Brickhouse attends executive order signing at White House

Cooperative leaders gather for a photo at the White House. (starting left) Jeffrey Connor, Mac McLennan, Chris Perry, Lisa Johnson, Chris Cosby, Annalisa Bloodworth, Vernon "Buddy" Hasten, Craig Grooms, David Tudor, Jim Matheson, Todd Brickhouse and Tony Campbell. (Photo By: NRECA Staff)

Todd Brickhouse, Basin Electric’s CEO and general manager, attended the White House on April 8 for the signing of four executive orders aimed at providing immediate relief to the United States energy industry.

“It was an honor to represent Basin Electric at the White House for the signing of the recent executive orders. It was gratifying to be in the company of cooperative leaders from across the country,” said Brickhouse. “As the largest electric utility in the United States by service territory, Basin Electric is exposed to severe climates and weather events which require an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Basin Electric’s coal fleet is a key component of this strategy. We fully support the Administration’s efforts to secure the future of dispatchable generation.”

The combined efforts of the Executive Orders include:

• Prioritizing coal to power economic growth, stabilizing the grid, supporting AI infrastructure, and creating high-paying jobs.
• Removing federal barriers and prioritizing coal development by directing agencies to expedite leasing and environmental reviews on federal lands and to treat coal as a high-priority land use.
• Tasking the U.S. Department of Energy with accelerating the development of coal-based technologies beyond energy, including building materials, carbon fiber, batteries, and advanced manufacturing components.
• Recognizing the growing energy demands of AI and data centers and calls for identifying regions where coal infrastructure can support these needs.
• Directing the U.S. Attorney General to identify and challenge state laws and legal actions that burden domestic energy production and take prompt legal action to block state efforts.
• Declaring grid reliability as a national priority and reaffirming the need for all generation sources to ensure grid stability and national security.

Other electric cooperative leaders in attendance include: NRECA CEO Jim Matheson, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. President and CEO Vernon “Buddy” Hasten, Associated Electric Cooperative CEO and General Manager David Tudor, East Kentucky Power Cooperative president and CEO, Tony Campbell, Minnkota Power Cooperative President and CEO Mac McLennan, Oglethorpe Power Corp. President and CEO Annalisa Bloodworth, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative President and CEO Chris Cosby, Seminole Electric Cooperative CEO and General Manager Lisa Johnson, Buckeye Power Cooperative President and CEO Craig Grooms and Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives President and CEO Chris Perry.

Links to view the executive orders in their entirety are provided below:

• Reinvigorating America's Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241
• Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Energy
• Protecting American Energy From State Overreach
• Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid