CAMDEN — Calhoun County is currently leading the Georgetown University Energy Prize contest thanks to the energy-efficiency applications being implemented by Ouachita Electric Cooperative of Camden, according to a news release. The cooperative serves members in Calhoun County.
The Georgetown University Energy Prize contest involves periodic evaluation of energy consumption data from the more than 60 city and county contest applicants across the United States. The contest involves four stages with the final winner to be named by June 2017.
According to Mark Cayce, general manager of Ouachita Electric Cooperative, Calhoun County is in the semifinalist stage, or stage three, and will compete for the next two years to reduce their utility-supplied energy consumption to yield continuing improvements within the county and provide a model for other communities to replicate.
Cayce said in the release the cooperative has worked with municipal and county officials to address energy efficiency practices in government facilities, and it has also implemented an innovative program to assist cooperative members with an easy repayment method for the addition of energy efficiency measures in their homes.
“We are offering the Home Energy Lending Program (HELP) for our members,” Cayce said. “HELP is an on-bill financing program that provides members with an easy payment method for proven cost-effective energy efficiency enhancements.
The member avoids having to provide up-front cash for these improvements that result in lower energy bills as well as increased comfort. The energy savings actually offset the financing payment on the bill, resulting in both lower usage and lower bills.”
Cayce said the HELP program works in a four-step process. First, a free home energy assessment/report is provided to the cooperative member. The report identifies the recommended improvements and analyzes the annual energy cost savings associated with each one. Next, the homeowner decides which improvements are desired. These often include adding insulation, reducing air leakage, sealing ductwork and upgrading lighting. Once the improvements are made HELP team members inspect the work and the cooperative writes a check for the cost. The member then pays for the improvements on their monthly bill with the energy costs they save.
The cooperative has also conducted energy audits for municipal, county and school buildings and assisted in the deployment of high efficiency lighting that has resulted in lower energy usage at the facilities.
“We have had great success with the program so far and are excited to be able to help our members and position Calhoun County to win the Georgetown Energy Prize,” Cayce said. “Our goal is, and will always be, to improve the quality of life for our members and this contest is a great avenue to do so.”
Ouachita Electric Cooperative serves around 9,419 members in Bradley, Calhoun, Dallas, Nevada and Ouachita counties. Incorporated in 1939, the cooperative is based in Camden with a district office in Hampton, the release states. The locally owned and managed organization has 38 employees.