The CIPCO Board took strategic action in December of 2008 to form a Legislative/Public Policy Committee with the goal of becoming more directly engaged in the public policy arena.  Since that time, the Committee has made three trips to Washington DC to meet with federal officials and engage them in dialogue about energy policy and the impacts to electric cooperatives.  The most recent trip on May 2 - 5 was to participate in the 2010 NRECA Legislative Conference.

A total of 30 representatives from Iowa cooperatives participated in the event this year, including Bob Collins, Ralph Lents, Gary Mount and Sam Nichols from the CIPCO Board.  Others representing CIPCO and/or member systems included Larry Quinn (Eastern), Bill McKim (Midland), Harry Ruth (East-Central), Kirk Trede (Eastern), Jennifer Feddersen (Linn County) and Dusky Terry (CIPCO).  Each attendee participated in meetings with Iowa’s members of Congress and spoke to issues important to Iowa’s cooperatives:

1. Rural Utilities Service (RUS).  We urged Congress to support a $6.5 billion loan level (current funding level) for the RUS Electric Loan Program and oppose the reductions and restrictions on RUS lending recommended by President Obama.  This program provides essential funding to build and maintain electric generation and transmission systems.

2. Rural Energy Savings Program Act.  Co-op representatives asked for support of a new program for electric cooperatives to offer low-interest loans to consumers for installing energy efficiency practices in their home under the RUS loan program.  The loan is then repaid to the co-op through their electric bill. 
 

3. Clean Air Act.  We urged members of Congress to block the use of the Clean Air Act for regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources.  The U.S. EPA is planning to implement new regulations unless Congress acts, which will further drive up the cost of electricity for everyone. 
 

4. Captive Rail.  The lack of competition among freight railroads and ineffectiveness of the Surface Transportation Board continues to be an issue that drives up rates and compromises reliable service.  We asked our officials to support the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act and strengthen the role of the Surface Transportation Board. 

In addition to our issues agenda, the Iowa group also made an effort to provide basic background on electric cooperatives and offered up our expertise on energy issues to each member of Congress and their staff.  We had very productive meetings with Sens. Grassley and Harkin and Reps. Loebsack, Latham and King.  Our group met with staff from Reps. Braley and Boswell’s offices due to scheduling conflicts with both Congressmen.  In addition, we spent an hour with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack as he discussed his vision for agriculture and rural America and the role that electric cooperatives play in supporting rural communities.

As Congress continues to face a multitude of challenges impacting energy policy, economic growth and our environment, it is imperative for the voice of electric cooperatives to be heard by those making policy decisions.  Our Committee will continue to advocate on behalf of our member-owners to ensure safe and reliable electricity at an affordable price.