Electric Cooperatives: Powering Your Community

By Elle Johnson (SCHS)

“But master …It didn’t work the last time!” Igor exclaimed as Dr. Frankenstein pulled the lever, lifting his limp monster to the sky.

“This round will be a success,” Dr. Frankenstein proclaimed. “I am sure of it.”

“We have attempted to bring your monster to life…” Igor stared at his crooked fingers, “I don’t have enough fingers to count our failures! What makes this try any different?”

“I’ve found a new assistant.”

Igor’s neck sank into his hunchback. “N-new assistant?”

“No Igor! You’re one of a kind, trust me,” the doctor smirked. “I’ve enlisted the help of the electric cooperative.”

“The electric cooperative: How can they help us bring life to our creation?”

“It’s simple. Last week, I completed the Energy Right Home e-Valuation for the lab,” Dr. Frankenstein boasted. “The survey assessed our current energy situation and made recommendations tailored to our lifestyle!”

Igor lifted an eyebrow at the revelation. “And what exactly did the Home e-Valuation tell us master?”

“Igor, have you ever heard of an industry that encourages consumers to use less of their product?” “No, that seems quite improbable,” Igor replied after pondering the thought.

“The electric cooperative is unlike any other organization,” Dr. Frankenstein explained. “They encourage us to conserve and save energy as much as possible, perhaps even seeking better power sources along the way.”

“But master, we only use electricity in the lab when necessary. Aren’t we already conserving enough energy?”

“Our problem is vampire power, Igor. We have only been using our equipment when needed, but the machines have been plugged into the electrical outlets around the clock. They have been sucking electricity from the outlets even when not in use and wasting it. Vampire power has been adding up to as much as 10% of our total power intake! Now that we are unplugging our appliances after use, we are saving so much more energy.”

“Now that you mention it, I have noticed the lights on our devices haven’t been on as much lately…”

“Is that all you noticed about the lights?” Dr. Frankenstein questioned. “Excuse me?”

“Prior to taking the Home e-Valuation, we were only using incandescent lighting in the lab.

However, these bulbs release more heat than light, making the majority of energy unused. That is why the electric cooperative advised us to switch to LED lighting. LED lights emit very little heat while still shining just as brightly, and also last up to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs!”

“That’s very interesting master,” Igor acknowledged, “but that can’t be all the Home e-Valuation told you.”

“Of course not! Igor, come with me,” the doctor commanded, striding across the room to a luminescent green box.

Igor squinted his eyes at the label. “Green Power Switch?”

“Yes!” Electric cooperatives are offering the switch to green power to all their consumers. With this one block, 12% of our energy intake comes from nature. We were on the right path to green power by attempting to electrify our monster with lightning, but the electric cooperative pushed us further by advising us to install solar panels on our roof and place a wind turbine in the backyard. Lightning may not be as humane as solar or wind power, but they don’t call me a mad scientist for nothing!”

“But master, why would we pay more for this green energy over regular electricity?”

“Not only is this power renewable, but it also emits less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and reduces our carbon footprint. Green power helps our community as well as the generations to come,” Dr. Frankenstein assured. “Igor, do you remember what happened the last time we tried to bring our monster to life with lightning?”

“How could I forget?” Igor recalled. “The shock caused a power surge so tremendous that we lost most of our sensitive electronic equipment!”

“Thanks to the results of our Home e-Valuation, we no longer have to worry about that harsh aftermath. All of our old equipment has been replaced with the most cutting-edge technology! These upgrades, such as geothermal heat pumps and automated meter reading systems, are the best technology has to offer and give us more benefits with less electricity. However, the surge suppression equipment is also weaved into these new upgrades, protecting our laboratory from any future power surges!”

Dr. Frankenstein and Igor exchanged nods of approval for all the changes suggested by the electric cooperative from the Energy Right Home e-Valuation, until suddenly lightning struck in the sky.

“It’s time, Igor!” Dr. Frankenstein shouted.

A bright bolt of lightning struck the lifeless body above the roof, causing the sky to illuminate.

When the sky had cleared, the doctor released the lever and lowered his monster to the ground. Dr. Frankenstein approached his creation and touched its hand. Immediately, the monster’s eyes opened.

“It’s alive! It’s alive!” Dr. Frankenstein announced.

“Master, it’s reaching out, and it’s all thanks to the electric cooperative!”

“Our monster is reaching out to us just as the cooperative reaches out to help its members.

Cooperatives are member owned industries working for energy efficiency, low prices, safety assurance, and community benefits. Electric cooperatives aren’t only powering our monster; they’re also powering our community!”

“Master,” Igor said, acknowledging the breathing beast before him, “I think you’re right. Perhaps it won’t hurt to have another assistant in the lab after all.”