The 2009 NRECA Region 5 Meeting is Well Attended

The 2009 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Region 5 Meeting was held September 17 – 18, 2009 in Springfield, Illinois. This meeting was the second in a series of seven Regional Meetings hosted by NRECA throughout the country. Region 5 includes the states of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin providing a platform for cooperative directors, managers and staff to network within the region as well as review and discuss issues of the industry nation wide. 

This year’s theme, “Tough Choices Call for Strong Voices” focused specifically on issues regarding energy policies, financial market regulations, and bankruptcy protection. Five new proposed principles were added to the 10 existing principles in the NRECA’s climate-change resolution. In all, eight proposed resolutions passed during the Region 5 business meeting. The resolutions passed during the regional meetings are part of the process of developing NRECA’s ongoing legislative agenda. Glenn English, CEO of NRECA stated in his address to the regional meeting attendees that, “Each and every one of you, in the end, will be responsible for our legislative results and success.”

The NRECA Regional Meetings bring together cooperative directors to network and continue the association’s grassroots policymaking process. The Regional Meetings include a New Director Orientation, four general sessions, the business meeting, the ACRE® Breakfast, a CEO breakfast, and more.  The 2009 Region 5 Meeting attendees consisted of locally elected directors and key staff from 84 cooperative electric utilities serving more than 1.84 million consumers.
 

Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives Launch "Together We Save" Campaign

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Dusky Terry, (515) 362-7682; or cell: (515) 423-9582

August 31, 2009
        
DES MOINES – Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) announces the launch of a new statewide media campaign aimed at educating Iowans about energy conservation and efficiency.  Entitled “Together We Save,” the campaign features the simultaneous roll-out of television and radio spots, print ads, brochures, and other collateral pieces, along with several energy efficiency interactive web applications.

This new campaign is built on the concept that small changes in behavior can help cooperatives deliver more efficient, reliable and affordable energy.  At a time of steady growth in demand, every consumer has a responsibility to be more deliberate in using energy wisely and efficiently.  This campaign provides energy consumers a few simple tools that translate into real savings.

The “Together We Save” campaign is designed to drive people to an interactive website full of information and helpful resources.  The site, www.togetherwesave.com, includes a virtual home tour with tips for how to save energy and money at home, several interactive web applications, and the Touchstone Energy TV featuring short videos on energy audits, lighting, sealing and insulation and more. 

Touchstone Energy Cooperatives developed and distributed the “Together We Save” brand materials as part of a national comprehensive communications campaign.   Roughly 700 local, member-owned electric cooperatives make up Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, which collectively deliver power and energy solutions to more than 40 million members every day in 46 states.  CIPCO and member systems including Clarke Electric Cooperative, Consumers Energy, East-Central Iowa REC, Farmers Electric Cooperative, Guthrie County REC, Maquoketa Valley REC, Midland Power Cooperative, Pella Cooperative Electric Association, Southwest Iowa REC and T.I.P. REC are all Touchstone Energy member cooperatives.  The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) ranked Touchstone Energy Cooperatives #1 in customer satisfaction among the utility industry in 2008.