ARLINGTON, Va. – National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jim Matheson issued the following statement on President Trump’s State of the Union address:
“The success of rural America is critical to the economic wellbeing of our entire nation. Electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development across 56 percent of the nation. We support the president’s focus on creating jobs and jumpstarting the rural American economy.
“Washington regulations have a direct impact on the ability of not-for-profit electric co-ops to continue powering rural economic growth. I applaud the president’s continued focus on revisiting unnecessary regulations which will reduce costs for electric cooperatives and their consumer-owners.
“As the president puts the finishing touches on his infrastructure proposal, it’s important that the package focus on more than roads and bridges in our cities. A vibrant 21st century rural economy depends on the modernization of the electric system and expanded high speed internet access. We look forward to supporting an infrastructure bill that addresses the needs of rural families and communities.”
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.
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