QUESTION: What community-based business development projects is Co-op Power supporting?

ANSWER: Co-op Power members have voted to invest member equity in the Greenfield recycled vegetable oil Plant,  called Northeast Biodiesel, and in Co-op Power. Co-op Power holds a majority ownership stake in Northeast Biodiesel. Co-op Power member equity has been used to build all of Co-op Power's products and services, including our solar installation program and energy efficiency crews.  Co-op Power also worked with Nuestras Raices in Holyoke to build an energy services company, called Energia, and Co-op Power holds a 15% ownership stake in that company.  Members of Co-op Power are also working hard to develop many other community-based sustainable energy businesses. Projects include energy efficiency crews;  community-scale wind, hydro, and solar; district heating; sustainable landscaping; green cemeteries; renewable energy system installation crews; recycled oil collection; and more.

QUESTION: How can community groups work with Co-op Power on their business development projects?

ANSWER: The community can join Co-op Power as a local organizing council and access a wide range of free services and discounted technical assistance consulting. They can also sign on members with Co-op Power's great member benefits and then invest 3/4ths of the member equity collected in their local business development efforts.