Democratizing Rural Electric Cooperatives

Working Group

The mission of the Democratizing Rural Electric Cooperatives working group:

Left: Carrie Dancy - Resident leader and activist, Black Warrior EMC, presenting at 2018 ACEEE Rural Energy Conference.

To engage, educate and activate members of electric cooperatives, providing them with the information, tools and support necessary to advocate on their own behalf

...for co-op democratization and reform, and greater investment in clean energy opportunities to mobilize economic investment in rural communities.

Goals

Goal 1

Engage, Educate and Activate Members of Electric Cooperatives

Our primary goal is to engage, educate and activate members of rural electric cooperatives in the Southeast, empowering them to advocated independently for co-op democratization and reform and expanded investments in clean energy. We will achieve this goal primarily through the organization of Listening Tours held within communities served by members of the Working Group in each of the states we’re working in.

Goal 2

Win Good Governance Reforms to Restore Fair Board Elections

Building upon the movement and activity generated by the Listening Tours, the next goal will be to support community and co-op member efforts to win necessary governance reforms through their electric co-op that eliminate the barriers to energy democracy in rural communities across the Southeast.

Goal 3

Mobilize co-op investment in clean energy, energy efficiency and other economic development in an inclusive and equitable manner

Both concurrent with working toward goals 1 and 2, and as a longer-term goal following the achievement of those two goals, members of the Co-op Working Group will work to increase co-op and community investment in clean energy, energy efficiency, and other economic development needs such as rural broadband, workforce development, etc. We will do so within the framework of advancing equity, opportunity and inclusion.

Recurring Activities

Annual Convenings

Monthly Meetings

Delegation Organizing for National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Conferences

If you would like to learn more and get involved send us an email!

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