Founding chair of Co-op Caucus is 2026 Power Partner
FRANKFORT, Ky (November 9, 2026) — Kentucky Electric Cooperatives has recognized state Rep. Wade Williams of Earlington with its 2026 Power Partner Award, honoring his leadership on issues affecting Kentucky’s electric cooperatives and the consumer-members they serve.
“This is an incredible honor and even more meaningful because of our shared commitment to making sure Kentuckians have access to affordable electricity that they can depend on,” Williams said. “It matters to families in Hopkins County and throughout Western Kentucky, but also to our nation’s economic strength and national security. We have an important responsibility to ensure consumers have access to dependable energy while building a stronger, more secure energy future for generations to come. I appreciate this recognition and the opportunity to be part of that work.”
Williams has been a longtime supporter of Kentucky’s electric cooperative program and has remained consistently engaged on the energy issues affecting electric reliability and affordability. A past participant in Electric University, an educational program offered to lawmakers by Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, Williams continues to meet with cooperative leaders and stay informed about the challenges facing Kentucky’s electric system.
“Representative Williams has been a steady friend to Kentucky’s electric cooperatives because he takes the time to understand both the challenges facing our electric system and what those challenges mean for the people paying the bill,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “From helping establish the Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus to working on legislation that recognizes the importance of dependable generating resources, Wade has consistently kept reliability and affordability at the center of the conversation. We appreciate his willingness to listen, to engage and to stand up for the consumer-members our cooperatives serve.”
Williams has served as a co-chair of the Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus since its creation three years ago. The caucus was established to give lawmakers opportunities to learn more about their local electric cooperatives, the electric grid and the policy issues affecting the people co-ops serve.
“Just as a local co-op board is accountable to the co-op members who elect them, state legislators like me also serve these same people,” Williams said when the caucus was formed. “The co-op caucus provides a great opportunity to connect so we can all serve more effectively.”
During the 2026 Regular Session, Williams sponsored House Bill 398, legislation addressing the retirement of electric generating units. The measure became law in April, establishing a regulatory framework for proposed plant retirements and requiring consideration of the potential costs to consumers before certain generating units are retired.
Williams also regularly gives his time to Kentucky Electric Cooperatives’ youth programs. At the 2026 Frankfort Youth Tour, he met with high school students and shared insights about energy policy, the legislative process and public service. Youth programs are part of the association’s broader educational mission, complementing opportunities that encourage young people to participate in civic life and develop as community leaders.
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives presents its Power Partner Award to policymakers who demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting electric cooperatives and a commitment to the people and communities they serve.
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives is the statewide association of 26 independent member cooperatives, including 24 local distribution cooperatives and two generation-and-transmission cooperatives. Together, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives serve more than 1.8 million people in 117 of the state’s 120 counties.
(l to r) Big Rivers Electric President & CEO Don Gulley, Rep. Wade Williams, East Kentucky Power Cooperative President & CEO Don Mosier and Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Government Affairs Vice President Chase Crigler – Photo: Wade Harris
