Electric Co-op Today

An Alabama co-op is turning to a local charity to help some of its consumer-members reap the benefits of efficiency and conservation measures recommended during home energy audits last fall.

Jessie Ingram, manager of energy services for Wiregrass Electric Cooperative, removes old caulking from a consumer-member’s window as part of a co-op-sponsored weatherization project. (Photo By: Wiregrass Electric Cooperative)

“Financing has been a challenge for some of our members,” said Brad Kimbro, director of marketing and member services for Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. “If members are having trouble paying their bills, the initial outlay of cash for energy improvements could put the savings out of reach.”

So the Hartford-based co-op approached Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity last September. Within a month, arrangements were in place for a pilot program that committed the co-op to $100,000 in support, payable in increments of $25,000.

“This program is only available to consumer-members on our co-op’s lines,” said Kimbro. “Habitat is able to use its contractors and suppliers to leverage the money for the purchase of supplies and services. They’re also able to utilize their volunteer labor to stretch the money even further.”

Since then, two energy efficiency upgrades have been completed, and 50 more service requests are already in the pipeline.

“We’re able to conduct the energy audits, and offer a lead to Habitat for members who may not be able to afford the upgrades at full costs,” Kimbro said. Under Habitat’s income-based guidelines, members who can afford to pay are offered loans, but the co-op’s neediest members can get grants for some projects.

“We’ve already learned a lot about ways to improve the energy efficiency of these homes and others we’ll build,” said Sabrina Kirkland, development coordinator for Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity. “There are an abundance of products we can use to help make homes more energy efficient.”  Read more

Tags: Consumer Outreach, Efficiency and Conservation