Legislative Advocacy
Rural electric consumer-members are affected by the policies and regulations decided upon by legislators in Jefferson City and in Washington, D.C. As an advocate for your interests, your co-op monitors legislative activity carefully. Because of our statewide and national associations, you have knowledgeable advocates watching out for your interests. Most activities emphasize the competitiveness of cooperative electric utilities; other efforts are directed toward reducing member system costs, or at least ensuring that costs are not increased because of regulatory, legislative or legal developments. Particular areas of concern include
Protecting Electric Consumers
A national energy policy and electric industry restructuring are once again in play in the U.S. Congress and key federal agencies such the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Because electric cooperative utilities are owned and controlled by the consumers they serve, they are vigorously pursuing policies that will protect the individual and economic interests of all consumers. Energy And Environment
As consumer-owned utilities, electric cooperatives are committed to safeguarding the public health of the communities they serve. They advocate common-sense public policies on air quality, water and land resources that can promote environmental stewardship without imposing severe economic penalties on electricity consumers.
Cooperative Infrastructure and Development
Electric cooperatives have played a pivotal role in providing a sound energy infrastructure in their communities for more than 60 years. Member-owned and operated electric cooperatives have invested in 35,000 megawatts of generating capacity and more than 2 million miles of line, accounting for 43 percent of the distribution lines in the United States.
In their focus to provide reliable, safe and affordable power to their consumer-owners, electric cooperatives also play a role in addressing other local infrastructure and development needs that strengthen the quality of life in the communities they serve.
Cooperatives advocate for policies that allow for sustainable development in rural areas.
Political Action
The Action Committee for Rural Electrification ® (ACRE) is the nearly 30,000 member political action committee of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
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