MidAmerican Energy Company Faces Deadline for Construction Completion on Dallas County, Iowa Transmission Line

Strategic Insights -

The Iowa Public Utilities Commission (IUC) has issued a follow-up letter to MidAmerican Energy Company, requesting an update on the progress of constructing an additional 11.26 miles of 161 kV nominal voltage electric transmission line in Dallas County, Iowa. The project was granted an amendment to the franchise on April 10, 2023, but the company has failed to submit a response or begin construction within the two-year deadline. The IUC has given MidAmerican 30 days to respond with an update, citing Iowa Code § 478.21(1) and 199 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 11.10(2)(a), (b), and (c).

Key Takeaways:

  • MidAmerican Energy Company filed a petition with the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) in Docket No. E-21127 on June 27, 2022, for an amendment to Franchise No. R-19032 to construct an additional 11.26 miles of 161 kV nominal voltage electric transmission line in Dallas County, Iowa.
  • The IUC granted MidAmerican's petition and issued Amendment No. 1 to the franchise on April 10, 2023.
  • Iowa Code § 478.21(1) provides that an electric transmission line franchise shall be forfeited and revoked if construction, in whole or in part, has not begun within two years from the date the franchise was granted, unless the franchise holder petitions the IUC for an extension of time.
  • The IUC has given MidAmerican 30 days to respond with an update, citing Iowa Code § 478.21(1) and 199 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 11.10(2)(a), (b), and (c).
  • The deadline for MidAmerican to begin construction has sparked concerns about the potential revocation of the franchise under Iowa Code § 478.21(1).

Statistics:

  • 11.26 miles: The length of the additional electric transmission line to be constructed in Dallas County, Iowa.
  • 161 kV nominal voltage: The voltage of the electric transmission line proposed by MidAmerican Energy Company.
  • April 10, 2023: The date when the IUC granted MidAmerican's petition and issued Amendment No. 1 to the franchise.
  • Two years: The deadline for MidAmerican Energy Company to begin construction on the transmission line.

Sources:

  • Iowa Code § 478.21(1)
  • 199 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 11.10(2)(a), (b), and (c)
  • Letter from Bao Nguyen, Engineer, Safety and Engineering Bureau, to Andrew Magner, Attorney, MidAmerican Energy Company, dated May 14, 2025, E-21127.