Legislative Update

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 30 June 2009 15:27

Iowa's Legislative Session is currently in session

Summary of 2012 Legislative Activity

Grassroots 101:

How a Bill Becomes a Law
Organizational Chart of the Iowa Legislature

Advocacy efforts:

Pella Cooperative Electric is very involved with legislative efforts -- this is another way we're looking out for you. Time is spent advocating for safe, affordable, reliable electricity delivered in an environmentally responsible manner. Policymakers are asked:

How will we supply the power we need to grow the economy?
Will we have the technology to supply adequate electricity in a carbon-constrained world?
Will we meet national climate change goals while keeping electricity affordable?

To learn more about this effort, visit Iowa Rural Power.
To help keep electricity affordable, visit www.OurEnergy.coop.

Why it matters:

The biggest influence on our lawmakers is the concerns expressed by their own voters. You play an important role in this process. If we don’t tell them about our issues and concerns – they won’t know we care.

Pella Cooperative Electric's future will be directly related to your active participation in the political process. There is a great deal of power behind grassroots activities and how they can influence the outcome of legislation, political and community decisions. We are involved to get the best outcome for Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives (RECs) and YOU, our members.

How you can help:

Sign up to receive The Policy Wire – a quarterly legislative e-mail update from Pella Cooperative Electric. Be armed with the facts that matter to Iowans, facts about issues that could affect the future prices you may be paying for electricity. If you change your mind, rest assured, you can unsubscribe by notifying us.

Iowa's 84th legislative session adjourned on May 9, 2012. You can help by delivering messages to your legislators during this current session. Locate your legislators (under "who is my legislator" at the bottom of this page) and contact them by email, mail, or by phone. You have the biggest influence on lawmakers since you are voting citizens. You can make a difference! And we need your help!

Urge them to support (or oppose) legislation:

We're looking out for you! Here's how:

Pella Cooperative Electric participates in several legislative events throughout the year. It aligns with one of our governing principles (#5): Education, Training, and Information. Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative.

REC Day on the Hill – held annually in March. Rural electric cooperatives from around the state meet in Des Moines at the Iowa Capitol and deliver messages to our legislators.
Legislative Conference – held annually in May. Rural electric cooperatives from around the nation meet in Washington D.C. and deliver messages to our federal legislators.
Fall Legislative Fly-in – held annually in September. Rural electric cooperatives from around the state fly to Washington D.C. and deliver messages to our legislators.
Welcome Back Reception – held annually in January. Rural electric cooperatives from around the state hold a reception that welcomes our legislators back to session. We also discuss items that we would like to address during the upcoming session.

The messages delivered to our legislators are in the best interest of our membership. We ask for support (or opposition) of bills that will keep rural electricity affordable, safe and reliable. To view photos of our participation in these events, please visit our Facebook page.