Issues That Unite Electric Co-ops

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An array of issues and policies unite electric cooperatives everywhere to improve our service and the quality of life of our members—you.

Bandera Electric Cooperative is a member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, a trade association that represents the interests of more than 900 consumer-owned, nonprofit electric cooperatives across the United States. Every co-op is different, but we all share a few perspectives when it comes to policy.
Electric cooperatives invest in distributed energy resources, including wind, solar, battery storage and energy efficiency, along with programs to help manage energy demand. These resources help reduce consumers’ costs and conserve the environment.

We support environmental policies that encourage flexible approaches while promoting innovation. Co-ops must balance environmental protections with the need to provide reliable and affordable electricity.
Electric co-ops recognize the need to expand access to rural broadband internet and are working with policymakers to target federal resources to fund increased broadband access.

Because electric cooperatives use private financing and government loans and grants to maintain electric systems, we need access to affordable financing. Electric co-ops support federal programs that bolster the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service.

Sometimes laws and regulations make it hard to maintain electrical infrastructure on public lands. We support changes in federal land-use laws and regulations to ensure that co-ops can continue to provide dependable sources of electricity for rural communities.

Electric cooperatives believe in a reliable and secure electric grid and work to protect it from major disruptions. We are constantly working to protect our power supply from natural and human threats and ensure the privacy of our members.

To best serve our members, electric cooperatives understand that we need a broad energy portfolio. Co-ops rely on fuels and energy sources including coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, solar and wind.
Electric cooperatives want the best prices for members and support a retail industry structure that provides the best value.

These are some of the issues that BEC stands with NRECA to support, for the good of our member-consumers—you.