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.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 17, 2022) – Kentucky’s electric cooperatives honored Allen Purnell as the 2022 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian. Purnell of “Old Folks” Country Sausage has been making “gooo-od” sausage in Simpsonville for more than half a century. The company has over 250 employees. The Distinguished Rural Kentuckian award is the highest honor bestowed by Kentucky’s electric cooperatives, which consists of 26 member co-ops across the Commonwealth.

Chris Perry, CEO and president of the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, presented the award following a special video tribute to Purnell at the 76^thAnnual Meeting of the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives on Monday, August 15. The tribute and remarks from the meeting can be viewed on the association’s YouTube channel.

“The Good Lord has been with this company,” Purnell said in an interview for the video tribute. “We’re country and proud of it! I do the best I could, and I really love what I do. It’s not hard.”

“For generations, Kentuckians have been greeted by Al with a wave and a warm ‘Hello, Friend.’ His entrepreneurial success, paired with his love for the Commonwealth he calls home, make him a wonderful choice for this year’s Distinguished Rural Kentuckian award,” said Chris Perry. “Every year, this award recognizes someone who leaves a lasting impact on Kentucky and its people. I’m proud Al ‘the Sausage Man’ Purnell is joining the ranks of our honorees.” 

The Annual Meeting’s Monday night banquet also featured a keynote address from former college basketball coach and ESPN sportscaster, Bob Valvano, in front of several hundred co-op members, friends and guests.

Background on Distinguished Rural Kentuckian Award:
Since 1982, the Distinguished Rural Kentuckian honor has been awarded by Kentucky’s member-owned electric cooperatives. Previous Distinguished Rural Kentuckians include elected leaders, authors, journalists, business executives, physicians, and sports champions. The award recognizes outstanding individuals who have devoted their lives to Kentucky in a way that matches the co-op mission of enhancing the quality of life here.

Two months after South Kentucky RECC handed out buckets and light bulbs at a member appreciation day drive-thru, many of those same consumer-members are driving back to the co-op to drop off donations for victims of massive flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

“Our membership and our cooperative family are a blessing,” said Robin Pendergrass, a supervisor at the co-op’s call center. “We are just so thankful for everybody.”

In a video at the co-op’s member appreciation day on June 8, Pendergrass explained that it was her favorite time of the year to step out from behind the scenes to meet face to face with co-op members. Now, she is letting members know that their generosity and compassion for flood survivors is personal for her. She is a native of Perry County where her relatives are literally digging out of mud, muck and debris.

Yet their focus is not on what they have lost.

“I am very blessed to say that my nephew survived,” Pendergrass says with a sob catching in her throat. “Oh my goodness, I’m sorry.”

Her nephew, Eric Watts, got caught up in surging floodwaters while trying to drive home to his wife and three children in Vicco, Kentucky, a tiny city that sits in a mountain valley. Waters from a tributary of the North Fork of the Kentucky River filled that valley when more than 10 inches of rain fell in under 48 hours in late July.

“It was chest deep inside his vehicle, and he had to swim out,” Pendergrass explained. “We’re just blessed he was physically able to fight the water and to get to safety.”

After managing to get his family to higher ground at his mother-in-law’s home, Watts returned to find his own home overtaken by the flash flood. He and his wife are now trying to clear the home of several feet of mud, armed with cleaning supplies donated by electric cooperative members.

“We got such a huge response from our employees and members,” said Morghan Blevins, a service center representative at South Kentucky RECC. “People were still bringing stuff in as we were loading up to deliver it.”

Blevins is a native of Knott County, where ten adults and four children died in the flash flooding and where some survivors are still trying to assess what can be salvaged and others are still trying to locate their homes.

“The amazing thing is the resilience of the mountains,” Blevins emphasized. “The people have pulled together like nothing that I have ever seen. People who have lost everything. Instead of dwelling on that or mourning that, they’re helping people two or three houses up the road who didn’t lose their home. They’re helping them clean up and salvage what they have. It’s just a testament to the people of the area and it just makes me proud to be able to say that that’s where I grew up, and that’s where I’m from.”

Blevins and Pendergrass are among dozens of electric cooperative employees coordinating relief efforts in the region.

Several Jackson Energy employees spent a day in Oneida, Kentucky helping restoration efforts and taking care of neighbors in Clay County.

“It was humbling to see just a glimpse of the damage to the roads that are still impassible, homes that are destroyed and the daily livelihoods that will never be the same,” said Lisa Baker, the co-op’s executive administrative assistant. “But the care and concern shown through the donations and people wanting to help was immeasurable.”

At its Paintsville office, Big Sandy RECC is inviting members to drop off items and the co-op will see that they are given to families in need. Licking Valley RECC has delivered supplies and encourages more donations in hard-hit Breathitt County. Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, the statewide association of co-ops, coordinates the Kentucky Rural Electric Disaster Fund which assists electric cooperative employees who have suffered any losses.

Meanwhile, Appalachia is focusing on survival.

“There is no time right now to mourn what you’ve lost or dwell on that,” Blevins said “You’ve just got to clean up.”

Eastern Kentucky disaster affects multiple counties and communities

Electric cooperatives in Eastern Kentucky are doing their part to help their neighbors affected by devastating flooding that began on July 26 and continues to take its toll on a wide swath of the commonwealth.

Though power outages persist in Southeastern Kentucky, all but a handful of the outages are tied to investor-owned utilities and not electric cooperatives. Kentucky co-ops employees, relatives and board members have been affected by the disaster.

Co-ops from across Kentucky and the country have inquired of how and where to help.
Here is a sample of efforts aligned with Kentucky co-ops. We will update this list as we confirm co-op and local efforts.
Big Sandy RECC is inviting donors to drop off items at its office in Paintsville:

504 11th St, Paintsville, KY 41240

The co-op will see that these items are given to families in need. The co-op office is open 7:00am – 5:30pm Monday-Thursday. Please let co-op staff know at the drive-thru that you have items to donate and they can help unload them. “Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors that have been devastated with the flooding in our area,” the co-op posted on its Facebook page. “No gift is too small.”

Licking Valley RECC has delivered supplies and encourages more donations in hard-hit Breathitt County:

First Church of God – 1772 Hwy Ky 30

Items requested by relief workers include mops, buckets, manual can openers, Clorox, baby diapers, totes, rubber gloves, brooms, flash lights, toilet paper, trash bags, baby wipes, plastic silverware, paper plates and anything camping such as tents.

Jackson Energy is collecting donations for their neighbors in Clay, Owsley and Lee counties. Items can be dropped off at one of the co-op offices in London, McKee, Manchester or Beattyville by August 8 – or you are welcome to send items directly to:
Jackson Energy Cooperative
115 Jackson Energy Lane
McKee, KY 40447
The most requested items are: cleaning supplies, toothpaste and toothbrushes, brooms and mops, toiletries, toilet paper, batteries, trash bags, non-perishable food, baby items, clothing and shoes, buckets, gloves and shovels. Once the items are collected, Jackson Energy will reach out to local agencies to see that the items are given to families in need.

Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, the statewide association of co-ops, is thinking of and praying for everyone affected by the devastating flooding.
Electric cooperative employees who have suffered any losses can receive immediate assistance from the Kentucky Rural Electric Disaster Fund.

.If a cooperative would like to make a contribution it can be sent to:
Kentucky Rural Electric Disaster Fund
1630 Lyndon Farm Ct., Ste. 200
Louisville, KY 40223

NRECA has launched a new level of service for electric cooperatives that provide broadband or are considering offering it.

NRECA Broadband, which opened July 12 to NRECA voting members, offers a growing number of exclusive resources, including additional legislative and regulatory experts to represent participating co-ops’ interests in Washington, D.C.

“Co-ops entering the competitive broadband business face a whole new set of regulations, reporting requirements, tax implications and other issues specific to the telecommunications space,” said NRECA CEO Jim Matheson.

“Through this new service tier, we aim to be a strong, united voice in Washington to represent our unique interests and stand toe-to-toe with big telecom.”

Co-ops that participate in NRECA Broadband will gain access to new strategic communications services, education and events, and focused business and technology support in addition to targeted advocacy. The first NRECA Broadband Leadership Summit for tier participants will take place Nov. 17-18 in Washington, D.C.

“This new level of service will amplify our voice as a national organization in Washington, where telecommunication issues are discussed and where telecommunication business policies are decided,” NRECA Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Connor said.

“This is about building partnerships that NRECA can develop to be a more powerful voice for our members’ interests,” he said.

Participation in NRECA Broadband is voluntary and open to any NRECA voting electric co-op. The annual fee for co-ops that are in the broadband business is $12,000 plus $1 per broadband customer. The annual fee for co-ops not yet delivering broadband is $6,000.

Matheson said the time was right to expand NRECA’s service in broadband as hundreds of member co-ops work to bridge America’s digital divide.

“NRECA’s mission is to be an advocate for quality of life in the rural and diverse communities our members serve and has been for 80 years,” Matheson said. “NRECA Broadband services are a natural extension of our advocacy. We are committed to serve electric cooperatives for broadband as we do for the electric side of their business.”

Cathy Cash is a staff writer for NRECA.

Shelby Energy Cooperative today welcomed Wieland North America to Kentucky as the international copper producer broke ground for a $250 million copper and copper-alloy recycling facility in Shelbyville, Ky. 

“Wieland’s tremendous dedication to quality, people and sustainability makes the company a perfect fit for our community, and we welcome them with open arms,” said Jack Bragg, President & CEO of Shelby Energy Cooperative, which worked with state and local officials to help recruit Wieland. “We are proud Wieland chose Kentucky and particularly Shelbyville as the location for the next chapter in its 200-year history.” 

Wieland is constructing the new recycling facility on a 79-acre site near Interstate 64 in Shelbyville. With 75 full-time employees, the operation will melt copper and copper-alloy for recycling for use in manufacturing semi-finished copper and copper-alloy products for customers throughout North America. The facility is expected to begin production in 2023. 

“With customers located throughout North America and the globe, Wieland was looking for a centrally located site with outstanding transportation access, and we knew this site would fit their needs,” said Brad Thomas, Manager for Economic Development for Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. “We are thrilled to play a role in helping Wieland find a home here in Kentucky.” 

Wieland North America manufactures copper and copper-alloy products, including sheet, strip, foil, tube, bar and other fabricated components for its North American customers. The company also rerolls and forms other metals, such as stainless and carbon steel. 

Last year, Wieland, based in Ulm, Germany, brought its North American headquarters to Louisville. 

Story: Nick Comer

Flemingsburg, Ky (June 29, 2022) – The Board of Directors of Fleming-Mason Energy is pleased to announce that Brandon Hunt, manager of engineering and operations, will become the co-op’s eighth president and CEO in its 84 year history.
Hunt will succeed veteran Fleming-Mason President & CEO Joni Hazelrigg who is retiring on July 8 after 37 years with the electric cooperative.
“It’s been a wonderful honor to be a part of the cooperative program for so many years,” Hazelrigg said. “One of the things I admire most is how electric co-ops are always willing to share information, best practices, storm assistance and other key ideas with each other. This makes each of us individually stronger. I will truly miss my cooperative friends and wish each the best.”
The co-op honored Hazelrigg at its annual meeting and member appreciation day.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Joni for her excellent management and stewardship at Fleming-Mason Energy during her tenure as manager,” said Board Chairman Tom Saunders. “I also wish her a very long and healthy retirement.”
Commending Hazelrigg for her decades of service to the cooperative, Hunt said he is “grateful and excited to be selected as Fleming-Mason Energy’s next President and CEO.”
“I am looking forward to building on the trust the board bestowed on me as we continue our member-focused mission of providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to the communities we serve,” Hunt said.
Hunt began his Fleming-Mason Energy career as a student intern in the engineering department while attending the University of Kentucky, later joining the cooperative full-time after his graduation in 2006. Since then, he has worked as a system engineer, engineering manager, and engineering and operations manager. A Fleming County resident, Hunt and his wife Michelle have three children.
Hazelrigg started her Fleming-Mason Energy career in 1980, working about three-and-a-half years as a file clerk, then returning to the co-op for good in 1988. She worked her way up the ranks as cashier, billing, general office supervisor, accountant, chief financial officer and ultimately chief executive officer in 2014.
Fleming-Mason Energy has about 50 employees, including approximately 30 line technicians. Joni Hazelrigg is one of the few female electric distribution CEO’s in the United States.

Dozens of electric line worker trainees received hands-on training for three days in mid-May at EKPC to better their skills in rigging and hoisting operations.

The three-day training was led by Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Director of Safety and Training Randy Meredith and held at EKPC’s headquarters and outdoor training facility. Trainees from 15 different electric cooperatives across Kentucky learned skills designed to improve the work of apprentice and entry-level line workers, including how to set poles and how to install transformers and other heavy power-line materials manually.

“Performing these tasks within the bounds of OSHA Standards is the core component of the training that Kentucky Electric Cooperatives is providing,” Meredith said.

Safety is a critical component of the training. Meredith said instilling the core safety components of the job early in the careers is not only a key to working safely, but working safely for years to come.

“We know that with a foundational understanding of the compliance standards, even the most rigorous work can be performed safely and efficiently. We want all line workers to be safe during the day and go home fully intact every night.”

Three electric cooperatives are among the 12 internet service providers and local governments announced as broadband grant recipients by Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday. The allocation of federal American Rescue Plan funds is earmarked for unserved and underserved households and businesses across Kentucky.

Of the $89.1 million in grants announced Monday, $19.3 million will support the broadband deployment efforts of three electric cooperatives:

• Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative received seven grants totaling $13,827,320. The overall project cost is $27,906,340 including the required matching funds. This investment will expand access to high-speed internet to 5,598 currently unserved households and businesses located in Caldwell, Christian, Lyon, Todd and Trigg counties.

• Gibson Connect received a grant for $4,650,880. The overall project cost is $11,073,552 including the required matching funds. This investment will expand access to high-speed internet to 1,763 currently unserved households and businesses located in Fulton, Graves and Hickman counties.

• Tri-County Electric received a grant for $900,000. The overall project cost is $1,800,000 including the required matching funds. This investment will expand access to high-speed internet to 97 currently unserved households and businesses located in Monroe County.

The awards are the result of a bipartisan agreement signed into law by Gov. Beshear in April 2021 that allocated $300 million in federal American Rescue Plan dollars to bring internet access to unserved and underserved communities across the commonwealth.

“This is a tremendous example of our elected leaders coming together for the best interests of Kentuckians. This is what electric co-ops are all about and we thank Gov. Beshear and legislative leaders for making it happen,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “We especially appreciate the vote of confidence in electric cooperatives in the General Assembly led by Senate President Pro Tempore David Givens, Rep. Jason Petrie and Rep. Brandon Reed.”

“In addition to the legislation that enables the grants announced by the governor, the General Assembly in 2022 also approved House Bill 315 which streamlines the regulatory process for cooperatives wishing to deploy broadband, appropriates $300 million to support broadband in rural Kentucky, and unlocks future federal funding,” Perry said.

“I am incredibly pleased to announce what I believe is the single largest provision of funding for high-speed internet in our commonwealth’s history,” Gov. Beshear said. “High-speed, reliable internet service is not just the infrastructure of the future, it is the infrastructure of the present. It is just as important right now as roads and bridges. And today is a key part of our plan to build a better Kentucky, as high-speed internet will be critical to the success of our state’s economy and to future job creation.”

In Christian County, Todd County and Trigg County, energynet, a partnership between Hopkinsville Electric System and Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, will receive a boost due to Kentucky Infrastructure Authority funds.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the state and build a fiber-to-the-home network for the communities we serve,” Pennyrile Electric Cooperative President and CEO Alan Gates said. “This funding from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority will alleviate some of the significant financial burden associated with building a rural fiber-optic broadband network.”

Gibson Electric will apply the Kentucky Broadband Deployment Program grant funds in Fulton, Graves and Hickman counties.

“Our member-owners desperately need high-speed, fiber-based internet service and it will vastly improve the quality of life in our communities by providing opportunities for education, health care, jobs, entertainment and more,” said Dan Rodamaker said, president and CEO of Gibson Electric Membership Corporation and Gibson Connect. “We plan to begin work immediately and will soon communicate details of our buildout plan.”

Tri-County Electric expressed excitement for their members who will benefit from the broadband support both now and into the future.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the announcement regarding the approval of Tri-County Electric’s broadband grant application,” Tri-County Electric CEO Paul Thompson said. “I believe that having our application approved is evidence that the state knows we are ready to provide fiber internet to Cumberland County.”

“These grants will lower the cost of construction so that our most rural areas will have access to this necessity of high-speed internet,” State Budget Director John Hicks said. “These funds are dedicated to unserved areas in Kentucky. We’re also setting up Kentucky’s first Office of Broadband Development to help administer and create a master plan for the commonwealth to provide universal service to every Kentuckian.”

Crews from five Kentucky co-ops restoring power

Mutual aid crews from at least five electric cooperatives in Kentucky are headed to sister cooperatives in Ohio after a strong cluster of thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday knocked out electric service to more than 300,000 people.

Kentucky-based United Utility Supply Cooperative is also assisting. The UUS warehouse in Columbus, Ohio was not damaged in the storms and is already responding to member needs.

The National Weather Service confirmed a derecho in the area with winds topping 70 mph. The storms downed hundreds of power lines and flooded roads.

Seventeen two-man crews are gearing up in Kentucky to assist with power restoration in Ohio. The 34 Kentucky line technicians are from Owen Electric, Kenergy Corp, Fleming-Mason Energy, Jackson Energy and Nolin RECC.

“Over 13,000 of our 18,000 meters are without power,” reports Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative in north central Ohio. “We have six substations that do not have power from our transmission supplier. A large quantity of roads are blocked. Crews have been navigating through this dangerous situation since the start of the storm. This will be a several days process to restore all power.”

In addition to Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, the Kentucky crews are also assisting Consolidated Cooperative, The Energy Cooperative, and Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative.

“The power outages are widespread in Ohio and several other states and will require many hours of restoration,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “With this same area also under an excessive heat warning, we understand the need to restore power as soon as possible. We are praying for our sister co-ops in the region and for the safety of everyone assisting.”

By responding to natural disasters in other states, Kentucky co-op crews gain invaluable experience to ultimately help them respond to outages here at home. Coordinated by Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, mutual aid crews from Kentucky co-ops are deployed to specific sister cooperatives who have requested their help.

Recent mutual aid deployments include more than 160 personnel and contractors from electric cooperatives in Kentucky assisting after Hurricane Ida in Louisiana last year, and several deployments in 2020, including 87 Kentucky co-op employees after Hurricane Sally in Alabama, 73 Kentucky co-op employees after Hurricane Delta in Louisiana, and about 50 co-op personnel assisting after Hurricane Zeta in Georgia.

The top priority of each local Kentucky co-op is service to its own consumer-members. Before committing resources to mutual aid requests, each co-op ensures it has ample crews available for all local needs, including routine maintenance and emergencies.

Because the national network of transmission and distribution infrastructure owned by electric cooperatives is built to federal standards, line crews from any co-op in America can arrive on the scene ready to provide emergency support, secure in their knowledge of the system’s engineering.