Co-op leaders meet with DC lawmakers

Leaders from Tennessee’s electric cooperatives traveled to Washington, D.C., on Monday and Tuesday, April 28 and 29, to meet with lawmakers and discuss issues that matter to electric co-ops and the communities they serve.

“We were able to advocate for federal legislative and executive branch policies that benefit electric cooperatives and the people they serve,” said Ryan King, TECA’s vice president of government affairs.

More than 50 co-op board members, directors and CEOs from the Volunteer State attended the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual legislative conference — a time where electric cooperative leaders gather from around the country to hear from members of Congress and administrative officials and to discuss timely and pressing legislative issues affecting electric co-ops and their member-owners. Attendees heard updates from leaders at NRECA including board president Mike Partin of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in South Pittsburg, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer as well as senators and members of the house of representatives.

“This is the only NRECA conference all year that provides the opportunity to hear from key government officials, then engage directly with your representatives in Congress,” King said.

Meetings were held with Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty along with members of Congress from across the state. During these meetings, co-op leaders discussed issues that have a direct impact on Tennessee co-ops and the consumers they serve, including permitting reform, EPA regulations, federal infrastructure programs, TVA board appointments and the future of nuclear power. Lawmakers were also invited to visit their local co-ops to meet employees, attend annual meetings or tour co-op facilities.

“With new leadership in the White House and Congress, this was a great chance to create new relationships while cementing the ones we’ve had through the years,” King said.