It’s that time of year when the South Dakota Legislature is wrapping up the 2023 session. 

I don’t know how closely each of you follows the issues that our state faces, but I am grateful for the individuals who represent us in Pierre with the goal of improving our way of life.

As the general manager of your cooperative, I have been fortunate to visit with many of you, along with state and federal officials, to address issues that impact all of us. There are many different viewpoints and opinions from individuals across our state. 

As members and employees of a cooperative, we have a long history of standing together and facing challenges. I believe that makes us stronger. Electric cooperatives demonstrate mutual support by helping restore electric service after a disaster. But there is another equally important example of how we support each other – through collaborative legislative advocacy. 

Through the efforts of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), electric cooperatives achieved tremendous success in Washington in 2022. Notably, they worked with Congress to pass legislation allowing cooperatives to receive the same incentives as other businesses that invest in renewable energy. This meaningful win for electric cooperatives is a shining example of the power of our network when we get behind a shared goal. In the years ahead, this legislation will positively impact cooperative members for generations to come. 

Electric cooperatives don’t agree on issues 100 percent of the time because each cooperative has its own unique makeup. But when we stand together with our cooperative family on issues that impact our communities and member-owners, we can make a difference for millions of hardworking people. That is quite a gift. 

Many people don’t fully understand the cooperative business model. They don’t think companies are looking out for the interests of their consumers and employees, let alone standing up for each other. Electric cooperatives are unique and successful, despite the diversity that naturally comes from being a large family of 42 million people across 48 states. Some might say our differences are what make us stronger. 

Electric cooperatives take great strides to help keep electricity reliable and affordable for millions of people. We invest in our communities, and best of all, we do this together. We look out for one another, spend time together and celebrate the accomplishments of cooperative friends as if they were our own. 

Those who came before us embedded that in the cooperative model, and it’s our responsibility to carry those principles forward. I could not be prouder of the work the electric cooperatives are doing to improve the quality of life for our members. 

Until next month, stay safe!