When everyone uses more energy at the same time, it puts more stress on the electric grid and requires more expensive electricity to meet the need. To reduce energy use and strain on the grid during peak times, we can adopt habits in our homes.

For Iowa’s electric cooperatives, energy policy remained a central focus throughout the 2026 Legislative Session. Electric cooperatives are always focused on protecting affordable and reliable electric service, and we do so at the Statehouse by supporting various legislative proposals and preventing harmful policies from advancing.

In May, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and other electric cooperative leaders joined officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act (REA), the law that helped bring power to rural America.

As our nation celebrates 250 years, few figures embody the promise and hope of America more than George Washington. He considered himself a farmer first and a statesman second.