Great Lakes Energy members will soon vote on amendments to the co-op’s bylaws that would allow the board of directors to be elected by district. Starting in 2014, the change would involve electing directors from nine geographic districts to create a more equal representation throughout the co-op’s 26-county service area. Currently, nine directors are elected “at-large”, which means they can reside anywhere within the [...]
After gathering input from member co-op CEOs and communications professionals, the MECA communications team is moving forward with updates to Michigan Country Lines magazine. "A recent survey showed that 38 percent of new co-op members don't read the publication because they don't understand its purpose," says Casey Clark, director of communications and marketing. "The co-ops are asking MECA to help redefine the publication's purpose, [...]
The process established by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2012 to obtain input from interested parties on energy policy has been completed and will result in an energy address from Snyder this month. The series of four policy reports on Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Customer Choice and Additional Areas, can be accessed at michigan.gov/energy. On behalf of its member co-ops, MECA has filed or joined [...]
Tom Sobeck, CFO for Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op in Onaway, was recently elected mayor of Rogers City, MI. An incumbent city councilman, the Presque Isle County Advance newspaper reports that Sobeck outpaced a strong field of candidates by receiving 40.72 percent of the 921 votes cast. "I am humbled by the level of support the citizens of Rogers City have shown me [...]
The Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) is seeking a part-time Communications Specialist to aid communications efforts for its three electric co-ops based in the U.P. (Alger Delta, Cloverland Electric, and Ontonagon County REA) by writing, researching and coordinating select communications content. Must be able to travel throughout the U.P. and commit to spending 1 to 3 days per month at each of the three [...]
Every dairy cow carries an energy price tag. Farmers pump water—and $2.6 billion in energy dollars—to boost crops. At the end of the day, energy, both direct and indirect, accounts for 13 percent of production expenses on an average farm, so it makes sense that more farmers are turning to energy efficiency to help their bottom lines. Electricity powers a farm’s heating (water, space, [...]
Does energy efficiency add up for schools? Let’s do the math. Not only are students and staff more comfortable and focused, but energy efficiency also helps funds go further. For these reasons and more, the Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools recently completed multiple large-scale lighting projects as part of their ongoing energy-saving efforts. “Although we had been doing a great deal to reduce [...]
Banks Hardwoods Inc., headquartered in White Pigeon, MI, with additional facilities in Newberry, and Menomonie, WI, is a supplier of sustainable, quality hardwood lumber. The company ships about 65 million board feet annually from its 28 drying kilns to customers making a variety of products, including moulding and furniture, throughout the Midwest. And, like most small to medium-size businesses, they are always on the [...]
If you completed an energy efficiency project last year and you weren’t aware of our business rebates, it’s not too late! Typically, Energy Optimization rebate applications must be submitted within 30 days of a project’s completion. The Energy Optimization program will now accept applications for energy efficient qualifying products installed within the past 24 months. The website (michigan-energy.org) provides a complete product list of [...]
After attending an energy seminar hosted by their electric co-op, Great Lakes Energy members Steven and Dawn Burks learned there’s an air conditioning system that can help lower their winter heating bills, too. When they built their new home near East Jordan in 2011, they had a 95 percent efficient propane furnace and an air-source heat pump installed. The entire installed cost of this [...]
