Nearly 200 directors, managers and employees from Iowa’s electric cooperatives discussed priorities with more than 80 state legislators on January 14 during the annual Welcome Back Legislative Reception in downtown Des Moines. Other guests of honor included: Secretary of State Paul Pate, Iowa Utilities Board Member Nick Wagner and Iowa Department of Revenue Director Kraig Paulsen. The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, in conjunction with the Iowa Biotechnology Association, the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, the Iowa Communications Alliance and FUELIowa, hosted the annual reception.

The event provided an opportunity to meet with legislators at the beginning of the state legislative session to discuss issues regarding the commitment to reliability, commitment to community and commitment to safety shared by Iowa’s electric cooperatives.

In the coming months, the Iowa General Assembly will be addressing a multitude of issues, including energy-related items central to Iowa’s rural economy. Beginning with the Welcome Back Legislative Reception, electric co-op directors, managers and staff will again be important advocates for a balanced approach in addressing energy issues. Iowa’s locally owned rural electric cooperatives work hard to provide affordable, reliable, safe and environmentally responsible power to more than 650,000 Iowans every day.