The second round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, Indiana’s broadband grant program, kicked off in January. Nearly 40% of all applications were filed by an Indiana electric cooperative. More than $100 million in requests were made by …Read More.
Government Relations and Legal Updates
Spring 2020 Legislative Session Update
The 2020 Indiana General concluded in early March. The following are summaries of the primary legislation from this session. HEA 1414 – ELECTRIC GENERATION Signed by governor March 21 Bill Summary A public utility may not retire, sell or transfer …Read More.
Issues with Utility Locates and Relocates
Late in 2019, IEC heard from some member cooperatives several complaints about certain utilities not marking their facilities in the statutory time frame, and cooperatives were inadvertently cutting facilities owned by other utilities. The issue was discussed with some legislators …Read More.
Unreasonable Interference Protection for Easement Owners
Duke Energy Indiana v. J. & J Development Company On February 5, 2020, the Indiana Court of Appeals handed down a decision on Duke Energy Indiana v. J & J Development Company regarding the rights of easement owners. J & …Read More.
Broadband success story campaign
This print and social media campaign is designed to ask your consumers about their broadband story. How has high-speed internet changed their life at work or home? What could it mean for them? The pieces in this campaign are designed …Read More.
State legislative update
2019 Legislative Appreciation DinnerAs 2019 winds down, the state looks to officially convene the 2020 Indiana General Assembly. Your IEC government relations team will unofficially kick things off with the 2019 Appreciation Dinner Nov. 18. This dinner is a time-honored …Read More.
Federal policy update
Below are a few highlights of the federal policy initiatives IEC continues to monitor and work with Indiana’s Congressional delegation to resolve: Pension fix NRECA’s pension program was modified by 2014 federal legislation to more accurately represent the program and …Read More.
A stronger connection to power cooperatives
Grassroots engagement has always been a key driver of electric cooperatives’ successes. Since Boone REMC was first founded in 1935, the consumer-owners of Indiana’s electric cooperatives have played a crucial role in creating the political environment that allows REMCs to …Read More.
Supporting cooperative friends in 2020
To ensure electric cooperatives are best represented in policy decisions at the Indiana General Assembly and in Congress, IEC relies on a lot of different tools. From embracing the strong connections between member cooperatives and the communities they serve to …Read More.
RURAL Act will protect cooperative tax status
Electric cooperatives have long maintained good stewardship of their members’ financial interests by maintaining not-for-profit, tax-exempt status under IRS regulations. To ensure its 501(c)(12) tax-exempt status is not forfeited, an electric cooperative cannot raise more than 15 percent of its …Read More.