MECA secured a significant accomplishment for its member distribution cooperatives recently with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). MPSC delivered favorable news by addressing the applicability of outage credits to electric cooperatives. The original order was a result of last winter’s severe ice and snowstorms that hit Michigan businesses and residents hard. It revealed an increase in the outage credit [...]
Two Thumb Electric Cooperative (TEC) journeyman linemen recently put their safety training into action when they responded to a house fire on Atwater Road, between Ubly and Parisville. On the afternoon of October 3, Jim Vogel and Shane Maurer were returning from a jobsite when they noticed what appeared to be flames coming from the back corner of a house, but they didn't [...]
MECA celebrated National Co-op Month with a series of "Cooperative Foundations" workshops in October, which focused on co-op history, principles, and purpose. "We used to offer a similar half-day workshop in partnership with NRECA," says Doug Snitgen, Executive Vice President at MECA. "But, when we discovered that NRECA no longer offers their course, Great Lakes Energy asked if MECA could develop something to [...]
The remote town of Onaway, Michigan—population 880—is not an obvious pick to install a new electric vehicle (EV) charging station. While most EV charging stations today are in urban areas or along expressways, Michigan’s electric cooperatives are planning for a different future. Placing chargers in rural areas will allow EV drivers to visit smaller communities, while providing a boost to local economies. Michigan’s [...]
Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op (PIE&G) continued the recent trend by holding its 83rd Annual Membership Meeting as a live, online event. The meeting was live streamed from the co-op headquarters building in Onaway via Zoom video conference. A multi-camera setup allowed directors in attendance to stay 6-feet apart and only remove face coverings when presenting. “This was a really creative solution,” [...]
190 Electric Co-ops Among Qualified Bidders The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released the list of qualifying bidders and a map of available territories for the upcoming Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction. This $16 billion auction opens up the opportunity to extend broadband to these rural areas of electric and telephone cooperatives, consortiums, and other local community-based entities. The auction is expected to lead [...]
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan electric cooperatives have temporarily suspended disconnection of delinquent electric and gas accounts. While not required, all Michigan co-ops have agreed to abide by a non-disconnect affirmation that largely mirrors a Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) order which directs investor-owned utilities to suspend disconnects and waive late fees until June 1. However, this effort to support member-consumers in [...]
Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association has completed the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP) sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Electric Association (NRECA) in Alexandria, Virginia. RESAP is a national safety program in partnership with utility safety leaders and utilizes a framework for continuous improvement to improve safety performance and culture. The program is designed to recognize electric cooperatives for above-average safety performance. [...]
Louis Wenzlaff, President of the Board of Directors, opened the 82nd Annual Meeting of TEC members held on June 8 at the Thumb Octagon Barn. An estimated 500 people attended the meeting, which was highlighted by the election of four Directors and numerous entertainment activities featured as a part of the TEC Member Appreciation Day and Annual Meeting. Elected to three-year terms of [...]
Alger Delta celebrated their 80th annual meeting on June 5. Four hundred thirty-seven members attended the event at the Island Resort Casino and Convention Center in Harris. The event included a dinner, business meeting, staff reports and prize drawings. Doors opened early to accommodate the crowd that was lined up outside. Director Darryl Small opened the meeting with an invocation. During the meal, [...]
