Electric Co-Op are nonprofits who lack hedge-fund investors backing Internet Service Providers [Video]

On Jan. 26 Richard Schollmann, a lobbyist for telecommunications companies partnered with cable companies and All Points Broadband, published a grossly misleading op-ed titled “Virginia’s new legislation to supercharge broadband availability.” Let me offer the truth about the legislative proposal. The legislation he cites does not address the speed of deployment, but instead is a clear money grab for corporate interests using the leverage of grant awards with a deadline to scare legislators into action. The proposed law will raise electric rates at a time where too many Virginians are already struggling to make ends meet.

Electric Cooperatives serve the most rural areas across Virginia, including many low-income families. Co-ops do everything possible to keep electricity affordable. Co-ops operate at cost and any leftover margins are given back to the ratepayers. Every dollar a cooperative spends comes from the homes of its members.

Mr. Schollmann and his partners are acting …