As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, Flathead Electric operates on a simple principle: the cheapest kilowatt-hour is the one we never have to buy.
Your Cooperative is celebrating an exciting milestone: every dollar of our energy-efficiency budget for the fiscal years 2023 – 2025 was put to work—and the results speak for themselves. In total, more than $3.2 million was returned to members who invested in energy-saving projects, strengthening both their bottom line and the resiliency of our shared electrical system.
As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, Flathead Electric operates on a simple principle: the cheapest kilowatt-hour is the one we never have to buy. That’s where energy efficiency efforts come in. Each month, members pay for the wholesale power that Flathead Electric purchases from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which provides a two-year budget to support energy-efficiency initiatives. Those funds are offered to your Co-op on a use-it-or-lose-it basis, which is why staff works hard to connect members with beneficial, cost-effective projects.
Industrial Impact
Industrial members led the way, earning more than $400,000 in incentives for projects that saved 6,788,809 kilowatt-hours (kWh). For perspective, that’s enough energy to power nearly 470 homes for an entire year.
A standout project came from Evergreen Water and Sewer District, which completed a custom leak-abatement initiative after installing a new SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system. SCADA pinpointed a major leak in a main line that had been wasting more than 500 gallons of water per minute, forcing a well pump to run nonstop. After repairs, the district cut energy use by 35%, saving about 268,000 kWh per year—enough to power nearly 20 local homes — and reducing electricity costs by more than $15,000 annually.
Commercial Contributions
Commercial members also made substantial progress, earning about $676,000 in incentives and saving 3,058,819 kWh, enough to power over 210 homes for a year.
One key project was the remodel of the Libby Rosauers. The store installed LED lighting, new refrigerated display cases, and floating refrigeration controls, achieving 553,177 kWh in savings—enough to power nearly 40 area homes annually. “Flathead Electric understands the unique energy needs of Northwest Montana,” said Ken Groh, Assistant Director of Facilities for Rosauers. “With FEC assistance, we’re able to make sustainable improvements to our facilities.”
Residential Rewards
Residential members achieved another 1,050,632 kWh in savings—the equivalent of powering over 70 homes for a year—thanks to incentives like window and heat pump rebates that help make efficiency improvements accessible to all.
The Big Picture
Altogether, these member efforts resulted in 10,898,260 kWh in energy savings—enough to power over 750 average energy use homes in our service area for a year. These accomplishments help manage load growth, reduce strain on our grid, and keep costs down for everyone.
Looking Ahead
Flathead Electric’s Energy Services staff are always exploring new opportunities to help members save energy and money, while strengthening the grid. Together, we’re powering progress.
