NRECA 2014 Legislative Conference

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Electric co-ops rely on reimbursements by FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to restore service after severe floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and ice storms.

Decisions by FEMA’s Region VII in 2013 threaten the reimbursement of electric co-ops for damage from disasters.

Ask your delegation to ensure there is sufficient oversight of FEMA, so that FEMA policies are consistently applied consistently and in line with established practices.

Greenhouse Gas Standards

In June, EPA will propose regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from existing sources.

This regulation could threaten system reliability and affordability for electric co-op consumer members. It needs time for careful and thorough consideration.

Ask your delegation to support an adequate comment period of at least 120 days.

Preserve Access to Large Electric Water Heaters

Co-ops use large water heaters to help save consumers money and manage peak loads through demand response programs.

DOE’s stringent 2010 efficiency standard will eliminate the type of water heaters co-ops use starting next year.

The House passed H.R. 2126 to allow continued manufacture of these water heaters.

Urge your Senators to push Leaders Reid and McConnell to bring the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill or the Hoeven-Pryor Water Heater bill to the floor this month. The Senate must act now to preserve co-op demand response programs that save consumers money.

Improvements to the Endangered Species Act

Today, over 1,450 species in the United States are designated threatened or endangered under the ESA. Further, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is on a path to increase the number of listed species by more than 20 percent in the next five years.

NRECA supports the House ESA reform package of 4 targeted bills to update, improve, and modernize the Endangered Species Act for the 21st century.

Urge Your Member of Congress to co-sponsor and support H.R. 4315, H.R. 4316, H.R. 4317, and H.R. 4318 to update the ESA.

Urge your Senators to get involved with ESA Reform.

NRECA’s International Rural Electrification Programs/Electrify Africa Act

For 50 years, NRECA International has provided people in over 42 developing countries with access to safe, reliable and affordable electricity.

More remains to be done, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where 68 percent of the population or 589 million people live without the benefits of electric power.

Ask your Members of Congress to support HR 2548 when it comes to the House floor.

Ask your Senators to co-sponsor the Senate bill.

The Co-op Difference

Electric co-ops are different from other electric utilities. With significant turnover in Congress, especially among staff, it’s a great time to educate your delegation.

You are the expert on your co-op. Tell your delegation about your work to expand economic development for your community, to enhance the quality of life for your consumer members, and to maintain reliability.

Urge your delegation to support programs to help electric co-ops keep the lights on across America.

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