More than 700 public power advocates converged on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. February 23-25, and 35 of them were from Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) and its member utilities. They gathered for the American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative Rally.
During the three-day event, municipal electric utility representatives met with members of Congress and their staff to discuss federal policies that affect community-owned electric utilities and the customers they serve.
MRES members advocated for policy positions that ensure public power utilities continue to deliver reliable and affordable electricity. Meetings with federal legislators and staff focused on the need for permitting reform, the protection of tax-exempt financing and elective pay, protection of the federal hydropower program, urging FEMA reform and keeping local control over pole attachments intact.
Delegations from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota shared local perspectives and explained how national policy decisions impact municipal electric utilities and the communities they serve. In addition to congressional meetings, participants attended educational sessions hosted by APPA that provided updates on federal energy policy and emerging industry challenges.
The rally offered an important opportunity for public power leaders to advocate for the unique needs of locally-owned utilities and to continue to be an integral part of the national energy conversation.
MRES staff and Minnesota member utility representatives met with Rep. Michelle Fischbach during the APPA Legislative Rally. Meetings like this give public power leaders the opportunity to share firsthand how federal policy decisions impact local communities and the utilities that serve them.
MRES representatives and leaders from North Dakota member utilities met with Sen. John Hoeven to discuss transmission permit reform and maintaining tax-exempt financing tools that support communities in the state. Those attending the meeting were (from left) Dave Carlsrud, Valley City mayor and MRES board member; Sen. John Hoeven; Gwen Crawford, city administrator for Valley City; Alex Abplanalp, MRES vice president and chief strategy officer; and Sam McDonald, federal lobbyist for MRES with Kanner & Associates.
(From left) Deb Birgen, MRES vice president of government relations; Matt Schull, MRES president and CEO; Murray Hulstein, Sioux Center Municipal Utilities utility manager and MRES board member; Sen. Chuck Grassley; and Eric Moerman, Sioux Center council member, discussed federal energy priorities affecting public power utilities.
Representatives from South Dakota had the opportunity to discuss issues with Rep. Dusty Johnson. Those attending included Brad Palmer, City of Pierre utilities director and MRES board member; John Prescott, Vermillion city manager and MRES board member; Spence Hawley, Brookings utility board member; Rich Holland, Vermillion city council member; Kristi Honeywell; Pierre city administrator; Steve Meyer, Brookings Municipal Utilities executive vice president and general manager and MRES board member; Devin Harris, Pierre Municipal Utilities electric superintendent; Mike Luken, Watertown municipal utilities board member; Charlie Larkin, Watertown municipal utilities board member; Seth Hansen, Brookings municipal utilities board member; and Jon Cole, City of Vermillion mayor.
