FALL 2018

THE CURRENT

ERMUMN.COM | 763.441.2020 | 13069 ORONO PARKWAY | PO BOX 430 | ELK RIVER, MN 55330-0430

WE’VE GOT A NEW LOOK!

Follow Us on Social Media

You may have noticed a new look for ERMU communications over the last few months, with

a fresh, distinctive design that we feel reflects who we are and what we do. We’re gradually

introducing the new branding into our billing inserts, rebate forms, annual report, and more.

We’ll continue to update our documents and communication tools throughout the year.

Eddy Current, the utility’s 100% electric

Chevrolet Bolt, has also adopted the new

look. We took delivery on May 11, and a

short time later, Eddy was outfitted with

an eye-catching vehicle wrap. You may

have seen Eddy around town and in the

Sherburne County Parade in July.

In addition to refreshing the look of our quarterly newsletter, we’ve also updated the name!

The Connector is now The Current. The new name speaks to both the services we provide—

electricity and water—while giving a nod to the rivers that flow through our cities.

We remain committed to sharing information in the ways that best serve you and will

continue to provide both a paper newsletter and an electronic version.

In an ongoing effort to provide timely, relevant communication to our customers, Elk River

Municipal Utilities has implemented additional methods of sharing information, including

use of social media sites. We joined Twitter in July 2014 and Instagram in October 2015.

In September of last year, we added a Facebook page and a LinkedIn company page.

Follow us on social media for important service updates, tips to save energy, ERMU history,

employee recognition, event details, and much more!

Facebook: @elkrivermunicipalutilities

LinkedIn: Elk River Municipal Utilities

Instagram: @ermu_mn

Twitter: @ERMU_MN

We’ve also refreshed our website domain name and emails, so update your bookmarks and

address books! Find our website at ERMUMN.com. Our email addresses now end in

@ermu.com. For the time being, the elkriverutilities.com domain still works.

Our First Tweet

July 11, 2014 – On this day in 1947, the ER Village Council adopted a resolution

creating the ERMU Commission to govern the electric and water departments.

OURMISSION

OURVISION

To provide our customers

with safe, reliable, cost-

effective and quality

long-term electric and

water utility services.

To communicate and

educate our customers

in the use of utility

services, programs,

policies and future plans.

These products and

services will be provided

in an environmentally

and financially

responsible manner.

Provide exceptional

services and value to

those we serve.

INTEGRITY

QUALITY

COMMUNICATION

SAFETY

COMPETITIVE

OURVALUES

WE WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: ERMUMN.COM | 763.441.2020

FALL 2018

THE CURRENT

Dam Inspection Involves Lowering Lake Level

Cold Weather Rule Notification

ERMU will conduct an annual inspection of

the Elk River Dam on Wednesday, October 3,

2018. This required inspection, which helps to

ensure the integrity of the structure, will involve

lowering the Lake Orono water level thirty

inches below its normal level.

Boaters are advised that once ERMU begins

to lower the lake level, they may be unable

to remain on the lake. Failure to act in a timely

manner could result in the inability to move their

boats until the lake is refilled, which should occur within 24 hours.

Elk River’s first dam was built in 1851 by Ard Godfrey, a settler from Maine. High water

destroyed the dam in 1912. A new dam was completed in 1916 and, together with the Elk

River power plant, provided hydroelectricity for the Elk River Power & Light Company,

bringing electricity to the village for the first time. The dam was rehabilitated in 1980.

Some customers may find it hard to pay their heating

bill in the winter. The State of Minnesota established

the Cold Weather Rule (CWR) to protect residential

heat-affected customers who are unable to pay their

utility bills from disconnection of service between

October 15 and April 15. A common misconception is

that the CWR forbids utility disconnection during the

winter months; however, a customer must contact their

natural gas or electric utility to set up an agreed upon

payment plan in order to avoid disconnection.

Customers who think they will have trouble paying

their electric bill should call the ERMU office to make payment arrangements or visit our

website to download or electronically submit the “Inability to Pay” form. The form must

be completely filled out and signed to be considered valid and to protect customers from

utility shutoff once the Cold Weather Rule has taken effect. If payment arrangements are

not followed, the CWR will not protect customers from utility shut-off. Payment plans can

be established at any time during the CWR season.

Communication and keeping your payment arrangements are key to avoiding an

inconvenient and potentially detrimental disconnection. If you find yourself needing help,

you can contact the energy assistance organizations listed to the left to see if you qualify

for assistance.

Postcard view of dam and power plant, ca 1920 (Lyle Collins collection)

The Salvation Army offers

a program to low and

moderate income families

to help them with paying

their energy bills. HeatShare

provides cash grants and

emergency assistance with

utility and heating bills on a

year-round basis.

When you donate to

HeatShare, you are helping

warm the lives of families

and individuals who have

no other resources available

to them, or places to turn to

that can help them through

the cold Minnesota winter.

To learn more about

HeatShare, or to make

a donation, please visit

our website.

There are several local

organizations that may be

able to support you if you

need energy assistance this

winter season.

Tri-Cap

Sherburne Co

Wright Co

Henn Co

Sal Army

CAER

888.765.5597

763.765.4000

320.963.6500

952.933.9639

320.252.4552

763.441.1020

ENERGY ASSISTANCE