Association Of Illinois Electric Cooperatives Home Energy Efficiency Program Wins MEEA Award
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Home Energy Efficiency Rebate Program that allowed Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) to provide over 150 home energy assessments and nearly $130,000 in energy efficiency rebates to its members has received the 2012 Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award program from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEAA).
The award was presented to the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC), Springfield, IL, at the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference (www.meeaconference.org). MEEA's Impact Award is presented to an organization that has made a significant contribution to energy efficiency market transformation, either through the implementation of a specific program or a policy change.
The AIEC is the statewide association that represents the 25 member-owned electric distribution cooperatives in Illinois and administered the program on behalf of the cooperatives. EECA is a member of the AIEC.
The Home program, one of the largest and most effective in Illinois history, eliminated an estimated 5,000 metric tons of CO2 and is projected to result in annual energy savings of nearly 500,000 kWh of electricity and nearly 150,000 therms of natural gas and 340,000 gallons of propane.
Home's high success rate - more than 90 percent of participating homeowners followed through with at least some of the assessments' recommended improvements - allowed AIEC to use $2.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding which spurred more than $25 million in energy efficiency investments in just 15 months.
"Through Home, we were able to provide education and information to our members that assisted them in making their home more energy efficient and comfortable to live in" said Bryce Cramer, EECA District Office and Member Services Manager. "The ARRA funded rebates also spurred over $1,200,000 in local energy efficiency investments at a time the economy was really struggling."
"The Home program not only helped Illinois homeowners save money and save energy, but brought jobs and increased economic activity to the region as well," said Jay Wrobel, MEEA executive director. "MEEA is proud to recognize AIEC's efforts with this year's Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award."
Egyptian Electric Cooperative is a member of Touchstone Energy® - an alliance of more than 730 local, consumer-owned electric utilities around the country. Egyptian Electric Cooperative is committed to improving the quality of life of our member-owners based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The co-op serves more than 14,500 meters over 2,200 miles of line in parts of Jackson, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington and Williamson counties. For more information, visit www.eeca.coop.