Central Municipal Power Agency/Services (CMPAS - pronounced "compass") serves as a municipal, consumer-owned, joint power agency providing energy management and consulting services for its electric utility members. It exists as the management services organization of the Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPA), also a member-directed agency. Since its beginning, in 1987, CMPAS/CMMPA membe
rs have chosen a project-based partial or full requirements model in contrast to a "one size fits all" full requirements model. This preferred approach allows members to remain autonomous while working together to find solutions to common problems; create economies of scale; leverage purchasing power; and share costs for staff expertise, project development, management, and administration. CMPAS's project approach permits members to retain ownership of their own power portfolio and hold contractual rights to specific quantities of power from specific resources. Each utility owns an individualized portfolio that optimizes locally-owned resources and unique load factors. Typically, each member's power supply and transmission portfolio represents 60 to 70 percent of a utility's costs. As their agency and service organization, CMPAS provides guidance to help manage those costs. Concentrating on power supply, transmission, and energy market, and distribution services, CMPAS acquires the necessary specialization in these areas so its municipal members can focus on local issues. Project by project, CMPAS works in the best interest of each member and serves as an extension of their staff.
