KREMC to award Envirowatts grants in honor of Earth Day
Warsaw, Indiana… Kosciusko REMC will award $2,500 in grants to area non-profits to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2010. The grants are being offered to area school or non-profit organizations who are interested in conducting special projects related to helping the environment, promoting energy efficiency, or other “green” programs, such as tree plantings.
Through an agreement with the co-op’s power supplier, Wabash Valley Power Association, KREMC has the ability to provide renewable energy as an energy option for members. This program, called “Envirowatts” is more commonly known as “green power.”
Energy for “green power” programs is generated from environmentally friendly sources such as biomass, sun, wind, water and geothermal springs.
The Envirowatts green power that is currently being offered to KREMC members is from biomass and wind resources. Biomass power is a renewable energy, and it is created by using gasses produced by landfill decay in locations throughout Indiana. Wind power is currently being purchased from wind farms in Illinois and Iowa.
Both residential and commercial/industrial members may elect to pay an additional monthly amount to have their Envirowatts energy purchase credited back to green sources. The monies collected are placed in a grant fund, and those funds are being offered to qualified organizations to support environmental programs within KREMC’s service territory.
To be eligible for a grant, the organization must in engage in research and development of new renewable resources; or participate in environmental or energy education; or conduct other activities or programs involving the protection of our environment. The organizations must be not-for-profit or school-based organizations. Preference will be given to qualified organizations who are located within KREMC’s service territory, or whose activities directly benefit the KREMC service area.
At the completion of a funded project the organization must provide a report to KREMC detailing if all goals for the project have been accomplished.
Envirowatts funds in the amount of $2,500 total will be distributed. Minimum awards will be in the amount of $250. Organizations wishing to apply for funding should contact Troy Cozad at KREMC (574) 267-6331, or via email at tcozad@kremc.com. Applications may also be picked up at the co-op office at 370 S 250 E in Warsaw. All applications must be received by March 26, 2010, and projects must be completed by September 30, 2010.
The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970. April 22 was chosen because it was the birthday of Julius Sterling Morton, who founded Arbor Day. In addition, the organizers believe that John Muir had been born on that day, although they later learned Muir had
been born on April 21. Nearly 20 million Americans participated in activities to commemorate the first Earth Day, and the focus on environmental issues contributed to the subsequent passage of the Clean Air Act and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency.
KREMC is a member-owned Touchstone Energy® electric cooperative serving over 17,000 members throughout Kosciusko County and into surrounding counties. |
