The way we use electricity has changed dramatically over the past several decades. As the electrical grid expanded in the 1950s, consumers primarily used electricity for lighting, small appliances, refrigeration, and farm equipment. Today, homes are more than twice the size they were then, with more electronic devices, and widespread use of air conditioning.
One of the many things that makes cooperatives unique is that members have a real voice in shaping the future. Unlike other business models, one of the seven cooperative principles that guides us is Democratic Member Control. That means the people we serve are also the people who help guide our direction.
Each year, People’s Energy Cooperative sponsors an area student to represent the Cooperative at the NRECA Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Brady Dessner of Dover was selected to take part in this year’s tour, held June 14-21.
The safe, reliable, and cost-competitive delivery of electricity to consumers in the Upper Midwest relies on a strong backbone of transmission lines and dependable power plants. As more energy resources are added to the grid and electricity demand rises, our aging generation and transmission system needs to be upgraded. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) – our regional grid operator – recognized this need over a decade ago and began planning for the future with long-range transmission planning. Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) – PEC’s wholesale power provider – has focused on a diversified generation portfolio with lower carbon intensity that is still reliable when our members need electricity the most.
