Touchstone Energy is a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to customers large and small. More than 550 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 39 states are delivering energy and energy solutions to more than 16 million customers every day. Touchstone Energy cooperatives serve their members with integrity, accountability, innovation and a longstanding commitment to communities.

Terms and Conditions for Green Power   --  Product Content Label -- more info

Operation Round Up®
Operation Round Up® is a volunteer participation program for AEC members to help provide food, shelter, clothing, healthcare and other services to those in our communities who need it the most. A participating member's electric bill is rounded up to the next highest dollar amount, resulting in an average contribution of about $6 each year. Total contributions from all members could add up to more than $150,000.

Application for donation for Organization/Agency.

Application for donation for individual and/or family

POWER for Wildlife
POWER for Wildlife will create shelter and forage for many species of birds and animals

What is a Wildlife Management Plan?
The Wildlife management plan is a menu of typical wildlife management practices and is developed by the landowner. The menu might include:

• mechanical brush control;

• chemical brush control;

• permanent wildlife plantings; or

• annual wildlife plantings

Who can receive a grant?
Landowners, hunting clubs, wildlife organizations and individuals committed to the conversion and management of Aiken Electric Cooperative power rights-of-way may apply for a Power for Wildlife grant. All applications are ranked and reviewed on a competitive basis. Applications are available at your local cooperative office. Individuals receiving grants must have control of, and manage, the approved acreage for a 5-year minimum period as outlined by their management plans.

What type of commitment is involved?
Grant recipients have a 5-year minimum obligation to follow the practices outlined in their management plan.

Why Power for Wildlife?
Electrical distribution lines are essential to our standard of living. Underneath these lines are rights-of-ways. These rights-of-way acres must be routinely managed to prevent unwanted growth of tall plants and trees that could interfere with the normal delivery of electricity. With Power for Wildlife, Aiken Electric Cooperative is offering a program of cash incentives that will enhance wildlife habitat while ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of electricity.

How are grant dollars calculated?
Grant awards are based on the types of practices selected by the participant. Recipients can receive $60 per acre up to a maximum of $1,000 over a 5-year period. Grant awards cannot exceed payments of $333.33 the first, third, and fifth year.

For more information contact:
Michael E. Campbell
Vice President, Corporate Services
Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc.
803-649-6245, ext. 1116

Download the Power for Wildlife Incentive Grant Application

H20 Select
H20 select is a water heater financing and maintenance program offered to qualifying members of Aiken Electric Cooperative. It provides 100% financing for the installation of a new high-efficiency electric water heater in  new or existing homes. A 10-year worry-free maintenance warranty is available to protect your electric water heater. 

Capital Credits
Capital credits are the only form of equity a consumer-owned utility has. Each year, all revenue over and above expenses is assigned by the Cooperative to each member's Capital Credits Account. The amount of your capital credits is determined by your yearly payments for electricity. 

Bank Draft
Aiken Electric's Bank Draft automatically drafts your checking account each month for the amount of your electric bill. You'll still get a monthly statement showing how much electricity you used and how much it costs.

Levelized Billing
Levelized Billing is available to Cooperative members who wish to be able to budget in advance for their utility bills. Levelized billing uses a rolling average of your electric bill for the most recent 12 months. 

Decorative Security Lighting
Decorative Security Lighting can help you improve the appearance and security of your home or business. Aiken Electric will furnish, install, operate, and maintain the lighting equipment, and add a small charge for this service to your monthly bill. Click here to view different types of decorative security lights.

GOFER Collection Station
The GOFER (Give Oil for Energy Recovery) program helps protect the environment and our groundwater by reusing oil disposed of by do-it-yourselfers. Gofer sites are located at our Aiken, Edgefield and North offices.

Automated Meter Reading
The co-op is presently in the process of converting our member meters to an AMR module unit. We estimate the change-out to be completed over the next six years and will be beneficial to everyone. You will be seeing our employees out and about making these meter changes and we appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Key Accounts
We work closely with our commercial and industrial members, tailoring programs to meet their specific needs. This individualized service addresses safety, energy efficiency and other electrical issues that affect productivity and profitability.

Washington Youth Tour
Aiken Electric Cooperative sponsors four high school juniors on an all-expenses-paid trip to our nation's capital.  This week-long tour gives students a chance to see our government in action, experience the history of our nation and learn more about electric cooperatives. 

Please check back in December 2008 for 2009 applications.

Scholarships
Aiken Electric Cooperative awards two $1,000 Touchstone Energy scholarships to graduating high school seniors -- one to a student planning to attend a four-year college and one to a student planning to attend a two-year college or technical school.  In addition, the AEC Trustees personally fund a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior based on need and performance.

	Please check back in December 2008 for 2009 applications.
	Please check back in December 2008 for 2009 applications.

Teachers Opportunities
National Rural Education Association's (NREA) offers various resources for teachers. To explore opportunities offered by NREA please click here.

Economic Development
Through the innovative Rural Development Act passed by the SC Legislature in 1996, Aiken Electric assists economic development efforts in our region.

Living in SC Magazine
This is a monthly magazine for our member-owners that features current information about the Cooperative and utility industry.