No Rate Increase in 2018

There’s good news for Connexus Energy members. There will be no rate increase in the coming year.

While other neighboring utilities are looking at increases, the Connexus Energy Board and employees continue to find effective ways to contain costs. We are doing this while still maintaining a distribution system that is highly efficient and reliable. Our stable prices are due in large part to our operational excellence that is backed up by our bigger projects like AMI automated meter reading, Wi-Fi thermostats, and distributed generation. These new initiatives are helping us to reduce costs; and, in turn, we are able to pass on the savings to our members.

Community Corner

Helping Homeless Vets

Thanks to a lot of help form the community, Cottage #2 on the grounds of the old Anoka State Hospital is now open and home to at-risk veterans. Senator Jim Abler, a key supporter of the project, gave a big thumbs up when Connexus Energy CEO Greg Ridderbusch presented a $10,000 donation to the Eagle’s Healing Nest. The non-profit group is working to turn historic buildings into housing for vets.

Energy Efficiency: Tip of the Month

Looking for an easy way to make your home cozier? Try using an area rug to increase the insulation levels of your floors. Area rugs are stylish and can keep cool air from entering through your floors. Your toes will thank you!

Co-op Cuisine

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

 Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 16-24 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 stick butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice
• 1 cup half and half
• 1/2 cup dry sherry or white wine
• 1/2 cup mashed potato flakes
• 3 chicken breasts, boiled and cubed

Preparation:

• Cook wild rice according to package directions.
• Saute onion and mushrooms in butter.
• Add flour and chicken stock and cook about 10 minutes, stirring until smooth. Add chicken, rice, half-and-half, sherry/wine and mashed potato flakes.
• Stir until heated throughout.

80 Years of Serving Our Members

Eighty years ago, only those living in the bigger cities like Minneapolis enjoyed the comforts of electricity. Rural areas, including the North metro remained dark. That is until a group of determined folks formed the Anoka County Cooperative Light and Power Association, and finally brought electricity to this area. Today, you know that cooperative as Connexus Energy.

Looking for Old Timers and Old Stuff 

We plan to commemorate our 80th anniversary with a special presentation at our upcoming annual meeting in April. If you remember the first time the lights came on, we want to hear your story. Also, if you have any mementos/photos from our cooperative from way back, let us know. Send us a note at info@connexusenergy.com. Please reference the Heritage Project.

Director Candidate Applications

Connexus Energy is now accepting applications for Board of Director candidates in director districts 1, 3, and 4. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. on January 26, 2018. An informational meeting for members interested in becoming director candidates is scheduled for January 15 at 3:30 p.m. at Connexus Energy. If you plan to attend an informational meeting, please RSVP at 763.323.2721.

New Website Coming Soon! 

We are updating our website. As more and more members use our online options, we’re hard at work making sure our website easily and quickly serves all your needs. Look for the new site to be launched early in the New Year.

FREE Wi-Fi thermostats or $125 rebate

Did you know that now you have several options if you want to join our Wi-Fi PowerNap^® Air Conditioning program?

FREE Wi-Fi Thermostat – We will send you a free Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostat when you agree to sign up for our Wi-Fi PowerNap Air Conditioning program. 

BYOT Program – With the PowerNap Air Conditioning Bring Your Own Thermostat (BYOT) program, you have the flexibility to choose the qualifying Wi-Fi thermostat that best meets your needs. If you already have a qualifying thermostat installed, you may still qualify for the $125 rebate.

Whichever program you choose, you also get a $10 monthly credit on summer electric bills. To see if you qualify and to learn more about the Wi-Fi PowerNap program, visit us at connexusenergy.com.

Co-op Cuisine

Chocolate Mint Brownies

Ingredients:

Brownies

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 (16oz) can chocolate syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla

Frosting

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• Green food coloring

Glaze

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 6 tbsp butter

Preparation:

Brownies
Mix in order given. Bake in greased 9 x 13 pan for 30 minutes. Let cool.

Frosting
Mix and spread over cooled brownies. Let sit until light film forms on top.

Glaze
Melt in the pan and pour over frosting. Chill brownies in the refrigerator before serving.

Vehicles for Change

Connexus Energy supports the growing electric vehicle (EV) market and wants to work with members who buy an electric vehicle to make sure you get the most affordable rate to meet your charging needs. Our time-of-day rate offers members the most hours of charging in a week, while still providing an electric rate at almost half-off the normal residential rate.

“Electric vehicles could account for half of all new cars sold by 2040.” – Bloomberg New Energy Finance

Get more details on our EV rates, a $500 rebate for a Level 2 charger, and how you can power your EV with 100% wind energy at connexusenergy.com.

Want to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle to see how it drives? Connexus Energy will be hosting several EV Ride and Drive events in various communities throughout the coming year.

Get your FREE Wi-Fi Thermostat

We will send you a free Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostat when you agree to sign up for our Wi-Fi PowerNap^® Air Conditioning program. With the Honeywell Wi-Fi 9000, you will be able to change the temperature in your home from anywhere with your phone, tablet, or laptop. You will also get a $10 credit on summer electric bills.

To see if you qualify and to learn more about the Wi-Fi PowerNap program, visit us at connexusenergy.com.

Sweet Solar Honey

Happy bees produce a lot of honey. Our pollinator-friendly community solar garden kept the bees busy and happy all summer long. Recently, we held a honey extraction demonstration for our SolarWise subscribers.

Connexus CEO Greg Ridderbusch gets help poring the honey into a jar form one of our younger members.

Merry, Bright, and Efficient Holiday Lighting

Decking the halls doesn’t need to take a toll on your energy bill, especially if you decorate with energy-efficient LED light strands.

• LED strands are 70 percent more efficient and last 10 times longer than the age-old standard bulbs.
• You can get the look of cozy lighting with LEDs. Just look for “warm white” on the label.
• Unlike older light strands, LEDs give off virtually no heat, making them safer for kids and pets.

Co-op Cuisine

Scalloped yams with Praline topping 

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup finely chopped pecans
• 6 medium yams or sweet potatoes (about 3 lbs.), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, heated

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In bowl, work together brown sugar, butter, and flour until well combined, then work in pecans. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add yams and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water.
• Lightly butter 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Arrange yams, overlapping in vertical rows in dish. Pour cream over yams. Bake 20 minutes. Crumble pecan mixture over yams and continue baking until yams are tender and topping is browned, 20-30 minutes longer.