Finding stability in uncertain times 

Electricity is a crucial part of our daily lives and smart electricity use helps keep rates stable.  

Providing electricity to all members exactly when it’s needed is part of a larger, complex effort between JCE Co-op, our wholesale power providers and the regional grid operator – the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). MISO oversees the reliable generation and delivery of electricity for 45 million people in 15 states and Manitoba, Canada. 

Purchasing power from our wholesale power providers accounts for 65% of JCE Co-op’s retail rate to members. However, the price of electricity purchased from MISO changes every five minutes, based on the need for electricity balanced with available generation resources. As need — or demand — rises during the day, the price of electricity increases because more generation resources (power plants, solar arrays, wind turbines, etc.) are needed to power homes, businesses and other buildings or devices. When temperatures cool and things quiet down for the night, electricity demand drops as do electricity prices. 

Through load management and Summer Shift programs, members can voluntarily shift non-essential electricity use to times of lower demand and prices. Using less electricity at high prices helps keep rates stable for all members. The more members who participate, the more impactful these savings become. 

For example, thanks to the combined participation in a load management program of our co-op members and members from Dairyland’s other 23 electric cooperatives, the amount of electricity Dairyland would have to purchase during times of peak demand has been reduced by the equivalent of a small power plant. This does not mean we will never need to raise rates, but shifting electricity use to off-peak or lower demand times can reduce how often these increases might have to occur. 

Grid reliability is at the forefront of strategic planning for utilities. Not only does there need to be enough electricity to power our lives, but there must be the right infrastructure in place to deliver the electricity from where it is produced to where it is needed.  

Have you ever driven by a wind farm on a breezy day and wondered why the turbines aren’t spinning? While some may be under repair, if you see an entire group of turbines standing still, it’s likely because there isn’t enough room on the existing transmission lines to accommodate the additional electricity the wind turbines can provide.  

Dairyland recently announced an agreement with GridLiance Heartland, LLC – a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC – to jointly develop and co-own the MariBell Transmission Project. The 139-mile, 765 kilovolt (kV) / 161 kV double-circuit transmission line will extend from Marion, Minn., to Bell Center, Wis., spanning six counties.  

It was also affirmed by the Trump Administration that the $595 million Empowering Rural America (New ERA) grant Dairyland received in 2024 will proceed. The award will benefit Dairyland’s cooperative members – including JCE Co-op members – by providing downward rate pressure, increasing reliability and resilience, creating job opportunities, supporting economic development and generating new sources of tax revenue for local communities. 

Year-round, we share ways members can save energy on our website at jcecoop.com, in this enewsletter and our Hi-Lines section in Illinois Country Living. By better understanding how to shift non-essential electricity use away from times of high demand, we can maximize the available generation resources on the grid and keep rates stable. Please reach out to our team to learn more.