The Cooperative Alternative Case Study: The First Urban Electric Coop.

Edward Yaker and Thomas Thompson, 1st Rochdale Cooperative Group, Ltd.
Fredric S. Goidner, Energy Management & Research Associates

Keywords

Abstract

This paper describes the efforts undertaken to establish the first Urban Electric Cooperative; 1st Rochdale Cooperative Group of New York City. It discusses the concept of “Cooperation Among Cooperatives” as the basis for a consumer aggregation initiative and as the launching point for creating an energy commodity and service company. The paper discusses the value of “Cooperation Among Cooperatives” in linking 1st Rochdale with an existing customer network as well as in building the administrative, regulatory & technical foundation needed to bring this concept to life.

1st Rochdale is a consumer owned, non-profit energy cooperative. The organizations that founded 1st Rochdale’s have over 70 years experience with New York City’s housing cooperatives. In addition, 1st Rochdale has created linkages with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association & it’s members throughout the U.S. who have over 60 years experience as energy providers. From the time 1st Rochdale was conceived, its mission has been to: lower members total energy bifis through comprehensive energy management; develop energy conservation and generation strategies, and renewable energy sources. The cooperative is interested in providing the best energy solution for its members for the long term.

This paper is intended to provide a model for others to use to create new and expand existing energy cooperatives. The cooperative exists to insure that residential customers benefit from utility restructuring. It is not seeking to make a profit to pay investors based on commodity sales. It is seeking to increase membership & market share by focusing on reducing its’ members overall consumption of energy & energy bills - through efficient technologies and renewable forms of energy - while also contributing to a cleaner environment.

Finally, this paper discusses how 1st Rochdale, in its first year and a halfofoperation, has begun to provide a variety of services, (such as audits, EEM (energy efficiency measures) financing and implementation, new technology deployment, and development of distributed generation plans), to achieve these goals.