NEWS RELEASES

Earlier today, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed into law House File 645, which, among other things, increases the tax credit capacity for utility solar projects by 10 megawatts. Iowa’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives have been supportive of the legislation and are pleased at the outcome.

35 high school students representing not-for-profit electric cooperatives across Iowa departed for a weeklong adventure to Washington D.C. today, as part of the national Youth Your program coordinated by statewide electric cooperative associations and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Beginning back in 1958, Iowa’s electric cooperatives have been sending student leaders to the nation’s capital each summer where they get an up-close look at the political process while also touring national museums, monuments and memorials. Students also learn more about the role electric cooperatives play in providing safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable power to member-owners. 

 

As the winter energy assistance disconnection moratorium ends on April 1, electric cooperative member-owners who are behind on their utility payments are urged to contact their co-op as soon as possible to work out payment options to avoid disconnection. Iowa’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives are willing to work with member-owners who have fallen behind on payments to find an agreeable solution; disconnection of service is always a last resort.

More than 200 rural electric cooperative (REC) employees and directors, representing more than 25 Iowa co-ops, traveled to the Iowa State Capitol on Monday to advocate for important issues during their annual REC Day on the Hill event. The co-op representatives first met for a briefing to receive updates on state and federal legislative issues, and John Richards, senior advisor of the Office of Energy Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy, spoke about the DOE’s efforts to collaborate with energy stakeholders in the development of energy policy. The group then met with their local elected officials during a dessert social on the first floor rotunda of the Capitol.

The electric cooperatives of Iowa have teamed up with Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy to fund specialized first responder training during the 91st Annual State Fire School session in Ames from February 27-March 1. Organized by the Fire Service Training Bureau, the State Fire School training is held at the Scheman Continuing Education Center on the campus of Iowa State University and provides high quality training from top instructors. Effective training reduces risk to firefighters, many of whom are volunteers, while increasing the level of service to the communities they serve. The electric utilities will fund two identical three-hour workshops, Responding to Electrical Emergencies - Solar and Wind Power, which will be led by renown instructor Mike Callan. The workshops will familiarize responders with the hazards of electricity in general, along with the unique hazards of solar and wind electricity generation. Participants will discuss the hazards, equipment, safety, and general response tactics for first responders.

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For Immediate Release: October 24, 2014 Contact: Tim Coonan, (515) 991-3916 Iowa Electric Cooperatives Release Congressional Candidate Surveys Iowa’s Electric Cooperatives ask candidates, “What is your view on America’s energy future?” DES MOINES, Iowa —Today the rural electric cooperatives of Iowa launched a service project to educate their member-consumers about...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 CONTACT: Tim Coonan, (515) 991-3916 Rural electric cooperatives meet with congressional delegation during DC fly-in Members focus on extended comment period on new EPA rule, action on FEMA storm recovery funding denial WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives...