The Energy Bill: Tell Your Legislators to Fix It or Forget It!

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During the past three legislative sessions, there have been discussions about reforming energy rates in Iowa. We had been hopeful that Iowa would join a majority of states that have adopted requirements for transparent utility planning and ratemaking, namely an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). However, the energy bill currently in the legislature (House File 834 and Senate File 585) doesn't do that. In fact, as it is written, this legislation would further put the thumb on the scale for monopoly utilities to increase their profits at the expense of Iowans. Ask your legislator to "fix it or forget it" — amend the bill to protect customers, or oppose it.

With costs for everyday goods and services on the rise, Iowans deserve to see real and effective integrated resource planning, increased transparency, and a more robust decision-making role for the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) in approving rates. The job of the IUC is to make sure there is a check on MidAmerican Energy's and Alliant Energy’s drive for profit and that they are doing what is right for Iowa customers. But the IUC does not have the necessary tools to make that happen. Reform of Iowa's energy regulation is needed, but some parts of this bill as written actually make the situation worse by limiting IUC oversight and helping monopoly utilities and big corporations at the expense of small businesses, farmers, and everyday Iowans.

We also have serious concerns about this bill's approach to how utilities build new generation resources, such as gas, wind, and solar, and how they make decisions about their existing coal plants. MidAmerican and Alliant are guaranteed a profit of 9-12% on everything they build – every power plant and power line they construct. These energy corporations are focused on delivering a profit to their shareholders, so the companies are incentivized to build as much as possible.

IEC will continue to work with legislators and partners for amendments that address problematic pieces of the bill.

It's critical that elected officials hear from everyday Iowa utility customers. Use the form below to send a message to your Iowa Representative and Senator. If you have a personal story about high energy bills or costs to your family, please add it to the text.

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Iowa Environmental Council
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All members of the 2025 Iowa Senate and House of Representatives

Subject: Fix It or Forget It: HF 843 and SF 585 Hurt Iowa Utility Customers

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I am writing today as a concerned energy customer. With prices for everyday goods and services on the rise, now is not the time to hand more power to the monopoly utilities to set their rates and to determine how they are overseen. As it is written, HF 834/SF585 (the Governor's energy bill) reduces what little transparency and accountability the system currently has. It further puts the thumb on the scale for utility profits over Iowa utility customers. Please amend it or oppose it. The utilities were given a monopoly over customers in Iowa by the legislature. In any new legislation you consider, customers should be treated as equally important – if not more important - than utility profits. HF 843 and SF 585 lack accountability for monopoly utilities in their planning processes for how to meet energy needs, giving them outsize control over the wellbeing of Iowans. We need transparent and comprehensive energy planning. Please oppose HF 834/SF 585. Thank you for your time,

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It's critical that elected officials hear from everyday Iowa utility customers. Use the form below to send a message to your Iowa Representative and Senator. If you have a personal story about high energy bills or costs to your family, please add it to the text.

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