Member Appreciation Day
Almost 80 members attended the Member Appreciation Day at the
Squaw Lake Community Center in May, enjoying brats and burgers
grilled by CEO Brad Dolinski and Line Superintendent Daryl Pederson.
There was lots to do as well, browsing energy ideas from vendors that
lined the room. To follow up with any of the vendors, contact Drew
Francisco at andrewf@nieci.com or call (218) 743-1313.
Jamie Stallman represented Great River
Energy, the generation/transmission
cooperative owned by North Itasca Electric
and 25 other rural electric cooperatives in
Minnesota which provides power and other
services to North Itasca Electric, including
the member rebate structure. Stallman
commented on the friendly relationship that
members had with cooperative staff.
Shirley Montgomery, president
and Kathy Johnson, secretary of
Northland Progressive were present
to showcase businesses and events in
Northome. Saturday, June 20 is Crazy
Day in Northome this year, with many
events including the Grand Opening of
the new Ita-Bel-Koo DAC IDK Thrift
Store. See page 16 for more.
K&E Distributing was present to talk
to contractors about the close to 30
companies they represent in the HVAC
industry. Among other brought tools,
an adjustable accordion air filter and an
LG forced air furnace with a plenum
attachment that circulates air conditioned
air from an outside unit through existing
ductwork.
Tony Kassa representing STAR Energy
Services brought whole house generators,
both propane generators that sit outside and
modular battery generators great for new
builds that can recharge from solar or the grid.
The latter comes in 6.6 kWh Briggs & Stratton
units that can be stacked to provide almost 20
kWh quickly (shown). STAR Energy Services
was formed as an engineering group for the
utility industry by Stearns Electric Assn.,
Todd-Wadena Electric Coop. and Agrellite
Electric Coop.
Kassa stacks, modular
battery generators,
each delivering
6.6 kWh.
Dean Havel of Electro Industries, Monticello displayed the company’s plenum insert used for electric heat in forced air
systems. Placed in the plenum above a propane furnace which acts as a backup system, the solution is eligible for load
management electric heat pricing. The company also provides air source heat pumps.
