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Summer 2007 Newsletter

In this issue:

State Employees’ Credit Union Members support a cleaner energy future for North Carolina

The State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation has partnered with NC GreenPower to support cleaner, renewable energy alternatives for North Carolina.  The SECU Foundation will fund 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of renewable energy production in North Carolina for each of the 1.3 million members of SECU annually over the next four years – a commitment to renewable energy in North Carolina of over 5.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh).

SECU Foundation funding will support generation of electricity from alternative energy sources, such as the sun, wind and methane gas.  These energy resources are cleaner to use than traditional fossil fuels such as coal and are under development across the state. Each year, SECU Foundation will be making an environmental impact equivalent to planting 208,000 trees or not driving 3.2 million miles.

By supporting the increased use of cleaner electricity sources, SECU Foundation is helping to improve the environment and enhance the quality of life for all North Carolinians. NC GreenPower encourages SECU members to personally extend this commitment by signing up for the program through their local electric utility or through the State Employees Combined Campaign.

Renewable energy, or green power as it is often called, is electricity generated from resources that are naturally replenished and available in abundance. Types of renewable energy include solar and wind power, as well as methane gas from landfills and animal waste. Other types include small hydroelectric generation and biomass fuels.

These sources are available across North Carolina and are much cleaner to use than coal, which currently accounts for approximately 60 percent of the state’s energy mix. Coal combustion is a major source of ”greenhouse gases” in the state. While green power technologies are much cleaner to use than coal, they can be more expensive to produce. The higher cost is largely due to the smaller scale on which they are currently produced. 

Because of this, projects often need a small financial boost to help make them possible. NC GreenPower provides these incentives through the contributions of its members. As active environmental stewards, SECU members are also taking steps to support these efforts.

Dr. Jim Merrill, chairman of SECU Foundation Board of Directors, states, “SECU members are environmentally conscious, as evidenced by the recent offerings of Green Mortgage and Green Car Loan programs – programs requested by Credit Union members. This Foundation initiative reinforces our members’ commitment to North Carolina’s ecological success.”

“This is still a young industry, but one that is growing rapidly,” says Maggy Inman, vice president of NC GreenPower. “Supporting renewable energy development will help to ensure that supplies increase and that costs will continue to grow more competitive with fossil fuels.” 

Using cleaner energy means better air and water quality, which in turn results in a healthier environment for everyone. Improving the quality of life of its members is something to which SECU and the SECU Foundation are committed.

“It is essential that we explore new energy options for our environment and for our economy,” says Inman. “Renewable energy represents an abundant resource for our electrical needs that can benefit our state now and in the years ahead.”

A joint education program between SECU and NC GreenPower will be conducted throughout 2007. SECU members will receive practical tips on how to use energy more efficiently, how to conserve through better utilization of insulation, Energy Star-rated appliances, compact fluorescent light bulbs and more energy-friendly HVAC systems. Most of the conservation measures are relatively simple and inexpensive to adopt.

Bobby Hall, senior executive vice-president of SECU, adds, “We’re excited about the NC GreenPower cooperative energy program. This is truly a win-win program for SECU members and all North Carolinians.”

About SECU and the SECU Foundation
SECU is a non-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. With $14 billion in assets and more than 1.3 million members, SECU provides services to members through over 200 branch offices, approximately 900 ATMs, two Call Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org. The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3) charitable organization funded solely by the members of SECU, promotes local and statewide community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of education, health and human services.

Find out more online about how your organization can become an NC GreenPower sponsor or contact Martha Gettys, NC GreenPower’s business development manager, for more details. You may also call 866-533-NCGP for more information.