Cooperation Among Cooperatives Ice Storm

In January, Iowa endured a crippling winter storm that broke more than 2,800 utility poles and knocked down almost 1000 miles of power lines—according to information entered by member co-ops into the online outage system map (http://outages.iowarec.org) and provided in emails. In many areas freezing rain preceded the nearly 16” of snow and coated transmission lines with ice the diameter of a pop can. Total cost of damage to the 20 Iowa electric cooperatives reached $35.5 million. Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative which had approximately 98% of its members lose power reported $7.6 million in damages. Access Energy Cooperative was one of many co-ops who sent employees to help repair the damages. President Obama announced 21 Iowa counties, government agencies and certain not-for-profit entities are eligible for federal funds to help pay for repairs or replacement of damaged facilities from the storms.