Along Those Lines

Hosted by NRECA

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Oct 2026

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About the show

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's podcast is focused on the important stories from across co-op country about the issues that matter most to rural America and the energy industry.

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60 recent

October 12, 2026Episode 1025 min

DOE's Catherine Jereza Talks With NRECA on the Grid of the Future

The Department of Energy has been a key federal partner for electric co-ops as they maneuver unprecedented demand growth. DOE's Office of Electricity plays an important role in this partnership, overseeing opportunities to help co-ops expand and modernize their systems, including the $10.5 billion GRIP Program. Hear from Catherine Jereza, assistant secretary for the Office of Electricity, on DOE's work with co-ops to ensure affordable, reliable energy and the agency's Powering America Road Show.

September 17, 2026Episode 928 min

Changing Threat Surface: Evolving Grid Poses New Co-op Cybersecurity Challenges

Deployment is surging across the country for distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems, as well as EVs and their charging infrastructure. These assets can benefit the grid and co-op consumers by shaving loads during times of high demand, reducing energy bills and keeping the lights on amid power outages—but they also introduce new cybersecurity challenges. Learn more from NRECA's Carter Manucy and North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives' Cooper Cash.

August 14, 2026Episode 831 min

Lifting All Boats: Co-ops Talk Value of Rural Broadband, Partnership With NRECA

With help from NRECA Broadband, co-ops providing internet service are boosting the quality of life in their communities. Federal funding is critical to that mission but comes with its own set of challenges. On this episode of Along Those Lines, we'll talk to NRECA's Erin Dobozy on how NRECA Broadband helps co-ops access these funding programs, and we'll hear about broadband success stories and policy priorities from Beacon Broadband's Val Early and Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications' Jeff Blagg.

July 13, 2026Episode 734 min

'A Forward-Looking Process': Co-op Leaders Share Succession Planning Strategies

The electric co-op workforce is on the cusp of big change, with a large portion of leadership and other employees nearing retirement age in the coming years. But succession planning involves more than hiring someone's replacement—it's about creating a co-op that's ready for the future. Hear from NRECA Director of Human Capital Planning & Compensation Delaine Orendorff, Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative President and General Manager Tim Burkhalter and Wells Rural Electric Co. CEO Thad Ballard.

June 10, 2026Episode 620 min

The Legacy of the Rural Electrification Act

When the Rural Electrification Act was signed in 1936, only 10% of U.S. farms and rural homes had power. But the REA helped achieve near universal electrification in rural America and is still vital to ensuring that co-ops can deliver affordable, reliable power, including through the RUS electric loan program. To mark the REA's 90th anniversary, we'll talk to NRECA CEO Jim Matheson and RUS Administrator Karl Elmshaeuser on the law's legacy and how co-ops continue to carry out its mission.

May 11, 2026Episode 526 min

'It's In Our Principles': North Dakota Statewide Food Project Shows Concern for Community

Food deserts are a major challenge in rural America, leaving many communities without easy access to affordable, nutritious food. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives is forging an ambitious solution to this problem. With help from a large new grant, the statewide's rural development center is launching a regional grocery and food hub to tackle hunger in north central North Dakota. Hear more about this project from NDAREC's Josh Kramer and Ellen Huber.

April 20, 2026Episode 430 min

Unpacking the Surge in U.S. Electricity Demand

After decades of stagnant growth, U.S. power demand is set to jump in the years ahead. Data centers will be a big part of the increase, but other sources could rival those gains. On this episode of Along Those Lines, we take a closer look at these demand growth drivers with Lidija Sekaric, NRECA's vice president of innovation and emerging technology, and David Porter, vice president of electrification and sustainable energy strategy at EPRI.

March 16, 2026Episode 330 min

Co-op Safety Conversation Evolves as Annual Summit Draws Record Interest

On this episode of Along Those Lines, we're joined by NRECA Director of Safety Programs Ken Macken and Johnie Hendrix, vice president of risk management and training for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. Ken and Johnie will talk about new ways that NRECA, statewide organizations and co-ops are working to improve safety. They'll also give program highlights of the upcoming NRECA Safety Leadership Summit in St. Louis, Missouri, which is smashing past registration records.

February 13, 2026Episode 226 min

Award-Winning CEO Shares Her Co-op's Communication Strategy

Effective communication by electric co-ops—through good times and bad—builds member loyalty and better aligns and engages co-op employees. In this episode, Cherryland Electric Cooperative CEO Rachel Johnson, this year's winner of the J.C. Brown CEO Communication Leadership Award, shares her thoughts on how to leverage new and traditional media platforms to reach members and educate the public. She also gives tips on improving internal communication between co-op leadership and staff.

January 15, 2026Episode 119 min

Kate Steel Leads NRECA International Into Its Next Chapter

For over 60 years, NRECA International has helped bring electricity to unserved or underserved parts of the world, drawing on lessons learned from the U.S. electrification story. Hear from NRECA International's new senior vice president, Kate Steel, on how the organization is staying true to its mission as it charts a new path toward global electrification as well as how co-ops and others can support this vital work.