Duckworth, Durbin Talk with Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives

Duckworth, Durbin Talk with Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC), which represents 24 distribution co-ops and five generation/transmission co-ops that serve most of rural and southern Illinois, to discuss FEMA reform and protecting U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) energy programs, including the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) that provides grants and loans to farmers and rural businesses for solar panels, wind turbines, or energy efficient power upgrades. Since taking office last year, the Trump Administration has disrupted the grant program, leaving recipients and applicants in limbo as energy costs skyrocket.

"The need for expansion of clean energy production is critical to help with affordability, generating jobs and protecting our environment as well as secure Illinois's leadership in the energy sector for years to come," said Duckworth. "I was glad to meet with Illinois Electric Cooperatives alongside Senator Durbin to discuss the damaging impacts of Trump's attacks on clean energy and his rollbacks of critical funding for these projects and the need for expanded renewable energy investments. I look forward to working together as we continue expanding broadband access in rural communities, building resilient infrastructure, and investing in renewable energy sources and domestic manufacturing to keep costs down for Illinoisans and their families."

"Families and businesses in rural Illinois deserve to have reliable, affordable energy, and electric co-ops are critical to this goal," said Durbin. "Today, I spoke with the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives about how we can preserve programs that support rural communities as President Trump indiscriminately cuts critical assistance."

Photos of the meeting are available here.

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