November 4, 2009

Dear Co-op Power Members,

I'm writing to let you know of a decision I've come to over the last few months.  I have decided to leave my position as President and CEO of Co-op Power.  It has been a tremendous honor and joy for me to serve you in this position over the last 4.5 years.  Thank you.

I know that I will miss this work that I have come to love and I'll miss the relationships I've built with so many of you. I do feel, though, that it's the right time for Co-op Power and the right time for me to see what's next.

The board has formed a hiring committee and they're meeting weekly to find you a great new Manager. (Please let them know if you would like to apply or if you think of someone you'd like to see in this position by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

It is an exciting time for us to bring on someone new.

We have done some of the most innovative green justice work in the country - working with Nuestras Raices in Holyoke - to build a new energy services company called Energia.  Co-op Power created the business plan and financial projections, completed grant applications, drafted organizational docs, developed a pilot project launch plan, and designed and implemented a solar hot water and energy efficiency upgrade training programs for young adults in Holyoke to help them prepare to apply for job in this new company.

Together with Nuestras Raices we raised more than $1 million in grants and loans this spring and summer to launch this new business. Energia's new CEO, Tom Rossmassler, is just starting work next week. Energia will provide energy efficiency upgrades for residential, multi-family, and small commercial buildings.  I'm sure we'll be offering their services to Co-op Power members in the near future. It's been very exciting.  Co-op Power owns 15% of that business and you'll likely see significant benefits from that as a Co-op Power member in three years.  This development project took five months from concept to launch. Unheard of.

And, at the other end of the development timeline, it looks like Northeast Biodiesel will finally launch after five years in development. The board and investors voted last week to use the $1 million we've been holding in the bank to build a small commercial biodiesel plant that will produce 3.5 million gallons a year using recycled oil. We can't afford to build a new building on our land in the Greenfield Industrial Park with this smaller launch, but we are still hoping to stay in Franklin County. And yes, there are still hurdles in the way that may prevent the launch, yet again, but it looks unlikely since we're not depending on others much to make this all work. Co-op Power owns more than half of that business, so you'll likely see some benefits from that as a Co-op Power member in 3  years, and you'll likely see significant benefits in ten.

Co-op Power members are researching a number of other businesses, all within the guidelines members have set out for our business development efforts.

A group of Co-op Power members has been looking into building a pellet manufacturing plant for a couple years now. We're creating the business plan and financials for the plant and writing one or two grants to support development.  I'm hoping they will get some funding and take over our land in the Greenfield Industrial Park. To get funding for this business, we need to identify forest land owners with wood they can harvest in a sustainable manner and people who heat with pellets.  Please click on this survey link (if you haven't already) and let us know what you might be able to contribute or use to build this local, sustainable energy system: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=k_2fOy4tztqvabAEpU4fRMYw_3d_3d

Co-op Power is staffing a Greenfield District Heating project that's in the middle of a feasibility study that could reduce Greenfield's energy use/carbon production, and energy costs significantly.

Co-op Power has also provided marketing support and business development support to a dozen solar installation and energy efficiency businesses in the region, supporting their start-up and business expansion efforts.

We've brought together skilled installers, engineers, and trades people to create our beloved Member to Member Solar Hot Water installation program that has enough demand to allow us to get great deals for our members on equipment and installations.

The Sustainable Energy Summit brought more than 600 people together across the region across class and race, experienced and novice. Inspiring.  We've had more than 200 volunteers working on Co-op Power projects every year doing extraordinary work.

There's a lot going on here at Co-op Power.  We could use your help. Please volunteer to help with this transition if you can. Just email me ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you have time and energy to contribute.

I am hoping that you, the owner-members of Co-op Power, will work with the board to find the next leader for our cooperative.  We've finally proven that our innovative financing model for community-based businesses can work. Over the coming years we need to build our local organizing councils and build out our member benefits.

This Co-op can be whatever you, the members, want it to be.

It's the right time and right place for what we do.

And so, with many good wishes, I'll be moving on in the coming months, by December at the latest. I am committed to supporting a healthy transition here.

Thank you again for all your support and encouragement along the way.

Sincerely,
Lynn

Lynn Benander
413-772-8898
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