Washington Electric Co-op is particularly concerned about the impact of electricity costs on lower-income members. This program… aims to alleviate that burden. -Louis Porter
The Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) and Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) are teaming up on a program designed to help reduce the electric bills of both cooperative utilities’ income-qualified members while boosting renewable power. This initiative, funded by federal money, aims to provide relief to eligible members by allowing them to benefit from a solar generation project that VEC has already built. Participants will enjoy a substantial five-year reduction in their electric bills.
WEC has secured 115 spots for qualifying members in this program. Members who qualify at 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) based on family size will receive bill credits of $45 per month for 60 months, or five years. The federally funded ACRE program (Affordable Community Renewable Energy Program) effectively grants participants these bill credits, making it more affordable for utilities like VEC to invest in building renewable generation plants and for their member-consumers to pay for power.
“As a cooperative in one of the most rural parts of the Northeast, Washington Electric Co-op is particularly concerned about the impact of electricity costs on lower-income members,” said General Manager Louis Porter. “This program, made possible by federal funding and the cooperation between WEC and VEC, aims to alleviate that burden.”
Porter celebrated Vermont Electric Cooperative’s generosity in including its sister co-op, WEC, in this program. He noted multiple benefits for WEC’s membership, beyond the 115 eligible members who will receive bill relief. First, he explained, WEC has no need, and little capacity, to add additional solar projects in its own territory, due to WEC’s high number of net metering participants. Access to VEC’s solar generation plant provides a valuable opportunity, he said.
Second, he said, in true Vermont cooperative spirit, program collaboration is wise fiscal and time management. “Collaboration among our two cooperatives reduces administrative overhead, making it an efficient use of cooperative resources,” he confirmed.
Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, and WEC’s Member Services Representatives are actively informing potentially eligible members about the program. Members can find information about how to apply on WEC’s website.
The application process is straightforward. There are no requirements for members to be physically connected to the solar project, no fees to participate, and other than income, no other limitations on who can join. Applications are managed by the Department for Children and Families (DCF), which as a state agency is tasked with verifying income eligibility. Once DCF confirms qualification, WEC will apply the credit to the member’s bill. Each application is projected to be decided within 45 days.
Strong interest in participation could lead to future funding. “One crucial aspect of this program is the potential for additional funding over time,” noted Porter. “Even if members do not get into the program in this round, there may be more opportunities in the future.”
More information is on wec.coop.
Direct link: washingtonelectric.coop/affordable-community-renewable-energy-program-acre/