Annual trip brings clarity, connection, and a deeper understanding of where electricity comes from.
For most of us, flipping on a light switch is second nature. But the journey electricity takes before it reaches our homes, farms, and businesses is anything but simple. That’s why Meeker Energy hosts its annual Member Energy Tour, to pull back the curtain on power generation and help members gain a broader understanding.
This year’s tour took a group of members to North Dakota to explore the sources and systems behind the electricity that powers their lives. The multi-day trip included stops at some of the most critical pieces of our region’s power infrastructure, from cutting-edge coal generation facilities to hydroelectric dams and sweeping wind farms.
One of the most eye-opening stops was Antelope Valley Station, a 900-megawatt coal-fired power plant owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Members walked through the process from coal delivery to steam generation and saw firsthand the complex systems that keep electricity flowing day and night. A visit to the Great Plains Synfuels Plant added another layer of understanding. Operated by Dakota Gasification Company, the plant is the only commercial-scale facility in the country that converts lignite coal into synthetic natural gas and other marketable products.
The group also toured the Garrison Dam, a hydroelectric power station on the Missouri River and one of the largest earthen dams in the world. Along the way, members glimpsed expansive wind farms stretching across the North Dakota prairie, offering a visual representation of the growing diversity in the nation’s energy mix.
But beyond the technical knowledge, the trip was also about connection between members, between generations, and between consumers and the cooperative model itself.
“We signed up for the trip because it looked interesting,” shared members Ed and Mary Otto from rural Dassel. “We were amazed by how many different products come from lignite coal; it was eye-opening. We also really enjoyed meeting and spending time with the other members on the trip. It gave us a much better understanding of where our electricity actually comes from. We’d definitely recommend the tour to others.”
Meeker Energy hopes that kind of insight is exactly what members walk away with. As conversations about energy continue to evolve with renewables, emissions, and regulations all in the spotlight, it’s more important than ever to understand the role of baseload generation and the complexity of energy transitions.
“These tours aren’t about promoting one energy source over another,” said Steve Kosbab, Energy Services & Business Development Manager. “They’re about transparency, trust, and building a knowledgeable member base. When people can ask direct questions and hear from experts, it creates space for real conversations and thoughtful engagement.”
Tour sites are carefully selected to reflect the sources of Meeker’s wholesale power generation, including Basin Electric’s facilities and hydropower supplied from the Garrison Dam. The itinerary offers a well-rounded view of the energy landscape from legacy infrastructure to emerging innovations. Each year, the Energy Tour serves as a powerful reminder: energy doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of planning, investment, and cooperation. And when members see that firsthand, it transforms their understanding of the power behind the switch.
