Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB698

Introduced
2/12/24  
Introduced
2/12/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 2551.)

Impact

A significant aspect of HSB698 is its retroactive applicability to July 1, 2020, impacting previously approved electric transmission lines not subject to any right of first refusal. This means that even past projects can be subject to the new stipulations regarding construction and ownership. The bill gives existing electric transmission facility owners the right to construct new lines directly connected to their facilities, which could promote efficiency in the management of electric transmission infrastructure.

Summary

House Study Bill 698 addresses the regulation of electric transmission lines and the rights of electric transmission owners in Iowa. The bill highlights an urgent need for investment in high-voltage transmission infrastructure to ensure the reliable and stable delivery of electricity to consumers in the state. It allows incumbent electric transmission owners to be formed, located, or headquartered in any state, provided that their electric transmission lines are situated in Iowa. This provision is aimed at promoting investment from entities committed to developing the state's electric infrastructure.

Contention

The bill includes measures regarding cost accountability where incumbent electric transmission owners must inform the Iowa Utilities Board of their estimated construction costs and provide quarterly updates throughout the construction phase. There may be contention regarding the extent of the rights given to incumbent owners, especially in terms of potentially excluding other developers from participating in projects that connect to existing transmission facilities. Some stakeholders may view this as limiting competition and raising concerns about the manner in which the board can assign construction rights.

Companion Bills

IA SSB3176

Related A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 2372.)

IA HF2551

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 698.)

IA SF2372

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3176.)

Previously Filed As

IA SSB1113

A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines approved by federally registered planning authority transmission plans including right of first refusal and land restoration requirements, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA HF2227

A bill for an act relating to land restoration following the initial construction of electric transmission lines, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 526.) Effective date: 04/16/2026. Applicability date: 07/01/2024.

IA HSB526

A bill for an act relating to land restoration following the initial construction of electric transmission lines.(See HF 2227.)

IA HSB737

A bill for an act relating to emergency planning and coordination for electric transmission line owners, and providing penalties.(See HF 2583.)

IA AB2111

An act to add and repeal Section 25308.1 of the Public Resources Code, and to amend Sections 454.51 and 454.57 of, and to add Section 454.57.5 to, the Public Utilities Code, relating to electricity.

IA HSB185

A bill for an act related to using electric transmission and distribution easements held by electric cooperatives for broadband service, and including effective date provisions.

IA HB6176

Electricity Transmission Scorecard Act

IA HF2583

A bill for an act relating to emergency planning and coordination for electric transmission line owners, and providing penalties. (Formerly HSB 737.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

IA HB2226

Providing incumbent electric transmission owners a right of first refusal for the construction of certain electric transmission lines.

IA HSB65

A bill for an act relating to rate-regulated utilities, including telecommunications and electronic transmission services.(See HF 304, HF 2181.)

Similar Bills

NJ S1673

Requires electric transmission owners to join transmission entities.

NJ A2757

Requires electric transmission owners to join transmission entities.

KS HB2226

Providing incumbent electric transmission owners a right of first refusal for the construction of certain electric transmission lines.

MI SB0932

Public utilities: electric utilities; guidelines for applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity; provide for. Amends sec. 6 of 1995 PA 30 (MCL 460.566).

IA SSB1113

A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines approved by federally registered planning authority transmission plans including right of first refusal and land restoration requirements, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

MI SB0930

Public utilities: electric utilities; guidelines for applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity; provide for. Amends sec. 8 of 1995 PA 30 (MCL 460.568).

WI AB25

An incumbent transmission facility owner’s right to construct, own, and maintain certain transmission facilities and Public Service Commission procedures if the transmission facility is a regionally cost-shared transmission line.

WI SB28

An incumbent transmission facility owner’s right to construct, own, and maintain certain transmission facilities and Public Service Commission procedures if the transmission facility is a regionally cost-shared transmission line.