Energy

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SSB 3054: A bill for an act relating to utility disconnections of gas and electricity services during severe weather.

This bill prohibits Iowa gas and electric utilities from disconnecting service to homes during periods of severe cold or severe hot weather. It directly affects residential customers who rely on these utilities, preventing service shutoffs when extreme temperatures pose health risks. The bill requires the Iowa Utilities Commission to establish specific rules defining "severe cold" and "severe hot" weather, building on existing rules for cold weather. The commission will determine the exact temperature thresholds and conditions under which disconnections are banned. This creates a new policy requirement for utilities to maintain service during extreme weather events.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects residential consumers from utility disconnections during extreme weather, aligning with consumer protection in energy infrastructure policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HSB 561: 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 (E-85) from Iowa's excise tax when purchased at a terminal or refinery rack exclusively for use in farm machinery. It directly affects Iowa farmers and agricultural businesses that use E-85 fuel in tractors, harvesters, and other equipment for crop production. The key provision removes the requirement to pay the tax upfront and seek a refund under current law, making the exemption automatic for this specific agricultural use. This change applies only to fuel bought for farm equipment, not general vehicle use.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts agricultural E-85 fuel from excise tax, reducing state tax revenue for this category. Direct tax cut for farmers weakens tax collection.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts E-85 ethanol fuel tax for agricultural use, directly promoting renewable energy adoption in farming operations by reducing costs for renewable fuel.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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died · Iowa · House May 2, 2026

HF 2071: A bill for an act modifying the sales or use tax refund for biodiesel production.

HF 2071 increases Iowa's tax refund for biodiesel producers from 4 cents to 5 cents per gallon. The refund amount is calculated by multiplying this new rate by the total gallons of biodiesel produced quarterly within the state. The bill also extends the program's expiration date from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2031. This directly affects Iowa-based biodiesel producers by increasing their quarterly tax refund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax refund rate for biodiesel producers (4¢→5¢/gal) and extends program, providing targeted tax relief and strengthening biofuel industry incentives within tax policy.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases tax refund for biodiesel producers, directly funding renewable energy production and extending incentives through 2031.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases tax refund for biodiesel producers, promoting renewable energy use and reducing fossil fuel dependence through financial incentives.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases tax refund for biodiesel producers, promoting sustainable transportation fuel use and supporting alternative energy in vehicle fuels.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SF 2056: A bill for an act relating to billing methods for distributed generation customers.

This bill changes how excess energy credits are handled for customers with rooftop solar or other small-scale renewable energy systems (distributed generation). Under the new rule, unused credits must stay in a customer's account to offset future electricity bills until the customer specifically requests a cash-out or discontinues service. Previously, credits were automatically cashed out annually at the utility's avoided cost rate, splitting the funds between the customer and a low-income energy program. Customers now choose a January or April cash-out date when connecting their system, but credits remain available for future use without automatic payout.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill removes automatic annual cash-out of solar credits, reducing immediate financial incentive for rooftop solar adoption, weakening renewable energy development.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes rooftop solar adoption by retaining unused energy credits for future bill offsets, promoting distributed renewable energy use and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5520DP: Utility Disconnections, Severe Weather (5520DP) - Utilities Commission

Iowa bill 5520DP requires the Utilities Commission to adopt rules prohibiting gas and electricity disconnections from residential properties during periods of severe cold or severe hot weather. The bill directs the Commission to define "severe weather" in its rules, building on existing cold-weather protections. This change directly affects residential utility customers by preventing service interruptions during extreme temperature events, as specified by the Commission's adopted definitions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents utility disconnections during severe weather, protecting residential consumers from service interruptions during critical conditions, aligning with consumer protection in energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents utility disconnections during severe weather, protecting residential tenants from service interruptions during extreme temperatures, aligning with tenant protection policies.90% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SF 357: A bill for an act establishing a neighborhood housing revitalization assistance program within the Iowa finance authority.

SF 357 creates a neighborhood housing revitalization program within Iowa's Finance Authority to provide forgivable loans for home improvements in designated urban and rural areas. It directly affects homeowners who own and occupy their homes in these targeted zones, covering eligible repairs like roof replacements, electrical upgrades, energy efficiency improvements, and accessibility modifications. The program establishes a dedicated fund using unobligated transfers from other state funds, federal grants, or donations, with unspent money rolling over annually instead of reverting to the general fund. The authority will set rules for loan amounts, eligible work, and income-based forgiveness criteria.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly includes 'energy efficiency improvements' as eligible repairs for forgivable loans under housing revitalization program, advancing energy efficiency in residential properties.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates forgivable loans for home improvements (roofs, energy efficiency) in designated areas, directly funding housing revitalization and affordability through Iowa Finance Authority program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Community Development Housing Finance

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in committee · Iowa · Senate May 6, 2025

SSB 1238: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters including county payment for district court furnishings, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, and eliminating the sports tourism marketing program and fund, and including effective date provisions.

This bill allocates funds from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund and the Technology Reinvestment Fund to various state entities for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and beyond. It directs appropriations for projects such as state building maintenance and demolition, water quality initiatives, renewable fuel infrastructure, and community attraction and tourism programs. The bill also establishes the Iowa Major Events and Tourism Program and Fund, while eliminating the Sports Tourism Marketing Program and Fund. Additionally, it includes provisions for county payments related to district court furnishings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates funds from existing state funds for infrastructure, water quality, and tourism programs, advancing public service funding without tax changes.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill allocates funds for renewable fuel infrastructure via Technology Reinvestment Fund, directly advancing renewable energy development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates funds for water quality initiatives and renewable fuel infrastructure, directly advancing environmental protection and clean energy projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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died · Iowa · Senate May 14, 2025

SF 650: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters including county payment for district court furnishings, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, and eliminating the sports tourism marketing program and fund, and including effective date provisions.

SF 650 proposes to appropriate funds from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund and the Technology Reinvestment Fund to various state entities for specific projects. Key allocations include funding for water quality initiatives, renewable fuel infrastructure, maintenance and demolition projects for state buildings, and community development. The bill also aims to establish the Iowa Major Events and Tourism Program and Fund, while eliminating the existing sports tourism marketing program. Additionally, it addresses county payments for district court furnishings.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds renewable fuel infrastructure via Technology Reinvestment Fund, directly advancing clean energy development per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water quality initiatives and renewable fuel infrastructure, directly supporting environmental protection and clean energy projects within appropriations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SF 74: A bill for an act repealing provisions for land surveys in connection with hazardous liquid pipeline construction projects and including effective date provisions.

SF 74 repeals a specific Iowa law (Section 479B.15) that previously allowed pipeline companies to enter private land for surveys related to hazardous liquid pipeline projects by providing landowners with 10 days' written notice. This bill removes the requirement for pipeline companies to notify landowners before conducting surveys on their property. It directly affects landowners whose property might be surveyed for pipeline projects and pipeline companies seeking survey access. The repeal takes immediate effect upon enactment, eliminating this specific access provision.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRepeals landowner notice requirement for pipeline surveys, facilitating fossil fuel infrastructure development (hazardous liquid pipelines) under energy infrastructure topic.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 23, 2025

SF 95: A bill for an act relating to common carriers and including effective date and applicability provisions.

SF 95 amends Iowa's eminent domain laws to raise the evidence standard for pipeline projects. It requires agencies seeking to condemn agricultural land for hazardous liquid pipelines (under Chapter 479B) to prove "public use" by "clear and convincing evidence" instead of the lower "preponderance of evidence" standard. This directly affects pipeline companies and landowners in agricultural areas, making it harder to acquire farmland for such projects without owner consent. The bill also clarifies that agricultural land cannot be condemned for "private development" without the owner's agreement. It takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to condemnation cases filed after that date.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts fossil fuel pipeline infrastructure by raising eminent domain standards, making it harder to acquire agricultural land for hazardous liquid pipelines.92% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRaises evidence standard for pipeline eminent domain, restricting land acquisition for hazardous liquid pipelines (transportation infrastructure).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure

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