Podcasts about electric cooperative

How does KREMC determine whose power to restore first when a significant outage occurs? Assistant Manager of Operations Mike Whitaker joins us on the podcast to discuss the restoration process during large scale power outages.

Scams that target electric utility consumers have been around for almost as long as the industry itself, with criminals using the latest technologies over the years to defraud victims. Electric co-ops have a unique advantage in combating scams, being locally owned, community focused and eager to share information with one another. Learn more from Monica Martinez of Utilities United Against Scams and Joan O'Fallon of Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative.

To honor the up-and-coming lineworkers in the line trade, we launched a new department called Faces of the Future in T&D World magazine. Through this new podcast series, you can now hear the voices of these apprentices, who talk about their inspiration for working in the trade and their experiences learning on the job.  The first up is Zackery Gough, a fourth-year apprentice for Pedernales Electric Cooperative in Texas. Zack won the apprentice division not once, but twice, at the International Lineman's Rodeo, and he's eligible to compete in the division once again this October. He talks about training at Northwest Lineman College, working in the intense Texas summer heat and working out in the field to keep the lights on for his community.  To learn more about Zack, you can read his online profile, which appeared in T&D World magazine. 

To honor the up-and-coming lineworkers in the line trade, we launched a new department called Faces of the Future in T&D World magazine. Through this new podcast series, you can now hear the voices of these apprentices, who talk about their inspiration for working in the trade and their experiences learning on the job.  The first up is Zackery Gough, a fourth-year apprentice for Pedernales Electric Cooperative in Texas. Zack won the apprentice division not once, but twice, at the International Lineman's Rodeo, and he's eligible to compete in the division once again this October. He talks about training at Northwest Lineman College, working in the intense Texas summer heat and working out in the field to keep the lights on for his community.  To learn more about Zack, you can read his online profile, which appeared in T&D World magazine. 

Join CFC's Brian Sloboda as he dives into a handful of cooperative use cases that highlight the potential of demand response programs. 

Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. v. Southwest Power Pool, Inc.

Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. v. FERC

#161: Brandon Lohse is the CFO of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp.Prior to joining Arkansas Electric he worked more than 26 years in the energy and financial services sectors. Most recently Brandon served as the Director of Investor Relations at One Gas in Tulsa, OK. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with honors from Seattle Pacific University, a Master's in Business Administration from Washington University's Olin School of Business and is a Certified Treasury Professional. Not only is Brandon's career path and leadership experience impactful, but also seeing a true miracle take place in his daughters battle with Leukemia. On the show he shares his story or growing up, the dream of becoming a CFO, college, getting into business, adversity, his daughters story, restoration, redemption, leadership, and much more. A quote I have always liked is from Martin Luther King Jr, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” I am thankful to call Brandon a friend and got to see him as he navigated through this really challenging time for him and his family. I couldn't think of a more faithful person to speak on restoration and redemption, as well as fining purpose in pain. Enjoy the show! 

Lucas and Ashley welcome Paul Basha and Craig Spencer.

Kris Onda, a fourth-step apprentice for CORE Electric Cooperative in Conifer, Colorado, is an International Lineman's Rodeo competitor and the first lineworker in his family. During this episode, he talks about focusing on wildfire mitigation and wildlife protection and servicing his cooperative's members living on cliffs up in the mountains. He also shares his experiences with the International Lineman's Rodeo, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024. Learn more at linemansrodeokc.com. Also check out the Spotlight on the Line Trade featuring Kris and Part 1 of our recent Lineman's Rodeo-themed episode, which highlights Kris and other competitors and supporters. 

Kris Onda, a fourth-step apprentice for CORE Electric Cooperative in Conifer, Colorado, is an International Lineman's Rodeo competitor and the first lineworker in his family. During this episode, he talks about focusing on wildfire mitigation and wildlife protection and servicing his cooperative's members living on cliffs up in the mountains. He also shares his experiences with the International Lineman's Rodeo, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024. Learn more at linemansrodeokc.com. Also check out the Spotlight on the Line Trade featuring Kris and Part 1 of our recent Lineman's Rodeo-themed episode, which highlights Kris and other competitors and supporters. 

CFC has launched the first episode of a new videocast series—CFC Solutions Cast: Industry Insights—which will focus on bite sized pieces of industry news and how it may impact electric cooperatives. The bi-weekly videocast will feature CFC's industry team, who will highlight the most important and relevant topics electric cooperatives are facing today and in the future.Join Chris Whittle for an update on the volatility of crypocurrency and possible impacts to electric cooperatives. 

Flathead Electric Cooperative Communications & Marketing Supervisor- Courtney Stone   

Get ready now..Storm tracks change, snow and ice predictions can become worse quickly.   We talked with REC's Casey Hollins about getting ready often unpredictable winter weather.

12/27/23: Marshal Albright is the President and CEO at Cass County Electric Cooperative. He joins Joel on "News and Views" to talk about their service during the storm that's hitting parts of North Dakota. He talks about the current status of customers without power and what his employees are doing to fix it as quick as possible. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today - Our focus is on the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative which has recently announced they'll return $3 million to members.Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flathead Electric Cooperative Key Member Advocate – Ron Catlett

In the second hour, new Tuesday host Brad Wright is joined by Vermont Electric Cooperative Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Towne. Then, he talks with Associate Editor at Seven Days Margot Harrison to review some of the latest movies. 

We continue our conversation with Stephanie Scott about the benefits of being a KREMC member, including discussion about the Co-op Connections programs as well as several youth programs and opportunities. 

East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. v. FERC

Gaining Maryland Public Service Commission approval in March of 2022, the SMECO FlexTemp Pilot moved quickly to stand up a flexible load management program directly associated with the management of smart thermostats, during both the cooling and heating seasons. The approach taken for the program was presented during PLMA's Spring 2022 Conference and was titled “Revenue and Emission Benefits of Managing Thermostats on a Sub-hourly Basis”.The FlexTemp Pilot builds on SMECO's innovative approach to utilizing smart thermostats, dating back to 2015, as one of the first utilities to provide incentives to customers for the installation of smart thermostats.The FlexTemp Pilot achieved considerable success in 2022 and proves it's possible to manage behind-the-meter assets as grid resources, and that devices can also support decarbonization goals and plans. Additional impacts include:The ability to group cohort members and schedule dispatches on a day-ahead basis.Development of procedures to group cohort members and schedule dispatches on a real-time basisLearning customer behavior, which allows for seasonality of customer cohorting.Optimization of members enrolled to dispatch events to achieve firm service levels.Optimization of members enrolled to dispatch events to achieve guaranteed load drop.Events called based on optimization of energy savingsEvents called based on optimization of capacity savingsEvents called based on optimization of GHG emission reductionAbility to dispatch on a real-time basis instead of day ahead basisMembers enrolled = 250+ with the expectation of exceeding 1,000+ by May 2023.Reduced member opt-out rate in comparison with traditional DR programs (~1.5% as compared to ~25%)kW/member saved on average per event: 1 kW

Columbia-based Boone Electric Cooperative was Missouri's first electric coop. It was formed in 1936 as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Rural Electrification Administration. Boone Electric today has more than 28,000 individual accounts that serve about 36,000 meters. While most of its members are in Boone County, they also have members in Audrain, Callaway, Howard, Monroe and Randolph counties. Boone Electric general manager and chief executive officer Todd Culley joined 939 the Eagle host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on Saturday morning's "CEO Roundtable." Mr. Culley outlined the importance of their new $29-million corporate headquarters on Columbia's Rangeline and they also discussed Columbia's power plant on the Business Loop, which Mr. Culley says is no longer burning coal. Mr. Culley also says no new power plants are being built on the system, and he warns about potential large rolling blackouts across parts of the country in the next few years:

We sat down with McKale Hagg from Warsaw to discuss his recent trip to Youth Tour in Washington D.C. Every summer, Indiana's electric cooperatives sponsor a group of students going into their senior year of high school to go on this life-changing educational adventure.

In this episode of CFC Solutions Cast, we speak with Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) Innovation and Technology Leader Cyril Brunner and CFC Vice President of Utility Research & Policy Jan Ahlen about the future impact virtual power plants (VPPs) may have on the electric cooperative network. A VPP is a network of distributed energy resources, such as smart thermostats and batteries, that are operated by a common, centralized control system.  Brunner explains how VEC is introducing VPP programs to its membership and the potential impact he sees for the cooperative's future. Brunner and Ahlen also discuss the broader implications VPPs could bring to utilities, including improving affordability and reliability as well as increasing member engagement.VEC is a distribution cooperative located in Johnson, Vermont, providing energy services to over 33,000 members in 75 communities.Listen to learn how VPPs could be changing the future of utility programs. 

On this episode, we are joined by Mark Ponton, Director, Broadband and Fiber Services at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC). REC is a member-owned utility that provides electric service to nearly 170,000 connections in 22 Virginia counties from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. Mark leads REC's efforts to expand broadband services and bridge the digital divide in rural communities. His commitment to equitable connectivity drives REC's mission to empower individuals and build community development through broadband access. Click below to listen. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Broadband Bunch so you never miss an episode. To learn more: https://www.myrec.coop/broadband

This week's Open Mic guest is Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. After an extended tenure of serving his constituents in Utah in the U.S. House of Representatives, Matheson assumed the reins of the NRECA in 2016. Rural residents formed their own electric cooperatives in the 1930's to bring electric service to their homes and communities. Today, those same member owned organizations serve over half of the land mass in the nation and more than 42-million customers. Matheson speaks to the challenges of meeting growing demand for electric power including electric generation and transmission. He is in favor of renewable energy sources but says the nation needs reliable power generation in the face of growing demand from industry, homes and an influx of electric vehicles. Matheson says the digital divide is real in rural America and the NRECA is working to close the digital gap for the sake of health care, education, precision agriculture and rural development.

REGIONS: Electric cooperative explains brownouts | May 12, 2023Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribeVisit our website at https://www.manilatimes.netFollow us:Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebookInstagram - https://tmt.ph/instagramTwitter - https://tmt.ph/twitterDailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotionSubscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digitalCheck out our Podcasts:Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotifyApple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcastsAmazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusicDeezer: https://tmt.ph/deezerStitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes#REGIONS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Social Collectives podcast, where in this episode, we explore the many ways that Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative is making a difference in the community. We are joined by two amazing guests who are dedicated to giving back to their community: Pam Rochon and Nan Musick.Pam and Nan are both members of the NOVEC HELPS team, which is focused on supporting local charities and organizations that make a positive impact on Northern Virginia. They are passionate about the work that they do and are here to share their insights and experiences with us today.In this episode, Pam and Nan will be discussing how NOVEC HELPS charities in the community, highlighting some of the incredible organizations that they have supported over the years. NOVEC HELPS is committed to making a difference in the lives of Northern Virginia residents.So, if you're interested in learning more about how NOVEC HELPS is making a difference in the community, and how you can get involved, then sit back and enjoy this episode of The Social Collectives podcast with Pam Rochon and Nan Musick.https://www.novechelps.orghttps://thesocialcollectives.org/

Transition from Dispatcher to Operator. The host for this show is Guillermo Sabatier. Having recently attended TechAdvantage, one theme is becoming ever more pervasive: DERs are changing the way distribution system dispatchers are having to run their systems. Power flow is showing increasing instances of moving from the load towards the sources, a departure from the traditional way the system behaved. The ThinkTech YouTube Playlist for this show is https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQpkwcNJny6nwmSAXtd40Kath8s8aCbZo Please visit our ThinkTech website at https://thinktechhawaii.com and see our Think Tech Advisories at https://thinktechadvisories.blogspot.com.

Tom talks Energy and what’s going on in the legislature with Montana Electric Cooperative’ Association.

Rural broadband build-outs by electric cooperatives have been remarkably successful, according to a recent report from NRTC and NRECA. Despite rising labor and material costs, most co-ops report higher than expected take rates and a 9% internal rate of return. Notably, among the 88 co-ops surveyed, serving their community was the biggest motivational factor listed, with revenue lagging significantly behind. Two of the report's architects share more insights in this episode. The full report is available online from NRTC.

Nick Tyler and Brandon Wittman discuss YVEC and their title sponsor of the Chamber Ag. Celebration on January 27th.

This ChamberCast episode shines a light on one of our Chamber members, Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative. Hear from featured guests President and CEO Brandon Wittman and Board Chairman Dave Kelsey as they share their connections to agriculture, the importance of agriculture to YVEC, bringing electrical services to rural areas, commitment to community, and much more. YVEC is proud to be the title of the Chamber's Ag Celebration Week and Ag Celebration Banquet, being held January 23-27 with the banquet as the culminating event, as they recognize the importance of agriculture to their cooperative and uplifting the farmers and ranchers they serve. Thank you to our Ag Celebration Week Sponsors: Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, Stockman Bank, Eide Bailly, Ag West Farm Credit, KGHL, AgroLiquid, C&B Operations, Dessert Mountain Broadcasting, Molson Coors, Little Horn State Bank, Hubbard Feeds, Agri Industries, King's Ace Hardware, Bravera Bank, NonStop Local TV, and MetraPark!Thank you to PayneWest Insurance for sponsoring ChamberCast!Learn more:Ag Celebration WeekAg Celebration BanquetBillings Chamber Agriculture Committee

Join us for our morning chat where we discuss Starlink internet service, the Top 10 collectible toys of the 90's, and ChatGPT.An exciting episode brought to you by Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services and SwiftCurrent Connect.

Beneficial Electrification – what is it and why is it important to Minnesota's energy future? Gary Connett, chair, Beneficial Electrification League, Jamie Fitzke, director of legislative affairs for the Center of Energy and Environment, and Tim Sullivan, CEO Wright-Hennepin Electric Cooperative, explain. Learn how the increased use of electricity can actually reduce overall energy use, lower greenhouse gas emissions and save consumers money over time.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Berkeley Electric Cooperative WebsiteSmartHub App (Apple)SmartHub App (Android)

Coming up this week! A special recording LIVE from the Electric Vehicle Fall Festival this past Sunday featuring Kate Staples of Dominion Energy and Louis O'Berry of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. We're talking about the electric grid, Time of use incentives, Vehicle to grid, and even electric school buses. Content:0:00 - Introduction1:21 - Meet Kate Staples and Louis O'Berry2:55 - Can the electrical grid handle EVs?6:25 - Off-Peak Charging and Time Of Use Programs9:05 - Can V2G benefit the electrical grid?11:55 - With CA and TX grids having challenges, will we see that in Virginia?14:12 - Virginia's grid is getting cleaner14:39 - ‘Vividly Brighter', a program from REC17:45 - Questions from the audience about electric school buses22:35 - How to follow Dominion Energy and REC's programs24:48 - Ending AnnouncementsPatreon Supporters: Executive Producer Tier - Rajeev Narayan, Christopher LawrenceProducer Tier - Charles Hall, Eric WeberIf you would like to support the EV Resource podcast and Magazine, head over to Patreon and consider a monthly contribution. https://www.patreon.com/EVResourcePodcast Partner: Titan Auto and Tire - Titan is one of the very few independent shops in Central Virginia that are qualified to work on EVs and Hybrids.  www.titanautotire.comIf you're interested in an Aptera, use this Referral Link:https://lz953.isrefer.com/go/preorder/a39375Ohmmu Lithium-Ion 12v Batteries for Teslas and EVshttps://www.ohmmu.com/?ref=gb9uvv3jh8 Use code EVR at checkout for 5% off orderInterested in starting your own podcast?Start here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=873454Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/evresource1Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ev_resourceTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/EV_ResourceWebpage: http://www.ev-resource.comEmail: hello@ev-resource.comSpilling Realtyhilarious real-life stories from the field, top industry guests & pop culture #TeaTimeListen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Flathead Electric Cooperative Public Affairs Specialist Courtney Stone connected with John Hendricks and Robin Mitchell during the KGEZ Good Morning Show Glacier Bank Community Conversation on Friday August 12 , 2022 to remark on the upcoming Fair, and the Co-op's role there.

The Rayney catalyst causes the atomic hydrogen to drop to a lower energy level forming a hydrino. The net energy released my be 100 times the energy of fossil fuel. Water as fuel. The technology is being applied to heating and electricity production. In Dec 2008, Black light power licensed Estacado too produce gross thermal power up to a maximum continuous capacity of 250 MW or convert this thermal power to corresponding electricity Jan 2009, Black light power licensed Electric Cooperative, Inc. of New Mexico, to use Blacklight power for the production of thermal or electric power up to a maximum continuous capacity of 250 MW or convert this termal power to corresponding electricity Blacklight power completed a “successful independent replication and validation of its 1,000 watt and 50,000 watt reactors based on its proprietary new clean energy technology.” On October 20, 2008, BLPI made a statement that Peter Jansson of Rowan University had completed a three month test of their reactors and validated excess heat production. (Reference Link) August 12, 2009: BLP press release through Hill & Knowlton claims that researchers at Rowan University reproduced BlackLight process, using their own materials. Results were claimed to show 1.2 times to 6.5 times the energy released than can be attributed by known chemical reactions Dr Rand Mill says, "The BlackLight Process generates more than 200 times the energy of burning hydrogen that can be harnessed to replace the thermal power in coal, oil, gas and nuclear power plants. These experimental results prove that the new power source discovered in our labs has the possibility to make a profound impact in our current energy-strapped economy" Quote BlackLight intends to rely on existing technologies to convert thermal power to electric power. As BlackLight devices generate surface heat at grades comparable to existing commercial fire boxes in natural gas and coal-fired plants, existing heat-to-electric technologies such as gas turbine, micro-turbine and Sterling engines can be melded with BlackLight power cells to generate electricity, as well as space and process heat. end Quote BlackLight Power Fact: 1. Dr. Randall Mills, Blacklight catalyst causes hydrogen to take on a fractional quantum state far small than ground state, less than Bohr's radius. The catalyst is called Rayney forming a Casmir geometry. The hydrinos produce 200 times more energy from the fractional quantum state. 2. Jon Naudts proposed hydrogen atoms inside a Casmir cavity could appear to have fractional states. Naudts said the relativistic state could appear fractional. The Casmir cavity is where local vacuum fluctuations are depleted. 3. In 2007, Ron Bourgoin published an article, “Inverse Quantum Mechanics of the Hydrogen Atom” showing the general wave equation (QED) predicts exactly the 137 fractional states claimed by Dr. Randall Mills 4. Classical quantum mechanics states hydrogen in a free space exits at the minimal ground state. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/david-nishimoto/message

We are powered up for a Special Edition COBT with our good friend, David Tudor. David is the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Associated Electric Cooperative Incorporated (AECI), a member-owned electric co-op serving two million customers in Missouri, Iowa and Oklahoma. David joined AECI in 2016 and has previously held positions at Champion Energy Services (CEO), ACES Power Marketing (CEO), and PG&E Energy Trading in his extensive energy career. It was a timely discussion given the recent blackout challenges Texas and other states are facing with summer weather heating up. AECI recently held their Annual Meeting with key themes including reliability, regulatory developments, and natural gas. The conference brought together over 750 people representing co-ops, utilities, banks, and power companies. Colin Fenton and I had the opportunity to speak about the increasing importance of natural gas domestically and globally and really enjoyed the conference and group of attendees. In our COBT discussion with David, we cover how AECI is uniquely positioned to focus on reliability, the co-op structure and what differentiates it from other models, AECI's portfolio of energy sources, current supply-chain issues with the US railroad system, the potential for new technology that is both reliable and less land intensive than solar, the future of AECI, federal involvement generally, and the challenging summer ahead for both electricity providers and customers. Thank you to David for joining and providing some fantastic insights! We had a quick upfront discussion: Mike Bradley had two key points about the markets and the junk bond market. Colin Fenton noted WTI is now trading at a price premium to Brent and prepped us for our conversation with a few thoughts on reliability and summer price spikes.  

04/25/22 : Dale Haugen is the General Manager at Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative, and he joins Joel to talk about the electrical outages that have occurred from the spring winter storms across North Dakota. Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative providing services to northwestern North Dakota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of CFC Solutions Cast, we chat with Roanoke Electric Cooperative CEO Marshall Cherry and Cobb Electric Membership Corporation Vice President of Power Supply, Rates and DER Strategy Tim Jarrell as they discuss their rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging programs, member adoption and how member feedback is driving improvements. Roanoke, based in northeast North Carolina, has the lowest population density in the state and recently implemented a strategic vision, called Vision 2025, to drive the cooperative to implement services that are more efficient for its member-owners.Cobb, based in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, is the polar opposite of Roanoke—very dense and urban—but has similar goals of ensuring its products and services satisfy member needs. While both systems took different approaches to meet member EV charging requirements, the cooperatives are focused on providing charging solutions that are a win-win for members to save money and ensure EVs are plugged in during off-peak times.  Listen to the Solutions Cast to find out what Cobb and Roanoke have in store for the future as member EV adoption increases in both urban and rural areas. Learn More About Cobb and Roanoke Rate Design Studies and New Program Offerings See “CFC Helps Cobb EMC Offer Multiple Rate Options to Members,” Solutions News Bulletin, Jan. 11, 2021, to learn more about the rate design study that helped develop Cobb's time-of-use rate program. See “CFC Helps Roanoke EC Launch New EV Subscription Rate Program,” Solutions News Bulletin, March 8, 2021, to learn more about the rate design study that helped develop Roanoke's EV subscription rate program.

CEO & General Manager Brandon Wittman catches up with Nick Tyler on Ag Celebration Week, the effect of Co-ops on our area, and why co-ops are important for our rural communities!

On this episode of the Building Local Power podcast, ILSR Co-Director John Farrell speaks with Luis Reyes, General Manager of the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in New Mexico. John and Luis discuss the many benefits of distributing solar power through the community and Kit Carson's plan to provide members 100% of their daytime electricity from local solar projects. Highlights include: How rural electric co-ops are adapting to new challenges and expectations after serving rural areas for more than 100 years. Why, due to contracts with coal plants, Generation and Transmission cooperatives (G&Ts) often hold back distribution cooperatives like Kit Carson from generating much of their energy locally. How Kit Carson connects members to high quality Internet access — and how they rose to the challenge of distance learning by connecting schools and Internet hotspots at no cost. How co-op members are shaping future renewable energy projects.   “I continue to see the co-ops in the forefront of this new energy world we're facing, and we're probably the best equipped to address it. I think that's positive for the co-op nation.” “We have to get out of these scare tactics and, and say, the sun doesn't shine at night, so let's put some batteries. Or let's get wind that follows that nighttime profile. And instead of us as co-ops and utilities making excuses why we can't, we should figure how we can.”   Related Resources Read ILSR's updated report on How Cooperatives Are Bridging the Digital Divide. Listen to our 2018 Local Energy Rules episode featuring Luis Reyes and Warren McKenna of Farmers Electric Cooperative. Read more about Kit Carson's clean energy and broadband Internet programs. Read our 2014 report on rural electric cooperatives: Re-member-ing the Electric Cooperative. Listen to episode 139 of Local Energy Rules, detailing how a Colorado Law Creates Transparency at Rural Electric Co-ops. Check out the New Economy Coalition's Rural Electric Cooperative Toolkit or listen to our Local Energy Rules episode featuring two of its creators. For concrete examples of how towns and cities can take action toward gaining more control over their clean energy future, explore ILSR's Community Power Toolkit. Explore local and state policies and programs that help advance clean energy goals across the country, using ILSR's interactive Community Power Map. Transcript Jess Del Fiacco: Hello, and welcome to Building Local Power, a podcast dedicated to thought provoking conversations about how we can challenge corporate monopolies and expand the power of people to shape their own future. I'm Jess Del Fiacco, the Host of Building Local Power and Communications Manager here the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. For more than 45 years, ILSR has worked to build thriving, equitable communities where power, wealth, and accountability remain in local hands. Jess Del Fiacco: Today you're going to hear from ILSR Co-director, John Farrell, who is joined by Luis Reyes, who is the general manager of Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in New Mexico. Starting in 2022, Taos, New Mexico and surrounding communities will receive 100% of their daytime electricity from local solar projects. Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, which is the utility that serves that area, is also connecting everyone of its 30,000 members to high speed affordable internet service. You'll hear John and Luis discuss the advantages of self-reliance in rural communities and how Kit Carson's progress has been driven by member engagement. With that, onto the show. John Farrell: Without further ado, Luis, welcome. Luis Reyes: Yeah, thanks John, it's nice to talk to you again. John Farrell: Now, your cooperative has gotten in the news for all sorts of reasons around clean energy, but one of the things I think most people don't realize is that you've really been at the helm at Kit Carson for a long time. I looked up in your bio and I think you've been there now for over 25 years.

We pre-recorded today's conversation via Zoom with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative's new CEO, John Hewa. John explained the basics of the electric industry, REC's business model, REC's commitment to our local communities through a variety of ways and how they are working to be a community partner. For more information about Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, visit their website: https://myrec.coop/

We pre-recorded today's conversation via Zoom with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative's new CEO, John Hewa. John explained the basics of the electric industry, REC's business model, REC's commitment to our local communities through a variety of ways and how they are working to be a community partner. For more information about Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, visit their website: https://myrec.coop/

Today's show featured two conversations with Casey Hollins, Director of Communications & Public Relations for Rappahannock Electric Cooperative that we recently recorded as part of an ongoing podcast series in partnership with REC. You can find that podcast series here: https://theriver953.com/wearerec/ In the first segment, Casey gave us the details for REC's annual meeting on August 19, 2020 beginning at 7pm. This year the meeting will be held virtually and Casey explained all the ways that member-owners can participate. She explained why the organization holds an annual meeting each year and talked about how the election of it's directors work. She told us about the various ways that member-owners can cast their votes: online, mail-in, or live during the virtual event. For more information about their annual meeting and to read the bios of the directions running for election, click here to visit their website. In the second segment, Casey explained why REC is continuing their policy of not performing disconnections due to non-payment and walked through all the various options to set up a payment plan. She also told us about power gift certificates and pre-pay plans. Casey also reminded us that while their offices are closed due to the pandemic, payments can still be made 24/7 at any of their 4 kiosks and by using SmartHub. For a full list of payment options, click here to visit their website.

We had a bit of a twist for today's show - I "snuck" a few podcasts into your listening time today. In partnership with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, I've been producing a podcast series for the last 18 months. We talk about a wide range of topics and today, I played two of those episodes for you. You can listen to all the episodes in that series here: https://theriver953.com/wearerec/ Three Easy DIY Projects to Save Energy Energy Saving Tips You Might Not Know