Consider joining America's Electric Cooperatives PAC to continue working with elected officials.
An electric cooperative like Lorain-Medina Rural Electric is a unique business model. What other type of utility would return margins? Our focus is to deliver reliable, competitively-priced electricity to those we serve. We don't worry about protecting out-of-town investors.
We need to do all we can to preserve the cooperative model in a business and political environment that does not always appreciate our uniqueness. Being part of the political process is key to our strength and success. You can strengthen our political presence by being a member of America's Electric Cooperatives PAC.
Our grassroots efforts have grown to be quite effective as congress continues to debate emission standards. Emissions regulations should be fair, recognizing regional differences in how electricity is produced; it should be affordable, and achievable since only a realistic plan can ensure long-term success.
What is America's Electric Cooperatives PAC?
America's Electric Cooperatives PAC gives you, the member-owner, the opportunity to use your voice on behalf of your cooperative. State and federal government officials make policy decisions that affect your local cooperative and your way of life. This program is an easy way for you to help determine who gets elected to make those decisions.
The America's Electric Cooperatives PAC® is the political action committee (PAC) of the nation’s electric cooperatives. Founded in 1966 by the approximately 1000 cooperatives of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), it supports candidates for state and federal office – those in office now and running for office – who will speak for and protect the interests of cooperatives and their member-owners.
Your participation in the nationwide America's Electric Cooperatives PAC program ensures that the voice of cooperatives remains strong in our nation’s capital and in your state legislature. Maintaining a strong grassroots presence in the political process is instrumental to the long-term success of the cooperative program and the communities they serve in these unpredictable times.
What's a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
The law allows individuals with common interests to pool their resources using PACs in order to make political contributions to candidates for state and federal office. Currently, 33,000 like-minded supporters of the cooperative program combine their contributions through America's Electric Cooperatives PAC. More than 350 Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative members have already joined America's Electric Cooperatives PAC. Candidates who receive a substantial contribution from America's Electric Cooperatives PAC get an important message about your interest in the cooperative. The candidate knows the cooperative's members and employees who support them want to elect individuals who will make good policy decisions on their behalf.
Who determines how these contributions are made?
America's Electric Cooperatives PAC follows established procedures for making contributions to candidates running for political office. Factors that determine financial support include the candidate’s position on issues critical to cooperatives, the candidate’s committee assignments and leadership positions, his or her relative importance to cooperatives’, and a candidate’s financial need and the strength of his or her opponent. The candidate’s political affiliation is never taken into account.
Individual states have their own guidelines for making contributions to candidates for statewide offices. While these rules are set by the individual states, they often mirror those guidelines used by the America's Electric Cooperatives PAC.
Where does my contribution go?
With the exception of a small federal tax payment of less than one percent, all contributions to America's Electric Cooperatives PAC go directly to the campaigns of candidates for political office. In addition, a portion of your contribution (about half) may be refunded to your state cooperative PAC to support candidates for state office.
How do I sign up?
If you are not already enrolled, please contact the cooperative offices. The cooperative can conveniently add your America's Electric Cooperatives PAC contribution to your monthly electric bill in equal installments.
For just $25 a year - only $2.08 per month - you can help ensure the cooperative business model thrives. It's the most effective tool we have to get and maintain the attention of our legislative decision-makers in Ohio and in Washington.