United in Purpose for Our Communities

As the voice of public power in our nation’s capital, the American Public Power Association strives to harness the strength of unity behind our public service mission to advocate for member communities. Outside of advocacy, in the mutual aid and security coordination work we do, members experienced major events in 2024, notably the back-to-back hurricanes in the early fall, that highlighted how the public power network stands unified and ready to help their neighbors and ensure overall grid resilience. This month, our thoughts are with those in southern California and the brave crews working to contain further destruction and rebuild where needed from the devastating impacts of wind and wildfires.

We also saw unity of message in 2024 that helped APPA move the ball on several policy initiatives, such as: backing down harmful new efficiency standards for transformers already in short supply; submitting extensive filings on EPA regulations, FERC rules, and NERC reliability standards; adjusting DOE program requirements to better suit joint action agencies; and gaining more clarity around IRS rules and extending a safe harbor for use of tax incentives.

In 2025, we know affordability will continue to loom large, so we need to work to ensure that federal policy does not exacerbate inflationary and workforce pressures already seen by communities. A combination of policy and economic factors will continue to threaten our high standard for reliability and will provide impetus for making much needed progress on streamlining infrastructure permitting.

A new administration and Congress create a complex dynamic in the federal legislative and regulatory realm, and we embrace both the opportunities and the challenges presented. APPA staff bring the real-world experience of working for policymakers of both parties on Capitol Hill and being involved with setting policies and regulations at various federal agencies. It is from this pragmatic lens that we work across aisles to advocate for public power.

Likewise, our members bring a diverse set of experiences from a large geographical footprint. It is critical for us to hear from you so we can get an accurate depiction on how policies are affecting your communities. It is also key that utility leaders connect with policymakers and their staff directly, such as at our Legislative Rally, where the theme this year is Connecting Voices, Shaping Policy.  

With key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 set to expire in 2025, we know this Congress will be focused on tax policy. Paired with a concern about the cost of energy, our focus will be on educating members of Congress on how funding mechanisms affect these costs. This includes preserving the tax-exempt status for municipal bonds, which have helped public power communities develop more than 750 projects over the past two decades — from distribution system upgrades in Middletown, Penn., to transmission lines in Heber, Utah, and several hydropower facilities along the Ohio river. The map in this issue highlights additional public power projects funded by bonds. As we continue to showcase the ways these bonds enable affordable, reliable public power in every congressional district, we encourage you to add your bond-funded initiatives to the map supported by the Government Finance Officers Association.

With public power customers spread across every corner of the U.S. and its territories, our interests vary widely. Hearing from you and having your involvement in our committees and meetings helps APPA bring a strong single voice year after year to advocate on some of the most pressing and important issues impacting the energy future of our country.