PRESS RELEASE: Moorhead Public Service Recognized as a Smart Energy Provider
For Immediate Release on Monday, October 26, 2026
Moorhead Public Service (MPS) has earned a Smart Energy Provider (SEP) designation from the American Public Power Association for demonstrating a commitment to and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation, and environmental initiatives that support the goal of providing safe, reliable, low-cost, and sustainable electric service. Scott Lynch, Vice President of Asset Development at the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation and Chair of the SEP Review Panel, presented the designations on October 26, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, during APPA’s annual Customer Connections Conference.
The SEP designation, which lasts for three years (December 1, 2026, to November 30, 2029), recognizes public power utilities for demonstrating leading practices in four key disciplines: smart energy program structure; energy efficiency and distributed energy resource programs; environmental and sustainability initiatives; and customer experience. MPS joins more than 100 public power utilities nationwide that hold the SEP designation.
“SEP-designated utilities have demonstrated their leadership in smart energy programs and services,” said Lynch. “This designation celebrates utilities that are committed to serving their customers while taking the extra step to plan for the future. Communities served by utilities that have earned the SEP designation should be proud of their utility’s accomplishments.”
“We are honored to be recognized by the American Public Power Association as a Smart Energy Provider,” said Travis Schmidt, General Manager of MPS. “This SEP designation reflects the dedication of our employees and our ongoing commitment to providing safe, reliable, and innovative utility services while meeting the evolving energy needs of the customers and community we proudly serve.”
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Please contact the following individual for more information regarding this press release:
Travis L. Schmidt, General Manager
Moorhead Public Service
Phone: 218.477.8000, Option 4
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Moorhead Public Service, 500 Center Avenue, P.O. Box 779, Moorhead, MN 56561-0779 ♦ 218.477.8000, Option 4
Providing safe and reliable electricity and water to the community of Moorhead since 1895.
For information about Moorhead Public Service, visit our Web site at www.mpsutility.com.
Receive updates from Moorhead Public Service at www.twitter.com/mpsutility or www.facebook.com/mpsutility.

Proposed 2027 Budget and Rates

Moorhead Public Service (MPS) is locally governed by a six-member board of MPS customers known as the Moorhead Public Service Commission (Commission). Each fall, the Commission is responsible for establishing the utility’s rates and budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Preliminary estimates indicate that rate increases for MPS customers in 2027 may range from 0 to 4 percent for electric rates and from 3 to 7 percent for water rates.

The Moorhead Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing to consider changes in electric and water rates in Moorhead. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 5:30 PM, in the Auditorium at the Hjemkomst Center, 202 First Avenue North, Moorhead, Minnesota.

For thirty (30) days after the closing of the rate hearing and before the adoption of a rate change, written testimony shall be received and considered by the Commission. To be considered by the Commission, written comments should be e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or postmarked no later than Thursday, November 19, 2026, and mailed to: Moorhead Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 779, Moorhead, MN 56561-0779. The person providing the comments must provide his/her name and address along with the comments.

A formal decision regarding MPS’ 2027 rates will be determined at the Commission’s meeting on or about
December 22, 2026.

Click on the following for information regarding Moorhead Public Service’s (MPS’) proposed 2027 budget and rates:

• Reports to the Moorhead Public Service Commission by MPS staff:
  • 08/25/2026 Review Preliminary 2027 Budget Timetable and Set Date for Water and Electric Rate Hearings
  • 08/25/2026 Regional Electric and Water Rates

  • 10/20/2026 Accept Report #1 on MPS' Proposed 2027 Budget

  • 10/20/2026 2027 Electric Rate Hearing - PowerPoint Presentation

  • 10/20/2026 2027 Water Rate Hearing - PowerPoint Presentation

  • 10/20/2026 Residential Fact Sheet - 2027 Electric and Water Rate Proposals

  • 10/20/2026 Commercial/Industrial Fact Sheet - 2027 Electric and Water Rate Proposals

Check back for updates to this information throughout the 2027 budget process.

PRESS RELEASE: Watermain Replacement Project to begin in early June on 8th Street South between 3rd Avenue and 10th Avenue South in Moorhead

For Immediate Release on Friday, May 22, 2026

Moorhead Public Service will be replacing watermain in several phases at various locations along Moorhead’s 8th Street South corridor between 3rd Avenue and 10th Avenue South. The project is anticipated to begin in early June 2026. This project will replace failure-prone watermain before a future Minnesota Department of Transportation street improvement project.

Please note that 8th Street South will remain open throughout the project. Traffic impacts will occur during certain phases of the project, as traffic control signage will be implemented for lane closures and traffic shifts to one lane. Motorists should follow all traffic control signage or find an alternate route during the project.

Please contact the following individual for more information regarding this press release:

Jake Long, Water Distribution Manager

Moorhead Public Service

Phone: 218.477.8000

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Moorhead Public Service, P.O. Box 779, Moorhead, MN 56561-0779 ♦ 218.477.8000, Option 4

Providing safe and reliable electricity and water to the community of Moorhead since 1895.

For information about Moorhead Public Service, visit our Web site at www.mpsutility.com.

Receive updates from Moorhead Public Service at www.x.com/mpsutility or www.facebook.com/mpsutility.

The graph below shows the current electric grid conditions in the Southwest Power Pool footprint for Moorhead Public Service:

There are two types of energy alerts that will be communicated to Moorhead Public Service (MPS) customers during an energy alert or if controlled outages are necessary:

1. Energy Alert:  This is the level where MPS will issue a public appeal to reduce energy.

2. Energy Emergency:  This is the level where MPS will start controlled outages (rolling blackouts).   

For more information on current grid conditions in the Southwest Power Pool footprint, please visit https://www.spp.org/markets-operations/current-grid-conditions/

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a map that is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the state of Minnesota.

Visit www.drought.gov/states/Minnesota for more information and to view weekly updates.

To view currrent levels of the Red River, please visit:

https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/05054000

Moorhead Public Service (MPS) purchases the power you use everyday from outside resources. Despite recent increases in cost, these resources have proven to be the least cost for customers.

Moorhead Public Service offers rebates for your home and business. The Bright Energy Solutions® program helps you save money, improve comfort, and protect the environment.

For more information on rebates that Moorhead Public Service offers visit https://www.brightenergysolutions.com/municipalities-container/mn/moorhead-public-service/