PIEDMONT EMC WINS GREEN AWARD FOR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
Hillsborough, N.C., October 2, 2009 - Hillsborough-based Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) has received a “Green Award” from the Triangle Business Journal. The Triangle Business Journal identified 19 award-winning companies in the triangle area based on the companies’ successes in incorporating environmentally sustainable practices into their businesses and communities.
Piedmont Electric, a not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric distribution cooperative that provides electricity to 31,000 member-consumers in the Triangle, has long been an excellent environmental steward. The Cooperative recently completed a three-year project that will drive sustainability in the Cooperative’s six-county service territory with the implementation of “smart grid” technology.
Piedmont Electric’s smart grid project was launched in 2006 when the Cooperative installed the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system in its service area. AMI is most commonly known for its automated meter reading capabilities. One of the many benefits of this system is its reduction in greenhouse gases by cutting back the amount of driving required by meter readers.
The installation of these smart meters was the foundation for Piedmont Electric’s current smart grid technology capabilities. Now, the Cooperative’s member-consumers have the ability to track their kilowatt-hour use on a daily basis through the website www.MyUsage.com.
R.G. Brecheisen, president and chief executive officer of Piedmont Electric, said, “This technology will help people make better energy choices, and that’s something we want our 31,000 member-consumers to have – a choice.”
The Triangle Business Journal will present the award to Piedmont Electric and other local businesses at a luncheon October 23.
“We’re proud to receive recognition of our sustainability efforts from the Triangle Business Journal, and we’re honored to be a part of this group of Green Award winners,” said Brecheisen.
Piedmont Electric, which is headquartered in Hillsborough, is a consumer-owned electric distribution cooperative which provides electricity to member-consumers located in parts of Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville, Orange and Person counties in north central North Carolina. The Cooperative’s Mission Statement focuses on its ability “to empower and partner with our member-consumers to provide energy value and to enhance the quality of life.”
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