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Category Archives: Government Relations
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Posted in Archives, Government Relations
Tagged Government Relations, Grassroots Advocacy
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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
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.
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
Posted in Government Relations
Tagged Co-op, Cooperative Principles, Electric Cooperative, Indiana Co-op, Indiana co-ops, Indiana Cooperative, Indiana Electric Cooperative, Indiana Electric Cooperatives, Indiana Statewide Assoicaition, legislative advocacy, NRECA, rural electric cooperatives
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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.
Posted in Archives, Government Relations
Tagged Government Relations, legislative advocacy
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House Democrats lose two moderates: Welch, Moses out
House Democrats lost two moderate voices and co-op friends late tonight in Rep. Peggy Welch (D-Bloomington) and Rep. Win Moses (D-Fort Wayne). Both were drawn into competitive districts as a result of redistricting in 2011. Challengers Martin Carbaugh of Fort Wayne and Peggy Mayfield of Martinsville gained the two seats for the Republican majority, which now stands at 62 in the Indiana House. More updates to come on Indiana House seats in the morning or as numbers come available later tonight.
Posted in Archives, Government Relations
Tagged Government Relations, legislative advocacy
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