Responsibility
Reducing Our Impact
PEC is hard at work reducing the environmental impact of our business practices. We recycle waste paper at eight offices — more than 30 tons a year, which saves more than 200,000 gallons of water and enough energy to power the average American home for 15 years. We’re also:
- Using biodegradable oil in our transformers and extending containment efforts at our substations.
- Using organic fertilizer on PEC property whenever possible and limiting the types and uses of herbicides at PEC facilities. We also use LCRA-recommended drought-resistant plants at our Johnson City Headquarters campus to conserve water.
- Installing outdoor lighting fixtures that are efficient and designed to minimize light trespass.
- Continuing our annual Christmas tree recycling program: We recycle bare, natural Christmas trees into mulch and distribute it among area parks and playgrounds.
Solar Offices & Hybrid Vehicles
PEC uses solar energy to supplement electric use at our Oak Hill and Liberty Hill offices. Our solar panels generate an annualized average of 12 kwh per day, saving more than $400 a year on electric bills.
PEC's fleet includes hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions, and the Cooperative put its first hybrid bucket truck into operation in 2010. The 2010 Kenworth T300 Hybrid Truck runs on both diesel and battery power. The hybrid features allow linemen to work on PEC lines while the truck runs on battery power, as opposed to running idle on diesel fuel. As a result, the hybrid truck is quieter and more fuel-efficient, with lower greenhouse gas emissions.