Nancy Kelly, SMMPA Energy Services Rep, and Glenn Anderson, Mora City Administrator, presented Dan Voce, High School Superintendent, with their rebate check. The projects included high-efficiency chillers, mini-split AC units, variable speed drives on air handling units, high-efficiency motors on exhaust fans and circulators, interior and exterior LED lighting, and food service equipment. These projects qualified for a total rebate of $215,607, with estimated annual energy savings of $65,709. This project reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking eighty-one cars off the roads. Dan shared, “This is such a great facility for students and staff. We appreciate all the work done by Mora Public Utilities to maximize our rebate. This investment will pay off for the community for years to come.”

Nancy Kelly, Energy Services Representative at SMMPA, presents Brian Bankers, Director of Projects, and Tess Scholtes, Associate Pre-Construction Manager with a rebate check for $2,923. In 2022, BCI Construction set up a new office in Mora. The existing building was essentially gutted. The new space includes LED lighting which is more efficient than standard fluorescent fixtures. The project also included ENERGY STAR® kitchen appliances. This project reduces annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to planting five acres of forest. Brian shared, “We promote solar on our commercial buildings when possible. I am also familiar with new technologies such as air source heat pumps. I have a ground source heat pump installed at my home.”

Nancy Kelly, Energy Services Representative at SMMPA, presents Seven County Senior Federation Executive Director Lisa Krahn (center left and right, back row) with a rebate check for $3,210.  In addition to the rebate and projected energy savings, this project reduces annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to planting four acres of forest. Lisa shared, “I wanted to go with air source heat pumps for this retrofit. I know many people don’t understand the technology, but I have had a ground source heat pump system at my home for years.”

Four store volunteers pictured in the front row are Phyllis Visser, Sonja DeWolf, Betty Ammerman, and Kathy Fenzel, joined by store manager Andrea Knoll (back row at left) and building committee member Jeff Strand.  The improved comfort and quiet operation for the workspace are both remarkable.

The project involved replacing the old furnace and air conditioning units with dual fuel air source heat pumps using a natural gas furnace for supplemental heat on really cold days. This improvement was a recommendation from an energy audit by the MN Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program (ReTAP). The no-cost assessment focused on ways to increase energy efficiency, water conservation, and reduce waste.

Nancy Kelly, Energy Services Representative at SMMPA, presents Kanabec County Agricultural Society Treasurer, Kathi Ellis, with a rebate check for $13,733. This project involved replacing 68 inefficient high pressure sodium fixtures with 68 energy-efficient pole mounted LED fixtures. This project was supported by a MN Clean Energy Resource Teams SEED grant. The recommendations were based on an audit by the MN Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program (ReTAP). The no-cost assessment focused on ways to increase energy efficiency, water conservation, and reduce waste. Kathi shared, “People loved the new lighting at the fair this year. We are still raising funds to help pay for the project. The poles are open for anyone to support. Larger donors will have their names on a plaque placed on a pole.”

Get your “Be Bright” discounted energy-efficient LED bulbs from Mora Ace and Johnson’s Hardware for as low as $0.25 per bulb, while supplies last.  2023 is our FINAL YEAR for offering discounted LED bulbs!