Wind Power Program

Hometown Wind Power is an initiative of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) with member utilities in Anoka, Arlington, Brownton, Buffalo, Chaska, East Grand Forks, Le Sueur, North St. Paul, Olivia, Shakopee, and Winthrop. The program was designed by Avant Energy, also the designer of MMPA’s Faribault Energy Park electric generation facility that celebrated its grand opening in 2007.

About MMPA

MMPA is committed to providing its 11-member communities with competitively priced, reliable, and sustainable energy. Avant Energy serves as MMPA’s energy management company, including developing generation facilities, as well as buying and selling energy for MMPA. 

Energy Education Program

A key component of the Energy Education Program is the Faribault Energy Park (FEP) Tour Event. While visiting the 300 MW capacity natural gas facility, students are able to view the control room, steam turbine, on-site wind turbine, and solar array. During the month of May, fourth graders attend the Tour Event and rotate through educational stations located throughout the facility and its wetlands park. Each station focuses on a specific energy lesson ranging from the concept of energy and energy sources to how a power plant, such as FEP, generates electricity and provides power to local homes and businesses. A new component added to the tour includes hands-on activities and tips for conserving energy from the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Again this year, the MMPA and the Science Museum of Minnesota provided an interactive learning experience to fourth graders from Cowern, Richardson and Webster Elementary School, plus St. Peter’s Catholic School. While visiting Faribault Energy Park, MMPA’s power plant, students learned about the importance of electricity and the power of their hometown. 

MMPA’s Energy Education Program has served more than 15,000 students in MMPA member communities, including North St. Paul.