(Des Moines) Geri Huser, Chair of the Iowa Utilities Board, spoke at Governor Reynolds Press Conference Wednesday about the cold snap that has hit the region which has caused high demand for electricity and natural gas and has strained the regional electric grid.
Huser said the Iowa Utilities Board has worked with MidAmerican Energy, Alliant Energy, Black Hills Energy, along with all of the rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and their respective utility associations to closely monitor the electric and natural gas supply to ensure Iowa customers continue to have those services. She said certain utilities in Iowa receive their power through agreements with the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). SPP encountered demand that exceeded its capacity to provide to its members.
However, Huser said Iowa’s largest utilities; MidAmerican Energy, Alliant Energy and Black Hills Energy, have not been affected by any curtailments and have projected sufficient supplies to meet the needs of their electric and natural gas customers.
Huser said the Iowa Utilities Board is asking Iowans to continue to support the utility workers that have been working 24/7 to keep lights on and homes warm and safe by also looking to conserve energy in your homes and businesses.
