More than 300 homeowners, non-profits, and agribusinesses from La Crosse to Tomah, Verona, and Prairie du Chien have benefited from working with Ethos Green Power Cooperative. In the last seven years, the trade ally has returned $850,000 in Focus on Energy rebates.

In fact, Ethos customers have received nearly $1 million in rebates over its 10-year history, completing 624 projects and saving more than 532,000 MMBTU of energy – enough to charge 1.9 billion cellphones!

“I was driving here today through Richland Center, and I saw a sign that said, ‘We all do better when we all do better’ and I loved that sentiment. because today really is about partnerships," Focus on Energy Managing Director Lisa Stefanik said at the award presentation in June of 2024. "Focus on Energy could not be successful without the partnerships of wonderful companies like Ethos and the folks in the market.”

“What I love about all of this is the fact that it is built into the culture," WI Senate District 32 Senator Brad Pfaff said. "The name of the cooperative 'Ethos Green Energy Cooperative.' For those that like words. And I like to study words, means ‘character.’ It means ‘moral beliefs.’ It means ‘guiding principles.’ It's about building something, bringing people together.”

While Ethos Green Power Cooperative began with a focus on solar power installations, the cooperative’s commitment to sustainability has led it to expand its services over the years. Today, Ethos offers a range of solutions designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact, including heat pump installations and home energy assessments. These services are vital in helping homeowners and businesses in the Driftless Region transition to more sustainable energy practices.

The expansion into these areas reflects Ethos’s understanding that sustainability is a holistic endeavor. By addressing various aspects of energy consumption, from heating and cooling to overall energy efficiency, Ethos is providing its customers with the tools they need to make meaningful, long-term changes. This approach not only helps individual customers but also contributes to the cooperative’s broader goal of stabilizing electricity costs and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

“I want to congratulate Ethos for a job well done," WI Assembly District 96 Representative Loren Oldenburg said. "I want to thank Focus on Energy to recognize, a great company here in Vernon County. (Ethos is) a big employer for Vernon County and really help(s) the economy.”

One of the most inspiring aspects of Ethos Green Power Cooperative’s work is its focus on the future. The cooperative is not just about providing energy solutions for today; it’s about building a sustainable future for the next generation. This commitment is evident in the cooperative’s efforts to create new, sustainable jobs for young people in the region.

By fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation, Ethos is helping to ensure that the Driftless Region remains a vibrant, thriving community for years to come. The cooperative’s growth is not just about expanding its services or increasing its customer base; it’s about creating opportunities for the next generation to live and work in a region that values sustainability and community.

"I know I speak for everyone at Ethos Green Power Co-op that, we're very, very grateful for the partnership with Focus on Energy," Ethos Green Power Cooperative Owner Alicia Leinberger said. "And we look forward to many more years as we go through the energy transition and growing the program and the partnership towards a much stronger Wisconsin."