Thursday, November 12, 2020 | View Recording
The Solar Energy “Cause”: Helping Members Save Through Philanthropy

Cooperatives serve 92% of the persistent poverty counties (PPC) across the United States. More than 250 distribution cooperatives and NRECA-member public power districts serve an estimated 4.2 million people in these counties, with poverty rates ranging from 20% to over 60%. In this webinar, find out how America’s electric cooperatives are collaborating with philanthropic organizations to make the benefits of solar energy accessible to low- and moderate-income communities.

In this webinar, you will:

• Explore opportunities for America’s electric cooperatives to collaborate with philanthropic organizations to support the low- and moderate-income families we serve.
• Hear Roanoke Electric Cooperative and Orcas Power and Light discuss ways that philanthropy can make a difference in rural communities.
• Hear from GRID Alternatives, an organization dedicated to making renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities.
  
• Learn how your cooperative can connect to philanthropic organizations in NRECA’s ACCESS project through programs we know work well — that can be replicated at electric co-ops regardless of overall size, geographic location, or proportion of low- and moderate-income families.

Speakers:

Marshall Cherry
COO, Roanoke Electric Cooperative

Tom ​Figel
Senior Director of Policy & Business Development, GRID Alternatives

Adaora Ifebigh
Senior Manager, R&D Engagements, NRECA

Travis Neal
Head Accountant, Orcas Power and Light

Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | View Recording​
Solar Energy Accessibility: Bringing the Power of Solar Energy to Tribal Communities

Across the country, NRECA’s electric cooperatives are working with Native American nations to deliver service to tribal facilities, homes, and businesses. About 250 co-ops have reservation lands in their service territories, and many frequently consult with tribal leaders or officials to satisfy the needs and concerns that can arise on tribal lands. Two such cooperatives are Anza and Kit Carson Electric Cooperatives.

Join us to learn how:

• Anza and Kit Carson Electric Cooperatives'​ projects aim to keep energy costs low, offset greenhouse gas reduction and mitigation costs, and provide low- and moderate-income members access to renewable energy.
• Both cooperatives are working with tribal communities (Santa Rosa Tribal Community and Picuris Pueblo), how their solar energy collaboration came to be, and how their mutual concern for community provides a strong foundation for their work.

Speakers:

Adaora Ifebigh
Senior Manager R&D Engagements, NRECA

Luis Reyes
CEO, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative

Deb Roepke
President, Evigglad Community Power, LLC

Kevin Short
General Manager, Anza Electric Cooperative