MidAmerican Energy Company Seeks Extension of Electric Transmission Line Franchise in Mahaska County, Iowa

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) has received a petition from MidAmerican Energy Company, requesting an extension of franchise for an electric transmission line in Mahaska County, Iowa. The line consists of 6.76 miles of high-voltage transmission, with a maximum operating voltage of 72,500 volts. The company asserts that the line is necessary to serve a public use, and represents a reasonable relationship to an overall plan of transmitting electricity in the public interest. The petition includes exhibits detailing the route, engineering specifications, and technical information for the project.

Key Takeaways:

• The petition, filed on May 16, 2025, requests an extension of franchise for an electric transmission line in Mahaska County, Iowa.
• The line consists of 6.76 miles of high-voltage transmission, with a maximum operating voltage of 72,500 volts.
• MidAmerican Energy Company asserts that the line is necessary to serve a public use, and represents a reasonable relationship to an overall plan of transmitting electricity in the public interest.
• The company agrees to pay all costs and expenses of the franchise proceeding, and accepts that the provisions of all laws and regulations relating to public utilities, franchises, and transmission lines will apply to its existing line or lines.
• The company provides exhibits detailing the route, engineering specifications, and technical information for the project, including Exhibit A (legal description of the route), Exhibit B (map showing the route and natural or man-made features), Exhibit C (engineering specifications and technical information), and Exhibit D (describing the history of the line and the need for public use).

Statistics:

• 6.76 miles of high-voltage transmission line are proposed for extension of franchise.
• The maximum operating voltage of the line is 72,500 volts.
• The line will be maintained in compliance with the Iowa Electrical Safety Code (199 Iowa Administrative Code chapter 25).
• The company agrees to pay all costs and expenses of the franchise proceeding, including costs of inspections or examinations of the route, hearing, salaries, publishing of notice, and any other expenses reasonably attributable to the proceeding.

Sources:

• MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPANY, Petition for Extension of Electric Transmission Line Franchise, Docket No. E-21534, filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission on May 16, 2025.
• AFFIDAVIT of Jeffrey Cook, Senior Attorney for MidAmerican Energy Company, filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission on May 16, 2025.