May 2025 CEO Column

CEO Column

I want to share your Board of Directors’ appreciation for your participation at the co-op’s Annual Meeting. Regardless of whether you were able to attend in person, at a satellite location, or tuned into the livestream on our website, your involvement is essential to the governance of the co-op.  Certainly,  2024 was a year of growth and transition for your co-op.  And, while 2025 is sure to be another year of change, including the welcome of a new CEO,  LREC will continue to focus on service reliability, rate stability, and safety.  Your input and involvement will be essential to guide us through the years ahead.

As we move into summer, I encourage LREC members and people interested in energy related issues to attend or view the livestream of our upcoming 4th Annual Energy Forum, held this year at Thumper Pond Resort on June 6th.

Some of the industry leaders scheduled to appear include:

  • Jim Matheson, CEO, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) will be joining remotely to provide his national energy issues perspective, including a look at possible reevaluation of certain EPA rules and future grid reliability.
  • Darrick Moe, CEO, Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) will discuss energy policy and legislation in Minnesota, including co-op viewpoints regarding issues such as the MN nuclear moratorium and net metering laws, and priorities for future energy policy.
  • Priti Patel, VP and Chief Transmission Officer at Great River Energy (GRE) will address plans to build out regional and intrastate transmission resources necessary to accommodate load growth, service reliability, and provide renewable energy to GRE member co-ops in Minnesota.
  • Zac Ruzycki, Director of Resource Planning at GRE will be on hand to discuss the development of generation and related resources necessary to meet the MN 2040 Carbon Free Standard while providing for system growth and service reliability.

In addition, LREC Energy Services staff will be on hand to answer your questions about our many energy product and service offerings, including standby generators, ETS water heating, GoWest™ Solar, and our new 2025 Smart Thermostat Pilot Program.

I hope to see you there. In the meantime, please continue to visit our website and Facebook page for updates affecting your cooperative, and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Dan Husted
LREC Interim CEO