Advocating for Our Members: Co-op Leaders Engage with Legislators in Raleigh and Washington, D.C.
At Edgecombe-Martin County EMC, our top priority is serving our members with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. That’s why we actively engage with policymakers at both the state and national levels to advocate for policies that support our mission.
Last month, we joined representatives from all 26 of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives at the annual Rally in Raleigh, where we met with state senators and representatives. These conversations focused on key issues impacting our members, including energy reliability, affordability, and innovative solutions for the future.
Our advocacy efforts don’t stop at the state level. Later this month, we will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Legislative Conference. This annual event brings together co-op leaders from across the country to meet with congressional representatives and discuss legislative issues affecting electric cooperatives and the communities we serve. By engaging directly with federal lawmakers, we ensure that our members’ needs and concerns remain a priority in national energy policy decisions.
With the election behind us and a new administration in place, we are closely monitoring executive orders that could impact our industry. It’s crucial to stay engaged with the latest policy developments that may shape the future of the energy sector. As we work through this transition, we continue advocating for policies that support our mission of providing affordable and reliable electricity.
As the energy industry evolves, maintaining a diverse and balanced energy mix is essential for ensuring grid reliability. The premature retirement of critical generation sources can have serious consequences, potentially leading to instability and higher costs for consumers. As we transition toward new energy solutions, it’s vital to strike the right balance—embracing innovation while preserving the reliability and affordability that our communities depend on. Policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders must work together to integrate new baseload and peaking generation effectively while ensuring the power grid remains strong and secure.
Electric cooperatives are already implementing innovative energy solutions—such as microgrids and energy storage projects, —but these efforts must be supported by policies that prioritize reliability and affordability. By working with lawmakers, we are making sure that the voices of our members are heard as decisions are made about our energy future.
By building strong relationships with legislators, we position Edgecombe-Martin County EMC as a trusted resource, ensuring that the best interests of our members remain at the forefront of policy decisions. Whether in Raleigh or Washington, we will continue advocating for policies that promote innovation while keeping reliability, affordability, and sustainability as guiding principles in our service to you.
Winston Howell
Winston Howell