News > We Work for You – Energy Services

We Work for You – Energy Services

July 2025

At Stearns Electric Association, our mission is member focused. In everything we do, a team of dedicated employees is behind the scenes working on behalf of our member-consumers. 

In addition to safely providing reliable electric service to our members, offering beneficial energy solutions and a positive member experience fulfill our mission, too. The main focus of our Energy Services department is to provide energy solutions – in the form of energy-saving programs, equipment rebates and energy-saving appliances – that benefit the Cooperative, our member-consumers and our wholesale power provider, Great River Energy. 

LOAD MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
As an electric utility, Stearns Electric is required to promote energy efficiency measures by reducing energy consumption by 1.5% through conservation and optimization via the Minnesota ECO Act. We do this by promoting energy conservation and efficient energy management, especially through our EnergyWise® programs and rebates. 

EnergyWise® Programs Include: 

• Dual Fuel 
• Stored Water Heating 
• Interruptible Irrigation 
• Interruptible (Generator Back-up) 
• ChargeWise (EV Charging) 

ENERGY STAR® Rebates Include: 

• Ductless Air Source Heat Pump 
• WiFi Thermostat 
• Electric Clothes Dryer 
• Refrigerator 
• Freezer 

Visit stearnselectric.org for a full list of programs and rebates. 

“I love working in the Energy Services department because we are helping our members save money! It seems strange that the Co-op makes money from reducing overall electricity usage, but our EnergyWise® programs and rebates help us meet our goals and benefit our members.” 

DRU CHANGEOUT
One of our largest projects at Stearns Electric in the last five years is the changeout of our load management technology. The Energy Services team has been working on changing out aging load management receiver technology and replacing them with Aclara demand response units (DRUs). The new DRUs increase response time for energy load shifting and provide the Cooperative the ability to adapt to future load controlling opportunities and strategies. These units are an important piece of our load management program. 

CONTRACTOR PROGRAM
Local, outside contractors play an important role in meeting our mandated ECO goals. Oftentimes, contractors assist our member-consumers with the purchase and/or installation of new energy-saving equipment, qualifying them for money-saving Cooperative programs. Since Stearns Electric does not do direct sales of new equipment, we rely on our contractors to communicate our EnergyWise® programs and rebates available to those members. 

To support these contractor relationships and educate local contractors about the member benefits available, the Cooperative has a Trade Ally program. Stearns Electric offers a library of resources for contractors and hosts an annual dinner to educate them on program changes and updates. In return for their partnership, contractors earn incentives, including a spot on our Preferred Vendor list, which is a list of contractors we provide to members who are looking for an electrician, plumber and/or HVAC expert. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
One thing you might not know about Stearns Electric is our commitment to assist local communities and businesses in their growth. Our economic development program offers energy efficiency grants and rebates, and sometimes evening financing options, for qualifying projects. 

Some of the projects we have partnered on with area businesses in the past include electrifying a forklift fleet, assisting with equipment upgrades and providing local first responders with life-saving equipment. 

“Because we are member-owned, our primary focus is on providing reliable, affordable electricity and improving the quality of life in the communities we serve. This often leads to investments in local initiatives and economic development.”