Mid-Ohio Energy, the not-for-profit electric cooperative that serves approximately 8,200 consumers in Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Hancock, Hardin, Logan, Marion, Morrow, Union, and Wyandot counties, has been invited to participate in the Energy & Commerce Republicans’ “Energy & Environment Innovation Showcase” at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, in the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

The objective of the initiative is to highlight the importance of investing in the development and deployment of breakthrough technologies that reduce emissions, power tomorrow’s economy, and provide greater value to American consumers.  

Participating organizations will discuss the significance and effect of their respective energy and environmental policies, as well as the manner in which those measures have been implemented to offer realistic, innovative solutions.  

“Mid-Ohio Energy is eager to demonstrate the direct impact that our cutting-edge systems have on the end-line consumer. We’ve invested considerable resources in state-of-the-art energy distribution technology, as well as in the people who deliver our service,” said John Metcalf, president/CEO of Mid-Ohio Energy. 

 “Because we serve Ohio’s rural geography—a landscape that’s been largely underserved and overlooked by traditional economic advancement—it’s imperative that we look to tomorrow’s advances to solve today’s challenges.  When compared to national electric distribution utilities, Mid-Ohio Energy’s reliability scores are among the best, as a result of the coupling of our advanced distribution monitoring systems and our ability to react to and to restore power disruptions, using today’s technology.  

"Our technological investments further afford Mid-Ohio Energy the ability to fine-tune our network systems to reduce line distribution system line losses, so that our operations run with increased efficiency.  The result is a reduced carbon footprint.” 

According to Marc Armstrong, director of government affairs for Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, the statewide services association that works on behalf of the state’s 24 not-for-profit rural electric cooperatives, “The Energy & Commerce Republicans innovation showcase provides a unique opportunity to exhibit real, local energy solutions.  

"It enables pioneering organizations, such as Mid-Ohio Energy, to lead the way in the power arena, while working alongside the policymakers who can shape change.”

Among congressional representatives from 13 states, Rep. Bob Latta (Ohio’s 5th district) will be on hand to discuss the state’s contributions to energy modernization.