NIPCO Members Advocate for Reliability, Service Area Protection
- Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
NIPCO’s annual Joint Legislative Meeting provides an outstanding opportunity to educate state and federal lawmakers on the cooperative industry and the issues vital to serving members in western Iowa. On December 15, 2025, cooperative staff and directors from NIPCO, Harrison County REC, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, North West REC, WIMECA, WIPCO, and Woodbury County REC  met with national and state legislators and their staff to discuss issues and priorities facing the rural electric cooperative industry on both national and regional levels.
This year’s Joint Meeting grew to include six members, with the additional participation of Harrison County REC and WIMECA (Western Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association), bringing legislators who represent their service areas to the discussion.
Legislators in attendance included Iowa Senator Kevin Alons (Senate District 7) and Representatives J.D. Scholten (House District 1), Robert Henderson (House District 2), Tom Jeneary (House District 3), and Jacob Bossman (House District 14), who also serves as Regional Director for Senator Chuck Grassley. Wes Fopma was also in attendance on behalf of Congressman Randy Feenstra.
The top legislative priority for Iowa’s electric cooperatives this session is protecting the state’s defined electric service territories. During the Joint Meeting, cooperative leaders emphasized how service area protection provides stability and predictability, allowing cooperatives to make long-term investments in infrastructure and economic development. In Iowa, location determines which electric utility serves homes, farms, and businesses. For nearly 50 years, these defined electric service areas have provided certainty to electric cooperatives as they maintain affordable rates, foster a resilient electric grid, and invest in economic development throughout rural Iowa. Iowa’s electric cooperatives strongly oppose any efforts to change or amend the existing service territory law.
On January 13, nearly 200 cooperative staff and directors from Iowa electric cooperatives, including NIPCO and its member distribution cooperatives, attended the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ annual Welcome Back Reception at the start of the 91st General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature.
At both events, co-op advocates discussed concerns and priorities face-to-face with state legislators, directly impacting the affordability and reliability of electricity for the members and communities they serve.
In the coming months, Iowa’s 91st General Assembly will address many issues, including energy-related matters central to Iowa’s rural economy. NIPCO and Iowa’s electric cooperatives, in partnership with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC), will continue to advocate for a balanced approach in addressing energy issues as they work together to safely and reliably power lives and empower communities.
