In the climate movement, we often find ourselves butting heads with utilities, fighting their resistance to investments in energy efficiency and renewables and constantly working to match their financial influence on policy with people power. Usually, customers are powerless to the energy decisions of their utility and don’t have much of a say in whether their electricity comes directly from a dirty coal-fired power plant or clean alternatives such as wind and solar.

However, that story is changing in Virginia and across the country as electric cooperative members, where ratepayers are also part owners of their utility, are building power and making changes in their coop. In electric cooperatives Similarly, in Kentucky, activists have put forth a proposal for diversifying the state’s energy sources away from its reliance on coal, with cooperatives at the center of the plan. The state-wide group Kentuckians For The Commonwealth group is working with members of the East Kentucky Power Cooperative to raise opposition to a new coal plant in favor of a clean energy plan that would cost 17% less.

The coop reform movement is taking off, building momentum for better consumer practices and poised to make huge contributions to moving us toward a clean energy future. Unfortunately, the largest in Virginia still needs some pressure to get on board and abandon their plans for a massive new coal plant. Take action today to help the fight!