Independent VW employees/submitted information
CONVOY — Nearly 300 members of America’s Electric Cooperative PAC from Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative and Midwest Electric gathered last week at Lincoln Ridge Farms for a legislative dinner. The event featured influential speakers, including U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan (R-4th District), who discussed issues affecting both the nation and the electric industry.
The PAC (Political Action Committee) is a bipartisan committee dedicated to ensuring affordable energy, protecting jobs, and promoting economic growth through effective energy legislation.
Attendees were treated to a complimentary Italian dinner before diving into an evening of engaging discussions. Congressman Jordan took the stage to highlight the “big moments” that will determine the future of the country, emphasizing that the upcoming election is one of those defining moments. He also touched on national security and expressed his appreciation for the work that electric cooperatives do in serving their communities.
State Senator Rob McColley, along with State Representatives Angela King and Roy Klopfenstein, addressed several pressing issues. They discussed the uncertainty surrounding the future of energy supply, including the possibility of blackouts due to the early closure of power plants. They also talked about Issue 1, an upcoming ballot measure in Ohio that will determine how the state draws its legislative and congressional districts.
“Due to the federal government’s uneconomical EPA regulations, we will be operating at the lowest energy reserves ever for the next three to five years,” said Senator McColley. “We are facing a situation where there is a high risk of blackouts and brownouts at times when people need energy the most. This is a government-created problem that must be fixed by the election.”
Buckeye Power Chief Operating Officer Craig Grooms, who will take over as CEO following the departure of current CEO Pat O’Loughlin, spoke about the benefits of being a member of the cooperative. He explained that as a member, you become an owner of several power plants, including the Cardinal coal-fired plant in Brilliant, Ohio, and natural gas plants in Convoy and Greenville, Ohio. Grooms explained how the cooperatives continue to invest in these assets to ensure their reliability, especially during peak demand periods.
“We are making significant investments in the Cardinal coal-fired power plant to comply with EPA regulations that have already been adopted. However, new regulations are now taking effect that will replace the regulations that the plant already complies with,” Grooms said.
The evening concluded with a question-and-answer session where members were able to interact directly with legislators and gain deeper insights into the issues discussed.
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