Co-op advocates for members in Raleigh and Washington

Electric cooperatives across North Carolina and the nation are taking action to ensure the voices of our communities are heard when it comes to shaping energy policy.

This spring, representatives from North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives gathered at the state legislature for the annual Rally in Raleigh. More than 160 co-op leaders met with members of the General Assembly to discuss key policy priorities, including grid reliability, rural economic development, and worker safety. With electricity demand continuing to rise—fueled by growth in data centers and manufacturing—co-op leaders emphasized the need for energy solutions that ensure long-term affordability and reliability.

Just weeks later, hundreds of co-op leaders from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Legislative Conference. Their mission: to advocate for smart, balanced energy policies and secure support for programs that benefit rural members.

Discussions on Capitol Hill centered on several critical issues, including the need for federal permitting reform to streamline energy project timelines and reduce costs. Co-op representatives voiced strong opposition to the EPA’s power plant rule, arguing that it threatens grid reliability by forcing premature retirements of always-available energy sources and relying on unproven technologies.

While energy policy can be complex, the message co-ops delivered was simple: our families and businesses deserve electricity that is both reliable and affordable, and lawmakers play a key role in making that possible.

These advocacy efforts are part of a long-standing cooperative tradition of political engagement. By maintaining close relationships with elected officials and sharing the stories of the communities they serve, electric co-ops are helping shape a brighter energy future for all.