Action committee calls for increased activism

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ST. MARYS — Officials for Ohio’s 24 non-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, on Friday, called for increased activism in efforts to pull the plug on pending federal regulation they claim would significantly increase utility bills. They spoke of rallying urgent support as the measure currently undergoes legal scrutiny.

More than 200 Midwest Electric, Inc., co-op members, company officials and legislative members gathered for the annual Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) breakfast and meeting at Midwest Electric near St. Marys. The session was a part of the Political Action efforts of the co-op.

Midwest Electric CEO Rick Gerdeman said 7.6 percent of the 11,000 people covered by the Midwest services participate in political action efforts. He reported they are the top rated Ohio co-op regarding consumer involvement was Midwest Electric.

Gerdeman said it’s been nearly 50 years ago when ACRE was formed and that time has proven the growth of the group has occurred. He said the purpose of ACRE was to “tell our own story” in Columbus and Washington, D.C.

Pat O’Laughlin, President/CEO of the Buckeye Power and Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (OREC), of Columbus, said that statewide more than 1 million people are under the care of OREC. He drew quickly, however, to the topic headlining the session.

In June 2014, the Clean Power Plan was initiated by the U.S. EPA and approved by President Obama. It calls for a 20 percent reduction carbon dioxide produced at generating plants. The Supreme Court issued a ruling in February to halt the plan to take a closer look at the impact.

O’Laughlin said over the past 10 years carbon dioxide emission is down 16 percent. Coal usage has dropped from 50.1 to 32.4 percent which pushed up the use of natural gas from 20.5 to 33.8 percent.

“This is a reality check for many people. Power production (in Ohio) is cleaner than ever. So, the mandates are only going to push up you bills another $30 or $40 a month and it accomplishes nothing.”

Marc Armstrong, OREC Director of Government Affairs, serves as an advocate for all Ohio co-ops with legislators in Columbus and Washington, D.C. He too urged the crowd to contact other co-op members to join the fight to push back the federal law that would increase local electric bills.

Armstrong said his role is to meet with legislators and encourage them to make decisions that would benefit residents in the Midwest co-op district. He said his main goal is to educate lawmakers regarding the benefits of electrical co-ops and their members.

Keith Faber, Ohio District 12 Senator (R-Celina), said government needs to stay out of such affairs of Medicaid, transportation and education. He claimed less than 5 percent of the cost of education was covered by the government.

“They take the money and want 95 percent of the control. I think our local teachers and administrators know how to best educate our children.”

Matt Huffman of Lima is running unopposed for a State Senate seat. While addressing the crowd, Huffman opposed the way congressional district boundaries are drawn.

“With this design, they are taking away from the state. The constitution declares that states will determine the manner in which senators are elected.”

State Rep. Robert Cupp (R-Lima) took a step back in time relating a story his father told him about the day electricity arrived at the family farm. His father told him about the improvements that occurred in farming and the widespread impact.

Cupp now serves on the state’s Public Utilities Committee and recently visited a coal-fired energy plant along the Ohio River.

He commended those in attendance for their willingness to be an active part of the co-op.

“I read where only 1 in every 4 people in the world is free to do as they please and vote for their leaders. That makes me think about just how blessed we are. Yet, I see low voter turnout to determine who will be our next leaders.”

State Rep. Jim Buchy (R-Greenville) also spoke about being involved in the decision-making matters involving the co-op. He spoke of how being involved keep legislators informed and educated regarding their needs.

State Senator candidate Matt Huffman, of Lima, addresses a crowd of more than 200 people at the Midwest Electric, Inc., Action Committee for Rural Electrification session Friday near St. Marys. Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina) (seated left) joined other politicians and agency officials to lobby against pending federal mandates regarding the timetable to improve global warming factors.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2016/04/web1_electricmeeting1.jpgState Senator candidate Matt Huffman, of Lima, addresses a crowd of more than 200 people at the Midwest Electric, Inc., Action Committee for Rural Electrification session Friday near St. Marys. Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina) (seated left) joined other politicians and agency officials to lobby against pending federal mandates regarding the timetable to improve global warming factors.

State Reps Jim Buchy (R-Greenville), far left, and Robert Cupp (R-Lima), greet members of the Midwest Electric, Inc., political action group, on Fiday near St. Marys. The legislators spoke on the need for less government involvement in utility regulation and the participation of voters in the process.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2016/04/web1_electricmeeting2.jpgState Reps Jim Buchy (R-Greenville), far left, and Robert Cupp (R-Lima), greet members of the Midwest Electric, Inc., political action group, on Fiday near St. Marys. The legislators spoke on the need for less government involvement in utility regulation and the participation of voters in the process.
Members gather for breakfast, meeting

By Jim Painter

This writer is a regular contributor to The Sidney Daily News. Reach him at [email protected].

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