News
6/17/2010
Pioneer's EnviroWatts® Program Celebrates 100 Members Milestone
We are happy to announce that after this spring’s bill insert, the number of Pioneer members participating in our green pricing program, EnviroWatts, passed the 100 member mark. We now have 102 members purchasing 15,100 kWh per month of Ohio-produced renewable energy, more member participation than any other Ohio cooperative. In one month, these members purchase in aggregate enough renewable-produced kWhs to meet the needs of one typical Pioneer household for one year, or annual purchases equaling 12 households per year. For only $2 a month per 100-kWh block of renewable energy, these members have chosen to take an extra step to support the development and production of Ohio produced renewable energy. The EnviroWatts program currently purchases energy produced by two biodigesters located at poultry and dairy farms in Ohio, in addtion to wind energy from a wind farm in Story County, Iowa.
In an effort to honor a member that has taken extra steps to live a little greener, we contacted Dr. Kelley Young, one of our largest supporters of the EnviroWatts program who purchases 800 kWh (8 blocks) of renewable energy each month. Kelley is a veterinary doctor at Stonyridge Veterinary Service in Troy, and as such has a great respect for all living creatures, as well as concern for preserving the places they call home. Kelley’s interaction with nature started at an early age when, growing up in Vermont, Kelley’s mother enlisted her help in the garden and had her tend to their fruit trees. Later in life, while living in Bloomington, Indiana, Kelley tried homesteading, and together with her partner they raised lambs, steers, pigs, and dairy cows and also grew a large garden, popcorn, berries, and fruit trees. Finally settling in southwestern Ohio with her husband, Ralph Jones, and her veterinary practice, together Kelley and Ralph still attempt to live lightly on the earth. Kelley and Ralph have taken many steps to live more sustainably: they pay extra to have their recycling collected; have a compost pile which helps enrich their garden; eliminate using herbicides by using landscape cloth and mulch; hang clothes on the line when the seasons permit it; use very little air conditioning by opting for open windows, ceiling fans, shade trees, and insulated curtains; use biodegradable cleaning products such as Seventh Generation, Sun and Earth, and white vinegar; avoid lawn chemicals and intentionally mow less frequently; and have converted most of their lighting to CFLs. In the future Kelley hopes to add a rain barrel to collect her roof run-off to water her garden and landscaping, and is considering installing geothermal or solar panels.
When asked why she chose to participate in EnviroWatts, Kelley said she is very concerned with the environmental aspects of mining coal and wanted to do her part to purchase cleaner energy. Kelley believes that many people feel overwhelmed by finding the time to make earth-friendly decisions in their lives. She feels that taking a simple “yes, I can” approach has helped her to reach where she is today. She shared, “You have to look for small things that work for you, easy changes that make your life better and enhance the environment. Take small steps.”
We would like to thank all of the EnviroWatts participants who have chosen to take a small step with us. We appreciate your support, and we hope more of your fellow cooperative members will join you in the future.
Contact the office by calling 1-800-762-0997, or email the Energy Advisor to learn how to sign up today. Or visit our EnviroWatts page to download a mail-in application.
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