Who we are

The NextGen Co-op Alliance (NGCA) is a broad-based coalition of electric coops brought together by the common desire to serve our communities and driven to do what is best for our member-owners.

For many of us, our members are best served through deploying new technologies such as solar, storage, microgrids, hydrogen, and other distributed energy resources. The members of NGCA share a collective goal of supporting coops to obtain the best technology and resources for our members. We understand that not every Co-op may want to transition to renewable energy, but we all agree that regardless of power supply, we all listen and are driven by our member-owners.

NGCA is a collection of CEOs from distribution co-ops representing member-owners in seven states. We come together monthly to learn from one another, share best practices, and leverage resources to work toward the most equitable power supply for our members. In doing so, we are making great strides in stabilizing the power rates our members pay for energy and driving new local economic opportunities.

Legacy of rural co-ops

We acknowledge and respect the legacy of distribution co-ops and their G&T partners. Together, we electrified rural America. The business models G&Ts constructed established reliable power supplies for our member-owners and served them well in the past.

Energy evolution

The world and our industry have changed in ways we could barely imagine even 20 years ago. Coal-fired power plants are becoming more expensive than alternatives. Newer, cleaner technologies are now available – at lower costs. Our focus has been and continues to be on providing our members with the most cost-efficient power supply on the market.

Energy marketplace

The fact is, the energy marketplace is both more complex and more transparent than it was during the New Deal and even into the start of the 21st century. Competitive, wholesale energy businesses have emerged and changed how energy is bought and sold. NGCA members strive to continue to evolve based on our member’s needs.

Strength in numbers

There is strength in numbers. NextGen Co-op Alliance was formed so we can work together to establish more equitable and more flexible relationships with our power providers – whether a G&T or an independent wholesaler – and bring our memberships the cleaner, more cost-effective energy they want.

The members of the NextGen Co-op Alliance are agents of change in communities across the country. We are not committed to any single solution to the issues plaguing rural power supply and procurement, but no matter what form a solution may take, we work toward the following goals:

With these goals in mind, the NextGen Co-op Alliance dedicates itself to educational tools and networking opportunities to all distribution co-ops with the common desire to serve our communities and driven to do what is best for our member-owners. 

Founding members

Chad Felderman
Chair, CEO, Dakota Energy Cooperative, Huron, South Dakota

Luis Reyes
Vice Chair, CEO, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Taos, New Mexico

Ron Holcomb
Treasurer, CEO, Tipmont Rural Electric Membership Corporation, Linden, Indiana