BCREMC Leaders Advocate for Rural Communities During National Legislative Conference
Leaders from Bartholomew County REMC (BCREMC) traveled to Washington, D.C., last month to take part in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Legislative Conference, joining electric cooperative leaders from across Indiana and the nation to advocate for issues important to rural communities.
BCREMC Chief Executive Officer Courtney Metzger, Board President Curt Burbrink, and Board Members Janet Anthony and Ron Arnholt represented the cooperative during the conference, meeting with members of Indiana’s Congressional Delegation and their staff to discuss policies affecting electric reliability, affordability, and infrastructure investment.
This year, 66 representatives from 28 Indiana electric cooperatives joined more than 2,000 cooperative leaders from across the country for the annual conference.
While on Capitol Hill, Indiana electric cooperative leaders heard from U.S. Sens. Todd Young and Jim Banks before participating in face‑to‑face, small‑group meetings with members of Congress and legislative staff representing their local service areas. These discussions gave cooperative leaders the opportunity to share firsthand perspectives on how federal policy decisions impact electric cooperatives and the rural communities they serve.
Key topics discussed during the conference included preparing for growing energy demand from new large developments, the need for federal permitting reform to support electric reliability and infrastructure projects, continued funding for USDA Rural Utilities Service loan programs, and disaster recovery and FEMA reform legislation important to rural electric cooperatives.
BCREMC leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining reliable and affordable electricity for local members while supporting economic development and long‑term system investments.
By bringing local perspectives directly to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., BCREMC helped ensure the voices of rural Hoosiers remain part of national conversations on energy policy, infrastructure investment, and the future of reliable, affordable electricity.
Pictured from left to right: Janet Anthony, Curt Burbrink, Ron Arnholt and Courtney Metzger
