For the last few years, ECE has been working with builder, R Home, to include energy-efficient features in the Meadows North development located in North Branch, MN. Each unit will include an air source heat pump, storage water heater, and have an electric vehicle (EV)-ready garage. The development will span 80 total acres with 200 homes planned.
Pete Leibel, ECE’s Energy Services Supervisor, has been part of the project since the beginning. “We put together a proposal for the developer,” Pete says, “to show that making a few small changes could really benefit our future members and add little-to-no additional cost to the overall building plan. Members will also be able to take advantage of our great rebates.”
Construction began in late fall 2019. As of this February, 33 homes have been completed. The installed air source heat pumps run on a reduced electric rate of 7.5 cents per kWh, offering a significant savings compared to a standard air conditioner at the summer rate of 14.38 cents per kWh, and can cover 100% of heating needs in spring and fall. Each home also features a 100-gallon lifetime-warranty Westinghouse water heater on the off-peak reduced rate of 5.3 cents per kWh. And thanks to a partnership with our power supplier, Great River Energy, each unit has been pre-wired for an EV charger, lowering installation costs if homeowners choose to install a charger.
“We’re looking forward to the continuation of the Meadows North project,” Pete mentions. “R Home has been wonderful to work with, and we’re glad to be helping ECE members save money in their new energy-efficient homes.”
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In 2021, we’re planning for about 530 miles of routine clearing and 740 miles of herbicide application treatment.
The products used by our contractors are non-toxic to honey bees, monarchs, and other pollinating insects. We only treat the tall-growing, woody plants within the powerline corridor. This way, the pollinator-friendly plants eventually dominate the powerline corridor and are a rich nectar source for pollinating insects.
We prepare for storms with “storm hardening.” Essentially, we look for conditions that could pose a problem, then work to reduce the risk. A majority of outages come from trees falling from outside the cleared corridor, or branches that break and fall. We look for hazards that include dead, dying, diseased, decayed, cracked, or uprooting/unstable trees. We also look for branches that are cracked, poorly attached, broken, dead, or overhanging conductors. We want to be as prepared as possible, and that’s why we try to address issues before storms hit.
There are occasions where members question the need for vegetation management work, or are disappointed with how things look after work is completed. Tall growing trees under the lines that require repetitive and excessive pruning will generally be selected for removal; however, we usually require the tree owner’s consent before removing the tree. We have worked hard to develop policies that strike a balance between the value of trees in the landscape and delivering safe and reliable electric power to our members’ homes. Over the years, our approach has helped to greatly reduce the number of outages caused by trees and limbs, and avoid future expense.