MPE's New ERA Grant

Priority 1: System or Consumer-based Energy Affordability and Efficiency Programs

MPEI is committed to reducing energy costs, increasing affordability and efficiency and enhancing system resiliency for all its members. Through strategic partnerships and locally-designed initiatives, MPEI helps its members make smart energy choices with a particular focus on assisting low- to moderate-income households.

Goal 1: Increase participation in consumer-focused energy programs.

Specific: MPEI aims to expand member participation in a variety of energy programs, including rebates, demand-side management programs, electrification incentives, and access to educational workshops and online resources that empower members to make cost-saving energy choices.

Measurable: Achieve a 1-2% increase in participation annually from 2025-2035. In 2025, MPEI is on track to provide approximately 100 rebates to members. The metrics for success will include increased participation in rebates, demand-side programs, workshop attendance, and a significant rise in web traffic to energy education content.

Achievable: MPEI will continue developing and promoting programs that address the unique needs of members, ensuring accessibility for all income levels and fostering greater participation. Collaborations with partners, including Guzman Energy, will help extend program reach and effectiveness, especially for larger power consumers.

Relevant: These programs are particularly important for low- and moderate-income households who need support in managing their energy use and stabilizing their monthly costs. By expanding access to energy-saving resources, MPEI helps ensure that all members benefit from cost-effective, sustainable energy solutions.

Timely: This goal was implemented in 2025 with an annual participation increase of 1-2% each year, continuing through 2035. Ongoing assessments will ensure the program’s continued relevance and impact.

Goal 2: Provide affordable energy rates and weatherization services to low-income households. 

Specific: MPEI is committed to improving energy accessibility and affordability for its most vulnerable members through the following programs: 

• Benefiting Our Own in our Service Territory (BOOST) – established and funded solely by MPEI to provide rate relief for income-qualified residents
• Colorado Affordable Residential Energy (CARE) – MPEI provides funding for area qualifying residents to receive energy affordability and efficiency improvements to their homes
• Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) – MPEI provides funding to support utility rate assistance

These programs are designed to work synergistically, ensuring that MPEI members can reduce their monthly energy costs while improving the energy affordability and efficiency of their homes.

Measurable: Provide annually up to 150-200 financially burdened households with a 20-25% lower monthly energy rate; provide annually up to 8-12 financially burdened households with no cost weatherization services.  

Achievable: Through the newly launched BOOST program, MPEI offers reduced rates to eligible member households living at or below the 200% Federal Poverty Level. Additionally, MPEI’s Colorado Affordable Residential Energy (CARE) program collaborates with Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) to help low-income households in our territory receive monthly assistance for energy/heat bills and weatherize their homes at no cost. However, EOC has recently experienced a decrease in funding; thereby affecting our community. BOOST can now help EOC dollars go further.

Relevant: For families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, utility costs can be a significant hardship, often forcing families to make difficult choices between paying for energy, food, and housing. The BOOST program and weatherization assistance directly address these needs by reducing energy expenses and improving home efficiency, offering immediate financial relief and long-term savings. 

Timely: The BOOST program was introduced in February 2025 in partnership with the local family resource center to provide year-round assistance. MPEI has been participating in CARE since 2023, and by combining these programs, the BOOST program will help increase assistance to low-income households. For CARE and EOC, MPEI will continue to assess the need for additional contributions annually. 

Priority 2: Develop and Support Local Energy Workforce through Apprenticeships and Training Programs (Investments in the American Workforce)

MPEI is committed to building a skilled, resilient, and locally-rooted workforce to meet current and future energy demands. By supporting both technical trade careers and energy entrepreneurship, MPEI strengthens rural economic opportunity, supports energy innovation, and helps retain essential workers in Grand and Jackson Counties. This priority includes direct investments in apprenticeship programs and collaborative workforce development initiatives designed to meet regional needs.

Goal 1: Strengthen Outreach to Build a Sustainable Talent Pipeline for MPEI’s Paid Journeymen Linemen Apprenticeship Program.

Specific: MPEI is committed to expanding high-quality, hands-on workforce development pathways through its internal Paid Journeymen Linemen Apprenticeship Program. This program plays a pivotal role in cultivating the next generation of skilled line workers in rural communities. It not only addresses immediate labor needs, but also ensures the long-term reliability and safety of local electric utility infrastructure by developing a homegrown, resilient workforce. To produce a continuous pipeline of candidates, MPEI is enhancing its marketing and outreach strategy to reach high school students, vocational school graduates, and veterans within its multi-county rural service area.

Measurable: Annual increase in outreach activities (e.g., school visits, career fairs, community events) within rural communities surrounding MPEI’s service territory. Outcomes will include: growth in qualified applications received per open apprenticeship spot, increased number of partnerships with educational and community-based organizations, and long-term tracking of apprentice retention and journey-out employment outcomes.

Achievable: MPEI is outwardly leveraging its proven internal apprenticeship framework to expand the vitality of this program. Expansion efforts will include:

• Formalized engagement with local school districts, career and technical education (CTE) programs, and rural community colleges; and
• Development of informational materials and digital outreach campaigns that highlight energy careers and the benefits of working in rural electric utilities.

Relevant: There are three meaningful factors:

1. Developing and retaining a skilled workforce to meet the growing demands of MPEI’s rural electric infrastructure;
2. Creating high-wage, stable, long-term jobs in rural areas, thereby reducing economic flight and supporting local economies; and,
3. Supporting resilience in essential infrastructure by training a workforce rooted in the communities they serve.

Timely: This goal was implemented in Fall 2024. The expanded outreach and recruitment strategy will continue annually through 2035.   

Goal 2: Develop a local energy affordability and efficiency workforce pipeline in partnership with local non-profit, Sustainable Grand.

Specific: Partner with Sustainable Grand to build out a local workforce pipeline for careers in weatherization, solar installation, and electrification. This effort will include contractor training, workforce gap analysis, and the potential creation of apprenticeships or entrepreneurial programs.

Measurable: 

• Phase 1 (by 2025):
  • Assessing local contractor qualifications and training needs.
  • Identify training and equipment needs for current contractors to become qualified. 
  • Work with established partner Energy Smart Colorado & identify others to provide training courses to fill the need.
• Phase 2 (by 2026): 
  • Identify workforce gaps and assess feasibility of launching apprenticeship or business support programs to fill the gap.
• Phase 3 (by 2027): 
  • Develop and implement at least one local training or entrepreneurial pathway, if deemed feasible.

Achievable: MPEI’s partnership with Sustainable Grand and other regional stakeholders provides a strong foundation to coordinate contractor training and energy job development. The phased approach allows MPEI to build capacity based on real-time data and community readiness.

Relevant: Energy careers are expanding, yet many rural communities lack local contractors trained in energy affordability, efficiency, and electrification. This program ensures rural residents are positioned to participate in, and benefit from, increased consumer demand for a variety of energy related products. Provide local technical training, upskilling and reskilling within current workforce to recruit, train, and retain professional field of local talent.
Timely: As of June 2025, Phase 1’s planning is underway. MPEI will evaluate progress and adjust timelines as needed in coordination with partners. 

Goal 3: Improve access to community workforce housing.

Specific: MPEI recognizes that a strong local economy depends on workforce training and on the ability of workers to live in the communities they serve. MPE is committed to addressing one of the most significant barriers to employment retention in rural areas – access to affordable housing. MPE will support workforce housing solutions through sustained investment in the Grand County Housing Assistance Fund, administered by the Grand Foundation.

Measurable: Increase local workforce housing assistance by up to three households annually, tracked through Grand Foundation’s reporting on fund utilization, including the number of workforce households supported, average assistance amounts, and housing stability outcomes.
Achievable: Commitment to the established Grand County Housing Assistance Fund administered by the  Grand Foundation.

Relevant: Affordable, stable housing is a key factor in long-term workforce retention and economic sustainability. By supporting the housing needs of local workers, MPE directly invests in the vitality and resilience of the rural communities it serves. 

Timely: Annual financial contribution for 10 years. This goal was launched in May 2025 and will continue through 2035, with annual evaluations of the number of individuals served and the effectiveness of the assistance in promoting housing stability and workforce retention.

Goal 4: Introduce Internal Employee Workforce Housing Assistance Program at MPEI.

Specific: As one of the largest employers in the region, MPEI provides high-skill, well-paying jobs that are essential to the vitality of our rural communities. To support employee recruitment and long-term retention, MPEI has developed an Internal Employee Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program designed to make homeownership more accessible for employees living and working in the community.

Measurable: MPEI will offer down payment assistance annually to up to four eligible employees. Tracking will be through participation rates, employee retention data, and housing stability outcomes.

Achievable: The program provides up to $60,000 per employee in down payment assistance, with a structured 5-year employment commitment. Assistance will be granted as a forgivable stipend, with 20% of the total amount forgiven annually upon the employee’s completion of each year of service. This structure ensures accountability and aligns the benefit with long-term workforce development.

Relevant: By reducing one of the primary barriers to homeownership, this initiative strengthens employee ties to the community, fosters long-term economic investment, and makes MPEI a more competitive and attractive employer.

Timely: This goal was implemented in April 2025 as a pilot program. A full program evaluation will occur at the end of this period to assess impact, scalability, and continuation.

Priority 3: Support Rural Communities

Goal 1: Food Security and Grocery Access Programs.

Specific: Partner with local nonprofit food pantries to implement food assistance and delivery programs specifically for homebound senior citizens in rural Grand and Jackson Counties who lack the financial resources and/or physical ability to access healthy, nutritious groceries.

Measurable: Provide consistent monthly food deliveries for up to 30 homebound seniors in each county (up to a total of 60 seniors annually), ensuring access to balanced and healthy food. Track participation, delivery frequency, and nutritional impact through partner reporting and annual monitoring.

Achievable: MPEI will provide sustained annual support for food delivery systems serving homebound senior citizens. Through partnerships with local nonprofit food pantries, this initiative will reach seniors each year who are isolated, low-income, and nutritionally compromised. This long-term commitment is part of the cooperative’s broader goal to support resilient, healthy, and equitable rural communities across its service area.

Relevant: This initiative directly addresses food insecurity among one of the most susceptible populations – homebound seniors in remote, rural, and mountainous areas. 
Timely: Program launched in January 2025 and will be supported on an annual basis for 10 years, with evaluations and adjustments conducted at the end of each calendar year to ensure continued impact and effectiveness. This priority was implemented in January 2025.

Priority 4: Expand Farming/Ranching Benefits (Ag-Focused) Benefits for Rural Youth

MPEI recognizes the importance of investing in the next generation of rural leaders and supporting the agricultural heritage of Grand and Jackson Counties. This priority focuses on providing meaningful educational and professional development opportunities for students from farming and ranching communities through paid internships and scholarship support. By doing so, MPEI is helping rural youth build career pathways in utility, technical, and Ag-related fields while reinforcing the long-term sustainability of our rural economy.

Goal 1: Provide paid summer operations internships for rural high school students.

Specific: Offer two paid summer operations internships each year to high school students from agricultural or rural backgrounds. Interns will work alongside MPEI’s operations team to learn about electric utility systems, safety practices, and the role of line crews in maintaining reliable power in rural service areas.

Measurable: Offering up to two paid internships per year, with each position structured for up to 500 to 750 hours between June and August. Over 10 years, this program will provide 20 internship opportunities.

Achievable: This internship program is active and being expanded to specifically encourage applications from students in farming, ranching, or ag-adjacent communities. MPEI works directly with local high schools and FFA programs to identify qualified candidates and promote the opportunity.

Relevant: Fostering early career exposure in the utility trades helps build a stronger local workforce and increases youth engagement in rural career pathways. These internships help develop interest in electric operations, energy, and field-based work while reinforcing ties with the agricultural communities MPEI serves. 

Timely: This goal was implemented in April 2025 and will continue annually through 2035.

Goal 2: Fund Annual Ag-Based Scholarships or 4-H Educational Programs for Students from Farming/Ranching Families.

Specific: MPEI added a new category to MPEI’s existing scholarship program to establish two annual scholarships or 4-H educational programs for high school students from farming, ranching, agriculture, and 4-H families pursuing post-secondary education in agriculture, energy, trades, or technical fields.

Measurable: Award two Ag-based scholarships per year, totaling 20 scholarships over 10 years, beginning with the 2026 scholarship cycle or one 4-H educational project, depending on Scholarship participation.

Achievable: MPEI officially introduced this new scholarship category in the June 2025 issue of its member newsletter and communicated the value of this new scholarship and 4-H funding opportunity. Funding for the 2025 has already been committed and will continue annually.
Relevant: This scholarship and educational initiative supports rural youth from agricultural backgrounds, helping them pursue education and careers that contribute to the long-term strength of rural industries, including agriculture, energy, and natural resource management.

Timely: Funding will be awarded annually from 2025 through 2035, as part of MPEI’s broader scholarship program or direct support of 4-H educational programs. This goal has been implemented.