Update – January 2023
On January 30, Alliant Energy supplied additional evidence to the IUB that further demonstrates the solar and battery projects in our application are reasonable compared to alternative sources of supply. In addition to submitting the evidence to the IUB, Alliant Energy also named the projects that would make up the other 200 MW of solar. They include the company’s self-developed Creston Solar Project (50 MW) and Wever Solar Project (150 MW).
Today, Alliant Energy also filed a petition for judicial review of the portion of the IUB’s December 29, 2022 order in which the IUB declined to reconsider our application regarding the additional 200 MW of solar and 75 MW of battery storage. This petition for judicial review further demonstrates our steadfast focus on serving customers and building stronger communities.
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Update – December 2022
On December 29, 2022, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) issued an order addressing our Motion for Reconsideration or Rehearing of the November 9 order.
We are pleased the IUB’s order allows for reconsideration of advanced ratemaking principles for the portion of our application that includes adding 200 megawatts (MW) of solar energy generation at the Duane Arnold Solar location in Linn County. The order is contingent upon us supplying additional evidence within 30 days that further demonstrates the 200 MW of solar at the Duane Arnold location is reasonable compared to feasible alternative sources of supply.
At the same time, we are disappointed that the IUB’s order states it will not reconsider the portions of our application for advance ratemaking principles for the remaining 200 MW of solar at this time, as the location(s) have not yet been identified, or the addition of 75 MW of battery storage at the Duane Arnold location.
We will be evaluating our next steps as we continue our steadfast focus on serving our customers and building stronger communities.
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Update – November 2022
On November 9, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) issued an order denying Alliant Energy’s advanced ratemaking application (RPU) to add 400 megawatts (MW) of solar energy generation and 75 MW of battery energy storage in Iowa.
We are disappointed with this decision and will be evaluating our next steps. We will continue our steadfast focus on serving our customers and building stronger communities.
The IUB’s order stated that we did not fully consider other long-term sources of electric generation, in addition to solar and battery energy storage. The decision doesn’t prevent us from moving forward with the projects outlined in our Clean Energy Blueprint. Rather, the order requires us to do additional analysis on alternate sources of electric supply for our customers prior to the IUB granting ratemaking principles.
Our Iowa Clean Energy Blueprint was announced in 2020 after a year-long process involving engagement with stakeholders, as well as a thorough evaluation of multiple energy portfolio options and future scenarios for our customers. Overall, we received positive feedback and support regarding our plans to cost-effectively add 400 MW of solar and 75 MW of battery energy storage in Iowa.
As outlined in our Clean Energy Blueprint, accelerating our transition to renewable energy benefits our customers and the communities we serve. Adding clean energy resources is a smart investment and ensures a diverse mix of reliable energy while enhancing the economic and environmental health of the communities we serve.
Renewable energy is cost-effective for customers and contributes to a cleaner environment. Renewable projects also act as an economic catalyst by creating jobs, providing revenue to communities and income to participating landowners, and attracting new businesses to communities throughout Iowa.
Led by our purpose-driven strategy to serve customers and build stronger communities, we will continue to work with the IUB, customers, communities and other stakeholders on any concerns or questions they have regarding moving forward with our plans. The transition to renewable energy requires a partnership between Alliant Energy, our customers and local communities.
Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT) provides regulated energy service to 1 million electric and 425,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) are Alliant Energy's two public energy companies. Alliant Energy is a component of Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index and the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow Alliant Energy on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.