Energy in Iowa | MyRepTracker

introduced · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HF 2682: A bill for an act relating to grid-enhancing technologies and reconductoring, including study and reporting requirements.

This Iowa bill (HF 2682) requires public utilities and transmission companies operating electric lines in the state to study grid-enhancing technologies and reconductoring opportunities. Starting January 1, 2027, and every three years after, these entities must submit public reports to the Iowa Utilities Commission analyzing the feasibility of projects that could increase transmission capacity, reduce congestion, support renewable energy, improve reliability, or lower line losses. The studies must cover costs, implementation timelines, and how projects align with specific grid improvement goals like reducing siting conflicts or serving new customers. Municipal utilities, cooperatives, and single-customer transmission lines are exempt from this requirement.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Renewable Energy Transmission

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2026

HSB 688: A bill for an act extending the biodiesel blended fuel tax credit.

This bill extends Iowa's biodiesel blended fuel tax credit for retail dealers until January 1, 2033, instead of the previous 2028 expiration. It directly affects businesses selling biodiesel-blended fuel who claim this credit on their income taxes. The key provision ensures these dealers can claim the full credit for their entire tax year - even if their tax year doesn't end on December 31 - by aligning the credit calculation with the new 2033 repeal date. This change provides continued financial support for biodiesel retailers without altering the credit's structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Transportation Funding

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SF 2447: A bill for an act relating to the siting and operation of renewable electric power generating facilities.

SF 2447 establishes statewide setback requirements for renewable energy facilities in Iowa, directly affecting local governments (cities/counties) and developers of wind, solar, and battery storage projects. The bill mandates specific minimum distances: wind facilities must be 3 times their height from homes/community buildings, 1.1 times their height from non-participating property, and 1.1 times their height from roads or utility lines. Local authorities cannot enforce stricter setback rules than these standards, though they may adopt limited additional requirements like a 30-hour annual shadow flicker limit or 47-decibel sound limits. The law applies to all wind facilities proposed after January 1, 2025, and sets uniform rules to streamline approvals for renewable projects.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 28, 2026

HF 2076: A bill for an act relating to billing methods for distributed generation customers.

HF 2076 changes how Iowa electric utilities handle unused energy credits for customers with distributed generation (like rooftop solar). It requires utilities to keep excess kilowatt-hour credits in a customer’s account to offset future bills, rather than automatically cashing them out annually. Customers must now actively request a cash-out or when ending service, at the utility’s avoided cost rate, with funds split between the customer and the low-income energy assistance program. This bill directly affects residential and small business solar customers who generate excess electricity.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 13, 2026

HSB 515: A bill for an act relating to utility disconnections of gas and electricity services during severe weather.

This bill requires Iowa's Utilities Commission to adopt rules prohibiting gas and electricity disconnections from homes during severe cold or severe hot weather, as defined by those rules. It directly affects residential utility customers by preventing service cutoffs during extreme temperature events. The key provision mandates the Commission to establish specific definitions for "severe cold weather" and "severe hot weather" in its rules, building on existing protections for severe cold. The bill does not create new penalties or funding but modifies the Commission's rulemaking authority to cover both temperature extremes.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HSB 521: A bill for an act authorizing the transfer of funds to assist the state load forecasting center.

This bill authorizes the Iowa Economic Development Authority to transfer up to $633,000 annually from the energy and water infrastructure revolving loan fund to Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The funds must be used to provide financial assistance to the state load forecasting center, which supports electricity grid planning. The transfer is required to begin July 1, 2026, and applies to each subsequent fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 14, 2026

HF 2046: A bill for an act relating to requirements for portable solar generation devices.

This bill defines "portable solar generation devices" as small, moveable solar units (max 1,200 watts) designed to connect to standard household outlets, offset personal electricity use, meet safety codes, and include outage safety features. It prohibits utilities from requiring customer approval for installation, charging fees, or demanding extra equipment beyond the device itself. The bill also exempts these devices from standard interconnection rules and net metering requirements. It directly affects homeowners installing small-scale solar systems under 1.2 kilowatts for personal use.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Solar Transmission

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SSB 3092: A bill for an act relating to solar energy by establishing a community solar facility program.

SSB 3092 establishes Iowa’s first statewide community solar program, allowing residents and businesses to subscribe to shared solar projects and receive bill credits for the electricity generated. It directly affects subscribers (customers who pay for solar subscriptions), community solar facility owners (including for-profit entities), and electric utilities, which must provide bill credits and integrate these facilities. Key provisions include setting size limits (5 MW max, 20 MW on brownfield sites), requiring at least 3 subscribers per facility, mandating that 60% of capacity comes from small subscriptions (≤40 kW), and capping statewide capacity at 250 MW until a new rate methodology is adopted. The bill also ensures community solar doesn’t duplicate utility infrastructure and requires utilities to apply bill credits to future bills without minimum payment restrictions after rate adoption.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 3, 2026

HSB 630: A bill for an act relating to customer-based energy, including power plants and energy storage.

This bill creates a regulatory framework for customer-based energy systems in Iowa, primarily affecting energy storage companies and power plant operators using distributed resources like solar, wind, and batteries. It defines "customer-based energy storage companies" (not classified as utilities if meeting specific criteria) and "customer-based power plants" (aggregated systems managing distributed energy). Key provisions require operators to coordinate with utilities, obtain commission certification, meet cybersecurity standards, protect consumer data, and operate within utility service areas. The Iowa Utilities Commission must establish operational protocols, certification processes, and market-based tariffs to benefit nonparticipating customers.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Utility Regulation

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SSB 3063: A bill for an act relating to the installation of transmission lines on highway rights-of-way.

This bill (SSB 3063) streamlines the process for utility companies to install power lines along Iowa highways. It requires the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to coordinate with utilities within 30 days of a written request, share highway project plans that might affect line placement, and cannot deny longitudinal line installations on highways unless safety or highway function is threatened. If denied, the DOT must publicly explain the reason within 90 days. The bill also limits utility right-of-way lease agreements to 20 years and specifies that lines must be installed parallel to roads without unnecessarily interfering with public highway use or land access. It directly affects utility companies, the DOT, and highway users.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure Transmission

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