Friday, August 10, 2012

HEA Members Forum Update

Regular HEA/AEEC Meetings
Tuesday, August 14, 2012

10:00 AM -- Operations and Special Projects
1:00 PM -- Finance Committee
3:00 PM -- AEEC Board Meeting
5:30 PM -- HEA Board Meeting
Location: Meetings take place in the Homer Offices at 3977 Lake Street907-235-8551.  Video conferencing is available in the Kenai Offices at 280 Airport Way.  Draft agendas should available at least a day before meetings on the HEA website athttp://www.homerelectric.com/

BoardofDirectorsElections/
BoardMeetingInformation/Agendas/tabid/220/Default.aspx. There are sometimes last minute changes in scheduling, so check the website.

Tomorrow -- the 8th Annual Alaska Renewable Energy Fair
Saturday, August 11, 2012 -- 11:00 AM-9:00 PM -- Anchorage Parkstrip Between G & I Streets
This a FREE event with live music, food, a beer garden, craft and information booths, kids activities and renewable energy workshops.Go to http://alaskarenewableenergy.

org/events/alaska-renewable-
energy-fair/ for a complete list of activities.

New USDA-Funded Loans for Energy Upgrades
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced a $250 million program to allow rural electric cooperative customers to take out USDA-funded loans to make energy upgrades and then pay back the loans through their monthly utility savings.

Like the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation rebate program, a certified energy auditor first evaluates the home and makes recommendations for upgrades. Unlike the AHFC program, qualifying homeowners will get an upfront loan rather than a partial rebate after work is completed.

Two-thirds of the savings resulting from the upgrades would go toward repaying the loan. For example, if the drop in energy use results in a $100 monthly savings, $66 would go toward satisfying the debt, and the homeowner’s bill would still be about $33 less than without the improvements. 

Clean Energy Ambassadors (http://

cleanenergyambassadors.ning.
com/) will host a webinar on August 23 the USDA's Rural Economic Development Energy Efficiency Effort. Register at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/hmxz86da07q1 if you're interested.

City of Homer Sewer Treatment Plant Winner of Great Alaska Energy Challenge
In May 2012 the facility received the Renewable Energy Alaska Project award for biggest reduction in electricity usage, having cut energy use by nearly one sixth, saving enough electricity to power over eight homes in one year!