To the Editor: I want to sincerely thank all of the WEC employees who helped restore power to our 6,000 members who were without power. Most were restored in a little over two days, with mutual aid assistance from many of our neighboring utilities. It was a very wet, heavy snow with up to 15 inches in some parts of …
Winter Storm Elliott: How does it compare to previous storms?
By Barry Bernstein Winter Storm Elliott, or the Christmas 2022 storm, will prove to be the most expensive storm in WEC’s history, but not the longest one in terms of days out. It was part of a storm front that put 200 million Americans on a winter alert: that’s two thirds of the US population. It was preceded by a …
An appreciation of Stanley and Elaine Fitch, stewards of land and community
By Barry Bernstein The lives of Stan and Elaine Fitch, who died together on August 30 in the home in Kent’s Corner where Stanley was born, run parallel with the history of the Co-op. Stanley’s family and Elaine’s family were both among the 150 families that were the first ones hooked up when Governor Aiken flipped the switch and Washington …
“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 …
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 …
Counting Ballots and Marking Changes at WEC’s 2022 Annual Meeting
Typically, at WEC’s Annual Meetings, there is little drawn-out suspense regarding the results of the Board of Directors election. That’s true even in years when the Annual Meeting is held in-person, when the ballot box remains open during a community dinner. The quorum is established and votes are counted quickly, and results are announced shortly after the Board President opens …
Vermont Sees Influx of Funding for Broadband Rollout
WEC plans a third virtual Annual Meeting; transformer shortage affects PowerShift President’s and General Manager’s Message Broadband rollout Steve: Vermont is experiencing an influx of funding related to high-speed internet. There are many more opportunities for federal funding for broadband through various forms: ARPA [the American Rescue Plan Act], NTIA [National Telecommunications and Information Administration], and the USDA ReConnect program, …
A legacy of working for the environment and the community
Outgoing Directors Barry Bernstein and Annie Reed on the importance of upholding the founding values of the Co-op now and into the future Barry Bernstein and Annie Reed are both stepping off WEC’s Board of Directors when their terms conclude in 2022. Bernstein was WEC’s President for many years, Reed served as Secretary, and they have a combined 35-plus years …
Bernstein and Reed Will Not Run Again, Opening Two Seats on WEC’s Board of Directors
Longtime WEC directors and officers Barry Bernstein and Annie Reed have announced they do not plan to run for re-election to the Board in 2022. This opens two of the three Board seats up for election. Incumbent Steven Farnham will run for re-election. The Board of Directors sets policy and develops the long term vision of Washington Electric Cooperative. Every …