North West REC, Iowa

05/13/2026

This month, readers can enter online for a chance to win a $100 in Beef Certificates. Members from any Iowa electric co-op are eligible to enter. Enter on their website here: https://www.ieclmagazine.com/editors-choice-contest

05/12/2026

Sometimes the guys are really excited to see me show up in the field with a camera. Hard to tell if that hand signal means “rock on” or “please stop taking pictures.” Either way, the crew keeps the power flowing and the humor going. 🤘⚡

05/11/2026

☀️ Is your upstairs always warmer in the summer?

You’re not alone. Upper floors often trap heat, making them harder to keep comfortable during hot weather. The good news—there are several simple steps that can help balance temperatures and improve comfort throughout your home.

From adjusting vents and using ceiling fans to improving insulation and airflow, a few small changes can make a big difference.

Read our latest article for tips to help keep your upstairs cooler this summer.

Take comfort to the next level with these tips.

05/10/2026

💐 Happy Mother’s Day!

Today we celebrate the moms, grandmothers, and mother figures who keep families running, lights shining, and hearts full. Your care, strength, and dedication power our communities in ways that can’t be measured.

From all of us at North West REC, we wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day!

05/08/2026

Our Member Services team had a great time today at the O'Brien County Farm Safety Day in Primghar.
They led a safety demonstration to help students learn about the dangers of electricity around farms and why it’s important to stay aware when working near power lines and electrical equipment. Teaching the next generation about farm and electrical safety is an important part of what we do.
Thanks to everyone who helped make today a success and to the students for being such a great audience! ⚡🚜

05/08/2026

May is National Electrical Safety Month!

When you work with electricity every day, safety is always top of mind! Be sure to toss out any frayed or damaged cords to prevent fire risk and electric shock at home. 🤓

05/06/2026

Find our monthly newsletter, "News Lines" inserted into your monthly copy of Iowa Electric Cooperative Living Magazine. Watch for it in your mailboxes soon.

To find current and past issues on our website visit here:
https://www.nwrec.coop/newsletters

In the May issue of News Lines:
- Electrical safety starts with awareness
- Revolving loan fund
- Operation Round-Up Report
- Manager's Report
- Long time Employee Retires
-Prairie Winds Program
-Pole Maintenance
-Statement of Non-Discrimination
-RECare Consumer Contribution Fund
- Power Quiz - Participate for your chance at a $10 bill credit!
- Are you Switch Smart? learn about SMC for your chance at a $25 bill credit!

05/05/2026

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day! Today, we recognize the educators who inspire curiosity, spark new ideas and help power the future of our community. Thank you for the dedication and passion you bring to the classroom every day! 🤓🍏💡

05/05/2026

When the power goes out, the best ways to report it are by calling 800-766-2099 or using your SmartHub account. Both options connect directly to North West REC’s outage reporting system and are available 24 hours a day, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Calling the outage line or reporting through SmartHub allows your outage to be logged quickly so our crews can respond as efficiently as possible. Calling local office numbers may result in busy signals during widespread outages, so we encourage members to use 800-766-2099 or SmartHub when reporting outages.

Save the outage number in your phone so it’s ready when you need it.

North West REC Outage Line: 800-766-2099

05/05/2026

Here is update from NIPCO on the outage that affected a number of our members last night.

In the late afternoon and early evening of May 4, NIPCO experienced a transmission level outage affecting parts of the electric system serving North West REC members. NIPCO’s Control Center was alerted to an issue on the L3 to Sioux City transmission line, which serves several substations in the area. As designed, the system automatically shut down the line and attempted to safely restore power. After two automatic attempts, the line could not be re energized remotely.

Because the day was clear with no weather or environmental conditions that would normally cause an outage, NIPCO followed established safety protocols. When the cause of an outage cannot be immediately identified, and there is the possibility that electric lines may have come into contact with equipment or vehicles, NIPCO de energizes the line out of an abundance of caution until crews can inspect it in person. During a patrol of the line, crews determined that a static wire, which helps protect the system from lightning, had come loose and fallen into contact with an electric conductor.

Working together, North West REC and NIPCO were able to isolate the Merrill substation, and thanks to NIPCO’s looped transmission system, reroute power and restore service to affected member consumers within approximately one hour. Public safety is always NIPCO’s top priority, and when outage causes are unclear, lines will remain de energized until crews can safely identify and correct the issue.

05/04/2026

May the Fourth be with you! ⚡

Today we’re channeling a little extra power to keep the Force strong. Whether you're powering lightsabers, movie marathons, or just your everyday routines, reliable electricity helps keep it all running.

From all of us at North West REC — may the Force (and the power) be with you! 💡