Member-owned cooperatives have traditionally had an incentive to promote energy efficiency: reducing energy usage helps members lower their electricity bills.
Now cooperatives have another incentive. By increasing efficiency and reducing demand, cooperatives can avoid or postpone building expensive new power plants.
The Cooperative Research Network (CRN) has helped make cooperatives leaders in energy efficiency. With a portfolio of over 16 efficiency research projects, CRN is working with cooperatives on new approaches to demand response programs, converting waste heat to power and evaluating new heating systems.
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Prairie Power brings The Energy Efficiency Wall to Capitol Hill
August 13, 2010 - On July 21st, members of Prairie Power, and its 10 distribution cooperatives, brought the Energy Efficiency Wall to Congress to show policymakers what electric cooperatives are doing to combat energy waste. more >>
House Committee on Agriculture Passes Rural Energy Savings Program Act
July 19, 2010 - With strong bipartisan support, the House Committee on Agriculture voted out the Rural Energy Savings Program Act (H.R. 4785). more >>
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Co-ops Welcome "Rural Energy Savings Program Act"
March 10, 2010 -- Proposed $4.9 billion loan program would give co-ops access to low-interest loans for efficiency improvements through the UDSA’s Rural Utilities Service. more >>
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Co-ops Win $33.9 million from DOE for Smart Grid Demonstration Project
November 24, 2009 – The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association working with 27 cooperatives from Hawaii to New Hampshire will deploy a range of new technologies, testing interoperability and end-to-end connectivity. more >>
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Electric Cooperatives Weigh In on National Demand Response Plan
November 24, 2009 – Co-ops urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to develop a plan that will allow co-ops to create and expand a wide range of demand response programs. more >>
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Quantifying Potential Efficiency Savings
August 11, 2009 - Two new reports suggest an aggressive efficiency effort could save U.S. 15 to 23 percent of projected energy usage in 2020.more >>
Smart Grid Investments Should Benefit Consumers First
NRECA comments on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission policy statement urge patience, consensus-building and strong consumer focus. more >>
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Task Force: Energy Challenges Call for Paradigm Shift for Cooperatives
May 11, 2009 - Rural Electric Managers Development Council white paper outlines crucial efficiency objectives to help cooperatives meet rising demand. more >>
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Electric Cooperatives Thank Rep. Rosa DeLauro for Rural Energy Funding
February 23, 2009 - $15.9 Million for Rural Energy for America Program included in 2009 Appropriations. more >>
FERC survey finds electric cooperatives lead in advanced metering
January 7, 2009 - According to a 2008 report on demand response, electric cooperatives lead the nation with smart meter market penetration of 16.4 percent. more >>
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Models of Efficiency: Some of Nation’s Greenest Buildings Built by Co-ops
December 5, 2008 - Slideshow highlights diverse array of efficient co-op buildings, including Great River Energy’s Platinum LEED-certified headquarters in Maple Grove, MN. more >>
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National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and Natural Resources Defense Council Announce Energy Efficiency Collaboration
June 3, 2008 – The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining an array of joint programs that aim to improve energy efficiency in America. more >>
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A New Estimate by the Energy Information Administration Shows Annual Growth in Electricity Demand Dropping from 1.5 Percent, as Projected in 2007, to 1.1 Percent
March 10, 2008 - New lighting efficiency standards included in last year’s energy bill lowers a previous 2008 estimate of residential electricity usage in 2030, according to Senate testimony by Administrator Guy Caruso. more >>
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NRECA congratulates the U.S. Congress on passage of H.R. 6, the “Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007”
December 20, 2007 - New federal energy efficiency provisions will help nation’s electric cooperatives keep members’ electric bills down. more >>
Cooperatives Gain New Incentive to Promote Efficiency and Renewable Energy
October 16, 2007 - National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) have signed an agreement to provide financing for co-op projects to reduce energy usage at DOI facilities. more >>