American families expect the lights to stay on at a cost they can afford. But, with the demand for electricity skyrocketing and the supply of always-available power sources at risk, the need for smart energy policies that bolster reliability and affordability are more critical than ever before.
Electric cooperatives across the country are committed to reliably powering their local communities. Beyond routine maintenance and updates that improve the reliability of the grid, co-ops work in other ways to ensure their members’ needs are addressed. One of the ways they do this is through proactively engaging with elected officials to ensure our members are well represented in Washington, D.C.
From April 27-30, more than 2,000 electric cooperative leaders from across the country, including 47 representing Illinois, traveled to Washington, D.C., for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Legislative Conference. They met with elected officials on Capitol Hill and discussed key energy issues and priorities that impact their members.
“Advocating for reliable, affordable power on behalf of Illinois’ electric cooperative consumer-members is a critical part of our commitment to the areas we serve,” said Nick Reitz, vice president of government relations at the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. “While we are always in communication with elected officials, we look forward to meeting with them face to face to discuss the important energy issues that impact us here at home.”
During the meetings, the Illinois delegation focused on telling the unique story of how electric cooperatives in the state are ensuring reliable and affordable power for the communities they serve through a diverse supply of energy resources to meet the growing demand for electricity.
They also detailed the need to improve environmental permitting processes and cut costly and burdensome regulations — like the EPA Power Plant Rule — to accelerate deployment and maintenance of essential electric infrastructure.
An additional focal point of discussions with policymakers included the importance of federal programs and resources that support electric cooperative energy projects, like the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service electric loan program and the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) co-op loan and grant program, energy tax credits with an elective (direct) pay option for co-ops, and recently funded Department of Energy infrastructure programs.
While there is much work to be done, electric cooperatives across the country hope the Trump administration and members of Congress will implement a pro-energy agenda that prioritizes reliability and affordability and strengthens our nation’s grid.
While you may not consider it on a daily basis, electricity is essential and underpins nearly every aspect of modern life. Understanding today’s evolving energy landscape is important as it shapes how electricity is produced, delivered and consumed.
