Rally in Raleigh

EnergyUnited recently joined electric cooperatives from across North Carolina at the Rally in Raleigh to discuss important issues affecting our cooperative. During the visit, EnergyUnited’s Legislative Team met with 29 state legislators to advocate for policies that support efforts to deliver safe, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to members.

A key focus of our discussions was the importance of a diverse energy supply mix that includes “always on” energy resources like natural gas and nuclear energy. These resources provide critical reliability to the grid, ensuring that homes and businesses have access to reliable power when other resources like solar and wind are unavailable.

Beyond energy supply, we also discussed recent legislation that was introduced to address the safety of utility workers. We urged lawmakers to support H.B. 258, the Utility Workers Protection Act, which would increase penalties for assaults on clearly identifiable utility workers. Our linemen and field employees often work in challenging conditions to restore power, and stronger legal protections would help ensure their safety while they serve our communities.

Finally, we emphasized the importance of economic growth in rural areas, advocating for the expansion of North Carolina’s Megasite and Selectsite Readiness programs. These initiatives attract new businesses and jobs to cooperative-served communities, strengthening local economies and enhancing the quality of life for our members.

By engaging directly with legislators, EnergyUnited is helping to shape policies that support energy reliability, worker safety and rural economic development. As a local, not-for-profit electric cooperative, we appreciate each opportunity to advocate for our members and will continue to work closely with legislators as part of our efforts to deliver a brighter energy future.