To the editor:

We all know the benefits of shopping locally — it keeps money in the local economy, which helps support local jobs, services and community development.

Did you know these same benefits apply to buying electricity locally?

If you live in New Ulm, you are served by a community-owned, customer-focused, locally controlled public power utility committed to ensuring reliable, affordable electric service to the community.

Public power utilities are supported by customer revenues which pay for maintenance and reinvestments in infrastructure needs. They also create local jobs. Decisions are made locally, by elected officials at open meetings where the public has the opportunity to provide feedback.

Public power utilities make decisions with the long-term health and prosperity of the community in mind. As the city’s wholesale power supplier, Heartland Energy works hand-in-hand with city officials to provide economic development and energy efficiency incentives to help your community thrive.

Each year, during the first week of October, we celebrate Public Power Week, a time to recognize the many benefits that come with living in a public power community. We also celebrate the hard-working individuals in New Ulm ensuring you have reliable electricity day in and day out.

From small towns to big cities, over 2,000 public power utilities across the country operate under the same model: local people working together to meet local needs.

Russell Olson

Madison

— Russell Olson is CEO of Heartland Energy