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Iowa

Clean and Efficient Energy Policies and Commitments

State Policy

Utility Spending: Energy Efficiency $36.7 million in 2007 by all utilities in the state (EIA)
Legislation Affecting Utilities

Iowa Code 476 mandates that electric and natural gas utilities required to be rate-regulated (investor-owned utilities) must offer energy efficiency programs through cost-effective energy efficiency plans. The Iowa code also requires municipally owned utilities and rural electric to develop energy efficiency plans and submit both progress and final reports to the Iowa Utilities Board. The IUB does not review or approve these plans, but compiles the results to use as part of overall state energy planning.

Regarding renewable portfolio standards, Iowa has had a policy in place since 1983. The Alternative Energy Production Law requires the state’s two investor-owned utilities -- MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy Interstate Power and Light -- to contract for a combined total of 105 megawatts of their generation from renewable-energy resources, including small hydropower facilities. Sources of energy that count toward the standard include photovoltaics, landfill gas, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, municipal solid waste, and anaerobic digestion.

Senate Bill 2386, signed in 2008, requires all utilities to file energy efficiency goals. In accordance with this mandate, the IUB issued an order in 2008 asking IOUs to submit plans including a scenario to achieve a 1.5% annual electricity and natural gas savings goal. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are required to begin developing plans to meet self-designated energy efficiency targets and the IUB is required to report on these plans by January 1, 2011, and then every two years thereafter.

Relevance to Public Power:Public power in Iowa is not bound by a renewable portfolio standard, but must set energy efficiency goals and file energy efficiency plans with the IUB in accordance with IOWA code 476 and Senate Bill 2386. Consumer-owned utilities in Iowa are allowed to file their plans jointly. Traditionally, the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) and the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC) have filed joint plans for many of their member utilities. While IUB does not review or approve these plans, they are required to meet cost-effectiveness criteria.
Building Codes Current Status
Standards for Appliances Adhere to minimum levels set by the Federal government.
Climate Change Action

As of March 2010, climate change legislation has not been signed into law at the state-level.

Regional Coordination As of 2007, the state is full participant in the Midwest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

Commitments by Public Power Communities

U.S. Conference of Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement Ames, Aurelia, Bellevue, Carlisle, Cedar Falls, Fairbank, Grafton, Lawler, Neola, Woolstock

Learn more about the Climate Protection Agreement!

EPA's Green Communities Learn more about Green Power Communities!

Public Power Utility Initiatives

APPA Energy Efficiency Partners
  • Heartland Consumers Power District
  • Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
  • Missouri River Energy Services
  • NMPP Energy
Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors
ENERGY STAR Home Partners
  • Algona Municipal Utilities
  • Waverly Light and Power
ENERGY STAR Product Partners
  • Algona Municipal Utilities
  • Bellevue Municipal Utilities
  • Brooklyn Municipal Utilities
  • Cascade Municipal Utilities
  • Cedar Falls Utilities
  • Corning Municipal Utilities
  • Earlville Municipal Utilities
  • Fontanelle Municipal Utilities
  • Gowrie Municipal Utilities
  • Greenfield Municipal Utilities
  • Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
  • Lamoni Municipal Utilities
  • Lenox Municipal Utilities
  • Spencer Municipal Utilities
  • Stuart Municipal Utilities
  • Villisca Municipal Power Plant
  • Waverly Light and Power

Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Resource Standards

  • Waverly Light and Power: In 2004, Waverly Light & Power joined the World Wildlife Fund’s Power Switch initiative, and committed to meet 15% of its energy needs through energy efficiency programs by 2020

Tell us about your public power utility´s innovative programs, partnerships, and commitments to clean and efficient energy!

Last Update: February 2011.