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Public utilities

Environmental Intervenors Seek Confidential Treatment for Documents in Iowa Utility Commission Proceeding

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Environmental law and advocacy groups Environmental Law & Policy Center, Iowa Environmental Council, and Sierra Club have filed a motion with the Iowa Public Utilities Commission to keep certain documents confidential in a proceeding related to MidAmerican Energy Company. The groups, which have entered a protective agreement with MidAmerican to receive confidential information, are seeking to have portions of their direct testimony and attached exhibits kept confidential until MidAmerican has had an opportunity to file its own motion justifying the treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Environmental Intervenors have entered a protective agreement with MidAmerican to receive confidential information in the proceeding.
  • The confidential documents in question are related to undisclosed responses to data requests and are considered confidential by MidAmerican due to potential trade secret information and competitive advantage.
  • The Environmental Intervenors are seeking confidential treatment of the designated testimony and exhibits, with the option for MidAmerican to file a separate motion to justify continued confidentiality.
  • The motion is supported by the fact that MidAmerican has already designated the information as confidential and is seeking protection under Iowa Code § 22.7(3) and 199 Iowa Admin. Code § 1.9(5) et seq.
  • The Environmental Intervenors have filed public versions of their testimony and exhibits, in accordance with the Iowa Utilities Commission's rules.
  • The motion was filed by Joshua T. Mandelbaum and Michael R. Schmidt, attorneys representing the Environmental Intervenors.

Statistics:

  • The proceeding is docketed as RPU-2025-0001 at the Iowa Utilities Commission.
  • The motion for confidential treatment was filed on May 29, 2025.
  • The Environmental Intervenors have filed a total of 2 documents in support of their motion, including the direct testimony and attached exhibits.
  • The Iowa Utilities Commission's rules require the filing of public versions of confidential documents, as was done by the Environmental Intervenors.

Sources:

  • Iowa Public Utilities Commission document: 1 STATE OF IOWA BEFORE THE IOWA UTILITIES COMMISSION IN RE: MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPANY) )
  • Iowa Code § 22.7(3)
  • 199 Iowa Admin. Code § 1.9(5) et seq.
  • Environmental Law & Policy Center
  • Iowa Environmental Council
  • Sierra Club

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