Keep it Up! Stop the Attack on Affordable Power for Rural Texans

Thank you to those who have taken action to protect rural Texans from harmful legislation that would increase energy costs and hurt reliability. We aren’t done yet – and we need your help again.

Right now, a reckless bill is making its way through the Texas legislature that would increase energy costs for rural Texans and harm your co-op’s ability to keep the lights on.

Currently, electric cooperatives have a fair agreement with telecom companies to share utility poles. This partnership allows telecom companies to expand services into rural areas, while co-ops can continue providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity.

But a new bill being considered threatens to disrupt this agreement in dangerous ways:

  • Higher Electric Bills: This bill forces co-ops to let telecom companies use their poles at rates so low they don’t cover costs, shifting the financial burden to hard-working Texans.
  • Unsafe Conditions: It lets telecom companies bypass co-op safety standards and hijack private property without the owner’s permission — putting reliable electric service at risk.
  • Halting Rural Development: This bill causes endless litigation on every rate, cost, fee, or reliability requirement that co-ops need to keep their systems safe. These contested cases could take years, stopping rural development in its tracks.

Electric co-ops are committed to serving our rural communities. But this legislation puts the needs of major corporations above those of everyday Texans.

We encourage you to take a few moments to invest in your community’s future and reach out to the Texas House Subcommittee on Telecommunications & Broadband to express your opposition to HB3445 and HB3448 and HB5604. Your voice matters, and together, we can stand up for our co-op, our members, and the future of rural Texas.

 

Subcommittee Members and Contact Information:

~Chair: Representative Rafael Anchía (D)

Phone: (512) 463-0746

Email: rafael.anchia@house.texas.gov

~Vice Chair: Representative Will Metcalf (R)

Phone: (512) 463-0726

Email: will.metcalf@house.texas.gov

~Representative Ana Hernandez (D)

Phone: (512) 463-0614

Email: ana.hernandez@house.texas.gov

~Representative Lacey Hull (R)

Phone: (512) 463-0727

Email: lacey.hull@house.texas.gov

~Representative John McQueeney (R)

Phone: (512) 463-0738

Email: john.mcqueeney@house.texas.gov

~Representative Drew Darby (R)

Phone: (512) 463-0331

Email: drew.darby@house.texas.gov