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May 2008

Co-op Participates in Green Living & Energy Expo and Biodiesel Rally

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative was founded by Keys residents as a not-for-profit utility just over 68 years ago, and the company continues to be locally directed and managed by Upper and Middle Keys residents.

These local residents are dedicated to the Keys community and embrace the Co-op’s mission to provide "high quality, environmentally sensitive, and safe electrical power."

Along these lines, FKEC is a founding supporter of the Green Living and Energy Education (GLEE) organization, which is holding its third Expo this month. FKEC also recently participated in GLEE’s first Biodiesel Rally, an event aimed at raising awareness of alternative diesel fuels.

GREEN LIVING EXPO: MAY 9-11
FKEC is proud to once again be a major sponsor of the Green Living and Energy Expo, being held this year on May 9, 10 and 11 at Marathon High School. FKEC employees have dedicated their time to planning and promoting this third major event, which is free to the public and last year attracted more than 3,000 attendees.

FKEC volunteers conduct free workshops on energy conservation and man a booth during the Expo to distribute information and answer energy-related questions.

BIODIESEL RALLY
FKEC also recently participated in GLEE’s first Biodiesel Rally with Member Service Representative T.J. Patterson driving one of the co-op's biodiesel-powered bucket trucks from Florida City to Key West.

FKEC was the first fleet operator to switch all of its diesel vehicles and equipment to a biodiesel blend more than a year ago when an agreement was reached with supplier Sol Atlantic Biodiesel of Hialeah Gardens. FKEC was Sol Atlantic’s first customer.

The goal is to ultimately support American farmers while caring for the environment. Biodiesel is a clean-burning, renewable product with 80% less carbon dioxide emissions and almost 100% less sulphur dioxide emissions than petroleum diesel.

FKEC's fleet now runs a 50/50 blend and the Co-op is at least breaking even or paying slightly less for fuel overall. The trucks required no modifications and perform well on biodiesel, all while reducing our dependence on foreign sources and supporting domestic farmers.

Scott is an active member of the Upper Keys community and is a past president, current director and president-elect of the Rotary Club of Key Largo, is a director for the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce and is co-founder and president of the Upper Keys Golf Association.

In 1994, Scott completed the three-year national electrical course for apprentice linemen to further his education in cooperative operations. He is a graduate of Leadership Monroe County Class XI and completed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Management Internship Program in 2005.

Scott graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in Agriculture Business and Economics in 1986. In 1988, he began his career in the electricity industry when he joined the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) in Washington, D.C. With the REA, he worked first as a Commercial Loan Specialist and was later promoted to Power Requirements Officer before moving to the Florida Keys to join FKEC in 1990.