Co-op Leaders Engage Legislators on Capitol Hill

Representatives from Brunswick Electric, Four County EMC, Lumbee River EMC, South River EMC and North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives met with the office of Rep. David Rouzer.

In April, more than 75 leaders from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives met with congressional staffers in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Legislative Conference.

Co-ops met with the staffs of 15 members of the NC congressional delegation   from the offices of 13 representatives and Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives focused on several key issues during meetings, including:

• The importance of reliable electricity, which is vital to North Carolina’s economy, the nation’s economy as a whole and national security;
• Opposition to EPA’s Power Plant Rule;
• Protecting U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for co-ops, including a 2022 voluntary grant and loan program designed for electric co-ops pursuing energy innovation;
• Safeguarding rural electric infrastructure; and
• Alleviating supply chain issues and lessening challenges in procuring grid components in a timely way at a reasonable price.

“These conversations came at a critical time, as electric co-ops here in North Carolina and across the country are facing an array of industry and policy challenges, including meeting the most fundamental expectations for reliable power,” said Sharla Wells, vice president of external affairs for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Maintaining an open dialogue with policymakers is crucial, as our members of Congress look to co-op leaders as the pulse of the rural communities they serve.”