U.S. energy secretary visits 60-acre solar farm
AFTER A VISIT TO East Kentucky Power Cooperative in Winchester on March 2, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told her social media followers the co-op’s Cooperative Solar farm is “amazing.” The former Michigan governor joined Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet leaders in a visit with co-op leaders. The 60-acre solar farm serves the 16 cooperatives under EKPC’s umbrella, giving their consumer-members an easy way to benefit from sun power without the hassle, maintenance or expense of owning private solar panels.
Kentuckians on national stage
When more than 5,000 co-op leaders from across the country gathered in March for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s PowerXchange and TechAdvantage 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives took center stage. Teri Lacy, East Kentucky Power Cooperative’s manager of human resources, explained how EKPC values and invests in its employees. She says “recruiting and retention are everyone’s job” at the co-op and “letting employees tell their stories” instills pride and ownership, which positively impacts service to members and the co-op brand.
Another industry expert offering insight at the TechAdvantage expo was Phil Clark, vice president of operations at Kentucky-based United Utility Supply Cooperative. Clark joined a panel of material supply executives to discuss supply chain challenges in the electric utility industry.
(R) EKPC Manager of Human Resources and Organizational Development Teri Lacy shares ways to recruit and retain employees at the PowerXchange conference in Nashville.
Photos: Robin Conover
