Blue Ridge Electric Joins GreenCo
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
LENOIR, NORTH CAROLINA (May 12, 2008) — Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is among 24 North Carolina electric cooperatives who have joined together to create a not-for-profit company to focus on energy efficiency initiatives and renewable resources. The new company, which is jointly owned by the electric cooperatives, is called GreenCo Solutions, Inc.
“Joining GreenCo reflects our commitment to the environment and to offering value to our members,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Electric. “By partnering with other cooperatives, we can develop energy efficiency programs and pilot renewable energy projects in a more cost effective manner and in a way that benefits us locally as well as a state.”
During the first meeting of GreenCo last week, Johnson was elected to the GreenCo board of directors. In addition, Lee Layton, chief operating officer of Blue Ridge Electric, and Brian Crutchfield, director of economic development, will serve on a steering committee which will be responsible for developing programs and other initiatives.
Bob Goodson, Chief Operator Officer of GreenCo, said the new company will aggregate services related to green energy, allowing the member co-ops to achieve efficiencies and economies of scale. “By working together, we can provide high quality programs that will benefit our residential and commercial consumers at the lowest possible cost,” Goodson said.
The new company will also provide compliance reporting and tracking for member cooperatives related to Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (REPS) established by Senate Bill 3, enacted by the NC General Assembly in 2007. The bill mandates that NC-based electric utilities must purchase or generate a specific amount of renewable energy, or reduce electricity use through energy efficiency improvements.
Goodson added, “Because the outlook for our energy future is changing, the timing is right for this new company, with or without the legislative mandate.”
Even before joining GreenCo, Blue Ridge Electric had begun working on environmentally friendly initiatives which are of significance to its members. For example, the cooperative has given out more than 3,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to its members through events such as its annual membership meeting, an event being held June 14 this year where CFLs will again be distributed. The effort is designed to help members control energy costs by switching from traditional light bulbs to the more energy efficient fixtures. Lighting accounts for 20 percent of a typical home’s energy bill.
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve consumers in 93 of the state’s 100 counties. Blue Ridge Electric serves 73,000 consumers in the counties of Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Alexander.
Back to Top
