Local cooperatives host presidential candidate town halls
Putting the cooperative principles of education, training and information and concern for community into practice, led two Iowa electric cooperatives, Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative (RVEC) and Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative to host presidential candidate town hall meetings in September and October. Over 100 employees, board members, community leaders and member-consumers attended town halls featuring Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal in Glidden and Harlan, Iowa. Jim Bagley, CEO of RVEC, said he hosted the event because he believes that it is important to talk about rural issues. Electric cooperatives do not endorse any candidates but do serve as a host for events in order to raise awareness and educate their member-consumers and employees about policy issues related to electricity. John Euchner, General Manager, Nishnabotna Valley REC, asked Jindal to specifically address his plans for “safe, reliable and affordable electricity.” Jindal responded that he supports “an all-of-the-above energy strategy” that would ensure “safe, reliable and affordable energy.” Jindal further stated that we should “harness it all” including clean coal and solar. Electric cooperatives across the state are asking all the presidential candidates about their energy policies and are available to host similar events for other candidates that encourage community involvement and discussion about these important issues.
You can read more about the Jindal town hall hosted by Nishnabotna Valley REC in this article published by The Des Moines Register.
