Grassroots Initatives

A national grassroots campaign to engage consumer/members in a conversation with elected officials about how we meet climate change goals while keeping electricity reliable and affordable. 

Cooperatives can use the following materials to promote www.ourenergy.coop where consumer/members can send an email to their Member of Congress and start the conversation by asking key questions about climate change, fuel supply, technology and costs.

For over 30 years, the Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) has been working to support candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that understand and advocate on behalf of the value of electric cooperatives and their consumer owners.

Now through a special new program – Co-op Owners for Political Action – you, as a consumer-owner, have the ability to help strengthen this support and join the over 23,000+ members of ACRE.

The timing of this program could not be more critical. You don’t have to look past the morning headlines to see that the energy debate is one of the nation’s most volatile. We need your help to shape this debate in favor of electric cooperatives and their consumer-owners.It does not take a lot of time or money to be a cooperative advocate. Through the Co-op Owners for Political Action we have made it easy for you to make a small monthly donation through your electric bill and we hope that you will consider this program. Together we will continue to fight for a viable environment for electric cooperatives and the quality of life they bring to your community.

What does ACRE do?
Rural electric system employees and consumers need representative in Congress who understand the important issues affecting rural electric co-ops and who will fight for rural electric consumers. ACRE was organized to support only the political candidates – those in Congress now and running for Congress – who will speak for and protect the interests of rural electric consumers and their cooperative electric systems.

Jim Duncan
2007 recipient of the J. C. Brown CEO Communication Leadership Award

Contact Your Elected Officials

What is Co-op Owners for Political Action?
It’s an exciting new program that allows residential electric cooperative members (consumer-owners) to strengthen their voice in the political process.

Where does your contribution go?
With the exception of a small federal tax payment of less than 1%, all of your membership contribution to Co-op Owners for Political Action goes directly to the campaigns of candidates who support rural electrification and another percentage goes to your state PAC to aid in state and local elections.

How does your small contribution make a difference?
ACRE’s strength comes from you and your commitment to cooperative rural electrification. It is each individual’s membership that helps us stand together and allows ACRE to remain strong and promote the legislative objectives of the rural electric program.

So, how do you join? 
It's easy to join. Click on COPA Form and print the form (in pdf format) on your printer and fill in. There are two easy ways to participate in Co-op Owners for Political Action. Cooperative members may contribute through their monthly electric bill or simply write a check to make a cash donation and send it in along with your form to: Co-op Owners, SECO Energy, PO Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585-0301.

Learn about matters of legislation important to electric cooperatives and contact your elected representatives in Washington to express your views. Get the valuable information available from government resources and trusted private organizations for consumers.