Relating to the regulation of specified gas and electric utilities

This bill relates to the regulation of specified gas and electric utilities. The bill provides that electric public utilities having fewer than 10,000 customers and electric cooperative corporations and associations are subject to regulatory action from the Iowa utilities board (board) regarding public utility railroad crossings. The bill removes regulation authority from the board for electric public utilities having fewer than 10,000 customers and electric cooperative corporations and associations regarding pilot projects of the board. 3. The bill provides definitions for “engineering standards”, “rates”, and “safety standards”. With regard to municipally owned utilities furnishing gas or electricity, the bill similarly provides that such utilities are subject to regulation authority regarding public utility railroad crossings.62.103, relating to unauthorized change in service.51, encouragement of alternate energy production facilities, energy cost requirements, safety of distributed generation facilities, customer contribution fund requirements, and energy-efficient lighting requirements, Code chapter 476A relating to electric power generation and transmission, and Code chapter 478 relating to electric transmission lines, also apply to municipally owned utilities furnishing gas or electricity.51, encouragement of alternate energy production facilities, energy cost requirements, safety of distributed generation facilities, customer contribution fund requirements, and energy-efficient lighting requirements, Code chapter 476A relating to electric power generation and transmission, and Code chapter 478 relating to electric transmission lines, also apply to municipally owned utilities furnishing gas or electricity.1A.1A shall not be subject to the board’s rules in regards to deposits, rates, charges for the disconnection or reinstatement of service, and payment plans for delinquent amounts owed and repayment of past-due debt, but are subject to rules regarding payment plans made prior to the disconnection of services. The bill provides that all proceedings taking place before the effective date of the bill for the establishment, organization, formation, operation, or maintenance of a city utility or utility board that were not previously declared invalid shall be determined to be legally sufficient to create, establish, and authorize the maintenance and operation of a city utility. Current law provides for the procedure to apply exclusively to city waterworks processed before January 1, 1961.