transitioning from coal to clean energy: rural electric cooperatives

TRAN S I T I ON I N G FR OM C OA L T O C LE A N EN ER GY

RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

Karlee Weinmann, Research AssociateEnergy Democracy Initiative, Institute for Local Self-Reliance March 28, 2017

75% of land area, 42% of distribution lines, 11% of population

W H E R E D OE S P OW E R C OM E F RO M ?Generation & Transmission Co-ops

Distribution Co-ops

Member-Owners

(They like coal)

(They like coal a little less sometimes)

(They increasingly dislike coal)

ST U C K I N LO N G C O N T RAC TS

Great River Energy

Tri-State

Seminole Electric

Basin Electric

Typical power contract expiration date for members co-ops of…

2045

2050

2055

2070

H O W O UR C O - O P S Y S T E M “ W O R K S ”

Long-term contracts keep coal in play

Co-op boards blindly follow outdated policy

Lacking diverse perspectives

… AN D CO - OP ME MB E RS DON ’T SH OW UP

According to ILSR analysis:

70%of rural electric co-ops

have a voter turnout rate of

less than 10%

E N G AG I N G W I TH C O - O PS :

DATA Numbers that back up your claims

S T ORY A narrative that reinforces your data

VO I CE The right person to tell your story

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