NRECA: Keeping America’s Power Grid Healthy is a Cornerstone of National Security

Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, provides new updates on winter storm impacts and the outlook for rural power reliability.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (RFD NEWS) — This week’s winter storm caused electricity disruptions for many rural communities across the country. At the same time, a new assessment projects how extreme temperatures and rising electricity demand could affect the nation’s power grid in the years ahead.

Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to provide an update on how rural communities were affected by the recent extreme weather and how electric cooperatives have been responding to outages and system challenges.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Matheson also discussed the findings of NRECA’s new long-term reliability assessment, outlining key highlights from the report and what they signal for the power grid’s future. The conversation focused on what these projections mean for rural communities and their access to reliable electricity, as well as the steps that may be needed moving forward to address reliability concerns.

Related Stories
Ethanol producers face a widening opportunity window as aviation and marine fuel markets expand, with the potential to add billions in demand if policy and certification align.
Lawmakers and ag industry groups welcomed the confirmations, citing the direct impact of these leaders on western ranchers, water and land management, conservation programs, and regulatory reform.
Sen. Roger Marshall, a founding member and chairman of the Make America Healthy Again caucus, joined us with his thoughts on the commission’s latest report and the key ag-related issues.
Grain shippers face lower freight values thanks to weak soybean exports and strong rail service, but barge traffic and forward Gulf loadings suggest continued uncertainty as harvest ramps up.
The EPA proposal laid out two options: fully reallocate all exempted volumes to the 2026–2027 standards, or reallocate half.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

National FFA Secretary Lilly Nyland talks about the significance of National FFA Week, member engagement, and the influence FFA continues to have on students nationwide.
Tommy Roach with Nachurs Alpine Solutions discuss fertilizer decision-making, plant fertility strategies, and what farmers can learn at Commodity Classic.
New details on the massive wildfire threatening farms and ranches in the Southern Plains.
Pre-filled Applications Available Online to Producers with a Login.gov Account
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday that imposing duties without Congressional authorization exceeds presidential powers. RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss the potential trade and agriculture implications of the recent ruling.
Kerry Hartwig from Sukup Manufacturing previews the grain management solutions they plan to share with producers at the upcoming Commodity Classic in San Antonio.