The heads of nine electric cooperatives attended an April 8 event at the White House where President Donald Trump signed executive actions to support coal-fired power plants and other crucial generation sources. East Kentucky Power Cooperative President and CEO Tony Campbell spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of reliable electricity to co-op members.
Below, several other co-op leaders reflect on what it was like to be part of this event and what the administration’s actions mean for grid reliability going forward.
Buddy Hasten
President and CEO, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp./Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc.
“This was my first ever visit to the White House and first time in the presence of the president. I think it is amazing that this memorable experience coincided with the announcement of a shift in federal energy policy to support a more balanced approach to our national electric power supply.
“I retired from the nuclear Navy in 2007 and entered the electric utility business as coal plant manager in rural Iowa … Every announcement, new rule, or regulation from the federal government for the last 18 years has been a continued assault on reliable and dispatchable generation resources that power America. President Trump’s executive orders are the first good news in a long time, like a nice soaking rain after a drought.”
David J. Tudor
CEO and General Manager, Associated Electric Cooperative
“The experience and coordination by NRECA, including navigating three levels of security to reach a room clearly ready for the president, was amazing.
“After fighting for reliability against so many critics and then to hear the word reliability over and over in person from the president was epic and redeeming … These orders enable the use of coal generation further into the future. Our member-owners will benefit from the reliability and affordability of keeping coal as a key part of the generation fleet.”
Todd Brickhouse
CEO and General Manager, Basin Electric Power Cooperative
“It was an honor to represent Basin Electric at the White House for the signing of the recent executive orders. It was gratifying to be in the company of cooperative leaders from across the country.
“As the largest electric utility in the United States by service territory, Basin Electric is exposed to severe climates and weather events that require an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Basin Electric’s coal fleet is a key component of this strategy. We fully support the administration’s efforts to secure the future of dispatchable generation.”
Craig Grooms
President and CEO, Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives
“It was a great honor to attend the executive order signing at the White House. The event’s atmosphere was positive, and we valued the shift in tone toward the coal industry and the emphasis on retaining resources for grid reliability.
“Ohio’s electric cooperatives and the 1 million people they serve depend on Buckeye Power to deliver reliable, affordable electricity—especially during Ohio’s cold winters and hot summers. Coal-fired power generation is at the core of keeping that promise. OEC is pleased to work with an administration that makes the reliability of electricity a priority.”
Mac McLennan
President and CEO, Minnkota Power Cooperative
“The president’s signing of these executive orders marks an important and encouraging step toward strengthening the reliability of our nation’s electric grid. It was an honor to be at the White House to witness this renewed focus on an energy strategy that values coal’s essential role in providing dependable, around-the-clock power.
“In Minnkota’s region, reliability isn’t optional—it’s an absolute necessity, especially during stretches of extreme cold in North Dakota and Minnesota. These executive actions help significantly reduce regulatory pressure facing coal-based generation, which continues to serve as the backbone of Minnkota’s power supply and delivers the stability our members count on every day.
“As electricity demand grows and our economy becomes driven by data and digital infrastructure, the need for always-available, resilient power has never been greater. We are grateful for the administration’s leadership and its clear understanding that grid reliability must remain central to national energy policy. This action reinforces coal’s critical role in securing a strong, stable energy future for Minnkota and electric cooperatives across the nation.”
Annalisa Bloodworth
President and CEO, Oglethorpe Power Corp.
“I was pleased to be invited to the White House to participate in a ceremony with President Trump to support the U.S. coal fleet. The energy in the room was electric, and we felt an overwhelming sense of relief, vindication, joy and pride when President Trump proclaimed, ‘Coal-fired electricity generation is essential to ensuring that our nation’s grid is reliable and that electricity is affordable for the American people, and to promoting our nation’s energy security.’
“Oglethorpe Power’s mission is to generate safe, reliable and affordable power for our members. President Trump’s actions cleared the way for us to achieve our mission using a resource in which we’ve invested billions in environmental controls. Sadly, we’ve watched needless shutdowns of productive coal generation facilities across the U.S., but thanks to these actions, rural electric cooperatives can live free, at least for now, of governmental pressure to prematurely retire reliable coal assets.”
Molly Christian is a staff writer for NRECA.