Adams Electric Cooperative Inc. donates truck to sister cooperative
(NRECA International, October 8, 2007)

Ron Plank, Vice-President of Operations, Adams Electric Cooperative Inc. with truck

A truck used to build and maintain electric service for local residents is now being used for the same purpose in Costa Rica.

Adams Electric Cooperative Inc. recently donated one of their fully-depreciated bucket trucks to Coopelesca R.L., a rural electric cooperative in Costa Rica. Steve Rasmussen, Adams Electric’s CEO/General Manager indicated that our donations are an example of the seventh principle of cooperatives: “Co-ops helping co-ops.” These donations take on a special significance during October, which is Co-op Month.

“We do this because everyone involved benefits," says Rasmussen. "We are able to donate a truck that we can no longer use to another cooperative that can use it to better provide electricity to many in Costa Rica. We know this truck is going where it can be used."

Since 1984, Adams Electric has shared a sister cooperative relationship with Coopelesca, which is located in Ciuded Quesada, Costa Rica. Adams Electric mails the monthly newsmagazine Penn Lines to Coopelesca and exchanges other co-op related ideas and programs with them. Officials from both co-ops have exchanged visits numerous times over the years to participate in such events as annual meetings and anniversary celebrations.

"We have 25 more years in rural electrification," says Rasmussen. "But, with today's newer equipment and technical support, Cooplesca has closed the gap and has advanced to the point where it is a modern operation providing a vital service to rural regions of Costa Rica."

The truck, a 1991 Ford four-wheel drive bucket truck with a 37-foot boom, reached the end of its useful life at Adams Electric. However, rural electric utilities in other countries can still make use of the truck.

According to Ron Plank, Adams Electric’s Vice President of Operations, the truck, recently reconditioned, could no longer serve as a first line truck for Adams Electric.

“Adams Electric could no longer run the truck day-in and day-out,” Plank said. “But Coopelesca R.L. could find a lot of use when repairing rural electric lines in Costa Rica.”

The recently donated truck is the sixth truck Adams Electric has donated since 1998 to NRECA International Foundation and it’s overseas projects. Another recipient was Cooperativa de Electrificacion Rural de Alfaro Ruiz in Costa Rica, which is a sister to Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative in Somerset, Pa.

The donated trucks are often used for the building, development and repair of lines in rural areas of the countries.

In addition to the truck donations, Ron Plank and other Adams Electric employees accompany the trucks to the countries to provide demonstration and training for the equipment. They are currently planning a visit to Costa Rica early November 2007.

Adams Electric Cooperative is a member owned non-profit organization that services parts of Adams, York, Cumberland and Franklin Counties. It has been a proud supporter of NRECA International Programs for over a decade.