Owlett Honored by Rural Electric Association
HARRISBURG – Citing his strong advocacy for rural electric cooperatives and the communities they serve, Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) was presented with the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association’s (PREA) inaugural Legislator of the Year Award Tuesday.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition,” Owlett said. “Our rural electric cooperatives provide vital, life-sustaining services, and I’m just here trying to help make sure they can continue to meet their mission of serving our communities. I deeply appreciate their commitment to not only providing electricity but, in many cases, working to expand access to rural broadband as well. I look forward to continuing to work together and achieving great things for the Northern Tier and all of rural Pennsylvania.”
Owlett was praised for maintaining open lines of communication with his local electric cooperatives – Tri-County and Claverack – and championing policies to support their work and recognize the vital role they play in rural communities. Specifically, he was the prime sponsor of Act 98 of 2020, which allows electric cooperatives to use their own easements for broadband facilities.
“We are honored to recognize Rep. Clint Owlett with our very first Legislator of the Year Award,” said PREA/Allegheny President and CEO Steve Brame. “Since coming into office, Rep. Owlett has been a strong advocate of our cooperatives and our rural communities. He has made it a point to meet with our members and understand our issues, and he’s taken action to help improve the lives of Pennsylvania’s rural residents. Rep. Owlett’s ‘concern for community’ – a core cooperative principle – truly exemplifies what this award is all about. He’s been a champion of cooperative causes, and this recognition is well deserved.”
The Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA) has served as the unified voice for electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1942. These member-owned entities provide power and other services within their respective service territories. PREA is a nonprofit service organization headquartered in Harrisburg and is governed by a 14-member board of directors, one director from each member cooperative. The award was presented at the organization’s annual legislative mixer Tuesday evening.