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Mission: The Iowa Utilities Board regulates utilities to ensure that reasonably priced, reliable, environmentally responsible, and safe utility services are available to all Iowans. Vision: The Iowa Utilities Board is valued as the regulatory expert and solutions-oriented partner regarding utility issues.
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The Iowa Utilities Board newsletter is produced by IUB staff and provides information to Iowans and utility industry stakeholders about various dockets, programs, and functions of the IUB. The IUB newsletter is published quarterly.
IUB Customer Service Fall Meeting Registration Now Open
The Iowa Utilities Board Customer Service staff will hold two webinars for utility company professionals and community action agency staff members. The fall meetings will be at 1 p.m. Monday, October 18, and 9 a.m. Tuesday October 19.
Topics to be discussed at the meetings include an overview of the IUB’s regulation and jurisdiction, procedures for utility service disconnection, Iowa's annual winter moratorium and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) overview, and IUB administrative rules updates.
Click here to register for the October 18 webinar or here to register for the October 19 webinar. If you are unable to attend virtually or would like more information, please contact Marie Jeanblanc at 515-725-7888 or marie.jeanblanc@iub.iowa.gov.
IUB Opens Electric Transmission Docket
On July 2, 2021, the IUB issued an order opening an investigation into a “Comprehensive Statewide Plan for Iowa’s Transmission Grid of the Future,” in Docket No. INU-2021- 0001. The order requested comments from various parties and set a workshop for August 30, 2021. Written comments were filed and reviewed by the IUB and the workshop allowed the IUB to gather further information from Iowa’s transmission owners.
The workshop was a part of the review of the IUB’s statutory authority and responsibility with regard to electric transmission planning in Iowa. During the workshop discussion, the IUB explored how and to what extent utilities identify an overall plan ― not just for themselves, but for the entire state of Iowa ― and to discuss what the role of the Utilities Board is in overseeing and evaluating the overall plan.
The IUB and its staff has been reviewing the statutes, IUB rules and authority for both generation and transmission in Iowa. The statutes were written at a time when coal and natural gas facilities were the norm and were last updated in the late 1970’s, prior to the emergence of renewable electric generation.
There are several goals for the INU transmission investigation docket, including:
- Reviewing the statutory requirements set out in Iowa Code for all new and extension franchises issued by the IUB on transmission projects
- Clarifying landowner and the general public’s knowledge, transparency, and involvement in the process as it relates to their property interests
- Providing transparency to county and municipal governments on generation and transmission projects planned across the state
- Providing knowledge and transparency on related generation and transmission projects; transmission owners currently seek eminent domain after many years of work on a particular route or corridor with limited updates or transparency to the local official, landowners or tenants
- Understanding Iowa authority and the State of Iowa’s overall Plan as required for transmission franchise dockets under chapter 478 of the Iowa Code.
Iowa’s transmission owners have the best information available to support the necessary findings the legislature has required of the IUB. Additionally, transmission owners have the best information available to respond to landowner concerns, avoid any appearance of a lack of planning, and prepare for future growth, which involves coordination efforts from industry and the IUB.
It's imperative that all parties involved need to have an understanding of what the “overall plan” refers to in Iowa Code. The IUB looks forward to working with industry and stakeholders.
IUB Receives Grant Funding for Pipeline Safety, Damage Prevention and One Call Law Investigations; Participates in State Fair, 811 Day Events
On September 30, 2021, the IUB was awarded $745,249 in federal grant funding from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The funding will assist its Safety and Engineering staff in performing pipeline safety inspections and with its underground utility damage prevention program, and it will assist the IUB with Iowa One Call law investigations for potential violations in coordination with the Iowa Attorney General's Office.
IUB staff also participated in a Call 811 education and outreach effort during the Iowa State Fair, in collaboration with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, to inform Iowans about the One Call law and importance of always calling 811 in advance of digging projects.
In addition, the IUB hosted an 811 Day (August 11, 2021) recognition event where a signed 811 Day proclamation from Governor Kim Reynolds was shared. The Governor’s proclamation promotes safe and effective excavation practices and shared responsibility for all Iowans as an important reminder of Iowa’s One Call law that protects underground utility infrastructure and helps prevent injuries, damage, and potential fines. The event was organized by the Iowa One Call Board and was attended by industry stakeholders.
IUB's Electronic Filing System Updated to Add 'Primary Companies' Feature
The IUB has added a new field called “Primary Companies” in its electronic filing system (EFS) docket summary information that indicates which companies are the subject of the docket. This field will be a “live” record of the company in EFS. IUB staff will assign the appropriate companies to each docket in EFS.
The result of this update is that users will be able to search for dockets that have specific companies attached as the “Primary Company.” As companies are added, removed, or updated in EFS, this list of companies will automatically update. The “Primary Companies” field aims to be a helpful administrative and reporting tool, but does not carry any legal implications.
If a docket is found with the incorrect primary company, please email ITsupport@iub.iowa.gov and IUB staff will assign the correct company.
Public Informational Meetings Continue on Proposed Summit Carbon CO2 Pipeline - Navigator CO2 Ventures Expected to File Public Meetings Request
Summit Carbon Solutions LLC filed a request with the Iowa Utilities Board on August 4, 2021, to hold 30 county public informational meetings regarding Summit Carbon’s proposal to construct a hazardous liquid pipeline. On August 12, 2021, the IUB approved an informational meeting schedule with 32 meetings from September 13 to October 15.
Summit Carbon is proposing to build a new carbon capture and storage project called the “Midwest Carbon Express,” which would capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from ethanol plants, compress the captured emissions into a liquid, and transport it through a pipeline to North Dakota, where it will be permanently stored underground. The proposed pipeline will extend through 30 Iowa counties – and communities in Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota, with the storage locations in North Dakota.
Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC is also planning a CO2 hazardous liquid pipeline in Iowa and is expected to file a request for public informational meetings with the IUB. On August 24, 2021, the IUB and OCA received a project overview and briefing from representatives of Navigator. A filing would consist of a schedule of dates, times, and locations that follow the proposed pipeline route as required under Iowa Code 479B and the IUB's rules found in 199 of the Iowa Administrative Code, chapter 13. Navigator plans to propose construction of 1,200 miles of new CO2 pipeline, spanning five states (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota) with sequestration facilities in Illinois.
The informational meetings are the first step in the process before either company can file a petition (application) for a hazardous liquid pipeline permit under Iowa Code 479B and the IUB’s administrative rules in 199 IAC chapter 13. The purpose of informational meetings is to provide landowners with information about the proposed project and about the IUB’s procedures in order to educate landowners prior to negotiations, not for the IUB to receive evidence on the project’s merits.
A pipeline company cannot begin right-of-way negotiations with landowners in a county until an informational meeting has been conducted in that county. The company must wait at least 30 days after the final informational meeting to file a petition, then the IUB will review the petition and determine if it is substantially complete. At that time, the IUB will issue an order setting a scheduling conference to meet with company representatives; the Office of Consumer Advocate, which represents all consumers in proceedings before the IUB; and any other parties in the proceeding to determine deadlines for filing evidence and testimony and set a public hearing to evaluate the proposed pipeline.
Iowa 515 and 319 Area Code Customers Must Use
10-Digit Dialing
Starting October 24, 2021, Iowa customers in the 515 and 319 area codes must dial all ten digits when making a local call. Effective on this date, local calls dialed with only seven digits may not be completed. This change is being implemented by the FCC in order to ensure callers don’t accidentally dial the designated three-digit abbreviated dialing code of 988, which connects to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
This requirement only affects the 515 and 319 area codes because they currently have seven-digit dialing and use the 988 central office code prefix.
Beginning July 16, 2022, beginning a call by dialing “988” will route your call to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator that oversees the area code system is tracking progress on this change. Read more here.
IUB Safety and Signage Project Complete
The IUB added new building signage at the corner of East Court Avenue and East 14th Street to allow for better visibility for traffic traveling southbound on East 14th Street and eastbound and westbound traffic on Court Avenue. In addition, the topographical changes and boulders will enhance safety by serving as a physical barrier between traffic from the intersection and the IUB/OCA building.
IUB Hearing and Meeting Calendar
Monthly public Board meetings may be attended in person or viewed via livestream. (Board meetings begin at 9 a.m.)
Public Hearings are scheduled in the following dockets:
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RMU-2021-0029 Chapter 29 Rules: 10 a.m. October 15, IUB Hearing Room
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FCU-2018-0007 Interstate Power and Light Company: 9 a.m. October 29, IUB Hearing Room
- Dual Party Relay Council Meeting: 10 a.m. November 5, Virtual
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FCU-2021-0002 Schiller v. IPL: 10 a.m. November 16, IUB Hearing Room
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RPU-2021-0002, TF-2021-0044, TF-2021-0045 Black Hills Rate Case: 9 a.m. December 14-16, IUB Hearing Room
Public Informational Meetings are scheduled in the following dockets:
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HLP-2021-0001 Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC: 12 p.m. October 14, Shenandoah Public Library
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HLP-2021-0001 Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC: 6 p.m. October 14, Montgomery County Ag Society
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HLP-2021-0001 Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC: 12:30 p.m. October 15, All Cultures Equal Inc.
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HLP-2021-0001 Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC: 6 p.m. October 15, Best Western Starlite Village
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GCU-2021-0005 Hawkeye Solar: 5:30 p.m. October 20, Grand Mound Community Center
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