Joined Phillips Community Energy Cooperative

I recently decided to join the Phillips Community Energy Cooperative. This is because I keep getting mail for Tara Grieco, who used to live where I do, from them. I read that new members get a free tote bag - I was sold already. In addition one gets some complact flourescent light-bulbs and 5 plastic window covers. The kicker is membership costs $1. But one must live in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, which is about 10,000 people ( our 25,000 squirrels are currently excluded) .

I talked to the program coordinator Jeff Cook-Coyle about how they get their funding. Basically Xcel donates money to the project. The coop also offers refrigerators and air conditioners at half of cost to members.

I asked whether there were any plans to get solar water heaters into the neighborhood, and Jeff seemed almost lit up about the subject. It is still in the planning stages, but very much a possibility in the next few years.

The coop is very new, starting in 2003. I wish it success and hope that it can reduce fossil fuel dependency locally. Through conservation and renewable initiatives, is is very possible.