IUB Approves New Electric Transmission Lines In Madison County

IUB decision includes partial concurrence and dissent

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) issued an order today in Docket No. E-22417 approving a petition for a franchise to construct, maintain, and operate two electric transmission lines by MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican) near the city of Cumming in Madison County, Iowa.

MidAmerican’s petition (application) proposes to build approximately 3.53 miles of 161 kV electric transmission line that consists of west and east segments. The west segment connects from MidAmerican’s Maffitt Lake Substation in Madison County to an already existing line which is connected to MidAmerican’s Booneville Substation in Dallas County. The east segment connects from MidAmerican’s Maffitt Lake Substation in Madison County to an already existing line which is connected to MidAmerican’s Norwalk Substation in Warren County. A map of the route is available for review in the IUB’s electronic filing system.

The February 1 order includes a partial concurrence and dissent. While the majority of the Board members concluded MidAmerican proved it was entitled to a franchise over both the west and east segments, Board member Richard Lozier agreed with the majority that MidAmerican proved it was entitled to a franchise over the west segment, but he concluded MidAmerican did not prove it was entitled to a franchise over the east segment. Because a majority of the Board found in MidAmerican’s favor, a franchise was issued over the west and east segments.

The order finds that the proposed lines are necessary to serve a public use and represent a reasonable relationship to an overall plan of transmitting electricity in the public interest. The order also found that vesting MidAmerican with the right of eminent domain is necessary for public use subject to the easement modifications discussed in the order.

Iowa Code chapter 478 specifies rules for electric transmission line franchises. Learn more about the franchise process and review the frequently asked questions on eminent domain.

All documents regarding this proposed project can be reviewed by searching under Docket No. E-22417 in the IUB’s electronic filing system (EFS) at efs.iowa.gov.