An emergency delivery of several hundred pieces of fried chicken came to the rescue at the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency’s (AEOA) Energy Awareness Expo Wednesday for low-income customers. A record crowd of more than 900 invitees, and their family members, began forming a line outdoors to enter The Salvation Army gymnasium in Duluth long before the event’s 11 a.m. start time. And a line remained until about 3 p.m., when everyone could finally enter the building. “It was a great response and this year, we actually ran out of barbecue and sent out for chicken,” said Marketing Analyst II Al Lian, an MP Expo coordinator, who estimated that approximately 2,700 people—including many children—received hot meals before the Expo ended at 7 p.m.

Minnesota Power and the City of Duluth’s ComfortSystems utilities are major sponsors of the AEOA Expo, now in its fourth year. The goals are to encourage low-income individuals and families to sign up early for fuel assistance and energy audits and receive information on saving energy and money.  MP partners with Community Action Agencies like AEOA throughout our service area to provide energy audits for qualified low-income customers, Lian explained.

Expo attendance grows each year, and representatives of Harbor City Oil and Como Oil came, as well. Staff from “At Home Duluth”—an umbrella organization comprising neighborhood housing groups, the Duluth Community Action Program and other entities that provide housing and support services—also attended. Expo organizers believe one key reason for success is The Salvation Army location, because it provides a relaxed, friendly and familiar atmosphere.

People struggling with financial problems can be afraid to call their utility companies to say they can’t pay their bills or are running out of fuel oil. So they’re relieved to have this opportunity to meet utility representatives and receive friendly assistance and education. Administrative Supervisor Karen Virta said Customer Call Center representatives were busy throughout the event, explaining how to avoid receiving MP disconnection notices for non-payment and providing details on how to make payment arrangements over time. They also gave tips on getting expert help to handle money and pay bills.  “We distributed Louie the Lightning Bug coloring books and colored pencils, which were a hit with the children,” Virta said. “Customers were very interested in our brochures, too. We passed out information on our recurring payment and budget billing plans, facts about our electric bills and the Cold Weather Rule that prohibits disconnection of service during cold weather months. It was very successful, and our customers made lots of good comments about Minnesota Power.” 

Promoting energy efficiency education is MP’s primary reason for participating, said MP Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) Administrator Tina Koecher.  “It also gives us a great opportunity to distribute free energy-efficient products like compact fluorescent bulbs,” she noted.  MP also distributed desk lamps and strings of energy-efficient LED holiday lights. MP’s participation is part of the state-mandated CIP, through which Minnesota utilities are required to spend 1.5 percent of their retail revenue annually on energy conservation initiatives.

Koecher said she was pleased that five representatives of the Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC), which oversees CIP, attended: Jeff Haase and Joseph Plummer, who specialize in demand efficiency; weatherization experts Marilou Cheple and Lorraine Larson; and Chris Davis, an analyst who reviews utility CIP plans and filings. “The DOC representatives said the Expo was very impressive and obviously well received, given the great attendance,” Koecher said. “They thought it was fantastic.” She also noted that it was humbling to hear customers talk about their financial problems.  “A number of people who talked to me said they never dreamed they’d be in this situation and said, ‘It’s great to see there’s a company that cares,’” Koecher said. Lian agreed. “We do this because it’s a good way to help meet CIP mandates,” he said. “But all those business reasons go by the wayside at the Expo—because it just feels good to be there and see people getting help.”

Other employees who worked hard to coordinate the event and staff MP booths were: CIP team members Tim Gallagher, George Agriesti and Dean Talbott; the Call Center’s Marcia Campbell, Amanda Oja, Melody Kraegenbrink, Danna Stage and Andrea Busche; and Regional Account Manager Craig Kredowski. Thanks also to Matt Haley, Sara Davidson and Tanuj Gulati of Matt Haley & Associates, an energy consulting firm that works frequently with MP.