Democrats face call for help from electric co-ops

ELECTRIC CO-OPS SEEK AID IN DEMOCRATIC BILL: The group representing electric co-ops is asking Democratic leaders for help in the clean energy infrastructure reconciliation package.

The push by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association underscores the importance of co-ops if Democrats and President Joe Biden want to meet their clean electricity targets.

Why co-ops matter: U.S. utilities are moving to clean energy, but the shift is happening more slowly at co-ops that service much of rural America. Because they are owned by customers, not shareholders, they can’t raise equity and rely on debt...