The Power of Political Engagement
Electric Co-ops Converge on Washington, D.C. for annual Legislative Conference, April 27-30
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, Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative 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. and at home with our Kansas legislature.
In April, hundreds of electric cooperative leaders from across the country, including Kansas, traveled to Washington, D.C. for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Legislative Conference.
Cooperative representatives met with elected officials on Capitol Hill and discussed key energy issues and priorities that impact our members back home.
Conversations focused on telling Kansas electric cooperative’s unique stories about how we are ensuring reliable and affordable power for our communities through a diverse supply of energy resources to meet the growing demand for electricity.
Members of Congress heard how there needs to be improvement in the environmental permitting processes and cut costly and burdensome regulations — like the EPA Power Plant Rule — to accelerate deployment and maintenance of essential electric infrastructure. 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 discussions with policymakers included 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.