Deliver project:

Inclusive Utility Investment

Project Deliver and Clean Energy Works help electric cooperatives that are exploring options to address energy burden, generate economic benefits for member-owners, and create demand for work from businesses that sustain local jobs.

Background

Roanoke electric Cooperative is a distribution cooperative serving northeastern North Carolina. The diversity of their leadership team is representative of its members. The co-op predominantly services persistence property taxes that are burdened with high energy costs.

Opportunity

REC recognized that Pay As You save (PAYS®), a tariffed on-bill financing systems would allow access for underserved member-owners to receive energy efficient upgrades with no upfront cost. The cooperative's investments are covered through a charge on the bill that is less than the energy cost savings. The co-op initially secured $6 million in Treasury-rate financing through the USDA Energy Efficiency & Conservation Loan Program and more recently obtained an additional $6 million for the USDA Rural Energy Savings Program to support the initiative. Inefficient homes add substantial cost to member-owners and the cooperative. In providing a TOBF solution for those needing upgrades, Roanoke Electric is creating value for all the co-op's member-owners.

energy-burden-graph

Action

The co-op's board unanimously approved use of the (PAYS®) system. A very diverse group of business owners are managing and executing at the program on behalf of RTC. Through woman-owned EEtility, Roanoke introduced several initiatives, including targeted outreach to homes with high energy use. Residents are receiving, no upfront cost, upgrades averaging $7,200. The energy efficiency improvements include upgrades to highly efficient HVAC units, retrofits to minimize lost cooling and heating and installations of LED lights, smart strips, aerators, and water heater blankets. Solomon Maryland Heating and Air, a minority-owned HVAC contractor, is doing a large percentage of this work. Currently, Roanoke Electric is expanding its use of the PAYS model to make in-home electric vehicle charging stations available to all members.

Outcome

Resources