Energy Democracy in Action

Stories of people taking charge of their electricity systems

The Appalachian Voice | December 20, 2018 | No Comments

In Appalachia and across the country, ratepayers are demanding more clean energy, affordability, choice and transparency from their energy providers.

Roanoke Electric Cooperative

Roanoke Electric Exemplifies Service to Members

A rural North Carolina cooperative responds to member feedback by fostering economic development and clean energy.

Ohio Community Choice Aggregation

Banding Together for Better Power Options

An Ohio state law has allowed hundreds of communities to choose a more affordable power supplier.

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative

Virginians Petition For Change at Their Electric Co-op

Rappahannock Electric’s attempt to block members’ efforts to bring reform amendments to the ballot has sparked a legal dispute. All other Virginia electric co-ops have joined Rappahannock in opposing the members’ push for transparency.

Powell Valley Electric Cooperative

Advocates Increase Powell Valley Electric Co-op Member Participation

A citizens group is calling for transparency at their electric cooperative, and helped to generate the second-largest voter turnout in recent history at the co-op’s annual meeting.

City of Winter Park Electric Utility Dept.

Forming a Municipal Utility

Some cities and counties have terminated their contracts with commercial utilities and formed municipal, publicly owned utilities instead.

Pedernales Electric Cooperative

Reformers Uncover Corruption, Bring Change to Pedernales Co-op

Poor solar policies led members of the nation’s largest electric co-op to investigate the board and file a class-action lawsuit.

Kit Carson and La Plata Electric Cooperatives

Reform at One Southwestern Co-op Spurs Change at Another

Electric cooperatives generally purchase electricity from other entities, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority, Dominion Energy and Duke Energy. In the Southwest, several electric cooperatives are demanding better terms and more renewables from their power provider.

Gainesville Loves Mountains

Gainesville Loves Mountains Expands to Energy Efficiency

Gainesville citizens push their utility away from mountaintop removal coal and toward clean energy.

Choctaw Electric Cooperative

Members of Choctaw Electric Continue to Reform Their Co-op

Deep-seated corruption at an Oklahoma electric cooperative spurred several member-owners to organize a campaign for reform.

Farmers Electric Cooperative

Iowa Electric Co-op Embraces Solar

Since 2008, Eastern Iowa’s Farmers Electric Cooperative has integrated more solar power after seeing the financial benefits it brings to the community.

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