New Employee Safety Program Being Tested
A new safety program that would help co-op lineworkers avoid common injuries is being developed by Joe McElroy, MECA safety director, and Heather Johnson, an exercise physiologist from WMU. It focuses on offering a stretching program that would help lineworkers avoid muscle strains. Currently, the program is being tested at Midwest Energy and Holland Board [...]
Ice Storm Leaves Over 20,450 Co-op Members Without Power
The crippling ice storm that caused power outages for over 500,000 mid-Michigan people during Christmas week affected about 20,450 served by electric co-ops. Co-ops affected most were HomeWorks Tri-County and Thumb Electric, although over 5,000 Great Lakes Energy members were also without power. “At peak, we estimate that over 10,000 of our members were out [...]
Co-ops Report Early Progress On ACRE Owners Program
From the recent launch of its ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action program, Cherryland Electric now has 109 members signed up, with a current total of $3,672 in contributions, reports Rachel Johnson, Cherryland’s grassroots advocate. Member response came largely from an ad last fall in Country Lines magazine and an ACRE bill insert. “All of [...]
3 Stories In About 3 Minutes…
Co-op Promotions – Alger Delta’s Troy Tiernan is the co-op’s new operations manager. He ascends to the position after nine years with the co-op and four years of previous experience with contractors and other line constructors. Tiernan’s first priority will be to fill the lineworker position left vacant by his promotion. At Great Lakes Energy, [...]
Snyder Sets Goals for “No Regrets” Energy Future
Gov. Rick Snyder has laid out his vision for a “no regrets” energy future by 2025, calling for an emphasis on eliminating energy waste and replacing coal with newer, cleaner technologies – natural gas and renewables. “Michigan needs an energy policy that ensures we can be adaptable, have energy that is reliable and affordable, and [...]
Cloverland Electric Rate Settlement Announced
Cloverland Electric Cooperative announced that the Michigan Public Service Commission has approved a rate settlement reached between the cooperative, public service commission staff and the City of Mackinac Island, an intervenor in the rate case. The approved $2 million or approximately 2.4 percent increase is about half of the amount requested by the cooperative in [...]