Minnkota receives 2026 Excellence in Safety Award

Minnkota Power Cooperative has been recognized once again for its strong culture of safety in the workplace and beyond. On Jan. 29, the cooperative was presented with the 2026 Excellence in Safety Award at the Energy Progress & Innovation Conference (EPIC) held in Bismarck. This award honors energy-aligned organizations who have implemented initiatives that have significantly reduced safety risks to employees, made changes to processes to provide positive environmental impacts, and provided improvements in general health and safety.

The committee that selected Minnkota for this award noted the co-op’s “strong safety-first culture rooted in integrity, teamwork, innovation, reliability and an unwavering commitment to protecting employees, members and communities.” Minnkota was also applauded for its industry-leading safety performance over several years, including outstanding results in national safety assessments. Minnkota is proud to support the strengthening of its safety culture through comprehensive training, advanced safety technologies, specialized emergency response teams, and innovative programs that enhance both workplace and public safety.

Beyond safety, the award committee also recognized Minnkota’s commitment to environmental stewardship through responsible operations, emissions reduction efforts, and land and water conservation initiatives.

“Together, these efforts position Minnkota as a model of excellence in health, safety and environmental responsibility within the energy industry,” the committee said.

Thank you to all the employees of Minnkota for your dedication to safety – our power is truly our people.

MAIN IMAGE: Minnkota Safety & Physical Security Supervisor Troy Karlberg (left) accepts the Excellence in Safety Award from Pamela Clark-Stein, 2026 EPIC Chair.