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The IUB is a fact-finding body that hears evidence in cases filed before it and makes decisions based on the evidence presented in those cases. An advocate of neither the public nor the utilities, the IUB is required by state statute to make decisions that balance the interests of all parties to ensure the utilities provide adequate and reliable service at reasonable prices.
Docket No. RPU-2009-0003: MidAmerican Energy Company - On November 5, 2009, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) approved a settlement agreement, subject to certain conditions, filed by MidAmerican Energy Company (MEC) and the Office of Consumer Advocate to establish advance ratemaking principles for a proposed MEC wind-powered electric generation project. The IUB approved ratemaking principles for up to 1,001 Megawatts requested, but said that MEC would be required to make a future compliance filing with the Board before making any substantial investment beyond the first 750 Megawatts. In that compliance filing, the IUB could require MEC to update the market power analysis in the record for this case or provide other market power analysis at that time. Full details of this decision announcement will be contained in a written decision order to be issued at a later date. The order will be available for review or download from the IUB's Electronic Filing System. For more information, see the Docket No. RPU-2009-003 information page.
The Eastern Interconnection States Planning Council is an electric transmission planning effort. State public service commissions and energy offices within the Eastern Interconnection, which is most of the United States East of the Rocky Mountains (less most of Texas), filed an application on September 14, 2009, seeking funding from the US Department of Energy for the development of a coordinated effort among States across the entire Interconnection. The funding is being made available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The 39 States, along with the District of Columbia and New Orleans City Council, submitted the filing after having already met several times via conference call and in person to discuss the ARRA funding. Iowa is represented jointly by the Iowa Utilities Board and Office of Energy Independence. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners acted as filing agent for the group. Click here to download the formal filing and click here for a breakdown of timelines and scenarios.
RPU-2009-0004: Iowa-American Water Company - On October 8, 2009, the IUB issued an order accepting a settlement agreement (Settlement) proposed by Iowa-American Water Company (Iowa-American) and the Office of Consumer Advocate. The Settlement resolves all revenue issues in the case. The Settlement allows Iowa-American to increase its General Service rates by approximately 26.6 percent in the Quad Cities District and by approximately 21.9 percent in the Clinton District. In its order approving the Settlement the IUB required Iowa-American to equalize the two District’s rates. The effect of equalizing rates will be that the two Districts' General Service customers will no longer be charged different rates for the same service. Rates other than General Service rates will remain as filed for temporary rates. For more information, please visit the Docket No. RPU-2009-0004 information page.
NOI-2009-0002: American Clean Energy and Security Act, a/k/a the Waxman-Markey Bill - The Board has opened an inquiry on federal climate legislation as recently passed in the U.S. House, H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The bill, commonly referred to as the Waxman-Markey bill, proposes to cap carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and create a trading system for allowances. Some allowances would initially be distributed to utilities and other entities and available allowances would decline over time. The bill also would create a combined efficiency and renewable portfolio standard for electric utilities to meet, as well as other provisions that could impact utilities and Iowa. The Board has opened this inquiry to receive broad public input on how the provisions of the Waxman-Markey bill could affect Iowa. For more information about this docket, please visit the Docket No. NOI-2009-0002 information page.
Iowa Broadband Deployment Governance Board - On May 14, 2009, 2009 Iowa Acts, Senate File 376, was signed into law creating this Governance Board. It consists of 11 voting members representing educational users; urban and residential users; cable, wireline, and wireless providers; the Iowa Utilities Board, Economic Development Board, and Telecommunications and Technology Commission; and four non-voting members representing the Iowa House and Senate. Senate File 376 appropriated $25 million for the deployment and sustainability of high-speed broadband (Internet) service; state funds are intended to be used to access federal funds available for these purposes. The Governance Board's duties include establishing a comprehensive plan for the deployment and sustainability of high-speed broadband service for Iowa and establishing a competitive grant process intended to award the $25 million in grants. Administrative support for this Board will be jointly provided by the Iowa Utilities Board, Economic Development Board, and the Telecommunications and Technology Commission. For more information about the Governance Board, including its meeting schedule, click on the following link. http://broadband.iowa.gov/.
RPU-2009-0002: Alliant Energy/Interstate Power and Light Company - On March 17, 2009, Alliant Energy / Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant/IPL) filed a proposal to increase its Iowa retail electric rates. Alliant/IPL is requesting a permanent rate change to increase its annual revenues by approximately $171 million or 17 percent. As allowed by Iowa law, Alliant/IPL implemented a temporary rate increase of 7 percent ($84 million) in March 2009. A final decision in this rate case is anticipated by January 2010. For more information, please visit the Docket No. RPU-2009-0002 information page.
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