BY JAY CEPERLEY
In late September, ahead of the government shutdown, staff from six Iowa electric cooperatives and the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Iowa’s Congressional offices. The team met with Sen. Chuck Grassley, staff from the five other congressional offices, and key policy experts from the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). This group focused their conversations on the issues facing Iowa electric cooperatives and the communities we serve.
Focus on FEMA
One of the main topics discussed was the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025, a bill aimed at improving how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) responds to disasters. The legislation proposes streamlining the process for electric cooperatives to access federal funding after storms and other emergencies.
The Iowa team emphasized that these reforms would reduce financial strain on co-ops and strengthen the resilience of rural communities. They also explained to congressional offices that without FEMA support, Iowa electric co-ops will have to recover the cost of storm recovery through increased rates.
Economic development programs
Co-op advocates also underscored the vital role the U.S. Department of Agriculture plays to help fund infrastructure projects and support local economic development. Programs like Rural Utilities Service electric loans provide low-interest financing that allows Iowa electric co-ops to upgrade and maintain the electric grid. These improvements are critical for ensuring reliable, affordable electricity in rural areas, where the cost of infrastructure is often higher due to lower population density.
Additionally, our team discussed the value of the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program, which helps Iowa electric co-ops go beyond electricity by supporting broader community development. Through REDLG, Iowa electric co-ops can offer loans or grants to local businesses, schools and hospitals which are used to create jobs, expand services and strengthen rural economies. The fly-in group shared several real-life examples of how these initiatives have made a difference in their Iowa communities. These stories help lawmakers see the tangible value of continued federal investment in rural infrastructure and development.
Conversations that count
The Iowa electric co-op staff members brought extensive experience and shared firsthand how these federal programs benefit electric co-ops and the communities we serve. Despite the looming threat of a government shutdown, our team delivered compelling stories and clear policy asks for the programs most critical to Iowa’s electric cooperatives.
The momentum from these discussions will carry into the spring, when Iowa electric co-op representatives return to Washington in greater numbers for NRECA’s 2026 Legislative Conference.
Jay Ceperley is the advocacy coordinator for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.
