Commentary Electric vehicles shape automobile industry S
Chris Meyers General Manager, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives
cience and tech- nology seem to continuous- ly move better
products and innovation into the mainstream. For example, over the last decade, great efficiency improvements have been made in such technologies
as wind power generators, solar photovoltaics, and geothermal heat pumps. Because of these improvements, consumer energy costs have been very stable.
Another industry that is reaping the benefi ts of
technological advances is the automobile manu- facturing industry. Not only have there been great improvements in fuel economy standards, but auto manufacturers are now producing light- er, stronger and more fuel-effi cient cars that are making their way into the garages of more and more homes nationwide. Technology improvements in battery storage are leading to a surge in the electric powered car market. Only a few short years ago, a “total elec- tric” car was deemed infeasible for travel over distances greater than 50 miles. Inner city or
urban drivers were usually the only people inter- ested in purchasing electric cars because of “range anxiety,” or the fear of running out of battery power in an isolated, remote area.
Fast forward to the beginning of 2017: At least 13 fully electric car models were available for pur- chase in the United States. Incentives such as a maximum federal tax credit of $7,500 plus other manufacturer rebates, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 per vehicle in some states, have spurred growth in the industry. Manufacturers such as BMW, Chevrolet, Fiat,
Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Volkswagen and of course, Tesla, are now selling electric cars in many parts of the U.S. From January 2013 to November 2016, electric car sales grew by 641 percent, from 170,000 to over 542,000 nationwide.
Electric cooperatives have always been at the table when new and improved technologies make their way into the market. In the future, local electric co-ops may choose to help with the build- out of electric vehicle charging station infrastruc- ture. Just as Henry Ford helped advance the auto industry in the U.S., electric co-ops may help lead the way in electric car deployment.
Energy effi ciency: a win for all Y
Scott Copeland President, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives
ou probably have heard about energy effi ciency from
your local electric coop- erative. But, what does it really mean? By defi- nition, energy efficiency implies using less energy to perform the same or ad-
ditional functions. Electric cooperatives are no strangers to the concept of energy effi ciency. In fact, we’re known nationally as leaders in helping our members better manage their electric use, us- ing less to power homes and businesses. Programs ranging from energy audits, energy
effi ciency education, and rebates for geothermal heat pumps as highlighted on Page 8 of this month’s Oklahoma Living, are just a few examples of opportunities offered by electric cooperatives to their membership.
Survey results by the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association, our national service organization, indicate that at least 93 percent of electric co-ops educate those they serve about energy efficiency. Nearly 80 percent perform
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residential energy audits, which identify ways to boost energy effi ciency and keep electric bills affordable. How does energy effi ciency impact electric co- operatives in the long run? The continuous prac- tice of energy effi ciency helps co-ops temporarily head off the need to build new electric power generation while curbing greenhouse gas emis- sions. Overall, the biggest payoff for electric co- operatives comes from consumers implementing recommendations of energy audits and switching to more energy-efficient geothermal and air- source heat pumps, lighting, and appliances com- bined with improved power plant operating effi ciencies and expansion of demand-response/ load management programs. Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives encourage their members to take the path to energy effi cien- cy. Call or visit your local electric cooperative to learn more about the programs and services they offer. You can also visit
www.togetherwesave.com and discover how making little changes around your house can result in big savings on your en- ergy bills. Helping members save on their electric bill is another way of demonstrating the cooper- ative difference.
Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Chris Meyers, General Manager Scott Copeland, President Larry Hicks, Vice-President Tim Smith, Secretary Brent Bacon, Treasurer
Staff
Sid Sperry, Director of PR & Communications
sksperry@oaec.coop
Anna Politano, Editor
editor@okl.coop
Hayley Leatherwood, Multimedia Specialist
hleatherwood@okl.coop
Shannen McCroskey, Marketing Specialist
smccroskey@okl.coop
Kirbi Mills, Director of Admin. Services
kmills@oaec.coop
Hillary Barrow, Admin. Services Assistant
hbarrow@oaec.coop
Miguel Rios, Editorial Intern
intern@okl.coop
Editorial, Advertising and General Offi ces P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154 Phone (405) 478-1455
Oklahoma Living online:
www.okl.coop Subscriptions
$3.48 per year for rural electric cooperative members.
$7 per year for non-members. Cooperative Members: Report change of
address to your local rural electric cooperative. Non-Cooperative Members: Send address
changes to Oklahoma Living, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.
Oklahoma Living (ISSN 1064-8968),
USPS 407-040, is published monthly for consumer-members of Oklahoma’s rural electric cooperatives by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, 2325 E. I-44 Service Road, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.
Circulation this issue: 325,047
Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS.
The Oklahoma Association of Electric
Cooperatives is a statewide service organization for the following electric cooperatives: Alfalfa, Arkansas Valley, Canadian Valley, Central,
Choctaw, Cimarron, CKenergy, Cookson Hills, Cotton, East Central Oklahoma, Harmon, Indian, KAMO Power, Kay, Kiamichi, Lake Region, Northeast Oklahoma, Northfork, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ozarks, People’s,
Red River Valley, Rural, Southeastern, Southwest Rural, Tri-County, Verdigris Valley, and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative.
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