Robert Szalay
Iowa consumer advocate, clean-energy groups ...

Critics want Alliant to prove its new Iowa power plants are needed before billions spent

Iowa’s consumer advocate and a coalition of business and clean-energy groups have urged state regulators to deny Alliant Energy’s plans to build natural gas plants in northeast Iowa unless the company proves the plants are necessary and cost-effective, warning customers could otherwise incur billions in capital and fuel costs.

The Iowa Business for Clean Energy (IBCE) — a nonpartisan coalition of businesses and community leaders working to advance reliable, affordable and clean energy solutions — has raised concerns about Alliant’s plan to add thousands of megawatts of natural-gas-fired electricity in the state, including in Linn County.

Iowa consumer advocate, clean-energy groups challenge Alliant gas-powered plants
Robert Szalay
Press Release: CONSUMER ADVOCATE ECHOES IBCE ...

CONSUMER ADVOCATE ECHOES IBCE CALL FOR UTILITY COMMISION TO EXAMINE IMPACT, NEED, COSTS OF POWER FACILITIES BEFORE APPROVING THEM

Alliant Energy’s claims need and cost effectiveness are irrelevant to build decision, after contending Consumer Advocate should be barred from investigating or advocating for this documentation

DES MOINES – Iowa’s consumer advocate has called for the Iowa Utilities Commission to reject Alliant Energy’s request to build gas plant, unless the company provides information on the need, the cost-effectiveness and fuel impacts, and cost impacts of the projects, noting the risk that the cost could ultimately be borne by Iowa customers.

Press Release: CONSUMER ADVOCATE ECHOES IBCE CALL
Robert Szalay
Clean Energy group calls for more public ...

Iowa Capital Dispatch

A clean energy group is calling for greater scrutiny of a utility company's plans surrounding data centers. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

A clean energy group is calling on the Iowa Utilities Commission and policymakers to ensure utility companies don’t use data center energy demands to build new facilities and pass the costs on to ratepayers. 

Iowa Business for Clean Energy, in a news release Thursday, said Alliant Energy Corporation is using “loopholes” and “secret” rate agreements with data centers to build natural gas “peaker” plants without proving they are in the best interest of ratepayers. 

Clean Energy group calls for more public scrutiny of data center energy costs
Robert Szalay
MAY NEWSLETTER: Energy Bills Fail to Move ...

MAY NEWSLETTER: Energy Bills Fail to Move Forward in a Victory for Consumers

The Iowa legislature adjourned last week without passing either HF 834 or its companion bill SF 585, the omnibus energy bills that incorporated Governor Reynold’s recommendations.

Consumer groups worked together to first try to get important changes to the legislation, then when that did not occur, successfully worked to stop the legislation from passing. This coalition included AARP (representing seniors), NFIB (representing small business), the Iowa Retail Federation (representing Iowa’s small and large retailers), and the Iowa Economic Alliance and Iowa Business Energy Council (representing Iowa’s largest users).

MAY NEWSLETTER: Energy Bills Fail to Move Forward in a Victory for Consumers
Robert Szalay
February Newsletter- Governor's Omnibus Energy ...

Governor Reynolds introduced major new energy legislation over the past two weeks, House Study Bill 123 and Senate Study Bill 1112. The Governor’s bill includes several concepts which, if amended, can have a positive impact on the future electric rates of Iowa’s investor-owned electric utilities.

Unfortunately, as currently constructed, the bills are very pro-utility. These bills, if not amended, would:

  • allow utilities to determine future investment plans without the Utilities Commission evaluating whether investment decisions serve consumers' best interests,

  • increase the interest rate consumers have to pay utilities on new gas plants,

  • permit the utilities to retain 100% of the profits generated from innovative rate structures, revenue that would otherwise be allocated to mitigate future rate increases, and

  • allow incumbent utilities to build $3 billion in new transmission lines without competitive bidding.

All the ratepayer groups are united in advocating for amendments to change the pro-utility legislation into a pro-ratepayer bill. The groups range from AARP, representing Iowa’s seniors, to the National Federation of Business, which represents Iowa’s small businesses, to the Iowa Retail Federation and Iowa’s largest energy users.

February Newsletter- Governor's Omnibus Energy Bill Introduced

Renewable energy backers: Sun could go down on tax credits without state action

Renewable energy backers: Sun could go down on tax credits without state action

Iowa’s tax credits for businesses and homeowners who install solar panels could disappear next year unless state lawmakers approve legislation extending them.House File 221 would extend state tax credits on 15% of project costs for 10 years. It also would clear a backlog of tax credit applications totaling approximately $9 million and double the annual credits available in the future, to $10 million per year. The tax credits in the bill would expire in 2031, lawmakers voted to extend them. As it is, the state credits expire next year.

Iowa drops 13 spots in energy efficiency rankings

Iowa drops 13 spots in energy efficiency rankings

Iowa dropped 13 spots in a national ranking of states’ energy efficiency efforts, largely due to legislation that scaled back a state program, an interest group reported.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy reported that Iowa had the biggest drop in this year’s rankings and now sits at 36th among the states. The group attributed the slide to 2018 legislation, Senate File 2311, that “capped certain efficiency investments, leading to a steep decline in progress in reducing electricity and gas use.”

Clean Energy Capitalist, green energy future

Clean Energy Capitalist, green energy future

In Fusion Capitalism, clean energy expert Steve Melink shares his vision of a clean energy future. In Melink’s view, the economy, national security, public health, and a sustainable environment are all inextricably linked to the world’s energy infrastructure – making the transition to alternative energy one of the greatest opportunities of the 21st Century. Sustainability, he argues, must become a core national value because it is fundamental to the future of America’s success.

New business network promotes clean energy future

New business network promotes clean energy future

A new organization has been created to help Iowa businesses access clean energy at competitive prices. Iowa Business for Clean Energy was launched this week, coinciding with Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “Clean Energy Week” proclamation.