Electric Co-op Today

Seven decades ago, it was grassroots efforts that formed co-ops to bring electricity to rural America. Today’s consumer-members are different.

Randy Dwyer

“Folks, more often than not, when they flip that switch they want the power to come on,” said Randy Dwyer, NRECA’s director of grassroots advocacy. “They’ve taken for granted where that power comes from, how it gets to them, and the fact that they belong to a co-op and have a role to play in getting their voice heard with legislators.”

At the May 3 Legislative Conference forum “Grassroots Action is Key to Co-ops’ Energy Future,” Dwyer and colleague Steve Uram urged co-op leaders from across the country to not only do their part, but to get others actively involved.

“Sometimes I hear, ‘That’s NRECA’s job,’” said Uram, NRECA legislative affairs advisor. “Or you hear an employee say, ‘Thank God politics isn’t a part of my job.’ That’s when you tap them on the shoulder and remind them about their health care and pension benefits.”

Steve Uram

Uram called on co-ops to get members active in the Our Energy, Our Future™ campaign, which has sent some 3.3 million messages to Capitol Hill and has more than 515,000 participants.

“Your voice is being heard,” Uram said. “But while that number is extremely high, think of our potential with 42 million people.”

“Ask yourself, are you as strong politically as you used to be? And are you strong politically as your co-op needs to be?” Uram urged. “The time to think about grassroots and building your team locally is not when you have a problem—then it’s too late.”

Related content: Legislative Conference coverage and Legislative Conference gallery

Tags: Grassroots, Legislative Conference, Our Energy Our Future