Check Out the Top 2024 CFC Solutions Content

Have you read, listened to or watched the top Solutions content published in 2024?

• Solutions News Articles
• Solutions Economic Articles
• Solutions Cast Podcasts
• Solutions Videos

Solutions News Articles

1. Look for Data Centers To Impact US Power Markets, Co-ops
   May 6
   A third of all new data centers are expected to be built in electric cooperative service territories over the next five years.
   
   
2. New Louisiana G&T Co-op Set To Deliver Power to Members
   July 22
   Early next year, a new G&T cooperative will begin delivering power to its five distribution-cooperative members in Louisiana.
   
   
3. Bitcoin Hits New Record, Drives Higher Power Consumption
   April 8
   Higher bitcoin prices often increase the industry’s power consumption because it significantly raises miners’ profit margins.
   
   
4. Director, Former Pharmacist Named CFC Board President
   August 5
   Find out how Anthony Norton got his start serving on the Snapping Shoals EMC board and brought the experience full circle with his father.
   
   
5. High Interest Rates Create Momentum for Vehicle Leases
   March 11
   Learn how an Alabama-based electric co-op is using CFC’s new leasing program to manage cash flow as it builds out its fiber network.
   
   

Solutions Economic Articles

1. Can Americans Afford To Live Longer? Here’s the Math
   March 25
   A bumper crop of Americans are turning 65, and they are wealthier than any previous senior cohort. Yet, for most, their living expenses are outpacing income.
   
   
2. Expectation vs. Reality: Are You Ready for Retirement?
   April 8
   Gen X, ages 44 to 59, falls $1.5 million short of a comfortable retirement. Younger generations are saving earlier—with little success.
   
   
3. It’s Not Your Parents’ Middle-class Lifestyle Anymore
   October 28
   Nearly 39% of American households are making a middle-class income, yet many of them are barely scraping by. Why?
   
   
4. I Want Steak! ‘Strong’ Economy Hides Consumer Reality
   February 12
   The economy is checking all the right boxes for growth, but consumers are seeing things differently. Are the economic measures wrong?
   
   
5. Inflation vs. Wages: Which Is Rising Faster?
   June 3
   Are you feeling richer? It’s hard to tell these days with prices rising all the time and wages getting a bump only now and then.
   
   

Solutions Cast Podcasts

1. The Evolution of AI: What Questions Should Co-ops Be Asking?
   February 26
   In this episode of CFC Solutions Cast, CFC Director of Utility Research & Policy Brian Sloboda connects the dots on artificial intelligence (AI) and important business questions cooperatives should consider asking during implementation of new AI technology. He highlights cooperative use cases and potential ways to integrate AI into business processes and systems.
   
   
2. Michigan CEO Explores Lessons Learned from First-Year Challenges
   May 20
   Listen to the latest episode of CFC Solutions Cast to hear how Cherryland Electric Cooperative CEO Rachel Johnson stepped into the role for the first time and how she addressed personal challenges, rate changes and technology upgrades. What did Johnson learn over a year full of change?
   
   
3. Revving Up: 2023 Trends Accelerate into 2024
   January 12
   In this episode of CFC Solutions Cast, we count down the top three Solutions Cast episodes of 2023 and discover which of those trends are accelerating into 2024. CFC Vice President of Utility Research & Policy Jan Ahlen discusses the key electric utility sector trends in store this year, ranging from opportunities for using artificial intelligence to recent headlines challenging the growth of electric vehicle sales and more.
   
   
4. Leadership Insights from a Hurricane-Tested CEO
   October 15
   Join Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC) CEO John Bartley as he looks back at the impact his cooperative felt when faced with a direct hit from Hurricane Michael.
   
   
5. Using Alert Systems To Protect Members from Scammers 
   June 17
   In this episode of Solutions Cast, we speak with Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association (PVREA) Strategic Communications Director Sam Taggart about the innovative approach PVREA is using to warn cooperative members of local scammers. He discusses the scam alert system his team has put in place to protect members from an age-old problem while achieving positive member engagement during a moment of critical need.
   
   

Solutions Videos

1. Minnesota CEO Analyzes Renewables, Data Center Growth, Other Rising Risks to Electric Grid
   July 8
   Join CFC’s Charlie Gloeckner and Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association CEO Tim Sullivan in a discussion on the big factors affecting reliability, including third parties, renewables and data center growth. Plus, learn how Sullivan plans to manage a growing capital expenditure budget and navigate investments for future reliability.
   
   
2. ODEC CEO Shares Risks, Opportunities of Adding Data Center Load in Southern Virginia
   July 15
   Join CFC’s Charlie Gloeckner and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) CEO John Lee in a discussion on the impact data centers are having on southern Virginia. Lee explores the generation and transmission challenges as well as the financial risks cooperatives face by serving high-load members while spotlighting their economic benefits to local communities.
   
   
3. Recent Surge in Bitcoin Prices May Impact Electric Cooperative Demand
   March 25
   Join Chris Whittle for an update on the volatility of cryptocurrency and possible impacts to electric cooperatives.
   
   
4. The Challenging Future of Electric Reliability
   April 8
   Watch CFC’s Alisha Pinto, senior energy industry analyst, for an update on the electric grid, areas for concern and what cooperatives can do to enhance reliability.  
   
   
5. The Deep Fake: Preparing Cooperative Staff for AI Cybersecurity Awareness
   May 6
   Join CFC’s Brian Sloboda for an update on the risks AI poses in cybersecurity and how to raise awareness among your staff.