Every year on April 22, people throughout the world celebrate Earth Day.
This year, Kosciusko REMC will help Kosciusko County celebrate Earth Day by offering Envirowatts grants to area 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, in honor of Earth Day.
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 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.
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 will be distributed.
Minimum awards will be in the amount of $250. Organizations wanting to apply for funding should contact Doris Lemert at KREMC 574-267-6331, or via e-mail at dlemert@kremc.com
Applications also may be picked up at the co-op office at 370 South CR 250E, Warsaw.
All applications must be received by March 27 and projects must be completed by Sept. 30. KREMC is a member-owned Touchstone Energy® electric cooperative serving more than 17,000 members throughout Kosciusko County and into surrounding counties.
