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Over the course of five days, the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines provided a platform to 22 candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties to make their case to Iowans about why they should be president. Rural Power advocates, including cooperative staff, supporters, and Youth Tour alumni, participated in the Soapbox and listened to speeches from candidates over the course of several days. The speeches, which drew hundreds of in-person listeners and media from across the nation, provided an opportunity for advocates to listen and learn about the candidates they’ll engage with between now and the First in the Nation Caucuses on February 3^rd, 2020.

Electric cooperative advocates from across the state are getting involved this caucus campaign season and are asking presidential candidates how their energy plans will provide affordable and reliable power to rural Iowa. Follow Iowa Rural Power on Facebook and Twitter for updates from the caucus trail, and click here to view photos from the State Fair Political Soapbox. 

Iowa's electric cooperatives have long recognized the importance of political advocacy and sharing our story with policymakers and elected officials.

Please join us at the Electrify Iowa! Summit to be held at the Sheraton West Des Moines on Thursday, September 5, 2019.

This conference will provide sessions from national and regional experts on the latest trends, technologies and opportunities of beneficial electrification. The goal of the conference is to identify where the technology has taken us as utilities, consumers, manufacturers, and environmental advocates continue to realize the promise of a more “electrified” Iowa.

Attendees will hear from speakers and panelists on a range of topics including current assessments of the market, electric vehicle trends, battery storage R&D, and current/future electric equipment technology.

Don't miss this opportunity to attend and learn about beneficial electrification!

Registration fee: $45 (includes one day conference, continental breakfast, lunch and evening reception)

Agenda: Full detailed agenda to be coming soon!
8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast
8:30a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Conference (lunch provided and sponsored by CIPCO)
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.  Reception  

Room block: A block of rooms are reserved  at the Sheraton West Des Moines for the nights of September 4-5 at a rate of $115 plus taxes/fees per night. Please call the hotel directly at 515-223-1800 and ask for the Electrify Iowa event to recieve this rate, book by 8/21/19.         

Earlier this week, 40 Iowa electric cooperative representatives flew to Washington, D.C., to participate in the 2019 NRECA Legislative Conference. Together with more than 2,000 of their fellow cooperative representatives from across the nation, Iowa managers, directors, and employees spent three days sharing the electric cooperative story in Washington.

Youth Tour always gives teens the chance to talk with their elected officials in Washington. But how many get to go jogging with them?

If you're from Iowa, you do.

Last week more than 50 Iowa electric cooperative representatives flew to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 2018 NRECA Legislative Conference. Together with more than 2,000 of their fellow cooperative representatives from across the nation, Iowa managers, directors, and employees spent three days sharing the electric cooperative story in Washington.

Advocates heard speeches from high-ranking policymakers including USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and four U.S. Senators including the Chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. They were also able to participate in breakout sessions in which NRECA staff gave policy briefings and tips on how to effectively advocate on Capitol Hill.

In addition to NRECA-sponsored activities, advocates were able to lobby all six members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation, House Agriculture Committee staff, DOE Director of Public Affairs Bob Haus, and USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey. Issues discussed include rightsizing pension premiums, Farm Bill reauthorization, protecting Iowa’s power supply, and improving rural infrastructure and broadband access.

The group was well received in every meeting, underscoring the continuing success of Iowa electric cooperatives’ advocacy efforts. Not only were advocates successful in sharing the cooperative point of view on important federal issues, but were also effective at maintaining and building relationships with Washington policymakers.

The sun was shining brightly as more than 200 rural electric cooperative (REC) employees and directors, representing 38 co-ops, traveled to the Iowa State Capitol on Wednesday to advocate on behalf of their member-owners during their annual REC Day on the Hill event.

Over 150 directors, managers, and staff members from Iowa's electric cooperatives discussed priorities with state legislators and policy makers on January 9 at the annual Welcome Back Reception at the State Historical Building in downtown Des Moines. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt spoke directly to 500 members of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives on December 1^st as part of his listening tour around the country.