NREA staff members represent the rural electric point of view on a variety of issues in Congress, the Nebraska Unicameral and those state and federal agencies whose policies and programs impact the rural electric program and electric consumers in Nebraska and the nation. NREA Director of Government Relations James Dukesherer is a registered lobbyist acting on behalf of NREA's member-systems.
NREA lobbyists have the strength of 34 member-systems behind them when they represent the Association before Congress, the Unicameral, or state and federal agencies. Staff members provide daily representation while the Unicameral is in session. They appear before legislative committees, draft legislation, and carry the rural electric message to the 49 members of the Unicameral.
While NREA staff members are able to have a daily presence at the Unicameral, it is the grassroots support from our individual member-systems, their directors, employees, and customers that leads to our ultimate success. We encourage all of our members' directors and employees to stay in close contact with their state senators and members of Congress throughout the year. Below is a link to a listing of Nebraska's state senators and below that is a map showing the location of their legislative districts in relation to NREA's members' service areas.
Action Committee for Rural Electrification
ACRE®--Action Committee for Rural Electrification--Your opportunity to make a difference. Rural electric system employees and consumers need representatives in Congress and the Unicameral who understand the important issues affecting rural electric service providers and who will fight for rural electric consumers. ACRE® is a Political Action Committee (PAC), whose core membership is the network of 1,000 consumer-owned, non-profit rural electric systems across the country, including Nebraska. ACRE® member contributions work to support the campaigns of candidates who support rural electrification locally and nationally. ACRE's® strength comes from the members and our commitment to rural electrification. It is each individual's membership that helps us stand together and allows ACRE® to remain strong and promote the legislative objectives of the rural electric program.
ACRE® is a uniquely structured PAC with individual contributions ranging generally from $25 per year to $1000 per year. The membership recognition levels are:
- Regular membership = $25 per year
- Century Club membership = $100 per year
- Vice President's Club membership = $250 per year
- President's Club membership = $500 per year
- Leadership Circle membership = $1000 per year