More than 2,000 electric cooperative leaders gathered last week at NRECA’s Legislative Conference to engage key congressional leaders and advocate for smart energy policies on Capitol Hill.

Meeting with leaders of Congress is equally beneficial to lawmakers and cooperative leaders as it can potentially shape the outcomes of key issues that support economic and community growth in rural Tennessee. 

Duck River Electric’s President and CEO James Wright, Board Chairman Anthony Kimbrough, and Board Member Will Wilson met with Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and Representatives Scott DesJarlais and Andy Ogles to discuss issues concerning electric cooperatives and the communities they serve.

“Our nation’s capital might seem like a long way from southern Middle Tennessee and Duck River Electric, but what happens there matters significantly for DREMC and, most importantly, for our members, said DREMC Board Chairman Anthony Kimbrough. “Our congressional leaders need to hear from us directly, on behalf of our 85,000-plus members, and NRECA’s Legislative Conference enables that to happen. Decisions made in D.C., over the next several months will be critical for rural energy needs across the nation, and especially for those whose power needs are served through a relationship with TVA.”

“Advocating for federal legislative and executive branch policies that benefit electric cooperatives and DREMC members is in step with the Seven Cooperative Principles that are the roots of our foundation,” adds DREMC President and CEO James Wright. “While meeting with these legislators, our priority is focused on what is best for the rural communities and members we serve.”

Cooperative leaders meet with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill in D.C. From left are Josh Compton, General Manager/Executive Vice President of Appalachian Electric Cooperative; Mike Knotts, CEO of Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association; James Wright, President & CEO of DREMC; Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee’s 5^th Congressional District; Jennifer Brogdon, General Manager of Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation; and Ryan King, Vice President of Government Affairs at Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. At right, Senator Marsha Blackburn talks with DREMC Board Chairman Anthony Kimbrough. 

DREMC Board Member Will Wilson, Rep. Ogles, Sen. Blackburn, Kimbrough, and Wright gather for discussions related to electricity and the future of Tennessee’s cooperatives. At right, DREMC leadership catch up with Mike Partin, president & CEO of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative and NRECA board president.

We appreciate the support that our legislators give to those who work and live in cooperative-served, rural Tennessee communities.