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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 newsletter is published quarterly.
IUB conducts public evidentiary hearing for proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline
The IUB's public evidentiary hearing for the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC pipeline began in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on August 22, 2023. While parties prefiled direct testimony in Docket No. HLP-2021-0001, non-intervening Exhibit H landowners were given the opportunity to provide live direct testimony, with the majority appearing the first two weeks of the hearing. On September 5, 2023, Summit Carbon witnesses started to appear for cross-examination. This proceeding will continue until the parties have been afforded the opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses and all relevant testimony has been presented. The IUB provides hearing schedule and witness updates on its Summit Carbon webpage through daily and weekly digest postings.
Summit Carbon filed a petition for a hazardous liquid pipeline permit with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) on January 28, 2022, in docket HLP-2021-0001. If granted, the permit would allow Summit Carbon to construct, operate, and maintain approximately 687 miles of pipeline for the transportation of carbon dioxide within the state of Iowa.
 The IUB Board members listen to landowner testimony during its publc evidentiary hearing for the proposed Summit Carbon pipeline in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Photo/Sheri Howard
New IUB electronic payment option for assessments now available
The IUB has collaborated with the Iowa Department of Revenue to utilize the capabilities of the GovConnectIowa online portal, which offers a convenient, secure way to submit payments for assessments. The site for payments is available here, and a link will be included in each IUB assessment invoice that is received via email. The linked invoices will start with the 2024 first quarter invoices, scheduled for a November 1, 2023, release date. A tutorial video is now available at GovConnectIowa Help.
The State launched GovConnectIowa in November 2021, and the new upgrades have made it possible to conveniently submit a secure online payment for assessments. The GovConnectIowa payment portal replaces SimplePay, the site previously used for electronic payments.
For more information, email iub.billings@iub.iowa.gov or call 515-725-7300.
IUB studying utility ratemaking process
House File 617 passed in the Legislature this spring and was signed into law by the governor. The law directs the IUB to conduct a review of its ratemaking statutes (codified in Iowa Code chapter 476), rules (described in Iowa Administrative Code section 199), and procedures. A report to the Legislature is due by January 1, 2024. To aid in this effort, the IUB has engaged a consultant and opened Docket No. NOI-2023-0001, in which interested citizens and parties may offer comments.
As part of the review effort, the IUB scheduled three "policy charrettes" to address the questions raised in the law. The first policy charrette was held August 30-31 and was centered on what is working well and what needs improvement in current Iowa law.
The second policy charrette was held September 26-27 and focused on approaches in other states that might inform possible changes in Iowa. The third and final charrette will be held November 1-2 and will solicit input on possible recommended changes to statutes, rules, and procedures.
Parties are filing observations, suggestions, and supporting evidence in the NOI-2023-0001 docket, and the IUB welcomes input to support its responsibility to deliver the report to the Legislature by January 1. Written comments can be filed in the docket by using the IUB's online open docket comment form.
IUB reminds Iowans about annual winter moratorium, energy assistance program (LIHEAP)
Every year starting November 1, all Iowa electric and natural gas utilities participate in a moratorium of disconnection of service for customers who qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Divisions of Community Access, Community Action Agencies Unit.
Customers facing hardship in paying for service can work with their local community action agency to apply for LIHEAP energy assistance funds, which also protects those customers’ households from disconnection in the winter.
As specified in the Iowa Administrative Code, electric and natural gas utilities are not permitted to conduct disconnection of service from November 1 to April 1 for households certified by a community action agency as eligible for LIHEAP or its companion weatherization assistance program. Additionally, customers who inform their electric or natural gas provider that they are applying for LIHEAP are afforded a 30-day stay of disconnection to allow that application to be processed by the customer’s community action agency. Applicants with a disability or who are 60 or older may apply beginning October 1.
Community action agencies exist in every Iowa county to help Iowans apply for LIHEAP and disburse energy assistance funds on behalf of utility customers. LIHEAP is a federally funded program by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is available to homeowners and renters who fall within the federal poverty guidelines. More information on LIHEAP and community action agencies in Iowa is available on the Iowa Health & Human Services website under the "Human Rights" icon.
Beyond LIHEAP, under Iowa law, utilities are also required to operate a fund that allows its customers to voluntarily contribute money for deposit in a low-income heating assistance fund. Although these fund programs go by different names (Project Share, I CARE, etc.), they all assist low-income persons with paying energy bills and weatherization of their homes.
IUB set to receive PHMSA state grant funding to enhance its pipeline safety program
On August 2, 2023, the IUB's Safety and Engineering Bureau was notified by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that Iowa is set to receive nearly $634,000 in annual grant funding to support state pipeline and underground natural gas storage (UNGS) safety operations in 2024.
Funding received from PHMSA will be a partial reimbursement for IUB time and expenses in conducting inspections in the year ahead under Iowa's Pipeline Safety Program. The IUB annually receives money under this grant per state agreement with PHMSA to conduct and maintain natural gas operators safety and compliance and to ensure these pipelines and storage facilities are complying with federal and state regulations.
Forty-eight states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico participate in the Pipeline Safety State Base Grant program, and 14 states participate in the UNGS program.
IUB celebrates 145 years of history
This year marks the 145th anniversary as a state agency for the IUB -- one of the oldest agencies in Iowa state government. The IUB began in 1878 as the Iowa Board of Railroad Commissioners.
In 1911, with the growing use of electricity, the board was authorized to regulate the location of electric transmission lines in Iowa.
The agency began licensing grain warehouses in Iowa in 1921 and was authorized to regulate passenger and freight rates for intrastate motor truck transportation in 1923.
Authority to regulate natural gas pipeline construction was granted in the early 1930's. Because of its expanded authority, the agency was renamed the Iowa State Commerce Commission in 1937.
By 1953, Iowa was one of only two states that lacked a public utility commission.
In 1963 the Iowa Legislature added the regulation of the rates and service of public utility companies to the Commission’s responsibilities.
In 1983 the nation’s first telephone deregulation statute was included in an omnibus utility reform bill. A state Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) was established to represent the public interest in rate cases.
State government reorganization in 1986 resulted in changing the name to the Iowa Utilities Board and included the agency in an umbrella regulatory agency, the Iowa Department of Commerce.
This year, state government reorganization established the IUB as an independent, stand-alone agency. Read more IUB history on our website.
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-2023-0003 Technical Conference on 199 IAC chapter 3 rules: 9 a.m. October 4, IUB Hearing Room
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RMU-2023-0007 Technical Conference on 199 IAC chapter 7 rules: 1:30 p.m. October 5, IUB Hearing Room
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RPU-2022-0001 MidAmerican Energy Wind PRIME: 9 a.m. October 10-13, IUB Hearing Room
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RMU-2023-0002 Technical Conference on 199-IAC chapter 2 rules: 9 a.m. October 18, IUB Hearing Room
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RMU-2023-0014 Technical Conference on 199 IAC chapter 14 rules: 2 p.m. October 18, IUB Hearing Room
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RMU-2023-0031 Technical Conference on 199 IAC chapter 31 rules: 2 p.m. October 19, IUB Hearing Room
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EEP-2022-0225 Black Hills Energy: 9 a.m. October 25, IUB Hearing Room
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HLP-1996-0015 BP Pipelines North America, Inc: 9 a.m. October 26, IUB Hearing Room
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RMU-2023-0023 Technical Conference on 199 IAC chapter 23 rules: 1 p.m. October 26, IUB Hearing Room
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NOI-2023-0001 Policy Charrette 3: 9 a.m. November 1-2, IUB Conference Rooms 1 and 2
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EEP-2022-0222 Liberty Utilities: 9 a.m. November 16, IUB Hearing Room
Public Informational Meetings are scheduled in the following dockets:
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GCU-2023-0001 Hawkeye Solar II LLC: 5:30 p.m. October 4, Clinton County Treasurer Satellite Office's large conference room, DeWitt
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E-22548 ITC Midwest LLC: 5:30 p.m. October 17, Fairfield High School, Fairfield
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E-22430 Silver Queen Wind Farm LLC: 5:30 p.m. October 18, Boulders Conference Center, Denison
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RPU-2023-0002 Interstate Power & Light Company Consumer Comment Meeting: 6:30 p.m., November 6, The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, Cedar Rapids
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RPU-2023-0002 Interstate Power & Light Company Consumer Comment Meeting: 6 p.m., November 7, Surf Ballroom & Museum, Clear Lake
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RPU-2023-0002 Interstate Power & Light Company Consumer Comment Meeting: 6 p.m., November 8, Southwestern Community College Performing Arts Center, Creston
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RPU-2023-0002 Interstate Power & Light Company Consumer Comment Meeting: 6 p.m., November 9, virtual, see IUB website for details
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