CMMPA is now CMPAS
Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPA) is “powering up” a new name, logo and website, changing its consulting division’s name from Utilities Plus to Central Municipal Power Agency/Services (CMPAS – pronounced “compass”).
Although the name changes, the agency will continue conducting electric portfolio management and consulting business for public power utilities in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. CMMPA/CMPAS serves as the joint power agency and electric services provider for 12 Minnesota municipal utilities including Mountain Lake Municipal Utilities.
While serving as a municipal, consumer-owned, non-profit joint power agency, the name change to Central Municipal Power Agency/Services better reflects its relationships and presence in several states. CMPAS provides individualized consultative planning and procurement services for power supply, transmission, and MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) market services as both a power agency and utility services organization.
“As we continue to grow and serve a larger geographical area, our name needs to reflect the municipal utilities we serve,” said CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Steve Thompson. “We wanted a name that reflects our members and affiliates while at the same time highlights our electricity portfolio management and consulting services.” Along with the renaming, CMPAS unveiled a new logo and website (www.CMPASGroup.org) that includes in-depth project and service information, details about agency membership and affiliate member services, as well as information about rebates and other resources for electric consumers.
CMPAS’s full-members include municipal utilities in Blue Earth, Delano, Fairfax, Glencoe, Granite Falls, Janesville, Kasson, Kenyon, Mountain Lake, Sleepy Eye, Springfield, and Windom.
“Central Municipal Power Agency/Services will continue to serve as a municipal, consumer-owned, non-profit agency that helps municipal utilities identify strategies that minimize wholesale power costs, manage future risks, and maintain stable, competitive rates,” said Mountain Lake City Administrator and CMPAS Board Chair Wendy Meyer. “As in the past, the Agency remains committed to helping municipal utility boards address their full or partial requirement needs while allowing them flexibility and autonomy to customize their own electric energy portfolio.”
In a consultative role, CMPAS offers individualized strategic, technical services that support municipal utility partnerships. Whether through transmission ownership or electric power contracts, these partnerships help municipals offset operational costs and stabilize rates for their consumers.
The tagline “Municipal Compass to Power” further describes the services and partnerships CMPAS offers to guide electric utilities in navigating the complexities of the power industry. Over the Agency’s 28-year history, CMPAS has managed to attain transmission ownership status in the MISO grid, negotiate contracts for power purchases and other long-term projects, initiate coalitions to study power supply options, and arrange for excess energy capacity sales.
For more information on how CMPAS helps municipal utilities navigate electric industry complexities, visit www.CMPASgroup.org.