Iowa · statute · Iowa Code ch. 476 · 81 active provisions
1. The utilities commission shall regulate the rates and services of public utilities to the extent and in the manner hereinafter provided. 2. As used in this chapter, “public utility” shall include any person, partnership, business association, or corporation, domestic or foreign, owning or operating any facilities fo…
1. Electric public utilities having fewer than ten thousand customers and electric cooperative corporations and associations are not subject to the regulation authority of the commission, except for regulatory action pertaining to all of the following: a. Assessment of fees for the support of the commission and the off…
1. A municipally owned utility furnishing gas or electricity is not subject to the regulation authority of the commission, except for regulatory action pertaining to the following: a. Assessment of fees for the support of the commission and the office of consumer advocate, as set forth in section 476.10. b. Safety stan…
1. Gas public utilities having fewer than two thousand customers: a. Are not subject to the regulation authority of the utilities commission under this chapter unless otherwise specifically provided. Sections 476.10, 476.20, 476.21, and 476.51 apply to such gas utilities. b. Shall file energy efficiency plans and energ…
1. Except as provided in this section, the jurisdiction of the commission as to the regulation of communications services is not applicable to a service or facility that is provided or is proposed to be provided by a telephone utility that is or becomes subject to effective competition, as determined by the commission.…
1. The commission shall have broad general powers to effect the purposes of this chapter notwithstanding the fact that certain specific powers are set forth in this section. The commission shall have authority to issue subpoenas and to pay the same fees and mileage as are payable to witnesses in the courts of record of…
1. A public utility shall furnish reasonably adequate service at rates and charges in accordance with tariffs filed with the commission. When there is filed with the commission by any person or body politic, or filed by the commission upon its own motion, a written complaint requesting the commission to determine the r…
1. Every public utility shall file with the commission tariffs showing the rates and charges for its public utility services and the rules and regulations under which such services were furnished, on April 1, 1963, which rates and charges shall be subject to investigation by the commission as provided in section 476.3,…
No public utility subject to rate regulation shall directly or indirectly charge a greater or less compensation for its services than that prescribed in its tariffs, and no such public utility shall make or grant any unreasonable preferences or advantages as to rates or services to any person or subject any person to a…
1Filing with commission. A public utility subject to rate regulation shall not make effective a new or changed rate, charge, schedule, or regulation until the rate, charge, schedule, or regulation has been approved by the commission, except as provided in subsections 8 and 9. 2Written notice of increase. All public uti…
1. On and after January 1, 2013, the owner of an alternate energy production facility, as defined in section 476.42, which when constructed or installed will be attached to an electric transmission or distribution line or attached to equipment which is attached to an electric transmission or distribution line, who has…
If there shall be filed with the commission by any public utility an application requesting the commission to determine the reasonableness of the utility’s rates, charges, schedules, service or regulations, the commission shall promptly initiate a formal proceeding. Such a formal proceeding may be initiated at any time…
1. Every public utility is required to furnish reasonably adequate service and facilities. “Reasonably adequate service and facilities” for public utilities furnishing gas or electricity includes programs for customers to encourage the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The charge made by any public…
1. Every public utility, except telecommunications service providers registered pursuant to section 476.95A, shall keep and render to the commission, in the manner and form prescribed by the commission, uniform accounts of all business transacted. 2. Every public utility engaged directly or indirectly in any other busi…
1. a. In order to carry out the duties imposed upon it by law, the commission may, at its discretion, allocate and charge directly the expenses attributable to its duties to the person bringing a proceeding before the commission, to persons participating in matters before the commission, or to persons subject to inspec…
1. For the purposes of this section, “building project expenses” means expenses that have been approved by the utilities commission for the building and related improvements and furnishings developed under this section and that are considered part of the regulatory expenses charged by the utilities commission and the c…
Notwithstanding the Iowa administrative procedure Act, chapter 17A, any party, as defined in the rules and regulations promulgated by the commission as provided in section 476.2, to a contested case before the commission may within twenty days after the issuance of the final decision apply for a rehearing. The commissi…
1. Notwithstanding the Iowa administrative procedure Act, chapter 17A, the district court for Polk county or for the county in which a public utility maintains its principal place of business has exclusive venue for the judicial review under chapter 17A of actions of the commission pursuant to rate-regulatory powers ov…
Whenever the commission shall be of the opinion that any public utility or any other person is violating this chapter or any order of the commission, the commission may commence an action in the district court for the county in which such violation is alleged to have occurred, to have such violation stopped and prevent…
The jurisdiction and powers of the commission shall extend as provided in this chapter to the utility business of public utilities operating within this state to the full extent permitted by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
The commission shall include in its annual report required under sections 7A.1 and 7A.10 among other matters, to the extent such regulation is conferred upon the commission by this chapter, the following: 1. A complete financial report of receipts and expenditures, including list of public utilities and separately the…
1. The commission may promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 17A which require or authorize a public utility to establish peak-load management procedures. 2. Rules of the commission shall relate to reducing or limiting the peak-load period consumption. 3. In promulgating rules under this section, the commission is not bo…
1. Public utilities subject to rate regulation are prohibited from including either directly or indirectly in their charges or rates to customers the costs of lobbying. 2. Legal costs and attorney fees incurred by a public utility subject to rate regulation in an appeal in state or federal court involving the validity…
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to invalidate any proceedings under statutes existing prior to the enactment of this chapter; nor shall any action, litigation or appeal pending prior to the effective date of rate regulation of this chapter be affected.
1. a. A utility shall not, except in cases of emergency, discontinue, reduce, or impair service to a community, or a part of a community, except for nonpayment of account or violation of rules and regulations, unless and until permission to do so is obtained from the commission. b. 1. A public utility described in sect…