Contribute to the PAC
Support the American Public Power Association’s political action committee. Through this voluntary, non-partisan PAC, public power professionals pool their resources to contribute to the campaigns of Members of Congress who support public power.
The Federal Election Commission requires the PAC to obtain written “prior approval” from members before soliciting contributions from employees of member utilities. Learn more about prior approval here. If your utility has signed a prior approval form, you can login here to contribute.
Action Alerts
There are no current action alerts.
Come to the Legislative Rally
As a public power advocate, you are in the best position to talk to Congress about the direct impact of federal action at the local level. You represent not only your community, but also 54 million Americans served by public power. Join us at the annual Legislative Rally and help strengthen our coordinated outreach. Bring your mayors and board/council members to amplify your voice and demonstrate the benefits offered by a community-owned, not-for-profit utilities. You’ll get updates from the experts on issues and trends in Washington, D.C. You can schedule your visits on Capitol Hill and with administrative agencies. Check out our guide to planning effective Hill meetings.
Propose Resolutions
APPA’s policies on legislation, regulation, and other federal issues are determined through a democratic, grassroots process that occurs annually. This process begins by Association members, individually or collectively, drafting proposed policy resolutions and submitting them to the Legislative and Resolutions Committee in advance of the L&R Committee meeting at the annual Legislative Rally.
Members may wish to start by reviewing current policy resolutions. Key questions to ask as you review are: Has APPA adopted a policy position that needs to be altered? Have conditions changed so existing positions need to be revised and updated? Are there other issues not previously addressed for which APPA needs to stake out public power's interests?
All proposed resolutions must be made available to L&R Committee members at least two weeks prior to the meeting so that committee members have adequate time to review them. Therefore, if you are a member and would like to submit any resolutions, please email them to Desmarie Waterhouse, Vice President of Government Relations & Counsel, at DWaterhouse@PublicPower.org.
Vote on Resolutions
Members can help shape APPA’s policy priorities by voting on resolutions through the Legislative and Resolutions Committee. Each Association member organization is eligible to designate one employee or governing board member to serve as its voting delegate on the committee by submitting this form.
The L&R Committee meets once a year at the Legislative Rally in February. When a resolution has been adopted by the L&R Committee, it becomes Association policy, with full force and effect, until it is given final consideration at the annual Association Business Meeting in June. These resolutions are then open for further discussion and a vote by authorized delegates at the annual Association Business Meeting.
Each Association member organization is eligible to designate one employee or governing board member to serve as its voting delegate to the Annual Business Meeting, while registering for the National Conference. At the meeting members vote to approve the annual budget, nominations to serve on the Board of Directors, and the policy resolutions.
Connect With Your Elected Officials
Public power utilities must maintain an active presence Congress and federal agencies. Even the smallest utility can help — here are a few tactics to consider
- Prioritize your policy concerns. Balance limited resources against your list of political issues and policy needs. Stay attuned to the needs of key customers to aid in this prioritization.
- Stay informed. Read Public Power Current and stay tuned for other email updates and alerts from the American Public Power Association.
- Research and understand your legislators’ and regulators’ interests. Recognize the political affiliations, committee assignments, and political priorities of your local and federal elected and appointed officials. You can find your member of Congress and U.S. senators on Congress.gov.
- Visit your legislators and regulators. Make regular contact with members of Congress and their staffs, state legislators, and state and federal agency and commission officials through visits, letters, and phone calls. Do this not only during times of trouble, but on a constant basis to ensure a good working relationship, understanding of your issues, and recognition of your needs. Follow our tips to plan effective Hill meetings.
- Invite your legislators and regulators to visit you. Engage lawmakers and policymakers at local, state and federal levels in hometown events that showcase your utility.
- Engage in judicial forums. Work with us, your state association, and your own counsel to participate in judicial proceedings on issues that affect you.
- Engage with press and on social media. Make your case to the local press through op-eds, letters to the editor, and pitches for coverage of key issues. Offer interviews with your leadership and governance teams. Post about your issues on social media and tag your federal, state, and local policymakers.