Thank you to everyone who attended Roanoke Cooperative's recent Clean Energy Expo at the Ahoskie Amphitheater. Co-op and community members, local and state leaders, and students and teachers from Bertie and Hertford counties joined us for an exciting day dedicated to advancing clean energy solutions and beneficial electrification.
Exhibitors showcased clean energy products, and co-op members shared the benefits of owning and driving electric vehicles (EVs). Students could hear presentations and discussions about the benefits of clean energy and its impact on the environment. Attendees were treated to test drives of EVs. Added fun included local vendors offering crafts, and food trucks selling refreshments throughout the day.
The coop gave several door prizes away, including:
| Ethel Coston | $25.00 Electel Visa Card |
| Jennifer Dail | $25.00 Electel Visa Card |
| Anthony Marrow | Hedge Trimmer |
| Sharon Snyder | Chainsaw |
| Jennifer Cherry | Weed eater/leaf blower |
| Joyce Jones | Push Mower (GRAND PRIZE) |
| Crystal Harrell-Teacher | $50.00 American Express Card |
| Stacey Unger-Teacher | $50.00 American Express Card |
| Marcus Barber | $75.00 American Express Card |
"This Expo is part of Electrify Roanoke, a strategy focusing on beneficial electrification," said CEO Marshall Cherry. "This concept encompasses both environmental concerns and lower energy costs. Electricity should be the expansive fuel source for residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial technologies, thereby increasing load growth while simultaneously working with policymakers to ensure the capacity is available to maintain a reliable electrical grid."
Cherry noted the Expo serves as a platform for the co-op to share its clean energy vision for the future. Other clean energy initiatives by Roanoke Cooperative include:
Upgrade 2 Save program - This program is based on decarbonizing buildings by converting heating fuel sources to electricity. By enrolling more member-owners into our program, we continue to retrofit buildings for energy efficiency, thereby reducing energy waste. Each new residential heat pump added to our system increases the need for our services while reducing the additional cost to serve them since the units are more energy efficient.
Home Charging Electric Vehicle program - We install home chargers for enrolled members and offer rate incentives. We also are actively working with funders to secure additional rebates for electric vehicle purchases.
Collaboration with Tesla - This program is now one of the cooperative's largest accounts, given the number of Tesla vehicles that travel Interstate 95 and charge on the co-op's system. We will have fast chargers that charge a car in less than an hour. They will be strategically placed at locations where EV drivers can charge, take a break, and experience our community until the charge is complete. Our most recent installation includes the first-ever fast charger in Gates County.
Electric School Bus program - We have worked closely with our school systems to garner grant support to add electric buses to their fleets. We are excited to report that Bertie County County and Halifax County Schools will receive federal funding and will experience electric mobility within their school bus fleets.
Agricultural Innovation program - We are working closely with Raleigh-based North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation's (NCEMC) Innovation and Business Development division on several commercial and agricultural opportunities that align with our goals. By seizing these opportunities, we will not only enhance our load factor but also contribute to the prosperity of our local businesses and agricultural communities.
For more information on all of Roanoke Cooperative's programs and services, go to www.roanokecooperative.com.
About Us
RC serves over 13,500 member-owners in Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton, and Perquimans counties. This Expo demonstrates RC's mission and vision:
Our mission is to pursue innovation relentlessly and offer the industry's finest, most reliable, and most cost-efficient services. The co-op will serve member-owners tirelessly and enhance their lives and communities. The supporting vision is that the co-op will commit to being one of our member-owners' most trusted service providers and most admired by its peers.
Our work advances local economic prosperity, demonstrates community spirit, and promotes a path to resilience in rural northeastern N.C. This cooperative exists to marshal collective action and provide services and programs that help solve local problems — together, we are progressing toward shared prosperity. We believe RC can be a leader in navigating this moment of change in a post-pandemic world where we need to be connected more than ever before. By taking decisive actions to create innovative services (such as promoting clean energy and businesses in our region) and seeking partnerships to drive change, we are a strong and vibrant service provider committed to our member-owners — Today, Tomorrow, Together!
