Minnesota Energy Resources has provided safe, reliable natural-gas distribution to Minnesota residents for more than 70 years.
The company has grown over the decades as a result of a series of acquisitions of smaller network companies and the network build-outs inherent to growth areas.
The number of customers served by Minnesota Energy Resources has increased from 163,094 in 1996 to 203,348 in 2005, an increase of 40,254 customers or an average growth of 4,473 customers per year.
While the number of customers is significant, the company's most distinguishing features are relative to the scope and scale of the operations. Minnesota Energy Resources covers more than 38,000 sq. miles, 55 counties, and 165 communities. It stretches from Canada to the Iowa border…And from the Dakotas to Wisconsin.
The company transports about 76 billion cubic feet of natural gas annually across the distribution system, with about 2/3 of that volume flowing to large-volume customers.
The distribution network is one of the most contemporary by industry standards (due largely to upgrades and other capital investments). The system is well maintained and has been supported by a strong capital plan for the last several years. About 45% of the capital expense is related to integrity projects that include repair and replacement of the system, as well as costs associated with moving network assets in response to state and local road projects.
Of the 3,611 miles of transmission / distribution mains, 99% are Polyethylene plastic or protected steel pipe. Likewise 98.5% of Minnesota Energy Resources' 193,448 services are PE plastic or protected steel. In 2004, the "leaks per 100 miles of pipe" was 3.56. This represents a significantly favorable comparison to the AGA reported industry median performance of 12.
