Power to the people
Electric cooperatives are consumer advocates
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES ARE MORE than just utility providers; we are the champions for the communities we serve.
Because you and your neighbors own your local co-op, we take this role as consumer advocates seriously.
“The halls of power are filled with many voices,” explains Chase Crigler, vice president of government affairs for Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “The landscape of energy policy is crowded with special interest groups, many of which have agendas that do not align with the needs of our local co-op members.”
These groups are often well-funded and highly organized, making it essential for co-ops to bring equal levels of organization and resources to the table, Crigler says.
Who is speaking up for you?
Partnering with Crigler to communicate co-op priorities to policymakers are:
- Jena McNeil, legislative and government relations director at East Kentucky Power Cooperative.
- Andrea Schroeder, governmental relations director at Big Rivers Electric Corporation.
- Josh Tubbs, government relations specialist at Tennessee Valley Authority.
“Our team works every day to bring the issues affecting the reliability, safety and affordability of electric service front and center in policy discussions,” says Chris Perry, the president and CEO of the statewide electric co-op association.
The co-op connection
Now in its second year, the Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus is a group of legislators committed to learning about how co-ops work and how government policies affect co-op operations and costs. A thank you campaign for caucus members is now underway on RuralPowerKY.com.
Meanwhile, Kentucky co-ops partner with about 900 fellow co-ops across the country to advocate for sensible energy policies and regulations in Washington, D.C.
“Co-op connections help the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association educate Kentucky’s congressional delegation on co-op priorities,” says Louis Finkel, NRECA’s senior vice president of government relations.
Your voice
“The voices that matter most to elected leaders are the people they represent,” Crigler says.
The consumer-members of Kentucky’s electric cooperatives have several ways to make sure their voices are heard.
“On RuralPowerKY.com, co-op members can join Voices for Cooperative Power,” says Mallory Wafzig, manager of cooperative outreach at Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “VCP is a grassroots initiative for members to stay informed about key issues and take action by contacting their legislators.”
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives PAC
For nearly 60 years, board members and employees of Kentucky’s electric cooperatives have voluntarily contributed to a political action committee to support political candidates who recognize the vital role of electric cooperatives in their local communities.
During recent policy battles, consumer-members have asked whether they are also eligible to contribute to the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives PAC.
“The answer is a resounding, yes!” Crigler says. “For those co-op members who want to take their support to the next level, they are always welcome to check out how the PAC works at RuralPowerKY.com.”
For maximum efficiency and effectiveness, the Kentucky political action committee works in concert with America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC. Both are bipartisan and support political candidates who champion the interests of electric cooperatives and their consumer-members.
“By contributing to these candidates, we can help ensure that the voices of local co-op members are represented in the political process,” says Crigler.
