COLUMBUS, Ohio—The U.S. is entering one of the most significant periods of change since rural electrification took off almost a century ago, and the power that electric cooperatives deliver “is the foundation of America’s future,” NRECA President Mike Partin said at the first of the 2026 Regional Meetings. 

“The decisions that we’re making right now—over the next two to three to five years—will determine the future of our nation for several decades to come,” he said at the Regions 1&4 Meeting on Sept. 10. 

Every conversation about artificial intelligence or bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. “comes back to discussion about electricity,” observed Partin, the CEO of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative in central Tennessee. Reliable electricity is also part of every plan to strengthen the economy and national security or create opportunity in rural communities, meaning “America’s ambitions are our responsibility.” 

As co-ops work to meet growing power demand, Partin emphasized that energy affordability remains central to their mission. 

“For us, it isn't enough just to be reliable and dependable,” he said. “We also have to talk about affordable.” 

He noted the concerns Americans have about energy costs as the country weighs billions of dollars of investment in advanced technologies and infrastructure upgrades. 

“Electricity is the foundation of America's future,” Partin said. “If we want to continue to be the superpower that we've always been, we have to continue to have this discussion with elected officials at the statehouse and at the nation’s capital about America’s future going through electricity.” 

Although the energy landscape is challenging, co-ops “were tailor-made for this moment,” he continued. 

“America's electric co-ops, in our DNA, are built to solve difficult, complex problems. And we do that through local leadership, long-term thinking, neighbors working together, and leveraging that trust that people have in us.” 

Co-ops are lucky they can work together to leave their mark on the future of the country and the 42 million consumers they serve, Partin said. 

To meet this moment, co-ops are building cutting-edge natural gas plants and eyeing the potential of nuclear facilities while investing in new transmission and distribution lines and technologies such as microgrids and batteries. 

They do so to build organizations that are nimble and resourceful and ready to serve their communities in new ways, Partin said. 

“We'll share ideas, we'll learn from one another, and we'll leverage the strength of NRECA, the most powerful lobbying organization in the country, a nationwide network committed to that same mission of working together to invest in rural America, to make it a better place to live and work.”