CMPAS History
Envisioning a joint power agency with a project-oriented focus, a group of independent-minded public power utilities collaborated in 1987 to form Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPA). At the time, CMMPA was established for the sole purpose of negotiating and managing a single power supply contract with a neighboring investor-owned utility.
In 1998, the Agency expanded from one contract and employee to form a separate management and consulting services agency that was known for many years as Utilities Plus, in 2015 was rebranded as Central Municipal Power Agency/Services (CMPAS). Although its name changed, the Agency’s team of industry specialists continue to serve in a consultative role providing power supply, transmission, and energy market services to both members and customers in Iowa.
Over 30 years since its inception, CMPAS continues to serve as a “directional compass” for municipal utilities. While the Agency has grown, the projects have gotten bigger, and service offerings have expanded, CMPAS still remains true to its public power origin and original tenets to serve as a “partial requirements agency with an emphasis on independence of operation, economical supply of energy for its consumer owners, and perpetuation of municipally owned electric systems in Minnesota.”
Important Years in CMPAS History
1987 – 2000
1987
Local utilities form project based Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPA).
CMMPA renegotiates power supply contract with Northern States Power Company (NSP).
1988
CMMPA forms Utilities Plus (precursor to CMPAS) as an agent for management support and utility services.
2000
Northern States Power Company (NSP) reduces full-requirements contract and CMMPA arranges short-term supplemental power supply.
2001 – 2006
2003
CMPAS initiates comprehensive long term power supply planning study.
2004
CMMPA signs contract for a participant share in Omaha Public Power District’s (OPPD) Nebraska City 2 baseload coal plant.
2006
CMMPA is designated as a market participant in new Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market.
First wind generation contract begins with Wolf Wind, LLC. CMMPA joins the CAPX Brookings/Grid North 2020 Vision Team.
2007 – 2013
2007
CMMPA becomes Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Transmission Owner (TO).
CMMPA executes $32 million investment in CAPX Brookings/Grid North.
2009
OPPD Nebraska City 2 goes into service and CMMPA receives capacity and energy.
CMMPA begins scheduling for Eldridge, IA and Montezuma, IA.
2012
CMMPA financially closes on its first tax exempt bonding for CAPX Brookings/Grid North.
Power Supply Coalition results in a WPPI baseload nuclear power contract for CMMPA and its affiliate Willmar Municipal Utilities.
2014 – 2021
2014
CAPX Brookings/Grid North goes into service and CMMPA receives Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) rate recovery.
CMMPA establishes partnership with Energy Insight to provide energy conservation support.
2015
Central Municipal Power Agency/ Services (CMPAS- aka Compass) replaces Utilities Plus name.
2017
CMMPA celebrates 30 years.
2021
CMPAS refinanced the bond amount of 18,960,000.
CMPAS formally establishes its headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN.