The Clean Energy Districts of Iowa is calling for stronger cost controls and greater ratepayer protections in Alliant Energy’s proposed New Wind III project, according to expert testimony filed this week with the Iowa Utilities Commission.
Dr. James B. Martin-Schramm, Senior Policy Analyst for CEDI, testified in Docket No. RPU-2025-0003, which involves Alliant’s request for advance ratemaking principles to support up to 1,000 megawatts of new wind generation. His testimony emphasized customer affordability, transparency, and accountability as key to ensuring that new clean energy investments benefit all Iowans.
“Clean energy must be both affordable and equitable,” Martin-Schramm said. “If a utility cannot show that new wind projects provide net economic benefits for customers via utility ownership, they should not be financing them through rates paid by customers. Alliant ratepayers should not be footing the bill for any utility investment that benefits shareholders more than ratepayers.”
Martin-Schramm’s testimony made several key recommendations:
- Reduce Alliant’s’ proposed cost cap of $3,020/kW, which he noted is 26% higher than a similar project approved earlier this year.
- Deny recovery of undocumented ‘Owner’s Costs’ lacking supporting data.
- Adopt a lower return on equity (ROE) of 8–9% instead of the company’s requested 11.25%, aligning with recent independent assessments.
- Limit future turbine repowering cost recovery to Alliant’s cost of debt, not its full ROE.
- Restrict approval to projects that qualify for federal Production Tax Credits (PTCs) and demonstrate net customer benefits.
- Add a new Resource Evaluation Study principle to improve transparency, stakeholder engagement, and long-term planning.
Martin-Schramm also cited new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showing that Iowa’s coal generation has increased by 46.5% year-to-date, while natural gas generation declined and renewable output rose only slightly. Commercial electricity prices increased about 8% over the same period.
“These are trends in the wrong direction,” he said. “Iowa needs more clean energy, but the investments must be responsible, cost-effective, and fair to customers.”
CEDI represents 14 locally governed energy districts across Iowa that help households, farms, and businesses benefit from the clean energy transition through education, technical assistance, and advocacy.
Posted: November 3, 2025

