In the News...
Welcoming Spring & Celebrating 90 Years Together
As spring nudges its way into southwest Minnesota, many of us are heading back outdoors. It’s the perfect time to refresh our awareness around electrical safety.
As we turn the calendar to March, it feels like spring has been teasing us a bit early this year. February gifted us with several unusually mild days — the kind that inspire thoughts of outdoor projects and maybe even a few afternoons without the winter coat. Of course, this is Minnesota, and we know better than to assume winter is over. A March snowstorm wouldn’t surprise any of us, but we’ll gladly embrace every pleasant day we receive.
This year marks a significant milestone for Nobles Cooperative Electric — 90 years of service to our members and communities. Since 1936, our cooperative has been powering farms, homes, businesses, and schools across southwest Minnesota. More importantly, we’ve been powered by you — the members who own this cooperative and continue to steer its future.
To celebrate, we’re thrilled to partner with the Murray County Historical Museum for a special reception alongside their traveling exhibit on rural electrification and cooperative history. It’s a meaningful opportunity to reflect on our journey, honor those who built the lines before us, and appreciate how far we’ve come. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this shared history. You can find event details on page 6 of the newsletter, or follow us on Facebook for more information.
Spring in southwest Minnesota also brings outdoor tasks — clearing fence lines, cleaning ditches, preparing equipment, and getting fields ready. This month in our newsletter, you’ll find information about ditch burning and electrical safety. Burning can be an effective tool for vegetation management, but it’s crucial to plan carefully and prioritize safety. Heat or contact can quickly damage utility poles, guy wires, and other electrical equipment.
Keeping vegetation trimmed around poles and under lines is key to maintaining reliable service. However, if a burn or piece of equipment gets too close to a power pole or guide wire, please contact us immediately. Even if the damage appears minor, early repairs can prevent bigger problems and outages later. We prefer to address issues promptly rather than respond to emergencies down the road.
Spring also serves as a good reminder to look up and stay aware. As equipment grows larger and work becomes busier, awareness around power lines is more important than ever. Whether moving machinery, cleaning up trees, or working near overhead lines, maintaining safe distances protects you, your family, and our crews.
Through every season — harsh winters, windy springs, hot summers, and harvest falls — our commitment remains unchanged: delivering safe, reliable electricity while honoring the cooperative principles that built this organization 90 years ago.
Thank you for your continued support, membership, and partnership. Here’s to a safe and productive spring — whatever Minnesota weather decides to bring next.
As always, if you have questions about your electric service, safety, or cooperative projects, we welcome the conversation.