FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, Tony Campbell has been writing to President Joe Biden, pleading on behalf of Kentucky electric co-op consumer-members for the U.S. government to rethink policies that undermine the reliability and affordability of electric service. 

In late December, when electric utilities across the country struggled to meet record demand triggered by sustained subzero temperatures, Campbell’s repeated warnings leapt off the page, now describing a real-world crisis. 

In each of his six letters to the White House, Campbell, the president and CEO of East Kentucky Power Cooperative, which serves 16 member-owned cooperatives in the state, has stressed the life-or-death consequences of the U.S. prematurely shutting down traditional power plants while allocating hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to incentivize unreliable alternatives. 

“The threat is that, without proper planning, our grid operators could find themselves without enough resources to serve power demand, leading to rolling blackouts,” Campbell warned in February 2021. 

In late December, that’s exactly what happened. To prevent a catastrophic system failure that could have led to prolonged power outages, local power companies in more than a dozen states implemented emergency plans to reduce the energy load. Utilities asked account holders to cut back on unnecessary power use and some had to take the extraordinary step of creating short, temporary power outages. 

Announcing a thorough review, the Tennessee Valley Authority, which serves five member-owned cooperatives in Kentucky, is pledging to share what they learn, “and—more importantly—the corrective actions we take in the weeks ahead to ensure we are prepared to manage significant events in the future.” 

The renewables dilemma 

Because electricity is generated at the same time it is used, the electric grid needs to be built to meet peak demand, such as during the extreme cold temperatures this past December. 

Although solar panels and wind turbines generate electricity, they work only when the weather cooperates. Meanwhile, plants powered by coal, natural gas and nuclear, are “dispatchable,” meaning they can generally respond quickly to electricity demands. But the retirement of reliable coal and nuclear plants has forced utilities to rely heavily on natural gas to fill the gaps when wind and solar are not available. Meanwhile, the U.S. has not expanded its gas pipelines to keep pace with this growing reliance, and there is rising worldwide demand for U.S. natural gas, leading to extreme price swings along with declining reliability. 

In his letters to the White House, Campbell politely corrects rampant misinformation that has been used to rush the transition to solar and wind resources. 

“The rapid expansion of renewable capacity creates the façade that America has plenty of surplus energy for emergencies,” Campbell wrote President Biden in November 2021. “However, the U.S. is rapidly painting itself into a corner where there are few options to provide reliable, affordable energy when extreme situations arise.” 

The 24/7 reliability of renewables depends on developing dependable, cost-effective utility-scale batteries that can be mass-produced, he wrote. Despite promising advances, that technology is years or perhaps decades away, Campbell said. 

Consumers pay the bill 

In addition to his White House letters, Campbell collaborates with Big Rivers Electric Corporation President and CEO Bob Berry on op-eds that speak up for Kentucky electric consumers. (Big Rivers Electric serves three member-owned Kentucky co-ops.) In July, they explained how Kentucky electric ratepayers are paying the price for policies that are driving coal and nuclear plants into retirement. 

“The high costs they are experiencing are largely the result of years of unsound government energy policies, which have cut options to fuel reliable energy,” the co-op leaders wrote in July. “U.S. electricity producers have been forced to depend more on natural gas and must compete against foreign nations for our domestic natural gas supplies.” 

Cooperative hopes 

Campbell hand-delivered five of the letters to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm when she visited EKPC’s 60-acre Cooperative Solar Farm in March. 

Commited to advocating for local co-op consumer-members, he and Kentucky’s electric cooperatives are speaking up. 

“I understand the importance of reducing carbon emissions to address the effects of climate change,” Campbell wrote. “But make no mistake, there will be disastrous consequences if we do so in a manner that continues to make the electric grid vulnerable to widespread outages during extreme temperatures and inflates the price of electricity, making it unaffordable for our most vulnerable populations—the poor and the elderly.” 

Kenergy Corp’s Board of Directors has announced the selection of Tim Lindahl as the cooperative’s new President and CEO. Lindahl succeeds Jeff Hohn, who will be retiring in March.  Hohn, who has served as CEO since October 2015, will remain at the co-op until Lindahl starts his duties on Monday, March 13.
 
“Tim has more than 28 years of experience in executive management in the agricultural, information technology and energy industries, and for more than 15 years has worked at rural electric cooperatives.  He also served on the board of directors at a rural electric cooperative for a year,” says Billy Reid, chairman of Kenergy’s Board of Directors.  “He believes wholeheartedly in this business model and understands the important relationship between a cooperative and its member-owners.  The Kenergy board is confident in Tim’s experience and leadership abilities.”
 
In addition to his time spent with rural electric cooperatives, Lindahl was a co-founder and led a technology group dedicated to bringing technology and telecommunications to rural areas from 1995-2005.

The statewide office is pleased to announce the Frankfort Youth Tour is now scheduled for March 22 and will include the launch of the 2023 Co-ops Vote initiative in partnership with Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams.

The new Manager of Cooperative Outreach is Mallory Wafzig who will lead the youth tour programs, among other duties. Mallory brings over 7 years of association experience to Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. Most recently, she served as Director of Members Services for the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities where she focused on member services, grassroots initiatives, and event management. Please welcome her to the cooperative family – mwafzig@kyelectric.coop.

The Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Board honored retiring Farmers RECC President Bill Prather at its December meeting on Tuesday in Louisville. Statewide President Chris Perry paid tribute to Prather’s leadership and cooperative values in his 43 years of dedicated service, including 15 years leading Farmers RECC. Prather was gifted a commemorative Louisville Slugger bat.

Unprecedented sums for rural broadband will begin flowing next year from the 2021 infrastructure law, and that means electric cooperatives—even those without plans to enter the internet business—should get ready.

“Expect a deluge of make-ready work requests and requirements from projects launched by the release of these funds, even if your co-op is not deploying broadband,” said Katie Culleton, NRECA legislative affairs director for broadband issues.

The law provides about $65 billion for several rural broadband programs to deliver “internet for all” under set deadlines that have gotten tighter because of delays in the disbursal process. This is increasing the urgency for internet service providers to hit the ground running.

“So many communities have waited so long for high-speed internet access for schools, health care and to lift their economy,” Culleton said. “With so much funding for rural broadband on its way, now is a good time to think about what this means for your co-op and parts of your service territory or adjacent areas that lack service.”

In March, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration plans to announce the winners of its $1 billion Enabling Middle Mile Grants for closing the digital divide.

Also in the spring, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin disbursing $1.15 billion for the fourth round of ReConnect.

States and territories in the summer may begin receiving $100 million or more from the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program after NTIA incorporates public challenges to new broadband coverage maps from the Federal Communications Commission.

Culleton said co-ops may want to take certain preliminary actions, including:

• Talking with the major internet providers in the area about their plans.
• Identifying potential resources, both internal and external, that could be utilized to handle a surge in pole attachment applications.
• Conducting a “pole audit” to collect the latest information on the location and condition of poles.

Co-ops also should be mindful of skilled labor shortages and persistent supply chain issues that may delay materials and equipment, she said.

“We don’t want to be blamed for slowing the process down by not completing make-ready work or pole replacements in a reasonable time frame,” Culleton said. “No one wants an internet service provider to point to a co-op as the holdup.”

Cathy Cash is a staff writer for NRECA.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2022) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky Electric Cooperatives President and CEO Chris Perry announced the Beautify I-65 Project in Warren County is the winner of the 2022 Beautify the Bluegrass Governor’s Award. For the sixth straight year, the Governor’s Office, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives and their flagship publication, Kentucky Living, collaborated on the Beautify the Bluegrass initiative to recognize and celebrate efforts that enhance the Commonwealth and make us proud to call Kentucky home.

“It’s a privilege to congratulate the Beautify I-65 project, along with all the other Beautify the Bluegrass initiatives, for their incredible efforts to make Kentucky a better place to live and raise a family,” said Governor Beshear. “The Beautify the Bluegrass program is one of my favorite examples of what it means to be on ‘Team Kentucky.’ I am so grateful to every individual, family and organization who volunteered their time to improve their community.”

“All five of these projects are worthy of this award,” said Johnny Webb, the project’s organizer and fundraiser. “We hope to make other communities in Kentucky jealous of us, but jealous in a good way. We would like for other communities in Kentucky to do what we’ve done because we want to elevate the commonwealth of Kentucky. It creates community pride, and it’s an economic development tool for our community.”

Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (WRECC) nominated the Beautify I-65 project, which involves planting flowers and trees, installing fencing along five local interchanges and creating “gateway” exits with attractive signs and colorful flags. The project is a partnership among Operation PRIDE, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the City of Bowling Green, and Warren County. Organizers hope to entice travelers to explore the community and engage with local businesses.  

“Because co-ops belong to and are led by people in the communities they serve, improving the quality of life in those local communities is at the heart of the electric cooperative mission. I’m especially pleased that Warren RECC and the entire Bowling Green area rallied around this project to earn this recognition,” Perry said. “The statewide association of electric cooperatives takes great pride once again highlighting impressive, homegrown projects across our Commonwealth that are making Kentucky a better and more beautiful place.”

Kentuckians cast votes for their favorite beautification project from five finalists on KentuckyLiving.com. The other finalists included: 

• Veterans Memorial Park Beautification Project, Liberty;
• Eastern Elementary Garden Club, Pleasureville;
• Lifeline Recovery Center Playground, Paducah; and
• Hodgenville Elementary School Natural Trail and Outdoor Classroom

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have joined together to support co-op communities in Kentucky affected by recent flooding. In late July, portions of eastern Kentucky were struck by torrential rainfall and devastating floods that led to the destruction of homes, businesses and livelihoods. At least 39 people have died as a result of the historic flooding, and two women remain missing. Thousands of people lost their homes, and it remains to be seen how many businesses and jobs will be restored.

In response to this disaster, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives activated the Human Connections Fund to provide needed support to people and communities impacted. Electric cooperatives and co-op employees from across North Carolina made generous donations to aid relief efforts, raising a total of $20,205 to assist communities and families impacted by the flooding.

“The long-term recovery from the flooding devastation in eastern Kentucky is going to need a lot of assistance” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “We are humbled but not surprised by the generosity and leadership of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives who immediately stepped up to help their co-op family in this critical time Kentucky’s electric cooperatives enjoy a long and sincere friendship with our counterparts in the Tarheel State, from mutual aid after disasters to advocacy for the members we serve. When I think of the co-op spirit of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, I am reminded of their state motto: To be, rather than to seem. Thank you for being there for Kentucky.”

“In times of crisis, co-ops and their employees always step up to assist our neighbors,” said Nelle Hotchkiss, senior vice president and COO of association services for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Whether it’s through sending line crews to assist in outage restoration efforts or donations to local charities and non-profits, the cooperatives’ focus on community and the power of human connections shines when their members need it most.”

The Human Connections Fund was established in December 2005 and gives North Carolina electric cooperatives and their employees the ability to assist sister cooperatives and their members in times of need. The initiative has previously provided donations to those affected by severe storms, hurricanes and other disasters here at home and throughout the country.

NRECA CEO Jim Matheson urged electric cooperative leaders at Regional Meetings 1&4 to take on the historic changes and opportunities emerging across the industry and know the association is ready to lead and partner to ensure co-ops are equipped to best serve their members.

“It’s all about change and the opportunities it brings,” Matheson said in his keynote address Wednesday in Indianapolis.

“This meeting is your chance to meet the people at NRECA who are leading these efforts, and for you to learn more.”

Matheson noted three key areas of transformation and opportunity for co-ops—broadband, infrastructure and politics—and how NRECA is evolving in its own right to meet their needs.

“It’s the most important work we’re doing right now, and we want you to make the most of these opportunities to invest in your co-op’s reliability, resilience and relevance,” he said.

NRECA Broadband launched in July for co-ops delivering high-quality internet, building networks or finding other ways to help close the digital divide. Its team of experts are steeped in telecommunications policy, regulations and its highly competitive politics, he said.

“We’re positioning NRECA to best support our members [and] to make darn sure we are on a level playing field,” said Matheson.

When it comes to infrastructure, the $1.2 trillion federal law offers enormous opportunities for co-ops to invest in electric vehicles, disaster mitigation and technologies for a smart grid, microgrids and cybersecurity.

To help smooth the complex compliance process, NRECA is bringing co-ops together to work on projects and grant applications.

“NRECA is here to make it as easy as possible to access these programs and put them to work for you,” Matheson said.

In the political arena, polarized gridlock may be a constant, but “electric co-ops will be as respected, as relevant and as effective in politics as we’ve ever been,” he said.

“You have credit and credibility on both sides of the aisle for the work you do. NRECA’s reputation, your reputation, is sterling. And that matters more now than ever before.”

For example, Congress came together last month to pass the budget reconciliation bill with provisions giving direct-pay tax credits for electric co-ops to deploy new energy technologies—a top priority for NRECA.

“It covers any tax credit for energy technologies—renewables, storage, carbon capture—anything the federal government might offer as an incentive to a for-profit utility, a not-for-profit co-op can now use, too,” Matheson said. “Now, and in the future. And that’s a pretty big deal.”

In many ways, NRECA member co-ops “are much bigger than politics,” he said. By revolutionizing the electric industry and making key investments in their communities, co-ops draw bipartisan recognition in Washington, he said.

“It is a time of rapid change—to be sure—but it’s also good to be us,” Matheson said. “Thanks to the work of your co-op, we have every advantage with us as we lead the way to that bright future.”

Cathy Cash is a staff writer for NRECA.