Download Iowa’s renewable electricity PDF
Renewable Mandate Status: On Track
- 2009 Renewable Generation: 14.5%[i]
- Permanent Mandate: 105 MW of renewable generating capacity (0.66%)[ii]
Eligible resources: Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Municipal Solid Waste, and Anaerobic Digestion.[iii]
- Renewable Portfolio History: Original law established in 1983 and has since been amended in 1991 and 2003. The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) interpreted the statute’s 105 MW figure to mean “average capacity” based on kilowatt-hour output leading them to mandate the payment of incentive rates for 260 MW. In 2007, the IUB allowed for participation in REC trading. In 2001 the governor set a voluntary goal of 1,000 MW of wind generating capacity by 2001.[iv]
Credit Trading: Yes
Noncompliance penalty: None
Electricity Price Ranking: 9th Lowest[v]
- 7.16 cents/KWh in Iowa
- 10.7 cents/KWh in states with RPS penalties[vi]
[i] EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B., Average Retail Price of Electricity, June 2010, Released Sept. 15, 2010, http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6_b.html.
[ii] IAC 199-15.11(1), http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/ACODocs/DOCS/2-24-2010.199.15.11.pdf.
[iii] IAC 199-15.11(1), http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/ACODocs/DOCS/2-24-2010.199.15.11.pdf.
[iv] Database of state Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, Iowa, http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=IA01R&re=1&ee=1.
[v] Energy Information Administration, Electricity Generation 2009, http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/generation_state_mon.xls.
[vi] This includes every state with a mandate except Iowa.
