Wiktor Wise
Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that provides clean, sustainable, and reliable energy to its members in Delaware. Unlike investor-owned utilities, DEC is member-owned, meaning that its members are also its owners and decision-makers. DEC aims to provide competitively priced energy services while empowering its members to improve their quality of life. The cooperative has developed programs such as Beat the Peak to help members conserve electricity and keep energy prices low. Additionally, DEC has invested in renewable energy sources and efficiency programs, reducing its carbon footprint by 46% since 2005.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cooperative | Member-owned |
| Members | Part-owners of the Co-op |
| Members' payments | Used for development, growth and maintenance of equipment and technology |
| Profits or margins | Returned to members |
| Decision-making | In the best interest of members |
| Purpose | Improve the quality of life of members and communities |
| How | Providing high-value energy and telecommunication services (utility service) in environmentally responsible ways |
| Energy sources | Solar, wind, landfill gas, coal, nuclear and natural gas |
| Number of homes and businesses powered | More than 112,000 |
| Carbon footprint reduction | 46% since 2005 |
| Energy-saving initiatives | "Beat the Peak" programs |
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What You'll Learn
Delaware Electric is a member-owned cooperative
The cooperative is committed to providing safe, reliable, and competitively priced energy services, empowering its members to improve their quality of life. Delaware Electric is focused on doing what is best for its members and employees, rather than profits. As such, any profits or margins made by the cooperative are returned to its members, and every decision is made in their best interest.
Delaware Electric offers its members various programs to help them save money and energy, such as the Beat the Peak program, which alerts members to conserve electricity during high-cost periods. The cooperative also offers programs that allow members to earn billing credits by conserving energy during peak times, such as the "Beat the Peak with Thermostats" and "Beat the Peak with Electric Vehicles (EVs)" programs.
Additionally, Delaware Electric is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and investing in renewable energy. It was the first utility in the state to build and own its own solar energy farm, and it continues to diversify its energy sources to include solar, wind, landfill gas, coal, nuclear, and natural gas. The cooperative also offers programs to help members power their homes with renewable energy and make their homes more energy-efficient.
Delaware Electric Cooperative is recognized as one of the most progressive utilities in the nation, with a strong focus on innovation and consumer satisfaction. The cooperative works closely with its members and communities, ensuring that their voices and interests are heard and their needs are met.
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Members invest in equipment and technology
Members of the Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) are part-owners of the Co-op. When they pay their electric bills, they invest in the development, growth, and maintenance of the equipment and technology that power their communities. This investment ensures that the Co-op can continue to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable power to its members.
One example of this investment in technology is the Beat the Peak program, which helps members conserve electricity and maintain affordable energy costs. During times of high energy prices, the DEC issues alerts through its mobile app, encouraging members to reduce their energy usage. This program has been nationally recognized for its innovation and effectiveness in keeping energy prices low.
The DEC also offers programs such as "Beat the Peak with Thermostats" and "Beat the Peak with Electric Vehicles (EVs))", which provide members with incentives to conserve energy during peak alert times. Through these programs, members can earn billing credits and help reduce the overall energy demand during peak periods.
In addition to these initiatives, the DEC has made significant investments in renewable energy sources. The Co-op was the first utility in the state to build and own a solar energy farm, supplying members with renewable energy since 2012. They have also announced plans to implement seven new utility-scale solar projects by 2024. These investments in renewable energy have contributed to a 46% reduction in the Co-op's carbon footprint since 2005.
The DEC's commitment to its members extends beyond providing reliable and affordable energy. They also offer programs such as the Certification of Medical Need, which alerts members with life-sustaining medical equipment about expected outages so they can prepare accordingly. This program demonstrates the Co-op's dedication to the well-being and safety of its members.
Through these initiatives and investments in equipment and technology, the DEC upholds its mission to power the communities it serves while improving the quality of life for its members.
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Profits are returned to members
The Delaware Electric Cooperative is a member-owned cooperative, which means that every member is a part-owner of the Co-op. As a result, the money that members invest in their monthly electric bills goes toward the development, growth, and maintenance of the equipment and technology used to power their communities.
This cooperative structure ensures that any profits or margins made by the Co-op are returned to its members. For example, during periods of high energy costs, the Co-op issues "Beat the Peak" alerts, encouraging members to conserve energy. The money saved through these initiatives is passed back to members in the form of affordable rates. Members can also receive significant discounts by making their homes more energy-efficient and can benefit from lower costs by charging their electric vehicles during off-peak times.
The Delaware Electric Cooperative was the first utility in the state to own its solar energy farm, providing members with renewable energy since 2012. Through investments in renewable energy and efficiency programs, the Co-op has reduced its carbon footprint by 46% since 2005. These initiatives not only benefit the environment but also help keep costs down for members.
Additionally, members have a say in the operation of the cooperative through their elected trustees, ensuring that their voices and interests are represented at the highest levels. This democratic aspect of the cooperative further emphasizes that profits are not only financial but also measured in the improved quality of life for members and their communities.
Overall, the Delaware Electric Cooperative's structure ensures that profits are returned to members through various initiatives, programs, and representation, demonstrating a commitment to serving and empowering its members.
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The cooperative offers renewable energy
The Delaware Electric Cooperative is a member-owned utility cooperative. When a member signs up for a new service, they become part-owners of the co-op and are given the power to elect representatives to the board of directors. This ensures that members' voices and interests are heard and that decisions are made in their best interest.
The Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) offers its members the opportunity to power their homes with renewable energy. DEC was the first utility in the state to build and own its own solar energy farm, the nearly 40-acre Bruce A. Henry Solar Farm near Georgetown, which has been providing members with renewable energy since 2012. In addition to solar energy, DEC also relies on a diversified mix of energy sources, including wind, landfill gas, and nuclear, to provide reliable power to more than 112,000 homes and businesses.
DEC has made significant investments in renewable energy and various efficiency programs, reducing its carbon footprint by 46% since 2005. The cooperative offers several programs to help members conserve energy and lower their energy costs, such as the nationally recognized "Beat the Peak" program, which alerts members when to conserve electricity to help keep energy prices low. During "Beat the Peak" alert periods, members are asked to turn off unnecessary lights, delay using major appliances, and adjust their thermostats.
DEC also offers the "Beat the Peak with Thermostats" program, where members with Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats allow DEC to remotely adjust the temperature by a few degrees during peak alert times, earning them a monthly billing credit. Similarly, the "Beat the Peak with Electric Vehicles (EVs)" program encourages members not to charge their EVs during peak alert times, offering an initial $200 billing credit and a $5 monthly credit during the summer months.
Through these initiatives, the Delaware Electric Cooperative is committed to providing its members with safe, reliable, and competitively priced energy services while also empowering them to improve their quality of life and make more sustainable choices.
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Members can save money through energy conservation
Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that is member-owned. Its mission is to provide clean, sustainable, and reliable energy to its members. DEC has a strong commitment to cooperative principles and serving its members, and any profits or margins made are returned to its members.
DEC members can save money through energy conservation in several ways. One way is through the Beat the Peak program, which was developed by former Co-op President and CEO Bill Andrew. During times of high energy costs, DEC issues Beat the Peak alerts, encouraging members to conserve energy. This can include simple actions such as turning off unnecessary lights, delaying the use of major appliances, or adjusting the thermostat by a few degrees. By participating in this program, members can help keep energy prices low and receive money-saving benefits.
Additionally, members can enroll in the "Beat the Peak with Thermostats" program, allowing DEC to remotely adjust their thermostat by a few degrees during peak alert times. This helps conserve energy, and participants receive a monthly billing credit of $5 on their electric bills during the summer months. Similarly, the "Beat the Peak with Electric Vehicles (EVs)" program encourages members to avoid charging their EVs during peak alert times. Participants can earn an initial $200 billing credit and a $5 monthly billing credit during the summer.
DEC also offers a range of other programs and initiatives to help members save money and energy. These include home energy audits, community solar programs, and incentives for powering homes with renewable energy. Members can also access their energy profile to receive personalized money-saving tips, bill analysis, and an energy forecast. Furthermore, DEC has introduced Distribution Automation (DA) technology across all its substations, minimizing the impact of outages and enhancing system reliability.
By implementing these energy conservation measures, DEC members can not only reduce their energy costs but also contribute to the cooperative's goal of reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable energy practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that provides clean, sustainable, and reliable energy to its members in Delaware.
The purpose of the cooperative is to provide safe, competitively priced, and reliable energy services to its members while empowering them to improve their quality of life.
Being member-owned is at the heart of the cooperative. When a member signs up for a new service, they become part-owners of the Co-op. When they pay their electric bills, they are investing in the development and maintenance of the equipment and technology used to power their communities.
The "Beat the Peak" program was developed by former Co-op President and CEO Bill Andrew to help members conserve electricity and keep energy prices low. During high energy price periods, members are asked to conserve energy by turning off unnecessary lights, delaying the use of major appliances, or adjusting their thermostat.
DEC was the first utility in Delaware to own and operate its solar energy farm, the Bruce A. Henry Solar Farm. They have also implemented Distribution Automation (DA) technology to minimize the impact of outages. Additionally, they offer various programs to assist members with billing and medical needs.
