"Our Energy, Our Future" themes East River Electric's 58th Annual Meeting
September 3, 2008
East River Electric Power Cooperative’s 58th Annual Meeting titled “Our Energy, Our Future” took place Wed., Sept. 3, 2008 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
At the meeting, East River personnel discussed how the implementation of the recently adopted strategic plan will make the cooperative stronger and serve to meet the needs of its members to an even higher degree.
An overview of the past year’s construction projects, as well as the plans for the upcoming year were also given. From 2007 thru 2008, East River’s demand for energy was expected to increase by approximately 20 percent. These increases have been driven by high residential growth and providing service to industrial and commercial loads such as ethanol plants and the TransCanada Pipeline.
In addition to highlighting the cooperative’s growth, East River’s financial outlook, marketing and communications plan, rural economic development, South Dakota and Minnesota legislative agendas and an overview of the cooperative’s community service projects were featured.
A candidate forum took place after the cooperative’s presentation to gain a legislative perspective of policies regarding global climate change, the Rural Electric Lending Program, captive rail shippers and the federal hydropower program. In attendance, were U.S. Senate candidates Sen. Tim Johnson and opponent Joel Dykstra; U.S. House candidates Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Chris Lien; and South Dakota Public Utilities Commission candidates Gary Hanson and Matt McLarty.
East River’s Eminent Service award, the cooperative’s highest award which honors individuals who have shown superior commitment toward cooperative values, was presented to East River Board of Directors President Wayne Wright, who is retiring after 24 years on the East River Board, with 15 years having served as president.
To conclude the day’s events, the Business Meeting took place, where the election of directors was held as well as the adoption of the 2008 resolutions.
