Flathead Electric Co-op receives efficiency award from BPA
Flathead Electric Co-op has received Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) top honors for Excellence in Energy Efficiency.
Ross Holter, Energy Services Supervisor at FEC, said the distinction is especially gratifying, considering the quality of nominations.
“We shared this recognition with the Snohomish Public Utility District out of Washington State, which is approximately seven times our size in terms of members and staff. I think the BPA was particularly impressed with what our co-op has been able to accomplish with limited resources.”
In presenting the award, Acting Vice President of BPA, Karen Meadows, spoke highly of the honor.
“Quite simply, Flathead Electric exemplified each of the criteria we established,” she said.
“FEC’s achievement was well beyond what would be expected of a utility of their size and geography. They have shown remarkable creativity in the means by which they have promoted their efficiency programs in their largely rural service territory.
“They have pursued nearly every efficiency opportunity available in all conservation sectors and are adding more programs in 2012, when many of their peers are cutting back.”
Among the FEC achievements are:
• Flathead has introduced tiered rates that provide a financial incentive for their customers to use less power.
• They have established a loan program to allow their commercial and industrial customers to finance the upfront cost of efficiency upgrades.
• Flathead has pursued a unique marketing effort featuring a “gang” of Flathead Electric Energy Efficiency employees packing caulking guns, spray foam cans, and CFL’s, and making you an offer you can’t refuse. This campaign used television placement and public transportation to reach a difficult to access rural population.
These efforts have led to various success:
• In 2011, Flathead acquired more than two average megawatts of efficiency — an increase of more than 40 percent from the previous year and a phenomenal achievement given their total load.
“I am proud to present Flathead with the second annual Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency,” Meadows said.
Flathead Electric’s energy efficiency campaigns have also been recognized by the Montana Electric Co-op Association and the Northwest Public Power Association, among others in the industry.
Cheryl Talley, FEC Director of Energy and Member Services, said the BPA honor, however, is the ultimate stamp of approval.
“Flathead Electric has always maintained high standards when it comes to energy efficiency, but the validation of our efforts from BPA will serve to motivate us even further.”
According to BPA data, the Northwest has been a leader in treating energy efficiency and conservation as a power resource for more than 30 years.
The Northwest Power Act of 1980 called on the Northwest to give energy conservation top priority in meeting its power requirements.