December 3, 2008
News Contact: Chris Tryba (812) 876-0337
Hoosier Energy CEO Steve Smith named to National Renewables Cooperative Organization Board of Directors
Hoosier Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Smith has been named to the Board of Directors of the National Renewables Cooperative Organization (NRCO), a new organization formed by power supply cooperatives across the United States.
Hoosier Energy supplies power and services to 17 Indiana electric cooperatives and one Illinois cooperative. Based in Bloomington, the generation and transmission utility operates baseload, peaking and renewable energy power plants and a transmission network with 1,450 miles of line and 300 delivery points.
"The NRCO will provide scale and shared resources for Hoosier Energy to take part in larger renewable energy projects on behalf of member systems and consumers," said Smith. "Working with others on larger renewable projects is important for cooperatives in states such as Indiana with limited wind and solar opportunities. The southern part of the state that our members serve is particularly limited for large wind or solar projects."
The NRCO held its first annual meeting November 14 in Indianapolis and took several actions: established a web site at www.renewable.coop; selected Amadou Fall as Chief Executive Officer; selected Indianapolis-based Aces Power Marketing as its energy management company; and elected officers. Also based in Indianapolis, NRCO has 25 members, all cooperatives that participate in wholesale electric markets.
NRCO will help its co-op members participate in diversified alternative energy projects. Organization purposes include: 1) to facilitate the cost-effective, joint development of renewable resources nationwide for cooperatives; 2) to help meet the requirements of mandatory or voluntary Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and Renewable Energy Standards (RES); and 3) to facilitate renewable initiatives of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Electric co-ops are committed to fostering U.S. energy independence while preserving the environment and promoting rural economic growth. For more than 25 years Indiana electric cooperatives have supported energy efficiency efforts for homes, schools, businesses and industries. Co-ops are expanding programs in energy efficiency, demand response and demand side management while pursuing renewable resources.