Des Moines, Iowa — (RI) — A bill to let Iowa utilities charge a new fee to customers who install solar panels is among the policy proposals that have cleared a procedural deadline in the Iowa legislature.
Senator Michael Breitbach, a Republican from Strawberry Point, says it’s fair for all customers to pay for the maintenance of utility infrastructure.
Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, says the bill is a “power grab” by the state’s investor-owned utilities.
A similar bill cleared a House committee earlier in the week. Bills dealing with state taxes and spending are eligible for consideration at ANY time, but bills about other policy objectives must have won approval in a House or Senate committee by the end of this past week.
