MRES leaders advocate for public power in Washington, D.C.

Representatives from MRES and its member communities across South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa traveled to Washington, D.C., in July to participate in the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) annual Policy Makers Council (PMC) Fly-In. The event brings city leaders from municipal electric utility communities across the nation together to advocate for federal policies that support reliable, affordable and community-owned electric utilities.

The PMC is composed of elected and appointed officials who govern municipal electric (public power) utilities. During the fly-in, participants met directly with members of Congress and their staffs to discuss legislative priorities impacting local public power utilities and the communities they serve. This year’s conversations focused on streamlining energy permitting, protecting the federal hydropower program from regulatory and cost burdens, improving Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance programs, and preserving the federal exemption allowing municipal utilities to regulate attachments on their own poles.

Representing MRES were board members, staff and community leaders from member utilities in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota, demonstrating the regional collaboration that defines Missouri River. Together, they shared how public power utilities are investing in infrastructure, meeting growing energy demands and maintaining local control while delivering dependable electric service.

During their time on Capitol Hill, the delegation met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota), Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota), Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), and Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minnesota).

The utility representatives also met with staff from the offices of Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota); and staff of Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Brad Finstad (R-Minnesota) and Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota). The meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the unique needs of public power communities throughout the Upper Midwest and reinforce the importance of policies that preserve local decision-making and strengthen the nation’s electric grid.

“At a time when significant policy changes are being considered that could impact municipal electric utilities, it is increasingly important that we engage directly with our congressional delegation and their staff on proposals affecting locally owned utilities,” said Deb Birgen, MRES vice president of government relations.

The annual Policy Makers Council Fly-In ensures that the voices of community-owned utilities are heard in Washington. By working together and engaging directly with federal policy makers, MRES representatives help shape policies that support reliable and affordable public power for the customers and communities they serve.