Rural Electric Cooperatives

Rural Electric Cooperatives (RECs) have transformed the lives of millions of rural Americans since their creation in the New Deal of the 1930s.

Rural Electric Cooperatives (RECs) are the second-largest cooperative sector in the US, providing power to 42 million Member-owners. Born from the New Deal, they hold immense potential for democracy and community wealth. But that promise has yet to be fully realized.

Shareable, in partnership with the Rural Power Coalition (RPC), is helping member-owners reclaim their co-ops to spread democracy, improve lives, and act on the climate crisis.

Since 2021, Shareable has been a core partner to RPC, working to elevate rural communities as leaders of a just clean energy transition. Our work includes:

  • Coalition building & engagement
  • Managing Communications
  • Training member-owners & allied organizations

A Historic Win—And What’s Next
RPC and rural advocates secured the biggest investment in rural electrification in US history through the Inflation Reduction Act. This includes nearly $10 billion of federal funding for clean energy projects that could leverage a $40+ billion investment in a Just Transition for rural communities. 

Now, with the new presidential administration, we must ensure our rural neighbors achieve the full benefits Congress promised.

Join us in the fight for the future of America’s Rural Electric Cooperatives!

800+ Rural Electric Cooperatives

42M

Power 42 million people across the US

56%

Cover 56% of the nation’s land mass

92%

Serve 92% of US persistent poverty counties

21M

Electrify 21 million member-owners’ homes, farms, schools, and businesses

$40B

Generate more than $40 billion dollars in annual revenue

How You Can Help Build People-Powered Energy

Get Informed

  • Watch: Start with the short animated film “Power to the People: The Story of Rural Electric Cooperatives.”
  • Read: Explore our ongoing REC article and video coverage.
  • Learn Deeply: Access recordings from our 9-week REC Co-Lab series.

Take Action

Stay Connected

Have questions? Reach out to aaron@shareable.net to talk to a human.

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Take Action

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rural energy programs are poised to create tens of thousands of new energy jobs while supporting reliable electricity in rural America. Ask your members of Congress to protect critical investments in rural energy jobs, electricity savings, and grid reliability in the upcoming farm bill and annual appropriations.

take action now

Rural Electric Cooperative Partner