More Power
Eastern NC co-ops recently worked together to donate a total of $10,000 to Ronald McDonald House of Eastern North Carolina. The donation was matched by a grant of $10,000 from national cooperative bank CoBank’s Sharing Success program. Albemarle EMC, Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative, EdgecombeMartin County EMC, Halifax EMC, Jones-Onslow EMC, Pitt & Greene EMC, Roanoke Electric Cooperative, Tideland EMC and Tri-County EMC contributed to the donation. “It’s great to have a partnership with CoBank to provide funds like this to very worthy and needy causes,” said Edgecombe-Martin County EMC CEO Winston Howell. “We’re also very appreciative to have a program and organization like the Ronald McDonald House here in our community that impacts all of the co-ops and our members. They provide a home away from home for so many families in need.” The Ronald McDonald House is an
Monica Speight, Edgecombe-Martin County EMC
Co-ops Present $20,000 to Ronald McDonald House of Eastern NC
Meghan Woolard, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern NC, accepts the check from co-op CEOs and general managers (L-R) Winston Howell, Charles Guerry, Paul Spruill and Mark Suggs.
essential resource in eastern North Carolina, providing families with quality care and a place to rest and recharge while their children receive medical treatment.
How you can help Contact the Ronald McDonald House at mhenc.org/donate or 252-847-5435 for more information or to make a donation.
Renewable Energy Tops Coal in 2019 Last year, U.S. annual energy consumption from renewable sources surpassed coal consumption for the first time since before 1885, when wood and hydropower were the only commercial-scale sources of renewable energy. Compared with 2018, coal consumption in the United States decreased nearly 15 percent, and total renewable energy consumption grew by 1 percent, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). “This outcome mainly reflects the continued
decline in the amount of coal used for electricity generation over the past decade as well as growth in renewable energy, mostly from wind and solar,” EIA said. Coal was used in the early 1800s as fuel for steam-powered boats and trains and making steel. It was first used to generate electricity in the 1880s, according to EIA. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have spent the past decade reducing dependence on carbon-intensive power generation. As a result, their current fuel mix is more than 50 percent carbon free. Coal-fired generation makes up only 5 percent of the portfolio, compared with the national average of 13 percent.
8 | carolinacountry.com
CC08-tv.indd 8
7/10/20 4:40 PM
