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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 welcomes new Board members
On May 1, 2023, the IUB welcomed two new board members.
Erik M. Helland was appointed for a term that runs through April 30, 2029. Gov. Kim Reynolds also appointed Helland as Chair of the IUB through April 30, 2025.
Sarah M. Martz fills the remainder of a term that runs through April 30, 2027.
Board member bio information is available on the IUB website.
On April 30, 2023, former IUB Chair Geri Huser and former Board Member Richard Lozier, Jr., retired from the IUB. The IUB recognizes and thanks Geri and Richard for their many contributions to assisting Iowans during their time in state government and for their improvements to our agency. We wish them all the best in retirement.
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Consumer comment meetings set for MidAmerican Energy's proposed natural gas rate increase
On May 16, 2023, the IUB issued an order scheduling six public consumer comment meetings starting July 24, 2023, regarding the customer notice filed by MidAmerican Energy Company for an increase in its Iowa natural gas base delivery rates.
These meetings will allow MidAmerican customers to express their views about the proposed general rate increases and comment on the overall quality of MidAmerican’s service. Five in-person meetings are scheduled throughout MidAmerican’s Iowa natural gas service territory and one virtual meeting is planned.
Representatives of MidAmerican, the IUB, and the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) will be present at all meetings to hear public comments and answer questions. The OCA represents the general interests of customers in all IUB proceedings.
The meeting locations, dates, and times are noted in the IUB Hearing and Meeting Calendar at the bottom of this newsletter.
Persons with disabilities requiring assistive services or devices to observe or participate in a consumer comment meeting should contact the IUB at 515-725-7300 or customer@iub.iowa.gov at least five days in advance of the scheduled date to request arrangements.
All comments provided at these public meetings, or submitted in writing to the IUB, will become part of the permanent record in the gas rate case docket.
Written comments can be filed by completing and submitting the IUB’s online comment form, by email to customer@iub.iowa.gov, or by postal mail to the Iowa Utilities Board, Docket No. RPU-2023-0001, 1375 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319-0069.
All publicly filed documents for this rate case are available for review in the IUB’s electronic filing system under Docket No. RPU-2023-0001.
PHMSA gives IUB perfect score on its natural gas funding program reports
The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently completed a review of the IUB Safety and Engineering CY2022 progress reports, and the IUB received a perfect score (50 out of 50). This review will be the performance scoring element applied to the funding allocation that the IUB will receive for CY2023 program reimbursements.
PHMSA will seek award approval through the PHMSA Administrator and then notification to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation will occur. The next step will be PHMSA’s Office of Public Affairs initiating Congressional notification. Subsequently, PHMSA will send its allocation document along with the 2023 notice of grant award.
 The sun sets behind a strand of electric lines in central Iowa.
IUB reviewing utilities' summer preparedness plans
On May 5, 2023, the IUB issued an order that requested information on Iowa electric utilities’ plans for providing reliable service during peak usage days in the summer season. The IUB took this proactive action following projections made in 2022 for shortfalls during peak usage seasons in the near future.
The IUB's order opened Docket No. INU-2023-0001 to gather information on utilities’ preparedness for summer and included a set of questions for the utilities to answer regarding their plans for addressing projected shortfalls of electricity this summer and potential load shedding. Some of the questions requested information updates from the utilities since the last technical conference. The utilities filed replies to the IUB's questions by the required deadline.
A technical conference was held on May 23 to allow the utilities to share their plans and answer further questions from the IUB. The IUB is reviewing the information filed by the utilities and what was discussed at the technical conference to determine potential next steps in the docket.
Public hearing date set on Summit Carbon's proposed CO2 pipeline
On June 16, 2023, the IUB issued an order setting the procedural schedule for the proposed hazardous liquid pipeline by Summit Carbon Solutions. It schedules the public evidentiary hearing to begin on August 22, 2023, at the Cardiff Event Center, 3232 First Ave. S., Fort Dodge, Iowa, and continue until finished.
On July 10, 2023, the IUB will hold a status conference regarding the proposed Summit Carbon pipeline. The status conference will begin after the conclusion of the IUB's monthly public Board meeting.
The IUB is particularly aware of the hundreds of landowners not represented or unable to attend the status conferences and will continue to seek ways to engage all landowners in the docket process, while maintaining the existing opportunities for represented parties to exercise their rights. As indicated in the IUB's June 16 order, the IUB is modifying the procedural schedule to specifically accommodate landowner concerns.
At the evidentiary hearing, the IUB will hear evidence in favor of or opposing the proposed pipeline. Following the hearing, the IUB will consider Iowa law and all the information presented, all evidence, testimony and exhibits filed in Docket No. HLP-2021-0001, including comments, objections, and letters of support, before issuing a final decision regarding Summit Carbon's permit application.
Summit Carbon filed its petition (application) for and HLP permit on January 28, 2022.
IUB sets July-August customer service meetings for community action agencies, utilities
Historically, the IUB has held customer service meetings during the fall months. These meetings are by invitation only and designed for utility and community action agency personnel and cover topics such as the IUB’s role and jurisdiction, disconnection, and winter moratorium guidelines, plus other IUB updates. IUB staff provided notice of registration to utility contacts and LIHEAP coordinators for each community action agency in IUB 24/7. Meetings are scheduled for:
Monday, July 31, 2 p.m. - MidAmerican Headquarters, Davenport (in person)
Tuesday, August 1, 2:30 p.m. - Downtown Library, Cedar Rapids (in person)
Thursday, August 3, 2:30 p.m. - IUB Office, Des Moines (in person and virtual)
Wednesday, August 16, 2:30 p.m. - Public Library, Council Bluffs (in person)
Registration now open for all meetings. Register for a meeting.
IUB website transition and state government alignment update
On May 22, 2023, the IUB launched a redesigned website at iub.iowa.gov to help connect more Iowans to our agency and utility-related information. The site features a refreshed look with expanded content presentation capabilities and quick links and other helpful resources to assist utility customers, industry stakeholders and the general public.
The refreshed site provides many of the same features and content and continues to be mobile responsive to adapt the display to any user device, whether desktop, smartphone or tablet. Although the new IUB website has the same web address, users who have bookmarked pages may need to update frequently accessed pages.
For questions about the new website, contact IUB Communications Director Don Tormey at don.tormey@iub.iowa.gov. For questions about utility service or filing comments in open dockets pending before the IUB, contact IUB Customer Service at 515-725-7300 or ITsupport@iub.iowa.gov.
On April 4, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed the state government alignment bill into law and work is underway to improve how state government serves Iowans.
The impact to the IUB is minimal as the IUB had, under Iowa Code, been the Utilities Division under the Department of Commerce. The IUB is now a stand-alone agency. Alignment took effect on July 1.
Cecil Wright retires from the IUB
Attorney Cecil Wright retired May 25, 2023, after working nearly 23 years for the IUB. Cecil began his career as a State of Iowa employee in 2001 after retiring from the State of Missouri in 2000. His entire career focused primarily on utility issues. Prior to coming to Iowa, he held various positions with the State of Missouri, including Assistant General Counsel, Hearing Examiner, Deputy Chief Hearing Examiner, Chief Administrative Law Judge and Executive Director with the Missouri Public Service Commission and the Adjudication Division. At the IUB, Cecil held multiple positions, including acting General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer. He concluded his tenure as a Utility Attorney 2. His primary duties included reviewing and analyzing filings, preparing orders for the Board's consideration, advising the Board members on utility issues, reviewing all agency orders, and representing the IUB in district and appellate courts.
The IUB thanks Cecil for all his years of service and wishes him the best in his retirement.
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IUB office closed Monday, September 4, for Labor Day holiday
The Iowa Utilities Board and Consumer Advocate offices will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2023, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. However, the IUB's electronic filing system (EFS) and IUB 24/7 will be available, and EFS filings made outside of business hours will be processed by staff on Tuesday, September 5. The IUB's normal office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. IUB offices are closed Saturdays and Sundays and official State holidays.
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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.)
- July 10
- August 15
- September 19
Consumer Comment Meetings are scheduled in the following dockets:
RPU-2023-0001: MidAmerican Energy Company proposed natural gas rate increase request. Meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Sioux City – 6 p.m. Monday, July 24, Sioux City Convention Center, 801 Fourth St.
- Waterloo – 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, Majestic Moon, 1955 Locke Ave.
- Des Moines – 6 p.m. Thursday, July 27, Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport Conference Center, 6111 Fleur Drive.
- Davenport – 6 p.m. Monday, July 31, The River Center, 136 E. Third St.
- Cedar Rapids – 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 1, The Olympic South Side Theater, 1202 Third St. S.E., Suite 200.
- Virtual – Thursday, August 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Details about participating online and at the customer comment meetings are available on the IUB’s website, iub.iowa.gov.
Public Hearings are scheduled in the following dockets:
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HLP-2021-0001: Status Conference – Summit Carbon Solutions. Immediately following the public Board meeting, July 10, IUB Hearing Room
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RPU-2021-0003: Scheduling Conference – Interstate Power & Light Company, 11 a.m. July 10, IUB Hearing Room.
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RPU-2022-0001: Scheduling Conference – MidAmerican Energy Company. Immediately following the RPU-2021-0003 scheduling conference, July 10, IUB Hearing Room.
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E-22436: Hearing – SOO Green – 9 a.m. July 12, Johnson's Restaurant & Reception Hall, 916 N. High St. N.E., Elkader, IA
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HLP-2021-0001: Hearing – Summit Carbon Solutions – 10 a.m. August 22 until completed, The Cardiff Event Center at Fort Frenzy, 3232 1st Ave S, Fort Dodge, IA
Public Informational Meetings are scheduled in the following dockets:
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E-22546: ITC Midwest – 12:30 p.m. July 19, Osceola Municipal Golf, 400 E Fayette St, Osceola.
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E-22546: ITC Midwest – 5:30 p.m. July 19, Truro Community Center, 100 S Railroad St, Truro.
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E-22547: Dairyland Power Cooperative – 5 p.m. July 27, Chester Community Center, 601 River St., Chester.
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HLP-2023-0004: Summit Carbon Solutions – Noon August 8, Cedar River Complex Events Center, 1006 Chestnut St., Osage.
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HLP-2023-0004: Summit Carbon Solutions – 6 p.m. August 8, Floyd County Fairgrounds, 2516 7 Mile Road, Charles City.
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E-22548: ITC Midwest – 12:30 p.m. August 16. Location TBD
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E-22548: ITC Midwest – 5:30 p.m. August 16. Location TBD
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E-22548: ITC Midwest – 12:30 p.m. August 17. Location TBD
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