-30-power or 1-800-307-6937 immediately if you see a downed line. In addition, stay away from standing water and debris, which could potentially conceal a live wire. It is not safe to be outside after dark, since you might not be able to clearly see downed lines. For more electrical safety tips, visit our Web site at www.mnpower.com/customer_service/safety