The CECU will help Americans in all 50 states get loans for solar panels, electric cars, and more. Donald Trump?s election has led many environmentalists to despair over the federal government?s stance towards clean energy and regulations. Even with states and cities trying to take the lead on fighting climate change, how much can they accomplish when the federal government has different aims, priorities, and philosophies"
A new consumer credit union launching later this year wants to give people a way to make a difference, all with the full faith and credit of the federal government.
The Clean Energy Credit Union (CECU), set to launch by the end of the year, will soon enable consumers in all 50 states to take out loans focused on promoting clean energy, such as installing solar panels, making energy efficient retrofits, or buying an electric car. By creating a lender that only focuses on clean energy, the first-of-its-kind CECU will be more responsive to consumers, be able to offer better loan terms, and therefore accelerate adoption of new technology. With the U.S. solar market growing by 95 percent in 2016, Jones sees opportunity. ?We?ll be more up to date on it than any other lender, since we?re clean energy geeks and that?s what we focus on,? says Blake Jones, an engineer and board chair of the CECU.
Jones?s route to clean energy evangelist and funder started in an unexpected time and place, when he was working for oil giant Halliburton 15 years ago. Af...