Congressman Jordan Speaks to Co-op Members

Congressman Jordan Speaks to

Co-op Members

   Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative recently held a breakfast event for ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action members.  The event featured legislative updates from President & CEO John Metcalf, OREC’s John Cassady, and Congressman Jim Jordan.  The breakfast took place at the Plaza Inn restaurant in Mt. Victory and served as a way to engage ACRE members on current issues affecting rural electric consumers.  More than 75 members were able to attend the event.

   After thanking members for their commitment to the ACRE program, President John Metcalf introduced OREC’s Director of Government Affairs John Cassady.  Cassady alerted those attending that now isn’t the time to sit back and relax.  Although it appears that cap-and-trade won’t pass anytime soon, the EPA is currently pushing to use the Clean Air Act to regulate CO2 emissions—a function the act was never intended to serve.  He encouraged those present to contact their legislators through the Our Energy, Our Future program to ensure legislation is fair to all regions of the country.  Another issue cooperatives are battling at the state level involves cable companies lobbying to institute fixed attachment rates for connecting to cooperative poles.  He warned members that this bill would essentially force co-op members to subsidize the attachments of cable and phone companies.

   Congressman Jordan began by thanking those in attendance for taking an active role in shaping legislation.  “Your organization and its hard work is the reason that cap-and-trade isn’t going to happen,” adding to participants of the ACRE program, “You have really made a difference.”  Jordan talked about several matters that will affect rural Ohioans, including cap-and-trade, healthcare, and budget matters.  He closed by noting that the American people “always figure it out before the politicians” when it comes to shaping national policies. 

   To take action on behalf of your electric cooperative, visit our ACRE info page, and visit www.ourenergy.coop to engage important dialogue with your legislators.