We recently caught up with Jerry Loney, the energy management specialist with North Itasca Electric Cooperative based in Bigfork, MN. Jerry has come up with an innovative residential lighting program partnering with Great River Energy, a local hardware store, and three area food shelves.
The lighting program gets energy-efficient CFLs into the hands (and fixtures) of his customers, with the proceeds donated to area food shelves. Jerry is able to track the energy savings that his customers save on their energy bills, and the food shelves are able to stock much-needed food staples… Pretty nifty!
Here’s a sample of the outreach around the program:
Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs reduce energy consumption up to 77%, increase bulb life up to 10,000 hours of use, give off less heat, reduce the need for purchasing additional power at a higher cost, and reduce carbon emissions by reducing power production—and at the same time helping those in need of assistance during the holiday season.
CFL bulbs are sold at North Itasca Electric Cooperative for $1.00 each, and the proceeds are donated to three area food shelves within North Itasca Electric service territory. Stop in at North Itasca Electric and get a bulb or two and save money, save energy, reduce carbon emissions, and help those in need during the holiday seasons.
Thank you all for helping make a difference!
We spoke with Jerry to learn more about his innovative idea. Read the interview below!
Joel Haskard: Do you have any estimates about how many bulbs you have sold through the program and how much money you have raised for the local food shelves?
Jerry Loney: Since 2008, $8,254 was paid out to the food shelves. That’s approximately 4,732 bulbs. We had some events which may throw the numbers off some. I consider this good being that we only have 5,300 members and 50% of them are seasonal.
Joel: Have you heard any feedback from your customers about this program?
Jerry: Yes, members think it’s great and they get bulbs at a better price.
Joel: Do you have some suggestions for how to replicate this program?
Jerry: Here are a few tips:
- Keep it simple; we only offer three bulb sizes, 13, 20, and 23 watts. No dimmable or 3 way bulbs because of the price and popularity, but we do rebate dimmable and 3 way bulbs under Great River Energy’s rebate program.
- We set up an account only for bulbs purchased to keep track of the number sold for donations to the food shelves.
- To keep this program simple for both us and the members, bulbs are sold for $1.00 each.
- Purchases are written up on our standard wiz tickets and a copy is placed in my in basket for tracking quantity sold.
- Each month, I count the number of bulbs sold and report them to Great River Energy, who claims the energy savings.
- Around mid December, I issue checks to three food shelves which service the members in our service territory so they have food available for the holiday season. Photos are taken and I write up an article for our Watts newspaper which is printed up each month.
To learn more, feel free to contact Jerry Loney, Energy management Specialist at North Itasca Electric Cooperative Inc. at jerryl@nieci.com or 218-743-3131.
