Posted on May 13, 2013 by mrandall

July Grassroots Package is Ready!

Head over to the Cooperative Partners-Grassroots Advocacy page for July’s grassroots package for your use in your Electric Consumer or monthly publications.

We’re excited to feature “Caring Responses to Regulation” this month.  This topic is a great way to tell consumers about the ways in which we comply with government mandates that are sensitive to local needs and beyond what the law requires in many circumstances.

Coordinators are free to make local edits on what your co-op is doing in this area, and don’t hesitate to contact Statewide staff for any local edits needed for graphics.  Each package includes a standard feature story, a full-page ad, and a bill stuffer.

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Posted on April 29, 2013 by JBacon

2013 Legislative Conference

Representatives from Indiana’s electric cooperatives are in Washington, D.C. this week for the NRECA’s Annual Legislative Conference. This afternoon, the attendees, roughly 1,500 from across the country, heard comments from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Roy Blount (R-MO). Both men have been strong advocates of electric cooperatives, spoke pointedly and highly about the continued importance of rural America and rural electric cooperatives. In addition, Jo Ann Emerson, the new NRECA CEO, also spoke about the need for engagement with our elected officials, the role and influence of congressional staff, and the importance of sharing the cooperative message. Tomorrow, Indiana’s cooperative representatives will converge on the Hill to discuss issues of direct importance with several members of Indiana’s congressional delegation.

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June Grassroots Packages are Live

Head to the grassroots web portal today to find a new feature and graphics for your June publications. This month’s package centers on the importance of co-op investments in new technology and the direct member benefits that come with those investments. Legislative efforts in other states, and even one attempt in Indiana this year, look to limit these investments with unneeded regulation.

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Co-op Transmission Legislation Passes Legislature

Indiana Statewide Staff is glad to report the passage of Senate Bill 94 during this week’s legislative action at the Indiana Statehouse.  Senate Bill 94 deals with the Right of First Refusal in the construction of new transmission infrastructure.  This issue is very important to Indiana’s generation and transmission cooperatives and secures a level playing field when this new infrastructure is built to improve the reliability of the transmission grid.

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March Grassroots Packages are Live!

Grassroots Coordinators can now find March’s grassroots packages at the Cooperative Partners – Grassroots Advocacy page.  March will feature packages on the need for Congressional cooperation to provide more oversight on the EPA and our call for a national long-term energy policy.  Help Indiana’s electric cooperative members understand these important messages by spreading the word.

As always, we encourage co-op members to sign up for Our Energy, Our Future® to join our cause in encouraging Congress to help keep electric bills affordable.

Contact Tina Bowman or Matt Randall in Government Relations with any questions.

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Steuben County REMC Crew Help Restore Power to Michigan Consumers

Allen and Dowell pose with a two-track vehicle that was used to work on hard-to-access rights-of-way in deep snow.

(December 26, 2012) ANGOLA- While Steuben County residents spent their pre-holiday weekend warm and cozy, enjoying the glow of their Christmas lights, a few Steuben County REMC linemen decided that they would sacrifice this time in order to deliver a happy holiday to those in need. A severe snow storm swept much of Michigan over the weekend, leaving thousands without power. A cry for help reached Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (ISA), who then reached out to Steuben County REMC.   A crew of two linemen, Terry Dowell and Rod Allen, packed up their tools and headed north on Saturday, December 22, braving the snow and ice that lay ahead.   Continue reading →

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February Grassroots Package is Live

Grassroots Coordinators can find the newest grassroots package update at the Cooperative Partners – Grassroots Advocacy webpage for use in your February member communications.

February’s update includes two packages featuring our positions on State Standards and Co-op Democracy and a second package on the Indiana Legislature and Your Statehouse.  Each package also includes additional resources for use in your monthly and regular communications.

Contact Tina Bowman or Matt Randall with any questions on how to best engage your membership on the issues that affect your co-op in government.  And don’t forget to encourage Indiana’s co-op members to join our campaign to keep electric bills affordable by signing up at Our Energy, Our Future (R).  www.OurEnergy.coop

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Hendricks Power and Indiana Statewide hear from Chairman Merritt

Today, Indiana Statewide Government Relations staff joined the board of Hendricks Power Cooperative to hear from Senate Utilities Committee Chairman, Senator Jim Merritt at a local board meeting.  Senator Merritt discussed his support for Indiana’s cooperatives and continuing to protect the ability of local boards to manage their co-op as they see fit.  He also provided his thoughts on the next legislative session beginning in January and his hopes to continue Indiana’s economic progress of the last few years.

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Jo Ann Emerson’s jump puts spotlight on NRECA

By DARIUS  DIXON | 12/10/12 4:29 AM EST

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson’s surprise jump from Congress to the top spot at the  National Rural Electric Cooperative Association turned a spotlight on the group  best known as the lobby created to help get farms hooked up to the power  grid.

While that Depression-era issue might seem quaint in today’s Washington, the  Missouri Republican will oversee an NRECA that now lobbies across a wide body of  policy, and its broad national support base has made it a force to be reckoned  with on regulatory and political issues.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/jo-ann-emerson-nreca-84813.html#ixzz2EkGV1llZ

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Indiana House Majority now Super

Indiana’s House of Representatives has been assured a super-majority, although two races are still too close to call before potential recounts.  This means that House Republicans now control at least 68 of 100 seats.  It also takes away the minority’s ability within the rules to leave the chamber and force business to halt without a quorum present.

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