Capitol Connections: Tracking the issues that power your co-op

Oklahoma co-ops rely on member voices. Use this month’s tear-out postcards to contact lawmakers and keep rural energy needs front and center.

Each year, Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives work to keep power safe, affordable and reliable. That job grows harder as population shifts continue and suburban and urban districts expand their influence. Rural communities know what dependable service means to daily life, yet their perspective can be drowned out when fewer voices speak up. This month’s postcard tear-outs are a simple way to keep rural needs in front of lawmakers.

Here’s how it works. Inside this issue you will find two cards. One is for your state representative and one is for your state senator. If you are not sure who currently serves you, use the legislative guide in this edition to look up names and the districts served. Tear out the cards, sign your name, include your cooperative and drop them in the mail.

Personal contact matters at the Capitol. Legislators pay attention to people who live in their districts and vote in their elections. A signed card from a constituent stands out because it shows real engagement, not a mass email or anonymous post. It reminds lawmakers that co-op members are watching policy decisions that affect reliability, costs and local control.

Filling out the postcards will be quick, but the impact can last through key committee meetings and floor debates. When more members participate, rural communities keep a seat at the table during energy discussions. Your voice helps your cooperative advocate for policies that work in rural Oklahoma. It is worth your time.

Key Issue Update:

Wildfire mitigation

• Electric cooperatives serve 93% of Oklahoma’s landmass, much of it rural and farther from urban firefighting resources.
• Co-ops are expanding vegetation and right-of-way management and inspecting poles and lines to identify hazards.
• Grid-hardening investments, including stronger infrastructure and protective equipment, reduce the chance of wildfire ignition from electrical faults. Real-time monitoring systems help improve safety, reliability and response.
• During Red Flag Warnings or extreme fire danger, operational protocols may result in more outages and longer restoration times as crews patrol lines before safely re-energizing power.

Co-op Position:

Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives continue to strengthen and improve every aspect of our infrastructure to serve our members reliably, affordably and safely.  We are working with landowners and government partners to minimize wildland fire risks.  Wildland fire mitigation efforts should not increase wildland fire liability.