As we close another year, I want to pause and express gratitude—for you, the members of Medina Electric Cooperative—for your continued trust and support. Our cooperative was built on the promise of people coming together to improve the quality of life in their communities, and that promise still guides everything we do today.
Each decision, whether it’s about delivering reliable electricity, innovating for the future or advocating for smart energy policies that impact our local community, comes back to one simple question: How will this impact the members we serve?
This past year has been marked by meaningful progress, both in strengthening our local system and in working at the national level to influence energy policies that directly affect reliability, affordability and resilience. While the details of federal regulations can feel distant, they shape our daily operations here at home.
Over the past year, electric cooperatives across the country came together for advocacy efforts on the EPA’s Power Plant Rule. As originally written, the rule would have forced a rapid shift away from always-available power generation resources, threatening the accessibility of a diverse fuel supply that keeps electricity reliable.
Renewable energy sources are an essential and growing part of our energy future, but we also know that the demand for electricity is rising rapidly, and natural gas, coal and nuclear remain essential for ensuring power is available around the clock.
As we collaborated and engaged with policymakers, we pressed for a more balanced approach to generating power—one that supports clean energy innovation while still recognizing the role of traditional resources. Our efforts are helping to shape a more workable path forward that better protects reliability and keeps costs in check for Medina EC members.
Another area of progress was on the state level with Texas House Bill 3448. This bill, had it passed, would have forced members to subsidize telecommunications companies’ access to our infrastructure, leading to higher electric bills, jeopardizing lineman safety, and hindering rural development rather than promoting a partnership with these companies that access our infrastructure for their equipment.
Thanks to member involvement and vocal participation through Voices for Cooperative Power, we successfully advocated for the bill’s withdrawal. This victory demonstrates the vital role of our political action plan and your collective voice in safeguarding affordability and reliability.
Achievements like these are not just wins in Washington, or Austin—they are wins for Medina EC members like you.
In addition to advocacy efforts, we are proactively addressing our communities’ needs for the future by investing in new technologies and programs that improve service for our members. Through advanced monitoring systems and AI tools that improve daily operations, we are better equipped to identify power delivery issues or challenges before they occur. With the addition of Medina EC’s 24/7 system operations center, members have experienced fewer outages and less time without power.
As we look ahead to a new year, I see both challenges and opportunities on the horizon. The energy industry is undergoing significant change driven by the rising need for more electricity, new tools and technologies, and energy policies.
The path forward requires innovative thinking and member-focused solutions. I’m confident that with the dedication of Medina EC employees and the continued support of our members, we are well positioned to adapt and meet challenges head-on. Through it all, our promise to you remains steadfast: reliable power for today—and tomorrow.
Until next time,
Trey Grebe
