Electric co-ops empower local communities

JWEMC area legislators talk Youth Tour, commmunity needs, and the effects of federal environmental laws on rural areas.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) in 1936, which established electric cooperatives around the country to serve citizens in rural areas, and we are still finding innovative ways to continue to serve our communities in the best way possible.

Alabama State Representative Terri Collins recognizes the importance of services that electric cooperatives give their members, like installing fiber for high-speed internet. This is something JWEMC and several other electric cooperatives have been doing for over a year.

Tour for over 50 years for high school juniors across the country. Each spring in Alabama, more than 100 students are selected to travel to Montgomery to speak with local legislators and learn more about electric cooperatives.

Collins said the Youth Tours have been vital in introducing young people to governmental operations and current issues that impact their daily lives.

“Young people always ask the best questions. They’re brave enough to ask different things,” Collins said. “I love answering their questions and seeing how their minds work. They’re all so engaged and want to understand some of the different issues at a deeper level.” tion Agency, a recent federal bill known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 aims to finance and promote green power, signifying it as the most substantial climate legislation in U.S. history.

Newly elected Representative Ernie Yarbrough said he believes local electric cooperatives to be much like credit unions in the way both organizations serve their constituents.

“It’s like a credit union as opposed to a big-chain bank; it provides an extremely awesome service, but it doesn’t get disconnected from the reality of the needs of its customers, and I love that,” Yarbrough said.

With inflation rising higher than it has in four decades, increasing prices on commodities such as crude oil and natural gas, Yarbrough said this is when Americans will see electric cooperatives rise and assist their communities.

Both state legislators agreed the nationwide push for renewable generation could potentially affect different states and communities in ways that are not always beneficial.

“I think each area knows what is best for them,” Collins said. “I am fine with us moving toward some of the renewable energy, but some of it is only profitable

“A lot of electric cooperatives have taken the lead in expanding broadband,” Collins said. “They’ve taken that initiative and I think it will pay the most dividends for those local rural communities. It’s always a benefit that (electric cooperatives) provide economic development for those rural communities.”

To influence young people to take an active role in their communities, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has been hosting the annual Youth

“Whether it’s critical infrastructure, food supply, or decisions for the education of our children, I believe the more local we make those things, the closer to home we can bring those vital resources closer to the people affected by (inflation),” Yarbrough said. “I think the challenges that have come to us and the response the government took to (COVID-19) has only highlighted the importance of moving into the future of local initiatives just like Joe Wheeler.”

According to the Environmental Protec- because of government incentives. If your community makes it work for their benefit, I think it’s good, but to force something that is not in the best interest of a community, I think it’s dangerous.”

Yarbrough said while maintaining our environment is important, “We have to do so in a way that balances not only the capital of the environment, but also the capital of human relationships and jobs.”