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Co-op Currents is the newsletter of Washington Electric Co-op.

Below you will find the PDF version of the newsletter with the highlights for each month. Click the month name to view the newsletter.

You can also read individual Currents articles.

October 2024 - November 2024

Co-op Transformation
Co-op Considers Selling Wrightsville Hydro Plant
President's & GM's Message - RES Changes Group Net Metering Rules and more
Richard Rubin's Progressive Impact on the WEC Board
Be Prepared for Winter Storms
And much more....

August 2024 - September 2024

VEC and WEC Collaborate on Solar Project to Benefit Income-Qualified Members
Adding More Electric Over Time? Plan for your "Can"
President's & GM's Message - RES Changes Group Net Metering Rules and more
Co-op Seeks former Members from 1999 for Capital Credit Refunds
Community Fund Profiles: Where are they now?
And much more....

June 2024 - July 2024

Knowlton, Barnes, Campbell Andersen Elected at 2024 Annual Meeting
More Weather Extremes; More Outages
Cooperative Systems Work in Close Election
Ask The Energy Coach
Puzzle by Betsy Allen
Tracking WEC's Performance

April 2024 - May 2024

Meteorologist Roger Hill to Present at Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting Dinner Reservation Form
President's & GM's Message
Board Candidate's Policy Statements
Treasurers Report
2023 System Reliability Index Report
Report of the 2024 Commitee on Candidates

February 2024 - March 2024

85th Annual Meeting Registration Form
Meet JJ Vandette: WEC's Inaugural Director of Special Projects and Innovation
President's & GM's Message - Weather Trends
Act Fast for EV Fast Charging Grants
Meet the 2024 Candidates for WEC's Board of Directors
And much more....

December 2023 - January 2024

Winter Begins With Streak of Storms and Outages
2024 Annual Meeting is May 2; Candidacy info
President's & GM's Message - Proactive Changes In WEC’s Major Outage Communication; Winter Storms Hit WEC Territory Hard Truck Accident Causes Coventry Plant Shutdown; GMP’s Zero Outages Initiative
Outage Communication
Concern for Community - Community Fund giving
EV Tech news
Heat Pump Water Heaters

December 2023 - January 2024

Winter Begins With Streak of Storms and Outages
2024 Annual Meeting is May 2; Candidacy info
President's & GM's Message - Proactive Changes In WEC’s Major Outage Communication; Winter Storms Hit WEC Territory Hard Truck Accident Causes Coventry Plant Shutdown; GMP’s Zero Outages Initiative
Outage Communication
Concern for Community - Community Fund giving
EV Tech news
Heat Pump Water Heaters

October - November 2023

WEC Plans to Upgrade Members’ Meters - New system will improve outage restoration, allow time-of-use rates
Roger Fox Flips the Switch - congratulations on his retirement!
President's & GM's Message - With Focus on Greatest Good, WEC Will Invest in Advanced Metering System; Also: recognizing Roger Fox, trucks cause sunny-day outages, winter storm preparation
Co-ops are all around - an overview for Co-op Month
EV Incentives
Storm Preparation Checklist

August - September 2023

Place-based Education for Everybody - North Branch Nature Center
Historic Floods in Central Vermont; WEC Offers Community Fund Flood Response Grants
President's & GM's Message - WEC Infrastructure Tolerates Catastrophic Flooding; Excess Solar Threatens Substation
Co-op Seeks Former Members for Capital Credit Refunds - read the full list on our capital credits page
More on the WEC Community Fund!
Job Posting: Director of Special Projects & Innovation - view posting here
Safety Minute with David Young - Preventing Electrical Hazards in a Wet Basement
Notable Broadband News, State Grants for EV Charging Installations, Energy Coach

June - July 2023

Incumbents Re-Elected, Storm Resilience Focus of Annual Meeting
New Incentives Through Federal Inflation Reduction Act
GM's & President's Message: WEC Accesses Contracted Hydro-Québec Power
WEC Rate Case Approved
Erica Heilman at Annual Meeting - Falling in Love with Strangers
On the Transformer Waitlist? You Can Probably Still Charge an EV
When Your EV is Also Your Outage Battery Backup: Looking Ahead to Bidirectional Charging
Talking Electric Vehicles
Safety Minute with David Young
Cabot School - Time Capsule
In memory of Rita Edwards, former Board director

April - May 2023 - Annual Report Issue

84th Annual Membership Meeting - Erica Heilman of Rumble Strip to speak
General Manager's Report: Why Cooperate? What's the benefit of public power in our current era?
President's Report: Variability and Our Renewable Energy Future
Public Power in the Public Interest
Candidates for the Board of Directors
System Reliability Index & Service Quality Reporting

February - March 2023

Winter Storm Elliott Coverage
GM's & President's Message: Why This Was WEC’s Most Expensive Storm Ever, and What’s Next
Winter Storm Elliott: How Does It Compare to Previous Storms?
Letter to WEC Members from GM Louis Porter
Honoring the Employees of Washington Electric Cooperative for exemplary service to our members (Board resolution)
Three Incumbents Run for Re-election to Board of Directors
Energy Coach, efficiency savings, members write
High Speed Internet Reaches Central Vermont: CVFiber groundbreaking echoes rural electrification efforts of 1930s and 1940s

December 2022 - January 2023

Supply Chain Delays Complicate Beneficial Electrification Efforts
2023 Annual Meeting in Person - May 4
President's & General Manager's Message - Evolution of Net Metering, Rate Increase Update, Supply Chain Update, Incentives, Winter Preparation & Support
How to Prepare for Winter Storms
Community Fund
Energy Efficiency Charge Rates for 2023

January 2022

WEC Operations Crew Ready for 2022
Bernstein & Reed Will Not Run Again, Opening Two Seats on WEC's Board of Directors
President's & General Manager's Message - Cost Equity & Policy Evolution
Members Write: "Our Electric Car Experience"
World-Renowned Marriage Therapists Israel & Cathie Helfand on High Speed Internet
Message from Efficiency Vermont: How to Lower Your Energy Bills This Winter
WEC & Efficiency Vermont energy rebates & incentives
Run for the WEC Board of Directors!
Digital Co-op Currents coming to your inbox!
WEC website now offers complete outage information

March 2022

Virtual Annual Meeting, May 5, 2022
A Legacy of Working for the Environment & the Community - Outgoing Directors Bernstein and Reed
President's & General Manager's Message - Influx of funding for Broadband Rollout, virtual Annual Meeting, and PowerShift updates
Read the Personal Statements of the Seven Candidates for WEC's Board of Directors
Apply for grants to help cover COVID-related hardship
2021 Service Reliability Index
What is a Mini-Split Heat Pump?

April 2022 - Annual Report & Annual Meeting Issue

WEC's Role in Broadband Deployment Is Changing
Members Asked to Vote for Bylaw Amendment
President's Report
Manager's Report
Treasurer's Report
Candidates Respond to Policy Questions
WEC's Report Card - Service Quality
Financials

June 2022

Counting Ballots and Marking Changes at WEC's 2022 Annual Meeting
WEC Presents on Outage Restoration to Cabot Students Studying Disaster Preparedness
President's & General Manager's Message - WEC Welcomes New Leadership, Looks Ahead to Grid Updates
Get to Know Your WEC Directors Susan Alexander, Betsy Allen, & Steven Farnham
Employee Anniversaries - thanks for your dedication to our members!
Final Phase of WEC's Rate Design Effective July 1

July 2022

"I love WGDR. And the Chickens Love It, Too." - Community Fund Grant Recipient Profile
President's & GM's Message: Rate Redesign, Incentivizing Beneficial Electrification, Now In Full Effect
Fall Membership Gathering - Sept. 10
Coventry Open House - Sept. 17
ReWire - pilot program helps Capstone-weatherized homes prepare for EVs
GreenSavingSmart - connecting finance and energy coaching
Right-of-Way 101: Responsibilities & Practices

September 2022

WEC to File Request for Rate Increase
Net Metering's effects on Washington Electric Co-op
Five Related Stories on Net Metering
Co-op Seeks Former Members for Capital Credit Refunds

This is WEC's first theme issue of Co-op Currents on the subject of net metering. This issue includes the position of your Co-op leadership, how the solar net metering industry began in Vermont, and how it affects the Co-op's rates and ratepayers.

October 2022

Context for WEC's rate incase Filing
Button Up incentive pause
Co-op Month: What the Co-op means to me (by Board Director Betsy Allen)
President's & General Manager's Message
Members write: Responses to September 2022 issue
New: Broadband updates from CVFiber
An appreciation of Stanley and Elaine Fitch, stewards of land and community

December 2022 - January 2023

Supply Chain Delays Complicate Beneficial Electrification Efforts
2023 Annual Meeting in Person - May 4
President's & General Manager's Message - Evolution of Net Metering, Rate Increase Update, Supply Chain Update, Incentives, Winter Preparation & Support
How to Prepare for Winter Storms
Community Fund
Energy Efficiency Charge Rates for 2023

January 2021

Tree on GMP-VELCO Transmission Lines....
Now Available: Smarthub Outage Alerts by Text and Email
President & General Manager's Message
Statement of Democracy from WEC's Board of Directors
and much more.....

March 2021

"It Checks Every Single Box. Except for Internet"...
WEC's New Rate Structure: A Year in the Books
President & General Manager's Message
Three Incumbent Candidates Run for Re-Election to WEC's Board
"We're Pretty Certain This Was the First Utility Damage From EAB in the State."

April 2021

Preparedness and Proactivity - GM Report
Tune in to WEC's 82nd Annual Meeting
President's Recap
Treasurer's Report
WEC's Report Card
2020 Member Survey
Position Statements of the 2021 Candidates
Board of Directors

June 2021

GM Patty Richards Plans Her Departure
Broadband Bill - Construction Begins
President & General Manager's Message
2021 Board Directors Re-elected
Electric Vehicle Charging Tips
WEC Seeks Solutions to Property Damage
Energy Incentives for Members
Rate Design: Phase 2
Notice of Hearing: PUC Scheduling Conference

July 2021

Dave Kresock Joins WEC as Director of E&O
Twin Valley Senior Center: Stay for Lunch!
President & General Manager's Message
Romulus Craft Porcelain Artists on High Speed Internet
Board President Steve Knowlton: "Guide the Change"
Member Essay: "At Work In High Places"

September 2021

Broadband Pole Survey Begins
GM Patty Richards to Chair VT Community Broadband Board
President's and General Manager's Message
VCAAP Grants for COVID-Related Arrearages
Record Year in Capital Credits Refunded to Current & Former Members
Youth Farmers Lead Climate Justice Movement, Marshfield
Members Write: A Note on EVs
More Info on Broadband

October 2021

Louis Porter: WEC's Next General Manager
Membership Vote to Support Broadband Fiber Grid Improvements
President's and General Manager's Message
Steve Knowlton, Board President: Learning to Lead - Cooperatively
A Conversation Between WEC & Plainfield Co-op General Managers
Capital Credits Coming to You!
and much more....

December 2021

Board Requests Membership Vote to Support Broadband Rollout & Grid Improvements
Capstone – Weatherization for Income-Eligible Households
President's and General Manager's Message
ROW Clearing
WEC Supporting Community Nonprofits & Families
What to Know Before Buying an EV
Annual Meeting Info

January 2020

PUC Approves WEC Rate Redesign, With Conditions
Siting Lines and Striking A Balance - Line Relocation
Go Green, Go Electric, Go WEC!
Retroactive Tax Credits
Run for a Seat on WEC's Board of Directors

March 2020

Hey Patty, How Does This Affect My Bill?
An Ample Quarter Acre - Annie Reed
Statements from Candidates
President and General Manager's Message
2019 Operations Index... and much more

April 2020

No In Person Gathering for 81st Annual Member Meeting due to COVID-19
President and General Manager Message
Treasurer's Report
WEC's 2019 Report Card

June 2020

WEC Holds 81st Annual Meeting Virtually
Co-op Business Proceeds in the New Normal
Board of Director Election Results
President and General Manager Message
Congratulations to Mike Patterson Retiring After 28 years and much more...

July 2020

WEC's New Rate Design Takes Effect
WEC Triples Grants to Capstone and Vermont Foodbank
President and General Manager Message
Jean Hamilton - Her Seat at the Table
WEC's Public IRP Meeting
Join Project PowerShift and much more....

September 2020

You're Entitled to a Refund
Weatherization Helps WEC Members Save Big
State Grants for Members in Arrears
President and General Manager Message
Capital Credit Undeliverable list
It's Been a Good Ride - Cabot Mentoring
Co-op Currents Opportunity for Student Journalist

October 2020

Cooperatives Offer Essential Services....
Garbage Gas: The Renewable Resource
President and General Manager Message
Line Crews Demo New Forestry Equipment
Get to Know Your WEC

December 2020

Bold Pursuit of Broadband
The Right Thing to Do.....
President and General Manager Message
Small Co-op, Big Technology
WEC Holiday Programs...

January 2019

Triple Storms
Whose Woods These Are
Co-op Meets State Renewable Energy Standard Goals
President’s Message: Capital Credit Refunds Mitigate Rate Increases……
Annual Meeting Call For Photos and Contest
And much more…….

March 2019

Staying Safe in an Electrified World
Stan & Elaine Fitch Remember Co-op and Community History
President and General Manager’s Message
Two Incumbents, Two New Candidates Run for Three Board Seats
WEC Takes Action Against A Destructive Bug
Dinner Reservation for 80th Annual Membership Meeting

April 2019

WEC’S 80th Annual Meeting Celebrates Community Action
President’s Report and General Manager’s Message
Position Statements of the 2018 Candidates for Co-op Board of Directors
Treasurer’s Report
2018 Service and Quality and Reliability Results

June 2019

WEC Celebrates 80 Years
New Website Coming Soon
Members Write
President’s Report and General Manager’s Message
Levers of Change - Sue Minter
Farewell to Director Folsom

July 2019

WEC Community Fund Profile
Wrightsville and WEC
Climate Change Is the Issue
President’s Report and General Manager’s Message
Join Project Powershift

September 2019

The Family Business - Elizabeth Kent Gay Story
New Energy and Cost Saving Incentives
Sense Home Energy Monitor
Where's WEC?
President’s Report and General Manager’s Message
Capital Credit - WEC Returns $750,000 - Missing Member List

October 2019

Wood Heat for the 21st Century
Cooperatives are In My Heart
In Cooperatives, Members Come First
President’s Report and General Manager’s Message
Preparedness Lesson from Hurricane Dorian in PEI

December 2019

Halloween Storm
Rate Increase January 1, 2020
Redesigning Rates
President’s Report and General Manager’s Message
Community Meeting 2019
WEC Holiday Programs and much more....

January 2018

Public Power to the Rescue
Meter Reading Memories
Listening Group Results – Rate Design
President and Manager’s Message

March 2018

The Wildlife Philosophers – Theresa & Rodney Elmer
Order of Operations – WEC’s Operation Team Triages
Three Incumbents Seek Re-Election to WEC Board
Get to Know Your WEC
79th Annual Member Meeting Reservation Form

April 2018

79th Annual Meeting Notice and Agenda
Annual Meeting Guest Speaker – Charlie Nardozzi
President, Treasurer and Manager Reports
Director Candidates’ Position Statements
2017 Financials
WEC’s Service, Quality and Reliability results for 2017

June 2018

Resilience and Innovation at WEC’s 79th Annual Meeting
Heart in the Highlands – Ray Shatney & Janet Steward gift WEC
Net Metering Reimbursement Changes Under New PUC Order
President’s & General Manager’s Joint Message
Health, Wealth and Wisdom in the Garden with Charlie Nardozzi
Get to Know Your WEC
And much more………….

July 2018

New Rate Design Structure
Community Fund Recipient: Turning Point Center of Central VT
Blowin in the Wind with Meteorologist Roger Hill
PUC Approves 3.72% Rate Increase
President’s & General Manager’s Joint Message
Community Fund 2017 Report

September 2018

Reliability is About to Get a Whole Lot Better in Northfield
Weaving Self-Reliance – Nancy and Jim Clark in Zienzele
Rate Design Community Conversation September 19
President’s & General Manager’s Joint Message
Capital Credit Former Member Search
WEC Community Meeting October 25
Get to Know Your WEC and much more...

October 2018

Members Speak Up at Public Forum on Rate Design
Engineered for Efficiency – Sugar Mountain Farm – Walter Jeffries
FEMA Reimburses Co-op
President’s & General Manager’s Joint Message
Feeling the Burn – Coventry Landfill Open House
Cooperative Community Service

December 2018

WEC Announces Rate Increase for 2019 and 2019 Groton Community Meeting
Two Major Snow Storms Hit Vermont In November
Space Heaters: Low Maintenance, High Cost
WEC Brings Comfort and Joy to Central Vermont Neighbors
Board Candidate and Bylaws Petition Deadline Announcements and much more…

January 2017

Election Deadlines Near as WEC Prepares for 78th Annual Meeting
The Saga of A Charging Station
President’s Message – New Faces in Montpelier and Farewells to Valued WEC Employees
Money Now Available for Weatherization and Other Energy Improvements

February 2017

Eyes Wide Open – Money is Available, But Let’s Do Things Right Under “Tier III”
President’s Message – We’re All In This Together – A Vermont Tradition, And a WEC Tradition
Safety For Co-op Members: A Particular Concern in Winter
Three Candidates for WEC’s Board of Directors
Manager’s Report – A Modified Rate Increase, And Proactive Planning For Renewables

April 2017

78th Annual Meeting Notice and Agenda
Annual Meeting Speaker Susan Morse from “Keeping Track”
Director Candidates’ Position Statements
President, Treasurer and Manager Reports
WEC’s Service, Quality and Reliability Results for 2016
2016 Financial

June 2017

78th Annual Meeting – An Encouraging Turnout
WEC Eyes Changes To Its Rate Structure
Button-Up, For Saving Money and Cutting Carbon
Construction Work Plans – One ends and one begins
Sue Morse (Keeping Track) A Beautiful Planet Presentation

July 2017

Middlesex Family Taps Into WEC’s Incentives
PUC Workshop to Review Regulation and Rates
President’s Message and Manager’s Report
When, Where, And How Much?…… Power Predictions
$10,000 Discount for WEC Members and Employees from Freedom Nissan
WEC’s “Community Fund” Keeps Growing

September 2017

Fare Thee Well, Will (Will Lindner, 22 year editor retires)
President’s Message and Manager’s Report
Co-op Seeks Former Members For Capital Credits
What’s It Really Like to Drive An Electric Vehicle
Fall Events – Community Meeting – October 12 & Coventry Open House – October 17

October 2017

Right of Way Crews Keep 1,250 Miles of Line Clear By Hand
President’s Message and Manager’s Report – Culture of Safety
Cyber Security, WEC, and the Grid
Member Writes: On Driving an Electric Car
Nissan Leaf $10,000 Discount Extended for WEC Members
2017 Toy Joy, Toys-For-Tots and Warmth Contributions

December 2017

Massive, Historic Windstorm Hits Northeast, 7,930 WEC Members Lose Power
Members Write: Storm Edition
A Letter from the President and General Manager
2017 Herbicide Notice
Windstorm An Index
Reflecting on the New Reality – 2017 Community Meeting in Worcester

January 2016

Net Metering–WEC and Others Weigh in on Proposed PSB Rules
Third-Party Payment Services are NOT WEC
Imagining Improvements, Through a Pickup Truck’s Window
It is Your Co-op–How About Running for the WEC Board?
Moving Power Lines Across an Owned, Regulated Landscape

March 2016

VERMOD Designs New “Mobile” Home Replacement
Three Candidates Run for WEC Board
2015 WEC Community Fund with a Feature on Good Beginnings
Make Your Dinner Reservation for 2016 Annual Meeting
Recycle Your Batteries at WEC

April 2016

77th Annual Membership Meeting Notice and Agenda
2015 Service Quality and Reliability Report
Report of the 2016 Committee on Candidates
WEC Avoids Rate Increase In 2015
Profiles of Candidates Seeking Election to the Board of Directors

June 2016

Solaflect Trackers a ‘Match’ for WEC Net Metering
WEC Supports Net Metering
Manager’s Report
Fire-Safety Session Enlivens Annual Meeting
Right-of-Way Re-clearing schedule for Summer and Fall 2016

July 2016

Dozer Work Pays Off
President’s Message – July Weather
The Graduates
Encroaching on Bear Territory
Tech Students Tour Wrightsville Hydro Plan

Sept 2016

A Wall Comes To Life – Mural at WEC’s Warehouse
WEC’s New Member Services Representative
Co-op Seeks Former Members for Capital Credit Refunds
Cure for the ‘Siloxane’ Problem
WEC Community Meeting October 5th

Oct 2016

Visit to Small Hamlet – Co-op Community Meeting
Rate Increase on the Horizon
Net Metering Changes Coming for Everyone
State Confers ‘Outstanding Safety Award’
Responding to the Harwood Tragedy through the Five Families Fund

Dec 2016

Act 56 and WEC’s ‘Energy Transformation’ Plan for 2017
Rates To Rise on WEC’s Power Bills In January
Living Below 200 kWh A Month Not Much of a Sacrifice for the Reeds and Their Menagerie
The Factors Behind Vermont’s New Net Metering Rules
Board Of Director Elections Coming Up With One Director Not Running for Re-election
President’s Message – Holiday Cheer and Winter Preparedness

January 2015

Four-Day December Storm Causes Unprecedented Outages
Generators and UPS Systems – What You Need to Know
Precautions for the Winter-Outage Season – Ways to Stay Safe if You Lose Your Power
Stephen Knowlton Appointed to Fill Interim Board Seat
Three Squares: WEC Staff, Family and Friends Join The Effort

March 2015