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 of Ottumwa spoke to a large group of lobbyists after he and the two other subcommittee members met privately to discuss how to proceed.
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.
Ted Stopulus, a lobbyist for Alliant Energy, suggests removing a section of the bill that he says may require the Iowa Utilities Commission to link its decisions on wind and solar projects with previous decisions on other types of energy generation.
Two groups object to a sentence in the bill that says it’s the intent of the legislature to encourage development of nuclear electric power. Robert Palmer is a lobbyist for the Iowa Business Energy Coalition which represents 10 of the largest manufacturers in Iowa.
Bob Rafferty, a lobbyist for Iowa Business for Clean Energy, says that statement goes on to say Iowa should pursue nuclear energy “to meet local and regional needs.”
MISO refers to the Mid-Continent Independent System Operator which manages the flow of electricity along high-voltage, long-distance power lines in the region.
