Gingrich takes the stage at Iowa REC meeting
Gingrich spoke to about 500 electric cooperative representatives at Iowa statewide's annual meeting.
Basin Electric Power Cooperative
- December 9, 2011
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As a Republican presidential front-runner, Newt Gingrich is a busy man, but last week, he made time to speak to attendees of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives' annual meeting.
Tim Coonan, director of government relations for the Iowa statewide, said getting Gingrich on the agenda came through the work of the association's Rural Power campaign. "Our members repeatedly engaged him around Iowa, which demonstrated the electric cooperative presence in the state. We made contact with his campaign here in Des Moines and got our annual meeting on his calendar," Coonan said.
Gingrich spoke to about 500 electric co-op representatives on Dec. 1 about his views on electric power in the United States and his vision for the future, which includes all forms of baseload power. Coonan said he also spoke more broadly about his priorities and took questions from the audience.
Chris Baumgartner, Basin Electric manager of member relations, attended the meeting and said Gingrich connected with the audience as he spoke about his long awareness and history of working with electric co-ops in Georgia.
Coonan and Baumgartner both agreed Gingrich's presence was positively received by the member managers and directors from throughout Iowa. "A number of times he was interrupted with spontaneous applause," Coonan said. "They were appreciative that he took the time to talk to us and also liked what he had to say about energy policy."
Coonan said Gingrich's presence also brought national media attention to the Iowa meeting. "National news crews from two major networks and Fox News in addition to Politico and a number of national print media outlets covered the story," Coonan said. "It elevated the visibility of RECs (rural electric cooperatives) and gave us a chance to deliver our message on a national stage, as well as an opportunity to talk to local press about our issues."
Coonan said he hopes other states are able to capitalize on the attention Iowa rural electric cooperatives have received from national campaigns and media outlets. "We are very proud of the work our advocates have done in getting our issues in front of these candidates."
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