BY HALEY MOON
The 2025 Iowa Legislative Session officially adjourned in the early morning hours of May 15, after lawmakers worked through the night to finalize a budget agreement. With a projected adjournment date of May 2, this session included nearly two weeks of “overtime.”
Throughout the session, Iowa’s electric cooperatives maintained a strong presence at the State Capitol, advocating for the interests of their member-consumers under the Golden Dome. With more than 1,800 bills introduced this year, many of which related to energy, a unified cooperative voice was more important than ever.
Co-op engagement took many forms, from large events to one-on-one meetings. Our Welcome Back Legislative Reception in January provided a valuable opportunity to meet with nearly 100 legislators at the start of session, while our REC Day on the Hill event in March brought around 200 rural electric co-op advocates to the Capitol. Individual visits, countless emails, phone calls and participation in local forums all helped reinforce the co-op message throughout Iowa’s 2025 Legislative Session.
Defending service territory
This constant grassroots engagement resulted in several legislative successes for Iowa’s electric co-ops. One major victory was the defense of Iowa’s service territory law, a cornerstone that ensures cooperatives can continue to deliver reliable, affordable electricity to rural Iowans. One proposal would have changed how the Iowa Utilities Commission considers service territory changes, potentially disadvantaging co-ops and the rural Iowans we serve. Thanks to strong advocacy, these proposals were ultimately set aside by both House and Senate Commerce Committees.
Stopping a third-party solar program
Another key success was halting the advancement of a bill that would have created a third-party solar program in Iowa. While electric cooperatives support solar as part of a diversified energy portfolio, this bill raised serious concerns as it would have allowed third-party companies to operate as utilities without being held to the same regulatory standards. Additionally, the program’s structure could have shifted costs to consumers who chose not to participate. Co-ops support solar solutions that are fair, cost-effective and strengthen the electric grid; criteria this bill did not meet.
Modernizing energy infrastructure
Gov. Kim Reynolds also introduced a comprehensive energy bill that included a right of first refusal provision for electric transmission projects, which Iowa’s electric cooperatives supported. While this bill did not advance, we look forward to continued conversations about modernizing energy infrastructure to meet Iowa’s future needs.
Though the 2025 session has ended, our advocacy work continues. Iowa’s electric cooperatives are already preparing for the 2026 session, which will convene Jan. 12. Until then, we will remain actively engaged with lawmakers and those seeking political office to ensure the cooperative perspective continues to be heard. Keep up to date on these activities by following Iowa Rural Power on social media or at www.iaruralpower.org.
Haley Moon is the senior manager of policy and advocacy for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.
