2007 Distinguished Service Award
Presented to:

This year’s recipient within the Rural Electric Cooperative sector offers an outstanding example of the qualities this award was designed to recognize. In his years of service to rural consumers, Mr. Marvin Thaller has combined a friendly and willing attitude, with a caring commitment to helping others. When he retires on May 7, 2007, he will have amassed nearly 37 years of sustained service to his local communities and customers.   

Beginning his electric industry career at Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association in 1970, Marvin displayed his strong work ethic and effective people skills. As a member of their Services Department, he continued to expand his responsibilities in both meter reading and customer relations.  Marvin was then hired by K.C. Electric Association in 1981 as their first Member Services Manager.  He essentially built the position from scratch, and has forged many positive relationships between customers and their cooperative.

Marvin could also be considered a pioneer in promoting the use of solar electric power to serve remote loads, such as livestock wells and other applications. His efforts in photovoltaic power earned him two awards in 1990, and he was further recognized in 1992 by Governor Roy Romer. 

Throughout his career, Marvin has served on many committees to represent K.C. Electric and the state of Colorado.  As a member of the Colorado Rural Electric Member Services Group, he was elected president twice. He served two terms on the Colorado Power Council, and was Chairman of the Big Sandy Farm Safety program. Nationally, he served twice as a Steering Committee member for NRECA education activities.

Marvin has always been an active member of his community.  He has participated as a 4-H leader for more than twenty years, and on the Board of the 4-H Foundation. Within the town of Hugo, he has been a member of the Lions Club, the Hugo Fire Department, and served several times on the screening committee for Lincoln County Extension programs.

Our recipient in this category is truly an ally to both rural energy suppliers and consumers. Ms. Peggy Plate has demonstrated a career-long commitment to improving energy efficiency and quality of life for rural citizens.

Peggy began her Federal career with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, but moved to the Western Area Power Administration (Western) in 1981. Becoming an energy conservation specialist in 1983, she quickly broadened her knowledge and contacts within the Western area. Shortly thereafter, she was put in charge of the Conservation and Renewable Energy Program, which she managed single-handedly.  Since then, she has coordinated a highly visible and successful Energy Services Program for Western’s Rocky Mountain Region.

For most of her 28-year career, Peggy has been the face of the Rocky Mountain Region. She has spent many hours on the road and on the telephone to asses the needs of customers, and devises ways to meet them. She has been actively involved in such organizations as the Colorado Power Council, the Rocky Mountain Electric League, the Colorado Assn. of Municipal Utilities and the Colorado Rural Development Council. 

Examples of Peggy’s efforts include the Irrigation Efficiency Program, a 12-year effort involving five agencies that has yielded measurable benefits in energy efficiency, and saved money for farmers.  Another example is the Photovoltaic Services Network, which enabled bulk equipment purchases to lower the cost of solar electric applications. To foster continuing education, Peggy has assembled dozens of workshops over the years.  Plus, her negotiated purchase of renewable energy certificates helped federal agencies and Western’s customers reach their renewable energy goals.

From the letters received in support of her nomination, it is clear that Peggy has earned the respect of others. One supporter wrote, “Through her commitment to customers and her dedication to the West’s rural communities, Peggy exemplifies the positive role utilities can play in strengthening the areas they serve.”

2007 Silver Switch Award
Presented To:

“Wisconsin Public Service Farm Rewiring Program”

In 1999, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation introduced a Farm Rewiring Program, offering cost sharing to customers beyond any other utility in the state or nation. The program pays the first $1,000 of a farm-rewiring project, then splits up to $18,000 of the remaining costs on a 50/50 basis with the customer. Rewiring loans beyond this amount are available to finance up to $15,000 for five years, at a 3% interest rate.