Under the Surface
Digging deeper into the cooperative mission
What can a hayfield teach us about history? Plenty, it turns out. An article in this issue of Kentucky Living explores the hobby of metal detecting and what it can teach us about the past. Experts say that the most unassuming objects—buttons, bullets and lumps of melted lead—can reveal stories that were previously lost. You just have to do a little bit of digging.
When we are new to any subject, it’s easy to overlook complexity. But as we gain more experience, we begin to appreciate how much more there is to know. What do we see when we look below the surface of electric cooperatives?
At first glance, Blue Grass Energy might look like just another electric util-ity. Looks would be deceiving. Our core mission is to provide safe, reliable electricity—but dig a little deeper, and you’ll see that the way we run our business sets us apart. We operate on a not-for-profit basis, and are owned by you, the members we serve. We are guided by a board of local members. We are active in our community, investing in scholarships and youth pro-grams and supporting local organizations like Ronald McDonald House of Lexington. The more I’ve learned about the cooperative model, the more I’ve found to appreciate.
The energy industry, too, might appear simple on the surface—power plants generate electricity, Blue Grass Energy distributes it and you, the member, enjoy reliable power at the flip of a switch. We may not consider how much we rely on electricity until it’s disrupted by a major weather event. And it’s not until we look closer that we understand the importance of the electrical grid.
Often called the world’s most complex machine, the grid is, in reality, a vast, interconnected network of power plants, substations, poles, wires, transformers, switches, monitors and people. This network ensures the reliable and safe delivery of energy to your home or business. The more I’ve learned about energy, the more I’ve learned not to take reliable power for granted. This is why Blue Grass Energy continually advocates for policies that protect your interests as a member. There’s more to the cooperative model than meets the eye, but there’s one thing I hope you never have to dig too deep for—that all of us at Blue Grass Energy are here to serve you. We are your neighbors, and we’re proud to power our communities.
