Bryan Singletary, of Practical Energies, discusses the cooperative model with legislative candidates, including the cooperative principles that protect legacy members.
As North Dakota’s energy landscape grows more complex, North Dakota legislative candidates gathered at Electricity Matters in September to learn how policy decisions affect electric reliability, affordability and the member-owned electric cooperatives that serve thousands of North Dakota’s homes and businesses.
This bipartisan learning session, held at the Cooperative Center at the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) headquarters in Mandan, brought together prospective legislators with industry experts. The event gave candidates an in-depth view of the complexities of the energy industry and the opportunity to ask questions to help them better serve their constituents.
“I think it’s critically important that we educate them on the business model so that they know we’re different. We’re here to do the same thing that they are: Help the people of North Dakota,” says Bryan Singletary, a nationally recognized utility executive and consultant.
Singletary hosted the session, along with presentations from NDAREC General Manager Josh Kramer and Government Relations Director Zac Smith. From the democratically elected representation leading electric cooperatives to the member-focused values guiding their decision-making, Singletary and Kramer discussed what makes electric cooperatives different from other types of utilities. Electric cooperatives serve on a not-for-profit basis, giving their members a direct voice in decisions affecting their own service.
Smith shared an outlook on issues likely to arise in the 2027 legislative session that will impact cooperatives. Smith says infrastructure investment, preserving local control and navigating new large electric load development will be issues to watch.
“I’m glad to have attended the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives’ Electricity Matters seminar,” says Kylan Klauzer, District 37 candidate for the N.D. House of Representatives. “I’m a strong supporter of the rural electric co-op mission, and I found the seminar extremely informative. It gave me real confidence in their preparation and comprehensive plan to meet North Dakota’s growing energy demands.” Cooperative representatives emphasized their large load policies ensure major power users, such as data centers, bear the costs of their electric demand rather than shifting the burden to existing members.
The November general election will decide more than half of North Dakota’s legislative seats, along with the state’s U.S. House seat, two seats on the N.D. Public Service Commission and other key statewide roles. Cooperative leaders say a solid understanding of the electric industry will ensure policy decisions continue to support reliable, affordable power for North Dakota communities.
