Energy Policy Resources

Posted on: December 29, 2024 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Reliability and Affordability Concerns

For almost 90 years, our mission has been to deliver safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible electricity to our members at stable and affordable rates. Our members count on us to deliver their power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – our communities and livelihoods depend on it. But, for the first time in our history, that reliability is in jeopardy.

Buckeye Power, our generation and transmission provider, generates enough power for all 400,000 cooperative members in Ohio. However, we depend on the larger grid to get that power to our members, and the grid’s ability to balance supply and demand in our region and across the nation is increasingly at risk.

Here are a few of the reasons why the risks to reliable, affordable energy are growing:

Demand for electricity is higher than it has ever been, and it continues to rise. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that U.S. power demand will reach its highest levels ever in 2024 and 2025.
The overall supply of reliable electricity is down because of the rapid retirement of coal and nuclear plants.
Intermittent sources of energy like wind and solar power have come online, but they have not filled the gap and they are not always available.
Unreasonable regulations are creating unnecessarily high costs while providing minimal environmental benefits.

Winter Reliability in Ohio

According to a The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Ohio is at an elevated risk for blackouts this winter. Their 2024-25 winter reliability assessment shows that our region has the potential for insufficient operating reserves in above-normal conditions.

Please read this article from America’s Electric Cooperatives for more information on the risks to reliable energy this winter.

What can we do about it?

Energy Conservation

During times of extreme demand (like during a cold snap), you may hear about “peak alerts” or “peak demand.” A “peak alert” occurs when a utility provider is close to demanding more electric power than they have ever used before. When demand reaches a new peak, it also sets a new, higher price that we have to pay for electricity.

Now more than ever, it is important for us all to try and safely conserve power during times when demand is high – not just to avoid rising costs, but also to help avoid the need for rolling blackouts. Conservation during peak times can be as simple as lowering your thermostat by a few degrees, or turning off unused appliances and electronics. Learn more about peak alerts here.

Political Action

Consolidated leaders attend events in Washington, D.C. and at our Ohio statehouse to meet with policy makers and speak up for the good of our members. You can join us in advocating for common-sense energy policy. Check out America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC and Voices for Cooperative Power to learn more about how you can get involved and speak up for cooperative members!

America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC

The National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA) has renamed its political action committee: The program once known as “ACRE” is now America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC.

This political action committee (PAC) was founded in 1966 to support political candidates who speak up for and protect the interests of electric co-ops and their member-owners. Thousands of co-op members, employees, and directors from across our nation contribute to the PAC.

PAC accepts contributions on a monthly basis, and the average contributor gives about $65 per year. When everyone’s individual PAC contribution comes together, it builds our collective strength as cooperatives across the nation. This strength and recognition on the national level is key as decarbonization and electrification policies have threatened cooperatives’ ability to deliver power to their members.

If you would like to be a part of this national movement, click here to make a donation, or give us a call at 800-421-5863 for help.

Voices for Cooperative Power

Join us in speaking up for reliable, affordable electricity! Voices for Cooperative Power (VCP) is a network of rural electric cooperative members who work together to promote policies that help cooperatives thrive. VCP makes it easy to be an advocate by empowering you to share your story, connecting you with opportunities to use your voice, and keeping you informed about important issues and policies.

You can choose your level of involvement – whether you use the information they provide to be an informed voter, or you take advantage of opportunities to contact legislators and speak up for cooperatives. Learn more about VCP at voicesforcooperativepower.com or get in touch with us at Consolidated for help.

Resources

“Reliability and Affordability” – This webpage from America’s Electric Cooperatives (NRECA) will give you a background of the current energy landscape, the cooperative stance, and a timeline of the events that led up to this point.
“Co-op Leaders: Amid Industry Change, Reliability and Affordability are Crucial” – This article from NRECA summarizes the challenges facing the energy landscape from the perspective of cooperative leaders.
“Carbon-free by 2035?” – This article from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives (OEC) analyzes the vast challenges that must be overcome to meet the government’s decarbonization goals.
“PJM Warns of Risks Expected Resource Retirements Pose to Grid Reliability” – This article from OEC discusses recent reports of increased reliability risks, and warnings about retiring reliable resources while demand for electricity is growing.

Key Terms and Organizations

Here is a short list of some of the key terms and organizations that you will read about while researching this topic. Click or tap the link in each point to learn more or visit the organization’s website.

The Electric Grid: The complex, interconnected system that transports electricity from power plants through substations, transformers, transmission lines, and the distribution lines that deliver energy to consumers. Learn more about the electric grid.

PJM: PJM Interconnection – a regional transmission organization that ensures reliability and coordinates the movement of electricity in Ohio and surrounding states.

NERC: The North American Electric Reliability Corporation – a not-for-profit, international authority designed to protect the reliability and security of the electric grid.

NRECA: America’s Electric Cooperatives – the national organization designed to promote, support, and protect the best interests of electric cooperatives and their members.

OEC: Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives – the statewide organization designed to promote, support, and protect the best interests of electric cooperatives and their members in Ohio.

EPA: The United States Environmental Protection Agency – The EPA was founded to study environmental issues, provide information, and develop and enforce environmental standards and regulations in America.

Touchstone Energy Day was a success!

Posted on: August 27, 2019 By: CEC Updater

Touchstone Energy Day was August 30, 2019 at the Morrow County Fair!

There were on the hour giveaways from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and our caricature, balloon, and face painting artists from noon – 3 p.m.

Join us next year, just look for the Consolidated Cooperative flags by the Senior Fair office next year on August 28, 2020.

Key Account Spotlight: Reef Systems Coral Farm, Inc.

Posted on: April 24, 2025 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Reef Systems Coral Farm is a small agricultural coral farm focused on education, conservation, and helping make the aquarium hobby fun and enjoyable.

Reef System’s mission is to offer quality services and products at a reasonable price to the hobbyist. They believe in the sustainable farming of captive-raised corals, aqua-cultured live rock, saltwater fish, and tank-raised saltwater fish. They also shared that farm-raised animals help support the protection of the world’s reefs, a mission that is close to their hearts.

Reef Systems shared that they prefer to teach over making sales. They offer assistance for their customers and potential customers covering a wide variety of topics, including issues like water chemistry, lighting, and flow rates for each individual tank.

In addition to providing advice and assistance in their store, Reef Systems also partners with educational institutions to further their mission. They provide work experience to students from local high schools who are interested in the aquarium hobby, conservation, and learning, and they collaborate with universities and other educational institutions for the common goal of public education on the preservation of the world’s reefs. Currently, they are working with The Ohio State University and The University of Georgia on a research grant focused on marine conservation.

Reef Systems Coral Farm is based in New Albany, where they have eight employees and three interns. They raise 90% of their corals at their farm, allowing them to ensure that their customers have disease-free, healthy animals for their aquariums.

If you would like to learn more about Reef Systems Coral Farm, their work, and their services, check them out at the links below:

Website: https://reefsystemscoralfarm.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reefsystemscoralfarm

Storm and Outage Safety

Posted on: April 1, 2025 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Our team is ready when severe weather strikes – make sure you are too!

View Ohio weather alerts here.

How to Report an Outage:

Make a report on your Consolidated SmartHub account.
Call our 24-hour outage hotline: 866-567-2753 (please call using the phone number linked to your account – our computer system will automatically register your outage)
Sign up for outage texting to report outages via text message.
Learn more about outage reporting.

Outage Tracking

Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive text message updates about outages in your area.
Use our Outage Map to see the impact of an outage across our territory and track our restoration progress.

Outage Safety

Never approach a downed powerline, even if it appears to be de-energized. Lines can become re-energized as restoration efforts progress. If you see a downed line, call us and 911 right away.
Do not try to remove any debris from a powerline, even if you think it may be impacting your service. Without the proper training, equipment, and safety gear, it is extremely dangerous to go near a powerline.
Always follow these generator safety tips, including:
- Never operate your generator inside your home or garage – even if doors and windows are open.
- Never plug your generator into a wall outlet to try and power your home – this can send electricity down de-energized lines, putting line workers in serious danger.
During the restoration process, sometimes power comes back on in spikes that can damage electronics. Unplug all electronics and heat-producing appliances when an outage occurs.

Follow this link for more outage safety and preparation tips.

Outage Preparation

Do you have any medical equipment or treatments that require electricity or refrigeration? Make a plan with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that you know how to stay safe when a power outage occurs.
Maintain an emergency kit with necessary items like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, etc.
Make sure you have blankets and warm clothing easily accessible.
If you know a storm is coming, take time to charge important devices like phones, laptops, and portable batteries in case of an outage.
Ensure that all of your sensitive electronics are protected from power surges. Remember that newer appliances often include computer elements and will need surge protection. Read this article to learn more about the importance of surge protectors and how to pick the surge protectors that best suit your needs.
Remember to include your pets in your preparations!

Tornado Safety:

Make sure your yard is free of heavy debris that could be tossed around by the wind.
Choose a safe area in your home where your family can gather if a tornado warning is issued. Pick a spot in your basement or in a room with no windows on the lowest level of your home.
In extreme weather, look for the following potential signs of a tornado: a dark sky, low-lying clouds, large hail, or a loud roar.
If you are outside or in a vehicle, do not try to outrun a tornado. Seek shelter in your home or a building immediately.
Follow this link for more tornado-specific safety tips.