Iowa’s electric cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 650,000 Iowans in each of the state’s 99 counties.  We pride ourselves on being member-owned, not-for-profit cooperatives supplying reliable and affordable electricity in ways that minimize the impacts to our natural environment.

Iowa’s electric cooperatives support a balanced solution to reversing the effects of climate change.  We need a policy that reduces carbon dioxide emissions in a way that softens the impact to already soaring energy costs and focuses on technology development to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. 

The member systems of Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) and Corn Belt Power Cooperative launched a statewide media campaign drawing attention to legislation being rushed through the U.S. House to combat global climate change.  This coalition of electric generation and transmission cooperatives developed and paid for this ad campaign.  The advertisements encourage Iowans to visit www.FindABalancedSolution.com to learn more about climate change and to find out how to contact their member of Congress.

Act now. Tell Congress your story.  Let your elected officials know how you will personally be affected by increased energy prices.Congress must be convinced to find a balanced solution that achieves real environmental goals without draining family budgets or further harming our economy. 

For CIPCO's Policy Position on Climate Change click here.

The Our Energy Our Future national grassroots campaign was launched by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to engage consumer/members in conversations with elected officials. This dialogue is to include discussions on meeting climate change goals while keeping electricity reliable and affordable. Cooperative members have been asked to write letters, fill out counter comment cards at their local electric cooperative offices, and go online to send an email to initiate this dialogue with Congress.

Some of the questions being raised include key issues regarding capacity and fuel supply, climate change, technology, and affordability. A growing need for electricity continues, how will the future needs be met; technology, research and development is needed and is costly, what is being done in Congress to assist in funding this research to meet the nation’s climate policy goals; and how can the affordability of electricity be maintained and sustain a balance with the electricity needs and the environmental goals of the nation.

These questions are important for the cooperative membership as well as employees of an electric cooperative. Please follow this link http://www.ourenergy.coop/ to contact your elected officials on this very important issue.