Environment

At Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, we’re committed to being good stewards of environmental resources and giving consumer-members choices when it comes to the energy sources used to produce their power. We’re part of  a three-tiered system of nonprofit electric cooperatives that generate, transmit and distribute energy.

Platte-Clay’s electric power provider, Associated Electric Cooperative (AECI), has long used low-cost, renewable hydropower to serve members’ electricity needs and added its first utility-scale wind farm in 2007 — the first wind farm in Missouri — to complement members’ resources. The cooperative now contracts for more than 1,240 megawatts of wind energy, including two new wind farms that added 471.5 MW of Missouri wind energy in 2020. The Clear Creek project began commercial operations in May 2020, and the White Cloud project was declared commercial Dec. 10, 2020.

AECI has improved air quality with significant investments and innovative research while keeping members’ electricity reliable and affordable. The power generation cooperative has invested $1.1 billion to reduce emissions since 1994, and has made tremendous improvements in air quality.

In coordination with AECI, Platte-Clay offers members a number of energy efficiency rebate programs as an incentive to decrease their energy usage. The cooperative’s GreenPower program also offers members the opportunity to account for 100% of their energy usage with renewable energy. PCEC was the first cooperative in the state of Missouri to build a community solar array (SolarTech), which members also have the choice of participating in.

PCEC and AECI are committed to ensuring the reliability of the electric cooperative grid while technological advancements in renewable energy are still underway. A diverse energy mix is required to ensure rates remain affordable and the power will stay on at homes, business and essential service facilities during extreme conditions.

Cooperative Environmental Policy

I. OBJECTIVE

As a member-owned rural electric utility, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“PCEC”) is committed to the protection of the environment.

II. POLICY

PCEC will provide affordable, reliable electricity for its customers and also be a responsible steward of our shared environment. In furtherance of the foregoing, PCEC will:

  • Comply with environmental laws and regulations that apply to our operations.
  • Convey member input regarding environmental issues with N-W Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., Associated Electric Cooperative (PCEC’s suppliers)and Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
  • Consider environmental factors in planning and managing our business.
  • Periodically evaluate our environmental goals and policies.

Platte-Clay will be a responsible member of the community in connection with environmental matters.

III. RESPONSIBILITY

The CEO/General Manager shall be responsible for implementing this policy.

Reviewed and reaffirmed 4/20/07/
revised 4/15/11
revised 4/17/2015
Revised: 1/20/17

Electromagnetic Fields

Humans are constantly exposed to electric and magnetic fields, the invisible lines of force associated with motors and heating coils in electronic equipment, home wiring and lighting. EMF also is associated with the production, transmission and use of electric power.

The National Institute of Health studies say that “no one knows which aspect of EMF exposure, if any, affects human health.” Two decades of research have not determined a cause-and-effect between EMF from power lines and common, widespread diseases including cancer or leukemia.

For more information on the EMF and EMF studies, please see the National Institute of Health’s website, www.nih.gov, or the World Health Organization’s site, www.who.int