Energy Co-op uses revenue to encourage community projects

A local energy co-op is putting profits back into the community to support member-driven energy conservation and sustainability projects.

The Foothills Energy Co-op was formed in 2016 to market electricity and natural gas to residents in the region. Its mandate is to use profits to fund and support energy conservation, green energy and sustainability within its service areas.

Ken Wardley, marketing and visibility director, said it was founded “with the express purpose of retaining revenues in and for our community.”

The community fund has helped pay for projects across Foothills County, Wardley said. Recently, the High River United Church received $10,000 towards installation 76 solar panels on the roof of the building.

Once a year, funding is allocated for projects directed toward energy conservation, energy reduction, alternative energy or other topics that are within the scope of the co-op’s mission.

The fund has helped projects at Oilfields High School and the Turner Valley community garden, and made it possible to reduce electricity rates for business customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The co-op's website says members fund and carry out worthwhile community projects with revenues that would otherwise go to large corporations.

Money in the fund is used for projects that members initiate. The co-op says it views its values of energy conservation and sustainability to include both their environmental and social benefits. Projects eligible for funding can range from barrels to collect rainwater, to installation of solar panels, or even marking out local walking trails.

”Everything’s driven by people who join the co-op,” said Wardley, adding there are about 450 members.

The co-op promotes community involvement and engagement. Projects for private benefit, such as renovating a kitchen to be more energy efficient, will not receive funding.

The co-op is chartered under the Alberta Co-operatives Act and run by a volunteer board of directors. It held its AGM at the Sheep River Library in Turner Valley on May 17.

Foothills Energy Co-op markets natural gas and electricity through Calgary supplier UtilityNet at a lower cost than many large corporations.

For more information about the Foothills Energy Co-op, visit foothillsenergycoop.ca.