Tipmont awards $22,000 in EnviroWatts grants

Three area nonprofits involved in green initiatives are sharing $22,000 in grants from Tipmont REMC’s EnviroWatts program.

by Kathy Mayer

Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette will use its $7,000 toward the purchase and installation of LED stage lighting, allowing it to cut its current power use in half because the new lighting consumes less electricity than the current system and will produce less heat, saving on air conditioning costs.

Wabash River Enhancement Corp. is receiving $10,000 to purchase 100 rain barrels, stands and downspout diverters for its watershed program, which encourages landowners to capture and later use rainwater rather than allowing polluted runoff to enter waterways. The barrels will be distributed in a cost-sharing program.

The West Lafayette Tree Fund is getting $5,000 to purchase and plant 50 trees in the Northwestern Heights neighborhood. They will replace 40 large ash trees along Summit Drive, a move that’s necessary because of the emerald ash borer infestation.

This grant distribution brings the program’s total to $375,004 awarded in 93 grants since funding began in 2001, said Tipmont REMC chief executive officer Tim McCarthy. About 1,000 Tipmont members participate in the green program, voluntarily contributing one cent per kilowatt hour of electricity they use, up to $5 a month.

“Tipmont bundles that money in a trust, and nonprofits can apply for grants to support environmental improvements in the communities we serve,” he said. “We look for projects that involve saving energy and enhancing the area with new plantings.” 

The next deadline for applying for an EnviroWatts grant is Monday, June 18, 2012. Applications are available at www.tipmont.org or by calling 1-800-726-3953. Grants are made to qualifying nonprofit organizations serving residents of Tipmont REMC’s service area, primarily Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties.

Tipmont also administers the Operation Round Up program, where members round up their bills to the next highest dollar to support nonprofit community projects. Combined, the two funding programs have contributed $1,168,017.90 since Operation Round Up began in 1999 and EnviroWatts began in 2001.

Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Linden, Tipmont REMC is a member-owned cooperative providing electric service to more than 21,000 members. Tipmont is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, a national alliance of local, member-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service and dedicated to serving members with integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.