Spring 2007

MP offers new payment options for customers Through a partnership with Western Union Speedpay, Minnesota Power is offering new payment options for our customers, who may choose to pay their monthly bills via telephone or the Internet:

• It’s convenient and speedy to pay online through the Recurring Payment Plan. Visit www.mnpower. com, click on Payment Option, then Western Union Speedpay. If you enroll in a recurring automatic monthly payment plan using a checking, savings or money market account, there is no charge.

The payment is made automatically each month from your selected account, and you’ll still receive a monthly bill for your records.

If you are currently enrolled in MP’s Electricheck automatic payment plan, MP recommends that you don’t change a thing; your monthly payments will be deducted automatically as usual through the Recurring Payment Plan.

We thank you…

• You may also make a onetime payment by calling Western Union Speedpay at 1-866-228-0739. Checking, savings, money market accounts, credit, debit or ATM cards are accepted for a $3.95 charge per transaction.

• If you prefer to pay bills in person, Minnesota Power has made arrangements with businesses throughout our service area through the Convenience Pay (C-Pay) option. Customers who make payments with cash, check or money order will be charged a one-dollar transaction fee. C-Pay locations are listed here and at www.mnpower.com (click on Payment Option, then Pay in Person). You may also call MP toll free at 1-800-2284966 and a customer service representative will help.

More information on these new options is on MP’s Web site and a

C-Pay Locations First National Bank 110 Broadway St E, Akeley Babbitt Steelworkers CU 24 Commerce Rd, Babbitt First National Bank 620 Washburn Ave, Backus Jacobson Hardware 402 Main Ave, Bigfork Jenifer Ivanca Insurance 26 W Lake St, Chisholm Schafter’s Jewelry 1304 Cloquet Ave, Cloquet Money X Change 101 E Superior St, Duluth TCF Bank/UMD 1208 Kirby Dr, Duluth Rick Klander Agency 209 Grant Ave, Eveleth CUB Foods 2410 S Pokegama, Gr Rpds Ogle’s Foods 503 NW 4th St, Gr Rapids First State Bank 203 State St E, Grey Eagle First National Bank 200 Hwy 371N, Hackensack Parker’s Food Pride 210 1st St SE, Little Falls Prairie Building Ctr 102 1st Ave SW, Long Prairie First National Bank 210 Main St NE, Menahga Park Rapids Building 905 S Park Ave, Park Rpds Sandstone ACE Hdwe 218 Main, Sandstone Trucker’s Inn Hwy I-94 & US 71, Sauk Ctr First National Bank 115 Minnesota Ave, Sebeka Silver Bay Spur 42 Outer Dr, Silver Bay First National Bank 600 Minnesota Ave, Walker

letter explaining them will be mailed to all customers. You may still send payments by mail in the envelopes enclosed with your bill.

… our MP customers who generously participated in the 2006 MP RoundUp plan to benefit the Salvation Army’s HeatShare program. A total of $5,728.19 was raised for this worthy cause. We hope you’ll continue to participate. For information on this plan, call MP at 1-800-228-4966 and ask for a copy of our RoundUp brochure. We’ll mail it to you right away.

Electric safety education Check out the Electric Universe on MP’s Web site for easy to understand lessons on electric safety. Kids of all ages will enjoy the graphics, experiments and interactive games. Visit: www.mnpower.com and click on Electric Universe.

Sharing the costs of “Earth Friendly Efforts” Rate increases are projected to range on average from 2.2 percent to 3.8 percent in January 2008, gradually increasing to 6.7 percent to 11.3 percent in January 2010.

As Minnesota Power embarks on a major retrofit

of its Boswell Energy Center Unit 3 that will significantly reduce emissions, it has requested approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to recover its costs through a line item adjustment on retail customers’ monthly bills.

In part, the project addresses the state’s Mercury Emissions Reduction Act of 2006, which requires MP to file plans for reducing mercury emissions from Boswell Units 3 and 4 by the equivalent of 90 percent. The Boswell 3 plan is the first step toward meeting this overall goal. The project also addresses new federal standards that will commence in 2009 for other emissions.

The retrofit will employ technologies that meet performance standards

technically described as “Best Available Control Technology” to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) and the most mature commercially available technology to reduce mercury emissions. Minnesota Power anticipates the $200 million Boswell 3 investment will reduce NOx by 81 percent, SO2 by 90 percent, PM by 93 percent and mercury by up to 90 percent.

The project builds on Minnesota Power’s record of environmental stewardship in a region that includes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Voyageurs National Park and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

2006 Community Investment Report is now available Giving back to the communities we serve is a responsibility we take seriously. Minnesota Power has been a reliable, innovative community partner for more than 100 years. As individuals and as a company, we’re continuing a powerful tradition of charitable giving, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, and helping business and industries expand in our region to sustain and

create stable, good paying jobs.

The Salvation Army bestowed one of its highest honors on Minnesota Power in 2006. Maj. Mark Welsh presented MP with the national “Others” award for an “extraordi-

nary spirit of community service,” demonstrated by strong financial and volunteer support of HeatShare and other programs that improve the quality of life for low-income residents.

Call 218-723-3913, option 4 and ask for MP’s Community Investment Report highlighting many of our corporate contributions, and our work with area businesses and the initiatives that serve them.

Or visit MP’s Community Relations Web site for information on site tours, student/teacher activities and more: www.mnpower. com/community.

‘Found Money’ special rebate on central air conditioner, efficient furnaces Receive a $75 rebate on a central air conditioner or tuneup of an existing unit through June 30, 2007 ($50 after that date). Studies show 75 percent of air conditioners operate below their rated performance. An incorrectly tuned unit wastes money, decreases comfort and shortens its life. Selecting the right size unit for your home, along with correct installation, is critical to energy efficiency.

A $250 rebate from Minnesota Power is also available on a high efficiency furnace (90% efficiency or greater) with an electronically commutated motor (ECM) through June 30, 2007 ($200 rebate after that date.)

To receive these rebates, the air conditioner and/or furnace must be installed or served by a contractor who has been trained through the MP Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) Rebate Program. Visit www.mnpower. com/hvacspecials for more information on these special offers.

All materials, appliances and other components in a home interact to affect the overall energy use and comfort. Minnesota Power advocates a system approach to home construction, providing builders with energy efficient guidelines and offering rebates on energy star® qualified lighting and appliances. To find out more visit www. mnpower.com/foundmoney or call Dean Talbott at 1-800-228-4966.

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