Burgaw, N.C. — Four County Electric Membership Corporation (Four County EMC) proudly joined hundreds of electric cooperatives from across the nation at the 2025 NRECA Legislative Conference, held April 27–30 in Washington, D.C.
Led by CEO Don Gatton and Board Director Clayton Hollingsworth, Four County EMC staff and leadership traveled to the nation’s capital to advocate on behalf of the cooperative’s members and rural North Carolina communities.
The Legislative Conference brought together approximately 900 not-for-profit electric cooperatives to meet with members of Congress and discuss energy legislation impacting reliability, affordability, and infrastructure. Four County EMC, along with fellow North Carolina cooperatives, met directly with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator Ted Budd, and visited the offices and met with the staff of U.S. Representative Dr. Greg Murphy and U.S. Representative David Rouzer to emphasize the urgent need for smart energy policies.
“These meetings are an essential opportunity to ensure our federal policymakers understand the unique challenges electric cooperatives face in delivering affordable and reliable power to rural communities,” said CEO Don Gatton.
Conference discussions focused on:
Securing FEMA disaster assistance to support faster, more affordable recovery for rural communities- Protecting access to elective pay energy tax incentives to ensure a level playing field for co-ops
- Opposing cuts to USDA and DOE infrastructure programs that support innovation and resilience
- Supporting full funding for RUS Electric Loans that help build and maintain co-op infrastructure
- Passing additional permitting reform legislation to reduce delays and construction costs
- Defending hydroelectric power as a reliable, clean generation source
- Passing the Fix Our Forests Act to support vegetation management and protect against wildfire threats
With surging energy demand and aging infrastructure, Four County EMC underscored the need for strong federal support to ensure the grid remains resilient—especially as new industries like data centers and advanced manufacturing move into the region.
“A special thank you goes to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives (NCEMC) for organizing this impactful conference,” said Director Clayton Hollingsworth. “Their leadership and guidance are invaluable in uniting co-ops across the country—and across our state—behind a shared mission of empowering the communities we serve.”
To learn more about Four County EMC’s advocacy efforts and energy priorities, visit www.fourcty.org.