BANDERA EC News
BEC Recognized for Contributions to Improve Energy Efficiency and Virtual Power Plant MESSAGE FROM CEO
WILLIAM “BILL” HETHERINGTON
RECENTLY BEC WAS RECOGNIZED as the “Outstanding Electric Cooperative in Texas” at the Texas Energy Summit. With the expected high growth in electricity demand in Texas, it is critical that we address the “low hanging fruit,” which is improving our energy efficiency and raising energy awareness. Since 2020, BEC has been actively promoting energy efficiency and providing tools for our members to control their energy usage. By doing so you keep your electric bills down and the grid resilient. The Texas Energy Summit, now in its 21st year, continues to focus on the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, passed by the Texas Legislature in 2001. Specifically, air quality and public health improvements from energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, and other clean energy technologies and strategies. The Texas Energy Summit has long emphasized the importance of energy management, with special attention on the public sector. Organized by the Energy Systems Laboratory, a division of the Texas A&M University System’s Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, the Summit provides attendees the opportunity to network and engage with industry experts, state and local policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, facility and energy managers, utility and energy service experts, and more in conversation about cleaner air, a better built grid, and the Texas economy. Each year, the Texas Energy Summit recognizes individuals, organizations, and companies that have demonstrated outstanding and/or unique contributions to clean air through energy efficiency and renewable energy actions or programs. Nominations are invited from the public for recognition of leading efforts that contributed to improving
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the impact of buildings and development on cleaner air and environmental quality for Texas. While we don’t know who nominated us for this award, news about our energy efficiency programs and virtual power plant have made headlines across the country. Our ability to aggregate and reduce loads (i.e. Virtual Power Plant) during extreme winter weather events reduces the possibility and duration of outages and reduces the amount you pay for electricity. Today we are the only electric utility operating a virtual power plant in the state of Texas, so I am extremely proud of our employees who made this possible. Thomas Edison is quoted as saying, “Opportunities are often missed because they are dressed in overalls and look like hard work.” This opportunity has required a lot of work, but BEC and our members are now positioned to be the beneficiaries of this effort. By being energy aware, we all win.
BA NDE R A E LE CTRI C C O O P E R AT IV E
12/19/24 1:08 PM