With the recent deregulation of the natural gas industry, electric membership cooperatives are preparing for the possibility of deregulation of the electric utility industry.

Each year, the National Rural Electric Cooperative hosts a legislative rally in Washington, DC to give EMCs across the nation the opportunity to meet with their representatives in Congress to voice concerns.

This year, Coweta-Fayette EMC was represented at the rally by company president and CEO Michael Whiteside, along with board members Floy Farr, Neal Shepard, Mildred Winkles and Tom Parker. Topics of debate included power marketing, financing and restructuring of the electric utility industry.

“Congressman Mac Collins spent a great deal of time with our delegation, and we're very appreciative of the hospitality,” Whiteside said. “The message we want to get across to our legislators is that it is of utmost importance to allow each state to handle the issue of deregulation rather than having it mandated at the federal level.”

Whiteside is optimistic the meeting was beneficial to EMC members.

“We're confident that our legislators listened to our concerns and that they will represent the interest of their constituents.”

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