Stephen Bell

Co-ops in Texas and nearby states are working to restore thousands of power outages Saturday as #Fern began an onslaught of heavy snow, ice and frigid temperatures across more than 2,000 miles from New Mexico to New England. bit.ly/45uRukb Check back for updates.

Leadership and coordination matter. @POTUS’ focus on preparedness and a ready @FEMA is critical as rural communities face record cold and historic winter storms.

Thanks to @RepSamGraves & @RepRickLarsen for leading on the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 — a smart, modern update to FEMA that helps communities recover faster after disasters. bit.ly/4kUJtKg

As we continue to pray for the victims, the first responders and the crews working to restore power after devastating tornadoes in Kentucky, our hearts go out to our co-op family in Somerset where the headquarters of South Kentucky RECC took a direct hit.

Alongside our fellow electric cooperatives from across the USA, we’re in DC advocating for policies that support RELIABLE & AFFORDABLE electricity. Grateful at long last for reforms to federal policy to help co-ops serve members. Thanks @GOPMajorityWhip Tom Emmer with us today!

@GOPMajorityWhip @NRECAJim @NRECAJim: Washington is different today than it was last year, but one thing remains the same, when you show up, you make a difference. #CoopsOnTheHill

Excited to join nearly 2,000 electric co-op leaders at the @NRECANews Legislative Conference. Conversations with policymakers will focus on: ⚡️Meeting growing energy needs ⚡️Smart energy policies ⚡️Vibrant rural communities #CoopsOnTheHill

Keeping the Lights On: Reliability at a Glance Massive amounts of new generation will be needed to meet skyrocketing electricity demand over the coming years. How much is needed, and what does that look like for each generation type? Take a look ⬇️

Today, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day to recognize the heroes who keep our lights on, rain or shine. Lineworkers are wired for service in every sense—their hard work and dedication keep our communities running smoothly. #ThankALineworker #LineworkerAppreciationDay

At a time when electricity demand is skyrocketing, we need to be adding more always-available energy to the grid, not shutting down power plants that have useful life left. Thank you @potus, @SecretaryWright, @epaleezeldin and @SecretaryBurgum for prioritizing reliable energy.

Great to join @POTUS at the @WhiteHouse today for the signing of executive orders recognizing the critical role that always available energy plays in maintaining a reliable grid. Several co-op CEOs and I were in attendance. Read my full statement here: bit.ly/42nNBLE

Today, @NRECAJim and co-op leaders joined @POTUS at the White House to thank the administration for recognizing the importance of always-available resources in the nation’s energy mix. @EastKYPowerCoop's CEO spoke along side the President. Read more here: bit.ly/42nNBLE

A growing supply of electricity is essential to re-industrialize the United States and win the global AI race. This administration wants to see major growth of electricity with no increase in price. How is this done? Utilizing ALL forms of energy – including coal!

Keeping the Lights On: Reliability at a Glance Check out the familiar industry measurement of 1 megawatt and how much power is needed to supply common facilities in our communities ⬇️

Had a productive meeting with @SecretaryWright today and shared the story of how co-ops are responding to skyrocketing energy demand. He agreed that @ENERGY should play an important role in helping us keep the lights on today while meeting the growing energy needs of tomorrow.

.@SecretaryWright on reopening Palisades Nuclear Plant: "It's a gigawatt or so of awesome power production capacity already built." A gigawatt is enough to power 100,000 Michigan homes for a year. 😎

HELLO GEORGIA! What a great day with so many wonderful farmers, legislators, @universityofga leaders, @USDA staff, and many more. I love your state! A big thank you, @NRECANews, for the incredible welcome. I was honored to address your 2,500 attendees and walk through the extraordinary history of our rural electric co-ops! Thanks to so many new and old friends at the GA Capitol with the State House and Senate Ag Committees. The states truly are the laboratories of democracy, and y’all are leading the way. And how fun to have everyone join me for the press gaggle, including @AgCommHarperGA and @JonBurnsGA!

Today, @EPA announced reconsideration of its unlawful Power Plant Rule and other regulations that undermine electric reliability. Read @NRECAJim's statement applauding @epaleezeldin’s actions: bit.ly/3FrY68U

Thank you, @SecRollins, for coming to #PowerXchange25. @USDA is a critical partner in helping electric co-ops sustain and revitalize rural communities across America. We appreciate your commitment to cutting bureaucratic red tape by expediting environmental permitting reviews.

#ICYMI, @Basin_Electric CEO Todd Brickhouse testified in front of @HouseCommerce and @EnergyCommerce Energy Subcommittee on energy demand and grid reliability. Read more ➡️ bit.ly/3XvMvvz