ROSSLYN, VA—The leading trade associations representing America’s electrical supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, and installers, united to ensure that lawmakers at the state and local levels keep the power on for everyone as they make decisions related to the current COVID-19 health crisis.

In a joint letter to the National Governors Association, National League of Cities, National Conference of State Legislators, National Association of Towns and Townships, the United States Conference of Mayors and the National Association of Counties, electroindustry leaders urged state and local officials to heed the guidance issued last week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security categorizing workers in the electrical manufacturing supply chain as essential.

In the letter, the CEOs of the National Association of Electrical Distributors, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Electrical Manufacturers Association and Independent Electrical Contractors stated that their industries must continue to operate to install necessary equipment and ensure the power systems remain operational.

Furthermore, electroindustry leaders reiterated that “all critical infrastructure, including hospitals, businesses, and emergency services rely on electricity. Consequently, any delay caused by confusion about what is an essential business could delay access to necessary supplies and contractors needed to get the job done. To do otherwise will lead to additional confusion and unnecessary disruptions to society and undermine the confidence Americans have in their policymakers to make rational policy decisions during this pandemic.”