'Tougher than a boiled owl'

U.S. Rep. Michael Oxley (R-Findlay), right, shares a laugh with a large delegation of electric cooperative leaders from Ohio during the annual Legislative Rally on Capitol Hill last May.

Over the more than 60 years since the formation of Ohio's first electric cooperatives, there have been a number of important political battles fought. Some were lost, but most have been won, thanks to the grassroots efforts of the co-op leaders and one of the first OREC departments, its legislative staff.

"All politics are local," a famous legislator once said, and no one knows better than elected officials whose districts include cooperative service territories. Whether through regular visits from OREC's staff, the annual Legislative Rally in May that brings thousands of electric co-op leaders from across the nation to Capitol Hill for face-to-face meetings, or through the frequent get-togethers with state lawmakers, Ohio's electric cooperatives make sure legislators know the about the issues important to their member-consumers.

America's electric cooperatives have made a name for themselves as effective lobbyists on behalf of the interests of their consumers. During one failed attempt years ago to drastically scale back the federal electric cooperative program, a U.S. senator who backed the measure reportedly expressed his frustration by railing at the cooperatives, saying they were "tougher than a boiled owl."

U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Portsmouth) goes over legislation with Jody Parrish-Polen, a member of the board of directors of Washington Electric Cooperative.

When it comes to protecting the interests of the folks living in the rural communities we serve, we think that's a nice compliment.