2011 REC Day-On-The-Hill

REC Representatives Meet with Local Legislators at the Capitol

Representatives from Hawkeye REC were on hand Tuesday, March 29th in Des Moines when Gov. Branstad signed into law HF 267, a bill that supports the ability of rural electric cooperatives to promptly build or repair equipment following storm damage.  This ability will ensure that member-consumers can count on the safe, reliable delivery of electricity following a natural disaster.  

HF 267 will reduce costly government restrictions on construction in potentially historic properties by making Iowa law no more restrictive than federal law.  Prior to the passage of HF 267, state law far exceeded the intent of the federal law and this placed costly delays on storm recovery projects. 

The legislation had strong-bipartisan support throughout the legislative process and was one of the first five bills signed by Gov. Terry Branstad in the 2011 legislative session.

According to Hawkeye’s CEO Brian Krambeer, "This legislation was a common sense solution to a real world situation.  We appreciate the support we received throughout the process from our elected officials. All of the Hawkeye REC Representatives – Rep. Hagar (R), Rep. Quirk (D) and Sen. Wilhelm (D) all supported the passage of the legislation.”

In future storm recovery efforts electric cooperatives will meet the requirements of the law to protect historic sites but will also be able to move more nimbly to repair and recover services for our member-consumers due to the passage of HF 267.

To learn more about the legislation or the bill signing ceremony, please contact Brian Krambeer at 563-547-3801.

CEO Brian Krambeer, Rep. Brian Quirk, Ted Kjos, Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm,
Pat Boyle and Director Dennis Young.

CEO Brian Krambeer with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad

Rep. Bob Hager with Director Carl Reicks