It’s a special privilege to witness firsthand what it really takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we pause to honor the brave men and women who make that possible every single day—our lineworkers.

When storms impact our communities and outages happen, many people feel the inconvenience, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are always prepared when it matters most, whether it’s leaving family dinners, working through the night, or facing tough conditions to restore power as safely and efficiently as possible. That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, deep experience, and a shared commitment to serving others.

What makes lineworkers especially remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system; they’re restoring power to their own communities. They live here. They raise their families here. They understand that electricity is more than a convenience; it’s essential to daily life, to local businesses, to schools, farms, and emergency services. Powering the places we call home is personal.

Electric cooperatives like Dakota Electric Association are built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our lineworkers embody that spirit every day. They are the first to respond and the last to leave, often working long hours behind the scenes. Sometimes, serving our neighbors means extending beyond our service territory through a process called mutual aid. During major outages, Dakota Electric crews stand ready to assist neighboring co-ops, sometimes close to home and sometimes across state lines, to help restore power. This spirit of mutual aid strengthens all cooperatives and ultimately benefits the members we serve.

In 2024, Dakota Electric crews provided mutual aid to support Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative in Dade City, Florida, with Hurricane Milton restoration efforts.

We know that when the lights go out, it can be frustrating and disrupt daily life. We sincerely thank our members for your patience and support during these times. Linework is tough, physical, and sometimes dangerous. Our crews focus on safety and teamwork with each job. They take pride in their work and the trust our members place in them.

On April 13, 2026, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, but one day isn’t enough. Every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and dedication, which form the backbone of our cooperative.

To our lineworkers: thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. We are proud to stand with you and grateful for everything you do.

To report an outage in your area, please visit www.dakotaelectric.com/report-an-outage/.

Article provided by NRECA
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.

High-school students can win an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.

(FARMINGTON, MN) January 6, 2026 – Dakota Electric Association is calling on the next generation of leaders to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime experience: the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The Youth Tour was established to inspire our next generation of leaders by allowing them to explore monuments and museums, meet with members of Congress, develop leadership skills and learn about the cooperative business model. Since 1964, more than 50,000 young people have taken advantage of the unique opportunity their local electric cooperative offers.

“We encourage any student who is interested to apply,” said Peggy Johnson, Community Relations Director at Dakota Electric. “We look forward to reviewing all the applications that come in. Year after year, the applications get more and more impressive.”

This opportunity is open to students currently enrolled as sophomores, juniors, or seniors who reside within Dakota Electric’s service territory.

Students can complete the application for this extraordinary trip on Dakota Electric’s website. The submission deadline is February 20, 2026.

To complete the application, students must include a letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, or youth organization leader. This requirement ensures that applicants are recognized for their dedication, leadership, and potential to make a positive impact. Additionally, applicants must be available for in-person interviews on March 13 or 18.

Youth Tour offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to broaden their horizons, gain valuable insights, and forge lifelong friendships and memories. This immersive experience allows students to explore iconic landmarks, engage in interactive educational activities, and connect with peers nationwide.

Ankit Mukhopadhyay, who attended Youth Tour in 2025, commented on his experience, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to go on this truly amazing trip and would do it all over again if I could.”

Dakota Electric Association is committed to empowering the community’s youth and providing them with unique opportunities for growth and development. By offering this all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., Dakota Electric aims to inspire and motivate students to become active participants in shaping the future.

“This is an unbelievable experience—once in a lifetime,” continued Johnson. “With Youth Tour being an annual occurrence, we can invest in our future leaders on a regular basis. That investment in our community and the next generation of leaders is something Dakota Electric is very passionate about.”

Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to win a trip to Washington, D.C.! Apply now and embark on an unforgettable adventure that will leave a lasting impression.

Please direct questions to Peggy Johnson, Community Relations Director, at (651) 463-6110 or (612) 978-4612 or email pjohnson@dakotaelectric.com.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing its members with reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Donations benefit Creating Healthier Communities, 360 Communities and Kaitlyn’s Closet

(FARMINGTON, MN) January 6, 2026 – Dakota Electric Association is delighted to share that its employees raised more than $21,500 for local non-profits and community organizations in 2025 through the employee-led and funded Dakota Cares program. Our generous employees give back to the community every year by donating to Dakota Cares. Donations come from employees participating in silent auctions, pork chop feeds, sporting clay fun shoots, payroll deductions, and more.

“As a member-owned, not-for-profit, electric cooperative, Dakota Electric is guided by the Seven Cooperative Principles. One of the seven principles is Concern for Community, and I believe these donations demonstrate that principle,” said Corey Willert, Project Manager at Dakota Electric and member of the Dakota Cares team. “We aim to do more than just deliver safe, reliable, and affordable electricity; we care about the communities we serve. Whether through financial support or volunteering, we are passionate about helping our communities thrive.”

Since 2001, Dakota Cares has raised more than $629,000 for local nonprofits and organizations that impact the community. This year, funds will be given to:

• CHC: Creating Healthier Communities;
• 360 Communities;
• Kaitlyn’s Kloset.

“It’s exciting to be able to give to these very deserving and impactful organizations,” said Willert. “I hope we have an even larger donation amount to distribute next year.”

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing its members with reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Educational grants funded by unclaimed capital credits

(FARMINGTON, MN) November 15, 2025 – Dakota Electric Association® awarded $50,000 in educational grants to support local students and schools through its four-year rotating school grant program. The funding—made possible through unclaimed capital credits—was distributed among Independent School Districts 199 (Inver Grove Heights), 197 (West St. Paul–Mendota Heights–Eagan), 196 (Rosemount–Eagan–Apple Valley), and Inver Hills Community College.

Each year, Dakota Electric reinvests unclaimed capital credits into local education, helping to strengthen communities and empower the next generation of leaders. This year’s grants will enhance student learning, advance district goals, and support innovative programming across the service area.

Districts 199 and 197 will use their grants to bolster Career and College Readiness programming through the TriDistrict Centers for Advanced Professional Studies (TriDistrict CAPS). The funds will help cover transportation for students without reliable transit and support start-up costs for a new CAPS center, giving students increased access to real-world career exploration and internship opportunities.

District 196 will use its grant to expand waste reduction efforts across its high schools by adding compost bins, educational signage, and waste audits—efforts that empower students to take the lead in sustainability initiatives and reduce the district’s environmental footprint.

“In recent years, our students have challenged the district administration to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across our district,” said Peter Olson-Skog, Ph.D., superintendent of School District 197. “By expanding recycling programs, starting composting in our cafeterias, and engaging students through education campaigns, we believe we can make a difference—both for the environment and our school communities. This project will reduce our landfill contributions and lower the energy footprint tied to school waste management. It’s through student advocacy that we continue to evolve how we manage learning environments while exploring additional ways to impact our overall emissions.”

Inver Hills Community College will use its portion of the grant to remove barriers to student success by addressing basic needs and providing financial assistance, helping students remain focused on their education.

“This money is being donated to help reduce barriers to student success, improve retention, and foster a more equitable learning environment,” said Peggy Johnson, community relations director at Dakota Electric. “By addressing basic needs and providing financial assistance, we know we are helping students focus on their education.”

Through this grant program, Dakota Electric continues its long-standing commitment to empowering local students, supporting education, and investing in the communities it serves. By transforming unclaimed capital credits into meaningful opportunities, the cooperative helps ensure that the benefits of member ownership extend beyond reliable electricity—creating lasting impact for future generations.

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing its members with reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

$160,000 in unclaimed capital credits endowed to students

(FARMINGTON, MN) July 1, 2025 – Local high school students receiving electrical service from Dakota Electric Association received scholarships from the electric cooperative, empowering them to pursue their post-secondary education. Along with the more than 100 talented high school students receiving the scholarships, students enrolled at Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College will be granted scholarships this fall. In total, $160,000 in unclaimed capital credits was allocated.

Since 1990, Dakota Electric has demonstrated its commitment to supporting students in pursuing their educational aspirations by donating over $2,000,000 toward post-secondary education to students in the service territory.

“This is something we look forward to announcing every year,” said Peggy Johnson, community relations director at Dakota Electric. “Being able to support local students in this manner is a highlight. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we follow the Seven Cooperative Principles, and I think gifting these scholarships demonstrates two of them: Concern for Community, and Education, Training, and Information. Congrats to all the recipients, we can’t wait to see the amazing things you accomplish.”

The following students have been selected as scholarship recipients for this year:

About Dakota Electric Association:
Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 117,000 members in and around Dakota County. Established in 1937, Dakota Electric is committed to providing its members with reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity while actively engaging with the community and promoting energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.dakotaelectric.com or follow Dakota Electric on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.