With Russia invading Ukraine, security issues in the U.S. are of growing concern. The National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association is holding its annual meeting in Nashville. Monday, on Voices of Montana, its president and Glasgow’s Norval Electric Co-Op Director Chris Christensen had an example.
Montana Continuing To Drop Mask Recommendations
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less severe COVID cases means less masking is needed. In Montana, there are now 36 counties that are free to go without masks indoors compared to 16 last week. The number of counties with masking recommendations still in place decreased from 44 counties last week to 20 this week. Las...
Interview With NRECA CEO Jim Matheson
Voices of Montana Host Tom Schultz and Northern Broadcasting System President Taylor Brown sit down with National Rural Electric Cooperative Cooperation CEO Jim Matheson to discuss this year’s PowerXchange along with the unique issues and challenges individual cooperatives across the nation are currently facing.
Rural Electric Co-Ops Pushing For Federal Capital For Clean Energy Expansion
The energy industry is making an effort toward clean energy solutions but that can put rural electric cooperatives in a tricky position. Gary Weins, CEO of the Montana Electric Cooperatives Association, recently explained on Voices of Montana.
MECA Expands Support for State Management of Sage Grouse
(Nashville, TN) – At the annual meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association this week in Nashville, the Montana Electric Co-operative Association (MECA) brought a Resolution to urge the NRECA to support allowing state management of the Sage Grouse, particularly if the species is listed under the Endangered Species Act....
Senator Tester Comments On Rep. Rosendale’s No-Vote For Ukraine Assistance
Last week Representative Matt Rosendale was one of three Republicans in the House to vote against the U.S. sending help to Ukraine he said unless the security issues at the Mexican border were taken care of. Senator Jon Tester talked about the vote and what he hopes will get done in a bipartisan way concerning the southern border.
Voices of Montana Live From the NRECA 2022 PowerXchange Part 1
Thousands of rural electric cooperatives are meeting in Nashville this week to discuss the current challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and it’s a Montanan leading them. Join us for the discussion with Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association CEO Gary Wiens, Wyoming Rural Electric Cooperatives’ Association E...
2022 Off To A Dry Start For Precipitation
According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, January precipitation was below normal for most of Montana and February was worse in many river basins. Basins currently lacking snow will need well above normal precipitation over the next couple of months to meet their typical snowpack peaks. A full report of conditions as of March 1st...
“Coop”eration May Be the Key to Securing Infrastructure Funding
Montana electric coops are eagerly awaiting the federal government rules that will determine numerous funding programs through the infrastructure bill. According to Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA), there are numerous programs being developed that will be of great benefit to the coops: ...
Montana Ag Department Spreading Awareness On Mental Health Support
The Montana Department of Agriculture has a new program to support farmers and ranchers mental health. Director Christy Clark talked about Beyond the Weather recently on Voices of Montana to reduce the stigma around mental health and enhance their quality of life.