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.
As your electric provider, Midwest Electric is committed to reliably powering our local communities. Beyond routine maintenance and updates that improve the reliability of the grid, we work in other ways to ensure our members’ needs are addressed. One of the ways we do this is through proactively engaging elected officials to ensure our members are well represented in Washington, D.C.
In April, hundreds of electric cooperative leaders from across the country, including Ohio, will travel to Washington, D.C. for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Legislative Conference.
As we meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill in April, we will discuss key energy issues and priorities that impact our members back home.
We will be focused on telling our own unique story of how electric cooperatives in Ohio and across the nation are ensuring reliable and affordable power for our communities through a diverse supply of energy resources to meet the growing demand for electricity.
As we meet with members of Congress, we will detail 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. We will highlight the importance of federal hydropower resources as well as the need to pass legislation to facilitate co-op vegetation management efforts and reduce wildfire risks.
An additional focal point of our discussions with policymakers will include ensuring federal programs and resources that support electric cooperative energy projects as we invest to meet the unique needs of our communities. This includes tools such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service electric loan program and the New Empowering Rural America 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, we are encouraged to see President Trump’s swift actions to address many of these issues. We look forward to working with the Trump administration and members of Congress to 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.
Advocating for reliable, affordable power on behalf of Midwest Electric's members is a critical part of our commitment to you. We look forward to meeting with Ohio's members of Congress in April to discuss the important energy issues that impact us here at home.