At your cooperative, we serve more than 34,000 meters. Obviously, this is a lot of people to make happy on a daily basis. Just as obvious is the fact that we will never make everyone happy. So, I simply don’t lose sleep over it.
One consistent area that you could say “pokes” the unhappy from time-to-time is this monthly column. Often, it is pointed out to me that my viewpoints are wrong, misguided or slanted to the cooperative’s viewpoint.
Wrong and misguided are matters of opinion worthy of debate. “Slanted” is a term I will not argue because my columns are absolutely slanted to what I think is best for our cooperative. This doesn’t mean that I provide false information. I would not do that. It simply means that when you read my column, you get my experienced opinion on the issue of the month.
As a reader, you can agree, disagree, applaud or toss the proverbial rotten tomato. Reactions of all kinds are truly welcome. They give me a pulse on what our members are thinking.
I honestly enjoy a thoughtful and intelligent debate. I try to be open-minded as much as a person can be with more than 32 years dedicated to the cooperative industry. So, when I get a response that is something more than an anonymous “you suck,” I feel like the column has done its job by creating a conversation.
Members who want more than a back and forth with a stubborn general manager do have options. They can comment on Cherryland’s blog or Facebook page, attend various public meetings held by the cooperative, or attend a quarterly member input session at a board meeting. The email address of every board member is on our website, as well.
Members can also ask us to come to their doorstep or local coffee shop. Board members, cooperative staff and I are always willing to meet with with one, 10 or 100 members at a place and time convenient to the individual or group involved. We are not bound by the Freedom of Information Act or the Open Meetings Act, but we are open to input and communication.
There are times when a member with an opposing viewpoint will go through one of our many options to communicate and still not be satisfied because their position is not seen as fair or favorable to all 34,000 co-op members. Too often, these individuals then point to the cooperative as being isolated, insular, and closed-minded. While never surprising, it is always a bit disappointing.
In these times, I go back to the fact that I will never make everybody happy. Did I create thought? Did I truly listen? Did I create conversation? Did I give the member respect? When I can answer “yes” to each of these questions, I move forward. There will be another issue, another column, another opinion, and another opportunity for discussion next month.
You are crooks!!!!!!! I pay way more for electric than I have anywhere else, and when it comes time for you guys to give back we get peanuts!!!!!!
I’m sorry you feel that way. We have not raised our rates since the summer of 2011. Our present rates are consistently lower than our largest competitor, Consumers Energy. In total, we have given back more than $10 million in the past 5 years. The amount you get back individually is based on your energy usage. I would be happy to answer more specific issues at any time.
Dear Tony,
My family and I just moved to Traverse City. I only know you by this first column I have read. If you meant to write an autobiography on how closed minded and stubborn you are, you have don’t an incredible job! If that is non the case, you should know that you have a very abrasive writing style and will probably turn many people away from you and your causes, but obviously you know that from your 30+ years of experience knowing everything…
Sincerely,
New Member
Tony, thank you for the continued excellent service. Regarding the first two commenters, to satisfy them perhaps Cherryland could add more exclamation marks to their communications or offer reading comprehension classes. Personally I’m thankful for reliable electrical service at a fair price offered by an organization that engages their members on a consistent basis.
Thanks for the kind words. They are appreciated.
Thanks for your many years of intelligent, dedicated leadership for Cherryland. As a 23-year member, I am pleased with the consistent and affordable service Cherryland provides. It’s not unusual for public figures to be targets for rotten tomatoes — sometimes thoughtlessly so — but I appreciate your measured comments and invitation for constructive criticism.
All good. I have only been here 13 years but I do understand the community we all share and can easily take the bad with the good. Your words are appreciated.
If there is an opposing view with substance by a member I would encourage you post it with the newsletter. Otherwise, one could think you are hiding it or afraid to consider it.
In reading the comments I believe those to be opinions without substantial data to back it up. My thoughts are only opinions here too. I am talking about using sound research data.
Bob
Good point. If I get anything in writing outside this blog, I will be sure to share it.
Tony,
I rarely comment on-line, and also seldom read your newsletter. Today was an exception on both fronts. My comments are “Well Said!!!”
Thanks! I hope you keep on reading in the future!
I applaud you, Tony Anderson, for your stance on “Opposing Viewpoints” published June 6, 2016.
Thank you! It is appreciated.
I have worked at Detroit Edison/DTEEnergy for 30 years in engineering groups. I have yet to read or hear you say anything that I would disagree with 100%. I think most people who disagree with your comments do not have a in depth understanding of the electric utility business.
Edit ” I agree with Tony 100% on his comments”
Thanks for the insight. Our desire is to reach all cooperative members those who might have some industry knowledge and those who understandably don’t have an in-depth knowledge of our business. Then, we want to educate them in hopes they can form their own opinions or seek other information to help them learn and develop an independent opinion.
Within my limited knowledge of the electric utility industry, I think your comments are reasonable. But they also show errors which are endemic in our society.
First, our industries are afraid of change and unwilling to pay for it. This is so even though change almost always creates increases in business, new technology, and reduced costs.
Second, each industry and even each company seeks to advance itself regardless of greater needs, such as protecting the environment. The logical conclusion of that is to destroy the Earth very profitably.
Try not to be near-sighted.
Thank you for your frank and insightful column. I am one of those who tend not to agree philosophically with all of your positions on energy, especially as they relate to fuels and the environment. However, I respect your expertise in management of the coop and apparent effort to advocate for the members. We do not have to agree to have civil discourse or promote the free expression of ideas. I am grateful for your willingness to engage with members and accept feedback however adversarial that might be. I do believe continuing to educate members on energy policy and the associated costs/benefits will facilitate understanding and cooperation in the long run.
Thanks for the thoughtful, insightful and professional comment. It is appreciated.
Holy Smokes, very well said, You sound like a very good man. I just recently just started back service with you all because of the recent move into the area. I have never had trouble with service or staff from the time before. Cherry Land Electric has always been great!!!!!!!!
Cheap, reliable electricity that is here 24/7 is something that the first world takes for granted until the power goes out. Then people are all of a sudden very interested in their electric provider. Our family is thankful for Cherrylanf Electric, keep up the good work!
Hi Tony, haven’t written in a little time. Okay, you’re doing what’s best for CCE. What is CCE? Is it not the paying members? Think about this, no members no CCE. It is a Cooperative for a reason.
Okay, my point is to “Net Metering”. If I had a grid tie inverter instead f a Battery bank. What is the efficiency of that vs. the battery bank? Let’s say that the battery bank is 85% to 90% efficient. What would the efficiency of using the grid as a battery be?
Plus, what do you charge and what are you charged for selling and buying power to and from other Power Companies? Is it the same as what you are doing or going to do with us small producers with “Net Metering”??
I think we have a right as paying members to be heard on this one.
Thanks for your ear. Have a good day.
Cherryland Electric Cooperative certainly is every member. Obviously, no members means no cooperative. Efficiency of using the grid would be higher than the battery bank if you look at it from the aspect that the grid is always there. How much is the grid on then becomes the question. Historically, in years without a major weather event, Cherryland’s reliability is 99.97% or better. We are running at 99.99% through the first 5 months of this year. Cherryland does not sell power to other power companies. We are one of the owners of a wholesale supply cooperative, Wolverine Power Cooperative. We buy 100% of our wholesale power from Wolverine. We pay about 8 cents per kWh on average for wholesale power. This includes transmission access, energy, capacity, demand, etc. It is the “all in” price and much more than just simple kilowatt hours. The 47 present net metering members receive full retail pricing for all energy they place on the grid. This is currently 10.98 cents. Obviously, this is more than what we pay Wolverine. Thus, this creates a subsidy that is paid by the other 34,000 members of the cooperative. Your board of directors agreed to do this to promote wind and solar many years ago. (Don’t forget that as a member regulated cooperative, Cherryland doesn’t even have to offer net metering to any member. It is done because we have always believed it was the right thing to do.) These 47 members will see no change on November 1 as they will be grandfathered in at the 10.98 cents. They purchased a system under a given financial return. New net metering members who start producing energy after November 1 will receive a wholesale market price for all energy placed on the grid. This price will be the average wholesale market price which is about 3-4 cents per kWh currently. We made this announcement back in March. So, new net metering members would have ample notice for doing their rate of return calculations. Remember, net metering members place energy on the grid. They do not provide any transmission or other delivery services. Everything they use to put energy on the grid and move it elsewhere is owned by the other 34,000 cooperative members. Thus, they will only be compensated for the energy provided. The Cherryland board of directors did set a minimum floor of 3 cents for the post November 1 net metering members. Cherryland Electric Cooperative is not the only utility in the country moving away from the subsidy of full retail net metering. It has been done statewide in Nevada, under consideration in Arizona and either under consideration or done at a scattering of individual utilities. The wind and solar industries have matured and prices of materials have declined. Thus, the subsidy that was started almost a decade ago is simply no longer needed. Wind and solar can stand in the free market on their own. It is that simple. We do hear all paying members and have made a simple change (again, with much advance notice) to be responsible to our entire membership.
Tony, there is always going to be that person with the “sour grape” attitude. Keep up the good work. As for sour grapes, their are usually discarded before going into the wine Harrell.
I have had geothermal heat since we built the house in 1992. You offered a “dual fuel” discount at that time, which was one of the determining factors in choosing geothermal. My only gripe is that now you are doing away with this discount which of course, will raise my heating bill. My opinion…anyone who had installed geothermal before a certain date and had the dual fuel discount should be grandfathered in and be able to continue with the discount. So in essence, did you break your contract with me? I installed and still have the OTHER source of heat needed to qualify for the discount. I kept up my end of the bargain, now I would like you to honor yours.
Mr. Drewyour – Cherryland Energy Use Advisor Tammy Squires will call you today. That rate was taken away for a short time but it was re-instituted in the form of what we call an energy efficient heat rate. This rate gives you a 3 cent discount for the electricity used to heat your home. Tammy will give you all the details. I apologize for the inconvenience as we thought we had contacted everyone who had been on the old rate. Thanks for letting us know.