Co-op Business Model

Iowa's 2025 Legislative Session will begin on Jan. 13, 
and IAEC electric cooperatives will prioritize efforts to ensure Iowa’s law regarding defined service areas is not undermined. Learn why this law has been so crucial to our mission to serve co-op member-consumers.

Across the nation, 64 generation and transmission (G&T) cooperatives provide access to wholesale (at-cost) power at a better price than each of their member co-ops could obtain on their own. In Iowa, electric co-ops are members of various G&T cooperatives, which generate electricity at multiple sites using a diverse mix of fuels such as coal, natural gas, wind, solar, hydro and landfill gas.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of the southeastern U.S., Iowa’s electric cooperatives answered the call for assistance, demonstrating the true spirit of the co-op principle of Cooperation Among Cooperatives.

Many of us are a generation or two removed from living without electricity. However, 14 linemen from Iowa and Minnesota electric co-ops were able to experience the fulfillment of powering a brighter future for the rural village of Las Peñas, Guatemala, in June.

On July 26, Leslie Kaufman began her new role as the executive vice president and general manager (EVP/GM) of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC), the statewide trade association serving Iowa’s electric cooperatives.

The Touchstone Energy^® Cooperatives of Iowa are driven by our commitment to community. Meet this year's Shine the Light contest nominees, and please join us in celebrating their outstanding commitment to community.

Chuck Soderberg, retiring executive vice president and general manager for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, (pictured at the top right) reflects on 45 years of working for electric cooperatives. 

Iowa’s electric cooperatives are excited to announce the return of Shine the Light, a statewide contest, which celebrates our cooperative commitment to community. Nominations are being accepted in June and award three winners with a $3,000 check to their local charity or community organization.

Serving on the IAEC board for more than five years, Kenny VandenBerg was honored to take the helm as board president in December. Learn about his priorities for serving Iowa's electric cooperatives in his new role.

The Iowa Venture Awards, presented by the Iowa Area Development Group, spotlight entrepreneurs and organizations for their leadership, capital investment and the job opportunities they create. The following businesses were honored on Dec. 7 at a luncheon held as a part of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ annual meeting.