Manager Ken Schlimgen
Thursday | April 25, 2024

Electric cooperatives like ours were born out of political will and determination. Our mission was launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s stroke of the pen after Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act in 1936. This marked the beginning of significant improvement to our quality of life that could only be achieved with access to electricity. Since then, electric cooperatives have been working alongside our elected leaders to ensure the sustainability of our cooperative business model and the continued ability to provide electricity at a reasonable cost.

To continue this legacy, representatives from Central Electric will visit Washington, D.C., in April to engage with South Dakota’s congressional delegation. Our purpose is clear: to address the challenges and opportunities facing electric cooperatives today while advocating for policies that allow us to best serve you, our valued members.

One of the foremost topics of discussion is the vital importance of maintaining reliable and affordable electricity. Everyone expects the lights to stay on every hour of the day without causing a financial burden. As the demand for electricity rises, regulatory pressures are impacting our ability to maintain a diverse and reliable energy mix.

Renewable energy sources undoubtedly play a crucial role in our power supply, but we must also acknowledge the limitations of relying solely on intermittent sources like solar and wind. Our energy policies must strike a balance that ensures a steady and affordable power supply around the clock.

Moreover, we will address the pressing issue of supply chain challenges affecting Central Electric and other cooperatives nationwide. Procuring essential grid components such as transformers in a timely manner has become increasingly difficult. We will advocate for sensible policies that alleviate these supply chain constraints, safeguarding the reliability of our services while keeping costs manageable for you, our members.

Additionally, we will discuss the significance of federal funding opportunities to support the replacement, improvement and construction of energy infrastructure. Infrastructure funding bills passed by Congress in recent years have provided access to loan funds needed to enhance our systems and better serve our communities. We will urge our congressional delegation to continue supporting such initiatives, ensuring that rural electric cooperatives receive the necessary resources to operate and thrive.

Furthermore, we will highlight the critical role of federal funding through programs like the Rural Electric Economic Development (REED) Fund, which has been instrumental in driving economic growth and community development in our region. By securing continued support for these programs, we can foster prosperity and opportunity within our service area.

Our commitment to political involvement remains unwavering as we advocate for policies that prioritize your needs and safeguard the affordability and reliability of your power supply.

Thank you for entrusting us with the responsibility of serving you. Together, we will continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead to achieve a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

The district meeting times and locations are on page 15 of this newsletter. Please make plans to attend your local meeting. Bring a neighbor and your questions so we can enjoy an interactive evening of discussing issues important to you. See you there. 

Until next month, stay safe!