What Community Energy Cooperatives Can Do: • Bulk Fuel Purchasing. Not only substantial cost savings can be achieved through bulk fuel purchases, but "level payments" on a year-round basis and surplus revolving funds invested in interest bearing accounts can supply end-of-theyear rebates to co-op members. ' • Boiler Maintenance and Repair. Because of the non-profit nature of the cooperative, standard service contract~ and preventive maintenance services can be supplied ~ta lower than market rate to co.: op members. • Leasing and Installation of Alternative Energy Systems. With direct Co-op Bank financing for solar energy installations and,other alternative technologies, the individual consumer would not be required to cover the up-front capital cos~s of initial installations and at the same time pay less for monthly fuel charges. • Education and Job Training. With Co-op Bank financing the cooperative would be in a position to attract local CETA -job training funds as well as provide other job training and community education of ~~n. . I • Energy Planning and Economic Development. The cooperative could undertake comprehensive studies of energy needs, usage and developmerit strategies on the local level. The Co-op Bank is authorized to spend up_to 10% of its assets with Aug. /Sept. 1980 RAIN Page 19 co~OPS a·ccess Following is a list of cooperatives and resource groups from whom more information on how to organize and operate an energy co-op can be obtained. ANHD Fuel Consortium 115 E. 23rd St. • New York, NY 10010 Contact: Toby Sanches ,Publication : Cheaper ky the Million: how to start a joint fuel purchasing consortium, $3, available from the above addresss. Housing Energy Alliance for Tenants (HEAT) • 156 Fifth Ave. • Energy Auditing and Weatherization. The cooperative could sµpply auditing services at a small charge or as part of its weatherization program which through a·community-wide purchasing network could offer a variety of energy services and goods to its membership. the possibility of leveraging much more for , producer- and worker-owned cooperatives. New York, NY 10010 212/675-1920 Contact: Roy Battiste. &printed with permission from The Co-op Bank Monitor, May, 1980 • retail prices on the average). The pumps will be run automaticaliy • except for 4 hours during the day, w~en they will be operated manually by senior members of the cooperative. Shares in the co-op are $105 per person ($5 for registration and advertising costs). While gasoline is a very conventional energy source, the economic model being developed and demonstrated is quite unconventional. The grandmother of the II new wave" energy co-ops is the Ottawa Consumers 'Energy Co-op. The co-op was recently renamed as the 11 Appropriate Home Energy Co-op" to "reflect the desire of the leadership to diversify into solar, wind and biomass" energy sources. Organized as a block buying club~it began two years ago as a fuel co-op. Operating on 11 yearly rebate system, the co-op was able to return 8 cents per gallon to its members last year. Half of this rebate, upon membership approval, can be withheld (nearly $40,000 in 1979-80) for use by the co-op. Future possibilities include buying into an established conservation business (home insulation, storm windows and doors, wood stoves, etc.) and becoming a lending institution for its members. . As these new and innovative energy co-ops gain momentum, experience, and financial stability, their potential and immediate impact has begun to be recognized. The newly opened National Consumer Cooperative Bank (NCCB) has established an Energy Office whose financial and technical assistance may have far reaching effects on the future of energy co-ops. At the present time the bank wiU most probably be a conservative lender, considering that it must return to Congress for funding next year. Depending upon the outcome·of conflicts presently surrounding the bank, NCCB has the potential to foster and support-both financially and technically-the development of co-ops utilizing renewable energy sources and conservation measures. Energy co-ops can and do address the urgent needs of low and moderate income col_llmu,nities, most hard-hit by increased energy costs. Beyond this immediate and vital function, energy co-ops also serve a broader and more fundamental purpose. By advocating renewable energy sources and conservation measures, energy co-ops act as a countervailing force to the large-scale, centralized and capital intensive direction of our national energy policy. -LS Operating as a fuel buying co-op for a lowincome community on the lower east side, HEAT is considering the purchase of their own fuel truck. They estimate a net savings of 10% can be achieved through fuel costs alone. Conservation methods·could bring this figure up to 25-40%. N.Y. PIRG (Public_Interest Research Group) . 5 Beekman Street New York, NY 10038 212/ 349-6480 Contact: Pam Fairclough : An energy consortium for homeowners and non-profit groups operated through the Citizens Alliance-a statewide community-based organization'focusing on environmental quality, energy costs and neighborhood preservation. T}:lis is their first year in operation. Peoples Community Enterprises 206 W. 4th St. Duluth, MN 55806 218/727-6690 Contact: Cheryl Jenson A wood 'Co-op that is in its initial organiz- • ing stages. Presently offe'rs a referral service to local vendors and organizes work parties to i;ut and transport local wood. •Sacramento City Fuel Co-Op c/o Wilford Hill · 2591 Redding Sacramento, CA 95820 916/452-0825 A gasoline co-op offering 10-20% savings to members. Contact Wilford Hill for information on this and an alcohol fuel co-op that is now being organized in that city. Both co-ops are seeking additional members. cont.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc4NTAz