Oban honored for outstanding contributions to North Dakota’s electric cooperatives and rural communities
The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) presented Erin Oban with the Helping Hand Award at its 82nd annual meeting Feb. 11. The award recognizes Oban’s strong support of North Dakota’s electric cooperatives and the rural communities they serve, which she demonstrated as a North Dakota state senator and the state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development.
“Over the last decade, Erin has been a champion for electric cooperatives and members at the end of the line. She has a keen understanding of cooperatives and has helped secure critical state and federal funding for co-op priorities. Erin is a tireless advocate for rural North Dakota, and we are grateful for her unwavering support,” says NDAREC General Manager and Executive Vice President Josh Kramer.
As a North Dakota state senator, Oban championed several issues critical to electric cooperatives and the members they serve. She spoke in opposition to net metering proposals and in support of efforts to ensure electric cooperatives remained in tax parity with other utilities. Oban also championed efforts to improve quality of life in rural communities, addressing important issues such as workforce and community development, food access and child care.
In 2022, Oban was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as the North Dakota director of USDA Rural Development. In this role, she continued to support electric cooperatives and rural communities, successfully directing critical funding to strengthen water, electrical and broadband infrastructure, expand food and health care access, provide affordable housing and create jobs.
“Rural America needs more advocates like Erin Oban. She has earned the respect and trust of colleagues across the political spectrum and builds coalitions to make things better for rural communities,” Kramer says. “Her dedication, proven track record and belief everyone should have a seat at the table is a testament to her effectiveness as a leader and her willingness to always lend a helping hand.”
Every year, NDAREC recognizes individuals for generous contributions to North Dakota’s electric cooperatives and the communities they serve. An eight-member committee of the NDAREC board of directors selects award recipients from nominations submitted by NDAREC’s members, which include 17 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives.
NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 17 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to nearly 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, lineworker safety training, professional development, cooperative business development and communication services, including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.