SEMO Electric Cooperative's Facebook Page board and staff were among the 66 members of rural electric leaders from Missouri's Electric Cooperatives Facebook Page who took part in NRECA's Facebook Page annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C. In total, more than 2,000 representatives from electric cooperatives across the nation visited Capitol Hill during the conference to urge Congress to prioritize the reliability of the electric grid, protect programs within the 2023 Farm Bill that are utilized by co-ops, and enact legislation creating a revolving fund for the Southwestern Power Administration. Missouri’s electric co-ops met with Sen. Eric Schmitt, Rep. Mark Alford, Rep. Eric Burlison, Rep. Sam Graves, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, and Rep. Jason Smith. Co-op leaders also spoke with key staff members of Sen. Josh Hawley, Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, and Rep. Ann Wagner. “Rural Missourians know the best needs of our communities, and it’s vitally important we share those needs with our elected officials,” said Caleb Jones, CEO of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Jefferson City. “Keeping electricity reliable and affordable for rural America is our mission, and carrying that message to Washington shows Congress that co-ops are dedicated to working for our members back home.”
