‘Electric U’ informs co-op caucus
At a critical time for energy policy in Kentucky and the nation, members of the newly formed Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus participated this summer in the inaugural Electric University (Electric-U), a deep dive into how electric power is made and transmitted to homes and businesses across Kentucky.
Outfitted with goggles, hard hats, and AV headsets, ten legislators witnessed the electric generation process first-hand during a tour of East Kentucky Power Cooperative’s Spurlock Station, a 1,346 MW coal power plant, along the banks of the Ohio River in Maysville. During the tour and a seminar in the facility’s technical center, energy industry experts and co-op staff answered questions posed by caucus members.
“The primary focus of Electric-U is empowering lawmakers to understand the day-to-day realities of power generation and transmission,” said Chase Crigler, Government Affairs Director for Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “The electric co-op caucus continues to demonstrate a commitment to advocating for the interests of local co-op consumer-members across the commonwealth.”
Electric cooperatives provide power to more than 1.8 million Kentucky residents and businesses in 117 counties.
Caucus members who participated in the first Electric University:
- Senators:
- Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe (Coop Caucus Co-chair)
- Senator David Givens (Senate President Pro Tempore)
- Senator Gex Williams
- Representatives:
- Rep. Wade Williams (Coop caucus Co-chair)
- Rep. Suzanne Miles (House Majority Caucus Chair)
- Rep. Jim Gooch (House Natural Resources Chair)
- Rep. Mike Clines
- Rep. Dan Fister
- Rep. Sarge Pollock
- Rep. Bill Wesley
“We always appreciate the insights and transparency of Kentucky’s electric cooperatives, “said caucus co-chair Rep. Wade Williams (R-Earlington). “This experience to see electric generation close up helps all of us legislate on these matters more effectively.”
Since its inception late last year, 96 members of the Kentucky General Assembly have joined the electric cooperative caucus, making it the largest caucus in the legislature.
“The intense interest in the co-op caucus underscores how important reliable and affordable energy is to Kentucky,” said caucus co-chair Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe (R-Lexington). “In addition to looking out for our constituents, co-ops power some of our largest industries.”
With input from Big Rivers Electric Corporation, East Kentucky Power Cooperative and the Tennessee Valley Authority, cooperatives plan to make Electric University an annual event, in addition to regular updates and briefings for caucus members throughout the year and during session.
“We were pleased to host the first ever Electric University, and we appreciate the cooperative spirit of these informed legislators and our fellow power providers in Kentucky,” said East Kentucky Power Cooperative President and CEO Tony Campbell. “It is imperative that our elected leaders have access to factual information, especially as government regulators and policymakers are faced with crucial decisions that affect reliability and energy costs.”
