In early May, more than 40 Iowa electric cooperative representatives flew to Washington, D.C. to participate in

the 2019 NRECA Legislative Conference. Together with more than 2,000 of their fellow cooperative representatives from across the nation, Iowa managers, directors, and employees spent three days sharing the electric cooperative story in Washington. Advocates heard speeches from high-ranking policymakers including several Members of Congress and Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Neil Chatterjee. They also participated in breakout sessions in which NRECA staff gave policy briefings and tips on how to effectively advocate on Capitol Hill. In addition to NRECA-sponsored activities, advocates were able to lobby members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation and their staff including staff from the Executive Office of the President, and USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey. Issues discussed include protecting cooperatives’ not-for-profit status, rightsizing pension premiums, protecting Iowa’s power supply, and improving rural infrastructure and broadband access. The group was well received in every meeting, underscoring the continuing success of Iowa electric cooperatives’ advocacy efforts. Not only were advocates successful in sharing the cooperative point of view on important federal issues, but were also effective at maintaining and building relationships with Washington policymakers. Here are a list of outcomes from the trip as of late May: Senator Ernst is now listed as a

Co-sponsor of the RURAL Act (S.1032)

that will secure our non-profit status Congresswoman Axne is now listed as a

Co-sponsor of the SECURE Act Senator Ernst and Senator Grassley have

officially signed onto the letter addressed to FERC that supports co-ops ability to make local decisions regarding distributed energy resources. This letter outlines the need to maintain local regulatory authority and amend FERC’s proposal that allows third-parties to aggregate distributed energy resources (DER), such as solar and battery panels, and sell electricity on the wholesale market. The score of Senators drafted the letter after recently hearing concerns from rural electric cooperatives that the rule could

interfere with state and local authorities over distribution utilities. “The annual legislative conference is extremely important to Corn Belt Power and its members,” said Ryan Cornelius, vice president, corporate relations. “This gives us much needed one-on-one time with our legislators in Washington, D.C. and their staff. We are able to have open dialogue about real issues facing cooperative members back here at home. We appreciate our elected officials and their staff taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with us.” Iowa’s electric cooperatives will return to Washington, D.C. in September.

Corn Belt Power and member-coops advocate on Capitol Hill

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Above | Rick Olesen, president and CEO, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, left; and Tresa Hussong, vice president of customer and corporate relations, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, right; speak with Senator Chuck Grassley and one of his staff members during a Capitol visit in early May.

Visiting the Hill

Former Prairie Energy manager

passes away

In May, we were saddened to learn that Darrell Goff, former Prairie Energy manager passed away. Goff was a

dedicated servant to cooperative members. He retired from Prairie Energy in 2014 as Executive Vice President General Manager. Prior to 2014, he served as an accountant at Hancock County REC, before it became Prairie Energy. After retiring, he volunteered his time delivering Meals on Wheels, attending Hospice events and visiting Hospice patients around North Iowa.

Darrell GoffAbove | Longtime Prairie Energy and Hancock County REC leader Darrell Goff passed away in May. Goff was a champion of co-op issues.

After almost 40 years of service to Corn Belt Power Cooperative, Dave Heyden has retired. Heyden started with Corn Belt Power in September of 1979 as a general plant worker at the Wisdom Station. He became

a control operator at the plant in 1984. In 1985 he moved to the electrical maintenance department in Hampton. He has been an apprentice electrician, electrician, journeyman electrician and foreman. Heyden says he will miss the camaraderie he developed with his coworkers. However, he says he’s ready for retirement. “I’m going to do some traveling this summer,” he said. “I have some Navy friends out west and relatives in California. I will have more time for kayaking.” Corn Belt Power wishes Heyden the best in retirement.

Heyden retiresHeyden retires

Corn Belt Power Cooperative took away two National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Spotlight on Excellence

Awards in Houston at the 2019 Connect Conference. Marena Fritzler, marketing director and Kathy Taylor, retired vice president, corporate relations were honored with two silver NRECA Spotlight on Excellence awards for Corn Belt Power’s 2017 annual report “Powerful New Perspectives” and the new The Power is Yours campaign. The awards highlight excellence in cooperative communication nationwide. Hundreds of entries were submitted in the contest. Corn Belt Power competes against generation and transmission cooperatiaves and statewide organizations nationwide.

Landon Kluender, Humboldt native, joined Corn Belt Power

Cooperative as the new accounting intern in May after completing his freshman year at Grandview University in Des Moines. Kluender is studying business and accounting. Kluender also works part-time at Hy-Vee in Humboldt. Welcome, Landon.

New accounting intern

Corn Belt Power earns Spotlight awards

Above | Marena Fritzler, marketing director, corporate relations displays silver Spotlight on Excellence Awards for Best Annual Report and Most Innovative Use of Digital Communications for a generation and transmission cooperative or statewide association.

Spotlight on Excellence

Powerful New Perspectives annual reporthttps://bit.ly/2UCxTwb

The Power Is Yours video campaignyoutube.com/CornBeltPower/videos

Darrell Goff

Abby Poppe School: Nashua-Plainfield High School Academic awards: P.E.O. STAR Scholarship; FFA Alumni Scholarship; National Honor Society Scholarship; Basin Electric Power Scholarship; Chickasaw County Soil and Water Conservation Scholarship Activities: National History Day; FFA; Golf; Future Problem Solvers; National Honor Society; and basketball

Community activities: 4-H, Youth Group, County Council, and Pork Ambassadors

Hobbies: Golfing, reading and spending time with friends Future plans: Attend Iowa State University, majoring in engineering Parents: Rhonda and Gary Poppe, director

Cheyanna Smith Future plans: Attend Iowa Lakes Community College for a business class Parents: Lorisa and Steve Smith, control operator, Wisdom Station

Christopher OnkenSchool: Iowa State University Degree and subject: Bachelor of Science, agricultural studies Academic awards: Farm Credit of America Scholarship; Ward Salisbury Agricultural Scholarship (2 years); Wayne Gross ISU Agricultural Scholarship; NEW Cooperative Scholarship, Collegiate Scholar Activities: Agronomy Club; Collegiate Scholar; Intramural Sports Future plans: Route Delivery Driver for Ike Auen Distributing and become a farmer Hobbies: Being active outside (either sports or working), helping on the farm,

spending time with family and friends Parents: Betty and Dave Onken, director

Brittney ArndorferSchool: University of Northern Iowa Degree and subject: Bachelor of Arts, early childhood education, minor in literacy education Future plans: Student teach in the fall at Eagle Grove and Humboldt Hobbies: Reading, spending time with family and friends Parents: Mike and Jennifer Arndorfer, human resource specialist

Sydney Honold School: Coon Rapids Bayard High School Academic

awards: Valedictorian; Governor’s Scholar Award; Basin Scholarship; Des Moines

Register Academic; Outstanding Math Student Award; Wendy’s Heisman Award; Casey Stork Memorial Scholarship;

Student Council Scholarship; Anna I Steffenson Scholarship; Jo & David Garst Scholarship; Mary Ellen Keister Halverson Scholarship; Silver Cord Volunteerism Award; Iowa State Bar Assocation Citizenship Award Activities: National Honor

Society President; Student Council President; Volleyball; Golf; Boy’s

Basketball Manager; All State Large Group Speech; State Individual Speech; Chorus; School Plays/Musicals Hobbies: Reading, baking and playing the piano Future plans: Attend Iowa State University, majoring in veterinary medicine; minor in Spanish Parents: Kim and Brad Honold, director

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDHumboldt, IowaPermit No. 32

Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, members and employees are eligible for a rebate of up to

$3,500 on a new Nissan Leaf. This rebate has been extended to July 1, 2019. The Nissan Leaf is one of the best selling electric vehicles on the market. The rebate, coupled with federal tax credits could save up to $11,000 total. If you are interested in the rebate, please contact Corn Belt Power for more information.

The power of human connections

Lori Roose, accounting clerk, Butler County REC, demonstrates the Touchstone Energy value of commitment to community by serving at her church, Redeemer Lutheran. Roose serves as a dedicated volunteer on the education committee, donates and helps with Wednesday night

meals and kids programs like vacation bible school, Sunday school, Easter egg hunts and more. She also volunteers for the Cedar Falls women's high school swim team, Waverly Area Swim Club, Waverly-Shell Rock women's Tennis Team and Little Lambs Advisory Board.

Lori

Roo

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youtube.com/cornbeltpower www.cbpower.coopyoutube.com/cornbeltpower www.cbpower.coop@ CornBeltPower

Watts Watt is published monthly for employees and associates of Corn Belt Power Cooperative, 1300 13th St. North, Humboldt, Iowa 50548-0508. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Copyright 2019 Kenneth H. Kuyper, Executive Vice President and General Manager Ryan Cornelius, Editor; Manager, Corporate Relations; CCC Marena V. Fritzler, Marketing Director; CCC

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youtube.com/cornbeltpower www.cbpower.coopfacebook.com/cornbeltpower @ CornBeltPower

May Touchstone Energy Volunteer Challenge winner | Ben Sanders, journeyman lineman, Midland Power Cooperative, donated his $100 drawing prize to the Iowa Falls Moose Lodge.

Dupree Godwin, investment and retirement planner, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, visited Corn Belt Power Cooperative in April to give personal finance seminars and meet with co-op employees one-on-one about retirement options.

Corn BeltPower CooperativeA1300 13th Street North • PO Box 508Humboldt, IA 50548

Touchstone Energy Nissan Leaf rebate extended

$3,500 special rebatefor Touchstone Energy Cooperative members and employees