WORKING WITH OUR LEGISLATORS
Beltrami Electric Cooperative and other electric cooperatives throughout the U.S. are continually working with local, state and U.S. representatives and senators to ensure affordable energy costs for the future. Beltrami Electric does not choose particular political parties, but instead works to educate all legislators on the possible effects particular bills can have on their constituents.
Keeping electric rates affordable and ensuring reliable electricity are big concerns of the membership and are why Beltrami Electric gets involved with the political process. Your cooperative works on behalf of the membership to ensure legislation includes affordability.
Keep up-to-date with our legislative and grassroots efforts on both the state and federal levels. We continue to work hard for our members and issues that affect the cooperative. "Grassroots" has an electric co-op definition, one that reflects its importance in the industry. "Grassroots" refers to electric cooperative activists - directors, managers, employees and member-owners - who take an active role in the political process to protect their co-op from harmful legislation and regulation, as well as to promote the value of co-op ownership to their legislators.
Legislative Resources
Political action committees (or PACs) are an easy way for cooperative members to become involved in the political process. PACs allow ordinary citizens to pool their small contributions to make a meaningful donation to legislative candidates who support their point of view. That is precisely what our federal Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) and state Rural Electric Political Action Committee (REPAC) do.
REPAC and ACRE allow electric co-op directors, managers, employees, and members to more actively participate in the legislative process. They allow us to join together to make our voice strong on electric utility issues. Without regard to party affiliation, our PACs make contributions to legislative candidates who show an interest in electric co-op's legislative positions. ACRE also has a subdivision that gets co-op members involved called ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action (COPA). ACRE and REPAC promote the improvement of government by encouraging electric co-ops to take a more active and effective part in government affairs. REPAC and ACRE, in conjunction with our national and state grassroots efforts, encourage electric co-ops to know and understand the nature and actions of their government, the critical political issue, and legislative records.
To learn more about these resources, click on each of their names below.
As a member-owner of Beltrami Electric Cooperative, you are among 42 million Americans who can claim ownership in a not-for-profit member-controlled utility that provides electricity at cost. The ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action® program is an existing opportunity for you to raise your voice and participate in the political process.
The Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE®) is the political action committee of the nation’s electric cooperatives. For over 40 years,
If you want to ensure your voice is heard, simply fill out the ACRE Contribution Form. Return the form to our office and we will include the $2.08 on your monthly electric bill for your convenience.
Members may also make a one-time donation to ACRE. See the Co-op Owners Brochure to pay by check or credit card.
Contributions to ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action® are not tax deductible. All contributions to
Visit www.electric.coop/on-the-issues to learn more.
The Rural Electric Political Action Committee (REPAC) is the state level equivalent of ACRE that helps Minnesota cooperative members pool resources to support candidates who will speak for and protect the interests of electric cooperatives and their member-owners.
The funds are contributed to Minnesota State House and Senate candidates seeking public office. Contributions assist campaigns of Minnesota state legislators who protect electric co-ops’ interests and acquaint metropolitan legislators with the vitality of electric cooperatives. Visit MREA.org to learn more.
MREA's Government Affairs provides information about the legislative issues Minnesota rural electric cooperatives are facing at both the state and federal levels of government.
Visit www.mrea.org to learn more.
The Cooperative Action Network is the advocacy hub and grassroots arm of the NRECA – the national service organization for more than 900 not-for-profit rural electric cooperatives that provide electricity to more than 42 million consumers across 47 states. Together, rural electric cooperatives serve 75 percent of the nation’s landmass and account for approximately 12 percent of total electricity sales in the United States.
Visit www.action.coop to learn more.