Iowans need fairness in Alliant wind case

We deserve stronger cost controls and greater ratepayer protections in Alliant Energy’s proposed New Wind III project, which is currently seeking approval by the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC).

I'm a policy analyst for the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI) and an intervenor in Alliant Energy's rate cases. I most recently testified in Docket No. RPU-2025-0003, which involves Alliant’s request for advance ratemaking principles to support up to 1,000 megawatts of new wind generation. My testimony emphasizes customer affordability, transparency, and accountability as key to ensuring that new clean energy investments benefit all Iowans.

The bottom line is that clean energy must be affordable and equitable. If a utility cannot show that new wind projects provide net economic benefits for customers via utility ownership, they should not be financing them through rates paid by customers. Alliant customers should not be paying for any utility investment that benefits shareholders more than ratepayers.

Specifically, here are CEDI's key recommendations on the New Wind project:

• Reduce Alliant’s’ proposed cost cap of $3,020/kW, which is 26% higher than a similar project approved earlier this year.

• Deny recovery of undocumented ‘Owner’s Costs’ lacking supporting data.

• Adopt a lower return on equity (ROE) of 8% to 9% instead of the company’s requested 11.25%, aligning with recent independent assessments.

• Limit future turbine repowering cost recovery to Alliant’s cost of debt, not its full ROE.

• Restrict approval to projects that qualify for federal Production Tax Credits (PTCs) and demonstrate net customer benefits.

• Add a new Resource Evaluation Study principle to improve transparency, stakeholder engagement, and long-term planning.

New data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows Iowa’s coal generation has increased by 46.5% year-to-date, while natural gas generation declined and renewable output rose only slightly. Commercial electricity prices increased about 8% over the same period.

These are trends in the wrong direction. Iowa needs more clean energy, but the investments must be responsible, cost-effective, and fair to customers.

If you have questions about rate increases, how energy works among Iowa's private utilities, or what you can do to make your home or business more energy efficient, read more about CEDI (www.cleanenergydistricts.org). This nonprofit consortium represents 14 locally governed energy districts that each help households, farms, and businesses benefit from the clean energy transition through education, technical assistance, and advocacy.

Curious? Worried? Ticked? Don't worry — I'm keeping tabs on these proceedings, and I'll keep you up to speed on what it means for your energy bills.

James Martin-Schramm is a policy analyst for the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI), an intervenor in Alliant Energy’s rate cases and an emeritus professor at Luther College. CEDI’s mission is to ensure that the clean energy transition creates local prosperity, climate stability, and energy security for all Iowans.