Energy transmission strains close to the Duane Arnold Vitality Heart in Palo in August 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
The Iowa Utilities Board has determined to partially rethink an software from Interstate Energy and Gentle Firm – Alliant Vitality’s Iowa subsidiary – that features Duane Arnold Photo voltaic initiatives in Linn County, in accordance with an order filed Thursday.
Interstate Energy and Gentle’s software initially requested for IUB preapproval of 400 megawatts of photo voltaic and 75 megawatts of battery storage in Iowa, together with the Duane Arnold photo voltaic initiatives, together with their related prices and charges. If accepted, these charges would final the lifetime of the amenities being constructed — so that they had been fastidiously thought of to make the initiatives extra reasonably priced for utilities and clients.
The IUB denied that software final month, saying that Interstate Energy and Gentle (IPL) didn’t adequately contemplate different and probably simpler era choices in its software, as required by Iowa Code.
The denial makes it much less doubtless that Alliant will find yourself proudly owning the Duane Arnold Photo voltaic amenities, a consultant of the Iowa Environmental Council beforehand instructed The Gazette. Whereas Florida-based NextEra will develop 200-megawatt photo voltaic initiatives close to Palo, Alliant submitted a proposal to IUB to buy the big photo voltaic farm from NextEra and additional develop it into the biggest state photo voltaic and battery storage facility.
The IPL filed a movement to the IUB on Nov. 29 for the reconsideration of its software and doable rehearing.
Based on Thursday’s order, IPL stated IUB ignored the “plain language of the Iowa Code’s statutory requirement,” which establishes fee enchancment ideas to “encourage funding within the utility’s new era. “
IPL additionally said that its choices had been based mostly on the Iowa Clear Vitality Blueprint and extra analyses, which “overwhelmingly chosen photo voltaic as the most effective different” for assembly capability wants. The IUB beforehand stated the blueprint didn’t adequately contemplate different extra cheap vitality sources.
As well as, IPL stated it’s conducting extra evaluation of 200 megawatts of proposed photo voltaic era – which doesn’t embrace the proposed megawatts on the Duane Arnold facility in Palo. The brand new proof may result in decrease general prices, which might assist its proposal meet IUB necessities, the IPL stated.
“IPL contends that the Board’s order places the development of initiatives in danger…,” learn Thursday’s order. “The Board’s improper normal, in accordance with the IPL, required the IPL to take a number of actions that weren’t mandated by legislation.”
In its Thursday order, the IUB stated it discovered no grounds for a whole reversal of its determination.
It additionally factors to an absence of consideration from IPL concerning different sources of vitality provide, corresponding to energy buy agreements – the place turbines promote electrical energy to patrons. The board additionally stated it adopted state requirements in its ruling.
Even with extra proof for 200 megawatts of photo voltaic era, the IUB says that the financial evaluation exhibits that the projected prices for patrons are better than the advantages of the initiatives, and the battery storage system just isn’t confirmed for big and long-term use.
“As proven within the financial evaluation of the IPL, the price of the amenities will end in a major burden on the taxpayers,” the IUB stated within the order. “To ensure that the Board to find out that the proposed amenities are cheap … there have to be proof within the report displaying IPL’s evaluation of possible options.”
“The Board didn’t create a brand new normal,” it continued later, “the Board utilized the proof within the report to the statutory requirement and located that the IPL didn’t conduct the mandatory thorough evaluation to fulfill the statutory requirement.”
Nevertheless, the IUB granted reconsideration or a rehearing for added details about the Duane Arnold Photo voltaic amenities on a stand-alone foundation, which might permit IPL to fulfill state necessities and exhibit that the challenge cheap in comparison with different sources.
“There isn’t a query that IPL wants extra capability and these two photo voltaic amenities, which have been accepted for era certificates by the Board, will present a few of the required capability,” the order stated.
The order is contingent on IPL offering extra proof inside 30 days displaying that Duane Arnold’s proposed photo voltaic era is affordable in comparison with different vitality sources.
Alliant consultant Morgan Hawk stated the corporate was happy with IUB’s reconsideration of photo voltaic vitality era on the Duane Arnold Photo voltaic location however upset with its willpower concerning different proposed initiatives.
“We might be evaluating our subsequent steps as we proceed our unwavering concentrate on serving our clients and constructing stronger communities,” he stated in an e mail.
Brittney J. Miller is the Vitality & Setting Reporter for The Gazette and a corps member with Report for America, a nationwide service program that locations journalists in native newsrooms to report on the uncovered. points.
Feedback: (319) 398-8370; brittney.miller@thegazette.com
