Great River Energy launches Low Income Conservation Kit program

Elk River, Minn. (December 8, 2005)

Great River Energy and its 28 member cooperatives can now offer conservation kits to low-income homeowners and renters in their service territories. The kits contain compact fluorescent bulbs, a low flow shower head, pipe insulation, a photo night light, and products to reduce air infiltration.

These kits will be distributed through the state’s Community Action Agencies (CAAs) as well as member distribution cooperatives. Great River Energy’s goal for this new program is to distribute enough kits to attain system-wide savings of 270,000 kilowatt hours, roughly equivalent to the energy needed to supply over 250 homes with electricity for one month.

The program has already garnered support throughout the state. “Public-private partnerships like this are an important part of helping families wisely conserve energy in their homes,” notes Governor Tim Pawlenty. “Keeping families warm in winter is not just about comfort, it’s about the health and safety of our citizens.”

Great River Energy has designed this program to be as straightforward as possible. CAAs and member cooperatives will order the kits directly from the supplier, Whole Energy and Hardware. To receive reimbursement for the cost of the kit, the agency or member cooperative need just return a postage-paid postcard with the name of the cooperative, the date the kit was installed and the name of the local CAA.

“Our goal is to help people reduce their overall costs, reduce their energy consumption and save money,” says Tom Sagstetter, Great River Energy conservation improvement coordinator. “These kits are a nice addition to the many other conservation programs offered by our member cooperatives, including Energy Star^® rebates, high efficiency lighting, air source heat pumps, and cycled air conditioning.”

For complete information, contact your local electric cooperative or Community Action Agency, or call Great River Energy at 763-241-2265.

Great River Energy ( www.GreatRiverEnergy.com) is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative providing electricity to 28 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It is the second largest power supplier in the state of Minnesota, and the fourth largest cooperative of its type in the nation.