Officials from AMP/OMEA member communities met with Congressional offices to raise awareness of how federal policy affects municipal electric system customers.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Representatives from more than 23 American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) and Ohio Municipal Electric Association (OMEA) member communities participated in the 2020 American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative Rally Feb. 24-26. The annual Rally is an opportunity for municipal electric system representatives to share firsthand insights with federal lawmakers and staff.
“The APPA Legislative Rally provides our members with the opportunity to meet with lawmakers for a face-to-face discussion covering issues impacting municipal electric systems,” said Marc S. Gerken, AMP president/CEO. “There is not a better advocate or resource than our public power leaders to explain how legislation and regulation impact communities in the real world.”
More than 45 participants from AMP and OMEA member communities attended the rally. The AMP/OMEA group represented municipalities in Ohio, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky.
“The meetings are equally beneficial for lawmakers and key staff who are hearing firsthand from local officials within their districts,” said Jolene Thompson, AMP executive vice president and OMEA executive director.
The annual APPA Legislative Rally provides a valuable opportunity for public power to directly engage in the legislative process and raise awareness about the issues that affect public power and their customers. Specifically, the continued sequestration of Build America Bonds and New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, increasing transmission costs and the recently adopted FERC order on PJM’s Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR). All have a negative impact on providing electric service to customers.
During the Rally’s Legislative & Resolution Committee meeting on Feb. 25, APPA members adopted five resolutions. AMP/OMEA co-sponsored, along with the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, Pennsylvania Municipal Electric Association and Blue Ridge Power Agency, Resolution 20:04: In support of the preservation of Public Power’s ability to self-supply without risk of paying for capacity twice. The full listing of resolutions can be viewed at www.publicpower.org.
Throughout the week, AMP/OMEA members met with 10 congressional members. This included meetings with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Rep. Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-DE), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) and Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH).
Additionally, AMP/OMEA members met with staff members of 15 congressional offices. This included the offices of Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. David Joyce (R-OH), Rep. David McKinley (R-WV), Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA), anhd Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH).