The Iowa Utilities Commission has issued an order requesting information on Iowa rate-regulated electric utilities’ plans for addressing grid reliability and resiliency challenges for the upcoming summer.
Ensuring the reliability of the electric grid is an emerging challenge for the electric industry and governmental entities. The IUC is required under Iowa Code to ensure public utilities provide customers with reasonably adequate service. The IUC has been gathering summer and winter preparedness information from public electric utilities since 2022 to address potential shortfalls in capacity during peak usage days.
On December 17, 2024, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) issued its 2024 Long-Term Reliability Assessment. NERC identified the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region, which includes Iowa, as being at high risk of energy shortfalls.
While addressing capacity shortfalls continues to be an important topic, the IUC also considers it important to understand how Iowa electric utilities are working to adequately serve Iowa customers through peak usage days, extreme weather events and to ensure their systems are resilient.
The order opens a docket to further the IUC’s dialogue, and to address a set of questions, attached to the order, for utilities to answer within 30 days, regarding Iowa electric utilities’ seasonal preparedness and grid reliability efforts.
The order also sets a summer preparedness meeting for 9 a.m. June 3, 2025, to allow the utilities to share their plans for load shedding on peak summer days and to answer further questions from the IUC. Only Iowa rate-regulated utilities are required to answer the IUC’s questions; however, any interested party, including other Iowa electric utilities, may file responses in the docket and participate in the June 3 meeting.
Persons with disabilities who will require assistive services or devices to observe or participate in the June 3 meeting should contact the IUC at (515) 725-7300 at least five business days in advance to request arrangements.
