Electric Co-op Today

The NRECA Board looked to the future and acknowledged the past at its 2009 winter meeting by approving a budget for 2010 and recognizing 11 retiring members who have combined for more than 100 years of service to the panel.

NRECA Board members view an ACRE video at their winter meeting. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)

During its Dec. 7-10 meeting at NRECA headquarters in Arlington, Va., board members reviewed departmental activities in a series of meetings and briefings before agreeing on a plan submitted by CEO Glenn English that calls for $241 million in expenditures.

Board members said they were mindful of the effect of the economic downturn on co-ops, and backed a budget that sets the base rate for distribution systems at about $1.03 per meter, or three cents per meter less than in 2000.

“This was a very good meeting. We came here and successfully accomplished what we were elected to do,” President F.E. “Wally” Wolski told the board. “Our main function was to approve a budget that meets the needs of our association and our members.”

On the political front, Wolski said he wants to focus additional attention on the efforts that will be needed to keep co-op positions front and center on Capitol Hill.

He set a goal of 100 percent board participation in ACRE®, the Action Committee for Rural Electrification, which is the political arm of co-ops, and will be important in a myriad of public policy challenges that co-ops will confront in 2010.

Tags: Co-op News, F.E. "Wally" Wolski, Governance