Blog
PECO’s Billing Issues Erode Trust in Energy Providers

If you’re a PECO customer, you may be aware that many customers are not receiving their energy bills. According to PECO, ongoing billing errors are being caused by problems with their new online billing system, which they advised is “under construction.” Read more about the issue here.

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Greene Street Artist’s Cooperative: Equitable Community Living for Artists 

Greene Street Artist’s Cooperative (GSAC) is a cooperative living space for artists and their families in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. We interviewed founding member David LaFontaine about how GSAC practices cooperative values.

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Slamming: What to Look for and How to Protect Yourself

In a deregulated state like Pennsylvania, unsavory energy suppliers can find ways to use predatory tactics to enroll or “slam” customers, often without their knowledge or informed consent. To help you navigate this issue, we’ll explore how slamming happens, what the repercussions can look like, and what you can do to protect yourself. 

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Weaver’s Way: A Sustainable, People-First Food Co-op

Weavers Way is a consumer cooperative operating four grocery stores and two farms in Greater Northwest Philadelphia. We talked to General Manager, Jon Roesser about the co-op’s current and upcoming sustainability practices.

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The Energy Co-op: Leading Pennsylvania’s Sustainable Energy Evolution through Innovation

October is Co-op Month, and to celebrate the cooperative model this year, The Energy Co-op will highlight important cooperative values. First, let’s talk about cooperative innovation by exploring The Energy Co-op’s long history of innovation in the energy space!

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Madison LaMountain

Learn more about our new Marketing Intern, Madison LaMountain

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Carlissa Arrow

Learn more about our new Programs Assistant, Carlissa Arrow

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Lilly Price

Learn more about our new Operations Manager, Lilly Price

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Understanding Residential Energy Audits

What exactly is an energy audit, and why should you consider getting one for your home? Let’s dive into the world of residential energy audits and explore how they can benefit you, your wallet, and the environment!

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Strategic Progress Update

The Energy Co-op has been innovating energy solutions for Pennsylvania consumers since 1979. An important part of being a leader of today’s sustainable energy evolution is recognizing that the path is not a straight line, there are varying needs and means to consider, and there’s no better time than right now to take action. 

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PACER vs. RGGI: Charting Pennsylvania’s Path to a Clean Energy Future 

In March of this year, Governor Josh Shapiro proposed the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) as a state-specific alternative to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Let’s take a closer look at PACER, what Governor Shapiro hopes that it will accomplish, and how it compares to RGGI.

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Energy Justice in Philadelphia

An interview with Nidhi Krishen, Deputy Director of Climate Solutions at the City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability

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Renewable Energy in the 2024 Presidential Election

We are seven months away from the 2024 Presidential Election, an election that will have a major impact on the United States’ energy future, regardless of the outcome. Incumbent President Joseph Biden and former President Donald Trump have demonstrated vastly different energy policies in their previous terms as president and in their campaign rhetoric. The Energy Co-op staff took a look at each presumptive candidate’s energy policies during their first presidential terms and their proposed policies for a second term.

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Grid Resilience and Modernization

Robust grid infrastructure is vitally important to this transition, yet our aging grid infrastructure and the resulting necessity for transmission improvements, represents one of the biggest threats to the clean energy transition we now face.

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Photo by Maksim Shutov on Unsplash
Permaculture: A Brief Introduction

Permaculture is a system of sustainable design principles & practices developed in Australia in the 1970’s. Let’s dig into its history, ethics, principles, and applications.

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Clean and Green: Assessing New Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Climate Goals

Read our assessment of newly inaugurated Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s 100 Day action plan and the goals she set out as a candidate.

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Staff Reflections | 2023 Review and 2024 Preview

The Energy Co-op staff reflects on a year of planning and change and looks ahead to a year of transformation and growth.

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Eco-optimism: Six Positive Climate Highlights of 2023

As we look ahead to 2024, let’s first take a look back at 2023 to some encouraging pieces of climate change and renewable energy news.

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Six Philadelphia-Area Organizations to Donate to for Giving Tuesday

Six Philadelphia-Area Organizations to Donate to for Giving Tuesday

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Cooperative Finance: Using the Cooperative Advantage to build a Clean Energy Future

Cooperatives are member-owned enterprises, united by a common purpose and democratically governed by those who benefit from their services

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Spotlight on Renewable Energy Technology: Offshore Wind Power

Harnessing high wind speeds and abundant open waters, offshore wind power is an inexpensive and relatively untapped source of renewable energy around the world.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Lauren Keller

Learn more about our new Membership Manager, Lauren Keller

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Energy Saving Series Recap: Four Ways That You Can Keep Your Energy Bill from Rising with the Temperatures this Summer 

There are plenty of projects both big and small for you to work on this summer to keep your energy consumption and energy bill lower! 

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Spotlight on Renewable Energy Technology: Coal Mine Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy produced from abandoned coal mines represents a major opportunity in places where coal production is declining and where its use will eventually be discontinued.

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Energy Choice and Your Rights as an Energy Consumer | A panel event hosted by The Energy Co-op and Green Philly

On Wednesday, April 26th, The Energy Co-op and Green Philly hosted a panel of energy industry experts

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The Role of Local Government in the Clean Energy Transition 

Local governmental initiatives can not only help individual communities but can also precipitate and support more robust renewable energy policy at the state level.

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How to Speak to Your Community About Renewable Energy

Transitioning to renewable energy is a critical step in the fight against climate change

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Pennsylvania Has Fallen Behind on Clean Energy Goals, but New Leadership in Harrisburg Could Give Rise to Policy Changes

2023 could prove to be a time of great change for renewable energy and climate policy in Pennsylvania.

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How to Shop for Renewable Electricity in Pennsylvania

Shopping for renewable energy can be overwhelming. Check out this brief guide to help you make the right decision for your energy needs.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Gabe Hochenberger

Learn more about our new Finance Coordinator, Gabe Hochenberger

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Eric Miller

Learn more about our new Membership Coordinator, Eric Miller

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A Hidden Key to Our Sustainable Future: Surveying the U.S. Energy Storage Landscape

As renewable electricity supplies an increasing proportion of our grid, it must be paired with efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally and socially responsible energy storage.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Caleb Conner

Learn more about our new Member Services Intern, Caleb Conner.

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Energy Market Uncertainty & Pennsylvania’s Renewable Energy Future

A survey of energy prices and futures and their impact on The Energy Co-op’s renewable energy programs.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Colin Teague

Learn more about our new Marketing Manager, Colin Teague.

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We’ve Won this Battle, but Let’s Not Lose Focus of the Larger Climate War

The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is an historic achievement, but the legislation’s success and the fight against climate change will require continued efforts focused on implementation.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Victoria Arenas

Learn more about our Member Services Intern, Victoria Arenas.

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Decarbonizing U.S. Gas Utilities

The role of natural gas utilities in meeting emission reduction targets.

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How Natural Gas Prices Impact Renewable Electricity

How the cost of renewable electricity on the regional grid’s wholesale market is tied to that of natural gas.

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Reforming the U.S. Transmission Grid

How to ensure the delivery of clean electricity to the homes and businesses of all Americans.

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Using Ecolabels to Find More Efficient, More Sustainable Products

How Energy Star, EPEAT, TCO, and more can help you use energy sustainably and affordably.

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Biofuels: Not a single solution but a step

Read Energy Program Director Alexandra Kroger’s essay as published in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Michelle Herzberg

Learn more about our Member Services Intern, Michelle Herzberg.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Claire Glidden

Learn more about our Member Services Intern, Claire Glidden.

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Philadelphia Energy Authority Grows the City’s Clean Energy Economy

Reviewing PEA’s Annual Report 2019-2020

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PA Climate Action Plan Provides Framework for Reducing GHG Emissions

The Plan offers strategies to secure Pennsylvania’s energy, economic, and environmental future.

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New Bills with Potential to Impact PA’s Renewable Energy Sector

Legislation supporting the expansion of renewable energy is currently being considered by state lawmakers.

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Making Sense of a Volatile Energy Market

How Fossil Fuel Shortages Affect Clean Energy

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Uncommon Common Area Energy

Power the common areas of your apartment or condo with renewable energy.

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The Vital Role of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Design

How sustainable design and green building certification frameworks incorporate renewable energy into their assessments.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Zach Lytle

Learn more about our Member Services Intern, Zach Lytle

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Fanta Koita

Learn more about our Member Services Intern, Fanta Koita

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The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal: What it means for Clean Energy, Climate Change, the Green Economy, and Environmental Justice

A look at the critical investments proposed in the $1 trillion plan.

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Carbon Offsets: Helpful or Hindering?

An examination of carbon offsets’ role in reaching carbon neutrality.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Noah Swistak

Learn more about our Member Services Lead, Noah Swistak

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Nora Fulvio

Learn more about our Energy Programs Director, Nora Fulvio.

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Electric Vehicles – Accelerating Toward a Cleaner Future

A look at programs and policies impacting EVs locally and nationally

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How a Book Inspired Me to Change My Energy Choices

By Energy Co-op member Vivian Lehrer Stadlin

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The Energy Co-op Celebrates Earth Month

Join us for virtual events throughout April!

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Energy-saving Tips from Energy Co-op Partner ECA

Two DIY workshops to teach you how to weatherize your home, conserve energy, and save money.

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Could What Happened In Texas Happen Here?

A discussion of the differences between that state’s electricity grid and ours, and why not all third-party suppliers are the same.

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Energy Co-op Members Make Positive Impacts Through Environmental Advisory Councils

Learn about how our members have engaged to advance the cause of sustainable, renewable energy in our region.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Hillary Bedeian

Learn more about our Office Manager, Hillary Bedeian.

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Impacts of the EPA Office of Environmental Justice in Philadelphia

Learn about the history of the EPA Office of Environmental Justice and how its work impacts local Philadelphia communities.

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Come to The Energy Co-op’s RNG Webinar!

Learn about the problems with drilling and fracking, the benefits of RNG, and what you can do to get involved!

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How To Shop for Renewable Electricity in Pennsylvania

Learn how to choose a good renewable electricity supplier from the dozens available in Pennsylvania’s deregulated electricity market.

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11 Home Energy Efficiency Improvements You Can Do Yourself During Quarantine!

Learn how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency without hiring an expert.

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(No) Love (from the Feds) for Clean Energy in the Time of Coronavirus

A new federal ruling raises electricity prices and threatens the development of clean energy in Pennsylvania and the rest of the US.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Former DEP Secretary David Hess

Learn about Pennsylvania’s environmental policy history from a former DEP Secretary who has kept a log of state level environmental issues for 33 years.

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Celebrate Earth Month With The Energy Co-op!

Celebrating Earth Month this year might seem next to impossible since we are all staying indoors as much as we can. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways we can connect with each other and the world around us without leaving the safety of our homes.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Environmental Advisory Committees

What is an environmental advisory committee? How can you join or start one? Learn more about EACs and how they help city governments protect the environment

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Buyer Beware! Electricity Slamming Could Happen to You.

Learn what slamming is and how you can prevent your electricity service from being changed without your knowledge or consent.

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Clean Jobs In Pennsylvania? Growing Fast With More To Come

Pennsylvania’s green energy sector is growing, according to a new study on 2019’s clean job landscape.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Meryl Sands

Learn more about our new Member Recruitment and Business Development Lead, Meryl Sands.

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Pennsylvania Moves to Cut Carbon Emissions and Join RGGI

Governor Wolf has directed the DEP to regulate carbon emissions so Pennsylvania can join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Georgia Mae Lively

Learn more about our new Member Services Associate, Georgia Mae Lively.

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Community Impacts of Energy Efficiency

What does energy efficiency have to do with serving the community and promoting equity and inclusion?

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How Energy Efficiency Impacts You, and What You Can Do About It

What is energy efficiency and how does it impact you? Learn more about the tools available to help you save money and the planet!

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The Energy Co-op and Weavers Way on Planet Philadelphia

Listen to Executive Director Ronald Fisher and Weavers Way General Manager Jon Roesser on G-Town Radio’s Planet Philadelphia.

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Renewable Natural Gas Debuts in Philadelphia

The Energy Co-op is pleased to offer renewable natural gas to those served by PGW for the first time.

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Weavers Way and the Co-operative Legacy

The Energy Co-op celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year thanks in part to members of Weavers Way Co-op.

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The Energy Co-op – A Co-operative Business in Action

What makes The Energy Co-op’s model that much different from others?

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Four Things Co-operatives Can Do that Corporations Can’t

Four Things Co-operatives Can Do that Corporations Can’t

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Community solar projects can make solar available to all.

No roof? No problem. If community solar legislation is passed in PA, solar power will become a real option for many more households.

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Where is the utility scale solar in PA?

PA is falling behind neighboring states when it comes to utility-scale solar generation.

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We are our members

New initiatives to build the member community are taking off in 2019.

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How green is your green energy?

Do you know where your clean energy comes from? Or how your green energy dollars are being used?

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WRISE hosts TED Talk on sustainable energy financing

Shannon Crooker, director of the PA Sustainable Energy Fund, talks energy financing in Old City.

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Seven novel renewable energy technologies

Some new, some improved, and one with space lasers.

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So, what is RNG?

Renewable Natural Gas, explained.

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Building community through energy

At The Energy Co-op, we’re more than an energy supplier; we’re a cooperative community.

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Stay cool and build a better Pennsylvania

Keep your energy dollars local by signing up for one of our clean energy plans today.

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The Energy Co-op celebrates Earth Day

Join us for events throughout the region this spring!

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Scott Whittemore

Meet Scott, our Member Services Associate.

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WRISE is rising in Philadelphia

The Energy Co-op’s Alexandra Kroger recently elected president of Phila. chapter of Women in Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy.

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A SMART way to enhance the generation capabilities of wind power plants.

New technologies are increasing the efficiency and decreasing the cost of wind power.

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Nuclear power gets second look from advocates of carbon-free energy.

But not at the expense of renewable energy resources.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Bryan Hutchinson

Meet Bryan, The Energy Co-op’s Accountant and a long-time member.

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Energy Co-op recommits to member engagement

We are our members.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Ron Fisher

Meet Ron, The Energy Co-op’s new Executive Director.

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Using the power of community to deliver better energy options.

The Energy Co-op has been helping our members save money on heating oil for over 40 years.

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U.S. carbon emissions rose in 2018

Reversal of downward trend comes as climate change impacts become harder to ignore.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Bethany Bender

Meet Bethany, The Energy Co-op’s Heating Oil Program Manager.

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Seven tips for saving energy this winter

Helpful tips to control your household energy costs.

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Why choose a cooperative for your energy needs?

Co-ops are member-owned, democratic organizations accountable only to those they serve.

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Why is electricity expensive in the winter, too?

Winter electricity prices: At the mercy of weather and shifting fuel supplies.

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Divya Desai

Meet Divya, The Energy Co-op’s Operations Manager.

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Report: Wind power now cheapest option for new capacity

New Levelized Cost of Energy report demonstrates that renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels even without subsidy.

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Sustainable alternatives to petroleum products

Petroleum alternatives can help reduce your environmental footprint.

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The Co-op partners with the Schuylkill Environmental Education Center

Join the Co-op, support the Center!

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Faces of The Energy Co-op: Alexandra Kroger

Meet Alexandra, The Energy Co-op’s Energy Program Manager.

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PEA awarded DOE grant to expand energy education in PA

Philadelphia Energy Authority-led partnership to create nation’s first three year clean energy training program.

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The nuts and bolts of starting a co-op

The South Philly Food Co-op: Coming soon in 2019!

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Offshore wind in PA?

Offshore wind development in Lake Erie could provide clean power to western PA.

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WRISE celebrates National Clean Energy Week

Mini-TED talks in Old City highlight clean energy developments in PA.

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Life after PES?

New report from Penn’s Kleinman Center calls refinery’s future into question.

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PYN Intern: Go solar, support the community.

Solar jobs help young people stay in Philly.

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Introducing: The Current

The Energy Co-op’s place for energy and sustainability news.

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Is forest-biomass electricity carbon neutral?

Scott Pruitt says yes but others aren’t so sure.

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The Energy Co-op’s team is growing!

Welcome the new faces of The Co-op.

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The next big thing in energy is offshore.

New developments in offshore wind show huge potential.

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Should I fill my tank now or later?

Things to consider when it comes to oil prices.

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Don’t get “slammed.”

Don’t show your PECO bill to door-to-door salespeople.

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The great (proposed) fossil fuel bailout of 2018.

U.S. Department of Energy asked to intervene to keep coal plants open.

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New rules for electricity storage.

A level playing field for energy storage.

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Cybersecurity and the grid.

Possible foreign cyber attacks threaten U.S. energy infrastructure.

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