Policy

During the current legislative session, an ongoing commitment to safety is reflected in new legislation proposed by Iowa’s electric cooperatives that would increase penalties for individuals who threaten, harass or assault utility workers while they are performing their duties.

During the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ (IAEC) annual meeting, Mike Partin, president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, sat down with Leslie Kaufman, IAEC executive vice president and general manager, to discuss important energy topics.

As the Iowa Legislature prepares to convene on Jan. 12, electric cooperatives across the state are focused on defending the policies and protections that keep power reliable and affordable for our communities.

Now is the time to lead through change, and we will have ample opportunities to do so in the electric utility industry. It all points back to our electric cooperative purpose and our collective mission: to power lives and empower communities.

In late September staff from Iowa's electric cooperatives met with Iowa’s Congressional offices to discuss issues facing co-ops and the communities we serve.

Throughout the session, Iowa’s electric cooperatives maintained a strong presence at the State Capitol, advocating for the interests of their member-consumers. With more than 1,800 bills introduced this year, many of which related to energy, a unified cooperative voice was more important than ever.

In late April, a group of nearly 30 co-op advocates joined other co-op leaders from across the country for the spring legislative fly-in to Washington, D.C., for face-to-face meetings with elected officials to discuss issues important to co-op member-consumers.

Energy policy remains a top priority for Iowa lawmakers in the current state legislative session. Learn about key legislative issues under discussion and their potential impact on your local electric cooperative.

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.

The electric grid gathers and distributes power from many sources, including those considered baseload or intermittent. Learn about the differences, and why a diverse energy portfolio is necessary.