National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Headquarters	Arlington, Virginia
Region served	United States
Members	Rural electric cooperatives

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is a trade association that represents the interests of rural electric cooperatives in the United States, working closely with organizations such as the United States Department of Agriculture and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The association has its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and its members include over 900 rural electric cooperatives, which serve more than 42 million people in 47 states, including Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association also collaborates with other industry groups, such as the Edison Electric Institute and the American Public Power Association, to promote the interests of its members. Additionally, the association works with government agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Energy, to shape policies affecting the electric cooperative industry.

● History

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association was founded in 1942, during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, with the goal of promoting the development of rural electrification in the United States. The association's early efforts were focused on supporting the work of the Rural Electrification Administration, which was established in 1935 to provide financing and technical assistance to rural electric cooperatives. Over the years, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has worked with prominent leaders, including Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Lyndon B. Johnson, to advance the interests of its members. The association has also collaborated with other organizations, such as the National Association of Counties and the National League of Cities, to promote economic development in rural areas. Furthermore, the association has worked with companies like General Electric and Siemens to develop new technologies and infrastructure for the electric cooperative industry.

● Organization

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is governed by a board of directors, which is composed of representatives from its member rural electric cooperatives, including Tennessee Valley Authority, Bonneville Power Administration, and Western Area Power Administration. The association's staff is headed by a CEO, who is responsible for overseeing the organization's operations and implementing its strategic plan, which is developed in consultation with industry experts from companies like Exelon and Duke Energy. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association also has a number of committees and task forces, which focus on issues such as energy policy, cybersecurity, and workforce development, and work with organizations like the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Additionally, the association has a strong relationship with academic institutions, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, to advance research and development in the electric cooperative industry.

● Membership

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has a diverse membership, which includes rural electric cooperatives of all sizes, from small, local cooperatives like Pedernales Electric Cooperative to large, regional cooperatives like Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. The association's members serve a wide range of customers, including residential, commercial, and industrial users, such as Walmart and General Motors, in states like California, Texas, and Florida. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association also has a number of associate members, which include companies that provide goods and services to the electric cooperative industry, such as Cisco Systems and Microsoft. Furthermore, the association collaborates with other industry groups, including the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and the Electric Power Research Institute, to promote the interests of its members.

● Advocacy

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is a strong advocate for the interests of its members, working to shape energy policy and regulation at the federal and state levels, in collaboration with organizations like the American Petroleum Institute and the Natural Gas Supply Association. The association's advocacy efforts are focused on issues such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and grid modernization, and it works closely with lawmakers, including Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and House Committee on Energy and Commerce, to advance its priorities. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association also participates in industry events, such as the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Energy Information Administration's annual conference, to promote the interests of its members and collaborate with other stakeholders, including Environmental Defense Fund and Sierra Club.

● Programs_and_Services

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association offers a range of programs and services to its members, including training and education, technical assistance, and research and development, in partnership with organizations like Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The association's programs are designed to help its members improve their operations, reduce costs, and enhance their services to customers, such as Amazon and Google. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association also provides its members with access to a range of resources, including industry data and best practices, and collaborates with companies like IBM and Oracle to develop new technologies and solutions for the electric cooperative industry. Additionally, the association works with government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to enhance the cybersecurity of its members.

● International_Development

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is also involved in international development efforts, working to promote the development of rural electrification in countries around the world, in collaboration with organizations like the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development. The association's international programs are focused on providing technical assistance and training to electric cooperatives in developing countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and it works closely with international organizations, including the International Energy Agency and the United Nations Development Programme, to advance its goals. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association also participates in international events, such as the World Energy Congress and the International Conference on Renewable Energy, to promote the interests of its members and collaborate with other stakeholders, including International Renewable Energy Agency and Global Wind Energy Council. Furthermore, the association collaborates with companies like GE Renewable Energy and Vestas to develop new technologies and infrastructure for the electric cooperative industry in developing countries.

Category:Energy organizations