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Rooted in Reliability. Powered by Purpose.

April 29, 2026

Our members depend on us to deliver reliable electricity. That means responding to outages when your power goes out, keeping trees and vegetation clear of power lines and regularly maintaining the equipment that delivers electricity to your home, farm or business. Reliability involves both responding today and planning for tomorrow.

CONSTRUCTION WORK PLAN
One of the main ways Stearns Electric plans ahead is through the Construction Work Plan (CWP).

The CWP is a four-year plan that identifies areas where we need to invest in our electric distribution system (i.e., power poles, wires, transformers, substations, etc.) to keep your power reliable and ready for future growth. It’s developed by the engineering department, with help from industry experts when needed.

Stearns Electric completes a new CWP every four years. Our most recent study was completed in 2023 and outlines system improvements planned from 2024 through 2027.

CURRENT CWP PROJECTS
The current CWP identified several important projects across our system, including:

• Substation Reclosers – Upgrading 40 devices that automatically restore power after brief outages, helping reduce outage time for members.
• Westwood I Substation – Upgrading equipment to improve reliability and capacity within the greater St. Cloud area.
• Pillsbury Substation – Rebuilding the substation and upgrading the transformer to strengthen reliability. This project is on track for completion in 2027.
• Main Line Upgrades – Upgrading the power lines in four areas (North Parker, Big Fish, Roscoe and Grove substations) to meet increased demand.
• Aging Line Replacement – Replacing 128 miles of older power line (conductor) to improve reliability and reduce outages.

In 2026 specifically, some areas of focus are:

• Installing a new three-phase power line to connect the north and south sides of Birch Lake
• Upgrading 2.25 miles of power line near St. Stephen
• Enhancing monitoring systems with Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) upgrades at three substations so we can better track and respond to outages remotely
• Relocating power lines to accommodate a road project south of St. Stephen

LONG-RANGE PLAN
In addition to the CWP, Stearns Electric develops a Long-Range Plan that looks 10 to 20 years ahead to help the Cooperative prepare for growth, equipment needs and system improvements. By evaluating the condition of the distribution system, the plan supports smart, cost-effective decisions about when and where to invest.

Long-range planning is required by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and is typically updated every 15 years, or sooner if our service territory sees a lot of growth between plans.

Our most recent Long-Range Plan was completed in 2025 with the help of DGR Engineering. It evaluated our entire system.

PROJECTED LONG-RANGE PLAN PROJECTS
Several projects were identified in the Long-Range Plan. Stearns Electric will use this data to strategically plan projects and budgets in the coming years. Some projects include:

• Building new substations to support growth throughout our service territory
• Upgrading existing substations
• Replacing aging poles, wires and equipment
• Enhancing load management and metering technology
• Adding new services and transformers to meet increasing demand

WORKING TOGETHER
The CWP and Long-Range Plan work hand-in-hand to guide how we invest in our system each year.

For example, the CWP may identify an area where a larger wire is needed due to growth. The Long-Range Plan then helps us select the right size and type of wire to ensure it will serve members reliably for decades.

Together, these plans help us make thoughtful, strategic decisions that balance reliability, cost and future needs.

LOOKING AHEAD
At the end of the day, every plan, study and project comes back to serving our members. From the near-term priorities identified in our CWP to the larger projects outlined in the Long-Range Plan, each investment is made with reliability and value in mind.

By taking a proactive, data-driven approach, Stearns Electric is not only responding to today’s needs, but also preparing for tomorrow’s growth and challenges. These plans help ensure your power is there when you need it, now and for decades to come.