In 2010 members at Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) in Johnson City, Texas exposed rampant corruption in their co-op. After electing a slate of reform candidates, Pedernales has become one of the gold standards for member-responsive, transparent electric co-ops in the country.
In a press release, Pedernales announced that it will be the recipient of a $68 million loan from the USDA as a part of the Energy Efficiency Conservation and Loan Program (EECLP). The loan will be used to finance rooftop solar for Pedernales members.
This project is a landmark use of EECLP funding and a bold step taken by the nation’s largest electric cooperative, and a clear signal from one of the most member responsive co-ops that local energy projects are a part of the future.