Mt. Pleasant to host public comment meeting on Alliant/IPL rate increase request

DES MOINES ? Mt. Pleasant will host one of four public comment meetings on Alliant Energy/Interstate Power and Light Company?s request for a 7.09 percent natural gas rate increase.

The meeting in Mt. Pleasant, hosted by the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), will be Thursday, July 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Civic Center (second floor), 307 E. Monroe St.

These meetings allow the public to provide input regarding the proposed rate increase.

In addition to representatives of Alliant/IPL, there will also be representatives of the Office of Consumer Advocate, which represents general customer interests.

A member of the IUB will preside over the meeting. Following introductions and opening comments by the board member, representatives of Alliant/IPL and the Office of Consumer Advocate may provide brief remarks. A court reporter will transcribe public comments.

Following remarks by the aforementioned officials, the meeting will be opened to comments from the audience. The exact process will be explained that night and may be adjusted to suit the size of the audience and meeting facilities. It may be necessary to impose time limits to allow everyone an opportunity to speak. Members of the public wishing to speak will be directed to the designated microphone location.

Those speaking will be asked to state their first and last name and city or town of residence. Comments should be to the point and focused on the rate case.

Alliant/IPL requested the rate increase May 25 and was granted a temporary 3.4 percent rate increase on June 4.

IUB has until March 25, 2013, to make a decision on the increase.

The board is an independent quasi-judicial regulatory board of three members, each appointed by the governor to staggered six-year terms. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Iowa Legislature. No more than two board members may be from the same political party. The decisions of the board may be appealed to the courts for judicial review.

Rate case considerations for the board include a review of the utility?s revenue requirement to cover the costs of general operating expenses, new capital expenses, cost of debt and a reasonable return on investment necessary for the utility to provide efficient and reliable service. Only evidence in the record for this case may be considered in the decision.

IUB also accepts written public comments regarding a formal petition field by a utility to change its rates. Effective written comments are concise with specific points expressing support or objections to the rate request. An electronic comment form, available at iub.iowa.gov, may be used to submit comments for this rate case (Docket No. RPU-2012-0002). Comments may also be sent to: Customer Service, Iowa Utilities Board, 1375 E. Court Ave., Rm. 69, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319. You can also contact the utilities board by phone at 1-877-565-4450.