CEO Insights: Top Satisfaction Ratings, Key Member Topics & Fall Safety
by Jeremy Richert, CEO
MVEC recently completed its annual member-wide customer satisfaction survey, where 5,000 electric members were asked to participate. The member responses were sent to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®), a company that measures customer satisfaction across multiple industries throughout the entire United States.
We are proud to announce that for 2026, MVEC earned an ACSI score of 90 out of 100. According to the 2026 ACSI Energy Utility Study1, our score places MVEC 18 points higher than the average investor-owned utility (72), 16 points higher than municipal utilities (74) and 13 points higher than the average cooperative (77). For full industry ratings, visit
theacsi.org/industries/energy/energy-utilities.
This high score is a direct result of our dedicated team, who work tirelessly every day to deliver top-notch electric and fiber internet services.
Annual Meeting: Member Hot Topics
In preparation for last month’s Annual Meeting, we invited members to share topics they wanted to discuss at the meeting. Here are insights into the top themes that emerged:
• Large Loads Data centers and bitcoin operations are top-of-mind for many members. MVEC is required by the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) to consider all service requests. When large technology or manufacturing entities inquire about service, we conduct thorough due diligence alongside our power supplier, Central Iowa Power Cooperative
(CIPCO), to evaluate current capacity and potential upgrade requirements. Just like residential members building in unserved areas, these prospective large-load operations must fund the infrastructure needed to bring or upgrade power to their facility.
• Understanding MVEC’s Rate Structure Members have asked why our basic service charge differs from nearby investor-owned utilities. This base fee covers the minimum fixed costs required to deliver reliable power to a location, regardless of energy usage. Because MVEC serves rural, less densely populated areas, building and maintaining infrastructure across these distances is inherently more costly on a per meter basis than in dense urban environments. Despite this, MVEC’s overall energy rates remain highly competitive: our residential rates are roughly 17% lower than the Iowa electric co-op average for the average residential member and 25% lower than the nearby investor-owned utilities.
• Vegetation Management Overgrown trees and vegetation are a primary cause of power outages and can delay restoration times during storms. To improve safety and grid reliability, MVEC has increased its vegetation management budget and partnered with two expert contractors, WLM and New Age Tree Service. Planning to plant new trees or shrubs? Check out our guidelines at mvec.coop/tree-planting-safety.
Fall Safety Reminders
As we move into fall—bringing harvest season and a new school year—please keep these key safety precautions in mind:
1. Mind Overhead Clearance: Always look up when working in the fields or unloading at grain bins. Fold equipment down before moving between locations.
2. Call Before You Dig: Contact 811 or Iowa One Call before starting any excavation or construction project. Having underground lines located is both a crucial safety step and the law.
3. Avoid Burning Ditches: Dry grass and fall foliage can ignite quickly. Ditch burning risks severe and costly fire damage to electric poles, overhead lines, and fiber optic cables.
4. Give Crews Room to Work: Our line workers and technicians are working hard to complete important projects before winter. Slow down and give utility vehicles plenty of space on the roads.