DMEA Wins NRECA Award for Energy Efficiency/Community Service
NRECA's CEO Glenn English (left) and Board President Jack Wolfe (right) congratulate DMEA's General Manager Dan McClendon and Board President Les Renfrow on receiving NRECA's Community Service Award in the category of energy efficiency. (PRNewsFoto/Delta-Montrose Electric Association)
NEW ORLEANS, LA UNITED STATES
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) announced at its annual meeting Feb. 16, 2009 that Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) was selected as this year's NRECA Community Service Award winner in the category of energy efficiency. Electric cooperatives serve more than 40 million Americans and maintain 44% of the nation's electric distribution infrastructure, supplying power to 75% of the U.S.'s land area.
"This is one of NRECA's most prestigious awards," said DMEA board president Les Renfrow. "Across the U.S. hundreds of electric cooperatives are working to help their member-owners lower their energy costs and serve their communities in many ways. We're gratified that our specific efforts were recognized and we greatly appreciate all our members who participated in these efforts and helped earn this award."
Programs highlighted in the award included:
DMEA's providing approximately $25,000 in funding for energy efficiency measures in two new libraries in Paonia and Crawford, CO.
The distribution of 100,000 free compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), estimated to save members up to $4.7 million on lighting costs over the life of the CFLs.
DMEA partnering with community non-profit organizations to increase participation in the Operation Round Up charitable trust that helps many individuals in need in our communities.
The first geothermal "loop tariff" in the nation that greatly reduces the initial cost of an energy-saving home geothermal system.
DMEA demonstrating a "hybrid" heat pump at a Habitat for Humanity home.
DMEA donating high efficiency Light-Emitting Diode (LED) holiday lights to several communities and organizations.
Videographers from NRECA interviewed several local co-op members regarding DMEA's energy efficiency efforts including Katie Sickles, Cedaredge town administrator; John Moore of the Delta County Library District; Kristin Hustead of Hotchkiss;Robert Ownby, manager of the Delta Wal-Mart; Julie Messengerof the Montrose Area Merchants Association (MAMA); Sandy Headof the Montrose Economic Development Council (MEDC); Bill Bond of Habitat for Humanit; Joe Kerby, Montrose County Manager; Scott Beyerof Scott's Printing; Carl Clay of Operation Round Up; publisher and Rotarian Stephen Woody.
Regional and national energy leaders also interviewed by NRECA for comments on DMEA's energy efficiency programs included Tri-State General Manager Ken Anderson; Kateri Callahan of the Alliance to Save Energy in Washington D.C.; Colo. Governor Bill Ritter, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
Highlights of the NRECA interviews regarding DMEA's energy efficiency programs and community service were shown at the NRECA national convention in New Orleans on February 16; they will be also soon be available at www.dmea.com. The full 12-minute video will be shown at DMEA's annual meeting the evening of Thursday June 18, 2009, following a regional Energy Efficiency Forum & Expo also on June 18, 2009.
"DMEA is committed to serving our communities," added DMEA General Manager Dan McClendon. "Helping our members become more energy efficient benefits our local economy, an increasingly important aspect of our efforts.
"We're grateful for this recognition, but we know there's more we can do," McClendon added. "We will continue to strive to find more ways to promote energy efficiency and further energize and serve our communities."
