Empire Electric began a series of "Power To..." Seminars in 2008 to provide information about available local, regional and state programs to assist consumers with their energy loads. The first seminar titled "The Power to Warm Your Home and Lower Utility Bills" provided information on the new seasonal Time-of-Use rate, an innovative energy audit program, Steffes heating systems, ground source heat pumps and energy efficiency credits. Attendees were given a Kill A Watt meter to help measure their appliance usage.

As new programs become available, it is important to share this information with our consumers and the "Power to..." Seminars provide a good format for question and answer sessions. "The Power to Solarize" seminars that took place in March and April 2008 addressed solar applications and provided detailed discussions about the costs and interconnection requirements for compliance with Empire's net metering tariff. The "Power to Save Energy" followed in January 2009 and provided in-depth information on the Solar Domestic Hot Water Program and Insulate Colorado Program co-sponsored by Empire Electric Association, the City of Cortez and the Governor's Energy Office.

Future "Power to..." Seminars will be advertised in Empire's newsletter magazine, Colorado Country Life, that is mailed directly to our members, in local newspapers and on the radio.