Iowa co-ops advocate for FEMA reform, USDA programs in Washington, D.C.

In late September, staff from 6 IAEC member cooperatives, along with IAEC policy and advocacy staff, traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with Senator Chuck Grassley (photo), staff from 5 of Iowa’s Congressional offices, energy and rural development staff from the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and NRECA’s legislative affairs team.

Fly-in participants emphasized how federal programs and policies directly impact rural communities and electric cooperative members across Iowa. Discussions focused on three key priorities:

• Reform of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Support for USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric loan program
• Funding for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG)

A major topic was H.R. 4669, the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025. The bill would speed FEMA reviews and payments, strengthen Hazard Mitigation programs, and help ensure reliable power for rural residents after disasters. The Iowa team highlighted how these reforms would directly benefit cooperatives that absorb high costs during emergencies while working to keep the lights on for their members. IAEC will continue following up with Iowa’s delegation to ensure this legislation remains a priority.

Attendees also stressed the critical role USDA programs like RUS electric loans and REDLG play in financing infrastructure improvements and driving local economic growth. With the looming possibility of a federal government shutdown, the group reinforced how these programs deliver real, measurable benefits to Iowa communities, from affordable financing for essential system upgrades to job creation and community development through REDLG projects.

The impact of these targeted discussions will carry forward into the spring, when Iowa cooperative representatives return to Washington in larger numbers in conjunction with NRECA’s 2026 Legislative Conference.

IAEC thanks Tim Marienau (Prairie Energy Cooperative), Holi Weston (Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc.), Kevin Condon (Central Iowa Power Cooperative), Brittney Dickey (Corn Belt Power Cooperative), Luke Fuller and Jason Herbert (Dairyland Power Cooperative), and Jean Schafer (Basin Electric Power Cooperative) for representing Iowa cooperatives in Washington, D.C.

For More Information:

Erin Campbell
Director of Communications
ecampbell@iowarec.org