EEC program pays consumers $2.5 million

In addition to the member co-op rebate incentives that are often layered on top of Tri-State’s Energy Efficiency Credits (EEC) program, the G&T paid out more than $2.5 million to member co-op consumers that purchased energy-saving products and took energy saving measures in their homes and businesses in 2009.

The program, first launched in 1985, has expanded and evolved over the years to include nearly 20 offerings — from heat pumps to electric motors, from LED lighting to Energy Star®-rated appliances.  Tri-State has successfully reduced approximately 75 megawatts in demand and saved 80,000 megawatt-hours in energy through its EEC program.

Most of the association’s 44 members participate in the EEC program at some level.  More than half of the incentive credit funds of the program were tied to consumers who upgraded their electric motors used for irrigation or other industrial applications to the highly efficient premium grade motors.  The increasing popularity and proven efficiency of both air-source and ground-source heat pumps was evidenced by the nearly half million dollars paid out under the program last year.

Consumers continue to take advantage of deep discounts through their local co-ops’ programs combined with Tri-State’s EEC program on the long-lasting and highly efficient Marathon electric water heaters.  Nearly 1,700 water heaters were replaced in 2009 throughout the member service territory.       

Energy Star®-rated appliances purchases, coupled with recycling programs to remove old, inefficient units from service, accounted for nearly $143,000 in energy credits.  CFL light bulbs and LED holiday light strings continued to offer a low-cost energy saving value to many consumers, with total EEC credits exceeding $182,000 in 2009. 

Updated: February 24, 2010