Consider joining our PAC to continue working with elected officials
An electric cooperative like Lorain-Medina Rural Electric is a unique business model. What other type of utility would return margins? Our focus is to deliver reliable, competitively-priced electricity to those we serve. We don't worry about protecting out-of-town investors.
We need to do all we can to preserve the cooperative model in a business and political environment that does not always appreciate our uniqueness. Being part of a political process is key to our strength and success. You can strengthen our political presence by being a member of the ACRE® Co-op Owners for Political Action. ACRE is the Action Committee for Rural Electrification.
Our grassroots efforts have grown to be quite effective as congress continues to debate emission standards. Emissions regulations should be fair, recognizing regional differences in how electricity is produced; it should be affordable, and achievable since only a realistic plan can ensure long-term success.
What is ACRE Co-op Owners?
Cooperative Owners for Political Action gives you the opportunity to raise your voice, on behalf of the cooperative. State and federal government officials make policy decisions that affect cooperatives and our way of life. This program is an easy way for you to help influence who gets elected to make those decisions.
ACRE is the political action committee of the nation's electric cooperatives. Founded in 1966 by the approximately 1,000 cooperatives of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, ACRE supports candidates for state and federal office - those in office now and running for office - who will help protect the interests of electric cooperatives and their members.
Maintaining a strong grassroots presence in the political process is instrumental to the long-term success of the electric cooperative program and the communities we serve.
What's a Political Action Committee or PAC?
The law allows individuals with common interests to pool their resources using PACs in order to make political contributions to candidates for state and federal office. Currently 33,000 like-minded supporters of the electric cooperative program combine their contributions through ACRE. More than 350 Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative members have already joined Co-op Owners. Candidates who receive a substantial contribution from ACRE get an important message about your interest in the cooperative. The candidate knows the cooperative's members and employees who support them want to elect individuals, who will make good policy decisions on their behalf.
What determines ACRE contributions?
ACRE follows established procedures for making contributions to candidates. Factors that determine financial support include the candidate's position on issues critical to electric cooperatives, as well as their votes and public statements on these issues; the candidate's committee assignments and leadership positions and his or her relative importance to cooperatives; and a candidate's financial need and strength of their opponent.
Where does my contribution go?
With the exception of a small federal tax payment of less than one percent, all contributions go directly to the campaigns of candidates for political action. A portion of your contribution (about half) may be refunded to the Ohio Electric Cooperatives PAC to support candidates for state office. The OECPAC sets its own guidelines, but they generally follow those of the national program.
How do I sign up?
If you are not already enrolled, please contact the cooperative offices. The cooperative can conveniently add your ACRE Co-op Owners contribution to your monthly electric bill in equal installments.
For just $25 a year - only $2.08 per month - you can help ensure the cooperative business model thrives. It's the most effective tool we have to get and maintain the attention of our legislative decision-makers in Ohio and in Washington.