Alliant Energy proposed rate increase and the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling

By Jon Dunwell

Last week, Alliant Energy filed proposed increases to electric and gas rates for 2024 and 2025 with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB). These rate increases do not go into effect until there is a hearing and decision made by the IUB, which takes approximately ten months.

The proposed increases up the average monthly residential bill $10/month in late 2024, and by another $7/month in late 2025.

There will be four public meetings to allow Alliant customers to express their views about the proposed increases. Representatives of Alliant, the IUB, and the Office of the Consumer Advocate, will be present at all meetings. The meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Cedar Rapids – 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, the Hotel Kirkwood Main Ballroom, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. S.W., Cedar Rapids

• Clear Lake – 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, Surf Ballroom, 460 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake

• Creston – 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, Southwestern Community College Performing Arts Center, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston

• Virtual – 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Details about participating online and at the customer comment meetings are available on the IUB’s website.

In June, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions. This means that race cannot be a factor for colleges during the admissions process. Obviously, this had a huge impact on higher education across the United States, but does this mean anything for K-12 education in Iowa?

On Jan. 10, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed Executive Order 10, which requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. This means the Department of Education is reviewing their administrative rules. At the Administrative Rules Committee meeting on Oct. 10, the Department presented notice of intended action ARC 7098C. They proposed rescinding current chapter 95.5(9)(h) of Administrative Code which provides, in part, that race or ethnic origin may be considered when “selecting applicants for an interview, employment and promotion.” According to the Department, this raises constitutional concerns and concerns under Title VI. For those reasons, that provision is not going to be readopted. If an employer wishes to consider race or national origin when making employment decisions, the employer is advised to consult with counsel.

This is a very tangible way we are seeing the overturning of affirmative action trickle down into not just Iowa, but K-12 schools in Iowa.