Electric Co-op Today

MARCO ISLAND, Fla.—The changes in Washington are going to have major implications for electric co-ops, whose CEOs were told they need to take bold action to stand up for their consumer-members.

Dena G. Stoner, NRECA vice president of government relations, urged participation in the Our Energy, Our Future campaign. (Photo By: Michael W. Kahn)

“Where the Obama team has generally been characterized as moderate in its other appointments, they have definitely moved to the left when it comes to energy,” said Dena G. Stoner, NRECA vice president of government relations.

“They want more renewables, increased infrastructure to support non-carbon-producing sources of energy, lower consumption and lower carbon emissions to mitigate climate change,” she told the CEO Close-Up.

“They will use every tool they have,” Stoner added, including a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon as a pollutant, without any further legislative activity.

“It requires cooperative leaders like you to dedicate part of your time as a CEO to building grass-roots organizations and urging your members to speak to members of Congress” about the Our Energy, Our Future campaign, Stoner told the assemblage. “We have the ability to mobilize our members to speak about their local situation.”

Tags: CEO Close-Up, Climate Change Legislation, Dena G. Stoner, Our Energy Our Future