Access Energy Meets With Local Legislators
Southeast Iowa legislators met with Access Energy Cooperative directors and staff to exchange ideas on upcoming and current issues facing the electric utility industry.
State Representatives John Whitaker, Sandy Greiner, and Dave Heaton attended the cooperative’s annual legislative meeting in
Mt.
Pleasant.
Robert Swindell, General Manager/CEO of the cooperative, explained in his welcoming remarks that we’re all trying to do the same thing: grow rural
Iowa. He reviewed cooperative efforts in economic development projects such as the USDA pass through loan for Cambridge Investment Group in
Fairfield and other ongoing efforts and projects.
Mr. Swindell challenged legislators to develop policies for improving the transmission system to further enhance renewable energy, as he also reviewed several renewable energy projects the cooperative has been involved with.
The many benefits of
Iowa’s assigned area of service law were discussed with the legislators. The assigned area of service law benefits all Iowans by fostering cooperation and partnership among utilities and development agencies for the benefit of all. The current law also allows better planning for power generation and infrastructure development, as well as eliminating unnecessary duplication of service.
Renewable energy issues, geothermal projects, and economic development involving bio fuels were also discussed. Discussion was held on education, residential and commercial property taxes, ethanol plants, as well as nuclear power generation.
Board members attending from Access Energy Cooperative were Richard Bloomquist, Fred Hickenbottom, Jeff Rich, Dwight Krebill, Don Atwood, Larry White, J.D. Stucker, and Marvin Holtkamp. Staff attending were Swindell, David Peer, Don Roach, Sheryl Dorn and Kimberly Brumbaugh.
Photo caption:
Representative John Whitaker (standing) discusses legislative issues with Access Energy Cooperative Board Members during a legislative meeting hosted by the cooperative recently in
Mt.
Pleasant. Also attending were Representatives Sandy Greiner and Dave Heaton.