Rural Action Competitors

Air, water, food, shelter, income: nature sustains every aspect of our lives. That's why protecting and conserving nature isn't just a matter of common sense. It's the smartest investment we can make. Since our founding in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has harnessed the power of nature to help solve our planet’s most challenging problems. And while the stakes are high, so is our resolve: to create a world where everyone thrives alongside nature for generations to come. We do this by working hand in hand with communities around the world. By committing to a science-based, non-partisan approach that’s stood the test of time. And by bringing people together, from all walks of life, to find common ground in nature.

We are Environmental Defense Fund, a leading environmental nonprofit focused on stabilizing the climate while helping build strong and healthy communities. Our game-changing solutions put people at the center of everything we do. Communities, governments, NGOs and businesses invite us to the table because our people find innovative solutions to the climate crisis. We work where we can make the biggest impact: fighting climate change, saving rainforests, supporting community-led clean air efforts and more. We bring team members together from a wide range of backgrounds. We are defined by our collective optimism, perseverance and ingenuity — and we are united in our mission. Learn more: https://www.edf.org/our-mission-and-values

The Nebraska Rural Electric Association (NREA) is the private non-profit trade association for 34 rural electric systems that provide electric service to consumers in most of the rural areas and many of the small towns in the great State of Nebraska. Together, the more than 1,000 dedicated employees of our member-systems serve over 249,000 meters across more than 87,700 miles of line. In the 1930s, rural leaders took on the enormous task of building the electric utility infrastructure in Nebraska that would provide themselves and their neighbors with reliable and affordable electricity. The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) was created by executive order of President Roosevelt on May 11, 1935 and NREA was formed in October of that year to help these early leaders deal with problems of standardizing line construction and obtaining wholesale power supplies. Over the years, NREA's mission has evolved to include a broad range of activities to assist our member-systems as they face the many challenges of providing low-cost, reliable electric service to the rural regions of Nebraska. Today, the quality of electric service in the most remote areas of the state equals or exceeds the electric service available in our largest communities. This achievement continues to be a source of pride for the directors, managers, and other employees of our member-systems. This accomplishment has not been without its challenges, and as we work through the 21st century and the challenges posed by rising wholesale power costs and possible climate change legislation, we will face many new technical, economic and political challenges in the future. Nebraska's rural electric leaders will meet these challenges and will continue to be guided by their customer's desire for reliable, high-quality electric service at affordable rates. We are confident that Nebraskans will continue to see the value in maintaining their locally-owned, controlled, and operated rural public power districts and electric cooperatives.