Published in VT Digger – 9/3/2020 Utilities Warn of Scam Threatening to Cut Power Unless Customers Make Immediate Payment; Encourage Customers to Hang Up and Report Scam Colchester, VT – Vermont utilities are warning customers of a phone scam today. In a sudden surge of calls, the scammers claim to be from a Vermont utility, including Green Mountain Power (GMP), …
Cooperatives: in the business of strengthening communities
By Patty Richards and Rebecca Towne This summer, both of our rural electric cooperatives, Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) and Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) made grants to organizations promoting food security in our respective service territories. In seeking ways to support our members, especially during the pandemic, we wanted to offer direct benefits to people in our communities. One volunteer at …
Washington Electric Offers Record Breaking Credits to Members
Co-op returns $770,000 in capital credits to membership East Montpelier, Vt: This fall, Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) will return the largest amount of patronage capital in its history to its current and former membership. The Board of Directors opted to return $770,000 in capital credits: an increase of $20,000 over the amount returned to members in 2019. “Increasing the credit …
Washington Electric Cooperative Triples Support for Community Food Programs
East Montpelier, Vt: Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) is stepping up to help food-insecure Vermonters in its service area. WEC’s Community Fund contributed $3K over and above past funding to Barre-based Capstone Community Action and the Vermont Foodbank. Both nonprofits help Vermonters access nutritious food. Food insecurity, or being unable to reliably access enough healthy food, is on the rise in …
Washington Electric Co-op Hosts 20-Year Plan Public Meeting Aug. 12
East Montpelier, Vt: Washington Electric Co-op (WEC) and Vermont-based consultants the Energy Futures Group are hosting a virtual public meeting for any members interest-ed in learning about WEC’s 20-year Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 6-8 p.m. Registration is required. Internet access will be necessary to attend the meeting. Please visit wec.coop …
Washington Electric Co-op Observes Lineworker Appreciation Day, Recognizes Staff Safety Efforts During Pandemic
National Lineworker Appreciation Day is Saturday, April 18.Lineworkers and utility staff are essential personnel working to keep power reliable East Montpelier, Vt: April 18 is the national appreciation day for America’s lineworkers. Electric lineworkers exhibit courage and expertise year round in a job that requires grueling hours of work in dangerous conditions. In Washington Electric Co-op’s (WEC) central Vermont service …
Washington Electric Co-op To Cancel In-Person Annual Meeting of Membership; Will Host Limited Business Meeting In Response To COVID-19 Board of Directors elections to take place by mail
East Montpelier, Vt: The Board of Directors of Washington Electric Co-op (WEC), a member-owned utility serving central Vermont, has changed how it will hold the Annual Meeting of its membership to protect members and staff and to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. There will be no in-person meeting of the Membership. The meeting had been scheduled for May …
Washington Electric Co-op Announces COVID-19 Response
East Montpelier, Vt: Washington Electric Co-op (WEC), a member-owned utility serving central Vermont, has released its first round of COVID-19 response plans. WEC is taking steps to reduce any risk of infection among its workforce. In an emergency, particularly a health emergency, it is critical for electric utilities to be able to provide reliable electric service and support. “Our paramount …
Washington Electric Cooperative Community Fund Gives $974 in Food to Central Vermont Salvation Army Food Shelf Stuff-A-Truck Fundraiser
November 19, 2019 P.O. Box 8 40 Church Street East Montpelier, VT 05651 Contact: Patty Richards, 802-223-5245 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc. E. Montpelier, Vt: On November 14, staff and volunteers from Washington Electric Co-op (WEC) Community Fund shopped for nearly $1,000 in food for the Stuff-A-Truck event to benefit Central Vermont families in need over the winter. …
Washington Electric Cooperative Receives $8.13 Million Loan From USDA Rural Development
November 12, 2019 E. Montpelier, Vt: Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) will receive a federal loan of $8.13 million to improve distribution, transmission, and generation for its members. The loan, announced Nov. 1 by the USDA, is part of a $1.3 billion investment to support rural electric infrastructure nationwide. “We are thrilled to be able to invest in improving our grid …