New Efficiency Campaign
Great River Energy (GRE), which supplies wholesale power to 28 electric distribution co-ops that serve about 600,000 members in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, developed its “A Brighter Idea” campaign with the goal of having each residential consumer replace five traditional incandescent lightbulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) over the next three to four years. If that were accomplished, the Elk River, Minn.-based G&T could save 125 million kWh of energy annually—enough to power 10,000 homes.
“Many consumers are already realizing the importance of buying eco-friendly, or ‘green,’ products,” remarks Gary Connett, Great River Energy director of environmental stewardship & member services. “Making the switch to CFLs is an easy way co-op consumers can help not only the environment but their wallets as well. We think it’s an idea everyone can agree with.”
The Web site for the effort, mnbrighteridea.com, offers several pages of information about the value of CFLs, which on average use 75 percent less energy and last eight times longer than their incandescent cousins. The site also generated 350 responses to a contest seeking energy-saving suggestions, which were then posted. The winner received a $1,000 credit toward his or her electric bill.
Each Great River Energy member co-op has designed its own CFL outreach program but receives marketing and other support from the G&T, such as a $2 rebate on every CFL purchased. Future plans for “A Brighter Idea” include showing how much consumers saved by switching to CFLs, and encouraging business owners to get involved.
Reprinted with permission from RE Magazine (April 2008).