Energy in Iowa | MyRepTracker

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

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SF 2069: A bill for an act imposing a tax on the transportation of liquefied carbon dioxide through pipelines, and providing for penalties.

SF 2069 imposes a tax on pipeline companies transporting liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) through or within Iowa. It charges $2.50 per metric ton for general transport and $1.00 per metric ton when CO2 is used for enhanced oil recovery (an oil extraction technique). Pipeline companies must file annual returns by March 31 detailing transported volumes and EOR usage, with revenues deposited into the taxpayer relief fund. The bill includes penalties for late filings or inaccurate returns, administered by the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HSB 629: A bill for an act relating to solar energy by establishing a community solar facility program.

HSB 629 establishes Iowa's community solar facility program, allowing residents and businesses to subscribe to shared solar projects and receive bill credits for the electricity generated. The bill defines key terms like "community solar facility" (capped at 5 megawatts, or 20 MW on brownfield sites) and requires facilities to have at least three subscribers, with 60% of capacity subscribed by customers using 40 kW or less. It clarifies that community solar does not count as a public utility or unnecessary duplication of infrastructure, and mandates utilities to provide bill credits that roll over monthly if they exceed a subscriber's bill. The program also sets a statewide 250-megawatt capacity limit until a new solar valuation method is adopted.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 13, 2026

HF 2001: A bill for an act relating to water efficiency of data centers, including requirements for water-efficient cooling technologies and encouragement for the use of nonpotable and recycled water sources, providing civil penalties, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

HF 2001 requires new data centers (permit applications on or after January 1, 2026) and existing data centers expanding or renovating after that date to use cooling technologies that limit water consumption to a maximum of 0.2 liters per kilowatt-hour of energy used. It mandates data centers to submit water usage plans before construction and provide annual compliance reports for five years, while encouraging the use of nonpotable or recycled water sources like treated wastewater or stormwater for cooling. Violations may result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per day, corrective action orders, or permit suspension. The bill directly affects data centers consuming at least one megawatt of electricity annually, aiming to reduce strain on Iowa’s freshwater resources.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2026

HF 2081: A bill for an act establishing standards for obstruction lights on wind energy conversion facilities and providing penalties.

HF 2081 requires wind energy facilities (turbines generating over 100 kilowatts) built on or after July 1, 2026, to use aircraft detection lighting systems (ADLS) for obstruction lights, with existing facilities needing to switch by January 1, 2028. The ADLS automatically activates lights when aircraft are detected, turning them off after the aircraft passes, and must be FAA-approved. Facility owners must maintain continuous ADLS operation, with exemptions for locations where ADLS is impractical due to terrain, airports, or military routes. Violations incur civil penalties of $100-$2,500 per day, with fines going to the state general fund. This bill directly affects wind energy facility owners and operators in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Wind

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2026

HSB 522: A bill for an act relating to electric utility resource planning.

This bill requires rate-regulated electric utilities in Iowa to file a comprehensive resource plan at least every three years. The plan must evaluate all reasonable energy sources - including supply options and conservation programs - to meet future demand over 5- and 20-year timeframes, incorporating approved energy efficiency initiatives. Utilities must include proposed resource additions for each scenario studied but cannot be mandated to specific outcomes. The commission must acknowledge receipt within 90 days and may suggest improvements, while the bill establishes a stakeholder process involving consumers, the commission, and the state load forecasting center for input during planning.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Transmission Utility Regulation Conservation

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 15, 2026

HSB 507: A bill for an act relating to the exercise of eminent domain for carbon oxide pipelines, and including applicability and effective date provisions.

This bill prohibits using eminent domain to acquire land for, construct, or operate pipelines primarily transporting carbon oxide. It directly affects pipeline companies seeking to build such infrastructure through forced land acquisition. The law amends Iowa law to explicitly block eminent domain for these pipelines and applies to all new condemnation proceedings filed after enactment. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SSB 3025: A bill for an act relating to the excise tax on certain ethanol blended gasoline purchased exclusively for use in an implement used in agricultural production.

This bill exempts ethanol-blended gasoline containing over 85% ethanol from Iowa's excise tax when purchased exclusively for use in farm equipment. It directly affects Iowa farmers and agricultural businesses that use such fuel in machinery for farming operations. The key provision removes the tax at the point of purchase (at terminals or refineries) for qualifying fuel, eliminating the need to pay the tax and seek a refund under current law. This change applies specifically to gasoline meeting the 85% ethanol threshold used solely in agricultural implements, streamlining the tax process for this sector.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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