WEC returns $400,000 to membership in 2022 When for-profit utilities collect excess revenue, those profits enrich their shareholders. When cooperative utilities take in more revenue from their members than it costs to run the utility, they return that money to their members. Since 1998, WEC has returned approximately $9.5 million in capital credit refunds to Co-op members. This year, the …
Equity and unintended consequences
It’s the poor feeding the rich. Mack Gardner-Morse Today, WEC Treasurer Don Douglas said, net metering is “shifting the cost of running the Co-op from everybody to just the people who don’t have solar or some other form of net metering.” It’s a fundamental issue of fairness raised by regulators, WEC leaders, members, and others. When the PUC requested comments …
“It’s counterproductive:” Displacing green energy and causing rate pressure
As rates rise, members lose incentive to switch from fossil fuels to electric As a cooperative electric utility with an environmental mission, WEC exists in a mixed landscape of not-for-profits, for-profits, and state goals and mandates, all working to change Vermonters’ behavior. While all are aiming to reduce emissions and fossil fuel use, “we’re running at cross purposes in getting …
Who pays the cost of poles and wires
All members require infrastructure, but cost to maintain it is shifted to ratepayers WEC’s infrastructure costs have risen in recent years. The Co-op has prioritized improving reliability in the face of climate change-related storms and tree damage: that means replacing old poles, installing new poles to shorten long spans of wire, removing “danger trees” that could fall on the lines, …
An attractive partnership
Under Vermont’s net metering rules, large utility customers have a financial incentive to partner with solar developers Anyone who’s run a business knows you can’t sell your product for less than you pay for it. Barry Bernstein “Since I left the legislature [in 2017], calculation rules have been drastically altered to create large commercial development of solar power,” said Tony …
The birth of an industry
How the renewable energy movement led to the creation of net metering When Vermont’s legislature created the state’s net metering program in 1999, said former Board President Barry Bernstein, WEC was a strong supporter. “The intent of the net metering program was to support and encourage a fledgling industry so they could get their feet on the ground,” he explained. …
Outage – 9/6/2022
September 6, 2022 | 10:00 am Outage restored. September 6, 2022 | 8:35 am Washington Electric Cooperative is experiencing an outage affecting 176 members in the Calais area. Crews are searching for the cause of the outage.
Outages – 8/18/2022
August 18, 2022 | 3:15 pm 79 members still without power due to necessary, brief pole repairs. August 18, 2022 | 3:00 pm Outages in Stannard, Greensboro, and Wheelock restored. August 18, 2022 | 1:30 pm WEC is experiencing outages in the Stannard, Greensboro, and Wheelock areas. 162 members without power. Crews on the way. Remember: if you see lines …
Outages – 8/10/2022
August 11, 2022 | 3:45 pm Washington Electric is experiencing power outages due to the current thunderstorms. WHERE: Moretown Common area # Members Out: 163 CREWS: On the way. Post will be updated as more information is available. Remember: Do not approach or touch downed power lines. Report outages or down wires immediately at 802-223-5245 or 1-800-932-5245.
Shift the Power and Conserve: WEC Asks Members to Reduce Energy Use Tonight
August, 2022 Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc.P.O. Box 840 Church StreetEast Montpelier, VT 05651 East Montpelier, VT—Washington Electric Cooperative encourages its members to reduce energy consumption this evening, Thursday, August 4, 2022. With such high temperatures, the demand for electricity may rise dramatically this evening. Increased demand on the electrical grid means higher costs to you on your monthly bill and …