Touchstone Energy Cooperatives (also called simply Touchstone) is a
cooperative federation composed of more than 750 local, consumer-owned
utility cooperative
A utility cooperative is a type of cooperative that is tasked with the delivery of a public utility such as electricity, water or telecommunications to its members. Profits are either reinvested for infrastructure or distributed to members in t ...
s in 46 states in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
. Touchstone Energy co-ops serve more than 30 million members.
Touchstone Energy was founded in 1998. Most of its members are also members of the
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The federation includes both generation and transmission cooperatives and distribution cooperatives. More than 88% of Touchstone Energy's local electric co-ops generate at least a portion of their electricity from renewable resources.
Support of utility cooperatives
Touchstone Energy provides support to its member cooperatives in various ways, including training in strategy development and execution best practices.
Philanthropy
Touchstone Energy's North Carolina cooperatives established the Bright Ideas grant program in 1993. The program provides educational grants of up to $3,000 for teachers in North Carolina who fund classroom-based projects out of their own pockets.
Legal Settlement
In July 2010 an agreement was reached between the
EPA and Hoosier Energy to reduce emissions that are regulated under the
Clean Air Act. The agreement covers a civil penalty and a commitment to upgrade the air pollution controls at two power plants in Indiana,
Merom Generating Station, and
Frank E. Ratts Generating Station.
Hoosier Energy Agreement Marks 20th Settlement Under EPA’s Power Plant Enforcement Initiative
''EPA'' July 23, 2010.
See also
* National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
References
External links
*
Cooperative federations
Organizations established in 1998
Organizations based in Arlington County, Virginia
1998 establishments in Virginia
Cooperatives based in Virginia
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