Great River Energy Announces "A Brighter Idea" Contest Winner
Winning Entry Offers Others Easy and Cost-Effective Ideas for Saving Energy

Great River Energy and its 28 member cooperatives, recently challenged their customers to share their "brighter ideas" for energy conservation with the "A Brighter Idea" contest.

Brenda Temple, from Glenwood, Minn., and a member of Runestone Electric Association, was recognized for having the "brightest idea" and received a $1,000 credit on her home electric bill. The Runestone Electric Association, a co-op serving Douglas, Pope, Grant, Stevens, Stearns, Otter Tail and Todd counties, is located in Alexandria, Minn., and has approximately 13,000 members.

  Rick Banke, CEO of Runestone Electric Association and Gary Connett, director of environmental stewardship and
  member services at Great River Energy, award Brenda Temple, contest winner, with a $1,000 credit on her home
  electric bill.

Temple, who is passionate about energy conservation, offered a number of creative "brighter ideas" to save energy and money. "My favorite idea that I implement is placing large items which take up space in our chest freezer to replace the food we take out," said Temple. "It helps the freezer stay cool easier."

In addition to replacing several appliances with energy efficient appliances and replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, Temple has also replaced her porch lights with motion lights and set her computer monitors to shut off after longer periods without usage.

"While there were many thoughtful and creative entries, Brenda's passion and commitment to energy conservation throughout her home came through in her entry," said Gary Connett, director of environmental stewardship and member services at Great River Energy.

Temple's winning entry was selected from more than 350 submissions. The contest, which ran from June 5 through September 30, was part of the "A Brighter Idea" campaign in which Great River Energy and its 28 member cooperatives asked member-consumers to make the switch from incandescent light bulbs to CFL bulbs.