Iowans advocate for electric co-ops in D.C.

Friday, September 27, 2019 – DES MOINES, IA – Earlier this week, 37 electric cooperative representatives flew to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives annual Fall Legislative Fly-In. Iowa electric cooperative managers, directors and employees spent three days sharing the electric cooperative story with legislators and policymakers.

Advocates met with members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation and their staff on issues impacting electric cooperatives in Iowa and across the nation. The top legislative priority discussed was the Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas and Lands Act, also known as the RURAL Act. This bill would ensure that electric co-ops don’t lose their tax-exempt status if they accept government grants to restore power after natural disasters or promote economic development projects in their communities. Five members of Iowa’s Congressional Delegation have cosponsored this bipartisan bill. In addition to the RURAL Act, advocates discussed legislation relating to cooperative pension plans in addition to issues like energy storage, rural broadband, electrification of the U.S. economy and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The group was well received in every meeting, underscoring the continuing success of Iowa electric cooperatives’ advocacy efforts. Not only were advocates successful in sharing the cooperative point of view on important federal issues, but we were also effective at maintaining and building relationships with Washington policymakers. Iowa’s electric cooperatives will return to Washington, D.C., in April for the NRECA Legislative Conference.

For More Information:

Erin Campbell
IAEC Director of Communications
ecampbell@iowarec.org