MECA Testifies Before Senate on Renewables & Energy Optimization
Energy reform hearings are underway in the Michigan Legislature, and MECA staff testified in March on behalf of its member electric co-ops. Craig Borr, MECA CEO, and Art Thayer, energy efficiency programs director, testified before the Senate Energy & Technology Committee on Michigan’s Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and Energy Optimization (EO) initiatives. Both topics were [...]
MECA Offers New ‘Co-op Community Service Award
As part of its Good Neighbor Watch program, MECA is offering a new Co-op Community Service Award that recognizes outstanding co-op employees for their volunteer service and commitment to the principle of “Concern for Community.” Much of the co-ops’ long history in providing outstanding community leadership is accomplished through employee efforts. The award is offered in addition [...]
HomeWorks Installs First Solar Panel
HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Co-op has installed the first panel in their new Community Solar Garden, located next to their Portland office. “We already have 25 people signed up for the two informational meetings being held on March 18 (Portland) and 19 (Blanchard) and we have an additional list of members interested in a solar panel,” [...]
Electric Co-ops Praise Murkowski’s Energy Report
Jo Ann Emerson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, has welcomed a report called “Powering the Future: Ensuring That Federal Policy Fully Supports Electric Reliability – An Energy 20/20 White Paper,” published in February by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). "Senator Murkowski's paper is spot-on in its call for a more reliable and [...]
Co-op Directors Attend Governance Workshop
All directors from Ontonagon and Alger Delta co-ops recently participated in a Strategic Governance workshop in Marquette. The sessions were taught by NRECA’s Consulting Group professional staff, for the purpose of discussing board fundamentals, including strategic governance, myths that impede good governance, and completion of a governance assessment. The instructors also shared guidelines for building board [...]
Co-ops Welcome New Farm Bill
Congress has passed a new five-year Farm Bill that has sweeping economic and energy efficiency effects for electric co-ops and their members. The Agricultural Act of 2014 is worth $956 billion and ends uncertainty that has plagued farm policy since the last farm bill expired in October 2012. “The Farm Bill is critical to economic [...]