MECA News

Safety Auditing: A Testament to Cooperation Among Cooperatives

2024-02-08T10:25:22-05:00February 8th, 2024|Uncategorized|

In the world of electric cooperatives, the principle of "Cooperation Among Cooperatives" holds a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and mutual support. One notable way in which this principle is actively practiced is through safety auditing—a process that not only enhances safety measures but also exemplifies the cooperative spirit. A Cooperative Culture In the U.S., the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP) is [...]

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MECA and Wolverine Host Webinar to Discuss Recent Energy Legislation and Its Impact

2024-02-09T16:00:16-05:00February 8th, 2024|Uncategorized|

In mid-January, MECA and Wolverine hosted nearly 100 directors and cooperative staff to discuss recent energy legislation and its impact on Michigan electric cooperatives. Topics included: Energy Legislation Politics (Joe Baumann, Chief Legal Officer, Wolverine); Clean Energy Standard (Zach Anderson, COO, Wolverine & Lucas Johnson, Power Supply Manager, Wolverine); Energy Waste Reduction (Rachel Johnson, CEO, Cherryland); Renewable Energy Siting (Sam Hogg, Director of [...]

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Navigating A Momentous Shift in Energy Policy

2024-01-08T12:14:33-05:00January 8th, 2024|MECA News|

Michigan’s New Clean Energy Laws Among Most Ambitious in the Country Michigan's energy future is undergoing a significant transformation with the recent signing of a comprehensive set of bills by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The bills passed swiftly on party lines, with House and Senate Democrats comprising nearly all the support for the package of bills. "This energy package will have more consequences for [...]

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One Fund, One Family: Cooperative Family Fund Hopes to Reach $1M Goal by End of Year

2023-12-01T14:46:21-05:00December 1st, 2023|MECA News|

In the cooperative world, the sense of belonging to a tight-knit community is a core value. For those who work in cooperatives, the concept of being part of an extended family is not just a saying but a lived reality. NRECA President Tony Anderson, a veteran in the cooperative field and retired CEO of Cherryland Electric, exemplifies this sentiment when he states: "Cooperatives [...]

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Michigan Electric Co-ops Contribute Billions to State Economy, Says Latest Report

2023-10-30T14:12:25-04:00October 30th, 2023|MECA News|

A recent report reveals the substantial economic influence of electric cooperatives in the United States, showcasing their significant contributions to job creation, income, and overall economic growth. This analysis, titled "Economic Powerhouses: The Economic Impacts of America’s Electric Cooperatives," also highlights the impact at the state level, over a five-year period, with impressive numbers calculated for Michigan. “Our state’s electric cooperatives power 300,000 [...]

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Baaa-ck to Basics: Sheep-powered Vegetation Management Adds to Sustainable Solutions

2023-11-08T11:53:53-05:00October 25th, 2023|MECA News|

In a world where sustainability and environmental responsibility are at the forefront, innovative approaches are emerging to manage the challenges posed by vegetation around solar arrays. Spartan Renewable Energy and Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) found an eco-friendly solution to this challenge by collaborating with Dussel's Farm Market and Greenhouse, who use sheep for vegetation management. This unique partnership not only benefits the environment [...]

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Safety Training Shows the Power of Collaboration

2023-09-01T09:15:22-04:00September 1st, 2023|MECA News|

MECA’s safety training workshop has been a cornerstone event in the lineworker community, bringing together seasoned professionals from various utilities. The purpose of the training is to provide a platform for continuing education that is often hard to come by once a lineworker finishes their initial training. The lineworkers, despite working for different utilities, are united by a common goal and skill set, [...]

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MPSC Supports MECA’s Position on Outage Credits Order

2023-08-16T10:48:21-04:00July 28th, 2023|Uncategorized|

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 [...]

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Inaugural Quad States Safety Leadership Conference Is a Hit

2023-05-17T15:36:43-04:00May 17th, 2023|MECA News|

In late April, nearly 70 up-and-coming lineworkers from around the country participated in the first ever Lineworker, Safety, Training & Leadership Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. Unlike other training conferences, these individuals were selected through a nomination process that was meant to identify people who actively influence the safety culture at their utility. The goal of the conference was to educate and provide a [...]

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