One of the biggest misconceptions about the power industry is that there’s a simple right answer.
In reality, there rarely is.
As a co-op member, I expect reliable, affordable power just like you do. As CEO of Wabash Valley Power Alliance, I also see the complexity behind making that happen. Every major power decision involves trade-offs, and understanding those trade-offs is essential to long-term reliability and value.
At the heart of our work is a constant balance between reliability, cost, and risk. Pushing too hard in one direction inevitably creates pressure somewhere else. Prioritizing short-term savings can increase long-term risk. Overbuilding can raise costs unnecessarily. Waiting too long can leave fewer options and higher prices. There is no perfect solution, only responsible ones.
Many of the decisions we make today won’t fully reveal their impact for five, seven, or even 10 years. That’s the reality of power supply and transmission planning. New resources take time to develop, and transmission upgrades can take years to permit, site, and construct. Once those decisions are made, they shape the system for decades.
Judgment matters as much as data. Our power supply leader, Matt Moore, who is also a co-op member, spends his days evaluating data and testing scenarios. He looks at future demand, resource availability, system flexibility, and a wide range of possible outcomes. Assumptions are stress-tested against extreme weather, changing load patterns, fuel constraints, and evolving regulations. This kind of disciplined analysis is why even some of the largest companies in the world look to Wabash Valley Power for insight. But at the center of every decision are the families and businesses that rely on us.
The cooperative difference is that every decision is made with members in mind. We’re not chasing short-term wins, but long-term reliability, affordability, and responsible stewardship of the system you depend on.
As a co-op member and as CEO, I take that responsibility personally. I expect the same reliability you do, and making tough, thoughtful choices today is how we ensure power is there when it’s needed for years to come.
Jeff Conrad
President and CEO
Wabash Valley Power Alliance
