Electric Co-op Today

As co-op consumer-members search for ways to hold down their energy costs, even as they bring more electric devices into their homes, many are looking to their co-ops for answers.

Contractor Lyndon Lee (l) chats with Derrick Peters of Allamakee-Clayton EC during a co-op sponsored regional energy expo. (Photo By: Beth Snitker)

That’s prompted a growing interest in energy expo events and an increased demand for experts who offer fresh ideas and new options on energy efficiency and conservation. “We’re filling a need to help consumer-members control home energy costs,” said Todd Schulte, member services manager at Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative.

The Centuria, Wis.-based co-op has been sponsoring a series of seminars for consumer-members interested in remodeling their homes or building new ones. Organizers originally envisioned three small sessions for groups of up to 15 consumer-members, said Joan O’Fallon, Polk-Burnett’s director of communications. “We’ve had to cut each session off at 30. We planned three sessions and we’ve added a fourth.”

At least three co-ops in Iowa and Minnesota have noted similar trends, in part because members know they are plugging in more devices in their homes.

“Consumer-members are looking for ideas that will help them save money. So we’ve brought in experts on energy-efficiency up­grades, new construction, ventilation and moisture control,” said Brenda Tesch, director of public relations for Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Rushford, Minn.

Tags: Efficiency and Conservation, Energy Efficiency