We're city guys. We tend to think about green in terms of urban concerns, like the light rail system that may eventually whisk us from one hot spot to another. But lots of North Carolinians – and Americans in general – live away from metros. What's going on out there?

GreenCo just shared findings from a recent Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ survey. GreenCo http://www.greencosolutions.net/ provides energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to many of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives – which power places biggies like Duke and Progress don't. Many of the survey's results are interesting and inspiring:

• Overwhelmingly, members are taking action to reduce the amount of electricity they use at home. Most are implementing low-cost or no-cost solutions such as adjusting thermostats, turning off lights, installing weather-stripping, caulking.
• More than eight out of 10 members look for the Energy Star rating for appliances when considering new purchases.
• Two-thirds of cooperative members regularly recycle and have cut back on their driving.
• One-quarter of cooperative members report making donations to environmental groups.
• More than eight out of 10 households have at least one compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) and over one-half of members use six or more of the energy saving lights.

Clearly, green is a concern whether you're urban or rural. If there's a group that has some catching up to do, it's seniors. Older folks are least likely to take conservation steps, such as using CFLs. So if you're headed over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house, pick up some new fangled light bulbs on the way!