The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and other energy and environmental stakeholders are uniting around “community storage” as they search for a way to solve the electric industry’s energy storage challenge. Community storage refers to a spectrum of utility-sponsored programs that aggregate electric storage resources available throughout the community, such as water heaters and electric […]
By Amy Higgins Electric cooperatives are faced with the challenge of meeting the energy needs of their member-owners while meeting legislators’ expectations of increased renewable energy options. But “going 100 percent renewable” — a common statement in recent years — is an unrealistic undertaking without the appropriate tools. One possible solution to these expectations is […]
By Katie Kershman Colorado schools are saving $102,000 annually through the Colorado Energy Office’s Energy Savings for Schools (ESS) program. Energy costs are the second highest operating costs K-12 schools face today. It’s estimated that more than $2 billion could be saved nationwide by improving energy efficiency, according to a 2011 study by the U.S. […]
By Mary Peck Every job comes with its own unique tools of the trade. For electric lineworkers, those tools include personal protection equipment (PPE) to keep them safe as they work in what has been listed as one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the country. This PPE includes personally-fitted rubber insulating gloves […]
By Paul Wesslund If you want to work where the action is, how about a job as an electric lineworker, keeping the electricity flowing throughout your community? Or, as a power use supervisor or member services representative, working with co-op members to find ways to reduce their electric bills by saving energy, utilizing renewable energy […]
By Robert Taylor It looks like something plucked from Dr. Seuss’ doodle pad: Mountain Parks Electric’s 1956 Model 423 Tucker Sno-Cat appears to be a cross between a classic pickup and a snow transport, complete with steel sprockets, moving track wheels, dual front runner skis and a vintage grille and hood. Its once cherry red […]
Accident an undesired event that results in personal injury of property damage. Close Call/Near Miss an undesired event where no property was damaged and no personal injuries were sustained; a slight shift in time or position, damage and/or injury could have occurred. Loading…
By Paul Wesslund The thermostat on your wall marks a new era in electricity. Whether it’s a dial-style older than you or a digital model installed last month, it’s become more than just a way to set the temperature in your home. That familiar gadget is now a gateway to a world where consumers have […]
By Mary Peck Colorado’s eastern plains are probably the last place a person would expect to find a hydroelectric project installation, but that’s exactly where Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association member Jim Park’s micro hydro generator is planted — along an irrigation ditch on his farm 8 miles east of Kersey, to be precise. The […]
Co-ops face unprecedented challenges as the result of new distributed energy technologies, customer attitudes toward self-generation and state energy efficiency and renewable energy policies. At CREA’s Energy Innovations Summit October 30, the opening panel provided a coast-to-coast look at how the electric co-ops in several states are mapping a strategy for the new energy paradigm. […]