The Missouri State Capitol was alive with discussion around reliable, affordable electricity for rural Missouri on Feb. 2-3. More than 225 electric cooperative leaders from across the state gathered for the annual Missouri Electric Cooperatives State Legislative Conference. These directors, managers and staff members arrived with a unified goal — to advocate for the needs of rural communities and ensure their voices were heard by lawmakers.

    Armed with firsthand experiences and a steadfast commitment to keeping the lights on for nearly 800,000 families, farms and businesses, the co-op leaders found a receptive audience among state officials. From Callaway Electric Cooperative, Tom Howard, CEO/General Manager, and Clay Carroll, Manager of Member Services, attended. 

    Gov. Mike Kehoe joined the crowd, thanking electric cooperatives for their consistent presence and advocacy at the Capitol. “There is someone from the electric cooperatives here almost every week,” he said. “Your membership is responsible for delivering reliable power to Missourians in every corner of our state, often under some of the most challenging conditions. I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure Missouri has access to reliable, affordable electricity.”

    To prepare for their time in the Capitol, the co-op leaders heard an overview of key issues from the Missouri Electric Cooperative legislative team. They also learned how to make the most of their visits to legislators through a mock briefing session between Rep. Del Taylor and Callaway Electric Cooperative’s Clay Carroll.

    The issues the co-op leaders shared with legislators included strengthening grid reliability and removing obstacles in the way of high-speed rural broadband deployment. They also shared how electric cooperatives are governed and how the cooperative business model is uniquely designed to meet the needs of co-op members — and should be protected.

    “Events like this remind lawmakers that electric cooperatives are rooted in the communities we serve,” said Caleb Jones, CEO of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. “Our leaders bring real-world experience to the Capitol, sharing how policy decisions impact rural Missourians every day. By showing up and engaging, we help protect reliable, affordable electricity and the cooperative model that delivers it.”