Clean Energy Collaborative plans to continue meeting

The Clean Energy Collaborative, formed nearly three years ago when KFTC and allies stopped the coal-burning Smith plant, held its final meeting October 23 in Lexington.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative, its 16 distribution co-ops, the Attorney General and public interest groups met for nearly two years to explore renewable energy and energy efficiency options for the co-ops. Coming together from diverse perspectives, members worked together to understand complex regulations; became conversant with terms like “baseload” and “peak demand”; built relationships; and developed concrete recommendations for clean energy.

These recommendations include adding wind, solar and hydroelectric to EKPC’s Envirowatts program, building a small solar farm and leasing panels to co-op members, developing an energy ambassadors program, and further researching the potential for wind and hydro in Kentucky, among others.

Though they may not have seen themselves as partners in the beginning, members are now planning to continue meeting beyond the mandated timeframe of the Collaborative, to advance the recommendations and develop ways to increase participation in existing clean energy programs offered by the co-ops.

At the October 23 meeting, the Collaborative looked at market research on attitudes toward clean energy in EKPC’s 16 co-op districts. Findings indicate that many customers are unaware of programs such as Envirowatts that are already being offered and that more marketing and outreach are needed.

Look for more information on the work of the Collaborative in the next issue of balancing the scales.