CEDI monitors energy-related policy in each Iowa legislative session, providing insights and resources for careful consideration.
For more information, see: Iowa Legislature homepage; Legislators; Legislation; and Committees
Please click to expand each section below for more information on each bill. To print this information, click the "Print this section" button.
Bills CEDI (CONDITIONALLY) SUPPORTS Placed on Unfinished Business Calendar
HF 2580 | Bill History
Introduced by: Young [R], Commerce Committee Chair
Floor manager: Lundgren [R]
Status: Amendments filed on 3/17/26
Note: While these amendments may sound reasonable, they in fact are unnecessary, costly, and in many cases infeasible to implement, and the intent appears to be to kill the bill. They are well outside the scope of best-practice policy in most states supportive of investment in renewable energy, and should be defeated.
H-8225 | Introduces a hold harmless requirement
H-8226 | Introduces annual inspection of wind turbine blades
H-8227 | Introduces required baseline testing of soil and water quality on all nonparticipating property within one-half mile of any proposed turbine location
H-8228 | Requires the applicant to submit to the local authority a microplastic and fiberglass emission mitigation plan.
SUMMARY
The bill establishes a comprehensive framework for the siting and operation of renewable electric power generation facilities proposed after January 1, 2026, while prohibiting the use of eminent domain for such projects. It authorizes local governments to adopt standardized siting and operational requirements—such as setbacks, noise, shadow flicker, and decommissioning—while limiting fees, protecting vested applications, and allowing waivers and easements under specified conditions. The bill also restricts and regulates local moratoria and noncompliant standards by imposing notice, public hearing, and fiscal transparency requirements, and requires existing local ordinances to be brought into compliance or follow specified procedures by set deadlines.
NOTE: This bill provides a process for counties to opt out of the state siting guidelines, which defeats the purpose of statewide guidelines, robs landowners of property rights, and starves local taxpayers of revenue for community needs. There are better approaches to compromise, such as allowing local requirements for agrivoltaics or landscape integration once renewable acres exceed 1% of total county acres, but regardless, any bill must maintain current Iowa Utilities Commission authority of final approval for utility scale projects.
WHY CEDI CONDITIONALLY SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- Promotes a State-Wide "Uniform Standard Siting Model" This bill attempts to ensure Iowa remains "open for business" and owns its clean energy future. HF 2580 creates a uniform framework for setbacks and operating standards (such as shadow flicker and sound limits) that apply across all local jurisdictions. This uniformity provides the regulatory certainty needed to attract long-term investment and maintain Iowa’s leadership in the renewable energy sector.
- Protects Landowner Rights Farmers and other landowners have the right to lease land for renewable energy projects. These lease agreements can help many farm families stay on the land, while in many cases continuing agricultural activities. Ordinances that effectively prohibit utility scale renewable energy developments violate landowner rights.
- Protects Local Interests and Promotes Economic Development Through Balanced Standards This bill provides standards that protect the community while remaining flexible. HF 2580 achieves this balance by mandating protective setbacks—such as siting wind turbines three times their total height away from abutting dwellings or community buildings—while prohibiting local authorities from imposing more restrictive requirements that could effectively ban projects. This approach respects local concerns about noise and safety without sacrificing the state's economic development goals.
- Prevents Harmful Bans Several county ordinances are stalling projects, risking Iowa’s status as a renewable energy leader. HF 2580 prohibits local bans in agricultural or industrial zones and prevents the use of corn-suitability ratings to block development. Jurisdictions seeking more restrictive standards must hold a public hearing and send written notices to all property taxpayers estimating the annual tax revenue forfeited by opting out of the uniform state model.
RESOURCE
Freedom, prosperity, and strength - why limiting solar in rural Iowa is a bad idea; Des Moines Register guest column by Brian Krambeer and Andy Johnson; January 2023
SF 2447 | Bill History
Introduced by: Klimesh [R]
Floor manager: Bousselot [R]
Status: 03-17-2026
Amendment S-5109 filed. S.J. 610.
SUMMARY
The bill is similar to but still differs in key points from its companion in the House (HF 2580), above. Both bills seek to establish a comprehensive framework for the siting and operation of renewable electric power generation facilities proposed after January 1, 2026, while prohibiting the use of eminent domain for such projects. It authorizes local governments to adopt standardized siting and operational requirements—such as setbacks, noise, shadow flicker, and decommissioning—while limiting fees, protecting vested applications, and allowing waivers and easements under specified conditions. The bill also restricts and regulates local moratoria and noncompliant standards by imposing notice, public hearing, and fiscal transparency requirements, and requires existing local ordinances to be brought into compliance or follow specified procedures by set deadlines.
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SF 2447 and HF 2580
- Wind Setback Stringency: SF 2447 is notably more restrictive regarding wind energy siting, requiring a setback from dwellings and community buildings that is three times the turbine's total height, compared to the two times height requirement in HF 2580, which is industry best practice and preferable.
- Timeline: SF 2447 has an earlier effective date (January 2025) than HF 2580 (January 2026), meaning local ordinances would have to be amended sooner under the Senate version.
- Eminent Domain: HF 2580 includes a specific prohibition against exercising eminent domain to acquire right-of-way for renewable facilities, a provision not found in the initial sections of SF 2447.
- Opt-Out Provision: HF 2580 includes an opt-out provision for counties that defeats the purpose of statewide guidelines, and should be removed or significantly revised.
WHY CEDI CONDITIONALLY SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- Promotes a State-Wide "Uniform Standard Siting Model" This bill attempts to ensure Iowa remains "open for business" and owns its clean energy future. It creates a uniform framework for setbacks and operating standards (such as shadow flicker and sound limits) that apply across all local jurisdictions. This uniformity provides the regulatory certainty needed to attract long-term investment and maintain Iowa’s leadership in the renewable energy sector.
- Protects Landowner Rights Farmers and other landowners have the right to lease land for renewable energy projects. These lease agreements can help many farm families stay on the land, while in many cases continuing agricultural activities. Ordinances that effectively prohibit utility scale renewable energy developments violate landowner rights.
- Protects Local Interests and Promotes Economic Development Through Balanced Standards This bill provides standards that protect the community while remaining flexible. It achieves this balance by mandating protective setbacks—such as siting wind turbines three times their total height away from abutting dwellings or community buildings—while prohibiting local authorities from imposing more restrictive requirements that could effectively ban projects. This approach respects local concerns about noise and safety without sacrificing the state's economic development goals.
- Prevents Harmful Bans Several county ordinances are stalling projects, risking Iowa’s status as a renewable energy leader. This bill prohibits local bans in agricultural or industrial zones and prevents the use of corn-suitability ratings to block development. Jurisdictions seeking more restrictive standards must hold a public hearing and send written notices to all property taxpayers estimating the annual tax revenue forfeited by opting out of the uniform state model.
RESOURCE
Freedom, prosperity, and strength - why limiting solar in rural Iowa is a bad idea; Des Moines Register guest column by Brian Krambeer and Andy Johnson; January 2023
NOTE: The two siting bills placed on the Unfinished Business Calendar (see above) are similar but have marked differences, and bills in both chambers now have onerous amendments that should be defeated.
Except for the 3X turbine setback provision, the Senate bill is stronger. The House model offers an opt-out provision for counties that negates the idea of baseline statewide guidelines. Any compromise approach must explicitly not limit existing Iowa Utilities Commission authority to make final decisions on utility generation projects.There could be other potential areas of compromise, as well. We know there is support for statewide siting guidelines among many county officials, among electric cooperatives, and many farmers interested in energy leases. We encourage advocates to work with those local partners to press legislators for a bill that keeps the door open to renewable energy development across Iowa's working landscapes. The current global energy shock reminds us yet again of the value of a power grid running on clean, renewable wind and solar combined with increasingly economical energy storage.
BILLS PASSED (CEDI Supports)
Signed April 9, 2026 | Read press release
HF 2228 | Bill History
Introduced by: Wood [R] Latham [R]
Floor manager: Latham [R]
Status: 03-02-2026
Passed House 90 yea, 0 nay
SUMMARY
The bill requires the DOT, upon written request, to coordinate with utilities or transmission line developers to review highway corridors for potential transmission line placement and to share information about planned highway projects that could affect siting decisions. It limits the DOT’s ability to deny longitudinal transmission lines in primary road rights-of-way to cases involving public safety or highway function, requires public disclosure of denial reasons within 90 days, and caps payment and lease agreements related to the living roadway trust fund at 20 years. The bill also expands permissible locations for transmission lines within road, highway, and railway rights-of-way, provided they do not interfere with public use or unnecessarily burden adjacent land occupants.
WHY CEDI SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- For your understanding: Expectations are that previously reviewed and approved amendments are in the queue that will align the House and Senate versions of the bill as they come to the floor.
- Being able to site transmission lines along interstate highways can significantly reduce the need to obtain easements on privately owned land and can reduce or eliminate the use of eminent domain.
- The use of interstate highway right of way reduces the number of easements required, reducing regulatory oversight needs and streamlining the siting and permitting process.
- Transmission growth is necessary to meet growing electricity demand, move power both locally and across regions, and promote a more robust and reliable grid.
Resources
- NextGen Highways - Reimagining highways as infrastructure corridors
- Reimagining Highway Rights-of-Way as Transmission Corridors
SF 2214 (formerly SSB 3063) | Bill History
Introduced by: Bousellot [R], Commerce Committee Chair
Status: 02-24-2026
Passed Senate, yeas 46, nays 1
SUMMARY
The bill strengthens coordination requirements by obligating the DOT, upon written request, to work with utilities or transmission line developers to review highway corridors for transmission line placement and to share information about planned highway projects that could affect siting. It limits the DOT’s authority to deny longitudinal transmission lines in primary road rights-of-way to cases involving public safety or highway function, requires public disclosure of denial reasons within 90 days, and caps related payment or lease agreements at a maximum term of 20 years. The bill also clarifies that transmission lines must be constructed near, parallel to, and within road, highway, and railway rights-of-way, provided they do not interfere with public use or unnecessarily burden adjacent landowners.
WHY CEDI SUPPORTS THIS BILL
See HF 2228 above. These bills will be reconciled, as they have the same goal.
Bills NO LONGER ACTIVE (CEDI Supported)
HSB 630 | Bill History
Introduced by: Young [R], Commerce Committee Chair
Status: 02-20-2026
Died in first funnel
SUMMARY
The bill creates a regulatory framework for customer-based power plants and energy storage companies, defining their roles, exempting qualifying entities from public utility status, and authorizing market-based tariffs that allow energy storage companies to buy power off-peak and sell during peak periods. It requires coordination with rate-regulated utilities, certification and oversight by the Iowa Utilities Commission, and establishes operational, cybersecurity, consumer data protection, and nondiscrimination requirements. The bill also authorizes pilot programs, mandates rulemaking and enforcement mechanisms, and allows certain parties to request new tariffs aimed at reducing peak demand when the benefits to nonparticipating ratepayers exceed projected costs.
WHY CEDI SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- CEDI has consistently supported authorization for customer-based power plants (CPP) in dockets before the Iowa Utilities Commission as a way to add more capacity to the grid.
- The bill enables rate-regulated utility customers who have invested in solar and batteries to provide valuable grid services that meet peak demand and reduce costs for other rate-regulated utility customers.
- The bill enables commercial customers to partner with owners of energy storage systems to benefit from lower, off-peak power prices.
- The bill requires the owners of customer-based power plants to implement safeguards to protect consumer data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.
- The bill requires the Iowa Utilities Commission to establish a process to certify CPPs.
HF 2046 | Bill History
Introduced by: Bagniewski [D] |
Status: 02-20-2026
Died in first funnel
SUMMARY
The bill defines a “portable solar generation device” (also known as "balcony solar") as a movable photovoltaic system of up to 1,200 watts that plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet, meets national electrical and safety standards, and includes protections to prevent energizing a building during a power outage. It clarifies that these devices are not required to interconnect with the electric distribution system and are not subject to net-metering rules. The bill also prohibits electric utilities from requiring prior approval, imposing fees or charges, or mandating additional equipment beyond what is already built into the device.
WHY CEDI SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- Expands Energy Access: For too long, the benefits of solar have been limited to those who own a home with a large roof. HF 2046 empowers the thousands of Iowans who rent or live in apartments to finally lower their own utility bills using simple, portable technology.
- Reduces Red Tape: This bill removes unnecessary regulatory hurdles. By allowing UL-certified, "plug-and-play" systems (up to 1,200W) to be used without costly utility approvals or interconnection fees, we are choosing property rights and individual responsibility over utility bureaucracy.
- Ensures Safety and Reliability: HF 2046 specifically mandates that these devices must prevent backfeeding during power outages, protecting our line workers and the grid while meeting all National Electrical Code standards.
SSB 3054 | Bill History
Proposed by: Utilities Commission
Status: 02-20-2026
Died in first funnel
SUMMARY
The bill requires the Iowa Utilities Commission to adopt rules prohibiting the disconnection of gas or electric service during periods of severe cold or severe heat. While the commission already has protections in place for severe cold weather, the bill expands and formalizes these requirements to also cover extreme hot weather.
WHY CEDI SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- Iowa has utility disconnection protections for ratepayers during cold weather but not during hot weather
- Since 2010 there have been on average over 1,000 heat-related emergency room visits each year; seniors are hit especially hard
- Extreme heat kills more people in the U.S. each year than all other extreme weather events combined — and disproportionately affects seniors and vulnerable communities (American Public Health Association)
Resources
HF 2672 | Bill History
Floor Managers: Lundgren
Status: 03/09/26
Amendment H-8171 filed:
- 250 MW-AC statewide limit
- IUC conducts cost/benefit study on or before January 1, 2030
- No more than one-tenth of one percent of land in a county can be used for community solar (with the exception of brownfield sites)
Companion bill SSB 3092 did not survive the first funnel.
SUMMARY
The bill establishes a community solar facility program that allows rate-regulated electric utility customers to subscribe to shared solar projects and receive bill credits proportional to their subscriptions. It sets definitions, ownership and interconnection responsibilities, billing and crediting procedures, and ensures that interconnection costs are borne by subscriber organizations rather than nonparticipating ratepayers, while allowing utilities to recover reasonable costs. The bill directs the Iowa Utilities Commission to adopt implementing rules, requires decommissioning plans with financial assurances, and mandates updated utility tariffs by January 1, 2027.
WHY CEDI SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- In 2020, the Iowa Legislature recognized Iowan’s right to generate their own electricity by codifying net metering, which allows ratepayers to own solar and connect “behind their meter” on fair terms with Alliant and MidAmerican.
- Community solar extends the right to generate to all Alliant and MidAmerican ratepayers, including the roughly half of Iowa ratepayers (including all renters) not able to utilize net metering at their residence or business
- The bill allows for non-utility businesses and organizations to develop community solar facilities; this is critical because the monopoly utilities may not do so, especially on fair terms
- The bill avoids cross-subsidization between solar and non-solar owners by:
- Ensuring the community solar facility owner cover all reasonable interconnection costs
- Charging the Iowa Utilities Commission with developing rules for community solar program implementation
- Establishing that community solar subscribers will be covered by the next-generation “value of solar” tariff just like new net metering customers when it takes effect in or after 2027
- Similar to last year’s bill. New provisions include:
- Sets a 250 MW statewide cap until a value-of-solar rate is established.
- Explicitly prohibits service or construction in exclusive cooperative service areas without cooperative consent.
- Interconnection costs must be paid by the subscriber organization or owner and not shifted to nonparticipants; upgrades become utility assets.
- AMENDMENT NOTE: The House Commerce Committee amended the bill to delay implementation of the community solar program until the establishment of a value of solar tariff in 2027, and to ensure that no costs of the program are shifted to non-subscribing ratepayers. These are not helpful, but CEDI still supports this bill. The question to legislators is: If the utilities requested and were granted these changes, why are they (utilities) still opposing the bill?
Resources
HF 2682 (formerly HF 2283) | Bill History
Introduced by: Thompson [R]
Floor manager: Thompson [R]
Status: 02-23-26
Introduced, placed on calendar
SUMMARY
The bill promotes the use of grid-enhancing technologies and reconductoring by requiring public utilities and transmission companies operating in Iowa to periodically study and report on feasible projects that could increase transmission capacity and efficiency. Beginning January 1, 2027, and every three years thereafter, these entities must submit a public study to the Iowa Utilities Commission assessing costs, feasibility, timelines, and benefits such as reduced congestion, improved reliability, and better integration of renewable resources. The requirement excludes municipal and cooperative utilities and allows reliance on existing regional transmission organization analyses.
WHY CEDI SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- Major Cost Savings for Ratepayers: GETs address grid congestion—where a lack of capacity prevents the delivery of the lowest-cost electricity—and can pay for themselves in less than a year. In states like Pennsylvania, deploying these technologies avoided over $20 million in annual congestion costs, while studies across major U.S. markets show potential to reduce such costs by 25–50%.
- Rapid Deployment vs. Traditional Infrastructure: Traditional transmission upgrades often take several years to design and build; in contrast, GETs like Dynamic Line Ratings (DLR) and Topology Optimization can be deployed in just a few months. This speed allows utilities to quickly resolve grid constraints without the extended outages required for major rebuilding projects.
- Unlocking Renewable Energy Capacity: HF2283 aims to increase transmission capacity and reduce the "curtailment" of zero-carbon resources. Research indicates that GETs can double the capacity for new wind and solar generation on existing infrastructure, helping projects move through the interconnection queue more smoothly and affordably.
- Enhanced Grid Reliability and Awareness: These technologies provide operators with real-time data to manage the grid's dynamic capabilities more effectively. For example, during extreme weather events like the 2018 "Bomb Cyclone," grid operators used DLR to increase line ratings, allowing more power to flow safely and avoiding significant congestion costs.
- Data-Driven Transparency through Periodic Studies: HF2283 mandates that public utilities submit a study every three years to the Iowa Utilities Commission to identify opportunities for GETs and advanced reconductoring. This ensures that Iowa’s energy grid remains efficient by identifying projects that can increase flexibility, reduce siting conflicts, and improve the ability to serve new customer loads.
Resources
HF 2668 (formerly HF 2365) | Bill History
Introduced by: Lawler [R]
Floor manager: Lawler [R]
Status: 02/23/2026
Introduced, placed on calendar.
Note: Companion bill SF 2273 did not survive the first funnel.
SUMMARY
This bill tightens regulation of public utilities by requiring regular general rate cases to ensure rates reflect actual costs and by prohibiting rate-regulated electric utilities from using automatic rate adjustment mechanisms outside of those cases. It establishes oversight of customer-owned generation, storage, and virtual power plants, directing the Iowa Utilities Commission to approve and regulate such programs only when they benefit customers. The bill also mandates triennial integrated resource planning with transparent, data-driven analyses, expands public access to utility planning information, and allows the commission and consumer advocate to obtain additional expertise at utilities’ expense.
WHY CEDI SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- This bill reforms rate regulation of monopoly energy utilities in ways that will improve transparency and keep costs down for ratepayers in coming years and decades.
- The bill supports Iowa ratepayer’s right to generate and store power, and to contribute to grid reliability during times of peak demand, by charging the Iowa Utilities Commission to develop rules for Virtual Power Plants.
- The bill establishes a strong framework for Integrated Resource Planning - another key recommendation of the London Economics International report - including:
- Inclusion of energy efficiency and demand response resources in the planning process
- Stakeholder access to data and to technical scenario modeling software and processes, which is absolutely critical to ensuring all cost-effective options for meeting resource needs are adequately considered
- Supporting maximum process transparency, and minimizing the high level of secrecy through “confidentiality” claims that utilities use to obfuscate decisions that benefit investors over ratepayers
- NOTE UNHELPFUL AMENDMENT: The House Commerce Committee amended the bill to change the required 3-year IRP filing to a 5-year cycle. A regular three-year cycle is important in a fast-changing energy environment, and matches with current resource planning processes for both Alliant and MidAmerican. All five peer states reviewed by London Economics International for the Iowa report on rate regulation reform linked below utilize a 2 or 3 year IRP planning cycle. CEDI encourages lawmakers to return to the 3-year planning cycle if the bill proceeds to the Senate.
RESOURCES
- The legislatively commissioned London Economics International final report on rate regulation reform opportunities for Iowa, and the Utilities Commission’s presentation to the Senate Commerce Committee
- Iowa should keep utilities from charging customers for things they don’t need; guest column on IRP in the Des Moines Register, March 2024
HF 2690 (Formerly HF 2447) | Bill History
Introduced by: Golding [R]
Bill manager: Lawler [R]
Status: 02-23-26
Introduced, placed on calendar
SUMMARY
This bill mandates that Iowa data centers submit quarterly reports on their water and energy usage to state departments for public disclosure, including metrics on consumption and sustainability. It also requires the Iowa Utilities Commission to establish distinct electric tariffs for data centers to ensure they pay their proportionate share of infrastructure costs without shifting financial risks or unwarranted expenses to other utility customers. Construction or expansion of data centers is prohibited until these specific tariffs are officially filed.
WHY CEDI SUPPORTS THIS BILL
- Many data centers being proposed and constructed around the country are requiring massive electricity demands many times larger than the largest current customers. These extraordinary demands on the power grid hold potential to drive up costs to all customers and to threaten grid reliability.
- The bill directs the Iowa Utilities Commission to create a separate customer class for these very large load customers, and to:
- Ensure that costs a utility incurs to serve data centers are appropriately allocated to data centers
- Mitigate risks of cost-shifting to other classes of retail electricity consumers
- Ensure equitable contributions from data centers to grid efficiency, reliability, and resiliency
- This bill is a strong first step. A key improvement would be to add the requirement that all data center customers served under the newly defined tariff must participate in mandatory grid curtailment programs during power emergencies, as is required in Texas, and under active consideration elsewhere.
RESOURCES
- National Conference of State Legislators: Getting Power To The Places Where It’s Needed, in NCSL Staff Report Forecast ‘26; Lawmakers Fear AI Data Centers Will Drive Up Resident’s Power Bills, Alex Brown, April 2025
- Extracting Profits from the Public: How Utility Ratepayers Are Paying for Big Tech’s Power; Eliza Martin and Ari Peskoe; Harvard Environmental and Energy Law Program; March 2025
- State policy in North Carolina, TX law and explainer, Oregon law and explainer