SECU Launches ‘GreenPower’ Campaign.

RALEIGH, N.C. – In a departure from traditional credit union services, State Employees CU said yesterday it is partnering with NC GreenPower, a local rural electric cooperative, to support cleaner, renewable energy alternatives for North Carolina. The credit union giant, which is already offering ‘green’ auto and home loans, has agreed to fund 1 kilowatt hour of renewable energy production through its non-profit SECU Foundation for each of its 1.3 million members annual over the next four years. The investment, $150,000, will help NC GreenPower to generate renewable and alternative energy from sources such as the sun, wind and methane gas, according to Jim Blaine, president of the $14 billion credit union. “It’s the right thing to do,” Blaine told The Credit union Journal, of efforts to fund cleaner energy sources. The credit union is also launching a major education campaign to support the initiative, which will include energy savings tips in the member newsletter. “If we can help our members to save just $30 a month in energy costs over the next four years, that’s $1 billion in savings,” said Blaine.