Power & Policy Summit held in Eau Claire
Dozens of electric cooperative leaders gathered at Florian Gardens in Eau Claire last month for a day featuring dynamic speakers, including NRECA Senior Vice President of Government Relations Louis Finkel, who talked about congressional gridlock, rapidly growing electricity demand, and an increasingly polarized political environment.
Other presenters included CoBank Lead Dairy Economist Corey Geiger, who discussed the dynamics of the dairy industry, and Cooperative Finance Corporation’s (CFC) John Penry, who presented on evolving power markets.
Republican strategist Keith Gilkes and former Democratic Representative Katrina Shankland talked about key state political races. Bruce Beth, president of Forster Electrical, and Jessica Shrestha, attorney with Fredrikson & Byron P.A., presented on legal issues and the history of pole attachments. Attorney John Wagman of Weld Riley discussed electric cooperative territorial disputes and their resolutions.
The Power & Policy Summit culminated in a PAC reception in the stunning backyard patio of Florian Gardens. Guests enjoyed food, drinks, and a candid Q&A discussion between WECA President and CEO Rob Richard and Finkel. (See this month’s featured article ‘Navigating a New Political Landscape‘).
First Annual Golf Tournament a Success
Monday, August 3, marked the 1st Annual WECA PAC Golf Event. Dozens of golfers gathered at Wild Ridge Golf Course in Eau Claire to tee off for Wisconsin’s political action committee, which supports political candidates on both sides of the aisle who work on behalf of electric cooperatives.
The Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative team of John Ukura, Steve Stroshane, Jason Evenson, and Matt Kurtzhals took home the first-place trophy in the inaugural event.
WECN Wins Three National Writing Awards
Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News (WECN) magazine earned three awards at the National Electric Cooperatives Statewide Editors Association Institute Awards in Pittsburgh last month.
In the Best News Category, the story titled “The FEMA Emergency” won the Award of Excellence. The story featured in the February 2026 issue is about the catastrophic ice storm that cost two Michigan electric cooperatives more than $100 million in expenses.
In the Best Personality Feature category, the story titled “Growing Hope” won an Award of Merit. This story, featured in the August 2025 issue, is about Brianne Massman, a Jackson Electric Cooperative member who was awarded a community grant from the cooperative to support efforts to raise awareness about mental health, suicide, and depression, after a personal tragedy.
In the Best Historical Feature category, the July 2025 story “WECN Celebrates 85 Years” also won an Award of Merit.
DOE Considers Reopening Transformer Efficiency Rule
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is considering changes to federal energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers, reopening a debate that ended in a hard-fought compromise two years ago.
The department is seeking public comment on whether the 2024 rule—which takes effect in 2029—should be revised based on national security concerns, domestic manufacturing capacity, supply chain resilience, and the availability of specialized electrical steel used to manufacture transformers.
In comments filed this month, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association said the current rule “strikes the right balance” following efforts to reach a compromise.
Energy Priorities Await Action for Congress
Congress adjourned for its August recess after making progress on several fiscal year 2027 spending bills but leaving many key energy and rural development priorities unresolved.
For electric cooperatives, the next several months will be critical. When lawmakers return after Labor Day, Congress will face decisions on funding for the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Department of Energy grid modernization programs, wildfire and disaster resilience initiatives, rural broadband, and other infrastructure programs. Lawmakers will also continue debating broader energy policies affecting permitting reform, transmission development, and domestic manufacturing of critical grid equipment.
Co-ops Submit Comments on Grid Resilience Grants
The Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association and Eau Claire Energy Cooperative were the only organizations to submit public comments to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) on the design of the state’s second round of Grid Resilience Program grants, with both urging regulators to maintain strong support for small utilities and rural electric infrastructure.
The comments will help guide the PSC as it finalizes the next round of grants funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Matheson Testifies on FEMA Reform Bill
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Jim Matheson testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform, which would make the most significant changes to FEMA in more than two decades. The hearing focused on the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act, legislation designed to streamline disaster response.