We’re Fighting for the Future of America’s Rural Electric Cooperatives
Rural Electric Cooperatives have transformed the lives of millions of rural Americans since their creation in the New Deal of the 1930s. However, much of that promise has been lost—now, rural democratic movements must reclaim their cooperatives in order to strengthen local democracy, improve lives, and ensure energy affordability.
Who We Are
The Rural Power Coalition is leading the national movement for rural electric cooperative democracy.
RPC is led by place-based organizations representing member-owners across the country.
We’re fighting for Rural Electric Cooperatives that:
are democratically controlled
advance equity and affordability
support healthy environments
create high-paying rural jobs
build community wealth
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800+ Rural Electric Cooperatives:
21M
Electrify 21 million member-owner’s homes, farms, schools, and businesses
92%
Serve 92% of US persistent poverty counties
56%
Cover 56% of the nation’s land mass
42M
Power 42 million people across the US
$40B
Generate more than $40 billion dollars in annual revenue
Learning Series
Rural Data Center Forum
Data centers are being developed and deployed all around the United States, with pronounced impacts on rural communities’ energy costs, quality of life, and air, soil, and water quality.
The Rural Data Center Forum is a series of virtual presentations on the impacts of data centers, and how communities are responding.
Speakers in this series elevate the knowledge and experience of researchers and practitioners who can inform thinking around data centers, specifically in the context of Rural America.
Power by the People
Member-Owner Training
In the spring of 2026, the Rural Power Coalition hosted a four-part series for getting folks acquainted with how rural electric cooperatives work, and how to get started in organizing neighbors and friends to engage with these co-ops in democratic, responsive, and community-led ways.
The series was designed with member-owners of electric co-ops in mind, but this training series is relevant to anyone who wants to learn more about getting engaged in local efforts to push for energy affordability and programs that benefit rural residents.