Electric Co-op Members Cannot Afford Price Increases, Job Losses from Carbon Regulations
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jo Ann Emerson commented June 2 on the latest round of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions for power plants. “Americans count on affordable and reliable energy to power our communities, promote job and economic growth, and keep costs in line for the basic necessities [...]
Grants Available For Farmers to Start Energy Conservation, Bioenergy Projects
MSU Extension is reminding Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) applicants to apply for grant dollars and low interest loans to help implement energy conservation practices by 4:30 p.m., July 31, 2014. REAP funds must be used to buy a renewable energy system, such as: Wind Solar Biomass/biofuel Anaerobic digester Geothermal Hydro Or energy efficiency improvements, [...]
Cloverland Lineworker’s Memorial Run Is June 28
The 6th Annual Curt Knierim Memorial Run will be June 28 (8 a.m., EDT) in Newberry, Mi. The Cloverland Electric Co-op lineman/supervisor lost his life in an electricity-related accident in 2008, but he left a legacy of keeping kids active and out of trouble by being an avid fan, coach and organizer of local youth [...]
Electric Co-ops Represented at ‘Roadside Workers Safety Day’
Sen. Bruce Caswell presents a resolution to Robin Creel, widow of Consumers Energy employee Jeff Creel, killed while working along the roadway. Consumers Energy retiree Frank Coolbaugh, left, looks on. Photo-Consumers Energy As Michigan motorists prepared to hit the road for Memorial Day, utilities and others working alongside those roads are reminding drivers [...]
Thayer Appointed To MEEA Board
Art Thayer, MECA’s energy efficiency programs director, was elected May 21 to the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) Board of Directors. “This partnership with the Alliance will help our electric co-ops because it is the largest voice advocating for change in energy optimization targets and policies – especially policies that don’t recognize the member-owned uniqueness [...]
ACSI Scores Show Electric Co-ops Are Tops in Consumer Satisfaction
The 2014 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey released in May shows that members belonging to electric co-ops are more satisfied with their utility than consumers served by either investor-owned (IOU) or municipal utilities. Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives received an overall customer satisfaction score of 81 - the highest for any electric-only utility. Co-ops not affiliated [...]