transitioning from coal to clean energy: rural electric cooperatives
TRANSCRIPT
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Co-op boards blindly follow outdated policy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
THE T HREE T H I NG S YOU N EED