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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. Read More
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.
Utility Annual Report Deadline is April 1
As required under 199 IAC 23.1(2), each public utility subject to Iowa Code chapter 476 shall file with the IUB an annual report as described in these rules and covering operations during the immediately preceding calendar year. For annual reports covering calendar year 2021, all utilities will file their annual report in IUB 24/7. The filing deadline is April 1 each year for those companies required to submit utility annual reports.
All companies will also be required to review their company profile by editing the company profile and attesting that the information is up-to-date. IUB Customer Service staff held two webinars in February 2022 for utility company professionals to demonstrate and review how to complete annual reports using IUB 24/7. Webinar information included how companies can register in IUB 24/7, how to get connected to their company, how to update their company profile, and how to complete their annual report information, including reporting for the Dual Party Relay Service program.
For more information and to review the webinar videos, visit the IUB's How to File a Utility Annual Report webpage.
Iowa's Winter Moratorium Ends April 1 - Avoid Utility Disconnection
The IUB reminds customers who are currently protected from disconnection by Iowa’s winter home heating moratorium to contact their utility provider immediately to discuss payment options in order to prevent disconnection of natural gas or electric service when the moratorium ends on April 1, 2022.
Customers who are struggling to pay their utility bills have options to seek assistance, including the ability to apply for energy assistance funds through April 30, 2022, by contacting their community action agency. Customers can also work with their utility to arrange for payment agreements to make payments toward unpaid utility debt over 12 months.
Eligible renters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can also seek financial assistance for utility expenses and/or rent by applying for the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program through the Iowa Finance Authority.
Customers may also contact the IUB’s Customer Service staff at 877-565-4450 for assistance with questions regarding their account or unresolved issues with their utility.
2022 Pipeline Safety Conference
The 2022 Pipeline Safety Conference, sponsored by the IUB and the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), was held on February 8 and 9 at the Hilton Garden Inn in West Des Moines. The 127 attendees represented investor-owned utilities, municipalities, other government agencies, and vendors of pipeline products and consulting services.
Several topics were presented including an Iowa Pipeline Safety Update, the 2019 Transmission Pipeline Rule, and Iowa One Call Law and Enforcement. Information was also provided by PHMSA faculty on failure investigations, procedures, excavation damage prevention, drug and alcohol program inspections, incident reporting, cybersecurity, odorization, and new pipeline technology. IUB inspectors Dan O’Connor, Dave McCann, and Darin Tolzin, provided information on the most common probable violations in Iowa.
Links to the presentations from the conference are located on the IUB’s Pipeline Safety webpage.
 Natural gas and other pipeline vendors display the latest equipment and safety technology while talking to attendees at the IUB/PHMSA 2022 Pipeline Safety Conference held in February in West Des Moines.
 Pipeline contrators, operators, vendors, and Iowa utility company staff listen to an IUB presentation at the IUB's 2022 Pipeline Safety Conference, jointly hosted with the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Summary of Advanced Ratemaking Principles and Pending Dockets
The Iowa Legislature enacted Iowa Code § 476.53 to provide Iowa rate-regulated utilities an opportunity to receive advance ratemaking decisions from the IUB to construct electric generating facilities above 300 megawatts (MW). This allows the utility to file a request with the IUB seeking decisions regarding principles such as cost cap, depreciation, allowance for funds used during construction, return on equity (ROE), and cancellation costs. While these are typical requests, utilities also may request other principles. As part of the request, the utility is required to show 1) it has an energy efficiency plan in place, and 2) it has considered other generation options.
An advanced ratemaking principles case would be a contested case proceeding before the IUB. The IUB may issue its decision in such a docket prior to the construction or lease of the generating asset. Principles are adopted only after the IUB renders its decision approving the principles. Such a decision provides the utility a level of certainty regarding cost recovery, which reduces its level of risk. Iowa Code § 476.53 was designed as an incentive to utilities to add electric generation in Iowa.
The IUB currently has two advance ratemaking cases pending before it. On November 2, 2021, Alliant Energy-Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant-IPL) filed a request in Docket No. RPU-2021-0003 to add 400 MW of solar generation and 75 MW of battery energy storage to its generating portfolio in 2023 and 2024. Alliant-IPL has requested eight principles, including a cost cap, an ROE, a designated depreciation life, and a tax equity partnership. A hearing is scheduled for May 10, 2022.
On January 19, 2022, MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican) filed a request in Docket No. RPU-2022-0001 to add 2,042 MW of wind capacity and 50 MW of solar capacity. MidAmerican is requesting 11 principles, including a cost cap, a size cap, depreciation life, cancellation costs, an ROE, and production tax credit accounting.
IUB to Send Notification Letters for Electric Transmission Franchises
On May 15, 2021, the IUB adopted new rules for Iowa Administrative Code chapter 11. These are the rules that establish the requirements and procedures for electric transmission line franchises in Iowa. As required under the new rules, a company must file a petition (application) for an extension of an electric transmission line franchise with the IUB at least one year prior to the expiration of such a franchise.
In order to help facilitate timely filings, the IUB has compiled a database of all existing electric franchises. Utilizing this data set, the IUB will be sending notification letters to the appropriate utilities 15 months prior to a franchise’s expiration date. The current franchise documents will then be uploaded in the IUB’s electronic filing system under the docket number indicated in the notification letter.
To assist companies with electric transmission line franchise filings, the petition documents, along with other information, can be found on the IUB’s Information About Electric Franchises webpage.
For questions regarding the electric transmission franchise process, please contact the IUB at iub@iub.iowa.gov for assistance.
Invoice Billing Timeline for Remainder of Calendar Year 2022
Iowa Code § 476.10 allows the IUB to charge companies for time and expenses related to processing of dockets brought before the Board. The number of invoices issued can vary based on projects worked on during each quarter. Invoices typically include staff time and staff expenses, but may also include other expenses such as court reporting, outside consultants, or meeting facility rentals.
Each entry of staff time or staff expense added to a direct bill is reviewed by a manager who oversees the associated cost center to determine the accuracy of the expenses in question. Once approved, they are forwarded to the IUB's Billing Project Manager, who prepares all of the invoice information and total amounts for consideration and approval by the Board Chair in the final assessment.
The final assessment is provided to the Board Chair for final review, which adds an additional layer of consideration to ensure accuracy and completeness. Invoices may be delayed at any time in the process if further examination or analysis is determined to be necessary. The IUB recognizes the importance of accurate billing as a key responsibility in its role as utility regulator for the State of Iowa.
The table below is a general timeline for invoice issuance by the IUB. For the current State fiscal year, which began July 1, 2021, first and second quarter invoices have already been issued. The next billing date is planned for May 1, 2022.
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Event
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Period Ends
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Invoices Issued
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Due Date
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Energy Center
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April 1
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May 1
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June 1
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FY22-Q3
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March 31
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May 1
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June 1
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FY22-Q4
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June 30
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July 20
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August 20
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Remainder Billing
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June 30
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October 1
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November 1
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FY23-Q1
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September 30
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November 1
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December 1
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FY23-Q2
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December 31
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February 1, 2023
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March 1, 2023
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Teresa McConnell Retires After 31 Years with IUB, 33 Years Total with State of Iowa
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