Dear Friends of the MREA,
We tackled many projects and issues last year — some were right in line with our typical workload and others extended our reach in response to changing market needs. You’ll notice in this and previous annual reports, that the MREA supports most of our work through program revenue from our professional training, events, contracts, and technical assistance to help customers go solar.
The MREA earns most of our revenue from programs: professional training, technical assistance to help customers go solar and reduce energy costs, events, and contracts with public and private entities to conduct research or support education and market development efforts. Support from donors and members (thank you!) allows us to do the work that needs to be done but isn’t profitable. Isn’t that what a non-profit is for? Doing the things that need to be done for the betterment of society even if they aren’t profitable?
When I look back at the first Energy Fair I volunteered at in 2000, everything seemed much simpler. Solar, wind, energy efficiency, and green building were “alternative.” The electric utilities were big sponsors since it was good marketing and not yet a threat to their profits. YouTube didn’t exist, much less the “Screen New Deal” that we live in today. Organic food was an oddity relegated, if at all, to tiny sections of the grocery store, and the sole beverage vendor at the Fair, Central Waters, was in a small club of new microbreweries that were daring to give beer color and taste again. The MREA’s vision was to mainstream the alternatives. We’ve moved a long way towards that vision. Now, however, it feels like every inch closer to the goal costs us more.
Today, we get zero financial support from electric utilities and instead are most often in direct opposition. Utilities are making huge investments in solar and wind, which we mostly support. Utilities are strongly in favor of any asset that they own and from which their investors financially benefit. What they are not in favor of is the solar, wind, and batteries that their ratepayers (we) own since it erodes their justification to build new things and increase financial returns. The systemic challenge with the utility business model puts them at odds with customer energy efficiency and colors every aspect of our work.
As you’ll read in this report, we continued to advance our mission through our core programs as well as new initiatives that respond to market needs. Some of our programs were profitable, and others have generated meaningful partnerships and possibilities. We’re in a good position to turn our investments into a profitable and impactful fiscal year, and your continued support is essential. Our mission is as important today as when we started in 1990. We have a lot to do, and you play a critical role in our success.
Rise Up!
