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.
Advocates heard speeches from high-ranking policymakers including several Members of Congress and Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Neil Chatterjee. They also participated 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 members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation and their staff, staff from the Executive Office of the President, and USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey. Issues discussed include protecting cooperatives’ not-for-profit status, rightsizing pension premiums, 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 we were also effective at maintaining and building relationships with Washington policymakers. Iowa’s electric cooperatives will return to Washington, D.C., in September for the IAEC fall fly-in.
