As we close another year, I want to pause and express gratitude — for you, the members of Y-W Electric Association, Inc. — for your continued trust and support. Our cooperative was built on the promise of people coming together to improve the quality of life in their communities, and that promise still guides everything we do today.
Each decision, whether it’s about delivering reliable electricity, innovating for the future, or advocating for smart energy policies that impact our local community, comes back to one simple question: How will this benefit the members we serve?
This past year has been marked by meaningful progress, both in strengthening our local system and in working at the national level to influence energy policies that directly affect reliability, affordability, and resilience. While the details of federal regulations can feel distant, they shape our daily operations here at home.
At the national level, electric co-ops are advocating for several things including federal permitting reform and the EPA’s Power Plant Rule. Advocacy work also continues for the FEMA Act of 2025, which would speed up the disaster recovery process for electric cooperatives and the communities they serve. Severe storms are a fact of life, and their impact on the electric system can be devastating.
In addition to advocacy efforts, we are proactively addressing our communities’ needs for the future by investing in new technologies and programs that improve service for our members. Through advanced monitoring systems, we are better equipped to identify power delivery issues or challenges before they occur.
As we look ahead to a new year, I see both challenges and opportunities on the horizon. The energy industry is undergoing significant change driven by the rising need for more electricity, new tools and technologies, and federal energy policies.
The path forward requires innovative thinking and member-focused solutions. I’m confident that with the dedication of Y-W Electric employees and the continued support of our members, we are well positioned to adapt and meet challenges head-on. Through it all, our promise to you remains steadfast: reliable power for today — and tomorrow.
Trent Loutensock is the General Manager of Y-W Electric Association. Y-W Electric Association, Inc. is dedicated to providing high quality, reliable electric service and related products to our members at competitive prices. Our members deserve and shall receive quality service unexcelled in our industry.
