THE PLANET–Earth Day is this weekend and governments and private organizations around the world will be participating in a variety of related activities aimed at supporting environmental protection.
This year’s theme is “Invest in Our Planet,” which is preproperate for credit unions, as many have made investments in everything from eco-friendly and more energy efficient buildings to lending programs that support green initiatives to philanthropic efforts for related causes.
Below, CUToday.info compiles just some of its reporting on steps by credit unions to create more environmentally friendly policies. Where additional reporting is available, links are provided.
Sustainability Efforts Detailed by UNFCU
WASHINGTON–A credit union that is one of the leaders nationally for its leadership in sustainability, responding to climate change and building stronger, more resilient communities shared details of its work with other credit unions here.
During a breakfast held in conjunction with CUNA’s GAC, United Nations FCU discussed the efforts it first undertook more than a decade ago and said its goal is to build a “holistic network of like-minded credit unions focused on reducing injustice and helping the climate.”
Its efforts, said Chief Lending officer Eric Darmanin, align with the 17 goals identified by its sponsor, the United Nations, as seen in the slide below.
“We entered into our this in 2008 with the green plan. Now, we have more comprehensive goals and a sustainability plan,” he said. “We are seeing operational efficiencies. It’s great to see level of employee engagement we have. It’s also been great for our brand. As employees of the United Nations, our members are very focused on solving the world’s problems and when they see what we are doing it helps them to connect with us as a financial institution. This is especially true with Gen Z.”
Additional information is available here.
More Than 300 CUs Attend Sustainability Summit
NEW YORK–United Nations FCU and Organization of American States FCU co-hosted the 5th United in Sustainability (UIS) Summit here, a hybrid event that drew more than 300 credit union representatives from across the Americas to discuss support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as comments from an NCUA board member.
Additional information is available here.
VSECU Outlines Positive Results for Community, Itself From Green Loan Program
MONTPELIER, Vt.—Environmentally friendly products, such as green loans, are not just good for the communities a credit union serves, but also for the CU itself, says Vermont State Employees CU, which is reporting its portfolio of environmentally friendly loans has become a key asset.
“I would call our green lending, which includes solar, energy efficiency loans, electric vehicles, commercial solar and e-bikes our best performing asset from a loss-ratio perspective—it rivals the performance of our mortgage lending portfolio,” said CEO Rob Miller. “If it's efficient or renewable we finance it. The portfolio represents 10% of our assets and is growing at 30% annually each year.”
CUToday.info’s full reporting is available here.
County Offering CUs, Banks Access to Program to Help Finance Environmentally Friendly Upgrades
EVERETT, Wash.–Snohomish County in Washington has launched a new program that allows banks and credit unions to offer low-interest loans to help commercial property owners finance environmentally friendly upgrades to their buildings.
The program, Commercial Property Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACER), is for property improvements that help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, increasing renewable energy and promoting water conservation, according to the county. Some examples include electric vehicle charging infrastructure, flood mitigation improvements, energy storage and more, according to a news release, the county said.
"The C-PACER program is one step to help improve our environment and promote green building in Snohomish County," Snohomish County Council Member Nate Nehring said in the released statement. "I appreciate the partnership it took to get this program off the ground."
The program covers properties in Snohomish County that are privately owned commercial, industrial or agricultural property or multifamily residential property with five or more dwelling units.
Minnesota CU Network’s ‘CUGreen’ Inititive is Honored
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Minnesota Credit Union Network’s solar lending initiative, CU Green, has been honored with an Environmental Initiative Award.
Environmental Initiative is a nonprofit organization that works with business, nonprofit and government leaders to develop collaborative solutions to Minnesota’s environmental problems.
As CUToday.info reported here, Minnesota’s credit unions launched the website for CU Green in 2018, which is a clean energy lending platform developed to make clean energy accessible to more Minnesotans through educational resources to provide consumers with clean energy information.
CU Green was honored for its collaborative approach in addressing environmental challenges and promoting economic and community vitality.
“As not-for profit, member-owned financial institutions, Minnesota’s credit unions are committed to improving their communities,” said MnCUN President and CEO Mark Cummins. “The Minnesota Credit Union Network is pleased to be recognized for CU Green with Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union and Hiway Federal Credit Union for our efforts to move Minnesota towards a more efficient energy footprint.”
CUToday.info’s full reporting can be found here.
BECU Foundation Supports Green Equity Initiative
TUKWILA, Wash.–The BECU Foundation has announced the 2022 nonprofit recipients of the inaugural Green Equity Initiative, which is a commitment of up to $865,000 to support environmental sustainability through green workforce development and entrepreneurship.
The BECU Foundation is the philanthropic arm of BECU.
“Through our Green Equity Initiative, we are aligning the BECU Foundation's giving efforts with nonprofits dedicated to positive long-term environmental impacts,” said Gloria Dixon, BECU’s director of Philanthropy and executive director of the BECU Foundation. “Our members, employees and communities care about environmental action, which makes supporting sustainability a natural next step in our philanthropic strategy."
CUToday.info’s full reporting is available here.
Suffolk FCU Demonstrates Green Practices
MEDFORD, N.Y.–It’s Earth Day, and among the credit unions highlighting the steps they’ve taken to be more environmentally sensitive is Suffolk Federal Credit Union.
The credit union, which said its green practices have helped it to put more life back into the communities it serves, is putting more life back into the communities that credit unions serve.
“We are constantly striving to incorporate more environmentally-friendly practices into our everyday operations and across all of our branch locations,” said Ralph D. Spencer, Jr., president and CEO of Suffolk Federal. “We are also embracing state-of-the-art technology that can help lower the need for paper consumption, speed up the transaction process, reduce energy consumption, save valuable resources and, at the same time, improve member service and credit union response times.”
In addition to concrete efforts of integrating more earth-conscious products and services, the credit union said it has also begun educating its members on supporting green initiatives, including offering online banking classes where members can sharpen their skills to implement online and mobile banking tactics into their daily lives.
CUToday.info’s full reporting can be found here.
Tucoemas FCU Earns LEED Certification
VISALIA, Calif. - Tucoemas Federal Credit Union said it has become one of only 3 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold-certified credit unions in California.
Calling itself “impact-focused,” Tucoemas FCU said it is serious about sustainable communities and reducing its environmental footprint. It received the certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its newly built flagship branch at 614 S. Akers St.
To become LEED certified companies must undergo a rigorous third party review that independently verifies that the building meets or exceeds globally-recognized sustainability standards.
“This flagship branch is the essence of everything we stand for. It is both visually and personally engaging,” said CEO Brice Yocum. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful, sustainable piece of architecture in the entire valley. Rather than just building something new, we built something better, something we can all be proud of.”
CUToday.info’s full reporting is available here.
Big Opportunities for CDFIs, MDIs to Make Green Loans as Result of Inflation Reduction Act, Says Inclusiv
NEW YORK– 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act offers some big opportunities for community development credit unions (CDCUs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs), according to Inclusiv.
Inclusiv said components inside the 730-page, $430-billion bill will allow CDFIs and MDIs to “expand their green lending and ensure the benefits of a greening economy are felt by all,” according to Inclusiv.
“This is a historic opportunity for community development credit unions to access flexible capital to support households in reducing energy cost burdens and preparing for climate events,” said Inclusiv CEO Cathie Mahon. “The Inflation Reduction Act will enable community lenders to create and scale programs to help their members purchase energy efficient appliances, invest in heating\cooling systems, and access solar either directly on their homes or through community solar projects. It also provides opportunities to invest in and support green businesses creating jobs and opportunity in the greening economy.”
Inclusiv described the Inflation Reduction Act’s $27 billion investment in green lending through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund as a “crucial step forward to address the climate crisis,” and added, “This Fund has the potential to support deeply needed projects that will reduce energy cost burden, increase climate resiliency, and expand energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts. Inclusiv looks forward to working with the many organizations and allies who worked to make this Fund a reality to ensure that capital will be channeled to organizations on the ground that are best positioned to meet local needs.”
CUToday.info’s full reporting is available here.
9 American 1 CU Buildings Certified by EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program
JACKSON, Mich.– American 1 Credit Union has certified nine of its buildings through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR program.
To be certified as ENERGY STAR, a building must meet strict energy performance standards set by the EPA. According to the EPA website, to be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification, a building must earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on EPA’s 1 – 100 scale, indicating that it performs better than at least 75% of similar buildings nationwide.
ENERGY STAR certified buildings save energy, save money, and help protect the environment by generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings.
“The facilities team has been working hard over the past few years to reduce our energy footprint,” said Facilities Manager Liz Niles. “Although we have a lot we still want to accomplish, we have come a long way since we started applying for ENERGY STAR certifications in 2019.”
Over the last few years, American 1 said it launched the following energy efficiency upgrades.
Upgraded to energy efficient lighting, reducing energy usage during business hours
Replaced outdated HVAC systems with new energy efficient systems
Provided tips to all American 1 employees on ways to reduce the energy footprint and cut energy usage in branches
Clean Energy CU Partners With Organic Valley
CENTENNIAL, Colo.–Clean Energy Credit Union said it is partnering with Organic Valley, an organic food brand and independent cooperative of organic farmers based in La Farge, Wis., to launch the “Powering the Good Loan Fund.”
The fund is aimed at providing the best loan terms for farmers seeking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels with renewable energy and efficiencies, according to the organizations, which said the program is the first of its kind for both cooperatives, pioneering a unique clean energy loan fund for more than 1,700 farmers across the country.
To accelerate energy improvements, Organic Valley and Clean Energy CU said they will roll out a $1 million fund with plans to expand.
CUToday.info’s full reporting is available here.
Nusenda CU in Partnership to Create Training Program Around Solar Energy Systems
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.–With solar and renewable energy booming in New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College and Nusenda Credit Union said they are partnering to create a certificate of completion in photovoltaic systems, which trains New Mexicans on how to construct and maintain these innovative solar energy systems.
According to the New Mexico State Land Office, in fiscal year 2019 it received more revenue from business activity than any year before, showing a potential revenue track of $1 billion. That includes a more than 1,300% revenue increase in solar energy lease payments compared to 2018, and a more than 400% increase in wind energy lease payments.
According to the Solar Energies Industries Association, New Mexico is ranked 16th in the nation for number of solar installations, with enough solar installed to power 205,000 homes. Approximately 2,168 New Mexicans now hold solar-based employment, and one study suggests as many as 6,800 jobs will eventually be directly related to solar and renewable energy.
Since 2015, Nusenda Credit Union has partnered with 100% locally owned and operated merchants such as Affordable Solar, Positive Energy, and NM Solar Group that offer solar products, and others that offer energy-efficient products, the credit union said.
CUToday.info’s full report is available here.
Inclusiv Center for Resiliency & Clean Energy Expands ‘Smart-E Loan’
NEW YORK–The Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy and Inclusive Prosperity Capital (IPC) have partnered to expand the “Smart-E Loan,” IPC's national residential green lending program, to New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, according to the organizations.
Inclusiv said the expansion is being made possible due to philanthropic support from The Wells Fargo Foundation and the Community Investment Guarantee Pool. To mark the partnership, the organizations said Guadalupe Credit Union in Santa Fe will host a Home Energy Earth Day Celebration for local community-based lenders, home energy contractors, and local homeowners at its airport branch.
“The Smart-E Loan connects local community-led lenders with a network of vetted and approved contractors to help homeowners, including low- and moderate-income (LMI) homeowners, finance and implement home energy and water efficiency, clean energy, and climate resiliency projects,” The Inclusiv Center said. “The program helps homeowners save on utility bills by financing home improvements via flexible, low-interest loans and strong consumer protections.”
CUToday.info’s full report is available here.
New Advantis HQ Has Energy Efficient Features
OREGON CITY, Ore. –Advantis Credit Union has officially opened a new headquarters campus that consolidates three administrative sites into one that it said will help “streamline teams and increase collaboration.”
The new facility is a 76,221 square feet campus with three buildings on 12 acres, creating spaces that “contribute to employee health and wellness while fostering the functional needs of an active work environment,” the $1.9-billion Advantis CU said.
Located on a former agricultural nursery site, the campus’ two new buildings reference traditional agrarian shed architecture with a contemporary palette of materials and scale, according to ACU (shown below).
Advantis CU said rooftop photovoltaic panels and sustainable design features that address daylighting, shading, and envelope performance helped the project exceed baseline energy savings goals and perform better than the Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero threshold.
CUToday.info’s full report is available here.
