This Energy Ratepayer Bill of Rights is needed today, and expresses our obligation to future generations of ratepayers and the responsibility to leave Iowa inhabitable for all.
Iowans need energy to survive and thrive.
As clean energy resources increasingly replace fossil fuels, Iowa’s energy ratepayers must be afforded equitable and inclusive access to the benefits of a clean, efficient and resilient energy system.- As climate change increasingly stresses our communities with extremes in temperature and humidity, ratepayers must have equitable access to the resources necessary to make their homes and businesses energy efficient and healthy.
- As transportation and buildings increasingly become electrified, ratepayers – especially those experiencing high energy burdens – must be protected from unjust discrimination in connection and disconnection of service.
Whether served by investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, or rural electric cooperatives, Iowa’s energy ratepayers have the right to access, contribute to, and benefit from a clean energy economy.
The Iowa Energy Ratepayer Bill of Rights:
What You Need to Know
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is typically the least-cost clean energy resource. Energy waste can result in increased costs and pollution from unnecessary generation. As electricity use increases, wise energy use can help keep costs reasonable and make homes more comfortable, healthy, and resilient. In addition to providing good local jobs, energy efficiency programs benefit our communities by keeping energy dollars local. Efficiency and demand response can also reduce energy use at peak hours, helping avoid costs related to system expansion to meet ever- higher loads.
Customer-owned Generation
Just as energy efficiency helps to keep dollars in our local communities, local, decentralized generation of clean energy can do the same, allowing Iowans to reduce their energy bills and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy system.
Community-focused Clean Energy
Community participation and ownership are ways to capture additional economic benefits and influence the direction of the local energy system. Community participation and ownership structures should be incentivized as a key part of the transition to clean energy.
Consumer Protection, Transparency & Public Health
Consumer protection and transparency measures are more critical than ever as the clean energy transition advances. Energy policies should be designed to ensure utilities act in the best interest of their customers, the communities they serve, and the environment. People should not lose their homes, health, or livelihoods due to energy generation or energy bills.
The Iowa Energy Ratepayer Bill of Rights: What You Need to Know
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is typically the least-cost clean energy resource. Energy waste can result in increased costs and pollution from unnecessary generation. As electricity use increases, wise energy use can help keep costs reasonable and make homes more comfortable, healthy, and resilient. In addition to providing good local jobs, energy efficiency programs benefit our communities by keeping energy dollars local. Efficiency and demand response can also reduce energy use at peak hours, helping avoid costs related to system expansion to meet ever- higher loads.
Customer-owned Generation
Just as energy efficiency helps to keep dollars in our local communities, local, decentralized generation of clean energy can do the same, allowing Iowans to reduce their energy bills and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy system.
Community-focused Clean Energy
Community participation and ownership are ways to capture additional economic benefits and influence the direction of the local energy system. Community participation and ownership structures should be incentivized as a key part of the transition to clean energy.
Consumer Protection, Transparency & Public Health
Consumer protection and transparency measures are more critical than ever as the clean energy transition advances. Energy policies should be designed to ensure utilities act in the best interest of their customers, the communities they serve, and the environment. People should not lose their homes, health, or livelihoods due to energy generation or energy bills.
Iowans need energy to survive and thrive. As clean energy resources increase, Iowa’s energy ratepayers must be afforded equitable and inclusive access to the benefits of a clean, efficient, and resilient energy system.
Terms to Know
Ratepayer - a person who pays for the energy they consume either directly or through rent payments
Clean electrification - replacing fossil fuel use with clean electric generation for the purposes of reducing energy cost and greenhouse gas emissions
Energy democracy - an energy system in which every ratepayer has certain inalienable rights and equal access to the benefits of the clean energy transition
Energy Burden - Energy burden= annual utility bills ÷ annual income | A high energy burden is considered 6% or more
Regulated Monopoly Utilities - The Iowa Utilities Board regulates energy utilities, including service territory and (for investor-owned utilities) rates.
