A bill about state regulations for energy projects — like nuclear reactors and battery storage facilities — has cleared a subcommittee in the Iowa House unanimously. However, after fielding a string of complaints about the bill the bipartisan panel is asking critics to submit alternatives they’d support.
Representative Hans Wilz, a Republican from Ottumwa, spoke to a large group of lobbyists after he and the two other subcommittee members met privately to discuss how to proceed. “We feel we should take this forward, but with the conversation we’ve had with you and your representation of ratepayers and stakeholders, we expect you guys to send us the suggestions that you feel would make this better,” Wilz said.
There’s not a single utility company, business association or advocacy group that supports the bill, which includes a few elements of a proposal Governor Reynolds made a year ago. Matt Hinch, a lobbyist for MidAmerican Energy, asked legislators what problem they’re trying to fix with the bill. “Iowa has arguably one of the best regulatory structures in the nation,” Hinch said. “…Iowa is dead last when it relates to the increases in the average retail rate for electricity. Over the last five years, the average retail rate for electricity has increased by four cents per kilowatt hour on average. Iowa’s has increased by one cent.”…