Co-op Energy Talk

S9E17 - Paving the Way to Restart the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant

In September, we announced that our power supplier, Wolverine Power Cooperative, signed a power purchase agreement that will pave the way for the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. This marks the first time that a shutdown power plant would be restarted. There's a lot that goes into how that happens, what's next, and why this agreement is so impactful and beneficial to Cherryland members. On this episode of Co-op Energy Talk, we sit down with Cherryland CEO Rachel Johnson and Wolverine President and CEO Eric Baker to learn more.

S9E16 – Board Meeting Brief, September 2023

Cherryland Electric Cooperative CEO Rachel Johnson talks through highlights from the September 25th Board of Directors meeting.

S9E15 - Cultivating Local Growth with Left Foot Charley

Since 1997, Cherryland Electric Cooperative has helped local businesses take advantage of millions in federal funding available only through through the USDA and electric cooperatives. In this episode of Co-op Energy Talk, Cherryland Communications and Member Relations Manager Courtney Doyle sits down with Cherryland CEO Rachel Johnson and most recent loan recipient Left Foot Charley Owner and Winemaker Bryan Ulbrich to talk about how this program enables rural economic growth, what Left Foot Charley's plans are, and why Cherryland is committed to participating in this program.

S9E14 - Board Meeting Brief, August 2023

Cherryland Electric Cooperative CEO Rachel Johnson talks through highlights from the August 28th Board of Directors meeting.

S9E13 - Board Meeting Brief, July 2023

Cherryland Electric Cooperative CEO Rachel Johnson talks through highlights from the July 24th Board of Directors meeting.

S9E12 - Is Energy Waste Reduction (EWR) Right for MI Cooperatives?

For 13 years, Cherryland was included in a state mandated energy waste reduction (EWR) program. The mandate required us to incentivize a 1% reduction in annual electric sales by offering specific rebates to members for things like energy star rated appliances and lighting upgrades. When that mandate expired in 2021, it opened a door to expand and adapt our energy use programs in a number of ways. Now, Michigan lawmakers are considering reinstating that mandate for cooperatives and even increasing it. In this episode of Co-op Energy Talk we sit down with GDS Associates Managing Director Rich Hasselman and Cherryland CEO Rachel Johnson to talk about the programs we developed in the absence of the mandate, how they’ve expanded our offerings to our members, and whether or not this proposed mandate will be beneficial for cooperatives, like Cherryland.

S9E11 - Board Meeting Brief, June 2023

Cherryland Electric Cooperative CEO Rachel Johnson talks through highlights from the June 26th Board of Directors meeting.

S9E10 - The Big Picture: Discussing National Energy Issues and Solutions with NRECA CEO Jim Matheson

Cherryland Electric Cooperative had the exciting opportunity to host National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jim Matheson at our 85th Annual Meeting. He spoke with members about what's happening with electric cooperatives at a national level. In this episode of Co-op Energy Talk, Cherryland CEO Rachel Johnson and NRECA Board President Tony Anderson sat down for a deeper discussion on the challenges at hand and what members can do to be part of the solution.

S9E9 - Board Meeting Brief, May 2023

Cherryland Electric Cooperative Member Relations Manager Rachel Johnson talks through highlights from the May 22nd Board of Directors meeting.

S9E8 - Get To Know Your New CEO

After June 15, 2023, Rachel Johnson will take over as CEO of Cherryland Electric Cooperative. While she's been an important part of the leadership team at Cherryland, and you may have seen her at events or heard her host this podcast, you may not have had the chance to get to know Rachel on a deeper level. In this episode of Co-op Energy Talk -- we're getting to know your new CEO!