North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are based on the principle of democratic member control, meaning that all members that are served by the cooperative have a vote and a voice in setting the co-op’s policies and strategic direction.
This commitment to democratic decision-making extends to the co-ops’ efforts to reach out to members of Congress and the North Carolina General Assembly to make them aware of cooperative priorities and issues that affect co-op members, and advocate for legislative changes that will positively impact cooperatives and the communities we serve.
Political Action Committees
Electric cooperative employees support two political action committees, the Rural Electric Action Program (REAP), and Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE). REAP supports the election of legislative and Council of State candidates in North Carolina. A national organization, ACRE funds provide assistance to congressional candidates. More than 2,000 individual supporters in our state make contributions to both REAP and ACRE. The most common contribution is $10 for REAP and $25 for ACRE. The political action committees of electric cooperatives survive on the strength of widespread participation by employees and board members.
Co-ops Vote
Co-ops Vote is a non-partisan, national cooperative effort to encourage our employees and members to register to vote.