Northwest Iowa Power Co-Op
31002 C38, , PO Box 240 , Le Mars, Iowa, United States

Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) was incorporated in 1948 but the first meeting of NIPCO's original incorporators wasn't held until January 17, 1949. This meeting was strictly for purposes of organizing the cooperative structure. These thirteen original incorporators were rural electric distribution cooperatives (RECs) who had worked to raise money from area farmers and businesses to build a system of power delivery in rural western Iowa. These RECs united with one common goal: to improve life and grow the economy in rural western Iowa by constructing and maintaining a power delivery system and secure all future power supply needs for its member distribution cooperatives and their member-owners.  By connecting farms and communities through a complex grid of electric power lines, member-owners were suddenly thrust into the mindset that they were all working together to ensure growth and prosperity in this region for the benefit of future generations.

NIPCO's first transmission pole was set in August of 1953 on the V.E. Benson farm near Hinton, Iowa. Thus, construction began on the original 621 miles of transmission line and 46 original substations. The first section of NIPCO's transmission system from Hinton to Ida Grove was completed on February 10, 1954.  The system was energized on April 5, 1956. An, April, 1956, headline in the IRECA News proclaimed "Missouri River Juice Starting This Month" and described NIPCO's announcement that "firm electric service generated on the Missouri River would be supplied to member co-operatives sometime during the first week of April."

Power Supply

When incorporated in 1948, NIPCO received all of its power requirements from hydropower supplied by the Missouri River Dam system. In the 1960's, load growth studies indicated that an additional generation resource was needed to meet the needs of electric consumers being served in NIPCO's service territory.  Cooperative leaders from 8 states worked together to form Basin Electric Power Cooperative, headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota. Basin Electric built generation plants comprised primarily of coal, oil, and natural gas.

NIPCO's Mission: To provide wholesale energy supply, communications, and related services for the benefit of the member cooperatives and the communities of western Iowa in a safe, reliable, competitive, and environmentally responsible manner.

To be a “best in class” wholesale energy and related services provider through...

• Optimum electric service reliability
• Excellence in member/customer services
• Partnering with members for load retention and growth
• Solid quality business practices
• Exploring business diversification and revenue enhancement opportunities which complement
• our core business
• Innovative, forward-thinking, and proactive business decisions and applications
• Seeking member/customer input and feedback
• Progressive community involvement
• Maintaining our local presence
• Competitive wholesale rates
• Environmental responsibility
• Leveraging our networks to foster economic growth in western Iowa

NIPCO's Values:

• Respect all members/customers
• Respect all employees
• Operate as a cooperative team
• Approach all problems with win/win solutions
• Strive for excellence in every way
• Complement the activities of our member systems
• Protect our environment
• Maintain ethical standards
• Lead by example
• Strive to provide and maintain two-way communications with members/consumers and employees
• Strive to maintain a positive attitude
• Apply sound business principles
• Promote the efficient use of energy
• Get involved in community projects and activities