The IUB order (DOCKET NO. SPU-2019-0005) comes in response to Governor Kim Reynolds’ proclamation of public health disaster emergency due to continued widespread flooding and flash flooding impacting large portions of Iowa.
Iowa Code § 476.20(2) establishes a moratorium from disconnection of natural gas and electric customers who are eligible for low-income home energy assistance or weatherization assistance programs between November 1 and April 1. The IUB adopted rules at 199 IAC 19.4(17) for natural gas service and at 20.4(17) for electric service that provide: “No disconnection may take place from November 1 through April 1 for a resident who is a head of household and who has been certified to the public utility by the local community action agency as being eligible for either the low-income home energy assistance program or weatherization assistance program.”
The extension to May 13, 2019, will apply to only those previously certified low-income individuals in counties that have been declared disaster areas who could be subject to possible disconnection on April 1, 2019.
The IUB order links the moratorium extension to STATE (Governor) disaster declarations and not to FEDERAL (Presidential) declarations. To read the order, go to:
https://efs.iowa.gov/cs/groups/external/documents/docket/mdax/odqz/~edisp/1843024.pdf
IAMU and the IUB understand that not all member utilities in the counties included in the state declaration have been impacted by the effects of the flooding, but all member utilities in those counties included in the state declaration must adhere to the order. The order accounts for potential future flooding that could occur over the next six weeks during the continued seasonal thawing and rain.
If you have any questions or concerns about this moratorium extension, please contact IAMU General Counsel Tim Whipple at [email protected] or 515.289.1999.